Fall Colors - A Ride with Vivian

For the last little bit, Viv has been interested in going on a ride with me on the bike. Last Saturday, our schedules worked that we were both available and there was a ride for a Lehi police officer that was shot during a traffic stop in June.

Viv and I were somewhere in the middle of the bikes. I've heard estimates of 400 bikes and around 1000 bikes. All I can say is there were a lot!!

Motorcycle officers from the Highway Patrol and other agencies help to guide and control the ride. When I first saw how many bikes had showed up, I thought they would split the ride up into small groups but they took all of us in one LARGE group. They shut down roads in each of the towns we went through and allowed us to ride without stopping.

The ride was up over Nebo loop and the colors were beautiful. The money for the ride went to an excellent cause and at the BBQ in the park both Viv and I each won a gift pack. That was fun.

Camp Floyd - West Desert - May 2008

Dan and I tried to organize a Venture Rider ride in May but we were the only two that ended up getting together. We had a nice breakfast and then rode out to Camp Floyd in the west desert. There were a lot of neat artifacts and history.

Ed "Big Daddy" Roth - Rat Fink Reunion

The last three years, Jan and I have had the opportunity go to Manti and participate in the Rat Fink Reunion and Parade.

Each year they have a reunion in Manti to remember the work the Ed did and the innovations he came up with. In the late afternoon they have a parade with antique cars and motorcyles for about 30 minutes to show off the vehicles.

Upgrading the Technology

Although in 1986, the Yamaha Venture one of the premier bikes of it's time, competing with the Honda Goldwing having stereo, intercom, cassette tape player, and CB radio. But now, 22 years later, most of the electronics are still useful but the cassette player (even if it did work) is completely outdated. With some direction from the second group I have gotten involved with, the Venture Riders, I was able to remove the player and install a 3.5mm port to enable IPOD input etc. It works great!!

Wing Ding 29 - Billings Montana - July 3-7, 2007

Since getting our bikes, we've learned a number of new skills in order to improve and do maintainence. One of the things we've learned is how to do some automotive painting. We repainted Sam's bike and he wanted to see the reaction at the Wing Ding in Billings. I had been interested in taking a longer ride, so the goal worked out great.

When we got to Malad, ID, while refueling, Sam's bike tipped into the pump and broke the windshield. Luckily, the TRA member in Rigby had a used windshield we could install with some minor modification.

We rode up through Yellowstone National Park. This is us at Old Faithful!!

We stopped to get pics by the park sign. You have to have proof.

We left the park through the NE gate and passed through the Lamar Valley. There is a large herd of Buffalo that call this area home. We had to stay alert has we went through.

It was a great experience to take this trip. We drove over to the Billings Temple but it was closed during the time we were there so we couldn't attend.

The sad part of the trip was when Vivian and Jake had their little boy Xander (Alexander) born while we were gone. It had to happen Viv!

A Riding Buddy

Jan and I have had a opportunity to take a number of rides. We went to Manti, Logan and a few other places around the area.

Shortly after we got our bikes, Sam (my oldest son) decided that he would like to try riding as well. He found a 1981 Honda Silverwing on Ebay for sale from seller in the Salt Lake area. He bought the bike and made arrangements to pick it up.

Sam needed to find a place to have a ward camp for his singles ward so we took a ride into the Uintah mountains on Mirror Lake Road one Saturday.

Then The Upgrade!!

Along with the purchase of Jan's bike, we learned of a group of LDS motorcycle riders called the Temple Riders Association (TRA). www.templeriders.com

After our first trip on the bikes to the cabin, we realized that if we want to take any long rides with the TRA, the bikes we have were inadequate.

We were able to find a used 1986 Yamaha Venture tour bike at a local dealership and make a good deal on it. It was interesting going from the Virago to a full size tour bike weighing more than 800 pounds but I have loved it ever since and we have been able to take some great rides.



What a ride!!

... I Need a Bike Too

We looked through some adds in the newspaper and before we knew it, we found a nice 1982 Suzuki GL650 for Jan to ride. We clearcoated the paint on the bike and added the sissy bar.

Fastforward 23 Years - Yamaha Virago 750

August of 2005, the husband of a co-worker was ready to sell a Virago 750 prior to starting law school. After a quick conversation with Jan, we decided to buy the bike. I rode it a bit and worked to get my license back. Then came Jan's request ....

The Beginning - 1980 Kawasaki 250

Shortly after getting married in 1979, Jan and I purchased a Kawasaki 250 brand new. We started enjoying motorcycles early in our marriage.

After a couple of years, our family started to grow with our oldest daughter Audrey, we decided to sell the bike.

Jan kept her motorcycle endorsement over the years and I let mine expire.