Supporting Member betoney Posted January 19, 2017 Supporting Member Share Posted January 19, 2017 I am planning our annual road trip, and this year we have decided on Utah as our destination. A group of us start from the Seattle area and each year we pick a different destination. What I am looking for is opinions or recommendations on "must ride" roads, everyone in our group enjoys spirited canyon or mountain riding, be it twisties or high speed sweepers. The only route we have committed to so far is Hwy 12, - Bryce through Escalante to Torrey and continue on 24 to Hanksville. BTW, we don't plan on riding any interstate except as a necessity to connect to "good roads". We would also be grateful for any and all recommendations on hotels and restaurants around some of the scenic areas, as a lot of the twisty roads seem to be off the beaten path, possibly out of range of lodging. Finally, we want to avoid the killer heat of Summer but don't want to encounter any roads that might be snowed in due to high elevation, what time of year is best? Thanks in advance for any and all recommendations. ***2015 Candy Red FJ-09*** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brando Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 Zion National Park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member fddriver2 Posted January 19, 2017 Premium Member Share Posted January 19, 2017 I know you said no Interstates. But..... A couple years ago I spent 3 weeks driving from LA. to Ft. Lauderdale Florida. We said the same thing. However we ended up on I-70 between Salinas UT and Grand Junction CO. The only Interstate on the trip. fwiw I've driven all over America, mostly off the I's and that's one of the prettiest roads I've been on. Like driving through a Howard Hawks movie. Not real challenging though..... "It doesn't matter who walks in, you know the joke is still the same" Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. USA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thruster8999 Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 http://fj-09.org/thread/4047/me-bike This was my ride report to utah. Did get a chance to finish it because wifi connect was bad in areas in Moab for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thruster8999 Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 Also if you are going in the summer zion is real hot. It was 105 when I was there. Wear a cool vest and you should be find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayrton Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 This is the itinerary for our Utah tour in 2015: Highlights: Valley of Fire State park right outside of Vegas Zion National Park Bryce Canyon Escalanate Grand Staircase Short hike at Frog Hollow Arches Don't miss the Mokey Dugway Monument Valley Caves at Page Utah Thursday, April 23 Las Vegas Arrive at 10:20 am Pick up Bikes at noon 6675 S Tenaya Way, Las Vegas, NV 89113 (702) 454-6269 Ride: 3:00 hours 150 miles Via: Valley of Fire State Park St. George, Utah Best Western Travel Inn 316 E Saint George Blvd St. George, Utah 84770 +14356733541 Friday, April 24 St. George, UT Ride to Zion National Park, 1:00 hours – 47 miles, scenic highway Visit Zion National Park Ride to Bryce Canyon National Park, 2:00 hours – 85 miles Bryce Canyon, Utah Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel 30 North 100 East Bryce Canyon, UT 84764 +14358345700 Saturday, April 25 Torrey, UT Visit Bryce Canyon Ride to Torrey UT: 2:30 hours – 115 miles Scenic highway Torrey, Utah Austin's Chuckwagon Lodge 12 West Main Street Torrey, UT 84775 +14354253335 Sunday, April 26 Mexican Hat, UT Ride to Mexican Hat: 3:15 hours – 173 miles Scenic highway Visit Natural Bridges Nat’l Monument Mexican Hat, UT Hat Rock Inn 120 U.S. 163 Scenic, Mexican Hat, UT 84531 435-683-2221 Monday, April 27 Page, AZ Ride to Page: 3:00 hours – 154 miles Scenic highway Visit Monument Valley, Riverbend Page AZ Comfort Inn & Suites Page 890 Haul Road Page, AZ 86040 +19286456931 Tuesday, April 28 St. George, UT Ride to St. George 3:00 hours, 150 miles St. George, UT Inn On The Cliff 511 S. Airport Road St. George, UT 84770 +14352165864 Wednesday, April 29 Las Vegas, NV 6675 S Tenaya Way, Las Vegas, NV 89113 (702) 454-6269 Ride to Las Vegas 3:00 – 150 miles Return bikes by noon Taxi to airport Flight home: 2:40 pm Nevada is in the Pacific time zone, so there is an hour difference with Mountain time (so, if you fly into Las Vegas and head into Utah, you will lose an hour; you get that hour back when you return from Utah to Las Vegas for the flight home). Arrive Phila at 10:20 pm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member betoney Posted January 19, 2017 Author Supporting Member Share Posted January 19, 2017 Thank You Guys!!! GREAT info. This definitely gives me resources to get started on a rough draft route plan! We haven't nailed down a definite time of year yet, but I have always heard "avoid summertime", maybe