Just received word that I'll be moving to Phoenix from Wisconsin at the end of September. I'm both excited and nervous. Nervous only for the formal act of moving across the country but excited about the new adventures I'll find in that part of the country.

I'd like some opinions on the area from you folks that are from there. What's it like to ride in that region. You don't need to say "it's hot in the summer!" I get that. I understand that going for a ride at noon on July 13th isn't necessarily a good plan. But, what do you guys do to ride in the summertime heat - just ride in the evening once it dips below 100? How is the riding the rest of the year? What's it like to ride through the city? How are the roads? General advice and thoughts for a soon-to-be AZ newbie.

I appreciate the responses. I would welcome a conversation if anyone would like to reach out for a chat.

 

Chief, I have to p/u someone at the airport this morning so I don't have time to answer your questions right now, but I can go into more detail this evening.
Do you know what part of Phoenix you will be moving?

 

The area of Phoenix is one thing we need to figure out. My wife and I are heading down on 8/7 to scope it out. Preferably, I think we'd like to be on the North or East side, which will be closer to work and New Mexico, where my wife's family is.

 

If you have never spent a summer here, the weather channel is only a number and you can't really peg the reality. Reality is, it's going to be miserable May-September for you. Kinda like those of us who have never had a real winter. You will ride the rest of year no doubt so I am willing to bet you will be putting in tons of yearly miles that you're not used to, which is a good thing for you. Think of it like this, when you don't ride we do and when you do ride we limit it. When we think it's cold you will laugh at us and give us the finger... until your blood thins and you're acclimated like us. When you think it's hot we will giggle at you and razz you incessantly about being a pansy... secretly, we think it's hot a heck too. You won't understand this until you're here, but it is a dry climate and you will find that you're always thirsty until you learn to drink enough water to keep up. Dehydration WILL affect you until you learn to drink, drink, drink.

So the valley is layed out really masterfully actually in a grid. Only a few major freeways/highways to get used to and understand how/where they flow. Last 2 years has seen the traffic get to be LA like and it's nuts all the time now. When it rains, we don't know what to do... The road conditions I would say are average around the valley, nothing to brag about, but nothing too damaging to vehicles or bikes either. Same goes with freeways/highways. You will learn to love the high country of AZ in the summertime because that is where you will do the majority of riding. In winter, the high country is not an option for most of us AZ's. Depending on what you're looking for, I believe the east valley, Gilbert/Queen Creek, offers the best livability in the valley. I like the best. Prices are higher out there though, but it's the new LA so it's like that everywhere here. When it cools off, you will be in heaven because then places like Sedona and Bisbee/Tombstone will be open to you and they are really amazing rides.

 

Hey Chief, If you are moving to the north or east of the valley you have a few options of areas to ride to from that location. You can head up Hwy 17 (not my favorite ride, a lot of traffic and congestion). You can head up the 87 into the mountainous area of AZ called the Mogollon Rim, or called the Rim by Locals. It is the mountainous region of AZ. The elevations make it a much more enjoyable area to ride in the summer because of the elevation. You can also ride out Hwy 60 going east and either run north to the Rim or go east/south east.. Tombstone and Bisbee are two destinations going that route that are worth while destinations to ride to. there are alot of other regions to ride. Send me your telephone number or email via messenger and I can go into more detail. There are so many great areas to ride in AZ, I can give you more exact routes if you want. If nothing else we could get together for a Beer or Lunch. Lemme Know.

 

Is Carl Gerbschmidt real? He sounds fake. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Barreiro

Elk Mound sounds like a nice town. Don’t forget to stock up
on Nueske’s bacon, cheese curds, brats and kringles before you leave.

 

I've lived in Elk Mound for 33 years, 26 on the fire department - 17 as Chief. I know a lot of people... Never have I ever ran into Carl Gerbschmidt.

Elk Mound is a nice town, but it's time for a new adventure. Don't worry, I'll get a fix on curds before I leave. Can't find a decent one outside the state!

 

I live north of Prescott, and haven’t ridden to the Phoenix area in over 5 years. It’s murder on a bike. Get an oil cooler for sure.

 

Yeah, you better get that fix on curds because that is not our thing down here and you will be very disappointed. Friends who live in Rhinelander, WI have brought some down when they have visited and while they are of great quality, I thought they were way too salty. I am not a real salt person so...

 

Bunch of the OL's family are in Scottsdale, hasn't been under 100 in a month now, 113 yesterday. Rode through Phoenix years back on a bike in August, never going to happen again. As mentioned the weather channel temp is a number, does not take into account the radiated heat coming back off the ground, bumps **** up 10-15 degrees or more.