ImNoSaint

Sunday, March 11, 2007
We left St. George, Utah on a sunny evening (time change worked to our benefit) taking I-15 south to Mesquite, Nevada. Within that 30 miles of freeway lies the Virgin River Gorge, once the most expensive freeway project in the States.

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The road literally cuts through deep canyons furrowed by the Virgin River. With banked curves and recent resurfacing it’s a spectacular ride. We’re spoiled with it being minutes from our garage. It’s also the most dangerous stretch of freeway around, mostly due to its beauty - most tourists don’t pay attention to the demands of the tarmac or the XX rider next to them. Pays to stay out of blind spots.

Mesquite to the outskirts of Las Vegas was unusually calm. Normally it’s the windiest corridor along the route. We were treated to a beautiful sunset. Traveling friends snapped this shot of us making our way.

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We ride with HJC helmets fitted with Chatter Box communication systems. The tank bag is a River Road system with magnetic base. Two bags stack in this system, but are too high for the cowling of the XX obstructing the instruments, so we use the larger bag for long trips that swallows up what the Beetlebags won’t. Beetlebags and seat come from Corbin.

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The seat has a removable back that gives Mrs. Saint support. The back stows in the Beetlebags. We’re riding in FirstGear mesh top and bottom and are capped off with Joe Rocket gloves and Response Gear boots for him and Nitro Ladie’s boots for her. We’ve put lots of hours and thousands of miles in these get-ups and no complaints - versatile and cool enough for nine months out of the year. We’re geared up in leather during the winter months.

Sunday was also the opening day at the Las Vegas Speedway for NASCAR creating traffic nightmares well into the next morning along I-15. We arrived at the 93 (Nellis AFB) turnoff to find the I-15 parking lot. It took us an hour and a half to get from there to the Craig Road turnoff 6 miles away. NASCAR-type tempers flaring, road rage and stupidity at an all time high made for an interesting crawl on the ‘Bird. Other motorcyclists and motorists tried the emergency lane route but were quickly corrected by NHP. The BB kept her cool and we became very appreciative of the Corbin seat upgrade.

Late in the evening we arrived at the South Point Hotel. Not a bad value for Vegas. Their Italian fare was first rate and the rooms were nice.

Monday, March 12
Left the South Point with Vegas in our mirrors, made our way on I-215 south to 95 on the way to Boulder. A swing through to Hoover Dam is worth the detour, probably not during peak tourism though. Long waits. I-95 cuts off to Searchlight/Needles/Laughlin just before the skirts of Boulder. It’s a long (68 miles) partly divided highway, straight for as far as you can see. We opened up the ‘Bird with two riders, a tank bag of 20 lbs, and loaded Beetlebags to 125 mph (200 kph). At 90 the aeros kicked in, we tucked and felt that wonderful personality change that only happens on a Blackbird. No flinching or sway, no drag effect with the rider or bags, just pure speed with more torque for the taking at the wrist. You know what this is like – the bike hunkers down closer to the road, the clip-ons lose their subtle vibration, the yoke firms up in your grip and the air pushes your helmet into the tank and cowl, or in our case, into the tank bag (a good idea to pack soft stuff in the River Road bag). Local traffic habits would have me think that this is a heavily patrolled area.

We flew unfettered like this until a couple of miles outside of Searchlight, where we came upon parking lot 2. Road construction in Searchlight put a line-up of RV’s, SUV’s, semi’s, cubes and post-NASCAR revelers in yet another 90-minute cohabitation. The ‘Bird got too warm for my liking so we pulled off the shoulder to let her cool down. Lots of crawling admirers remarked about the ‘Bird, and others about Mrs. Saint.

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The jam was toast after Searchlight and before too long we descended into Laughlin via 163. What a great road. Elevation changes and twisties on recent new pavement for several miles. We’re early enough in the season to avoid tourist traffic.

On Laughlin’s main drag I could hear the ‘Bird’s chain thumping the guard on the swingarm. I adjusted it before we left St. George and was surprised to find it run-out again. The adjustment was maxed on it as well. Lots of latent heat from the header junction during both traffic jams I suspect. What do you think?

Had lunch at Joe’s Crab Shack riverside on the Colorado. The restaurant is in the Golden Nugget Casino. Great ambience on the river, but the buffet (no menu service during the day) left much to be desired.

Not long before we’re back on the road, the chain slapping the hell out of the guard during starts. Once on 163 she was back in her groove but with considerably less response time in shifting and torque.

Back in Vegas on I-215 we passed a dirtbiker pulling stunts in rush-hour traffic, an oafish rider with a stuffed backpack. Couldn’t decide if the rider was purposefully risking safety or was just plain novice at the bars. He was quickly diminished in our mirrors.

