Time4me2roadtrip, Zion Nat.Park - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Time4me2ride · 08-07-2006, 06:48 PM

Ever since my daughter passed her MSF and bought her bike, she has been practicing her skills and asking when we can meet up and ride together. Well it's finally time. Next week I'll be heading out to meet her in Richfield, UT and then take a couple of scenic trips through Zion National Park and either Bryce Canyon or Capitol Reef.

Here's the challenge. The route I've mapped out takes me over Wilkerson, Hoosier, and Vail passes to get out of Colorado. Hoosier tops out at over 11,000 ft. Then the southern UT area is known for mid 90's to low 100's in August. I guess dressing in layers and making frequent stops to stay hydrated and adjust the layers will be the rule. I plan on four days, about 2K miles, and lots of coffee.

Ride safe,
Time4me2ride

texrider · 08-08-2006, 12:13 AM

For me, Zion Canyon was the crown jewel of my recent trip west. The approach from the east is most impressive, after you enter the park. As you descend, the canyon unfolds her beauty before you!

tnichols · 08-08-2006, 12:42 AM

Sounds like a fun trip! Be careful and post lots of pictures when you get back. We'll be looking forward to them.

BlueMax · 08-08-2006, 10:17 AM

That sounds like the trip of a lifetime, I am glad for you.

I would like to make that trip some day before I leave this earth.

ColoRocky · 08-08-2006, 10:43 AM

That should be an awesome roadtrip.

I've been through those mountain passes, but only in the Jeep. Seems like you get tailgaters at the worst moments, at that point when you're enjoying the scenery or mentally planning your assault of the switchbacks.

Are you riding straight-through, bike camping, or hotels?

We've got some fairly decent distance between gas stops with the M50. However, seems like I remember some last chance gas station signs on I70 (long time ago). Distance may not be far, but time through the twisty's will be double or triple. So be careful with your fuel management.

Do you have one of those Cruise Controls? I've been considering the BrakeAway Motorcycle Cruise Control for these type of longer cruises.

My daughter's been in town this week, we've been riding 2up on the M50 without a sissy bar backrest, and 2up on the S50 with a sissy bar. The M50 is much easier to control; not sure if it's the weight, tires, or suspension, but probably the combination of all. Still, if you're group riding with your daughter (1up), that would seem to be the best combination. Ride safe!

**drgibson** · 08-08-2006, 11:17 AM

Take the southern route and go through Monument Valley. Zion is great. The temps will cool as you ride down into the canyon and the Virgin River is always cold.

Time4me2ride · 08-08-2006, 11:51 AM

Thanks guys, I'll be taking my digital camera.

I've been using Mapquest to to strategize. I am planning to go straight through from CoSpgs to Richfield, UT, about 540mi. I am meeting my daughter there. She is coming from the Salt Lake area, we mapped a route that minimizes interstate time for her and is about 200 mi. We'll be hanging out at a hotel there and doing a couple of day rides through the area, then heading to our respective homes. I've mapped out some gas stops on the way out and back, it's really not a big problem with the M50. For our rides together we have to think ahead a little bit more since she is riding a 2002 Intruder 800, and it only has a 3.2 gallon tank.

I think it should work OK, and I'll take any chance I get to spend some time with my daughter.

Ride safe.

ColoRocky · 08-08-2006, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Time4me2ride

Thanks guys, I'll be taking my digital camera.

Ride safe.

You should post a pre-trip photo of your bike all geared up and ready to roll.

92Notch · 08-08-2006, 12:39 PM

I saw a show on TV about bryce .... that place looked awesome, I envy your trip! ... enjoy! Ride safe.

