Ive been keeping a journal of my trip to SWTF 2011 on my Facebook page but thought Id go ahead and post it here, with pictures. Here it goes:
Preparations, thoughts and realityby Zdenko Milin on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 8:40am
Every day is filled with thoughts of preparation for my trip but they seem to be interrupted by reality. The good news is that even reality is filled with thoughts of my upcoming trip.
What trip? you ask. On May 31st I head out for a short (sarcasm is my friend) motorcycle trip to Prescott AZ then back home to Seattle via PCH. All in all it’s going to be an 11 to 13 day trip (I’m hoping for 11) covering 6 states and logging over 3000 miles. It’ll look something like the picture to the right. Click on it for a closer view.
So... Why am I taking this trip. I’m attending the Southwest Triumph Fest. Its a gathering of Triumph riders who all hail form a little website (Bonnevilleamerica.com) I have been a member of since 2007 (the year Karen and I bought our bikes). We all share similar interests in that we all ride (or have ridden) the same brand and model of bike (Triumph America or Triumph Speedmaster).
I've met folks form this site before and have yet to meet anyone that is not genuinely a pretty decent person. Some may dress like pirates (for my non MC educated friends that was just a dig on the "look" of a typical motorcycle rider) but all have been good people.
Speaking of my fellow Triumph riders... I do have company on my trip. I meet my first riding buddy (Brent) in Pendleton OR (276 miles into the trip) then we roll on to Star Id where another member (Mike) will put us up for the night. The next day we meet up with yet another member (Bob) and maybe a fourth (John) and head to Wellsville UT then on to Kanab UT and finally Prescott Az.
What do we do when we get to Prescott? We ride (yes, we ride) during the day and BS in the evening at HQ. The organizer and host of this event (Dwight) has everyone over and eating and drinking ensue. Since I've never been I don't know how it all goes but if I had to guess Id bet that we all turn on the smart ass switch and have a few laughs.
This looks to be the biggest turn out so far (in as long as its been held) as there are attendees from all corners of the country. I think last count was at over 30 but I’m not 100% sure. I’m looking forward to meeting some fellow BA.com members and seeing their bikes.
On the way home a lot of us will separate but Brent and I area heading to LA. Brent will stay with his family/friends and I will be in San Pedro. After a day of rest we head up PCH for a few days for what will be the most scenic part of the trip. This is also where 11 days can easily become 13 but we both have commitments that we need to meet so were going to try and stick to 11 days total.
Preparations... Its not like I’m traveling in the middle ages or even earlier this century. Gas stations are everywhere and you can easily find lodging so what’s the big deal right? The big deal is that I am on two wheels for 11 days and need to pack for possible weather conditions and am limited by my bikes capacity. Actually, that isn't that bad either. I have my packing list and am at this time almost all set. I need to get my scrips refilled and then I’m set. My GPS will guide me when I’m lost, my camera will keep still memories while my GoPro will record some of the riding and scenery. The Spot tracker is set up, tested and ready so Karen can worry less by being able to see that were moving along nicely. What else is there? Nothing that I can think of. The only thing in my way is reality.
The reality of waiting for the 31st is the hardest part. I’m looking forward to this trip in the worst way. It is the longest trip I will take on the bike to date. It’s an event I have wanted to attend for a few years now. The ride home along PCH is a ride I have always dreamt of taking. The sucky part is that Karen wont be with me. I wish she was/could take this ride with me. This just means well have to do it again, together next time. I’m looking forward to that trip also.
I guess this means that I have decided to keep not only a visual record but also a written record of this trip. I don't expect this to be one of those movie like life changing trips but I know people will ask about the trip and my memory for things like trip details is simply crap so Ill do a day by day here and then I can direct people to it. It’ll also give me a chance to wind down in the evenings.
HURRYY UP please!by Zdenko Milin on Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 12:55pm
So it’s Sunday and I don't hit the road till Tuesday but I’m so full of anticipation is almost unbearable.
Brake pads are replaced, oil is changed, bike has been test ridden and all is good. There’s an updated playlist on the iPod, camera batteries are charged, Spot device batteries are new and ready to track me during my trip.
Heck, I even mounted the luggage rack to the bike already. So... c'mon Tuesday, hurry UP!
I need to be on the road between 6 and 7am to get to Pendleton OR about noonish to meet Brent. Though I don't like getting up early I do like riding in the early morning. There’s a serenity to it, a calm, a tranquility. I would imagine it’s the same for people that like to watch the sunrise or for those that like camping.
