Twisted Road was founded in April of 2017. Since that date, our community has grown by thousands. Thank you for making Twisted Road what it is today! This is a recap of how I celebrated the first birthday of Twisted Road—of course, it was on two wheels.

First birthdays usually suck. I mean, it's a lot of parents and their friends, drinking beer and wine, and eating pizza. Although the purpose is to celebrate the kid, it's usually more about the parents. A few cocktails with a smug look of "yeah we got this" as their toddler sits strapped into a highchair shoving cake into his gullet.

But for the birthday boy? Lots of drunks you don't know, taking pictures of you as you eat. Oh, and later, you'll probably crap yourself.

So how is our birthday different? Well, I spent it on a bike. Hear me out.

I had to be in Las Vegas for five days for AIM Expo, and after doing mental somersaults trying to decide whether I should ride my Guzzi there or fly to Vegas, I realized the dilemma: nobody wants to ride from Chicago to Denver; but everyone wants to ride from Denver to Vegas.

Time to rent. I decided to fly and rent a motorcycle in Denver, then ride to Vegas. The trip would be 11 days long: a two-day ride to Vegas, four days in Vegas, and a five-day ride back to Denver.

I had the perfect bike in mind: A 2012 Triumph Tiger 800. This bike has seen a ton of action and has earned more than $2,000 in the past few months through Twisted Road. It was time to see what this bike could do.

I left on Tuesday morning and rode to Moab, Utah. I realized a few things. First, if a Denver native tells you it's going to be cold, you'd better listen.

After an hour on the bike, I was freezing. My face shield was fogged over so I cracked it to get some ventilation. But then my face was cold. It was a constant battle.

I stopped at a ski shop and bought some warm socks, then later an REI, and purchased some anti-fog wipes.

The second thing I learned is that there aren't many gas stations on I-70 between Denver and Moab, Utah. When I pulled off onto SR-803 to ride 37 miles to Emery, Utah (the closest gas station), I was concerned I wouldn't make it.

But those 37 miles were so beautiful, peaceful, and isolated, that I'm glad I needed gas.

Spending time on the road was relaxing. I was able to be isolated from the stressors of starting a business. After all, there's the quote "Entrepreneurs don't own their own business. The business owns them."

I was also able to reflect on our accomplishments at Twisted Road:

• 800 bikes on the site
• Many successful rentals and new experiences
• 35 articles, podcasts, and interviews
• 96% of people who use us, give the experience a 5-star rating
• Thousands of followers on social media

After sleeping soundly in Moab, I picked my way to Vegas on Wednesday for the show. 

I arrived in Vegas and set up the booth. For four days straight, we met dealers, the press, consumers, and old friends.

I then loaded the beast and began the fun part of the ride: the five-day journey to Denver.

On the way out, I took the obligatory picture with The King (thankyouverymuch), and continued riding.

There are many ways to get from Vegas back to Denver. Of course, you can fly, but if you decide to ride, and you have the time, give yourself five days and really see this part of the country.

I have to give full credit for this route to Michelle Wolter who wrote this brilliant article on her own ride.

It inspired this last step of my journey.

So by Monday morning, I'd spent four full days in Vegas at AIM Expo, eating overpriced food, navigating my way from my room to the convention center, and then back again. I never left the building. I never needed it more, to get out. And ride.

I packed my bags and gear, made a stop at Skinny Fats for breakfast (I ordered the Smoke in a Bowl), and hit the road. 

The first day of the ride took me from Vegas through the Valley of Fire State Park, via Echo Bay. This leg was unique. With red dirt and rock everywhere and long swooping turns, I felt like I had landed on Mars. No one was around. It was the perfect contrast to Vegas.

I then entered the Dixie National Forest which was just as unique. Towering evergreens dwarfed me as I rode through, the temperature changing with each turn as I entered and left the mountain shadows.

After a night in Bryce Canyon, I rode to Monument Valley. This day was easily the most memorable as I took Route 12 east out of Bryce, through Grand Staircase Escalante, east on SR 24, and then South on 95 towards Mexican Hat.

The views on either side of the road were truly breathtaking as I approached the highlight of the trip, the Moki Dugway. This is a stretch of gravel road, with 10% grade and sharp switchbacks, that takes you through a 1,100-foot elevation change in three miles.

Go ahead and reread that.

The Moki Dugway is a stretch of gravel road, with 10% grade and sharp switchbacks, that takes you through a 1,100-foot elevation change in three miles.

I kept riding through Mexican Hat, past the tourists taking pictures of Monument Valley (I was so tired and needed food, gas, and a bed) to the Navajo Tribal Park where I met Rosalena, my Airbnb host for the night, and stayed in her Navajo Hogan.

It was raining out and a little chilly, so I built a fire, got into bed, and crashed, with my shoulder and upper back muscles sore from all the riding.

The next morning took me on the Million Dollar Highway. I only wish it had been warmer. My focus was spent on the road, navigating sharp turns and cold weather as I climbed through the mountain pass to 14,000 feet. I was wearing five layers for warmth (thermals, t-shirt, micro-fleece, leather jacket, and rain gear) and was still cold. 

There was a slight drizzle, which if it were any colder would have turned to snow and then ice. 

I spent the night in Ridgway, Colorado, in a tiny house, then went to Gunnison, and Breckenridge where I spent my last evening. I awoke to the Tiger, brushed off the snow, loaded my gear, and then rode to Denver.

I slept soundly on the plane, got home, took a much-needed shower, hung with the family, had a great dinner, then got into bed.

My first long solo trip (and my first overnight trip ever) was during the summer of 2017 when I rode 3,000 miles on my Moto Guzzi from Chicago to Nashville, Birmingham, AL, Atlanta, the Tail of the Dragon, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Washington DC for July 4th, then Ohio and back to Illinois.

This is the second in two years.

I'm extremely fortunate for having the flexibility and support to be able to ride these dreams.

Thanks for reading.

Austin