Monument Valley and Bryce Canyon
 

I am presently in northern Colombia where my round the world tour on my V-Strom was cut short by a careless truck driver. The bike's fine, but I broke my collar bone in a couple of places and needed surgery. I'll be fit to ride in a week or so, but am now so far behind schedule that I have decided to ship my bike home; I have also had a gut-full of the crap driving here and cannot face central America.

I will fly north to catch my flight from New York to the UK, but would disparately like to see Monument Valley and Bryce Canyon on my way back. I can get a flight to Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, from where I'd like to fulfil my dream of seeing the natural wonders of this part of the world.

My questions:

Will it be too hot to realistically do this on a bike at this time of the year?

Is it possible to rent a bike, such as a V-Strom or KLR650 (not a Harley as I would like to ride the dirt road through Monument Valley) in either of these cities in order to make my trip?

I would be grateful for any advice.

I know I sound like a commercial for this place, but go the extra couple of hours and see Canyon de Chelly (Chelly is pronounced "shay") if you make it to Monument Valley.

It would be hot, although not as hot as in southern Arizona right now, at least in Monument Valley. I have never been to Bryce Canyon, so not sure the temp this time of year.

I would think that Vegas would have many choices of bike to rent; not sure of Salt Lake City, though. Vegas would be hot this time of year, probably more so than Salt Lake City and Monument Valley (MV and Canyon de Chelly are high-ish elevation; enough to get snow in the winter, hence not as hot as other parts of the Southwest.

I am sure others will chime in, right about...now....

Too hot this time of the year? I rode through Monument Valley and Bryce Canyon in July 2006. Yes it will be hot but not unbearable. If you do go, you mustn't miss Zion Canyon which in my opinion is more spectacular than Bryce.

There are hotter places. Badwater, the lowest point in the western hemisphere, and Stovepipe Wells, both in Death Valley were 118F during the day and over 100F at night. Drink lots of water and wear light coloured mesh clothing.

Yep, of course it will be hot but I found soaking my t-shirt/long sleeved top etc in tap water helped for a while before they all dried out. Also if you can, get a collapsible cooler box/bag from Wallmart or someplace for your water bottles as it quickly becomes pretty undrinkable in that kind of heat.

I'll add a vote for the soaking T shirt etc in water, also using a knecktie dipped in water. Mesh jackets are also excellent in the heat.

I tried the wet t-shirt method just once in the US, it was bone dry fifteen minutes later. What was successful was to buy a large bottle of Gatorade then tip the crap away. These bottles have wide necks which I'd fill with ice cubes from the brilliant ice making machines found in most motels. Fill the bottles with cold water and that would allow them to stay cool for quite a few hours. If the worst came to the worst, even warm water was preferable to drink than no water.

Yeah, but it looks better on chicks though!

[QUOTE=Paul Narramore;197753]I tried the wet t-shirt method just once in the US, it was bone dry fifteen minutes later. QUOTE]

Piece of cake mate. Drink water, fill your camel back with crushed ice. Keeps your back cool and the water cold for longer. I did it in 2006, then went to Death Valley and rode that. Started earlier than usual 4am, but still hit 116 degrees. Stopped and drank for 4 hours afterwards, having cleared two camel backs. It's dry heat so you don't feel it like the tropical humidity, but take enough liquids and you'll be okay.

There's a little airfield that you can hire a plane from near Bryce...worth it.

I defy you to enter Monument Valley and not say " Get off your horse and drink y' milk", in a John Wayne style. Bet you do.

Wet clothes work too, just don't get that wet it pools in the groin area....mildew!

While you're there (easy for me to say!), you could pop in to see Cedar Breaks National Monument and Zion Nat'l Park. Zion will be toasty but spectacular (and relatively crowded), Bryce will be cooler (~10,000' in elevation) and the roads to get there are excellent. From Bryce, go to Panguitch, then take 143 out of Panguitch toward Panguitch Lake (beautiful), and 143 will lead directly to Cedar Breaks. From Cedar Breaks you can get back to Highway 89 via 14, which is another gorgeous road.

Cheers
Sean

PS: But I will echo the recommendation to see Canyon de Chelly. Strongly so!

Hot yes, unbearable No
Panguich to Cedar Breaks Yes. +++
also Route 12 from Escalante to Torry is 98 miles of magic. +++ There are more terrain changes on that piece of tarmack than any I've ever been on. For a Motorcycle not to be missed.

The Shay
 

Ha Ha, yes you do a bit. I've seen you reccomend here several times on different threads. But you have convinced me and I have consequently added it to my itinerary. I had not heard of it before you told us so for that I am very grateful.

Your suggestions are brilliant because they are clear, concise and inspiring. Cheers mate, keep them coming. :thumbup1:

Steve
xXx

Hello, Steve!

I been touring the USA in 2007 on a rented Harley, and I visited Canyon De Chelly, too.
I recommend you NOT to miss it, you'll like it for sure. It takes not much time to visit it entirely, and you'll be amazed by the sight of the old Anasazi indians' houses (ruins, but very well preserved), right below the red cliffs of the canyons.
Go and have fun.

Cheers from Italy.