Let me see if I can describe it.... There’s a chill that hangs in the air that’s not cold but comfortable. There’s an aroma in the air not yet filed with exhaust or chemicals. It’s crisp and pleasant to breath. As you ride there are fresh smells with every mile. Riding through the shade the temps drop and entering a sunny patch you feel the sun warm you. There are few people on the road and that’s always nice no matter where you are. My bike always feels strong in the morning. It revs harder (for my non-riding friends this is a good thing), it leans easier and feels more planted. Its an almost Zen like experience.
Man I can’t wait to get on the road.
Allergies or Cold....by Zdenko Milin on Monday, May 30, 2011 at 3:56pm
So the bike is packed, minus my laptop, and ready to go. I now only have one obstacle between the big trip and myself... In the next 15 hours my body needs to let me know if it is allergies or a cold?
Yes... all this excitement and preparation could be derailed in those next 15 hours. I’m congested, I've got a slight cough that seems to be coming from the tickle at the back of my throat BUT I have no body aches. Well, no more than usual. Thing is my mo., when I get a cold, is a couple of days of these wishy washy symptoms then it hits with the heavy congestion that lays me out. The congestion gets so bad it makes me dizzy and that puts me down for a day or two. The good news is that my allergies have been in high gear lately. Lots of rain followed by a few days of sun and toss in a breeze and there’s a lot of pollen floating around. Said pollen causes the same symptoms minus the dizzy. Now, I've been like this for two days but haven't mentioned it thinking its just allergies. Now that the bike is packed and ready to go I have nothing to do but think about how I feel right now hence the allergies or cold tagline. Tomorrow will be day three and if I’m not dizzy then Ill know its allergies and Ill be on the road.
Departure will be between 6 and 7am rain or shine. Looks like Ill leave under sunshine or at the worst overcast skies. Depending on what the weather decides to do I may hit some rain on the east side of the Cascades but should be out of it by the time I get to the Idaho boarder.
At least I get to ride even if it’s in bad weather or a day later than I wanted. My buddy John (mentioned on my first note) has had to come to the frustrating realization that hell be driving. His bike has had some issues lately and it looks like an aftermarket part has failed. Of course this happened on Saturday and not a snowballs chance in hell he'd get a replacement in time. His plan B is running later than expected so plan C is to drive down and rent a Harley (bwahahahaha). No, not that bad. Its just that hell be on a Harley amongst a sea of Triumphs. That means hell be the butt of all jokes and ridicule cause that’s how we do things.
I've got nothing else for you right now. I don't feel "poetic" as some have called it. I really just want to get this journey started... with my allergies... I hope!
Day 1 (Home to Star Id)by Zdenko Milin on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 10:01pm
I actually slept last night!
I still think it may be a cold but I believe that less today than I did yesterday. Its amazing to me that when I ride no matter the area its like allergies don't exist. Soon as that helmet comes off though its game on with the allergies
.
The air is crisp this morning. We left the slider open last night so the living room was filled with last nights cool air. Not quite cold but still crisp. Looking outside I see whitish clouds and even a few hints at clear skies though not quite making it to full blue.
Heck, even the singing birds aren’t pissing me off at this 5am hour.
The news reported I90 as wide-open heading east (duh), its Tuesday, who’s going to be headed east on I90. ME THATS WHO!
I finally hit the road about 7am. Pulled the bike out and fired her up then noticed it was sprinkling. What the F! Ah who am I kidding. Heck, it didn't even really bother me when it started to downpour. I expected rain but I did not expect the heavy rain. The rain that made me pulls over and put on my rain liners for my pants. First time I was ever using those, to think... I debated getting those. It rained for the first 100 miles or so of my trip this morning. I don't really like riding in the rain but I didn't really have a choice now did I. I just kept my pace, stayed away form the semis and rolled on. The weather started to clear up around Ellensburg and by the time I got to Shari’s in Pendleton (the meeting spot for Brent and I) it was actually starting to warm up a bit. The clouds seemed to have gotten higher and I could see a slight tint of blue.
Rain gear stayed on though... I learned a lesson this morning
Brent finally showed up and we had a bite and got on the road. He looks like a lobster. He got a tad too much sun yesterday...lol
Leaving Pendleton after gassing up (bikes and bellies) was a good thing. It was good to know we were on the road to Arizona again. Shortly out of Pendleton is a pass. Bob calls it Cabbage Hill (or was it Cabbage Pass??), either way... it’s a great incline with an awesome combo of sweeping curves and twists. Unfortunately I didn't hit my groove till after we were coming down.
