6214 miles in 14 days!

[Kylenav]

Well the road trip of a lifetime is complete.  Not sure what I could do on 2 wheels to compete with this past ride, but I'm willing to devote my life to try

Rode from Tampa, FL to Mexican Hat UT and then spent 6 days out there putting around and seeing the sights.  Man you guys in northern Arizona, Utah, and especially Colorado have some AWESOME roads.  What an experience.

Fat lady ran perfectly except for the only thing I had done instead of doing it myself.  2 week old fork seals both had to be replaced on the road, they were installed incorrectly in more ways than one...  Other than that and a brake light bulb burning out the fat lady didn't miss a beat.  She didn't enjoy being 11,000+ feet above sea level but she got the job done while heavily loaded.  Guy on a fat boy with a carb. motor had to turn around at 10,500...

We, my brother and my fathers 6 riding buddys, laid my dad to rest on the "Moki Dugway" in Southeast Utah.  It's HWY 261 and is amazing.  You drive on a flat straight road into the side of a mountain, then you go about as straight up a mountain as possible, dirt road with paved corners and the view from up there is absolutely breathtaking.  We rode a lot of great roads and if you plan on a trip out that way I could make a few suggestions for sure.

As a last plug if any of you out there are military supporters look into your states Patriot Guard Riders.  My brother and I are both active duty and my father was a Vietnam Vet.  The PGR is a group of volunteer riders that support our fallen hero's and welcome hero's home from overseas.  They are an amazing group of people that make things like what my brother and I just had to go through amazing.  They provided a police escort from my mothers house in Atlanta to the Alabama state line.  Flying the huge flags from the backs of their bikes and having a flag line for my mother and it absolutely made the experience as touching as possible for my mother.  After 34 years of marriage it was quite the way to say goodbye to my dad for the last time.  Further more in Utah the PGR came down and did another flag line, and an escort to my dad's final resting place.  They did a gun salute as we spread his ashes on his favorite road.  Just an idea that if you would like to support the vets, active, or the ones who laid their lives on the line this is an awesome way to do it.

[John Schmidt]

Yes, many VRCC members are also PGR members. They do great work.

[Momz]

6214 miles in 14 days! 

[Cruzen]

Yes we are lucky.  I have never known any local rider to complain about the scenery and technical challenges the roads out here have to offer.  We get more than out share of twisties and great scenery.  Whether on the Devils Highway Route 191 going up the East side of Arizona or on 89A up through Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon or riding the San Juan Skyway in Colorado, we have it pretty good.  Thanks for appreciating what we are fortunate enough to enjoy on a regular basis.   

The next time you know you are coming this way, give us a holler and we might be able to meet up with you.

[eric in md]

awesome ride man .  sorry for your loss . but on the brighter side your father should knew where he wanted to be.. thats awesome right there man ride on

[Kylenav]

We rode 89A through Sedona and Jerome twice! Definitely one of the top roads!!!  I think our best, and shortest, day was the million dollar highway (550) from Durango up to hwy 50 then 133 to glenwood springs. If I could dream up a road that would be it. Even I-70 from glenwood spring to Denver was awesome, and for interstate that's saying a lot!  Next time won't be for a while but you can count on a ride for sure.

Thank you for the kind words Eric. He and my brother made this same ride out west before I bought my first bike. It was his dream to take us both out there on the scooters, unfortunately we weren't afforwarded that opportunity until after he passed. He's riding those roads everyday now though

[Michael K (Az.)]

Yes we are lucky.  I have never known any local rider to complain about the scenery and technical challenges the roads out here have to offer.  We get more than out share of twisties and great scenery.  Whether on the Devils Highway Route 191 going up the East side of Arizona or on 89A up through Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon or riding the San Juan Skyway in Colorado, we have it pretty good.  Thanks for appreciating what we are fortunate enough to enjoy on a regular basis.   

The next time you know you are coming this way, give us a holler and we might be able to meet up with you.

I just cain't take ridin the roads out here cause they're just too much fun! Gonna ride up to Prescott Friday just to punish myself with the trees, twisties and such. Oh the misery!!

[Maddog vrcc#508]

Unbelievable, having been down there, I know the area around Mexican hat some what.  I can't belive you rode on those gravel roads. Job well done.

[Disco]

Great write-up, Kyle!  Every bit of it.  Thank you to your Father, Brother, and You for your service to our country.