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Was "baptized" last Saturday


macx

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First time in the rain on the RT (just had it since May 1st).

 

I'm working south of Vegas and living in Vegas and only working 4 day weeks, so have taken advantage of the long weekends to pretty thoroughly explore the surrounding area, esp southern Utah of course.

 

Last weekend I revisited the South Rim, hadn't been there for awhile, and didn't want an overniter. I won't post pics unless someone wants, it seems so many folks have been there. One thing I did fail to do was to get a few pics of the "scenic drive" leading to the park from Fredonia and from the park entrance about 30 miles East toward the Vermillion Cliffs. Shame on me, really, altho not "spectacular" the drive is really pretty thru the high plateau and big trees and hills in the Kaibab Nat'l Forest. So just have the typical Canyon pics like a million other folks.

 

Anyway - It was cloudy and cool with a few spatters of rain while I was in the park. It had started just when I got into the park itself.

 

On the way out, the temp had dropped, of course partly attributable to the altitude, and after the ~100F of the Vegas area, DAMN but that 62F felt good, even with just a long sleeved denim shirt over a T shirt!

 

I got to the "brow" of the plateau, ready to descend, and saw some showers marching across the valley. Kind of neat looking from high up. UNTIL I realized the road I was on lead right INTO them!

 

Stopped and put my non-wettables into a case, buttoned up my shirt, and "went for it".

 

I've ridden in cold rain before and, yeah, that can be miserable.

 

Well, got lucky and hit spotty light showers for maybe 20 miles, then an equal section of no rain. But then I hit somewhat heavier rain - actually "moderate" rain - but definitely enuf to get wet.

 

I had stopped just on the Utah side of the AZ border, just north of the city limits of Colorado City, AZ (you REALLY gotta watch that 4 miles long 50 mph speed zone that goes WAY out of town to the south!!) on the way to the park for gas and coffee in the am, and needing gas again decided that canopy over the gas pumps sounded like a good spot while I had another coffee.

 

As I pulled in, I noticed a couple guys on mostly naked bikes, just windshields, "huddling" under the canopy, soaking wet and shivering (it was still 62 F). I also noticed how they pretty

much gawked at me as I climbed off the RT. THEN I realized it was because only my sleeves and the toes of my boots were actually wet, with a little dampness from deflected spray across the front of my shoulders.

 

So we discussed the "relative merits of rider protection" that I was SO glad I had at that particular moment while we warmed up inside and had our coffee. (Sinclair station & C store, nice little place)

 

They had nice bikes, but they sure cast some long glances at the RT!

 

When I thought about it, I, too, was amazed to find virtually no wet areas on my jeans or most of the lower part of my shirt front.

 

Of course, the adjustable windshield went up to "full tilt" when it started raining and I really didn't have much running down my face shield as most of it was deflected upwards.

 

I've got an 04 R1150R at home, but I was sure glad I was riding that RT!!

 

Ended up with 600 miles that day, never would have done that on the 1150R! But I WILL be getting a Mayer saddle this winter. That's the one main thing left (after Ilium bar backs, grip puppies, and flashing brake lite already on), maybe along with an Aeroflow shield this winter. Then, BRING ON THE MILES !!

(I can just about say "rain or no rain")

 

 

 

 

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Great story Mac, but you know, without pic's .. .... happen. :grin:

 

With working 4 days in Vegas, you have absolutely NO reason to miss the Death Valley get togethers in Nov and Jan... One of our admin's will put them on them calendar soon... :dopeslap:

 

MB>

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I had a similar experience this winter. I called my brother and he said to ride up there (180 miles north of Sacramento). It was raining really hard and he later told me he was joking. Three hours later I pulled up to his house and he was amazed I made the trip. He said it looked like I was miserable because I was soaked. I had to explain to him that I was soaked from sitting at a stoplight 2 blocks away from his house. Riding up I-5 without stopping kept me pretty much dry.

 

You have to love the rain protection of the full fairing bikes with adjustable windshields. Just watch out for sitting in stoplights during downpours, that is when the water proof gear earns its keep.

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Bring on the riding gear/rain gear.

You've got pletny of room for that.

Being wet, even at 60-70 degrees and riding long distances can lead to hypothermia.

Easy to avoid.

Sounds like a great ride.

 

We've had the stop and gawk experience quite a few times.

Two up w/rain gear and come upon riders stopped at a gas station who are cold and wet.

We just keep on trucking.

 

Scares me when I see riders stopped under an overpass in low visibility as they are targets for vehicles who decide to stop there.

Pics are always welcome.

Best wishes.

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Well, didn't want my camera to get wet :-/

 

Had taken the camera pouch off my belt & put it in one of the cases.

 

Guess I could have grabbed a pic while under the gas pump canopy.

 

I don't know for sure if the othe 2 guys, soaked to the skin and

shivering, would have seen the humor in it, tho :-)

 

Death Valley, now Nov and Jan sounds OK. I've had a couple co-workers and fellow bikers from Pahrump warn me to stay out of there in the summer. Had planned on seeing it this fall. Heck, many days on my ride home from the jobsite in the Mojave Desert about 5 miles SW of the NV/CA border I've seen 109 on my readout. That's hot enuf so you need a face shield!

 

Where do you post those DV things? I'm game for that!

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Sounds like a nice ride. Had planned to do that area a few years back on a trip to Lost Wages but it got cancelled. Now we need a pic or 3 to prove you aren't just typing.

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