VFR Discussion Group -> Central & Southwest Utah

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Wow, its been a long 12 Days. I just finished a 3000 mile tour, which consisted of several rides in Colorado, and one long ride in Utah. Also, Mountain biking in Moab, and Winter Park, but I won�t go into that in this forum. I rode the Rocky Mountain Nation park loop, and the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado, and Highway 12 and 14 in Utah.
�Though the rides in Colorado were excellent, they did not come close to the ride in Utah.
� I drove from Moab, UT to Torrey, UT and stayed at the Day�s Inn. This hotel is located about 200 feet from the start of Highway 12 and I found it very convenient, there is a Subway and a mini mart/Gas station next door. I highly recommend staying there, very nice location and rooms.

� I started out on Highway 12 around 9:30 AM. After logging a few miles I started to become disappointed. There were tons of tar snakes, which I hate and usually try to maneuver around. After I got passed by some guy on a Harley I decided to pickup my pace, and was pleasantly surprised that these tar snakes were done right. I did not slip once the entire trip (400 miles), even during heavy rainfall.
(IMG:http://myweb.cableone.net/mage1969/tarsnakes.jpg) (screen.width/2)){this.width = (this.width/2)}" onclick="javascript:window.open('http://myweb.cableone.net/mage1969/tarsnakes.jpg','','scrollbars=1,toolbar=1,resizable=1,menubar=0,directories=0,status=0')" border="0" alt='Posted image'>

The scenery along this path is nothing short of breath taking, with canyons of different colors lining the entire route:
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Also, some very strange looking rock formations:
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There are huge elevation gains to be had on this highway; the following picture does not accurately portray just how far the bottom of the canyon really is.

(IMG:http://myweb.cableone.net/mage1969/canyon.jpg) (screen.width/2)){this.width = (this.width/2)}" onclick="javascript:window.open('http://myweb.cableone.net/mage1969/canyon.jpg','','scrollbars=1,toolbar=1,resizable=1,menubar=0,directories=0,status=0')" border="0" alt='Posted image'>

I logged 400 miles during this day trip, and it threatened to rain on me the whole time--there seemed to be sporadic thunderstorms everywhere:

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This thunderstorm chased me for almost 50 miles--never caught up though :)

(IMG:http://myweb.cableone.net/mage1969/rain.jpg) (screen.width/2)){this.width = (this.width/2)}" onclick="javascript:window.open('http://myweb.cableone.net/mage1969/rain.jpg','','scrollbars=1,toolbar=1,resizable=1,menubar=0,directories=0,status=0')" border="0" alt='Posted image'>

About 30 miles out from Torrey, I was rewarded with the most stunning scenery I've ever seen--this picture does not do it justice:

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Bear-in-mind that the bottom of that rainbow is thousands of feet below where I took the picture, for some reason the pictures do not accurately show the elevation changes --maybe it�s my poor picture taking skills :()

I can't wait to do this ride again. I can think of only one better ride, and that would be highway 1 on the West coast. Which I've already done and plan to do again.

AWESOME!!

Two years ago, we started in Zion Nat'l Park and ended up at Bull Frog Marina in Glenn Canyon off Hwy 276. We hit 12, 24, 95 and 276. It was a mind boggling ride. I have never in my life imagined there could be such incredible scenery. Much of it looked like something out of a Sci-Fi movie on some distant planet. It is so far out of the ordinary that it takes some time to get your brain wrapped around it. And the road is just absolutely amazing on top of all that! I took so many pictures it was unreal hehe.

A camera simply does not have the ability to take in the scenery like the human eye. When you take your pictures, the lens alters the apparent depth of field you are looking at. Often this will make distant objects look much closer than they really are in real life. It is called depth compression and there really isn't much to be done about it, especially when you are using zoom lenses. Getting a wide angle lens can help when taking shots of big expansive scenery like the stuff in that area. I had a hard time just getting over how BIG everything was and I am from Texas �:goof:

That has to be one of the top rides in the Country. There was that one part where the road snakes along the top of a ridge of solid rock, sheer drops on either side, and no guard rails!! It was a long way down to the bottom! We did not get any rain that day, but we did have to ride several hundred miles in sustained 50mph crosswinds. Our necks and shoulders were killing us by the time we finally got off the bikes.

I have yet to get back out there and it has been killing me.

Adios,

Moved to ride archive to feature on front page

Damnit.  I live in Utah, and haven't found one fellow VFR (or other ST'er) to ride with.  Next time you venture to Utah, give me a holler, and I'll show you the northern half of Utah.  Awesome pictures.  Once the snow melts, I'll head down to southern Utah to see the sites.

Nozz

Quote (Nozz @ Feb. 05 2004)

Damnit. �I live in Utah, and haven't found one fellow VFR (or other ST'er) to ride with. �Next time you venture to Utah, give me a holler, and I'll show you the northern half of Utah. �Awesome pictures. �Once the snow melts, I'll head down to southern Utah to see the sites. Nozz

Nozz check these guys out

Utah Sportbike Association

One of these days I really need to visit CO, UT, etc. �That is some beautiful scenery. �I have been to Carlsbad, NM which is similar, but I was driving a passenger van - yawn. �As far as breathtaking scenery goes, the most awe-inspiring place I have been was the Swiss Alps (Mt. Pilatus - sp?). �It was incredible. �I am in the not-quite-as-breathtaking midwest (Cincinnati, OH), so Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia will have to do.

Thanks for sharing the photos. �They made me want to go for a ride... until I saw the snow outside.

Quote (Nozz @ Feb. 05 2004)

Damnit. �I live in Utah, and haven't found one fellow VFR (or other ST'er) to ride with. �Next time you venture to Utah, give me a holler, and I'll show you the northern half of Utah. �Awesome pictures. �Once the snow melts, I'll head down to southern Utah to see the sites. Nozz

What the hell are you TALKING about Nozz?? � I pm'd you on the STN and I'm from SLC Utah!!

Bad Nozz BAD!

Oh and FIRST POST :bow:

What a beautiful country we have to ride through. Thanks for the views.

Awesome, awesome, awesome.  Utah is definitely on the short list of places to tour someday.  Thanks for re-invigorating me.

Quote

What the hell are you TALKING about Nozz?? � I pm'd you on the STN and I'm from SLC Utah!! Bad Nozz BAD!

WTFO? �Really? �I wrote back. �PM's down? �I just received another foot of snow. �Soooo it'll be a while before I go riding again. �Damn the white stuff. �Dave, gimme a holler when the weather improves.

Nozz