08-07-2006, 06:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
Time4me2ride Sprocket Pilot Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: Silver/Grey VStar1300 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 846	Time4me2roadtrip, Zion Nat.Park Ever since my daughter passed her MSF and bought her bike, she has been practicing her skills and asking when we can meet up and ride together. Well it's finally time. Next week I'll be heading out to meet her in Richfield, UT and then take a couple of scenic trips through Zion National Park and either Bryce Canyon or Capitol Reef. Here's the challenge. The route I've mapped out takes me over Wilkerson, Hoosier, and Vail passes to get out of Colorado. Hoosier tops out at over 11,000 ft. Then the southern UT area is known for mid 90's to low 100's in August. I guess dressing in layers and making frequent stops to stay hydrated and adjust the layers will be the rule. I plan on four days, about 2K miles, and lots of coffee. Ride safe, Time4me2ride

08-08-2006, 12:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
texrider Sprocket Pilot Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: '04 Vulcan 2000, '05 VTX1800 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 866	For me, Zion Canyon was the crown jewel of my recent trip west. The approach from the east is most impressive, after you enter the park. As you descend, the canyon unfolds her beauty before you! __________________ "Sprocket to me, baby!"

08-08-2006, 10:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
BlueMax Found second gear by accident Joined: Apr 2006 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 Location: Northeast Houston Posts: 316	That sounds like the trip of a lifetime, I am glad for you. I would like to make that trip some day before I leave this earth. __________________ Good luck and safe riding, BlueMax

08-08-2006, 10:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
ColoRocky Where Am I ? Joined: Jul 2006 Bike: 2007 M50B Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 33	That should be an awesome roadtrip. I've been through those mountain passes, but only in the Jeep. Seems like you get tailgaters at the worst moments, at that point when you're enjoying the scenery or mentally planning your assault of the switchbacks. Are you riding straight-through, bike camping, or hotels? We've got some fairly decent distance between gas stops with the M50. However, seems like I remember some last chance gas station signs on I70 (long time ago). Distance may not be far, but time through the twisty's will be double or triple. So be careful with your fuel management. Do you have one of those Cruise Controls? I've been considering the BrakeAway Motorcycle Cruise Control for these type of longer cruises. My daughter's been in town this week, we've been riding 2up on the M50 without a sissy bar backrest, and 2up on the S50 with a sissy bar. The M50 is much easier to control; not sure if it's the weight, tires, or suspension, but probably the combination of all. Still, if you're group riding with your daughter (1up), that would seem to be the best combination. Ride safe! __________________ ColoRocky 2007 M50B 2006 S50B (Wife's) Last edited by ColoRocky; 08-08-2006 at 11:01 AM.

08-08-2006, 11:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
drgibson Antebellum Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,742	Take the southern route and go through Monument Valley. Zion is great. The temps will cool as you ride down into the canyon and the Virgin River is always cold. __________________ “Please Remember to Kazoo Responsibly.”

08-08-2006, 12:42 AM	#3 (permalink)
tnichols Found second gear by accident Joined: Jan 2006 Bike: 2005 Suzuki S50 Location: Hickory NC Posts: 307	Sounds like a fun trip! Be careful and post lots of pictures when you get back. We'll be looking forward to them.

08-08-2006, 11:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
Time4me2ride Sprocket Pilot Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: Silver/Grey VStar1300 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 846	Thanks guys, I'll be taking my digital camera. I've been using Mapquest to to strategize. I am planning to go straight through from CoSpgs to Richfield, UT, about 540mi. I am meeting my daughter there. She is coming from the Salt Lake area, we mapped a route that minimizes interstate time for her and is about 200 mi. We'll be hanging out at a hotel there and doing a couple of day rides through the area, then heading to our respective homes. I've mapped out some gas stops on the way out and back, it's really not a big problem with the M50. For our rides together we have to think ahead a little bit more since she is riding a 2002 Intruder 800, and it only has a 3.2 gallon tank. I think it should work OK, and I'll take any chance I get to spend some time with my daughter. Ride safe.

08-08-2006, 12:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
92Notch Birthday Boy Joined: Aug 2005 Bike: '05½ C50 Limited Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 860	I saw a show on TV about bryce .... that place looked awesome, I envy your trip! ... enjoy! Ride safe. __________________

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