This up coming weekend we are riding from Las Vegas to Williams AZ. Some of the group are taking the Grand Canyon train up to the park, but some want to ride.
Does anyone out there with local knowledge have one of those little known, but can not miss rides we could do?
Yes there is the 65 north through the park, and back down 89 to Flagstaff, and we will keep that in the back pocket.

THanks for the input.

 

I'm not a local but we just did that same ride only we went north on 89 and then on to Alt 89 through Marble Canyon and the Vermillion Cliffs - spent the night at Jacob Lake. Great ride if you haven't done it before.

 

1. Pick up 89 in Ash Fork.
2. Take 89A through Jerome and Sedona.
2a. Optionally, head south past 89A to Prescott, poke around there, and then head back up to 89A.
3. Hook up with I-17 at the end of 89A and head to Flagstaff.
4. Pick up I-40 in Flag and head back to Williams.

 

Pick up the old Rt 66 at Kingman and take it to Seligman. You can do one short section of the original road on the east side of Seligman and it puts you back on I-40 about 2miles west of Ash fork.

 

Good one, princeaz. My route is about 200mi. If you add the Rt. 66 loop to it you make it about 450mi. I planned it on the Harley Ride Planner thinking I could post a URL. Doesn't look like I can. Just go to the Ride Planner and look for the ride I named Williams, AZ Day Trip.

 

In Williams, you are only about 28 miles from Flagstaff. Take Interstate 40 to Flagstaff, upon getting to Flag take the exit leading to downtown Flagstaff, which will put you on Milton Rd., going north toward the downtown. You will then, after only a couple of blocks need to make a left turn on W. Mcconnell Dr. and then make the next left turn onto S. Beulah. This will head you south. You will go about 0.5 mi and be next to the freeway (I-17) at a traffic light with a left turn lane. Turn left and go under the freeway and you will be on S. Lake Mary Road. There's a gas station on the left where you can fill up. Get back on S. Lake Mary Road and enjoy about 100 miles of beautiful scenery, forest, meadows, lakes, rocks, and hills. Eventually, after about 80 miles or so you'll bump into highway 87, a little after going through the Happy Jack area. (There are no towns on this route, just a very few buildings.) Turn right on 87, continuing south. After about 2 miles you'll see a little gas station and restaurant on your right. Good place for a break. Welcome to Long Valley.
Next continue on 87 for about 10-15 miles and you'll come to an intersection with highway 260. Turn right onto highway 260 towards Verde Valley. Follow this for about 30 miles. All these roads are great riding and fantastic views. You'll end up in the Verde Valley which is quite a bit lower in elevation than Flagstaff.
The Valley will be about 10 degrees warmer than Flagstaff, which will be cool because it is 7000 feet in elevation, as is Williams. Bring rain gear for afternoon thunderstorms.
Back to the ride: 260 leads you to Interstate 17, with a nice little coffee shop on the right before you get onto the freeway. Anyway, take I-17 north (turn right) toward Sedona. You are in for some fabulous sights.
Go about 10 miles and take the exit to Sedona, exit 298 (I believe) which puts you onto highway 179. Follow 179 about 8 miles into the Village of Oak Creek. You'll go through 4 traffic circles but continue on 179. Oak Creek is small but nice. Continue on through the "forest" (not many trees but incredible Red Rock views.) You'll go on into Sedona. Just before you get to Sedona you'll get into a little highway construction where a new bridge is being built. No problem. But, just after you cross the Oak Creek using the old bridge look to your left and you'll see the walls of Telquepaque. This is a collection of galleries and stores all in the Spanish Hacienda style with huge Sycamore trees all over. This is worth a stop. There's a nice micro brewery/restaurant at the north end of the shops. Nice place to take a break.
Back on the bikes and continue up 179 for only about 100 yards to the traffic circle. Take the first road off the circle to the right (before the traffic circle this was just a right turn) and head up the hill toward uptown Sedona. You are now on highway 89Alt, heading to Flagstaff. You can play tourist and stop in town or just pass through and keep going. You are in for a fabulous ride up a canyon with great views. About 18 miles up you will hit some switch backs and steeply climb. They last about 3 miles. Everyone goes slow. Don't do too much gawking at the view or you might go over. After the last switchback, on the right you will see a driveway-like entrance to a parking lot. If you want to stop there are views of where you just came.
The next 15 miles are forest and cool meadows. Then you are back in Flagstaff, with the Beaver Street Brewery and lots more. You can then go through the forest toward the Grand Canyon and back to Williams "the long way".
There are tons of rides out here. Motorcycle heaven. If you have lots of time there is a huge loop out of the east end of the Grand Canyon, past the Vermilon Cliffs and eventually back to Las Vegas. There is Antelope Valley, Glen Canyon, etc., etc. All incredible. Plan some more rides out here!

 

+ 1 Antelope Canyon ;-)

 

Thaks all keep them coming.

rdurantb, that sounds like a winner. What do you know about Stoneman Lake road?

 

Sorry, but all I know of Stoneman is zip. I have never ridden that road. Generally all the forest roads are not paved, so I don't pay much attention when I pass one of them. I've ridden the area, Lake Mary Rd., for years and originally I took the time to examine the side roads, but all that seemingly could be "through roads" turned out to be gravel. Some were gravel after only a few feet and others went a little then turned to gravel or dirt. However, I don't recall if I ever explored that road.
Regardless, even assuming it is paved, I would still follow the route that I originally suggested. Some of the best views on that route are in the later part of the ride. You go through some beautiful high country and almost at the same time pass deep canyons. Finally, when you are getting ready to drop into the Verde Valley you will see vistas that stretch for miles. They literally will cause you to want to pull off the road and gawk. There are a few conveniently placed areas to do just that. The ride through Verde Valley is not difficult and you'll be on the freeway to Sedona quickly, unless you stop for coffee.
(Now, you've made me curious. The next time I'm out that way I'll take a look at Stoneman.)
This is a great area and if you have the time I hope you can explore. You must plan more trips out here.
Hope you enjoy the ride. Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

rdurantb, we did this ride this past Sunday. The ride was very nice. From 87 to 260 to 17 was fantastic.
We were not able to get into Sedona, as there was a wreck on 176 and we were not able to get through. We went back to 17, then North. But that was fine.
Just got a few drops, no big showers.
All in all, this is a great ride, and a way to see a good cross section of that part of the country.
FYI, Stoneman road is not a road to take.
Thanks again for the info.