I did this ride last year from south to north and it was incredible. There is something like over 1000 curves, over 250 miles and the elevation is like 7000 feet. It was one of the best rides I've ever had. Rode through rain, froze, ate in Alpine and partied in Springerville. Did I say it was cold?

How does everyone talk about the tail of the dragon and just gush about it? Try riding this and if you make a mistake and go over the side of the road, it's light's out. You could tumble 500 to 3000, 4000 feet. It's no joke.

Dress for the heat, cold and rain. You'll be fine.

 

Been following this post, and now I have the itch. Been on it several times, with several bikes, and today got the green light from the OL

The Street Glide and I, will be carving that mountain on Friday

 

Just curious how you figure 250 miles? The section of 191 from Morenci to Eagar is 123 miles. That's the Coronado Trail. Are you counting it both ways?

 

Perhaps he means from Chambers to Clifton which is still the 191 but not the fun part.
Coronado Trail is a great road, probably one of the most challenging rides I've done on a Harley. Hundreds of hairpins that go uphill, downhill and all kinds of weird angles thrown in to test your mettle. It's a lot of work actually.

 

Also of note, I have seen the for lack of knowledge, what I will call Big Horn Sheep just north of Morenci a couple of times.

 

They are Big Horn sheep, saw one and a spike mule deer. As far as the tar snakes are concerned, they are not fixed and the road has not been resurfaced, only oiled. Several times the snakes moved the front end around. Also, just like any other well known road be aware that sport bikes going fast will be upon you before you know it. Stopping at Hannigan's Meadow for a burger and a cold one is cool after the hardest part of the ride.

We fueled up in Safford and then again in Eager, probably could have made it all the way to Pinetop. We may make the trip again in two weeks for the rally at the Hon-Dah casino and Kansas concert. The weather was warm and clear, didn't need anything more than long sleeve shirts. That will change as afternoon storms start rolling in soon.

 

When we rode it two weeks ago, right where the highway bends in Clifton, just before the old downtown area, we saw a bighorn sheep standing not 5 feet off the road, munching on some brush. I have never seen one before, except in zoos. They are much bigger than I thought. Usually we see a bunch of elk in a meadow just before Hannagan Meadow.

 

Rode this for my first time in May, starting in Clifton and going north. Did not know what to expect. Great ride! Favorite sign: "15 mph for next six miles". The south half is pretty tight and twisty most of the time. The northern half is more open and faster. Pavement quality varies, the tar snakes can be a problem. Go off the road in some places, and someone may find your bleached, white bones in ten years far down the slope.