Past rides, assorted moto pics.

On a saturday nights ride with my wingman Paul "the face" on wasatch blvd. Wasatch follows the east bench and overlooks the entire salt lake valley. It's usually free of traffic and has great twisty bends.

Group shot from our Easter Sunday ride around Utah lake. From left to right: The Voice (Kendrick) The Face (Paul) The Captain (Juan) and the scholar (Tyson)

On my way to drop off my bike for an early season oil change at the dealership. My mate Tyson shot this one.

Here's another one of Tyson's famous action shots near liberty park. Shot with a 35mm film camera while driving. True talent.

During WSBK (world superbike) week in 2011, I had the privilege to check out one of my clients old 60'S BMW R60 with a side car. I'd love to have one of these one day.

On the back side of Johnson's pass looking toward the gates of the Dugway proving grounds. Here I put Sofia through the 150mph test. She passed beautifully, hitting 153. 

Afternoon ride up to Oakley Utah.

On a lonely highway, toward my favorite place, the middle of nowhere. This one was taken on our ride up north toward Bear Lake on the Utah/Idaho boarder.

Late night bike project. Putting on my wingman Tyson's (the scholar) new termignoni or termi exhaust system on his sport classic. Took a little longer then it should. I blame the music, cigars and whiskey.

Same night, bike project break. Cigar anyone? Don't mind if I do.

Starvation reservoir out near Duchesne. One of my better shots, "Heaven meets earth, meets water."

A few from one of our favorite rides out west. Here we have a monument to the old pony express trail. As time goes on and people and things evolve, I believe that the natural evolution to the relationship between say, a man and his horse, would in my mind be a man and his motorcycle.

Screwing around in the tailing mounds near an old mining town called Eureka.  Or i'm on the moon, I can't remember exactly.

Command  and conquer.Playing king of the hill above the tailing mounds, same day.

Land minds! On the moon no less.

Waiting for the group to meet up and have a bite to eat at Ruth's diner up Emigration canyon.

A little fun on the rails out near Faust Utah. A fun days desert ride out to where you're more likely to see a stray elephant in the wilds of Utah then a highway patrol officer. My favorite kind of road, completely free of bacon.

When I go on longer rides, and by that I mean anything longer than a 3 hour jaunt, more often than not I elect to take Sofia. Sofia, or otherwise know as a Ducati S4RS Testastretta. It's a street-fighter in the Monster body with the engine, brakes and suspension off the Ducati 999 superbike. She's faster, handles better, stops quicker and even though it's considered more of a superbike as far as performance goes, the handle bars are more upright which makes for a much more comfortable ride. This means less fatigue and longer time in the saddle.  I've  even mounted a magnetic tank bag which has storage space for do-dads and it even has a cable that runs directly to the battery providing power to charge my cell phone, music device or navigation unit. Luckily, I have an iPhone which takes care of all that in one device. Which is handy when you want to utilize the other half of the Y-cable adaptor for a radar unit. A much needed peice of technology when you look at speed limits as guidelines rather than "limits."

Shot this one after picking my bike up from Salt Lake Motorsports my Ducati dealership after installing frame sliders. After my crash in the spring of 2010, I felt it would probably be a good idea to try and protect my investment from any future crashes, the best that I could. Speaking of crashes...

In April of 2010 I went on a solo ride through Goshen canyon via hyw 68 which is also known as Redwood Road, which runs the length of Utah lake's western shore line. In Goshen Canyon,I was going around a fairly sharp corner and noticed that the nice locals and their stupid ATVs kicked up gravel all over the road. Thousands of tiny rocks the size of ball bearings suddenly appeared in a blind corner and there was no escape.

In moments like this, time slows down. So much that you actually have time to quickly make split second decisions in a space of time which actually feel as though you have hours to do it in. I've read that the adrenaline which comes along during extreme life or death situations actually causes your brain to process information so fast, that it really seems as though time stops long enough which causes one to have a heightened sense of awareness. Its almost as if you were watching a movie, and you're able to put the film on pause. A film that you were both watching and starring in, simultaneously. 

IMPORTANT TIP: If you as a rider are fortunate enough to know ahead of time that you are going to crash, here are some tips that will help.

1) quickly try and point the bike in the direction that you'd RATHER crash if possible.  I know this sounds rediculous but follow me for a minute. Scenario: If you are in a canyon and you happen to find a giant SUV in your direct path, what do you do? Do you A, point and swerve your bike to its left which might happen to be a cliff and undoubtably lead to your quick and painful death? Or do you B, point the bike to the inside of the right lane and take your chances with the gravel run off and the retaining wall? I don't know about you but i'd choose door number two every time.

2) If possible, try and shave as much speed off as you can, before you run into whatever you're going to run into. It's simple physics, a crash at 60mph is going to cause much more damage to your bike and more importantly, your fleshy parts, than say a crash at 30mph.

3) Attempt to straighten the bike upright if you find yourself leaned over. You have a better chance of controlling your bike if it's upright rather than if it's in a full lean angle.