As a rider that is one of the most frustrating and scary things. When you are riding well, your have the line that keeps you safe, the bike and you are as one. You take a break then out of nowhere nothing works. You can’t get comfortable, every line you take is wrong and you even scare yourself at how badly you are riding.
The only way out is to take a mental reset. DONE! We went over a couple more passes. None quite like Cabbage Hill but good enough to get my confidence back.
So what else happened today...
Already talked about the rain, the bad riding...
- There was the all girl gas station. It was just odd that I pulled into a gas station to fill up and every employee and customer were female except for me. It was actually kinda strange. That strange that makes you feel like you need to watch your back. I got outta there quick.
- There was also the very large bee that found the dead air spot behind my windscreen, in front of may face while traveling down the freeway at 85mph. Seriously... this thing was flying around in front of my torso for a few minutes while I was slightly exceeding the speed limit. Those that know my fear of flying insects know how fun this was for me.
- The crosswinds beat the snot out of us for a good hundred miles or so too.... uhh!
Brent and I finally made it to Mikes house here in Star Idaho. All I can say is WOW! I think the garage is over 2000 sq. feet. I have garage envy sooo bad right now.
Mike and Mary are very nice and gracious (is that the right word?) gratuitous... you figure it out, I’m tired and its late, hosts. Appetizers were grapes (red and green), nuts and shrimp cocktail. Dinner was ribs, skirt steak, made from scratch (all of the following) potato salad (AMAZING!), yams (mmmm, brown sugar and cinnamon), coleslaw (that store bought crap doesn't even come close) and I know I’m forgetting something.
So as you can imagine, my belly is full and after 480 miles I’m beat.
Tomorrow will be day two and Bob will be brought into the fold after breakfast at someplace local.
Stay tuned for more....
Day 2 (Star Id to Wellsville UT)by Zdenko Milin on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 8:44pm
Uggggggg.... what a day!!!!
It didn’t start bad. Mike and Mary were amazing hosts. I cannot describe how great we were treated.
We (Brent, Mike and I) met Bob and his friend Bill at Rockies Diner in Boise Id. A cool little 50s themed diner with waitresses on roller skates. All I’m gonna say is check out their Facebook page.
From there we (Brent, Bob and I) hit the road. No interesting bee stories for today. We made it down to Twin Falls in good time and stopped for some sightseeing. We saw a base jumper jump from the Perrine Bridge and had a clear view of the spoke Evel Knievel jumped, tried to, the rocket across the Snake River Canyon. We were unable to persuade Bob to try and jump his rocket across, maybe next time.
All good to this point right. Yeah well....
Pretty much from the time we got on the road after Twin Falls Id to the time we got to Tremonton UT we battled wind. Not breezy winds but some serious wind. Hurricane ****** I’m telling you! Wed get hit with a blast from the right, lean to correct then get hit from the left, correct then nothing, then out of nowhere headwind. I can only describe it as like getting into a boxing ring for four hours and just getting pummeled.
After gassing up in Tremonton UT we headed to Wellsville UT to Brent's Aunts house.
A very nice spread of food (some kick ass Dutch Oven Potatoes) and a ton of his family coming to visit with Brent we are finally ready for some rest and a 400 mile day tomorrow.
Wish us luck!
Day 3 (Wellsville UT to Kanab UT)by Zdenko Milin on Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 9:11pm
We just got back to the Bob-Bon Inn Motel from dinner at the Silver Spur down the street. The hotel is actually nice for what it is. It’s not the usual kind of place I stay but hey, I’m on an adventure of sorts right! The Silver Spur was also better than expected. I had a burrito that I’m sure will come back to bite me later (hopefully not while I’m riding tomorrow) but oh well.
We rode 393 miles today from Wellsville UT to Kanab UT. We are once again tired but in a good way.
We departed Brent's Aunts house this morning (I already forgot her name, damn!) with cold in the air but blue skies filled with fluffy white clouds. If your following this journey with me you'll notice I mention the skies and clouds a lot. Simple really, white clouds are usually ok, dark colored clouds mean rain. So, to see the white clouds means its gonna be cold but not rainy.
Anyway... blue skies, white clouds, cold and were off.
