.
CHRISS HORSTMANDouble click to enlarge pictures
It is October 22 2008, my birthday. I just got out of the hospital yesterday. Today I feel depressed and lonely, I need to be cheered up. I push the big Kaw C14 out into the sunshine. She smiles at me, here we go I thought. I plan a route that will take me on a Click....big scenic loop on some of the best canyon roads. From Park City, Utah I go west until (exit #134) then north on Rt 65 Emigration Canyon road. This leads me into the Wasatch-Cache National Forest and eventually into the town of Henefer. Now 84 to I-80 east to the town of Evanston where I start my loop back on highway 150 towards Mirror lake at +10,000 feet and once again into the Wasatch-Cache National Forest.
The canyon roads are great for extreme motorcycle riding. No traffic, no police just one tight turn after another. I give my care to the wind as I power out of each turn with my knee dragging while leaned over. Oh!! I hope and pray my tires well worn from this trip holds, as we bank from one turn immediately into the next. I am feeling better already. The big Kaw handles much differently riding solo. It is as if she is happy Carol is gone and we are alone together. I find a deserted stretch of straight road and give her my nod..... Silver pulls me down onto her and holds me tight. With a laugh she jumps to 120 MPH, then 130, now 150. Silver stops laughing and just smiles as we near 160 MPH. I sit up and thank her. "Enough is enough" I say, at least for today. Both of us now spent we slow back down and cruise at 120 MPH. So straight and solid she runs, even hands off at this speed, I am in love again and it feels so good.
I stop at Mirror Lake and take some pictures of my GPS showing the altitude and date. In the slide show pictures you can see snow has already begun in October at the +10,000 MSL level. The rest of the ride back down the mountain is just as much fun as it was on the way up. It's now getting dark and cold as the sun sets. I ride dressed in all black with a dark smoke helmet face shield. Because of the dark face shield it is not an easy ride. Why do I ride dressed in all black? It is because I must keep up my image, as my riding nickname is "NightRider". You understand, boys and their toys.
Soon I am out of the National Forest. I see a few cars as I ride through the town of Kamas then once again onto Rt 40 and home. We are back safe and sound, I put Silver to bed telling her she has done me well. Once again I have found something to put my trust in. It's a man thing. The ride was exhilarating. I return tired and exhausted. I have extinguish some pain and memories, touched the edge of fear and came away feeling............ well, just great!!!!!
Chriss Horstman
The canyon roads are great for extreme motorcycle riding. No traffic, no police just one tight turn after another. I give my care to the wind as I power out of each turn with my knee dragging while leaned over. Oh!! I hope and pray my tires well worn from this trip holds, as we bank from one turn immediately into the next. I am feeling better already. The big Kaw handles much differently riding solo. It is as if she is happy Carol is gone and we are alone together. I find a deserted stretch of straight road and give her my nod..... Silver pulls me down onto her and holds me tight. With a laugh she jumps to 120 MPH, then 130, now 150. Silver stops laughing and just smiles as we near 160 MPH. I sit up and thank her. "Enough is enough" I say, at least for today. Both of us now spent we slow back down and cruise at 120 MPH. So straight and solid she runs, even hands off at this speed, I am in love again and it feels so good.
I stop at Mirror Lake and take some pictures of my GPS showing the altitude and date. In the slide show pictures you can see snow has already begun in October at the +10,000 MSL level. The rest of the ride back down the mountain is just as much fun as it was on the way up. It's now getting dark and cold as the sun sets. I ride dressed in all black with a dark smoke helmet face shield. Because of the dark face shield it is not an easy ride. Why do I ride dressed in all black? It is because I must keep up my image, as my riding nickname is "NightRider". You understand, boys and their toys.
Soon I am out of the National Forest. I see a few cars as I ride through the town of Kamas then once again onto Rt 40 and home. We are back safe and sound, I put Silver to bed telling her she has done me well. Once again I have found something to put my trust in. It's a man thing. The ride was exhilarating. I return tired and exhausted. I have extinguish some pain and memories, touched the edge of fear and came away feeling............ well, just great!!!!!
Chriss Horstman
Double Click On Pictures To Enlarge
Highway 166 Canyon Road
Great Road For Canyon Running On A Motorcycle
Mirror Lake Overview 10,722 ft. Oct. 22, 08 With Snow
It Is Cold And High
Mirror Lake Scenic Byway: A Real Jewel
It's Getting Cold And Soon Dark For The Ride DownChriss Horstman
.
.
