Motion Based Link
After a bit of preparation and pouring over maps [specifically BLM’s “Arizona Strip Visitor Map; scale 1:160,000; 1”=2.5miles; revision 5 -2006], I decided to scout out a way around Interstate 15 that could take me from Zion down to Mesquite, NV.
It was just becoming light when I road past Virgin and "Monkey Launch Mesa". The Mesa is a restricted sight and avionic testing does occur there but the rest is local lore [unless I find out more in the ride to come…].
The Shortest distance turned out to be Hwy9 out of the park to Telegraph RD. in St George and then on the only roads that connect to Shivwits, UT and eventually Littlefield, AZ. Check out the Motion Based route to see my exact route as I modified it on the way back and cut out a few miles. The view form Hwy 9 down into La Verkin was un believable! 
While there was never a “bad” or negative part of the ride, I can say that the worst stretch of road was along highway9 from Hurricane to St George and onto Santa Clara. Had I not traveled these roads in the am and pm I might have said it was one of the best places to set your tires. The afternoon ride through St George had me on my toes and both hands on the breaks. I almost got clocked by someone making a left across a 4 lane road [Telegraph in St. George]. Anyway I ducked right and they almost got hit by oncoming traffic – it was ugly but nothing really happened. Fixie or not I was ready to lock things up with legs, breaks and jump up onto a curb by the time I made it back to Hurricane where I took a nap. ;-)
Once pasted Santa Clara I began to see multiple groups of cyclists as well as the solo’s like myself. I never managed to ‘hop on’ a passing peloton and talk a bit. Yet, waves and thumbs-up were passed around generously. While there were sections of rough roads, small houses and distant farms, I felt that I owned the place. Looking around constantly while maintaining [trying to maintain] a smooth, complete spin on the fixie was zen. I’m gong back! and might even make it a three day trip with many many more
destinations. No I didn’t make Mesquite but then is that really a bad thing…. ?In fact had I eaten a bit better and realized that I was going up a pretty constant incline since Ivins, I might have not turned around when I did. I got caught up in a bit of a psychological defeatism – Half-way was wherever I turned the bike around. I was feeling good and knew that I could get back with out a problem but I didn’t want to push myself so far as not to have fun and/or a great ride. AT some point I had decided that staying in Mesquite would not be that fun. I turned around with 62 miles under my belt and with hopes of making the end of the Earth Day celebrations and presentations at Zion National Park. I made it in time for the last band and a great discussion.
Scouting: There are some great road rides after Ivins on Old Hwy 91[Old Spanish National trail (Northern route) and Old Mormon Wagon Road] but many of the side roads are on Indian land – they are off limits. I had also hoped to scout out the “Mojave Desert Joshua Tree Road and Scenic Byway” but either I didn’t go far enough or it was an unmarked road that I thought was off limits.
Yet, my next ride might be down Main Street Valley [South of St George] so that I can do two short hikes: Mokaac Trail and to the east side of Quail Hill. If the roads are all paved out of Main Street and Wolf Hole Valley, I might be able to link this ride to the one I just finished via: back roads through Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, up to Mesquite, Littlefield, Shivwits, and Hwy 9 to Zion. I'm going to try to stay on payment though but...as always... wonderlust may take hold and dirt may fly.
Red Mountain and the rest of this rides pictures can be view on my Picasa Album
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