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.

Brrrrrrrr

The weather has begun to change and the opportunities to ride are now diminishing but you take what chances allow.

On Saturday, we had scheduled a ride to go through Logan Canyon to Bear Lake and return over Monte Cristo. It's been warm lately but the leaves have been changing. We thought this would be a great ride on a nice day but as the day drew closer the temperatures began to go lower. The forecast called for partly cloudy and 56*.

We left SLC about 9:00 am and were linking up with additional riders in Ogden. The Ogden group had met for breakfast and ended up about 30 minutes behind. As soon as they arrived and gassed up, we were off.

Normally I would take I-15 up to Brigham City and turn off to Logan, but this mornings ride would take us up US-89 through Willard and Perry. It brought back some memories of being up with my Grandpa Harris, on his farm in Pleasant View, picking apples, plums or peaches and them taking them to one of the many fruit stands along the highway to sell.

Turning up Sardine Canyon we made our way to Logan and took a stop to stretch and talk. The canyon turned out to be cooler than I expected but the sun was peaking through.

Next we rode through Logan Canyon. What a beautiful ride!! The leaves hadn't turned as much as I had hoped but the canyon is always beautiful and the view as you crest the hill to drop down into Bear Lake is breathtaking. We stopped at a small burger joint in Garden City for lunch to top off the riders tanks as well as topping off the bike tanks.

As we rode around the south end of the lake and made our way to Woodruff, the entryway to Monte Cristo, the temps remained cool and the sky clouded over a bit more. As we started over the mountain, the clouds closed in and turned a bit dark. I suspected that we would see some snow on the top but was surprised at how much there was, not deep but not patchy either. At the summit of 9100 feet the temperature had dropped to a finger chilling 28* and then warmed a little as we came down the other side. By Huntsville we were all the way up to 40*. The view was great as we rode through the canyon.

We made our way home over Trappers Loop to Morgan and down US-89/Legacy Highway.

The ride was worth every minute, cold but worth it. Next year I do think I'll try to pick a warmer day (or get heated gloves)

I only got a few pictures of the group.

My Not So 15 Minutes of Fame

With the motorcycle, we participate in two groups. Both have some of the greatest people you could ever want to meet and each has it's unique and special personality.

The Ventureriders.org is based on the Yamaha Venture that I ride and the website (and it's members) have a wealth of knowledge, humor and genuine concern for there fellow riders and families. This is the group that Jan & I recently got to spend time with in Cody, WY and the surrounding rides.

The Temple Riders Association is also a group we participate in and because of the large number of members that are in the Wasatch Front area, we have a lot of interaction with these people. The members here are also fantastic to be around and enjoy the beauty that has been created for us in this world and care deeply for the other members of the group. Last Sunday, during the LDS General Conference, KSL television showed an ~8 min documentary on the group. It was great to watch. Jan and I were in Cody during most of the filming but did get to join the group to do the "Putting on the Whole Armor of God" fireside. But alas, the part we were there to be filmed, now sits on the cutting room floor. I'll upload the video when it's available but for now, click on the word "documentary" above.

Dave

Ventureriders - Cody Roundup

Over the past year, we have been helping to organize a mini rally for the Venturerider.org members in the western part of the US and Canada. This past week we had the opportunity to participate. We all met in Cody, Wy for fun riding in Yellowstone National Park, Chief Joseph Highway, Beartooth Highway and other rides around the local area. We had a great b-b-q at the local Yamaha dealer with buffalo burgers etc.


We crossed the Continental Divide a couple of times.

The Ventureriders group at the east entrance to Yellowstone. At the overlook on Beartooth Pass

Just outside the town was the Buffalo Bill Reservoir with three tunnels you ride through. Both Jan and I enjoyed the ride and went through them with the video recorder going.If you want to see the rest of the photos, go here!