From The Educator

A couple of months ago, I received a phone call from my good friend Brian, who lives in Las Vegas. Brian, a three time super bike champion, was inviting me to join him and his dad, Dev, to enjoy a romp through the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and the Canyon of Fire. Dev was no stranger to motorcycling either, as he was Brain’s head mechanic during those racing years. Here, we would have a chance to ride three different bikes, a 2001 GoldWing, Brain’s CBR929, and his Dad’s newly purchased BMW R1150RT. Brian promised that the ride would be very spirited, on some very exciting roads. Considering that I am the chapter educator and that it is my duty to try and experience as much as I can, how could I refuse such a wonderful offer. So, I headed for Las Vegas on May 17th with my helmet in hand and some warm weather riding gear. On Friday afternoon, I stopped by the rental shop, just east of the Strip, to pick up the prepaid and prearranged 2001 GoldWing. However, I was forced and I do mean forced to take the only Wing that they had, which was RED! After an evening of good food and views of the Strip, I met Brian and Dev at 8am for what would be a terrific day of riding. We topped off the gas tanks and headed for the Lake Mead Rec. Area. Brian led, as he was much more familiar with the roads, because he and his group of sport bikers ride this area quite often. I was next, and Dev brought up the rear. He was still breaking in the new BMW, so he had to hold the rpms down and 80mph was top for today. After we entered the Park, we headed northeast along the Northshore Road toward our breakfast stop. The first hour of riding was one of three highlights of the day. The road had just been resurfaced and there was no traffic. As I soon experienced, the roads of the park slowly roll and weave, allowing for a perfect view of the course. This section of road permitted speeds averaging 70 to 80 mph, while some of the curves begged to be taken quicker, which we did, hitting speeds over 100 mph. In contrast, there were sections that required more slow speed skills at 15 to 20 mphs. The turquoise waters of Lake Mead only topped the visual eye candy of the desert, followed by the rock formations and the mountains in the distance. Our first stop was for breakfast at Echo Bay, a boat launch and marina on Lake Mead. We had eggs, pancakes, and caffeine for the ride ahead. After a short walk along the marina and a stop for water bottles, which were stored in the Wing, we headed for the Canyon of Fire on route 169, a State Park within the National Park. This park has a single entrance, so it's a road that you ride to the end and back again, along the beautiful red rocks that created the path of winding roads and incredible views. Previously the rock formations had been more in the distance, but these where much closer to the road and within hiking distance. Given the time you might want to make this run more than once. Shortly after taking this ride, we finally began to take some pictures, so I could report on our ride and the bikes. Up to now I was having just too much fun to worry about taking pictures. Shortly after, we started to ride the different bikes so that all of us could experience the best, as well as the differences between the three bikes. During the initial ride Brian, who had the advantage of his sport bike, was surprised at how well the Wing kept up on all but the tighter series of turns, and even then, the Wing hung pretty close. When Brian road the Wing, his comment was that he had never experienced a bike whose engine was that strong and so smooth. Dev, after riding the Wing, found its center of gravity to be lower feeling than the BMW and much easier to maneuver. I found the CBR to be strong and easy to move through the curves. Since my experience a while back with the Buel, I have been working on doing a better job of countersteering and using my body better, and it really paid off while riding the CBR. I felt much more comfortable and I was able to exercise the bike with greater control and confidence, which made the ride all that more fun. The BMW is striving to be both a sport bike and a touring bike. It is tall, and the opposed twin can vibrate a bit, but it feels light and held the road very well. I really liked the electric windshield and the brakes were dime stoppers. I found that when I was cornering, the BMW held the angle, but never felt glued to the curve, where as the Wing felt like it hugged the curves. On one occasion, I leaned over with the Wing and gave the throttle a twist, and just like we have read in magazines and books, the Wing grabbed the road, then pulled down tighter into the curve. Later in the day we stopped for a wet repast at the Callville Bay marina and boat launch. The temperature had finally reached 100, but remember, the humidity is very dry, so it felt more like 85 90, a bit warm but tolerable. One hundred and eighty-six miles later, and after riding all three bikes, we parted ways with the many thanks for the pleasures of the day.

I suppose now I should sort of come clean with some of the small exaggerations that I may have made during this report. Brian is not a three time world superbike champion, though, an excellent rider. He is friends and works with my cousin at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. His Dad, Dev, lives in Peoria and will be retiring soon after many years with Caterpillar, and has purchased the BMW, so that when he visits his son in Las Vegas they can ride the area and the West Coast. I was actually in Las Vegas to celebrate Kathy’s BIG birthday and I had rented the bike. Still wish they had an orange Wing. It was also ironic that Dev noticed the plastic license plate holder on the wing, which read, Des Plaines Honda. The roads in the Lake Mead National Recreational Area, are excellent for whatever style bike you have. This days ride has moved to the top of my Favorite Day Rides, that I have ever taken, and I have had a few great day rides. Thanks to Brain and his dad, Dev, for a great time. I look forward to returning for more. Maybe next time, I will bring along some of my closest 50 friends.

