Rode to Tucson

[cactusjack]

I decided to take a ride to Tucson today, the 4th time I've been there in the 9 years I've lived in AZ. I didn't take I-10, traffic averages 85+ between the Maricopa-Pinal County line and Tucson. I went to Florence and took the scenic Pinal-Pioneer Parkway (SR 79) to Oracle Junction, then took the Oracle Highway into Tucson from the north. It was about a 200-mile round trip. About halfway between Florence and Tucson is a monument to Tom Mix, an old silent movie western star, who was killed when he rolled his Bugatti on the afore-mentioned Pinal-Pioneer Parkway in 1940. Enjoy the pictures...

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/slhanks4/Tom%20Mix%20Monument/IMG_0923_RSZ05.jpg

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/slhanks4/Tom%20Mix%20Monument/IMG_0920_RSZ02.jpg

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/slhanks4/Tom%20Mix%20Monument/IMG_0919_RSZ01.jpg

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/slhanks4/Tom%20Mix%20Monument/IMG_0924_RSZ06.jpg

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc218/slhanks4/Tom%20Mix%20Monument/IMG_0921_RSZ03.jpg

[dantama]

Glad that the holiday worked out for you, it's been raining in Denver today and is only 52 degrees :(

[kawgirl]

Great pics CJ.

[nomad1600]

Your bike looks great. Thanks for the pics. Its nice to see where the other members are riding.

[cactusjack]

I didn't notice until just now, but in the bottom picture of the scenic Sonoran Desert, that's Picacho Peak off in the distance, behind the saguaros. It's located right off of I-10 near lovely Eloy, AZ.

Yesterday was perfect riding weather. Highs in the mid-80's. Kind of windy for some of the ride. It's always windy down that way because Tucson sucks. Haha, a little local humor.

[blowndodge]

Looks like the freekin' desert to me CJ !!! LOL

[cactusjack]

I can leave my house, and in less than 5 minutes I am right smack in the desert, just like you see in these photos, if I head South. These pictures were taken about 50 miles from where I live. My wife prefers the Rocky Mountains, I think the desert has its own beauty.

[nolan]

YEAH!!! Been there. Love Arizona in the wintertime. Going there again this winter.

[cactusjack]

YEAH!!! Been there. Love Arizona in the wintertime. Going there again this winter.

I love it in the wintertime, too. Pretty much all time, in fact - except June-September. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Ugh...100 at 5 30...I'll stick with ca!

[cactusjack]

Ugh...100 at 5 30...I'll stick with ca!

Oh, that's nothing. In a couple more weeks it will be over 100 degrees around midnight, and 95 when I wake up at 5:00 am. I had a pool at my previous house. I'd wake up in the morning, and when I let my dog out I'd go jump in the pool for 10-15 minutes. Yep, AZ isn't everybody's cup of tea, that's for sure.

My mom loves it in Sun City West out there in AZ...I'd just want to stay inside and let the airconditioner blow in my face!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[cactusjack]

My mom loves it in Sun City West out there in AZ...I'd just want to stay inside and let the airconditioner blow in my face!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif


Sun City West is a nice area, just not a good place to ride your motorcycle. Too many land yachts and phantom drivers.

[wildroot]

I've been doing that ride about every other weekend for a couple months now. Starting to get toasty now. It is awesome to go up Mt. Lemmon and the weather is nicer

[racinchef]

Quite a far cry from the Green Mountains. I can't imagine what it is like riding when the temps are +100. Do you do any night riding? What about bugs at night? I haven't done any night riding here this year. Really have to be on the lookout for deer and moose. I would have to wear leather jacket and helmet with face shield if I rode at night because of the bugs.

[cactusjack]

The night riding is pretty good, if you can get away from the city the desert is cooler. I live very close to the open desert, so I can be riding through farm areas about 5 minutes from home. Bugs aren't a huge problem here, in the desert you run the risk of hitting a coyote, in the mountains there's elk. I'd rather have to deal with coyotes, personally.

We'll be at 100+ every day now for the next 120 days or so, so anytime I can ride and the sun isn't cooking me like a rotisserie chicken, it's good.