mid to late June or after Labor Day? ***2015 Candy Red FJ-09*** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desertfjr Posted January 19, 2017 Share Posted January 19, 2017 South and east of I70 & I15 is nirvana. That entire area could be renamed Utah NP. 12, 14, 24, 95, 276 and Burr Trail Rd are must rides. As for some neat places to stay, Quail Park Lodge in Kanab for that 50's vibe, park your bike right at your door. Kiva Koffeehouse in Escalante, but they only have 2 rooms. Very unique experience there. The Torrey Schoolhouse is a unique B&B in Torrey. San Juan Inn in Mexican Hat. Buy a wet vest, and mesh gear and go have fun. In August you will run across many Europeans on vacation throughout the Big 5 and the Staircase. While warmer, it's less crowded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member keithu Posted January 19, 2017 Premium Member Share Posted January 19, 2017 I rode UT-35 from Francis to Tablona a few years ago and loved it. Zion is amazing too. Try to get to the front of the line going through the tunnel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member keithu Posted January 20, 2017 Premium Member Share Posted January 20, 2017 Also, since you're coming down from Washington: if you are on I-84 the side trip out to Promontory in northern Utah is worthwhile. The roads are nice and UT-83 takes you past the Orbital ATK manufacturing facility. They have an impressive display of rockets, including a full SRB from the Space Shuttle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member micah2074 Posted January 20, 2017 Premium Member Share Posted January 20, 2017 I'll agree with the I70 from Salina to Grand Junction. Best stretch of interstate I've been on. Let’s go Brandon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruceintucson Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 I'll agree with the I70 from Salina to Grand Junction. Best stretch of interstate I've been on.The Stretch thru Colorado is nice for an Interstate as well. Curvy in places, up & down and you actually have to at times pay attention! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member fddriver2 Posted January 21, 2017 Premium Member Share Posted January 21, 2017 A couple pictures from I-70 "It doesn't matter who walks in, you know the joke is still the same" Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. USA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfjniner Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 I am planning our annual road trip, and this year we have decided on Utah as our destination. A group of us start from the Seattle area and each year we pick a different destination. What I am looking for is opinions or recommendations on "must ride" roads, everyone in our group enjoys spirited canyon or mountain riding, be it twisties or high speed sweepers. The only route we have committed to so far is Hwy 12, - Bryce through Escalante to Torrey and continue on 24 to Hanksville. BTW, we don't plan on riding any interstate except as a necessity to connect to "good roads". We would also be grateful for any and all recommendations on hotels and restaurants around some of the scenic areas, as a lot of the twisty roads seem to be off the beaten path, possibly out of range of lodging. Finally, we want to avoid the killer heat of Summer but don't want to encounter any roads that might be snowed in due to high elevation, what time of year is best? Thanks in advance for any and all recommendations. You don't mention any place you want to go to, or how long. Both may help in determining good advice. How many miles do you ride per day? What kind of motels do you normally stay in? Do you end the day with a cold one or shower? just kidding. Have you given any thought to stagging at one or two locations and doing loop rides from the base? Here is an idea for a Utah ride: Ken, Candy Ass L.D.R. Sleeps 8 hours (2)2005 FJR1300abs: 230,000 m 2015 FJ-09: 114,000 m (Replaced engine at 106K) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member betoney Posted January 22, 2017 Author Supporting Member Share Posted January 22, 2017 You don't mention any place you want to go to, or how long. Both may help in determining good advice. How many miles do you ride per day? What kind of motels do you normally stay in? Do you end the day with a cold one or shower? just kidding. Have you given any thought to stagging at one or two locations and doing loop rides from the base? Red Thank You for the route maps. Last year we did stage outside Reno at a friends house and rode some great areas in N. Cali. We usually try to keep the mileage at a little over 400 miles a day, but with so much to see in Utah, I'm sure that will be closer to 300. And yes, the end of the day always ends with both a shower and a cold one. The route you proposed getting to and from Utah looks very similar to what we are planning. ***2015 Candy Red FJ-09*** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.