Colorado River to the Skyways

Tuesday 30th June

My turn to lead the ride today. Last night with Clint I checked out the ride and changed it somewhat. Instead of going straight up the highway I found a route that means we started off following the Colorado River.

First tho' we headed out from Moab - and my first u-turn, which according to Clint means I am now a certified member of the AWRA. Just to be sure I arranged a couple more throughout the day.

4 miles from Moab we turned into Arches National Park. It's a spectacular group of arches and formations including the famous Balanced Rock. We spent a great deal of time seeing a totally different type of formation. Once done we headed off up the canyon following the Colorado River. We then took an undulating back road (we could regularly see the highway) before getting onto it.

We got to the Colorado / Utah border, took our photo's and headed off again. Leaving Grand Junction we then turned into Colorado National Monument - an incredible road of fantastic views, climbing the mountain, following the very edge (and we were on the outside most of the time with nothing between us and a very long way down).

Just to make life a little more interesting, we pulled into a viewing area where there was a Sherriff talking to someone. We decided not to stop there, but apparently he took a good look at our bike and ran for his vehicle. Within a couple of hundred feet we heard the siren, saw his flashing lights, and pulled in. He had noticed that our bike had no No plate, due to it not being received in time by Eagle Rider in LA. We had to unload the top panier to get out the paperwork proving it was a rental bike and insured, and believe it or not he let me shake his hand, even tho' he had his gun and taser on. The guys of course have photo's of it all. Clint mentioned later that he was surprised he had left himself so vunerable.

Then it was on to Carbondale, totally different country - green with pines, meadows, lakes and rivers running by the side of the road.

Made it just after 7pm, long day, had a quick swim while Christine did the washing. Bob & Kerry, & the 2 of us went to a diner for tea (Clint & Charleen stayed in). Sat at the bar on stools - exactly as in the movies. Even had a big picture of Betty Boo in the enterance.

A great ride.

Bikes in front of Balanced Rock

Some of the Arches

Delicate Arch in the background - this is used on the Utah number plate

At the border (with Clint & Charleen's Wing)

Independence Monument

Bridges - on the way to Carbondale