We arrived at our retreat for the next two days and nights, the Renaissance Hotel on Paradise downtown Vegas. Notice there’s no “Casino” in the name. None on the property. This recently-built property is adjacent to the LV Convention Center. Interior design reminiscent of FL Wright, a very courteous staff that consistently accommodates the ‘Bird (our second stay there) and nicely appointed rooms. The bar and lounge provides a relaxing venue for most monkey-butts, though its business ambience might dissuade a few hardcore HD types. Excellent bar, great food and the entire property has a no-smoking policy (not strongly enforced by the pool). The structure of the Hotel surrounds the pool isolating it from its “Vegasurban” surroundings. A nice break from the rest of downtown. Check out their property here: http://www.renaissancelasvegas.com/. Spent the evening by the pool and in our room recovering from the days’ ride, details withholding.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007
A midmorning ride to Pat Clark’s Motorsports on East Sahara to find a new chain and a mechanic to install it. What a toy store. Ducati, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Bimoda, Big Dog…

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This Bimoda bike (sorry on the model number) has no front fork, but rather an elaborately engineered way to steer this $60k plus ride. Everyone at the shop was very accommodating. When asked if they could get the ‘Bird in for a chain change, we were escorted to the shop where we met their shop foreman. He showed us his lineup for the day and couldn’t squeeze us in, but recommended another non-corporate shop that might. In the middle of his shop was a ‘99 Blackbird post-T-bone with a sedan. Right side and top faring damaged beyond repair, shattered instrument cluster. Heartbreaking.

Picked up a rotor lock (not in Kansas anymore) for some piece of mind, and we’re on our way back to the hotel to enjoy the pool and something to eat. When the sun left the pool area by mid-afternoon, we did, too. Made a call to Cater Powersports (I-215 and Decatur) to see if they’d could get the ‘Bird in for a new chain. They said to show up at 8 in the morning. So much for sleeping in.

Off to the Strip. As tempting as it may be to cruise the Strip sans casque, you should know that Nevada has a helmet law. You should also know that no one driving on the strip is watching where they’re going.

First stop, the Bellagio. Mrs. Saint loves their seasonal flower exhibition, this visit with a butterfly house as its feature. We also enjoy their famous fountains.

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Then to the Venetian where we ate Mexican at Taqueria Canonita. Excellent fare, highly recommend their Cadillac Margaritas. We shared their six taco platter, very good, though I should’ve gone with their pork Barbacoa. Also enjoyed their crab salad. Service was outstanding and transparent, thanks Beatrice.

Both the Bellagio and the Venetian were accommodating to bikes. Parked the ‘Bird in an area close to the casino entrance at the Bell, and the Venetian had designated motorcycle parking.

We let the Cadillacs wear off during a pleasant walk through the Venetian.

Back at our hotel we intended to rest up for a night of dancing at the Rum Jungle, but the last couple of days caught up to us, and the thought of not being able to sleep it off the next morning thwarted our enthusiasm. Later found us flaked out at ENVY bar lounge at our hotel for an hour, enjoyed their jumbo shrimp cocktail (these things were as big as hotdogs), a burger and house salads with a Ste. Michelle Merlot for him and a Cosmo for her.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007
7:00 a.m. and Mrs. Saint complains of a headache. I later learned she did this so she could keep sleeping in while I made my way on the ‘Bird to Carter’s for the chain. Her mistake. A new chain turned into new Michelin Pilot Powers front/rear, new rear pads, an RK Racing chain and a cool model of Mrs. Saint’s ’05 CBR 600RR.

Carter’s was cool. A new store and shop for them, they’re still working the kinks out of their IT but were very efficient in taking care of me. In by 8 and out by 9:30. They had an ’02 Blackbird in their used inventory, $7300, with some repair work and paint on the RH faring, a rough job. Had breakfast at PT’s next door while the work was done.

Back to the hotel by ten where Mrs. Saint and I packed up, checked out and hit the road for the trip home via Lake Mead. I-15 to Lake Mead Blvd (147), which takes you out of Vegas valley into a desert mountain pass and into the Lake Mead National Recreation area.

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Note to tourers who’d like to visit our neighborhood: buy a national park pass. you’ll have it paid for in just a couple of National Park visits, you’ll want to ride through at least five of them out here.

147 is a bumpy ride right up to the park entrance, where the blacktop is recent and the road smoothes out. This road connects to 167 where we turned northeast heading to Echo Bay. Just past Echo is badly needed recent road construction. The flagman was kind enough to take this shot of us.

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We had a pilot car take us through for a couple of miles. After the construction, 167 turns into a filling-loosening, bone-jarring, kidney-rattling ride. Advise to adhere to the speed limit.

167 turns to 169 dumping into Overton. The road gets a bit better at the park boundary. Had lunch at an ice cream shop in Overton, advise the foregoing lunch in Overton if you can.

Back on I-15 we cruised home to St. George. 540 miles round trip. Self-portraits of the Saints below. Questions? Let us know.

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PJNXX

Good report. Sounds like you had a great ride. Thanks for sharing that.

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-Paul

haWHYnXX

Nice report. Sounds like you had a good time (parking lots notwithstanding).

Virgin River Gorge sounds like a ride I want to take!

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-Vern

Hawaiian Island Stylin'

PJNXX

What was your total round trip mileage?

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-Paul

ImNoSaint

Round trip was 540 miles.