Ride across the USA

[Cormanus]

On Google Maps CO 141 looks an amazing road, albeit the landscape seems somewhat arid.

[dbarkdoll_imp]

A friend of mine (who rides a CB1100 as well) ranks CO 141 as one of his favorite, if not his absolute favorite, roads in the country.

I have every intention of hitting it on my ride out west.

[flynrider]

Thanks, LR, you made our day!

We were in Naturita contemplating which way to go, due to the weather. Django made a command decision and we took CO 141. I heartily agree that is one of the best motorcycling roads in CO. Plenty of twists and turns to keep you entertained. The best part was the lack of traffic. We only had to pass one car and only saw two or three cars coming the other way. It reminded me of U.S. 12 in Idaho, but with different scenery. Red rocks and cliffs, vs. forested canyon.

They're repaving part of the northern section, but that was a minor inconvenience compared to the fun we had on the first 75 miles.

Thanks again!

[Frulk_imp]

Day 1: I drove down to Hanksville and snapped a couple of pictures along the way of the San Rafael Swell. Singular thunder cell storms were brewing on the horizon and would hit later on in the evening.



Got to my destination at Dukes Slickrock Campground and unloaded bike from trailer as I would be sleeping inside this night.



What my sleeping quarters looked like



Took bike over to Blondies diner and the storm cells were moving in





Had a burger and fries for a somewhat late lunch and then had an epiphany prompted by Cormanus' picture of him hauling a tire. I Wasn't going to need the top box until the second part of the trip after linking up with Django. We were sleeping the first night in a hotel. So I removed the top box and tossed the tires on the back and cam strap locked them down. My original plan had been to put them on the seat in front of the box and strap them horizontally to the bike.



Went to dinner at Dukes and these where sitting out front. A little bit of everything on the roads during summer.





Dinner was good. They know how to grill a trout here. Pie was decent as well.





The Duke was working the bar.



After dinner the storm cells got a little more aggressive





I watched the lightning for a while and fell asleep to the sound of rain on the metal roof of the trailer.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Bliss!

[pdedse]

I love the stormy cloud photos...and the sleeping quarters!

[Bazbro_imp]

That's a great idea - a motorcycle trailer that you sleep in!

Nice story, happy ending. I love camping in my motorhome (RV) and in bed, listening to the pitter patter of rain on the roof. Very soporific.

[Frulk_imp]

Day two. I was riding from Hanksville to Escalante right through the middle of Capitol Reef National Park and over the Boulder Plateau.
Got up early and was on the road by 7:30 AM after breakfast and locking up the truck and trailer.



Bike loaded, gassed and ready to go:



Inside Capitol Reef:



Coming down the Boulder Plateau looking south west



Prior to entering the town of Escalante I stopped by our hotel to confirm check in time. These were sitting out front. 30 something hipsters were riding them. Had the beards and Vans sneakers to match, but good on them...they're out there riding.



I stopped by the Motorcycle Doctor first to drop off the tires.





What passes for lawn ornamentation at the doctors house:



I wasn't able to get a hold of Django so I decided to ride east towards Grand Staircase Escalante and maybe meet him along the road.









Django and I met on Main street in the early afternoon and headed over to the doctor to get the new shoes put on his ride.



We had an early dinner while the tires were put on and then headed to our hotel and got comfortable for the evening. we sat out front of the room and had a couple of beers and discussed Django's ride up until today. Here ends day two.

[Bazbro_imp]

Great posts. Great pics. Makes me wanna ride in the US again

[Frulk_imp]

Day Three. We got up early and knocked out an approximate 6-8 mile hike to a waterfall. we were lucky and had the whole place to ourselves as we were the first ones there. Just as we were leaving the first couple of people showed up.





After we get back to the hotel we eat and then saddle up and head west over the Boulder Plateau and into Capitol Reef.





In Hanksville before we camp Django fixes the dragging front rotor that the "doctor" apparently misaligned somehow.



Once done we leave the bikes in the RV campground and head out to camp under the stars with a fire. As it happened it was somewhat cloudy and we did get a few sprinkles overnight but nothing noteworthy. Here ends day three.