Saw some Rock Stars after Lunch. Or,...... I got your Iron Butt, Right Here!!!

[Jester]

Well, it all started when Matt (Justride on CVR, my present first stop for everything related to motorcycle partage), posted this ludicrous proposition about going to St George Utah for Lunch! Crap that's a long way. Just over a thousand miles round trip. I mean, think of all the things which could happen. The bike could break, one could fall asleep, we could get a ticket. It's an inherantly insane idea! Craziness incarnate. It'll be Painful!! Pure Lunacy, I tell ya! Oh and did I mention that this would be a Sportbikes only ride?

OK, I'm in.

Now the thread went something like this: There were pages and pages of "I wanna go too but...", Advice, doomsayers, wannabes, and wouldn't-bes. You know, same ol' Forum stuff..... At about page 6 this new rider asks if he could tag along.... Sure, I deduced, another wannabe. We'll see if he shows up, I cynically thought.

As the day grew closer I began to fret about every little detail on the Mille. I must stop and once again give Thanks and Praises to yoageallen for kicking me in the butt and resurrecting her, thank you Adrian.

Well the morning we started it was down to Matt, myself and the new guy (who, I was presently supprised, did show up!), Sam. We all arrived at the meet point within seconds of each other 10 minutes before the appointed leave time so we did the only natural thing to do when faced with a gruling 1000 mile lark. We left.

I was wearing a Spot Tracker so the folks back at CVR could follow our progress.....or perhaps lack thereof.

[Jester]

Lots of things running through my mind as the Mille pounded South after the two smoothe in-lines ahead. My chain was giving me a little reminder feed-back, saying it was time to change soon. I was wondering if it would terminally fail at, of course, the most inopportune moment.

Half way there, Barstow and a gas stop. In the doorway there is standing a big, bald, black CHP officer. Matt offered "better here than on the road.... The best CHP to see is the one standing in a doorway with a drink in his hand and a smile on his face, I always say.

Leaving Barstow, as we crested the hill adjacent to the inspection station, there waiting was one who wasn't on break. We were all rolling a bit hot. As I went by him, I saw him flash 2 yellows from the back. Past him I saw a red and blue wig/wag in the mirror. I raised my hand in the international "MY Bad" gesture. He chose not to pursue. I support and thank him for his use of good judgement.

[Jester]

State line came without incident but approaching Vegas, we spotted the dark shape hiding behind a low bridge just a bit too late to roll it off. We were all decelerating, preparing for the impending lightening of our wallets by the Nevada State Patrol when he waved us on. Go, Go, Go! He had set his sights on the SUV which had just minutes before blew buy us. I love a happy ending.

Wow, I have lived in California for 19 years and this was the first time I had been to Vegas. ....and perhaps the last. Unlike most people, Las Vegas holds no special draw for me. I carry my sin wherever I go. I have plenty, TYVM.

[Jester]

Lunch was worth riding a thousand miles for. Not for the food, or the atmosphere but to be with the riders sitting across from me who with I had shared these past 500+ miles. I had to say that because wouldn't it be just too sad if the food sucked.

It didn't. Hell, it was only a Philly Cheese (hold the peppers please) but it sure did taste good! I think the company and Kimber (That was her name Kimber, I swear!) added a little extra special seasoning.

During lunch, Matt mentions a little canyon he knows of which is not too far. In trying to pin down the exact location with the Manager who just so happend to visit our table after hearing of our sojourn from Fresno just to visit his fine establishment, it seemed the exact location of this alledged canyon was getting muddier and muddier. Or perhaps it was his interpretation of Californeese......Dude, I swear I didn't even say "dude" ONCE!

"So Dude!" I says to Matt. We just rode 500 miles for a cheese steak and now you want us to roll 30 more miles (each way mind you) to see some "canyon"??

Well since you put it that way,

OK!

And further North we rolled. the folks back home who were tracking us by way of the Spot Tracker must have thought we were suffering from fatigue and were lost, heading still further North on the 15.

[Jester]

The Canyon Bastids charged Sam $12 to ride through it!! Originally that was intended to be two parts. The Canyon and Bastids but hey, it fits. Even though Matt and I were season pass holders, she still hit Sam with a fee to ride a 5 mile road!! ....Not that the vistas which awaited us weren't worth twice that much. But i didn't know that at the time.........Bastids. Matt illustrated in the parking lot how soft the tar snakes were by "putting his tire through the edge of one with a hard braking maneuvre. This would not be a fast bomb through this canyon.

Little did I know of the wonders which awaited us.........and Matt wasn't telling either. All he said was that it was "real pretty." You know Matt, Gross understatement is still lieing!

[Jester]

Under Construction. The Canyon Bastids

[Jester]

That's it!! It's so Beautiful here, I wanna Die here!

Sam was yelling "JUMP!!! "

[Jester]

I appologise for all the repitition, but it was so beautiful, I couldnet help myself!!

[Jester]

Canyon Bastids

[Jester]

Uugh! I-15 Vegas Traffic. Another reason not to return. .....well maybe for the sundress.....