Tucson, AZ advice/help
Tucson, AZ advice/help
On January 13th, I'm loading my bike and my golf clubs in my truck and heading for Tucson. I've rented a Condo in Oro Valley for 2 months. As it will just be me, I plan to golf or ride (or sometimes both) every day. I've been doing my research on day rides out of the Tucson area and this is what I've found so far:
http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/Catalina-Hwy
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/Routes/Arizona_78.html
http://www.sundaymorningrides.com/road/1194829/
http://www.openroadjourney.com/loadroute.asp?rid=734
http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/...-Creek-Rd-Loop
http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/Catalina-Hwy
I am looking for input from Tucson area riders on trips that they would recommend. I do plan on making a 5 day run down to Dallas while I'm in Tucson (2 down, 1 day visit, 2 back) but that's the only trip I'm looking at so far that can't be completed in one day. I thought about running up to Sedona but I think there may be snow up there until early to mid march.
Any input will be appreciated.
Thanks.
http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/Catalina-Hwy
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/Routes/Arizona_78.html
http://www.sundaymorningrides.com/road/1194829/
http://www.openroadjourney.com/loadroute.asp?rid=734
http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/...-Creek-Rd-Loop
http://www.motowhere.com/maps/route/Catalina-Hwy
I am looking for input from Tucson area riders on trips that they would recommend. I do plan on making a 5 day run down to Dallas while I'm in Tucson (2 down, 1 day visit, 2 back) but that's the only trip I'm looking at so far that can't be completed in one day. I thought about running up to Sedona but I think there may be snow up there until early to mid march.
Any input will be appreciated.
Thanks.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Az
Just check the weather when you head up to Sedona. If it gets snow it does not last very long as it is below "the rim" (Mogollon Rim) and those places burn the snow off quickly. I highly recommend you make your trip to Sedona an over night trip. My recommendation though is to travel to Phoenix then put these towns in your gps as this is a great ride. Especially a warm day in Feb or March. From Phoenix go to Wickenburg then Skull Valley, Prescott (make sure you hit Whisky Row), then bundle up and head over Mingus Mountain to the town of Jerome. This is where I would stay the night in a b and b or historic Jerome hotel. Make sure you hit up the "spirit room" for good night life. The next day drive down through Cottonwood, Cornville, Page Springs and up to Sedona. Now from here you have options to get back to Tucson. The easy but all interstate way is to jump on I-17 and head back to Phoenix then I-10 to Tucson. The scenic but long way is to (check the weather because you climb up a little ways) head up the Zane Grey Hwy from Camp Verde to Strawberry then Pine and down to Payson. From Payson go to Tucson by way of Roosevelt Lake through Globe (awesome Mexican food). Then down to Winkleman and back to Oro Valley. This could easily be a 2 night trip or a long second day ride if you do the Payson/Globe route. Hope this helps. Enjoy your ride. Hitum straight and keep rubber side down!
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Raeford, NC
If you get a chance to checkout Tombstone you might want to vist Fort Huachuca as well. There is a lot of history on that post. Plus the road that leads from main post out to Black Tower/ the West gate is nothing but twisties. I was stationed there a while back and always enjoyed the roads in the area. I'm pretty sure you can get on post by just having your drivers license. Just watch out for the wildlife in the area and you'll have fun.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,403
Likes: 25
From: se michigan
Make sure to ride Picture Rocks Rd and do the/saguaro natl park gates pass loop. Also like running 86W towards Ajo (Kitt Peak) then 85N to I8 east back to Tucson. There's a lot of Border Patrol down that way but I've never had any issues with them. Usually they'll stop you at the first checkpoint and say hello after that they just wave you thru.Pichacho Peak is a nice stop on the way back, it's where the westernmost battle of the civil war was fought. Just watch the traffic in Tucson, lots of snow birds in town in winter and we all know how they drive.
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6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Az
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 50
From: Gilbert, AZ
I don't know if you can do the Coronado Trail (your map calls it the Devil's Hwy) this time of year. 191 is liable to be closed from N of Morenci to Hannagan Meadow or Alpine. That road goes over 9000' in elevation and there is snow up there. If the road isn't closed, it will be very cold.
Yes boys and girls, it does snow in AZ.
So I would check with ADOT before you attempt that ride to make sure the road is open and DRY.
It will not be 70° (as another poster has suggested) up on the Mogollan Rim until April or May.
Yes boys and girls, it does snow in AZ.
So I would check with ADOT before you attempt that ride to make sure the road is open and DRY.
It will not be 70° (as another poster has suggested) up on the Mogollan Rim until April or May.
Last edited by slhanks4; Dec 29, 2012 at 08:23 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 4
From: on the road
Flagstaf and globe mean cold and occasional snow to me this time of the year.Last year at this time we had 40s,been in the low 20s the last 2 weeks