Some mornings begin better - Torrey X

[Dennis Andress]

It’s 6:30 am. The sun is rising behind the mountains towering on my right. Some distance to my left the clouds above another mountain range glow a soft pink in the sun’s rays. Interstate 15 is nearly deserted as the five of us motor north in the mountain’s shadow. We cross the Virgin River and the road turns towards the mountains. Suddenly the air warms as road signs warn of strong winds, sharp turns, and slower speeds. A few strong blasts of wind hit the bike as we approach the face of the mountain and then dive into the canyon carved by the Virgin river. My second visit to Torrey just began.

 

A couple of hours later we arrive in Zion Natl. Park. I visited here in the `80's, before the National Park Service built big parking lots and closed the canyon road to all but their busses. The canyon road is 13 miles long. After which there is a one mile trail ending where the river flows between two shear 1500 ft cliffs. Maybe next time I’ll take the bus.

 

Not that we didn’t see anything.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next came Bryce Canyon Natl. Park. What a film whore....

 

 

 

 

 

 

More to come.....

[ericfoerster]

Very nice!

 

Thanks

[Dennis Andress]

I woke stiff and sore Friday morning. A short ride into the Reef was all I could manage before sitting down to a leisurely breakfast.

 

In the Reef, near the site of Fruita

 

 

 

In the hour and a half I sat in the resturant the group from the day before joined me. Plans were made and everyone got excited. Except me. I joined Russell, Nora, and John who had came in even later.

 

Eventually I felt like riding and off we went down the Burr Trail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banner Mountain was looking pretty good on the way back.

 

 

 

 

 

On the way down Banner Mountain we came upon a Harley going slow and riding both side of the yellow line. We left him quickly behind and then pulled off at a viewpoint a few miles later. The Harley pulled in about 5 minutes after our last rider. Turns out he was a Japanese student who had rented the bike in Vegas. Pretty ballsy thing to do. He left before us. We found him in the ditch about a mile down the road. He was okay. The bike was only scratched. Fortunately, we had a retired doctor traveling with us who had a Road King back home. Just the skills set we needed; first aid and Harley operation - none of us wanted to try it. We got the bike and rider back on the road and escorted them to Torrey.

 

 

We found this on the far side of the Reef. Took a bit of rock climbing to get it.

 

 

 

One more....

[ESokoloff]

Awfully purrdy :thumbsup

[stanf]

nice pics and story, Dennis.

 

Wish I could have made the trip this time...maybe Spring.

[Dennis Andress]

I believe there is something in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance about tire wear; being aware of how miles, throttle, heat, and road surface conspire to wear on a rear tire. It pretty much describes were I found myself Saturday morning. There wasn’t any great risk but it was plain that I couldn’t go off chasing Fernando on his daily 300 mile cruise, especially on the well groomed velcro that Utah paves their roads with.

 

Mornings are important. They set the tone of the whole day. John Benedict and I headed into the Reef for pictures just to make sure things got going right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afterwards John rode off with Fernando’s group and I settled down to breakfast. I found the same group from the last two days waiting for me wondering what ride I had planned. Russell and Nora came straggling in late again. One look was all it took to realize that they weren’t riding far today....

 

I wanted to ride Sweeper Madness for the first time and explained to the group that the gloves were coming off. What a road! Somebody please give the engineer who designed it and extra slice of raisin pie! Since I’m still learning a new to me bike the ride up wasn’t as smooth as it could have been. The ride back down though....

 

We stopped for pictures of course.

 

Guess who came rushing through. True to his promise both wheels are on the ground. I’m sure that sooner or later he’ll wish he had both hands on the bars....

 

 

 

We took a jaunt around Fish Lake. At the end we liked it enough to turn around and do it again. I don’t have many pictures of it to post but it was by far the prettiest road of the week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday morning we gather to head home. True to his word Fernando is geared up and ready to roll at 8:00 am, Bruce is there too. I join Fernando and Bruce as they roll away with Bruce leading, he hit a dear last year and we need his caution this morning. The weather is noticeably cooler this morning, winter is not far away for Torrey. It gets colder as we ride west, about 60 miles into it we spot a line of frozen plants under a large farm sprinkler, high 20's would be my guess.

 

We stop for breakfast in Panguitch. Russell, Nora, and John join us about 20 minutes later. After breakfast we have a great time riding to Cedar City. Then it’s slab time. A couple hours later we come flying out of the Virgin River Gorge at speed and my second visit to Torrey ends.

[ClearwaterBMW]

wow

incredible stuff

thanks for sharing

 

i'd post some photos just as nice from my area of the world

BUT THEY DON'T EXIST !!!

greg

[ClearwaterBMW]

On the way down Banner Mountain we came upon a Harley going slow and riding both side of the yellow line. We left him quickly behind and then pulled off at a viewpoint a few miles later. The Harley pulled in about 5 minutes after our last rider. Turns out he was a Japanese student who had rented the bike in Vegas. Pretty ballsy thing to do. He left before us. We found him in the ditch about a mile down the road. He was okay. The bike was only scratched. Fortunately, we had a retired doctor traveling with us who had a Road King back home. Just the skills set we needed; first aid and Harley operation - none of us wanted to try it. We got the bike and rider back on the road and escorted them to Torrey.

 

that is a really nice part of this story as well.

ballsy or not, that kind of "over-your-head" Harley rental is way too common, of course.

this man was lucky to have his "angels" watching out for him

 

good for you and thanks for telling us about it

greg

[RichEdwards]

Nice post. Utah is unique. One of the top 3 states to visit (IMHO).

[norah]

Hey Dennis,

 

Great pictures - it's nice to know what went on out there while I was fast asleep... . Next time I hear your engine rev at 6:30 a.m. maybe, just maybe, I'll straggle out and join you. We still had fun and it was great riding with ya......

[Fasterpill]

This was lunchtime therapy for me - a true escape. I surely wish I was there with you, Norah, and Russel at that breakfast. It was a hard week for me. Having switched from Harley to BMW, I can tell you that Harleys are much easier to ride. They sit low and are well balanced. Just don't go fast...