tobyzusa Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 John (SilverEagle) had a plan. A simple plan really. Why not ride 4,104 miles of the best motorcycle roads that the West has to offer, and do that in nine short days. The flight plan would take us from the DFW area in Texas through New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and back to Texas. All he really needed to accomplish this feat, was a couple of willing accomplices, which he found in Ron (Mistral) and me – Brad (Tobyzusa). John (SilverEagle), Brad (Tobyzusa), and Ron (Mistral) We left Dallas/Fort Worth bright and early June 6 with a planning stop in Las Cruces, NM, a mere 665 miles away. We did have to get out of TX after all! This first day was a just “get there” day, but we managed to find some interesting terrain and roads as we approached Las Cruces. We left the heat of Texas behind as we started out from Las Cruces to Payson, AZ on day 2. After passing Lake Mary, we stopped at Hannegan Meadow for lunch. That’s all I have time to post tonight, but tomorrow will land us on the north rim of the Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon – North Rim Teaser Link to comment
Lmar Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 Great pictures! Thanks for sharing. Link to comment
Paul_Burkett Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 Very nice so far. Keep them comming. Link to comment
Albert Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 Nice stuff Brad! Keep it coming. Link to comment
Silvereagle Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 Nice pics Brad. Thanks for taking the time to post our ride report. I'm glad the three of us were able to do the trip. Indeed we hit some (not all) of the best roads in NM, AZ, UT, and CO. A slight correction for you map followers. Lake Mary and the Lake Mary Road were on our route between Payson and Flagstaff. However there were about 525 sharp curves in the 70 miles on 191 between Morenci and Hannagan Meadow. We did have some killer bbq beef ribs for lunch at the Hannagan Meadow Lodge. Friendly folks and a worthwhile stop. John Link to comment
mbelectric Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 Nothin' like a great ride with friends. Some good country yer seein' there. Stop and have a meal at Jacob Lake. The Jaegerscnitzel is good. Keep the story coming. MB> Link to comment
tobyzusa Posted June 23, 2009 Author Share Posted June 23, 2009 A slight correction for you map followers....there were about 525 sharp curves in the 70 miles on 191 between Morenci and Hannagan Meadow. John John, thanks for keeping me straight. Please continue to do so, as you are the authority on the route, BTW, I think I counted 526 curves. That was fun! Link to comment
tobyzusa Posted June 23, 2009 Author Share Posted June 23, 2009 Day 3 - So it was on towards the north rim of the Grand Canyon and a stop for the night in Kanab. The sky was not conducive to photography today, so please excuse the poor exposures. I think this was called Cave Dwellers, along the Vermillion Cliffs. The Lodge at the North Rim. John Ron Brad So we spent the night in Kanab, and tomorrow it's on to Zion National Park for Day number 4. John and Ron, please fill in the commentary. Zion preview. More to come tomorrow. Link to comment
Mike05 Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 Wow! Great shots; looking forward to seeing more. Keep them coming! Link to comment
mistral Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 This was a fanatastic trip. Brad thanks for posting the pictures. Zion was a really neat place, and I would go back. In fact I think I have to do this trip again next year. John set up a great route. Every day was different, and we had nice weather. Ron Link to comment
tobyzusa Posted June 23, 2009 Author Share Posted June 23, 2009 Day 4 Kanab to Torrey Today's route took us through Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. It only seemed right to give the sides of the tires a break for a day. John and Ron waiting to go through the 1.1 mile tunnel through the solid rock mountain. I think they may have used something more than hand shovels to dig this out! Gee Ron, is this some type of prophetic warning??? John casually strolling to the over look. Ron and I eventually made it as well. Remember that 1.1 mile tunnel? This is the mountain that it went through (on the left). The tunnel exit is where the road magically appears. ...and once again, the whole environment changed. This was Cinder Cone Peak, I think? John, keep me honest. One the way to Cedar Breaks, we saw this helicopter hauling logs off the mountain. Bryce Canyon Ron made an off-hand comment about an old gypsy lady and poof... ...he finally changed back a couple of hours later. John and I contemplated on which "Ron" we liked the best??? We had a delightful roll down the mountain into Torrey. I'm certain John's hair was on fire. He was feelin' it, and it put a smile on my face . Link to comment
Twisties Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 Jeez, and I can't believe I was stuck in Ouray and missed this. I got screwed. Looks like you guys had a great time. Link to comment
tobyzusa Posted June 23, 2009 Author Share Posted June 23, 2009 Jeez, and I can't believe I was stuck in Ouray and missed this. I got screwed. No, you didn't get screwed. I know you guys had your own share of fun. I would have loved to do both. We were there a week before you guys...but count me in again for next year! Link to comment
Silvereagle Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 Brad, I'm not sure about your Cinder Cone Peak reference. That picture was along UT 14 westbound a few miles before UT 148 to Cedar Breaks. It was getting cold so we stopped to add a few layers. Link to comment
eddd Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Nice tale Brad. Looks like you all had a great time. Link to comment
tobyzusa Posted June 24, 2009 Author Share Posted June 24, 2009 Thanks Ed. I missed seeing you guys in Ouray. Looks like you had a fantastic time as well. Link to comment
lvnvbiker Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Sweet ride, now I'm jonesing for another Ut/Az ride... Link to comment
tobyzusa Posted June 25, 2009 Author Share Posted June 25, 2009 Day 5 Fish Lake and assorted Hooning Roads We spent the day in and around Torrey. What great riding. This was my first time in the area and it did not disappoint. Day 6 Torrey to Moab So we come to the overlook at Mokey Dugway. ... so Ron says, "did you remember to bring your spray paint"? I replied, "all BMWST members keep a can handy". So I went to work... Ron says, "Cool, can I have some of that"? and he proceeded to scrawl: ...to which I commented, "can you elaborate on what you mean"? To which he tagged his final tome. The Mokey Dugway view was spectacular. ,,but I couldn't hold John and Ron back any longer. Whoa John, remember there's no pavement under those tires! Where's Waldo? Mexican Hat Monument Valley ...that's all for tonight. Link to comment
tobyzusa Posted June 26, 2009 Author Share Posted June 26, 2009 Arches National Park in Moab Day - I've lost track - Moab to ??? So our final day of "real" riding was supposed to deposit us in Pagosa Springs. So we head for Telluride and parts beyond. But at Gateway, Brad comes to the realization that this trip is coming to an end. So a plan is hatched to turn North, rather than East when we get to Durango. Shoot, why not spend the night in Ouray . and the next morning we turn North to go home to TX by way of Montrose and Lake City ! John and Ron, thanks for a spectacular trip. I will never forget this one. Link to comment
Lmar Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Nice pictures. I enjoy seeing your bikes in some of the shots. Link to comment
mistral Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Brad, thanks for posting. You and John were great to ride with. I have to head west again next year. The roads are really good, and the views are awesome. Ron Link to comment
Silvereagle Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Again Brad, thanks for taking the time to post our trip. It was a memorable ride and there are many more roads out West worth seeing. I'm off in a few weeks for a 10+ day trip to Idaho and doing some long range planning for a trip next summer to Western Canada. I'm not getting any younger, so I'm going to ride while I can. John Link to comment
Bullett Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 What a wonderful trip. Good job taking us along, Brad. Link to comment
Mike05 Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Nicely done Brad. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment
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