You can find the basics about the Tours on the TOURS page.

I don't give you a turn-by-turn description of these guided rides, because it would be too simple to just copy them and do the ride yourself. If you contact me and ask advice along these lines, I'd likely give you my suggestions anyway. If you want to steal my stuff and do it with out me, man up and ask ... but to blatently give away my hard-fought experience on routing out west would be silly. I wouldn't fault you - I've gleaned some tips off of other guided ride sites that have done that - but I am confident that just knowing the basics of the tour, knowing you want to go see them, and following my taillights or daily maps, is what you're wanting anyway. Let the detailed adventure happen when it happens - I've already done the hard part. These tours are a compilation of many rides, combined to give what I believe is a Ride of a Lifetime. I hope that is sufficient for you. If my clients continually come back and by word of mouth say it was an awful ride (except for weather!) then I wouldn't still be doing this.

Another reason is - it allows me to be flexible. If road conditions change, businesses I frequent go out of business, or I just find new things that are better, I want the ability to change them. Most of my clients say it is far more comforting to just allow me to take them where I think we should go. No fumbling with maps, no getting lost, and no wasting time with crap that isn't much to look at.

At our daily briefing, I will give you a daily map of our ride and destination, as well as contact phone numbers for me, my driver and the accommodations, so you can go off on your own if you wish. I will also give you the Garmin GPS routing files (you must have your own maps unlocked) so you can follow while on the road, or end up at the evenings destination.

Every night along our route is reserved with our accommodations often beyond cancellation limits. If a malfunction of your bike occurs that requires a detour to get it fixed, we may not be able to compensate you for your room that night. SOMEtimes, if they can rent it and they will refund me the cost of the room, but usually not.

If the detour is a result of my mistake or malfunction, I will cover the rooms we need to find as a result. Hey - it's a bike ride - be flexible!

I typically ride at a leisurely pace - no hotdogging. Cruising on the roads out west are often at Interstate speeds - even backroads that are straight as an arrow for miles. I'll rarely go over the speed limit by much, and often will go slow as hell in the scenic spots - I really do NOT care how pissed off that cowboy gets because we're going too slow. If I see a line of cars behind us and I'm not inclined to speed up, I'll pull over and let them pass - might be a good time for a break anyway.

I often take enough pictures for everyone, and will always stop for scenic shots even if I have them myself already (I likely do!). I'll carry a tripod for group shots - there will always be several group shots. And I'll sometimes indicate a U-turn to go back for a shot - especially if I don't have it yet. We'll discuss these kinds of situations at our welcoming meeting, along with safety, hand signals, and other topics my lawyer wants me to cover.

National Park Access or other entrance fees are on your dime... remember, expenses are your budget concern - I do the haul, the guiding, the chase truck and the accommodations. I'd strongly recommend you obtain a National Park Pass, now called the America the Beautiful Pass. (DETAILS) This pass is $80 annually for most of us youngsters, and only $10 lifetime for seniors. Some of these rides, though, can accumulate well over $100 in park entrance fees. Yellowstone/Grand Teton alone is $25 for a 7 day pass. With this NPS pass, however, you can use one pass for two couples on two motorcycles - read about the deatils HERE. You can use it at: National Park Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture - Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation.

Only in rare situations do I take these tours on less than normal pavement. Of course, I can't control the shoulders or conditions on gas stops, restaurants or butt breaks, but I asure you I won't go on gravel unless necessary. On the Canyonlands ride, there is an amazing 3 mile stretch of road called the Moki Dugway - by all means google it! - that is scarily described as 3 miles, rising 1200 feet with tight hairpin turns on gravel road. That was enough to make two riders last year take a 50 mile detour. I guarantee you you'll wish you did it. Two of us did it pulling trailers with wives on the back. Very doable with a moderate amount of skill and anxiety. Plus, when we got there we found the switchbacks were paved. No shoulder, no guardrail, all adrenaline - but WELL worth it. I might make up sticker for your windshield saying "I Survived the Moki Dugway" - you'll feel the rush - plus a stupendous view. If your're stealing information for your unguided ride, I suggest you do it uphill, to the northwest.

While we're kinda on the topic of gravel - I make everyone promise not to give anyone any guff about dropping their bikes - it happens every single trip, and I've been known to ask for help myself from time to time. Amongst my well-skilled riding buddies, we have a roving placque that goes to the one who dropped their bike the most on a ride. So don't feel like you might get laughed at when you drop your bike... nope - we'll wait til the campfire for that. On the other hand, I've led two rides where gravel caused a spill, both time breaking the ankles of the driver. So BE CAREFUL! Both of them, rode home in a cast, and one with crutches strapped to the bike... at least on these tours - we have the Chase Truck.

