Having pretty much caught up with my household chores I sat down to watch a footy match on TV, a few minutes into the game I noticed through the window that it was a nice day - what was I doing watching TV? I hadn't been able to go to the Death Valley motorcycle gathering this weekend and hadn't ridden the BMW since September so it was obviously time to make a riding debut for 2010, especially as it is forecast to snow all next week. The prime ride from Torrey is over Highway 12 which heads south over the side of Boulder Mountain and on to the tiny village of Boulder, a good way to start the year.

First stop on 12 is always at the Larb Hollow viewpoint, I must have taken this picture a hundred times but still feel compelled to repeat it. The Henry Mountains shining behind Capitol Reef.

I offered to take the picture of a couple at the viewpoint and they reciprocated.

The BMW seemed unhappy to be out in the cold, it made an unpleasant whining noise for most of the ride and the speedo kept flicking about, I imagine a new cable will be required soon, this one has lasted over 70,000 miles which is about what the first one managed.

Hell's Backbone Grill in Boulder is closed in the winter but attracts BMW riders from all over during the season.

Hell's Backbone also marks the turn for the Burr Trail.

The Burr Trail crosses some higher red and white rock areas before encountering Long Canyon. Is that snow on the road down there, of course it is...

Having learned from Monday's expedition onto a snowy road I only rode over a short section of snow, getting the picture is everything you see.

These are the tracks left by a Metzler ME880 tyre

Now I'll never be able to escape the crime scene.

Boulder Mountain looks bleak in the winter.

There was lots of snow left around the Burr Trail, especially on the north and east facing slopes.

On the way down I had suddenly encountered a small herd of cows being moved up the road, the cowboy (who was a cowgirl) deftly moved them to one side before I had a chance to get the camera out so on the way back I was ready for them. However they had reached the trailer and discovered a pile of hay by the side of the road, it seemed to interest them a lot more than I did. I still find it amazing that they have calves at this time of year, I believe it is timed this way to get the maximum value for the calves at market later in the year.

There are some fabulous views along Utah 12, it was just below freezing up here.

What a great road, for a paved road anyway.

We have a skier over the edge!

Janet and I met on top of those cliffs (11,000 feet).