4) The best possible crash is what's called a "lowside" crash. A low side, is just like it sounds. You crash on the bikes low side, essentially falling off and sliding on your backside while your bike slides along side you. Well, preferably in front of you, until you come to stop with little damage to your body.

Just before I crashed I was able to see my exits, I could see that the gravel was EVERYWHERE and that at 50mph in a left hand sweeper, I had no choice. I was going down. I shaved off as much speed as I could and stood the bike upright. I attempted to guide the bike to the right shoulder, instead of the left shoulder which was full of trees and rocks. I succeeded in pointing the bike in the right direction only to have the front wheel dip into a ditch and sling-shot me over the handlebars at about 40mph. In the motorcycle world, we call this a "highside" crash. Highside = suck.

Whilst flying over the handle bars, I remember looking down as my body left the safety of my comfy saddle, in exchange for the uncomfotable and rapidly approaching ground. I landed square on my helmet, knocking me clean out. If it wasnt for my all my gear, i'd be dead. Side note:  All of you squids and Harley riders who wear little to no gear, and especially those that wear no helmet, get over yourself. NO ONE thinks you're cool. The argument to ride to be "seen" as aposed to riding to ride is stupid. When you crash, and you will crash, you deserve the brain damage and or death that that will surley happen. Seriously, dont be a "Harley" rider.

When I came to, there were 5 people standing above me. Apparently, a few other riders noticed the large dust cloud caused by the crash ahead and stopped to see what happened. I remember looking up through my helmets' closed visor and I overheard one of the women of the group saying "Oh god is he dead"? Just then, I opened my visor and said "I don't feel dead". My speach was slurred. I had a proper concussion.

Just like in the movies, when you get a concussion, everything sounds like it has the volume turned waaaaay down. You DO see stars, or what appears to be floating white orbs. Other people seem as though they are speaking in slow moition, but in actuality, it's your brain that's processing the information slowly and you sound drunk to everyone else.

Another tip: If you crash and it results in a concussion, DONT get back on your bike and ride it back home. That's what I did and little did I know, I was risking yet another serious crash. It turns out that you can have a blackout due to the swelling in your brain and I wouldn't have been as lucky the second time around had I crashed again. Due to my drunk-like state, I was riding  back home faster than I rode out in the first place. So call a tow and flat bed the bike instead, it would be the much safer bet.

Anyhow, I went off on a bit of a tangent. I will say one last thing about crashes.There are two types of riders. Those that have gone down and those that are going down. That's it. It's not a matter of IF but WHEN.The sooner you come to terms with that idea, the more prepared you'll be and the safer you'll ride. So keep your head on a swivel, always look for exits and keep the rubber side down.

A little pre-ride fun before the big day. This is my first road bike, a recent hobby I picked up in an attempt to be less fat. I thought it would be funny to mix my favorite pass time with my new hobby and create a new sport. I call it, moto-cycling.

A selfie before riding out. It was only later that I noticed what appears to be my first UFO sighting and I caught it on camera! After nearly a decade of watching the X-Files, I knew one day it would finally happen.

Wild crazyness. A quick stop at the summit of Mt. Nebo. 

Another overlook at the top of Logan Canyon.

Kendrick and I, me on the duck and he on ths triumph bonneville at the end of Echo canyon above I-80, before the road heads toward Evanston WY.

Im actually really proud of this shot. This was taken last year (fall of 2012) at the end of the road in Copperton, which is an old mining town above bacchus highway.

Mt. Nebo is a beautiful run. It's well maintained, full of great sweeping corners and the scenery is amazing. It brings you over 9000ft. TIP: most of Mt. Nebo is actually open range for black cattle which are very, very hard to see after the sun goes down. Watch your blind corners and leave with plenty of light, as not to get caught up there in the dark.

Pit stop for fuel in Park City. Might should frame this one.

Out west near Faust there are some old abandoned wheat silos near some train tracks. I rode down an adjacent dirt road and got this shot. 

The tracks just off the road near the silos by Faust.

If you follow Emigration canyon all the way up, it will take you past East Canyon and a few pretty reservoirs. East Canyon to Morgan, Echo and Henefer and back is a quick and fun 3 hour ride. It's one that I try and hit a few times a year and I recomend it.

Mirror lake fall of 2010. Tyson, Paul and I. The mirror lake run takes you through some beautiful mountain country and over 10,000ft, the second highest road in Utah. It's a longer ride and usually an all day event. A little tip, dress warm (layer) and watch out for deer.. They are everywhere up there and I've been lucky not to have hit any. yet.

One of tysons best, "friday night lights" he called it. Taken on one of our rides out west near Utah Lake. His bike mirror, and yours truley in the reflection.

A quick stop by an old church just outside of Morgan. Morgan is a little farming town north of East Canyon. Tyson shot this stunner back in the spring of 2010.

