I needed to get out on one more long ride before snow hit and temps got too low and Saturday (yesterday) was looking like great weather. The choices were riding down to southern Utah and back, or doing a big loop around the middle of the state. I live in Orem, about 30 miles south of Salt Lake. Even though it was a longer ride I chose the loop because it would give me the biggest change of scenery.

I left my house about 6:45 a.m. and headed south on I15 to the Highway 6 exit by Spanish Fork. I knew it would be cold up in the canyon but was still surprised how cold 15* can be on a motorcycle. I only have a half helmet with zip on ear covers, but had a bandana over my nose and lower face. The rest of me was quite comfortable except for my toes. I loved my heated grips also. Even with a full fairing and lowers it got downright frosty. I will be picking up a full face helmet before the next winter ride. I was worried about deer but didn't have to look for them because I was having a hard time just seeing the road with the sun coming up directly in my face.

I made my way over the 9000+ feet summit, then down the other side through Helper and Price. then stopped in Wellington for fuel and coffee. After throwing down a small cup and thawing out a few minutes. I was back on the road. Next stop was Moab. I was supposed to meet a guy there to look at a Jeep, but he wasn't available, so I fueled up again and headed south. It was sunny and warming up so I dressed down a bit hit the road. I've driven this section a lot, but it sure is better on a bike. The ride was beautiful and uneventful and I pulled into Blanding Utah just before noon, and was making very good time. I fueled again and grabbed a quick a lunch, then headed out of town and west toward Lake Powell and Hanksville.

The nice thing about this loop is the scenery is constantly changing. It was huge red rock cliffs around Moab and then up into the mountains. On this leg you're passing huge canyons and there is the National Bridges park also. As you get close to Lake Powell you hit Fry Canyon and it is a must see on a motorcycle. Great turns, huge rock cliffs, and the trees were still bright yellow. I stopped by Powell to get some pics with the bike. We've boated on Powell for years so there are a lot of great memories there, and now I get to add another.

I pulled into Hanksville about 2:30 and fueled up at the Hole in the Rock station. Grabbed a water and banana and was on my way again. I had left my plan open at this point. I could either head back to Green River and back track the way I'd been that morning, through Price and home, or I head further west through Capital Reef and then Torrey, adding 1.5 hours to and already long trip, but by far the more scenic ride. Even though it would be a longer day, I headed for Capital Reef and was not disappointed. Again, completely different scenery and much funner roads. The sun was starting to go down and the shadows it cast were spectacular.

From there I hit Torrey, Bicknell and Loa, and rode through one of the most beautiful sunsets I'd seen in years. It was getting pretty cold as I dropped down into Salina. From there I headed north again through Gunnison, Levan, and finally Nephi. Even though I was only 45 minutes from home I stopped to fuel up, grab another cup of coffeee, change to my clear lense glasses and put the cold weather clothes back on. That's where I got back on I15 again and battled Saturday night cagers the rest of the ride home. Even though it was cold and dark again, I had a huge grin on my face because it had been one hell of a day. I pulled into my home about 6:15. It was about 620 miles total and just over 10 hours in the seat. I loved every mile of it. (pics to come)

 

Adding some pics. Sorry for the lousy pics, I forgot my camera and bought a disposable one.

 

Sweet ride I wish I would have been avaliable to go with you. I have connection around Lake Powell and could have got a room pretty cheap if needed.

 

Would have been nice to have the company. Most people I tell about the trip thought it should have been a 2 dayer. I didn't mind the distance at all, just the cold in the morning and evening. Wouldn't think twice about doing it again in the summer with longer days. A place to stay around Powell could have opened up more options for routes for sure. Maybe we can plan it next spring.