We will not often get on an Interstate, but both tours have short stretched on a 4-lane Interstate, only because its the only way to get to where we're going - it'll be rare and will not exceed the speed limit.

HELMETS: Your choice - none of our tours are in a state that requires one. Bring it in the Truck if you're unsure if you want one somewhere down the line - like on Interstates. We'll make sure at those transitions, the truck is with us.

Our tour AGE LIMIT is 21 for obvious reasons - this is an adult tour with biker mentalities.

Your SKILL LEVEL should allow you to be comfortable in all riding conditions. Not just weather, but long riding days, mountainous roads and in a few cases dizzying heights. You will be asked to fill out a short online questionaire about your riding skills, habits and quirks.

You must have a MOTORCYCLE ENDORSEMENT on your license from the state that issues it - assuming they have such a requirement.

TOUR LIMITS: We limit our tours to a maximum of 8 clients. We can only haul 5 client bikes. NORMALLY, it is me and the five hauled bikes on a tour, but on occasion we get several renters, often from overseas. As long as we get our minimum 3 Hauled bikes to make a trip, we can take renters up to our maximum. 3 Hauled and 5 rented or 5 hauled and 3 rented, you get the picture. If we only get 2 Hauled bikes booked, we may need to cancel, unless the number of renters make it worthwhile... (See CANCELLATION)

Both the Canyonlands Ride, and the Yellowstone ride depart Denver on a Sunday morning. You fly in on Saturday - or earlier, if you wish to explore without us. We arrive back in Denver on the second Friday afternoon after that - a two week trip - we have a final debriefing, load your bikes, tip a few drinks, get a good nights sleep as part of our tour, and when you wake up the Saturday morning - the truck, trailer and your bikes are somewhere in Kansas heading home.

You can find the basics about the Haul on the HAUL page.

Hauling has been a bit of a delicate subject. Unlike some Freight and shipping companies, who either give you front-door pickup, or you bring your bike to one of the major shipping depots around the country - at a vastly different price - we do something in-between. Our Chase Truck/Trailer begins in Durham, NC, our Primary Pick-Up point. You can leisurely get your bike there for drop off anytime prior to our leaving, usually on or before the Tuesday before the ride starts in Denver. This gives us time to start heading west, along a route that remains flexible until the last client is booked, and gets us in Denver on Thursday evening. This also allows us some flex time in case of breakdown on the road. We stay in Denver until you arrive on Saturday (or earlier - we'll off-load your bike and let you play on your own if you wish!)

As our route out west develops, several key cities along the way are chosen for their ability to accommodate our rig, and the loading process. We discuss the best city for you to ride to, allow us to load your bike, and you have a driver follow you for your ride home. These Secondary stops are immediately adjacent to the Interstate. You will be given an estimated date and time to arrange that rendezvous - and as we drive toward that Secondary Pick-Up point, we will update you for a precise time.

Alternatively, we can arrange a front-door pickup if it is not too far off course, or too difficult to get our rig in your residential neighborhood. Depending on where it is, there may be a small fee for the time and gas to do that. These are ALWAYS flexible negotiations based on where the other pick-ups are located. We do honor first-come first-accommodated, but we cannot be too specific until we know where our clients live.

If you have three or more bikes to be picked up at the same location, we are more likely to make arrangements. If your have four or fives bikes to be picked up at the same location, we will likely go about anywhere in our extended range, at no charged if within our GROUP DISCOUNT policy. Most of the time we see groups of friends get together for these rides - FAR more enjoyable for you - so group pickups work well for us all.

If you, after the trip is over, elect to keep the fun going and want to ride your bike home (had that happen, too!) I'm afraid I cannot refund any Haul fee back to you - as the truck and trailer have been booked to make the trip anyway. If, however, you ask well in advance for a haul-out-only, and I can find a haul-back-only, then maybe we can work out a reduction. Talk to me if this is on your mind.

If you want to ride your bike back from, say Kentucky, and don't mind crunching in the back of the Truck til we get you there - we might be able to arrange a partial haul back - no reduction in costs will be given.

The guide and driver are both bonded and the truck fully insured for your comfort, safety and protection.

