Falling Behind

I've been falling behind on my Posts... A few things have slowed me down a little so I'm just going to post a few photos of the last couple of events BMW Triumph has participated in over the last month. Enjoy...

The British are Here

You'll have to forgive me for not posting the names of the winners at the First Annual British Bike Show at Triumph of Salt Lake - the dog ate my notes.

Marking 107 years in business, Triumph is the world's oldest continuous manufacturer of motorcycles. Jeremy Kanter Triumph's general manager threw the checkbook on the table and sponsored a great openhouse for the British Bike Fans of Utah. If the weather would have co-operated the live music could have pluged in. I like "Blues on First" but sometimes rainy days let me and you down.

Other than lack of music, the turnout was excellent and everyone had a great time. I actually think the shop-made awards were outstanding and they should have made one more to give themselve for orginality. I can hardly wait until next year to see if they can move their own bar higher.

Simpson Pre-ride

While the actual overnight ride to Simpson Springs was canceled due to rain, the pre-ride was a blast. We were looking for a route that would be interesting but not so challenging that it would discourage novice riders. That was our goal and everyone agreed to stick to the plan and see what the area had to offer. There were seven riders to start, but two had previous commitments and left for home before the ride got interesting.

We found a twistie desert road south of Simpson Springs, that would be part of the ride. Our first probe into the mountains on the east, ended in a rocky wash that was too advanced for our intended participants. Back to the bottom we continued south after seperating with our homeward bound friends, to the next available eastern route that looked promising. The fun meter quickly went to maximum. We made several mud/stream crossings, enjoyed some interesting bottomlands, a cattle guard or two as obsticles and the occasional overhanging desert flora.

Our group seperated 3-2 without knowing it. A wrong turn vs. a right turn, or maybe it was a left turn. Who knows? I was following John up one of the more challenging and steeper hills when I saw him go sideways and then down. Now I never claimed to know much about physics, but why was there a mud puddle in the middle of a hill? Shouldn't water run off? Nevertheless John and his big GS bogged down and I help him out of the hole. Did I mention anything about the weight of a GS? I did say it was big, but when it's in the mud it's a real pig.

OK, we were almost worn out by the time we got him on dry land and it was my turn to tackle the hill. My plan was to go around the mud, but for some reason after I missed my chance to exit the rutted road I decided to power through the hole. It wasn't a good idea and a few second after I went sideways and down. John came running down the hill to lift the bike off my ankle and luckily I wasn't hurt. My ride being the lighter of the two was a lot easier to wrestle with. Once moving I continued to the top of the hill before taking a leisure stroll back down to help John. There still wasn't any sign of our missing friends and John seemed a little irritated, thinking they were ahead of us. "You think they would have waited for us at the top of the damn hill." he said.

"Look on the bright side of things." I told him. "From now on, me and you are mud buddies for life." A few minutes later I heard motors approaching and watch Ken go sideways and down in the same mud hole. "Now that makes me feel better, he's the best rider in our group and now he's covered in mud." Once regrouped we found a series of good dirt roads and hit the slab somewheres around Tinic. Great day. Just absolutely great.

Saturday April 11th

Saturday was a busy day in my motorcycle social circle. The Beehive Beemer's Monthly Breakfast Meeting was as informative as usual, and the food was Golden Corral standard and delicious. As advertised there was a ride after the meeting, but sorry to say I didn't make it. I had a few things to do at home before the "Road Less Traveled" documentary presentation by Michael Murray at BMW Triumph of Salt Lake. It was a very interesting story and I wish Michael and his partners the greates success in marketing their story.

Special thanks to all the managers at BMW Triumph of Salt Lake for making it all possible. This was truly a group effort and a lot of hard work to make it possible.

Keith's Ride

Keith got on the phone early Sunday morning howling for a quick ride. The call blossomed into a small gathering at the Coffee Club right after Priesthood. We quickly departed spitting out a few miles of asphalt before picking up two more riders at the Eagle Mountain Chevron. Cedar Fort, to the Pony Express Trail, and north to Johnson’s Pass... The pass is the best slab entertainment this time of year for the area. A two directional ride to pacify the addiction... Is there a better way to spend a pleasant Sunday afternoon with friends? We split into two groups at the west side of the pass. A few GS riders going south on a dirt road in search of who-knows-what, and the other half bound to the gravitational grip of the slab destined to repeat the pass. Fun no matter which way... Thanks for the call Keith. I had a lot of fun, and you can call me anytime you need a riding partner.

Simpson Springs Overnight Ride Soon

We are getting closer to the overnight ride to the West Desert and I've been poking around looking for roads that will provide our group with a full day of fun. I'm looking forward to seeing who shows up for the adventure.

Utah British Motorcycle Club

Utah British Motorcycle Club

Last Thursday, March 19th, a group of well-mounted riders from BMW Triumph of Salt Lake crashed the Utah British Motorcycle Club’s monthly meeting at the South Fork Diner on 39th South, between Main and 1st West. It’s a great location for any club’s meetings. The food is excellent, and the meeting room can comfortably seat 50 people. The dealer’s intent was to let the club know they are willing to support them any way possible. Jeremy Kanter the general manager of Triumph of Salt Lake even offered the facility for future meetings and extended an invitation for an onsite luncheon to be scheduled in the future.

It was my first meeting with the club and I learned a few things. First they are a real fun group and were pleased with our visit. Second they have a great schedule of events for the summer. I hope a few of us will be able to make a ride or two with them this summer.

I also learned that several club members are working on restoration project and involved in part manufacturing. I have to say that it was the only meeting of motorcyclists I’ve ever attended where a great deal of the time was spent talking about motorcycles that don’t run. Best wishes to those people looking for old obsolete British Motorcycle parts. The new Triumphs are nothing like the old ones and parts don’t interchange. When I worked on the parts counter at the dealership, one of the hardest things I had to do was explain to some desperate British biker that even though we are the Triumph dealer there is nothing we can to about finding a generator or gasket set for a 1954 Triumph Tiger Cub. We just don’t have those resources. Triumph has moved to the modern era of motorcycle manufacturing. The new ones have electric starters, dependable electrical systems, and fuel injection. Lucas the Prince of Darkness doesn’t ever visit our shop.