TAZ

I've just arranged for a trackbike rental from Utah Sportbike Rental, for the mini MCADX 'day' at MMP on 9/1. I have to shoot a wedding on Saturday of that weekend, and the soonest I could get out there is Sunday, so the only day I can get on the track will be Monday.

But that's just the setup...

As I have to use a week's worth of vacation time before the end of September, I am thinking about renting a Gold Wing in Salt Lake City, and doing four or five days' worth of touring/sightseeing/photography while I'm out west. Being a sheltered east-coaster, I really haven't seen much that's west of the Mississippi (a three-day trip to Seattle the one exception).

I've never logged serious miles on a Gold Wing, but I've ridden one recently, and really...how hard could it be? It seems a bit like riding a leather couch, albeit a pretty fast one. Of course, I don't want to spend ALL my time riding. Part of my plan is to make a photo journal of the trip (many will not know...I am a photographer).

The problem is that I have no idea what route(s) I should take, how many miles I should plan to do each day, where to go, or what to be sure to see. In any case, I obviously must get to the Grand Canyon. Of course, that's like saying I should see the Pacific Ocean...it's pretty damn big, and advice on how to best see it from a motorcycle (or what to avoid) would be awesome. I have also never been to Las Vegas, and I should probably work that in, too.

But what else? If you had four or five days to spend riding around the Rockies on a touring bike, where would you go?

I could definitely use some advice on this one.

SheepOfBlue

Sheep tour of Miller last year! I have zero regrets (well except the Red Lion). I bet with your extra ability the picture would be beyond awesome (though you would probably not find Sheep Springs)

Of the two four corners is cool but real bleak. Photographic though and warm. Yellowstone a bit cold at times but nothing bad.

There is another loop in the area I was considering but was to exhausted. Run over to Cortez, CO and do Mesa Verde then loop toward Telluride over to Slick Rock and back to Cortez. Supposed to be an awesome run.

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maxib

That sounds like fun Taz and I'll let the more local folks give advice, but I don't think a week will be enough time to see it all!

If you do stop in Vegas, DO NOT ride the bike down the strip, unless you are a masochist. Stay at the Orleans and take a cab (they might have a shuttle) to the strip and get a day pass on the Deuce (bus) to get around on the strip. Works for me. Ride to Valley of Fire on the way to Hoover Dam and take lots of memory cards with you for the camera. Also, hydration, hydration and hydration!

Call motovegas to set you up with sushi or mexican while there.

Sounds like fun...I wish I could join you on this trip.

edit: Oh, and if Freddie Spencer has a school in session while you are there, would you mind telling him I'm very sorry for wrecking his bike, but don't use my name please?

On a serious note, I would not plan to ride an Iron Butt mileage if you (hypothetically) are only used to 300 per day. First day goal should be 3/4 of your longest tour ride this year...and go from there.

BobcatSig

If you make it anywhere near Yellowstone NP, PM me and I'll meet you and show you some epic rides. Up this way, The Beartooth Pass and Chief Joseph Scenic Highway are mandatory.

+1 on the Vegas advice. Definite hit up Sin City, but park the bike and walk/cab it. There are some great rides around Vegas, like the highways in and out of Hoover Dam. But I'll let MotoVegas give you the goods on that.

In Utah, Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon are both epic - or so I hear. I haven't been through either, but by all accounts I've ever heard, they are a must see/ride.

ND4SPD

If you go to Vegas, the Hoover Dam is a must.

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TAZ

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone!

I'm starting to form a rough plan; I'll call this one "Route A". Feedback is hereby solicited!

Tuesday (9/2): Salt Lake City to Las Vegas, via Route 15. Stay in Vegas. Try to get some sleep. (Miles: About 420 - but largely highway travel...)

