Bruce rides again ...

[whitham_wannabe]

Our usual winter malaise needed a swift kick in the gentlemen's region, so Sunny, Bruce and I took a week out to go do some riding. Forsaking our usual 'ride from home' format, we loaded up the bikes and headed down to Utah to get out of the rain and cold for a while.

This isn't really going to be a ride report as such, as we just did day rides from our overnight halts, but figured some may enjoying seeing the photos.

Here is a small sample to whet the appetite until I upload the rest of the pictures ... cheers!

[ivel_86]

Not trying to steer away from the topic, awesome pictures they are, also very jealous. But that van is sick!! Would you be so kind as to go into a wee bit of detail to wet my other hobbie.

[RockyMtnRoadRash]

A Sportsmobile AND an awesome hack?

I seeth with jealousy.

[Prmurat]

Location?
Thanks!

[BeeMaa]

Nice hack.
Love the lights.
How does the dog do on water crossings?

[whitham_wannabe]

The van is a 4x4 Quigley / Sportsmobile conversion. Worked out great this week, apart from it's fuel consumption. Makes a big difference having a proper bed for the off duty driver to sleep in when driving 1200 miles straight through.

First part of the week was spent around Capitol Reef, and then we moved on to Moab.

Bruce does fine with the water crossings, learned after his first soaking that running alongside was not the wise option!

[BeeMaa]

Wow, Bruce is a trooper.
I just checked out the "Travels with Bruce".
Cool pics and glad to see your rig fixed.
Cheers.

[whitham_wannabe]

More photos ... At the end of a long drive down from Seattle to southern Utah. Must be Bruce's turn to drive, as he is in the hot seat ...



Rolled down into Capitol Reef National Park, found ourselves a very civilised camp site, unloaded the bikes and went for a little explore.














Naturally, Bruce needs to get into every picture he can …

[whitham_wannabe]

A few more … next day we went out to try a loop through to Hite Crossing.





As we climbed, though, we found more and more snow.










And plenty of snot slick mud.






Until we found a mini glacier that crossed our path. Very slick, and off camber to the point that if the hack started to slide, it would’ve been right off the edge. Being turned back by snow was NOT part of our plan!






We retreated, did some more exploring and generally took in the sights.














And naturally, had a little fun too …






Next day our loop went the other way over to Boulder.
Sunny was blown clear off the road as we headed south, so we hunkered down for a while in the lee of a cutting.






Red dirt roads through the desert.














Lots of switchbacks along the way.

[Sidecardoug]

Excellent report.
Great to see you all back on the road

[TouringDave]

Love that scenery!!

[brstar]

The photos I am sure don't do justice here. My wife and I rode on an old Beemer through Zion national park in Utah 3 years ago. Your pics make me want to go back again. There is some amazingly beautiful country there and it was spring as well with a bit of snow about and crisp blue skies contrasting with pink/red through to white stone mountains. Also you have proper mountains there unlike our oversize hills here in west oz. Love it, thanks.
Cheers Bruce.

[whitham_wannabe]

So after a windy, and a very cold ride up and over Boulder Mountain (9600ft and desperately cold, with snow drifting across the road!) we decided to decamp and go see Moab.






It’s so refreshing to go to a place where you are actually allowed to ride bikes, Jeeps and mountain bikes in these remote places.







We got into a few places where ground clearance under my unprotected sump got a bit tight, but the rig just carried on going. This thing is awesome, an absolute tank.






What can you say about the area? Just stunning …











Onion Creek Road … lots of fun, lots of water crossings.











Bruce chased some lizards. With zero success.














Sunny’s alternate transport when the bike breaks down …






We did the tourist thing through Arches, though of course Bruce wasn’t allowed out of the parking lot. I have a strong dislike for out National Parks Service’s policies.






Bruce protested by doing his impression of the famous balanced rock …






… and was thoroughly unimpressed by the Delicate Arch.








All too soon, it was time for the long drive back to reality. Bruce spent the time catching up on his sleep, dreaming of red rock mesas and the lizards that got away.

[whitham_wannabe]

... And just in case you think we're lightweights for using the trailer, this is what we had to drive through back in Washington. Ah, it's good to be home!

[CaseyB]

awesome pics, love the pooch. Been debating that area since my last trip ended. Just alot of miles to get there.


Was just curious, what camera are you using? Clarity came out really well in the pictures.