Arizona in January?

[stretch]

Looking for some advice. I have to go to Phoenix in January for a meeting. I'm thinking about renting a bike for a day. I was hoping some of you Arizona guys could give me some ideas where to ride. Thanks

Tim

[MarkG]

Bring cold weather gear. It will start in the high 30's to low 40's in the morning and then warm up. A couple of years ago it did get into the teens the first thing in the morning. By late morning into the afternoon it will probably be reasonable.

Tortilla Flat northeast of Apache Junction is a pretty good run. Some nice twists, lakes and good viewpoints, figure around 100 miles or so round trip.

Depending on the weather you could make a nice loop up towards Payson, around to Lake Roosevelt into Globe and back. Another route to consider is going towards Florence into Tucson. Avoid the Interstate, the traffic is insane.

It will probably be a bit too cold to go North towards Jerome, Sedona, and Oak Creek Canyon in January. Being the desert, once the sun goes down it will chill down fairly quick outside the metropolitan area. Plan your clothing layers accordingly.

I am sure CJ will chime in on this one. He loves the rides on the weekend, so I am sure he will have some ideas.

[stretch]

Thanks Mark,

I will look up some of those road/places to see what would work out for me. They told us the daytime times can get into the 70's?

[cactusjack]

As Mark said, nights are chilly (not going to say "cold" out of respect to our members in the upper Midwest and Northeast) but daytime temps should be nice in January. That time of year, I usually wear leather chaps and a heavy leather jacket.

There's lots of good rides relatively close. Here's one of my favorites:

US 60 E to Superior, then 177 S to Winkelman takes you past a couple of big open-pit copper mines, then take 77 S through Mammoth and Oracle to Oracle Jct. There, take 79 N to Florence and back to US 60. Nice ride, some twisties, a couple of nice hills and about 180 miles of prime AZ blacktop.

Let me know when you'll be here and I'll try to ride with you if I can.

[stretch]

Thanks Scott,

I think either Jan 19th or 20th. I will check out the routes you and Mark sugessted. If you can fit in a ride then that would be great too.

Tim

[ccmjr77]

ditto what mark and cj said.
I ride everyday and it can be cool enough for full leather and gloves that time of year.
I have recently went to my leather jacket and full face helmet for the ride in to work each morning.

[stretch]

looks like I am going to be in Phoenix Jan 17-21. Thinking about riding Sunday the 18th? Who do you guys recommend for bike rental?

[cactusjack]

Wow, I don't know - I've never rented a motorcycle. ???

Looks like there's several places that rent bikes in the Phoenix area. Phoenix is huge, so look for a place in the vicinity of where you'll be staying. I can't vouch for any of these places, since I've never dealt with any of them. I know Buddy Stubbs is a reputable HD dealer.

http://www.azfuntimerentals.com/
http://www.libertymotorcyclerental.com/
http://www.eaglerider.com/
http://www.buddystubbshd.com/custompage2.asp?pg=rentals_rates
http://www.steeleagles.com/

[stretch]

Ok thanks Scott. I will check out the HD dealer first. Any chance of you or anyone else meeting up for a ride? Let me know if something works out. I'm really excited, never been to Arizona before.

Tim

[cactusjack]

Well, do you know where you will be staying? A hotel name or something would help. Like I said earlier, Phoenix is very big and the metro area is probably 3,000 sq miles. It doesn't look like I will have to work on the 18th, so I should be available for a ride. Also, knowing where you're at would help me plan a route. If you don't want to post specific information, you can PM me.

[stretch]

They have us staying at the WigWam resort? Now sure where that is yet. How far is that from you? I will have to look where the Harley dealer is from there.

[MarkG]

The Wigwam is on the west end of Phoenix in Litchfield Park, about 50 miles give or take from Chandler. It looks like the closest HD dealership is Arrowhead Harley-Davidson, 16130 N Arrowhead Fountain Cntr Dr, Peoria, AZ, 85382-4745, Phone: (623) 247-5542. Approximately 17 miles from the hotel. Unfortunately my weekend is completely full. I might be available on the 19th, just not sure yet. In any case, I hope you have a good trip.

[cactusjack]

They have us staying at the WigWam resort? Now sure where that is yet. How far is that from you? I will have to look where the Harley dealer is from there.

The Wigwam? Wow, I haven't been out there in years. Yeah, like Mark indicated, that's probably a good 50 miles from where I'm at. No problem - if you can rent a bike, I'm willing to ride out and meet you and ride with you. It's all freeway from where I'm at to the Wigwam.

Just let me know and I'll put a ride together.

[dantama]

Wish I was headed to Arizona :)

Have a good time.

[stretch]

thanks, Mark and Scott. I am going to call Arrowhead Harley since they are the closest. Do they have a good reputation? I will call them today.

Mark, Wish you could make it, I would like to meet ya. Unfortunatley I have meeting Monday.

Scott, I will let you know when I get the details worked out.

Dan, come on down!


thanks guys, you have been a big help.

[cactusjack]

I asked one of my Harley riding friends about Arrowhead. He said he's never heard anything bad about them. For what that's worth...

[stretch]

Well I have a bike rented. So I guess I am ready. They are going provide helmet and rain suit, but according Wayne at the dealership it never rains in Arizona. ::)

So Scott I guess were a go for Sunday. I will PM you my cell #. Let me know if you need anything else.

Thanks again guys for the help you have provided.