Arizona in Jan
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 39
From: San Diego
Stop into a Phoenix library, and look through some back issues of "Arizona Highways". It will give you a pictorial review of great rides in the area.
One of the best, and easiest is a ride through slick rock park and Sedona. You can take a day ride up through Jerome if you like some nice mountain cruising.
Phoenix has some of the best motorcycle riding you can find. Lots of variety.
Winters in Phoenix are the best, Summers the worst.
One of the best, and easiest is a ride through slick rock park and Sedona. You can take a day ride up through Jerome if you like some nice mountain cruising.
Phoenix has some of the best motorcycle riding you can find. Lots of variety.
Winters in Phoenix are the best, Summers the worst.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 874
Likes: 2
From: Southern Arizona
Another decent ride would be to take US-60 E from Mesa and then take AZ-177 S at Superior. You will go past a large open pit mine near Kearny. When you get to Winkelman, take AZ-77 S to Oracle Junction, then take AZ-79 N through Florence and back to US-60.
You could also turn North on AZ-77 at Winkelman and go to US-70 West through Globe and then turn north on AZ-188 past Roosevelt lake and on to AZ-87 (Beeline Highway) then south back to Phoenix.
Another nice little ride is down the Apache Trail to Tortilla Flat, have lunch, then turn around and come back the same way, unless you would like to ride 20 miles of bad gravel road to Roosevelt lake.
Last edited by NoBoldRider; Nov 27, 2012 at 04:33 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 50
From: Gilbert, AZ
That turn off US-60 onto AZ-177 is in Superior, not Florence. this should read:
Another decent ride would be to take US-60 E from Mesa and then take AZ-177 S at Superior. You will go past a large open pit mine near Kearny. When you get to Winkelman, take AZ-77 S to Oracle Junction, then take AZ-79 N through Florence and back to US-60.
You could also turn North on AZ-77 at Winkelman and go to US-70 West through Globe and then turn north on AZ-188 past Roosevelt lake and on to AZ-87 (Beeline Highway) then south back to Phoenix.
Another nice little ride is down the Apache Trail to Tortilla Flat, have lunch, then turn around and come back the same way, unless you would like to ride 20 miles of bad gravel road to Roosevelt lake.
Another decent ride would be to take US-60 E from Mesa and then take AZ-177 S at Superior. You will go past a large open pit mine near Kearny. When you get to Winkelman, take AZ-77 S to Oracle Junction, then take AZ-79 N through Florence and back to US-60.
You could also turn North on AZ-77 at Winkelman and go to US-70 West through Globe and then turn north on AZ-188 past Roosevelt lake and on to AZ-87 (Beeline Highway) then south back to Phoenix.
Another nice little ride is down the Apache Trail to Tortilla Flat, have lunch, then turn around and come back the same way, unless you would like to ride 20 miles of bad gravel road to Roosevelt lake.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Tipton Iowa
this is great ,, I keep taking notes , hopefully then I can put together a plan for several rides every week. Does anyone know of any group rides going on in Jan, or local bike nights that might be worth going to,? I dont usually ride with groups but I love looking at other bikes. I just got off the phone from my Mech. and am taking the bike in next week to get checked out, I managed to put 14k miles on it this summer and want to double check before I haul it to Arizona
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 50
From: Gilbert, AZ
Here's a website you might find useful: http://www.cyclerides.com/ it contains a bunch of different rides in the area. There is also a calendar with bike related events, such as group rides and bike nights, although it hasn't been updated for next year yet.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 20,530
Likes: 2,305
From: texas panhandle
Tortilla Flats was a nice ride but, once the pavement ends on Apache Trail, turn around. There are some nice you tube videos of the dirt part of this route.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,097
Likes: 4,676
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
Haven't been there in years, but there's a man made lake in Fountain Hills with a really tall fountain that used to be turned on periodically through the day, hard to miss. It isn't a riding trip, but since you'll already be there, ask around and see if there'll be a hot air balloon event while you're there; they work best in cool air and there should be some in January. When they take off up wind from the side of the lake, they'll drift over it, and I've seen several drop the baskets in the water, acts like an anchor and the balloon tilts while the pilot frantically goes full bore on the gas, and then they stream water for quite a while, makes you wonder how they got back up with all that weight.
That bad gravel road to Roosevelt lake is more like dirt, or was when I was on it, spectacular views, but such tight turns you'd be in first gear a lot. Doable in January, when it's cool, but it would give you a workout on a Harley. Might meet a pickup/boat rig all out of shape blocking a curve he couldn't make without jinking back & forth - not a job for a novice trailer puller. I like that kind of stuff, but wouldn't recommend it to someone that never tried trail riding. You'll miss some of the good rides - they don't have any roads...
That bad gravel road to Roosevelt lake is more like dirt, or was when I was on it, spectacular views, but such tight turns you'd be in first gear a lot. Doable in January, when it's cool, but it would give you a workout on a Harley. Might meet a pickup/boat rig all out of shape blocking a curve he couldn't make without jinking back & forth - not a job for a novice trailer puller. I like that kind of stuff, but wouldn't recommend it to someone that never tried trail riding. You'll miss some of the good rides - they don't have any roads...
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Tipton Iowa
Thanks , I will post while I am there. It would be great to go for a ride with the locals. If you ever get to the Midwest I will return the favor. We are in fountain hills for the whole month of Jan, getting there new years day.
Looks like the Condo is about 2 blocks from the big fountain
This forum is great and I really appreciate the information
Looks like the Condo is about 2 blocks from the big fountain
This forum is great and I really appreciate the information
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: AZ
First pic is Roosevelt Lake Highway 188 Payson to Globe. Second pic is road from Globe to Superior on my ride last week.
The winter here has so far been pretty warm and there is soooo much to see.
Have fun!
The winter here has so far been pretty warm and there is soooo much to see.
Have fun!