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I'm planning my first motorcycle camping trip in September after Labor Day. A short trip, probably leave on Tuesday or Wednesday and return on Sunday. One place I'm going to stop for sure is Bryce Canyon, Utah. I am going to tent it at least a couple nights, but may wimp out for a hotel room. I haven't got my system cases yet (still searching for a deal), but hope to have them before I leave (I know I know, it's only 3 weeks from now!). And I've got to work out how I'm going to attach a pelican case for camera gear, still.

Yes, there will be pictures!


If anyone's been there, or have any travel/camp tips in general, it'd sure be appreciated. I'm searching the 'net every night for tips and gear, but first hand advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Love that country!!!

we missed Bryce but hit Zion National Park..beautiful. If you get that way on 89, stop in at Kanab and rest the bones at the Parry Lodge.

Lake Powell is cool too!

most definately, was there last year for the beekster bash with some guys from this board and met a bunch of guys fromhere ,there truly one of the best things i've done .why not stay in a hotel with a nice bed and cable ,rates should'nt be to bad good luck and have a great trip , are you going solo or with someone

p.s take a ipod or XM ,its really cool touring thru there with your favorite tunes going

Utah has some great riding, all I can think of to mention is that the weather can be cold (and possibly wet) in the fall. I've ridden there a couple of times, and enjoyed it a lot...

Just keep your speed in check, as I was tagged by the Mormon Highway Patrol for 65 in a 55 near Bryce 2 years ago. Never been to Bryce, but did Zion several times. If your travels take you near Lake Powell, I hear the drought has uncovered some previously unseen beauty (that is normally under water). Closer view of Rainbow Bridge, for example. Enjoy!

Watch out for deer on rural Utah roads, especially around morning & dusk. A great road is Route 12 up to Torrey. Can't go wrong with that road. There is one part where you are on a knife ridge, sheer drops on both sides with no rails. One of those places to ride within your zone.

Good luck!

Sounds like a great trip!

I went through that area 2 months ago and made it a point to ride route 12 from Torrey to Boulder. You won't be dissapointed

Like someone said before, watch out for the Mormon Highway Patrol.

Here's what happened last year near Bryce when one of those mysterious "bullet bikes" was seen doing an unholy 64 MPH! The cop almost became an (be sure to watch the video)

http://kutv.com/topstories/local_story_310175830.html

Thanks for the warnings and replies. Good to know ahead of time that this area is likely to be patrolled -- which has it's good points as well.

Right now it looks like I'll be going solo. I haven't firmed up the itinerary yet so all these suggestions are really good!

darcym wrote:And I've got to work out how I'm going to attach a pelican case for camera gear, still.

I'm leaving on a trip to the Canadian Rockies with my DSLR and ended up with the Hepco & Becker top case to carry my camera and other stuff, in addition to my side cases. You could get their rear rack ($111) and attach a Pelican to that if you did not want to go with the H&B top case (another $150). I got one which is 41 liters, so it will hold my camera gear (including the vertical grip/battery pack, which makes it too big for most Pelicans) and I'm planning to put my rain gear in there also since a top box at about waist level is easier to access and deal with than the side opening BMW side cases.
Here is the rack:

Here is the top box I got:


More pictures and info on this thread: http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t ... highlight=

Sounds like a great trip. I visited that area 20+ years ago hiking around and have some great Kodachrome from that area. Bryce is bizzare and wonderful.

when one of those mysterious "bullet bikes" was seen doing an unholy 64 MPH!

WOW. I'm a bullet bike fairly regularly!

I will be in Bryce as well, but I believe the week after....We leave the 1st, from the Portland Oregon area.

Maybe we will pass on the road somewhere.

Our Trip...if goes as planned....

September 01, 2006 Coeur d Alene, Idaho

Saturday, September 02, 2006 Glacier National Park via Whitefish, Montana

Sunday, September 03, 2006 Glacier National Park, Montana

Monday, September 04, 2006 Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Tuesday, September 05, 2006 Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Wednesday, September 06, 2006 Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Thursday, September 07, 2006 Moab, Utah

Friday, September 08, 2006 Arches National Park & Canyon Lands, Utah

Saturday, September 09, 2006 Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Sunday, September 10, 2006 Death Valley National Park, California via Zion Nat Park

Monday, September 11, 2006 Yosemite National Park, California

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 Yosemite National Park, California

Wednesday, September 13, 2006 Alturas, Calinfornia

Thursday, Sep tember 14, 2006 Lapine, oregon

Friday, September 15, 2006 home

Mixing it up with camping and motel as needed/available. This is a most excellent time of year to travel. No kids, no crowds, no heat and no rain...as a rule.

'Beeming

darcym wrote:One place I'm going to stop for sure is Bryce Canyon, Utah. I am going to tent it at least a couple nights, but may wimp out for a hotel room.

(snip)

If anyone's been there, or have any travel/camp tips in general, it'd sure be appreciated. I'm searching the 'net every night for tips and gear, but first hand advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

I did the USA 4 Corners Tour 20 years ago and hit all of the great canyons on the way back home. About half of my 40 nights on the road were spent in campgrounds, and I have to say that the National Forest campgrounds in Bryce were stunningly beautiful and well maintained. Went back on the bike five years later, and the Bryce campsite was still a highlight of the tour.

As for Bryce itself, you'll find it, as wncbmw says, "bizarre." After the Grand Central station experience that the Grand Canyon has become, Bryce's weird hoodoos and quiet isolation are uniquely restful. The vistas aren't mind boggling like the GC, but the sheer serendipity of the geology on display is uniquely fascinating. It's always one of my favorite canyons to visit (and camping just seems to help make you more of an involved traveler than a pass-through tourist; and unlike the overcrowded GC, you can actually find a campsite!). Typical for desert elevations, the days are hot and the nights are cool; even more so in September.

Do heed the advice others have given you about careful riding. The biggest problem for motorcyclists touring in scenery like this is that we don't dare look at it while we're riding. The roads are well maintained, but twisty and dangerous if you're paying attention to the sights rather than the riding.

Otherwise, enjoy. I'm hoping to go back next year myself.

BTW, your bike is royally well named.