Seven a.m. was a bit early for us to start a motorcycle trip, but we warmed up our Yamaha FJR and headed to the designated meeting spot at the south end of the Salt Lake Valley.
Our party consisted of three Harleys riding two-up, and the two of us on our FJR. We headed south on I-15 for what was supposed to be a four-day trip through Southern Utah.
Our goal at the end of the first day was Hanksville, Utah, a blip on the map in Central Utah, but a good stopping point for the night, if we could cover approximately 417 miles in one day. Of course, that included a stopover in Moab, UT for lunch, sightseeing in Arches National Park, and a quick run up to Dead Horse Point State Park. Then we would continue south through Moab, down through Monticello and Blanding, up Highway 95 (the Centennial Highway) across Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and on up to Hanksville.
By noon, it was obvious that we were not going to reach our destination before dark, which was imperative given that none of us had ever been in that desolate part of Utah before and riding in the dark on unfamiliar roads on motorcycles is a dangerous idea. The problem was that the Harleys could only cover about 100 miles before needing a fill-up. (The FJR has more than twice the fuel capacity.) It seems that Harley passengers also need a fill-up at each, unplanned 30-minute stop. You do the math - we would NOT reach Hanksville before dark.
It was time to incorporate "plan B", which included a lunch stop in Moab, a quick run up to Dead Horse Point, a zip through Arches, and then head north to I-70, west a few miles to Highway 24, then south to Hanksville. That cut approximately 100 miles from the first day's ride. We reached Hanksville about 8 p.m. - just at dusk.
To say we were exhausted is an understatement. Be glad you weren't there to hear the moans and groans as we dismounted from the saddle. That was when we noticed. Some "little friends" caught a ride on the broad, front faring and large headlights of the FJR - about a billion mosquitoes and gnats. It was suicidal for them and downright messy for us. Just for fun (right!) we decided to clean them off before turning in for the night. Did you know that dead bugs smell like dead fish? We do now!
The destination for the second leg of our trip was to be Flagstaff, AZ, another 437 miles. We started early, zipped through Capitol Reef National Park, and stopped for breakfast in Torrey, UT. That's where it all started to break down. Some in our party began to grumble about not spending enough time sightseeing. However, the planners had not realized how much actual time it would take for sightseeing, stopping for gas, and human nourishment.
After breakfast, my husband and I, weary from the previous day's long ride and seemingly endless stops, decided we would cancel our reservations in Flagstaff and cut the trip short. Before leaving the group, we all headed out on Highway 12, which is a gorgeous scenic ride around Boulder Mountain including lots of great twisties, through the town of Boulder and along the edge of the Grand Staircase National Monument/Escalante Wilderness. It was in the town of Escalante at this "fill em up again" spot that we announced our departure.
Dark, ominous clouds were forming as we left the group and continued (or I should say "zoomed") west along Highway 12, trying to beat the rain we knew was coming. (Interesting side note: Hwy 12 is named, "The Journey Through Time Byway".) Passing through a corner of stunning Bryce Canyon, and feeling only a few drops of rain, we turned south on Highway 89, then west on Highway 14. This highway has some dramatic elevations and twisties. As the back-seat rider, passing the ice-blue Navajo Lake and colorful Cedar Breaks National Monument, the sightseeing aspect was fantastic. For my husband, his sightseeing is limited to a glance up from the road or traffic from time to time. But he doesn't complain because he loves the feeling of flying and the sense of freedom that piloting a motorcycle gives him.
What we learned on this trip: Never travel with Harley riders - unless you are also on a Harley, enjoy stopping every 80-100 miles and, riding slow. However, never hesitate to go your own way and enjoy the beautiful scenery for which Utah is so well known.
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