You can find the basics about the Guide on the GUIDE page.

By now you damned sure know what I look like - seen my videos and know my personality a little. I'll smoke a good cigar around the campfire, unless someone vehemently objects - half-hearted objections will be politely ignored. I'll have a few Tequillas around the same campfire, but never while riding, and surely not every night (OK, I'm not at all a big drinker, but I do enjoy it once in a while). I was in the Navy, so my cussing habits are well-earned, but I'll watch it if you're offended. Forgive my occasional lapses!

You should know, I am your guide - not your mother. Neither me nor my driver plan on picking up your stuff, cleaning up after you, or drying the dew off your bike in the morning. I keep asking the question - you ARE a biker, right? We'll do what we can to make you enjoy this tour, but don't go on this ride with us if you want us to hold your hand - please - you'll not be happy.

I will conduct a nightly (or in the morning if that was one of the tequila nights) briefing on the day ahead. Likely around the campfire if we're lucky, or on the porch, or at breakfast. You need to indicate if you plan on peeling off and riding the day by yourself. This is because one of the driver's duties is to make sure we don't lose anyone who is supposed to be on my taillights.

We get a lot of inquiries from women riders worried about their safety on these guides tours. While I do not specifically offer a bodyguard service, I AM ex-Military (Navy '74-'76), ex-Law-enforcement (Broward County Sheriff's Department '76-'79), and spent most of my adult life in Corporate Security for the second largest pharmaceutical company in the world. During this time I obtained the nationally accredited certification CPP, or Certified Protection Professional, and was the Executive Director for Durham, NC's Crimestoppers Program. I've been married for 33 years, too, so you're safe with me!

And finally, you should know that neither I nor my driver, is *ON* every night for your entertainment. Most often we do enjoy your company at night, but we do have to run a business, and I often am on the laptop answering emails and ensuring things ahead of us are as expected. Sometimes, I just want to go to bed early or take an afternoon nap - this is your Ride of a Lifetime, but I'm doing this 4 or more times a summer! Don't be offended if I crash early some nights - you feel free to do the same.

You can find the basics about the Chase Truck on the CHASE TRUCK page.

Once we get to Denver with your bikes, we will wait for you to arrive before off-loading your bike (unless we just need to move it out of the way to get someone elses bike out). After you get to the hotel, most often by hotel shuttles which run regularly, we'll ask you to inspect your bike, take possession of it, ensure it is gassed up for the morning's departure, and go park it somewhere nearby to do your final loading. Remember, we do suggest you always keep enough clothing and personal articles on your bike in case something happens to the Chase truck enroute to that nights destination.

The Chase Truck should loosely follow us on our route, departing our accommodations after us, to facilitate the check-out process, catching up to us at one of our butt-breaks, ensuring the truck is available at our lunch stop in case you need to get to your stuff, but will often peel off long before our destination. The truck will always be close enough to backtrack for assistance or to provide an emergency tow if requested. We keep in communication by CB when close (I hate CBs!) or Cell Phone where service permits it. We'll also have fail-safe plans in case communications goes out. You let us worry about that!

My driver will, where feasible, get to our accommodations early for check-in, and if we're still not there yet, will put your personal waterproof duffle in your rooms for you. Hopefully he/she will be there as we pull in with your key in hand, so you breeze right into your room. But this is under the best circumstances.

We keep a folding, but quite robust, Stinger trailer in the bed of the pickup at all times. It will only accommodate one bike, but has an axle rating of 3500lbs. If you need a haul, we'll ask you to help us remove the trailer, (its only 180lbs), load your bike, supervise the tie-down and put you in the cab of the truck for the haul to wherever we need to go. Here's where it gets tricky. If the nearest repair shop is WAY off our intended route, you may be asked to ride in the truck til our route gets closer to a dealership or repair facility - meaning a day or two. Generally there is no charge for this. If the truck takes you significantly off our route, or you ask that we do so immediately, we will impose a fee for the extra time and gas incurred. Keep in mind, the truck is there for the convenience of all our clients, so taking you somewhere off-track may inconvenience everyone. For immediate or significant re-routing, your fee will be $0.25 per mile, and you will be asked to cover accommodations,and meals for our driver. Again - best to get Trip Insurance. (See Insurance Issues)

We ALWAYS suggest you maintain your own AAA coverage. Their plan is called RV-Plus to cover motorcycles, and they will tow up to 100 miles. We'll do what we can, but serious repairs take serious time, and we may not be able to stay with you. From experience I'll warn you to get the coverage a full week before you need it. They have several benefits that are invaluable on a long ride.

