Too Short Weeks - Utah!

[groberts]

Last Spring, while my wife was discussing our planned trip to Italy, I started thumbing through an issue of American Motorcyclist. I don't remember the month, but it had the picture of a bike entering Monument Valley. "Now THAT is a trip I have to do", I said quietly to myself. My wife paused, and then asked, "You mean to tell me you would rather ride a motorcycle across the country than go to Italy?" Without thinking and as if she had just asked the most ridiculous question I had ever heard I turned to her and said, "Uh, yea".

So, this past April, She, her sister and her Mom & Dad enjoyed a spectacular two-week trip to Italy while I played Mr. Mom to our twin 11 year-old boys and 13 year-old daughter.


Saturday, I leave for Utah.


My plan is to get to the Arches area as quickly as possible. I only have the two weeks so unfortunately this means allot of super slab the first few days. Once in Utah I hope to work my way from Arches to Canyonlands, through Capitol Reef to Bryce and then Zion. From there, I’ll travel south to the North Rim of Grand Canyon.



I have but one goal on this trip and that is to enjoy it (and to return safely - added by request of my wife). My plans are not set in stone, if I spend an entire week in Moab, so be it. I have, however, set a couple of "sub goals".



I want to stand here



(Hwy 163 entering Monument Valley) ,


and here,


(Toroweep).


My ride is a ’02 VStrom.

The only addition specifically for this trip is the Day-Long seat.











Barring unforeseen circumstances I’ll be outta here midday Saturday.



Weather forecast for Connecticut – Thunderstorms.



Fine.


It can’t follow me all the way to Moab, right?

[kootenay kid]

Awesome! Hope to get there this summer maybe and am looking forward to more pictures. Have fun and ride safe

[canadasax]

I just spent a week in Moab at the beginning of May and I think it is the most amazing place I have ever seen.
Enjoy your ride!

[GS Bones]

OH, I need to read this report. It may prove that you CAN ride from the Northeast to Utah, explore, and return in two weeks.



Italy vs. riding from CT to Utah and back.....did it even take you a moment to make that choice?


Bring it on.



Bones

[GB]

Moab Moab Moab

[groberts]

Oh yea, I want to stand here too...

Thanks Canadasax

[rat734]

I just got back from two weeks in Moab. If you are staying in motel rooms you should book soon. Moab has been discovered and there are lots of visitors.

I also visited Toroweap during this trip. A 90 mile dirt road leads south from Saint George (Utah) to Toroweap. The road was in good shape and only a few other travelers were in the area. If you want anyboy to ride shotgun on the Toroweap leg let me know. I ride with a group of southern Utah riders and we are always heading into the Arizona strip. You can make it out and back in a day but I recommend camping at Toroweap.

Others will chime in with "don't miss" locations. I have lived in Southern Utah for five years and I ride 30,000 miles a year on my bike. There is still a lot of Utah to discover.

Enjoy your ride.

[kktos]

Originally Posted by GS Bones

Italy vs. riding from CT to Utah and back.....did it even take you a moment to make that choice?

hum... as a matter of fact, if you can afford both, do it !
Italy, I know for sure. it's a must go.
For Moab, I just had to look at the picts and reports posted here to be sure too.

/thierry

[G.Gordon]

Stroms love Moab. Have fun. I was out there the last part of April. Do the White Rim is you have a partner. Do not go alone.

This is part of the Bur Trail... do it... twice.

Here's the link to my smugmug gallery for Utah.
http://www.glfamily.smugmug.com/gall...43_EkEsV#P-1-6

I headed out there from KC and entered CO on 50, then hwy 10 to Walsenburg... real party town.

[Vetus Dorkus]

I want to retire in Moab...Castle Valley really. I friend sold his house in Castle Valley a few years ago and did not tell us.

[Mike955i]

Utah is amazing, you'll have a great time. I'll chime in with a few recommendaitons:

Take the Burr Trail from Boulder to Bullfrog Marina - terrific scenery, nice (easy) dirt ride. Take the Ferry across to Halls Crossing and ride though the surrouding area (Hwy 276).

If you're going through Monument Valley dont miss the Moki Dugway and Goosenecks State Park (Hwy 261) or the Valley of the Gods (Hwy 163 north of Mexican Hat) loop. For my money, Valley of the Gods is better than Monument Valley because you get to ride right in/around the monuments - awesome!

I enjoyed Zion most of all the parks I visited, wish I'd have spent more time there. Highways 9, 12 and 24 are amazing but there are great roads all over Southern Utah.

Have a great trip!

[arrcrussell]

If you can make it, don't miss the North Rim of the Grand Canyon - Utah has some spectacular scenery but the grandeur of the Grand Canyon is unparalleled - Toroweep and Cape Royal are a must Try to hit Zion during the week, we were there last week and its already crowded. Allot of the local/small motels along Rts 12 and 24 from Hanksville thru Bryce were booked, - even during the week. Have a great trip.

[groberts]

I got home from work just before 4 am this morning, hit the pillow and passed out. I had hoped to get at least 5 or six hours sleep but at 7 am I was awake knowing any attempt to go back to sleep was futile.

I finished packing, said the goodbye's and hit the road.





...and the oligatory Start Odometer shots...

[groberts]

...practice shots. headed out of Colchester on RT 16.





This is tougher than I thought.



Welcome to New York, and rain. It started about 10 minutes after crossing over the state line and lasted until the Pennsylvania line.





Finally some clearing skies...



Interstate 80 has some pretty cool views of the area.



unless your view becomes obstructed. These guys drove side by side for 5 miles.

[kres]

(I'm trying to choose tween 'Alaska, Colorada, and Utah for a 2 week pass from reality. Keenly intrested in yer trip.)