Ray's in Green River 5/14/11

After much delay in riding for 2011, the weather has finally started to cooperate. Yeah!!

Saturday we rode from SLC down US89 to Salina, across I70 to Ray's in Green River. Had a great bacon burger before heading home on US6 through Price. In all, 450 miles. We skirted some threatening storm clouds throughout the day, with only a few sprinkles once.

I also got a riding buddy. Alan & Annie, from Australia, send a cute bear - Ulysses to express their appreciation for the bike repaint I've been working on. He found a perch on the trunk and went along for the ride.

More Rain - Payson Lakes Armor of God Fireside

It's been a while since I updated my blog. I'm going to try to get caught up!!

On June 11th some of us set out for a Friday night presentation of the Armor of God fireside for the youth at their Youth Conference. The venue was Payson Lakes. I love going to Payson Lakes and had looked forward to this for a long time. Little did I realize that it would rain and rain and rain and rain. The only time it didn't rain coming down and most of the way back was when we got high enough up the mountain to be in the clouds instead of beneath them. Things got so wet that my mic on the CB started working intermittently and has never recovered.

The fireside went well and we joined the kids for cobbler before heading back home.

Ridin' in the Rain-Rhode Island Diner, Oakley

Riding with nice sunshine or overcast is always a nice day but on occasion you do get caught where you have to ride a storm out.

Last night was not the case. We chose to ride, knowing that it was going to rain at some point. We did get pretty lucky though!


The ride up was pretty nice, overcast but nice. We even started out at the diner outside and placed our orders. It wasn't long though and the storm started. Many quickly covered their bikes and we moved inside for the rest of the meal.

By the time we finished eating, the rain had finished and the roads were drying out as we rode back home. Jan and I got a little bit of rain as we got off the freeway heading home.

All of this gave us the chance to try out the rain gear and make sure it was ready to go for the TRA Rally in Boise at the end of June. Good test run. Gear worked, everyone returned home safely. I posted the picture from the evening here!

Memorial Weekend in Sanpete

Memorial Weekend took us to Sanpete county for a stay at the cabin, a visit to some of the local celebrations, and time with friends.

The cabin is always a nice get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We spent some time doing some odds and ends to get it ready for the TRA to use this weekend for the Ratfink Reunion and for the ward to do their Youth Conference.

We also enjoyed visiting Spring City Heritage Days and Ephriam's Scandanavian Festival. We bought some great bread at the Festival.

We made a quick trip to Manti to replace the pink Ratfink Jan had lost and gather a little more info on next weekend as some things have changed this year (no parade). Aud's kids were looking forward to riding behind Jan and I in the parade again this year to throw candy, maybe the Farmington Parade in July.

After the fun and a great BBQ with the Degreys, Paul help show me how to accomplish a modification on my carbs that helps the gas mileage. I filed the tank in Manti, then 20 or so miles to Paul's place, make the mod, a hard test ride (7500 rpms in the first three gears and then slowed down from 90 mph), some more running around in Mt. Pleasant and Spring City, and finally the ride home. A typical tank is good for 125 miles before hitting the reserve, I was 158 miles getting all the way home and took 4.033 gallons to refill. That's 39.18 mpg compared to the usual 30-32 mpg I was getting. I would guess that driving a little more conservatively netted a small increase in mpg to maybe 34-35. I'm happy with the mod's effect so far. I'll run a couple more tanks through and see if it holds and then check the plugs to make sure I'm not too lean.

As enjoyable as the quiet time and ride times are, we ended the weekend with a great BBQ in the back yard with our family. All the special things in one weekend.

Ray's Tavern, Green River UT - 434 Miles

Both weather and time were kind to us this past Saturday as we were able to join in a ride from home, down through Manti to Gunnison. Next was across I-70 to Green River were we stopped at Ray's Tavern for their burgers and home made fries.

The first leg was cool but comfortable and a nice leasurely ride. I-70 was faster and had so cross winds to navigate.

After an enjoyable lunch, we headed north on Hwy 6, through Price and on towards home. There were a couple of stretches that the tar snakes required us to be careful on the line we each took. I prefer to miss the tar snakes whenever possible.

This ride was a perfect test run for the TRA rally next month in Boise. The initial ride is just under 350 miles from home to Boise and then rides around the area are a little shorter to a little longer.

We finally have received a rough cut version of the TRA story being done by Travis Pitcher from BYU.


TRA Video

Spring is Almost Here

It's been a long, cold winter. Not as bad as in years past but just as spring starts to show itself, another reminder comes that it's not official yet.

Today is suppose to reach 60+* on the thermometer. YEAH!! We'll take the bikes to the TRA chapter dinner tonight and bundle up a bit for the ride home.

Let the riding begin, ahhh.