The truck will carry some supplies that I've identified are either needed or 'nice' to have. Some are free for use and some are there if you wish to purchase it, like oils, fix-a-flat, sunscreen, etc. You're probably going to want to buy your own someplace, but as a convenience I may have it on the truck. We always have a cooler with ice and waters, and a box of snacks that we try to keep topped off. Within reason, of course. We will also always have at least 5 gallons of gas on board.

And most important to the spouses that often accompany these trips, in case of bad weather, we'll have room for 3 or 4 back-seaters who want to get out of the rain, sleet, snow, heat, dust, wind, bugs, or simply wants to flirt with my driver. In case of sickness or injury, we can always load up your bike on the trailer and let you ride in the truck. There is no charge for this convenience if kept to one day per trip. Otherwise we may guilt you into helping with the additional gas and driver fatigue worrying about your bike back there. Keep in mind we can only do one of these at a time!

You can find the basics about the Accommodations on the ACCOMMODATIONS page.

NOTE: Unless YOU specify you want buddy rates, you will have your own private room.

The beauty of these trips is not the quality of the accommodations, though some are of premium quality. I'll tell you up front, that I've found the fun of these trips - beyond the days' ride - is the campfire at the end of the ride. Add a grill cookout meal to that, and its better than sex. Bring your spouse with you and you even have that covered. Having said that, I reserve at a few KOA campgrounds, generally 5 per trip. Their Kamping Kabins are convenient to most of the areas we ride to, have heat and air, electricty and lights, a front porch swing and table, and a table and chair inside. Most of all because they allow campfires, and grill-cooked meals. You DO have to bring linens, a blanket and a pillow, but you can leave that on the truck as long as you strap it to your bike if the truck ever has to take a bike to the dealer for repair - because we don't know if it'll be back by nightfall.

These KOA Kabins do not have ensuite bathrooms (for those who've never traveled outside the US, that means no bathroom inside your cabin) but are often only a minute away, along with the showers. SOME of these KOAs might have a larger unit that has an ensuite bathroom, but you will have to notify me VERY early to see if one is available if that is important to you. These Kabins fill up long before their RV sites do, often requiring 4-6 months advance reservation, with full payment. But then... well, you guys ARE bikers, right? There are also 2 room Kabins in some rare cases, so if you are doing this tour with friends and want to double up in a Kabin, plan your trip well in advance and let me know - I'll do the legwork.

Both trips also bring us into the National Parks where varying styles of cabins are available - all have ensuite facilities. If we're lucky enough to get my favorite block of rooms at the Old Faithful Inn (WAY advance reservations needed here) then they sacrifice bathrooms down the hall, with amazing views of Old Faithful Geyser Basin. What I am saying is, be prepared for some minor inconveniences, in exchange for me putting you in some great locations. If you're really worried about this, talk to me for details.

Both trips will have our first night on the road at the Hot Sulphur Springs resort in Colorado, after an all-day ride through the Rocky Mountains. The rooms come with free access to the 18 different pools carved in the mountainside, each with different appeals and temperatures. You can soak til late at night, and we have a late departure the next morning, so you can head back the next morning, too.

Not all the accommodations will have Internet access, but I assure you *I* will be more anxious than you to try to arrange it. If there is none, its not because I haven't tried. In rare cases, you can come with me to the Library and use theirs. Most KOAs and motels have free wireless, but if there is a charge, it is on your dime. If you're like me and get a sweat without internet each night (hey, I run a guide service on the Internet AND a Web Development company, I NEED IT!) and this is a deal breaker, talk to me and I'll go through night by night plans with you, and let you know what to expect.

I generally set up reservations for one bike, one room. None of that 'extra cost for your own private room' crap. If there's two of you on a bike, you get one room. There is no solo upcharge for accommodations - you already get a room to yourself. If you're part of a group, and two bikes want to share one room, BOTH need to book at the same time. I do NOT pair up strangers in one room to save a few bucks. This must be done well in advance, as remember, most of these accommodations are pre-booked and pre-paid long before you and me talk.