As soon as we hit the highway guess what.... WIND! Yes today was another wind filled pummeling THE WHOLE WAY! The saving grace is that the route we took (once through the SLC area and rode through Spanish Fork) was freaking amazing. 40 mph sweeping curves that we were blasting through at a solid 60/70mph. Scenery that could have easily been lifted from postcard photos.
Remember that Zen thing I was talking about? Yeah, it was happening...
Spanish Fork, just passed Powerhouse Road, the winds blowing left and right and I’m thinking this is gonna be a looong day! I see it, a yellow sign in the road warning that the next ?? miles will be 40mph curves. The wind kept blowing and hard. I set up for that first curve, get on the outside line, look through the curve, downshift and snap the throttle back, lean the bike and push, adjust my body, the whole time looking through that curve, hit the apex and come out only to set up for the next one. This repeated so many times, so quickly that my riding buddies became distant glints on my mirrors. The wind was still blowing but having little effect on my concentration or bike for that matter.
A quick lance at the GPS and I saw it was time to change roads... Oh man, it was fun while it lasted.
I slow and allow Bob and Brent to catch up. As soon as they were in sight I made the transition via a nice hairpin from US6 to US89 and as though nothing had changed I dove into another set of those amazing 40mph sweepers. This time Brent stayed with me. We were both in that Zen state of mind playing follow the leader through roads that would make the horrific traffic we endured through SLC, the directional snafu and any of the current and previous days wind beatings all worth it!
Aside from being in that moment we saw some pretty cool things today. The scenery, as I mentioned before, was nothing short of amazing. We took a turn off for what looked to be a rest stop that gave us a view of a mountain range that seemed to surround us. Thing was it was behind another set of mountains and was stunning. A couple on their BMW "go anywhere" bikes saw us from the road and actually turned around and came up to the vantage point. Kinda cool. Nice folks, retired and just riding any road they felt like riding for as long as they wanted.
Brent has an affinity for the oddball roadside attraction and was telling us about a sign he saw a few miles back for "Ho Made Pies". As he’s telling us about it I point across the street from the gas station we were at to let him know that the Thunderbird Diner across the street was the home to the "Ho Made Pie". See picture for a visual..
Well, that’s it for now. There will be more tomorrow and for days to come.
Tomorrow is the ride to Prescott for the SWTF. 330 miles.
Day 4 (Kanab UT to Prescott AZ AND arrive at SWTF)by Zdenko Milin on Friday, June 3, 2011 at 10:05pm
YES, WE MADE IT!!!!!
"Hey Z! Why are you riding to AZ again?"
So I can meet a bunch of people that ride/own/or at one time have ridden or owned either a Triumph America or Speedmaster. The host, Dwight, has been doing this since 2007 and it has become a pilgrimage of sorts for people that are members of Bonnevilleamerica.com and now the BA.com Facebook page.
The trip today was good. No Zen moments like yesterday but some good riding none the less. A BA.com member, Becky, made a suggestion that we should take US89a instead of US89 out of Kanab towards Flagstaff... oh how right she was. WOW! Here’s a teaser pic, I hope the video comes out usable.
It was starting to warm up about the time that picture was taken (I think it was about 11am ish).
We were not gentle on the throttles today either. I think I heard my bike say thank you when I shut it down tonight. LMAO!
I also FINALLY got to see the Grand Canyon though by the time we got there all I wanted to do was take a look, snap a pic, get a magnet and get back to riding. The roads getting to the GC, through the park and leaving the GC were a blast.
We got to out hotel, unloaded then headed to Dwight's house where we were greeted with very loud and welcoming "its about time” “look who finally showed up" and other assorted warm greetings (sarcasm intended).
So this is where it gets odd for some of you that are not a part of BA.com. I've met a handful of the folks that are here at SWTF. Most I've only met through the online family at BA.com or Facebook and like any other forum you really don't think your ever going to meet some of these folks. You might expect that locals would show for this and maybe a few would ride a days ride to get here. NOPE.... there are people here from every corner of the lower 48 and folks that have been riding for days to get here so that we could chat in person, pitch ****** back and forth and have a good time. Oh yeah, were also gonna go for a ride tomorrow... as one very large group of over 25 Triumphs.
I’m almost dumbfounded by the amount of people here and how far some rode and the fact that there are people here that have only been aware of this event for a few days.
I've met old friends and have met new friends. Tomorrow I ride with friends and when we all head our separate ways on Sunday we are still friends through our little web site that brings people with a common interest together.