A newly aquired habbit. We'll it's not really a habbit, but more of a ritual. When the fat lady sings, it's all over. So you may as well have a cigar. The "fat lady" being the end of a great motorcycle ride. My new way of celebrating, the cigar is now my ritual to mark the occasion and the completion of yet another great motorun. Here are are few more celebrations:

Mirror lake run, mountain goat man ascension, and celebration.

Echo canyon celebration.

Late night Helper celebration under an overpass with the newly discovered Swisher Sweets.

San Rafael's Swell.

movember+celebration.

Easter day ride on the east bank of Utah Lake Celebration.

Lambs Canyon celebration, and so it goes... All energy flows according to the whims of the great magnet. -Hunter S. Thompson.

Some photos courtesy of Tyson Call http://www.flickr.com/photos/tysoncall/

Ride to Helper

 So, this week an impromtu motoride finds us back to a little out of the way mining town (which we found on accident) called Helper. Back in 2010 my wingman and I decided to do a 4 day and 4 night ride to southern Utah. Our timing wasn't the best as it was late October, early November which means in Utah, you run the risk of the temperature dropping 30+ degrees instantly, and night comes quicker which means you'll be riding in the dark. Sometimes, it means riding in the dark, through a poorly lit canyon at high speed, while it's SNOWING! 

This year we did it right. No rain, no snow, no November. We did however revisit the long dark canyon of highway 6. I'm always both excited and frightened by the prospect of the combined 500 lbs of metal, fuel, and flesh being hurled down a dark canyon at 80mph, slowing to 50mph for the corner only to speed back up to 80 in hopes to catch up to the fleeting red tail lights of the probably drunk truck driver ahead. When keeping up seems impossible and the road becomes harder to see, my heart jumps into my throat. My fear comes not from the percarious situation and my lack of personal safety, but for the safety of that of my wingman, Tyson.

I've ridden many miles alone and motorcycling for the most part is a solitary activity. Riding alone allows for the freedom to do or go anywhere you want without having to consult anyone. It offers an escape from the world where you're alone with your thoughts and get to feel all the exhilaration that only a motorcycle can offer.That being said, I highly suggest If possible, to bring a wingman along. I find that if you have someone to share your moto experiences with, the highs are higher, and the lows are much easier to bear.

Downtown Helper. From what our new bartender friend told us, the old mining town has roughly 500 residents. Which is surprising considering how many cops I saw, they must have 1 for every 10 people.

Good morning view from the little $50 a night dive motel that we stayed in. There is an obvious cost benefit to staying in places like this, however that's not the main reason why we do it.  The little mom and pop shops and hotels that we have the pleasure of visiting have much more character and feeling then the big box  high end hotel chains. 

 

A little night time exploring and shenanigans led us to find the Swisher Sweets. A tasty surprise.

I've heard that if you want to get a pulse on any new place you visit, a great place to start is the local pub. We walked the streets and found the only place that seemed open which happened to be a bar. Tyson and I were the only two there for quite some time, we played a few rounds of pool and had a few beers while we got to know the bartender and a little bit about the town. One thing that consistently amazes me is the kindness of strangers. Especially those that know you are a motorcycle rider. There is a vulnerability that people can sense when you're an out of town motorcycle rider and without fail, if you open up, people will be drawn to you. They offer up help and attention and a kindness that seems to be missing during any other regular social interaction.

This trip was no different. This bar didn't serve food and the bar keep could tell we were hungry. Without asking, he offered to run down to the local gas station and pick up anything we wanted while we hung out and relaxed. I called and ordered a pizza and gave the attendant my CC# over the phone. Once it was time for pick up, the bar keep sent his brother down to pick up the pie only to discover my card had declined. Apparently my card has some security feature which requires you to swipe it in person. Just as I was about to leave and walk down myself to straighten everything out, the bartender said "Hey, you don't have to walk, you can take my car." 

I can't remember a time when a complete stranger offered up his personal car to me for any reason. I was so amazed by his generosity that I was speechless. Just one more example of how much of an ice breaker a motorcycle really is, and how kind people can be whom you've never met. Furthermore, I find that those that have the least, give the most. They are the greatest teachers.

A little burned down fuel or auto repair shop that we came across.

Fueling up before our jaunt home. Our co-worker was getting married that day so we probably averaged about 80mph+ the whole way back in hopes to arrive in time. We made it, with about 30 minutes to spare.

Just before we left Helper we decided to ride around the little sleepy town to see what we could see. I've always loved trains and train yards, they always make for a great pic.

Little old cemetery outside of Duchesne. 

The summit of highway 40 finds us at 9200ft and a nice overlook.

Starvation Resevoir just outside of Duchesne. The last one was one off my better pics of the day.

Heaven, meets earth, meets water.

While stoping for photo opportunities on the side of the road, sometimes you rest, sometimes you dance. Thanks for visiting, until next time, keep the rubber side down. :)

Some photos courtesy of Tyson Call http://www.flickr.com/photos/tysoncall/