There is a separate tour price for the three accommodation situations:

1. 1 bike, 1 person, 1 room; (Solos)
2. 1 bike, 2 persons, 1 room; (Couples)
3. 2 bikes, 2 persons, 1 room; (Buddies *)

* Option C, usually two friends who ignore each other's snoring, farting or grunting all night, MUST be reserved simultaneously. I do not look for a buddy for you. (I did that once, and NEVER AGAIN for all three reasons given above!) If one of you backs out, the other is converted to option A, as a solo rider, and the tour price difference is applied. (Either that, or find someone to ride the back seat with you and go as a couple?)

To accommodate most situations, where possible, I reserve two double or two queen beds. In some of these National Parks, they may even be two twins (sorry - I don't fit in 'em either!). You may always ask at the time of booking if I can change to a King, but from years of touring myself, I gotta tell you, that second bed WILL be full of your riding stuff - so take advantage of it. Even on my solo rides, I ask for two beds.

Again, where possible, I always beg for a ground floor, outside door room, so we can park the scoots outside the door - this will not be possible in some cases. Our first and last night rooms are on inside hallways, and the Old Faithful Inn is inside an amazing grand old log cabin building, usually on the second floor. I don't like upstairs, but we have to take what we get. KOAs, ALWAYS allow for our bikes to be about 3 feet away from our front porch - see why I like 'em so much?

Of course, you arrange your own travel arrangements to get to the Airport. My tours are available online for at least a year or more in advance, so immediately after you book it, get your airline tickets. When you arrive in Denver, the Shuttle Bus to the Motel is just outside the main exit. It runs every 20 minutes and will bring you to the hotel where you ask at the desk for our tour - instructions will be given to you before you depart home.

If a shuttle is unavailable, just call me and we'll come get you - our hotel is 10 miles away. (Closest to the Airport).

When you return to the Hotel at the end of your trip, we have a final evening debrief, load your bike, spend that last night as part of the tour, and when you wake up, the shuttle takes you back to the Airport. Just leave your name and departure time with the front desk. They go to three or four hotels in a loop on the way to the departure gates. There is no discount for not taking advantage of this last night accommodation. We do get back to the Hotel around 4pm on Friday afternoon, so you can possibly arrange a Red Eye that night flight if you wish, AFTER you acknowledge your bike is loaded to your satisfaction. I'd not suggest it, though - you will have just gotten back from a long 2 week trip - you should enjoy the relaxation of that comfortable hotel bed!

Denver is a very busy airport - allow time both ways for security, and baggage claim procedures.

If you plan to arrive earlier than our first Saturday night, your accommodations are on your own, though we can help if you ask. Shuttles run 24/7 and always available to you. Me and my driver will likely be in town on Thursday evening, so please give us a call and we can introduce ourselves early.

We do not rent bikes ourselves, but we have an arrangement with EagleRiders Bike Rentals in Denver if you do not have a bike to haul out. We will arrange to get you to the Rental shop on Saturday after you arrive. PLEASE ensure you get to Denver no later than 2pm on Saturday, so we can get you to the rental shop, papers signed, and get us back to the Hotel for the other arriving guests.

Arriving on Friday is better! We can get you to the rentals shop early Saturday morning and back here before anyone else arrives.

Your rental will be for 13 or 14 days, depending on when you plan to arrive and leave. Those needing a rental return, must follow us to the Hotel first, then our Chase Truck will follow you to the rental shop and bring you back. In the meantime - we will be loading the other bikes in the trailer.

Prices for rentals will be added to this site shortly, but expect about $120/day (+/-) - The rental and insurance agreements will be between you and Eagle Rider completely.

PLEASE BE AWARE: We must book at least 3 Haul bikes before we make the tour. (See CANCELLATIONS), and there is a limit to the overall number of bikes on a tour. If we book 5 Haul Bikes (our haul limit), we can only book 3 rental bikes. Our limit is me and 8 bikes. This keeps the tour to a managable size for everyones enjoyment.

Our first and last night is in a hotel just a few miles from the Denver Airport and is covered under the tour price. We are in negotiation with several to accommodate the trailer storage while we are gone on our trip, so the exact hotel is unknown, but it will be a first-class hotel. Your room is reserved under the name "Trips of a Lifetime" with your name to identify which one is yours. They have 24/7 Shuttle service, Continental Breakfast, a Spa, pool and is close to several restaurants nearby. It is NOT located in the heart of Denver - which is about 20 miles further west. If you wish to explore the area, feel free to come in early and do so, and if we've arrived on time (Thursday evening) you can have your bike to ride around, though be prepared for us to just show up on time for our tour start on Saturday. If you want to plan some touring, let us know and we'll make every attempt, but it cannot be guaranteed. We will NOT be able to delay our departure on our way back home.