BTW... it was windy today too
Day 5 (SWTF ride)by Zdenko Milin on Saturday, June 4, 2011 at 11:34pm
Today we rode for fun rather than to reach a destination. The physical riding doesn't change. Bike, gear, riding style, etc... same as I have been doing for four years now. What is different is the reason for the ride.
The ride started from the hotel here in Prescott with a parking lot full of bikes and people chatting, pitching ****** etc... There were even a few hotel guests that were going around taking pictures of the bikes and talking to owners. The route was laid out (Hotel to Jerome to Sedona to Flagstaff and back via Lake Marry Rd/US260). A total of 236 miles through some absolutely amazing country.
Most people think of Arizona and think desert, hot, hell no! At least I did. The beginning of the route from Prescott to Jerome was HOT and twisty roads. Not even the fun twisty. This was filled with low speed curves (15-20mph) and add to the mix a group of some 25+ bikes and it really makes for some hard riding.
You see my non-riding friends. When it’s one to three riders you can zip around and keep a great pace with good distance. Every rider you add after three requires more space and when you throw in comfort levels that range from "balls to the wall" to "how do I start my bike" it really becomes more about making sure the person in front of you isn't going to cause you to have to dodge their flailing body and sliding bike or worse yet the person behind you isn't going to ride up your tailpipe. It’s a lot like mixing water and oil, its works for a bit but ultimately it’s going to separate.
Anyway...we made it to Jerome unscathed but HOT and tired.
Jerome is an interesting little town. It’s built on a mountainside and seems to have an interesting past. See what I mean ...
We headed form there to Sedona... WOW! The colors, the scenery, just wow. The only thing I didn't like is that the town is a bit bougie. Oh well...
In the picture below look at the rock formation on the right side of the pic. Its called Snoopy Rock It resembles Snoopy sleeping on his doghouse with Woodstock on his nose.
last rock formation on the right side of this picture
From there we rode towards Flagstaff and down Lake Marry Rd. It was right about here that things cooled off and the dessert went from red, brown and dusty to lush green and cool (like home). The roads were sweet and plentiful and the rest of the ride was a blast. At times slow but nonetheless overall it was a good time.
This was at a rest stop... I just love seeing so many bikes lined up like that.
Tomorrow Brent and I ride through the desert to So Cal. I can’t wait to pull up to my parents place on two wheels. My goal is to get a picture of my mom on my bike. Wish me luck!
Day 6 (Prescott AZ to San Pedro CA)by Zdenko Milin on Sunday, June 5, 2011 at 7:30pm
My eyes opened at 5am, I loaded up the bike and was nice enough to fire it up as the pipes were pointed at the doors. LMAO. I took a quick trip up to Dwight's to pick up the BA.com journal*.
*A member (BigJack) started a traveling journal a few years ago and it ha finally made it way into my possession. It basically travels the country being passed on from one member to the next, one rally to another and has all kinds of things written in it and taped to its pages.
By the time I got back Brent was packed and ready to go. We made a quick gas stop and headed out on AZ89. Now, we headed out with the intent of stopping along the way and getting some food, and we did, but what we didn't know is that we would immediately be thrown onto a road that would wake us the F right up! Holly ******! This 15-mile stretch of AZ89 was all twists and curves ranging from 35 - 20mph. I’m telling you it was like a dream come true and one hell of a wake up. Best of all, I got it all on video.
We proceeded to bomb this section of AZ89 as best as we could, and I believe we did a pretty damn good job. My poor little America didn't know what hit it
We finally found a place to eat in Yarnell AZ called Ranch House Restaurant. When we pulled up there was one car and a couple of Harleys. By the time we were done there was a parking lot full of bikes of all makes and models. As I waited to make the left back onto AZ89 I was passed by a small group of Triumphs (not part of SWTF). It’s always nice to see your brand on the road.
We make the left and once again are thrown head first onto a world class-riding road. Yarnell Hill took us down to the hot desert AZ that we all expect to see but man did it do it in style. No after breakfast coma riding here. It was a repeat of earlier with twists and curves to get the adrenaline flowing and grin permaplastered on your face.
Not much to talk about after that. It got really hot, damn hot! and real straight, damn straight and boring.
I parted ways with Brent in Newport Beach CA and headed to San Pedro where I will be hanging out for a day doing laundry and probably a little riding
Why break the trend.
Oh.... I did get my dad to sit on my bike but my mom would only stand by it. Ill give her some guilt tomorrow and see what happens.