Wednesday: Vegas sightseeing; then (late afternoon) to Flagstaff, AZ via Hoover Dam and Route 40. Stay in Flagstaff. (Miles: about 250)

Thursday: to the Grand Canyon via 180 (lots of photography on this day), then to Page, AZ. Stay in Page overnight. (Miles: about 220)

Friday: Page, AZ to Richfield, UT, with a route taking me through both Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon. Stay in Richfield overnight. (Miles: about 320)

Saturday: Richfield, UT back to Salt Lake City; return the rental bike and prepare for return flight home on Sunday. (Miles: about 290)

Obviously, with this itinerary, I'd miss out on Yellowstone...but I think I'd want to spend more than a day or two there anyway, and YNP is a full day's ride north of SLC, taking me too far away from the other things I'd like to see on the trip. If I had TWO weeks, I'd include Yellowstone...

Let's see how well Google Maps does with the route...

from:Salt Lake City to:Las Vegas to:US-93 @36.016076, -114.737104 to:Flagstaff, AZ to:US-180 @35.503390, -111.820920 to:Grand Canyon, AZ to:Page, AZ to:UT-9/Zion Park Blvd @37.189030, -112.998030 to:37.63816,-112.071533 to:Richfield, UT to:US-191 @40

BobcatSig

I think it looks like a great trip. My only suggestion would be to rethink your first leg: SLC to Vegas. The stretch interstate through Southern Utah is some of the most boring driving (or riding) I've ever done ... and this includes Eastern Wyoming and the entire width of North Dakota. It just seems to stretch on f...o...r...e...v...e...r.....

If you can re-work it, hit some two lane somewhere or maybe try and travel on the other side of The Great Salt Lake just for something different. The route doesn't get nice until about Cedar City or so. Maybe hit up that same leg that you'll be returning to Salt Lake for the way down, as well.

SheepOfBlue

Sounds good though I would avoid Vegas like a wolf but then I hate cities and crowds. The rest will be awesome

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Shenders1

The Gold Wing sure sounds like a good idea - I'm strangely attracted to them.

Actually, the whole trip sounds fantastic. Looking forward to the pictures and writeup.

Hammer

The Bunny Ranch is a must


Welcome To Dennis Hof's World Famous BunnyRanch!

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luvtolean

For your Grand Canoyon area night, stay in Sedona if you can. It's a funky, interesting place. Starkly beautiful.

We stayed there on the way home from Grattan in 06 and fell in love with the place.

Also, the slab from SLC to Vegas is long, but it's not that bad. There are sections that are kind of interesting country, in a desert way. The 15 from Vegas to SoCal is far more boring.

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G-ForceJunkie

Defintaly hit up the Valley of fire park outside Vegas.

TAZ

Thanks for the suggestion about Sedona. I'm sure it'll be less crowded and probably less expensive than Flagstaff, to boot. It's only a few dozen miles further...easy peasy! I've heard other people say that Sedona is great, too, so I'm sold!

I may skip the night in Page (AZ) and try to spend an extra day in either Vegas or the Grand Canyon area. If the former, I could throw in a ride to the Valley of Fire...

TAZ

I reserved a bike today from Eagle Rider in Salt Lake City; a 2008 Honda Goldwing. I also extended my trip so I'll have a full seven days to tour, from 9/2 through 9/8 (returning the bike and flying home on 9/9).

Now to get airline tickets...

CBRVFR

Sedona isn't cheap, even compared with Flagstaff, but the red cliffs make great photos.

You aren't passing very close to Chinle, AZ on this trip, but the nearby Canyon de Chelly (Che-yeh) was far more interesting than the grand canyon. You can pay a Navajo guide to take you down in a jeep or a WWII power wagon. It is filled with hundreds of unrestored Anasasi ruins, pictographs, etc. The spider rock towers and the White House cliff dwelling ruins are in there.

Check it out if you get a chance.. Ansel Adams liked it

Canyon de Chelly Arizona National Monument

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luvtolean

Nope, but use an online service to book and you can get a decent deal.

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Someone needs to present the facts and the physics rather than just the rhetoric. Poor old Carmelo doesn't understand the physics of a motorcycle. - Jerry Burgess, on spec tires and changing engine rules