The hotel will allow us to store your traveling luggage in our locked trailer, or you may elect to leave it with them in their storage room. (I recommend the former - we are insured against loss.)

If we have not already sync'd up photographs prior to this last night, I would appreciate if I could snag your best pictures, so everyone can benefit from them when I compile the Photo CD and Coffee Table Book. It also acts, especially if sync'd up every night on the tour, as your image backup, in case of camera loss or accidental erasure. We have a 24 hour drive home, and some of it is taken up organizing pictures, and formatting those to be used in the CD and book.

Most destinations are designed with an afternoon arrival at our accommodations, with time for a nap or laundry or swim in the pool. You'll be made aware during the day, what to expect that evening - often an optional ride to some scenic place to watch the sunset, or into town for a ... uhhh... errr... soft drink, or sometimes just a loop ride. These are purely optional for you. In some cases, I may even give directions and stay behind myself, but usually I do guide the optionals, too.

Optional Sunrise rides are much the same. Most optional Sunrise rides return back to the overnight accommodation location and we pick everyone up for the days' ride, or in some cases the sunrise riders, meet the group further up the road. Often your backseater may opt to stay back, or in some cases the driver will stay behind and the backseater can ride with me. (I better ask my insurance guy about that one.) In crap weather, we can even offer the Truck on the shorter rides. In any case - its up to you if you want to go - nothing to declare til we fire up the bikes. I'll always tell you when we plan to leave well in advance.

On evening rides into town - I will always caution against drinking and riding home - always. Best to save the drink for the campfire.

If you intend to go on a Sunrise Optional ride, you need to confirm the night before so we know who to wake up and wait for you. Remember, to see the Sunrise we have to leave in the dark. We'll discuss stealth departures on the ride.

By now you're figuring out that my rides stress the end-of-the day fun, camraderie, and campfire tradition that can't be had at a motel. It's a bit of a requirement on my rides; a grill dinner with brats, steak, chicken, dogs, potato salad, buns/rolls, chips, cole slaw and something sweet for dessert. I'll have soft drinks, water and juices, too. (The pesky lawyer tells me not to provide the alcoholic beverages, but YOU can.) I'll do the paper plates, cups and dinnerware, too. Personally, I could grill dinner every night if you guys'd let me. In the morning at our KOA stops, we'll have coffee, continental breakfast stuff, juices and hot water for oatmeal or tea. But meals other than KOA night dinners and breakfasts are not part of this tour.

Meals at National Park Cabins or motel locations are on your own, and choices of restaurants often limited. Most often, we do eat together, but on separate checks. This is your opportunity to tailor your trip budget to your liking. If you want Steak or a Grilled Cheese Sandwich - we don't care, but its on your dime. Each trip will indicate whichnights have grill-meals provided or at nearby restaurants.

If you have specific dietary requirements, let me know and I'll scratch my head trying to figure out how to accommodate you. Normally, we eat a few decent meals at nice restaurants (like in Jackson Hole or at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon), and often we'll hit a mom n' pop diner - and the rare fast food joint. Anytime we find a Waffle House around breakfast time, be prepared to hit the brakes - though we rarely see then off the Interstate. You are always free to go your own way for a meal, skip it, or hollar at me that I am taking too long to stop for lunch.

We always have water and snacks on the Truck, but these are not meant to supplement your meals. Be reasonable.

Now, how the heck can I predict the weather?

Look, it'll be cold, it'll be hot. It'll be windy, rainy, sunny, cloudy. Yes, you might get wet. Yes, you might wish you stayed home. Its all part of biking - ya gotta take the bad with the good. Be prepared for all of the above. You might can get away with leaving your heavy sweaters, chaps and long johns on the Truck - we usually know in advance when it'll be cold - but ALWAYS have your rain gear on your bike. (I WHOLE-HEARTEDLY recommend Frogg Toggs for raingear!)

If we're ahead of schedule, we might stop for a while if it begins to rain - often we'll plow through it. I don't like rain any more than you, so if it sucks, I'll stop - hows that? If its just a drizzle, man-up and ride on like the rest of us. Usually, I'll stop and get everyones blessing to continue, and give an opportunity to suit-up if needed, so expect that.

Each of our rides will take us over high passes, 11,000 and over. Some might be on our early morning schedule. Be prepared with layered thermal longjohns, chaps, heavy leather jackets, several types of gloves, and I for one love the leather bombers hat for cold rides in helmetless states. And never leave home without a fleece Balaclava.

