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Yoda
06-11-2009, 05:38 PM
I bought my VTX in Oct 2007 and have been really looking forward to some type of road trip. I have been on numerous day trips in Northern Utah & Southern Idaho and finally got my chance to explore somewhere new on the bike for more than a day.

Day 1 – Saratoga Springs, UT to Cameron, AZ (460 miles)

http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1368&pictureid=9073

I met four guys in Cedar City, UT that I was going to ride with so I did the first 230 miles down I-15, solo. I knew 2 of the 4 guys I was going to ride with and all 4 of them were on HD’s. It was cool being the only one on a Honda as I stood out from the crowd. These guys were great to ride with, there were no comments about bikes, we were all just out for a great ride. We left Cedar City and rode East on Hwy 14 over the mountains and caught Hwy 89 South to Kanab, UT where we stopped to stretch and get some lunch.

http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1368&pictureid=9071



We continued on Hwy 89, past Lake Powell, through Page, AZ and on to Cameron, AZ where we stopped for the night. We made a couple of stops along the way as we were in no big rush. The weather was perfect for riding, blue skies with temperatures in the upper 70’s. The place we stayed at is kind of an obsure place you wouldn’t really know is there. There is a gas station and a trading post, but you don’t really see the hotel rooms from the road. It turned out to be a pretty nice place with a good resteraunt.

Day 2 – Cameron, AZ to Laughlin, NV (300 miles)

We followed Hwy 89 for a short ways and took the turnoff to Hwy 64 where we rode the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This was a great road on a bike with spectacular views.

http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1368&pictureid=9072

The Grand Canyon is a beautiful place to visit. We saw quite a few large groups (20+ bikes) of rented HD’s with people mostly speaking European languages. We stopped at quite a few of the scenic viewpoints and enjoyed the scenery at a leisurely pace. We followed US 180/Hwy 64 south from the Grand Canyon to Williams, AZ where we ate a late lunch at a local diner. I like getting to these small towns and finding a place to eat that looks the least like the main “tourist” places. Usually pretty good food.

After a good lunch and great pie we headed West on I-40 for about 40 miles and rode a section of the Historic Route 66 the rest of the way to Kingman, AZ. That was a fun stretch of road to travel. The road was in great condition with no traffic. We stopped along the way a couple times for pictures.

http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=1368&pictureid=9074

The weather, again, was perfect for riding. Temps in the upper 70’s. We stopped in Kingman for gas and the sun was close to going to down so we didn’t stop for long so we could get to Laughlin, NV before it got too dark. We followed Hwy 68 into Laughlin where we stayed the night.

Day 3 – Laughlin, NV to Saratoga Springs, UT (500 miles)

I rode from Laughlin to home solo as the rest of the group was in no rush to get back to Cedar City. I rode US 95 North to I-515 and eventually merging to 1-15 North which took me all the way home. I stopped a few times for gas and to stretch for a minute, but had no troubles riding those miles. There is a canyon between Mesquite, NV and St. George, UT that was a blast to ride on the bike. I have driven it many times in a car and finally got the chance to do it on a bike. It was Awesome! I did about 1260 miles in total in the three days and definitely wanted more. I can’t wait until I can plan another trip somewhere else.

Rock&Ride
06-12-2009, 10:10 AM
Sounds like a great ride. I know the canyon between Mesquite and St. George. I rode it a few weeks ago. I think thats the Virgin River Canyon. Thanks for sharing the pics.

Yoidaho
06-12-2009, 10:43 AM
Glad you were able to get out on the open road.
I'm aching to get out there....Lord willing I will be able to soon.
This just makes the desire even stronger.
Thanks for sharing. ~M :mcrider:

Terminals
06-12-2009, 10:53 AM
Thanks for sharing.
I enjoy reading about people's rides, and love seeing the pics.

Being in Arizona and having a cabin near Williams,
I ride to the Grand canyon quite a bit, even bought the annual pass.
Have used it a lot at other National Parks on my rides.
Yosemite, Yellowstone, Devils Tower, Lassen Volcano, Crater lake, etc.

I am looking forward to doing the canyon ride you mentioned.
Is it right along I-15?

:doorag:

Yoda
06-12-2009, 11:00 AM
Thanks for sharing.
I enjoy reading about people's rides, and love seeing the pics.

Being in Arizona and having a cabin near Williams,
I ride to the Grand canyon quite a bit, even bought the annual pass.
Have used it a lot at other National Parks on my rides.
Yosemite, Yellowstone, Devils Tower, Lassen Volcano, Crater lake, etc.

I am looking forward to doing the canyon ride you mentioned.
Is it right along I-15?

:doorag:

Yes, if you are on I-15 you will ride right through it.

dezzy7
06-12-2009, 04:44 PM
GReat pics. Sounds like you had a good time 8)

Buzz64077
06-12-2009, 11:33 PM
Heading for the grand canyon and other points on june 29th myself.
Thanks for the thread. Makes me look even more forward to hitting
the road. Two weeks on the X is going to be awesome.