Question for Arizona Riders
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: California, Md now Savannah, Ga
FYI - US-89 is closed south of Page due to road damage and there is no ETA for repairing and reopening it. It could be a year or more. If you're coming into AZ from Kanab UT, take 89A through Fredonia and Jacob Lake. That will put you on US-89 at Bitter Springs and you bypass the closure.
I just got back from a 2 day ride on the Coronado Trail in eastern AZ. Temps in the desert valleys were close to 110° both days and is typical for summer in AZ. Unless you enjoy riding in that kind of heat, avoid Phoenix and Tucson and stick to higher elevations from now through September.
I just got back from a 2 day ride on the Coronado Trail in eastern AZ. Temps in the desert valleys were close to 110° both days and is typical for summer in AZ. Unless you enjoy riding in that kind of heat, avoid Phoenix and Tucson and stick to higher elevations from now through September.
We know it going to be hot in August but hope to be able to suck it up and get done what we want to get done - safely.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
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From: texas panhandle
If your headed east, from Sedona I might think about going to Prescott on 89A to the Phoenix area over to Globe(nice ride), northeast on US60 through Salt River Canyon(really nice ride to Show Low(Days Inn-dated, clean, cheap, food and drink). Over to Eagar, south on US 191 to Clifton(Coronado Trail-exceptional) to Clifton-east to Silver City, NM. From Silver City-state highway 152 over to I-25 south to I-10(Las Cruces). All of this is really great scenic motor cycle riding.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Gilbert, AZ
I only mention the heat because a lot of people who don't live here have no idea how hot it gets in the Sonoran Desert. It can kill you if not prepared. August will be hot and humid, since that's during the monsoon. Drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated.
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Stellar HDF Member
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From: California, Md now Savannah, Ga
If your headed east, from Sedona I might think about going to Prescott on 89A to the Phoenix area over to Globe(nice ride), northeast on US60 through Salt River Canyon(really nice ride to Show Low(Days Inn-dated, clean, cheap, food and drink). Over to Eagar, south on US 191 to Clifton(Coronado Trail-exceptional) to Clifton-east to Silver City, NM. From Silver City-state highway 152 over to I-25 south to I-10(Las Cruces). All of this is really great scenic motor cycle riding.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Nowhere
2. Jump on I40 to Flagstaff then south on I17 thru Sedona and then to Phoenix and I10
Have heard that the Sedona area is beautiful. Our goal is not the quickest way back but the most enjoyable. Is visiting Flagstaff or Sedona worth using the seemingly non direct route to Phoenix?
Another possible question might be is should be forget I10 and maybe use I40? Once again the goal is not necessarily the quickest but the most enjoyable. Thinking of using I10 because we want to hit the Austin and San Antonio areas, Biloxi and New Orleans.
If it were me...
I would try hard to at least see the Grand Canyon and ride the Coronado trail. Seeing Sedona would be good too, but really... you need a couple of days to see it right. You could easily stay off of the interstates almost entirely until you get to Tucson. Getting east from Tucson without backtracking requires taking I-10 though. I-10 between Willcox and Ozona TX is a pit.
Time of year is going to be a big factor. High country will have snow in winter and deserts in the summer can see temps in the 120's.
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Stellar HDF Member
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From: California, Md now Savannah, Ga
Actually my traveling buddy and I had a conversation yesterday about that stretch of road.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: California, Md now Savannah, Ga
The 93 is boring. There are some nice vistas of Joshua Trees, but that is about it.
After reading your other posts, it seems what you really want to do is get to Tucson. I would avoid the Phoenix area like the plague. There are better ways to get there.
Sedona is one of "those places" you should not miss. It is very touristy now-a-days though and weekdays are best time to pass through.
Either one works. As has been mentioned, I-40 is better in the summer and I-10 is better in the winter.
If it were me...
I would try hard to at least see the Grand Canyon and ride the Coronado trail. Seeing Sedona would be good too, but really... you need a couple of days to see it right. You could easily stay off of the interstates almost entirely until you get to Tucson. Getting east from Tucson without backtracking requires taking I-10 though. I-10 between Willcox and Ozona TX is a pit.
Time of year is going to be a big factor. High country will have snow in winter and deserts in the summer can see temps in the 120's.
After reading your other posts, it seems what you really want to do is get to Tucson. I would avoid the Phoenix area like the plague. There are better ways to get there.
Sedona is one of "those places" you should not miss. It is very touristy now-a-days though and weekdays are best time to pass through.
Either one works. As has been mentioned, I-40 is better in the summer and I-10 is better in the winter.
If it were me...
I would try hard to at least see the Grand Canyon and ride the Coronado trail. Seeing Sedona would be good too, but really... you need a couple of days to see it right. You could easily stay off of the interstates almost entirely until you get to Tucson. Getting east from Tucson without backtracking requires taking I-10 though. I-10 between Willcox and Ozona TX is a pit.
Time of year is going to be a big factor. High country will have snow in winter and deserts in the summer can see temps in the 120's.
You said 93 is boring but doesn't seem to be many options for going south to get over to the Grand Canyon. According to Google maps it about a 75 mile run down to Kingman from the Dam. Will put the Coronado Trail on our list.
Yeah, after what I've been reading almost hope my friend in Tucson isn't available when we are in that area but I doubt it.
I'm going to spend the month of July outdoors as much as I can to try and prepare me somewhat for the heat. Luckily, neither I nor my riding buddy work, so we have the time to be smart and won't have to press.
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From: Nowhere
Once you get to Kingman though, things will improve. The I-40 is a pretty nice stretch of interstate and that Seligman detour is pretty cool (stay in Seligman if you can, or Williams).
I was thinking about the 93 from Kingman to Wickenburg, but between Hoover dam and Kingman is even worse.
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