If we get stuck on a hot trip - bring bandanas to wear around your neck, soaked in ice water at butt breaks, or get one of those gel-filled neck coils. I also bring a spray bottle to wet your t-shirt down while riding - acts like air conditioning. If you've never been on a long hot ride, before - ask me about suggestions - and always drink a bottle of water at each stop.

I've purposely mentioned, several times, the topic of Trip Insurance. I highly recommend it, because the fine print says I will cancel your booking if there are not enough bikes to make the trip feasible. On rare occasions, I may proceed with a tour with a break-even number of bikes, but not very often. For this reason - obtain trip insurance to cover your issues of trip delays, cancellations (either of us) and the other benefits of having trip insurance.

As this business is not considered a commercial shipper, your comprehensive insurance policy on your motorcycle covers against damages as long as your bike remains in the United States. We do not charge a specific break-out price for hauling your bike - it is part of the overall amenities of these guided rides. For this reason, we are advised from several sources that Cargo Insurance for the contents of the traile ris not required, and your policy remains in effect. We suggest, for your comfort and assurance, to check with your policy issuer for confirmation.

You are expected to maintain liability insurance on your bike at all times. We will ask for the policy number for our records. We recommend you have your insurance card handy throughout the trip.

Please let us know of any medical issues that may arise while on this trip. Any medication that you require should be backed up with a written prescription from your doctor, dated recently, including prescriptions for eyeglasses. If you've ever tried to get a pair of glasses replaced on a trip (I have) its not easy without the old pair or a prescription.

If your trip is interrupted due to medical reasons (see Trip Insurance above!) it is your responsibility to make arrangements for your motorcycle. We will haul it for you only if it is near the end of our trip, or your infirmary is short-lived, and it's unlikely the tow trailer will be needed for our other clients. Your AAA RV-Plus plan should suffice for this purpose.

PLEASE be aware, that we cannot stop the trip for more than a half day or so to resolve a medical issue before the remainder of the group will need to resume the ride. In some cases our Chase Driver may stay longer, but cannot stay behind overnight. If your medical condition requires an overnight stay, and you are likely to resume the next day - you may have to stay behind, and catch up when you can. All our trips are loop trips and it may be possible to short-cut to where we currently are. In no cases, however, can we delay the return haul home without major issues. If we are asked to delay our return trip home for your situation, you will be charged additional charges.

Some of our budget is planning for up to five different stops to load bikes. Our experience shows many tours are for a group of buddies who want to ride together. We will extend a discount for groups of 3 or more bikes loaded from the same spot along our route of departure. The more bikes, the more likely we will come right to your door. (See the HAUL section above.) Discounts are as follows:

• 3 Bikes - $100 off each bike tour price, and we will travel up to 20 miles off the departure route.
• 4 bikes - $150 off each bike tour price, and we will travel up to 30 miles off the departure route.
• 5 bikes - $200 off each bike tour price, and we will travel up to 50 miles off the departure route.
• (negotiable, or with add'l charge if further from our route.)

There is no discount for multiple rental bike bookings.

$100 deposit is required if you book more than 90 days from the start of the trip.

By 90 days out from the start of the trip, your deposit needs to total $500.

By 60 days out from the start of the trip, your tour needs to be paid in full.

Please see our CANCELLATION policies below.

Payments may be made by check, providing it is received AND CLEARED (10 days) prior to deadlines. Make checks payable to "Muthuh's Rides"

Credit Card payments are accepted using PAYPAL Payment Services, I absorb the transaction fees. If you do not have a Paypal account, it is quick, easy and safe to set up. More information can be found on PAYPAL's website

Details on payment fees are found on the individual TOUR Page.

OK, time to get tough. If I have to cancel a trip, I will do so with as much advance notice as possible. If I have not booked at least 3 Haul bikes for any particular trip 30 days in advance, it will be cancelled with full refunds. I realize long before then you need to get airfare and vacation time and someone to watch the kids. I always recommend you getting Trip Insurance for these reasons. I cannot operate at a loss, and 3 bikes is near break-even for me. You will be notified in writing, sufficient to permit your trip insurance to kick in. I have not cancelled a trip yet.

