Stage 12 of the Motorcycle TransAm brought a gentler road and a shorter day at just 216 miles, but it was packed with scenery and stories.
We began a little differently this morning by trailering out of the madhouse traffic of Salt Lake City to Brigham City before launching the bikes. At 9 a.m. the riders rolled out into a crisp 56 degree morning, following a river through wide valleys with climbs far softer than the mountain passes of the last few days.
Not everyone had a perfectly smooth ride. George Banks ran into electrical trouble early and had to hop on the sweep truck. Norm Berg nearly met the same fate when a flat tire threatened to take him out of the running, but our sweep mechanics Connor and Sean jumped in, swapped the tire, and sent Norm back on the road to finish every single mile.
The Henderson team crossed the line first, with Tim Burns and his Harley close behind. Twin Falls offered a spectacular finish at the Visitor Center, framed by the Perrine Memorial Bridge. We could see Evel Knievel’s famous Snake River Canyon jump site from the overlook and base jumpers were leaping from the bridge all afternoon, an incredible backdrop for antique motorcycles.
Tonight, wrenches are turning as riders prep for tomorrow’s massive 360 mile challenge. Rest up everyone, Stage 13 is going to be a big one.
Photos by: Ed Harriger, Olivier Touron
Sponsored by: Legends Motorcycles, Sinless Cycles, Competition Distributing, Veritas Vintage, Antique Motorcycle Club of America
