600 mile day ride on the CB1100 to Arco Idaho

[Frulk_imp]

I had this past Friday off from work and got on the Road at 7 AM and headed out for the Lost River Cemetery just north of Arco, Idaho. Plan was to visit the grave of a US Army Medic who earned the Medal of Honor in Korea almost 68 years ago to the day. No particular reason for it. Just paying my respects. First part of the ride would be about 240 miles with a little over half of that heading north on I-15. Since time was of the essence I didn't stop to take as many pictures as I normally would. This trip report is a composite of pictures taken by myself and from the public domain of the internet.

Quick stop at the 'border' of Idaho for a pic. Rain was on the horizon and I would be subjected to strong winds for prolonged periods throughout the day.



At Blackfoot, Idaho I would turn north west and take a less traveled blacktop through sparsely populated high sage brush plains to Arco. This area of Idaho figured prominently in the US development of nuclear power.

More on that history here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idaho_National_Laboratory

I bypassed Atomic City having seen it before. It's on the downhill slope of it's former glory days but for history buffs it may be of interest.

Link to the towns history:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_City,_Idaho

Atomic Bar



Passing this area there was a stiff, straight on wind and light rain was coming down. Luckily there was no traffic to speak of.

I rolled into Arco around 11ish and passed through it pretty quickly after tanking up on the center stand. I had planned to stop in town after I visited the cemetery. A few miles north I found the left hand turn I was looking for and after a couple miles of pastoral countryside with a house or two I arrived at my destination.





More on that day and Mr. Bleak here. Bleak exemplified the citizen soldier. Came home and blended in, got a job, raised a family, and lived a humble live until he gave up the ghost. SSgt Bleaks medal citation is one of the more compelling ones you will ever read. That's saying a lot considering the company he's in.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_B._Bleak

I walked around a little and read the histories of some of the families inscribed on the monuments with the sprinklers softly pinging in the background. Seeing all the WW2 vets interred here it became apparent this little burg had done it's part for our collective freedoms. I sipped some Jamison Black Barrel as a toast of respect to those vets out of a flask my wife bought for me at Blarney Castle and slowly walked back towards the CB to saddle up. The low overcast clouds, the light drizzle and the cooing of a few mourning doves all added a somewhat appropriate melancholy aura considering the reason for this trip.

I straddled the CB , started the motor up and rode back the way I came towards Arco. It was at this point that I realized the huge difference that dropping the adjustable pegs made in comfort. Normally at this distance I'd have some cramping on the outside of my thighs after getting back on but that didn't happen.

Arco is located close to a number of scenic areas and I imagine it does see it's fair share of tourist traffic during the summer months. The town has a few notable tourist features.

Numbers Hill is a tradition that started with the graduating High School Class of 1920 and has been carried on ever since.



Arco has long been associated with the US Navy. This is located right downtown. The actual conn of the "Devil Ship".









I stopped at the local Honda dealer 'JUST IN CASE' they had a 2014 CB1100DLX in a crate sitting around. With the exception of a couple of very small dirt bikes there were no motorcycles on the limited showroom floor.



See part 2 for the remainder of the ride.

[Roper_imp]

Looks like a great trip, Frulk. I grew up in Idaho. My Dad worked for INEL back when it was Aerojet. People don't believe me when I tell them about the submarine in the middle of the Idaho desert.

I live in Santaquin. Please let me know if you want company on your next ride. I'm happy to ride up to SLC and meet. I'm a teacher, so my summer schedule is pretty flexible. Or, if you come this way, there's the Alpine loop around Timpanogos and the Nebo loop close by.

[Rocky_imp]

Great post
I love seeing pictures like that and the historic narrative that often goes with them.

[Blockhead_imp]

Very interesting read on David Bleak, Frulk....thanks. He was a true American hero, no doubt!

[redbirds_imp]

Keep the pics and reports coming Frulk. Great stuff.

[Frulk_imp]

Roper rode "I live in Santaquin. Please let me know if you want company on your next ride. I'm happy to ride up to SLC and meet. I'm a teacher, so my summer schedule is pretty flexible. Or, if you come this way, there's the Alpine loop around Timpanogos and the Nebo loop close by."

Furthest south I NORMALLY get is Spanish Fork to take the 6 and that's in a car/truck. Never rode any of my bikes down the I-15. Just too much traffic and too many distracted drivers. Been on the Nebo Scenic Loop in a car before. Need to ride it sometime in the fall midweek on the CB.

[Cormanus]

Great report as usual, Frulk. How about a still-crated ‘14DLX? There’s a find.

[SportsterDoc]

Enjoyable read!

[nymarty_imp]

Thanks for sharing your ride. Jealous of the great roads and sights you get to ride. Also jealous of that top box. What is that? Can you share more about it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Roper_imp]

Thanks for sharing your ride. Jealous of the great roads and sights you get to ride. Also jealous of that top box. What is that? Can you share more about it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey, Marty, it looks like a Happy Trails box. They're made in Boise, ID. If the box I have doesn't work out, that's my next choice. They're pretty decently priced for aluminum. You can also get them powder coated. Here's a link:

http://www.happy-trail.com/happy-trails-...boxes.html