If YOU cancel a trip further out than 90 days, you get your full deposit back. If you cancel between 89 days and 60 days out, you get your full deposit back less $200 for administrative costs. If you cancel between 59 days and 30 days out, you get your deposit back less $500 - that might mean the difference between my cancelling everyone elses trip or letting them go on their Trip of a Lifetime. If you cancel between 29 days and the trip departure - you're S.O.L. - no refund is heading your way. Did I mention Trip Insurance?

I will notify you periodically, how the status of the tour is so you can continue with your planning. I know in the old days, me and my riding buddies would usually plan these trips a year or more in advance, so I hope this issue will not be a problem for any of us. If I have no-one booked for a trip 60 days out - I may pull it from the schedule unless a group of 3 or more step up and book it. Keep an eye on the TOURS page for status

If, while on the trip, you are forced to split off from the tour - for any reason, including medical, malfunction, pissed off wife, or you're not comfortable riding anymore (I've had that happen!) - then you, of course, lose all funds paid for that trip. I will, however, attempt to ask the accommodations to rent your room and credit me back, but this isn't always possible. If I am successful, I will credit you back whatever funds I can recover, less 25% for the additional time and effort. How we deal with getting your bike home is another matter - probably arrange to have you go back to Denver and leave it at the trailer, with keys left at the front desk? - lets hope it doesn't happen.

PLEASE CHECK BACK on these policies after you book, as they are subject to change if business requires different policies. I will always notify any depositors of any pending change.

During the tours, you will be prompted to duplicate your pictures onto our computer for the purpose of sharing all pictures with the group at the end of the ride. This is a great way to get pictures of yourself, that someone else took. You'll all be encouraged to take individual pictures of the other riders, along with your own. This is optional, but a valuable resource at the end of the ride.

By uploading a COPY of your pictures, it also acts as a backup in case you lose your camera (ask me about THAT Story!) or your chip is damaged during the trip. We prefer not to be the repository of your only copy, so we will not MOVE your pictures to our laptop, only COPY them. If you run out of space on your chip, we will be happy to burn you a CD of your images so you can clear space on your chip - tips, adult beverages and profuse thanks are appreciated.

You, of course, can select specific images instead of all your images to share - in case you and your bride get a little frisky in your picture taking. We'd LIKE to see them, but its your option.

Sometime after the trip, you will recive a CD mailer with a DVD of images for you to do what you wish with. These may not be ALL the images, but a compilation of the good ones, as I see it. Copyright laws remain in effect for the taker of the picture. In other words don't make and sell T-Shirts with an image someone else took!

On our first night in Denver - we will all syncronize our camera time/date functions to better organize the pictures we sync up in daily directories. Please be aware of how to do that with YOUR camera.

On my last tour, I started making hardcover coffee table books online with pictures of the trip for all to remember their Trip of a Lifetime, and show it off to friends. I will produce and publish online, a 40 pg coffee table book with premium paper, a color full-bleed cover, front and back, and send one to each tour group (solo or couple). This is a great way to remember the tour for many years.

This book, can be purchased online, so your friends can buy more, or you can buy more to send to friends and relatives, showing off your trip. Yes I make a few measly bucks on the online purchases.

Once you recieve your book, you have 6 months to purchase additional books if you wish to.

I can be pursuaded to customize a larger book, or one more focused on YOU. My last Canyonlands Tour Book I made for myself was 120 pages, and I still had good shots left over. As the free book, is... well, free... I won't entertain whining if you feel someone else had more pictures of themselves.

You will be asked to sign several papers at the beginning of the tour, prior to loading your bike onto our trailer, or prior to the trip if you are a renter. A list of these documents will be displayed here in the near future for your review.

1. Waiver of Liability for Tour Participants (Rider and passenger)
2. Limited Liability for the purpose of Hauling your Motorcycle.
3. Model release for pictures taken on the Tour

As this is a public business, I will be taking pictures myself, and collecting your images (optional) for the purpose of marketing my guide business. You specifically give me permission to use photographs I take, or yours if freely given, for marketing and sales purposes, limited to use on one or both of two websites:

• Muthuh's Rides of a Lifetime (www.RidesOfaLifetime.com)
• Muthuh's Rides (www.Muthuh.com)
• No other purpose is intended, however I do reserve the right to use photographs that *I* took for any purpose under Copyright Law.

I will, though, respect privacy and decency norms. In other words if your butt looks too big in those jeans, I'll not use them... maybe.

This legal section is likely to change... its the nature of "Legal Stuff". Check back before your trip in case the lawyer adds more mumbo-jumbo.