“Go West,” says Ron Barthelme
At least once a year, I attend a biannual bmwst.com gathering in Torrey Utah. It’s become one of my favorite places to ride. The combination of mountains and desert, with red-rock mesas, buttes and canyons make Utah roads a visual treat. Two roads that stand out are the following:
Utah Route 95
Running about 120 miles from Blanding to Hanksville, the “bicentennial highway” winds through some incredibly scenic country. Sections of 95 have some nice sweepers, but you may not want to go too fast, especially through Glen Canyon and Natural Bridges. It’s that beautiful, IMHO.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=blanding+ut&daddr=37.796763,-110.308228+to:hanksville+ut&hl=en&geocode=&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=9&via=1&rtol=0,2&sll=38.294248,-110.214844&sspn=1.222212,1.897888&ie=UTF8&ll=37.733797,-109.901733&
spn=1.231592,1.897888&z=9
Utah Route 12
Starting at Torrey, Rt. 12 runs south about 125 miles to US-89 near Panguitch. The scenic aspect of Rt. 12 is more varied than 95, and just as beautiful if not more so. Escalante Staircase, Bryce Canyon and Red Canyon are all awesome.
Both routes have numerous worthwhile side trips. One that readily comes to mind is Burr Trail. Starting from Rt 12 in Boulder, it runs about 70 miles and is only partially paved. Although the dirt sections are graded, depending on weather, the road conditions can be a bit difficult.
And of course, the various National Parks and Monuments are a must-see. There is much information and many pictures of these roads/areas on the internet. Check them out and consider going. Utah is a “great ride!”
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=torrey+ut&daddr=38.123754,-111.332703+to:UT-12+to:Burr+Trail+to:UT-12&hl=en&geocode=%3B%3BFRqhQgId0slb-Q%3BFTKcQQIddhJi-Q%3BFdABQAId8l1N-Q&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=9&via=1&rtol=0,2,3,4&sll=37.93403,-
111.691725&sspn=1.228265,1.897888&ie=UTF8&z=9 
Favoured: 0