Las Vegas Jackpot With Three of a Kind...

A couple of months ago, I received a phone call from my good friend Brian, who lives in Las Vegas. Brian, a three time super bike champion, was inviting me to join him and his dad, Dev, to enjoy a romp through the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and the Canyon of Fire. Dev was no stranger to motorcycling either, as he was Brain’s head mechanic during those racing years. Here, we would have a chance to ride three different bikes, a 2001 GoldWing, Brain’s CBR929, and his Dad’s newly purchased BMW R1150RT. Brian promised that the ride would be very spirited, on some very exciting roads. Considering that I am the chapter educator and that it is my duty to try and experience as much as I can, how could I refuse such a wonderful offer. So, I headed for Las Vegas on May 17th with my helmet in hand and some warm weather riding gear. On Friday afternoon, I stopped by the rental shop, just east of the Strip, to pick up the prepaid and prearranged 2001 GoldWing. However, I was forced and I do mean forced to take the only Wing that they had, which was RED! After an evening of good food and views of the Strip, I met Brian and Dev at 8am for what would be a terrific day of riding. We topped off the gas tanks and headed for the Lake Mead Rec. Area. Brian led, as he was much more familiar with the roads, because he and his group of sport bikers ride this area quite often. I was next, and Dev brought up the rear. He was still breaking in the new BMW, so he had to hold the rpms down and 80mph was top for today. After we entered the Park, we headed northeast along the Northshore Road toward our breakfast stop. The first hour of riding was one of three highlights of the day. The road had just been resurfaced and there was no traffic. As I soon experienced, the roads of the park slowly roll and weave, allowing for a perfect view of the course. This section of road permitted speeds averaging 70 to 80 mph, while some of the curves begged to be taken quicker, which we did, hitting speeds over 100 mph. In contrast, there were sections that required more slow speed skills at 15 to 20 mphs. The turquoise waters of Lake Mead only topped the visual eye candy of the desert, followed by the rock formations and the mountains in the distance. Our first stop was for breakfast at Echo Bay, a boat launch and marina on Lake Mead. We had eggs, pancakes, and caffeine for the ride ahead. After a short walk along the marina and a stop for water bottles, which were stored in the Wing, we headed for the Canyon of Fire on route 169, a State Park within the National Park. This park has a single entrance, so it's a road that you ride to the end and back again, along the beautiful red rocks that created the path of winding roads and incredible views. Previously the rock formations had been more in the distance, but these where much closer to the road and within hiking distance. Given the time you might want to make this run more than once. Shortly after taking this ride, we finally began to take some pictures, so I could report on our ride and the bikes. Up to now I was having just too much fun to worry about taking pictures. Shortly after, we started to ride the different bikes so that all of us could experience the best, as well as the differences between the three bikes. During the initial ride Brian, who had the advantage of his sport bike, was surprised at how well the Wing kept up on all but the tighter series of turns, and even then, the Wing hung pretty close. When Brian road the Wing, his comment was that he had never experienced a bike whose engine was that strong and so smooth. Dev, after riding the Wing, found its center of gravity to be lower feeling than the BMW and much easier to maneuver. I found the CBR to be strong and easy to move through the curves. Since my experience a while back with the Buel, I have been working on doing a better job of countersteering and using my body better, and it really paid off while riding the CBR. I felt much more comfortable and I was able to exercise the bike with greater control and confidence, which made the ride all that more fun. The BMW is striving to be both a sport bike and a touring bike. It is tall, and the opposed twin can vibrate a bit, but it feels light and held the road very well. I really liked the electric windshield and the brakes were dime stoppers. I found that when I was cornering, the BMW held the angle, but never felt glued to the curve, where as the Wing felt like it hugged the curves. On one occasion, I leaned over with the Wing and gave the throttle a twist, and just like we have read in magazines and books, the Wing grabbed the road, then pulled down tighter into the curve. Later in the day we stopped for a wet repast at the Callville Bay marina and boat launch. The temperature had finally reached 100, but remember, the humidity is very dry, so it felt more like 85 90, a bit warm but tolerable. One hundred and eighty-six miles later, and after riding all three bikes, we parted ways with the many thanks for the pleasures of the day. I suppose now I should sort of come clean with some of the small exaggerations that I may have made during this report. Brian is not a three time world superbike champion, though, an excellent rider. He is friends and works with my cousin at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. His Dad, Dev, lives in Peoria and will be retiring soon after many years with Caterpillar, and has purchased the BMW, so that when he visits his son in Las Vegas they can ride the area and the West Coast. I was actually in Las Vegas to celebrate Kathy’s BIG birthday and I had rented the bike. Still wish they had an orange Wing. It was also ironic that Dev noticed the plastic license plate holder on the wing, which read, Des Plaines Honda. The roads in the Lake Mead National Recreational Area, are excellent for whatever style bike you have. This days ride has moved to the top of my Favorite Day Rides, that I have ever taken, and I have had a few great day rides. Thanks to Brain and his dad, Dev, for a great time. I look forward to returning for more. Maybe next time, I will bring along some of my closest 50 friends.