| Author | Message | ||
     Corporatemonkey |
I just got back from a life altering trip. 23 days, 4400 miles, and during that time I only saw 2 Buells. A Uly on hwy 1 in CA, and a red xb12s on the Vegas strip. This trip I couldn't take the bike, so my chariot was the very first 06 Volvo C70 (with Nav) on the west coast. My destination was Tucson, AZ. I took a lazy route from Seattle to the Oregon coast to follow 101 to were 1 begins. The road from 101 to 1 is the most amazing road I have ever seen. So many tight turns, yet not one motorcycle was ever seen. So very sad Major stops included Newport OR, Eureka CA, San fran, Monterey (pebble beach/17mile drive/Carmel), Yosemite, Carson city (birth place), Reno (sad...) Lake tahoe (first childhood home), Lone Pine CA (more on this later), Vegas (stressful), Kayenta AZ (still angers me), Monument Valley UT, William AZ (train to the grand canyon), Flagstaff AZ, Sedona AZ ($$$), Finally Tucson. High points of the trip: Lone Pine CA. This little spot on the map is where they filmed a lot of the old John wayne type westerns. The rock formations are outstanding. The most interesting part is this little unmarked road that leads up toward Mt. Whitney. At the end is this park that is just a gem. Waterfalls, towing mountain peaks, views for many miles. A must if you are in the area. 17 mile drive. How could you not like Pebble Beach. I find golf pointless, but If I lived near that course I would play just for the sake of seeing that grass. Monument valley: no explanation needed Low points of the trip: Lone Pine CA... Of course while roughly 400+ miles from the nearest Volvo dealer, my Volvo decided it was time to get sick. Airbags shut down. Power windows failed... Nice... This of course happens while 10000+ ft up in the hills. A few calls to Volvo to figure out what to do... They don't have a clue. The car is too new... Their suggestion, get it to the nearest Volvo dealer ASAP. Las Vegas. I call the dealer, they are the only dealer around, and have 36 cars waiting for service. They mention that if I could get there before 6pm they might be able to look at it. At this point it is a little before 2pm. We I made it in a little over 4.5 hours (do the math on the speed average). Death Valley luckily has few fuzz. 2 days later, Volvo of Vegas got me going again. I would highly recommend them. Kayenta AZ: Sandstorm... Need a new windshield  followed by the worst rain storm I have ever seen. 3 hours of rain that had visibility down to >30ft. Saw a few bikers that had water logged bikes. Because of the traffic hazard we couldn't stop to help. I still feel crappy about that. Once we get to Kayenta, the power goes out. Luckily the hotel had just made our hotel key cards. Most of the later guests had no keys to access their rooms. Had to go without food that night, everything was closed for a 75 mile radius (weather/power related) Most touching moment: Kayenta AZ. A poor harley rider, and his wife stopped by the side of the road. The harley rider had his riding suit open sheltering his poor wife from the incredible hail/rain. At that moment I saw what true love was. I would not be surprised if that guy was black and blue from all mother nature released. Bike related moments: only 2 Buells the entire trip, what gives??? Most bikes were Harleys, Goldwings, surprisingly I saw 50+ FJR1300s, and about the same v-strom 650/1000. A few BMW's Saw a harley on the Vegas strip that had a Cheerleader Megaphone looking pipe on it. About 8 inches at the end. LOUDEST BIKE I HAVE EVER HEARD. It downright hurt when it went by. Was as loud as a nitro dragster. All in all it was a fun trip. I must come back and retrace some of it on the Buell. Especially 101 to hwy 1. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
The most interesting part is this little unmarked road that leads up toward Mt. Whitney. that would be the Whitney Portal, which is indeed spectacular, particularly when the valley floor is over 100 degrees but the Portal is some 30 or 40 degrees cooler. just a few miles to the south of Lone Pine is Horseshoe Meadows Road, which switchbacks it's way up a nearly vertical rock face, again from barren high desert to an alpine environment, and is also great fun on a scooter. you may have seen Horseshoe Meadows Road to your right as you turned east towards Death Valley. the approach to Death Valley, down to and thru the Panamint Valley, is wonderful on a bike, and i imagine at this point you were REALLY wishing you were on your scoot and not dealing with an ailing car. Death Valley is surprisingly sportbike friendly. sounds like you had a great time, in spite of some "adventures." next time bring your bike and i'll show you some stuff you missed on your way thru.  Ferris | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
 the legendary Mr. Dave Barr does the Whitney Portal on Madduck's Uly during last year's FBRAT ride. | ||
| Fullpower |
Jamie, thanks for sharing some of your trip. sorry about the volvo. you said you took 23 days and it was life changing..... a road trip is the best transition, hope the new chapter is good for ya. cheers, dean | ||
| Bcordb3 |
Jamie, To bad about Kayenta leg of your trip. Great trading post there. Page Arizona has some wonderful sites as well. Horse Shoe Bend and Antelope Canyon.    | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
Bcord, where was the last photo taken? It looks almost like a pastel painting. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
As for the Volvo, I should have known better than to buy car #1... Still it was cool not seeing a another one anywhere. I had the dealer in Vegas attempt to buy it from me, their allotment is severely limited. I had a Volvo rep in San Fran chase me down the street. It was a little freaky when this dude went ape shit over the car out front of the Sir Francis Drake. In vegas I had the valets at the Mirage ignore some guy in an Aston Marten to tend to me, he didn't look thrilled... | ||
| Gmc310 |
I love to hear these stories , as a father of three young kids who play soccer ,lacrosse ,football, 2 in baseball , 2 in basketball , My 6 mile ride to work is my main adventure , I look forward to the time when I can disapear for a few days on the bike,not to rush the kids into growing up because this is a fun time too , Gary |
