Looking for advice on a Spring road trip to the Southwest.

fammdw · 01-13-2013, 01:30 PM

Me and a few friends are planning a road trip for the first of May. We want to meet up in Amarillo, TX at the Big Texan Motel and use it as a jump off point.

Points of interest would be Roswell, NM, down to Carlsbad, NM, then over to Las Cruses, NM and eventually Nogales, AZ after visiting Tombstone.

That much of the trip is pretty much planned, but what I'm interested in is a great motorcycle route that takes me north from Nogales to Flagstaff, AZ that is scenic as Hell and off the slab. I have never driven through AZ so I know nothing about where to ride there. If there are several great places to ride between the two cities, we can stop in between. We have blocked out 12 days for the trip so we have time.

If you know of any must ride areas around there, please let me know. I'm looking forward to the trip.

We are going to end the trip with a ride up to the southern rim of the Grand Canyon, then over to Albuquerque before splitting up to head home. Any rides you know of around those areas would be great as well!

Thanks!

Mike

petenomad · 01-13-2013, 02:20 PM

You might try this: http://www.motorcycleroads.us/regions/az_gcc.html

fammdw · 01-13-2013, 03:08 PM

Yeah I have looked at that, but would rather hear from people that live in the area.

waterman · 01-13-2013, 07:24 PM

Send CJ a pm.

cactusjack · 01-13-2013, 09:10 PM

Why do you want to go to Nogales? It's a sh!thole.

fammdw · 01-13-2013, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Why do you want to go to Nogales? It's a sh!thole.

That was brought up by one of the guys going on the trip. I have zero desire to go to Nogales and based on what you said, will push back on it. I would like to see Tombstone, just to say I went there.

Do you have any recommendations for the area?

cactusjack · 01-13-2013, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fammdw

That was brought up by one of the guys going on the trip. I have zero desire to go to Nogales and based on what you said, will push back on it. I would like to see Tombstone, just to say I went there.

Do you have any recommendations for the area?

Well early May will be warm, but not real hot yet so the weather should be great anywhere in the state.

After Tombstone, head to Safford and ride AZ-191, the Coronado Trail. It's the best ride in AZ, as far as I'm concerned.

Sight Seer · 01-15-2013, 10:58 AM

+1 to what CJ said. 191 is a great motorcycle road. It's fun, but technical. If the sign says 15mph on the corner...it's 15. The road runs up the side of a mountain that's part of a mining complex. Very scenic.

Bisbee makes a nice stop also. Very nice little town. The road between Bisbee and Tombstone is nice. Easy winding road.

Take 191 north then take 260 west to Payson. You're a stone's throw from the Grand Canyon.

I'm in Tucson and ride those roads quite often.

flavor · 01-15-2013, 11:51 AM

Utah. Moab, Bryce canyon, Arches nat'l park, Zion, Canyonlands.

**Jared** · 01-15-2013, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Well early May will be warm, but not real hot yet so the weather should be great anywhere in the state.

After Tombstone, head to Safford and ride AZ-191, the Coronado Trail. It's the best ride in AZ, as far as I'm concerned.

+1

I spent some time on this road a few years ago. It was GREAT!

Here's some pics and blog posts written by Tombstone from when we were in that area.

http://2mbstonestravels.blogspot.com...max-results=10

01-13-2013, 01:30 PM	#1
fammdw Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 543	Looking for advice on a Spring road trip to the Southwest. Me and a few friends are planning a road trip for the first of May. We want to meet up in Amarillo, TX at the Big Texan Motel and use it as a jump off point. Points of interest would be Roswell, NM, down to Carlsbad, NM, then over to Las Cruses, NM and eventually Nogales, AZ after visiting Tombstone. That much of the trip is pretty much planned, but what I'm interested in is a great motorcycle route that takes me north from Nogales to Flagstaff, AZ that is scenic as Hell and off the slab. I have never driven through AZ so I know nothing about where to ride there. If there are several great places to ride between the two cities, we can stop in between. We have blocked out 12 days for the trip so we have time. If you know of any must ride areas around there, please let me know. I'm looking forward to the trip. We are going to end the trip with a ride up to the southern rim of the Grand Canyon, then over to Albuquerque before splitting up to head home. Any rides you know of around those areas would be great as well! Thanks! Mike __________________ *Mike Williams* *Wichita, Kansas* VBA Member #02104 2013 HD 110th Anniversary Electra Glide Ultra Limited 2012 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager 2009 Yamaha FJR1300 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Nomad 2002 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Custom 1989 Yamaha Virago 750 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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01-13-2013, 02:20 PM	#2
petenomad Sr. Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 1,135	You might try this: http://www.motorcycleroads.us/regions/az_gcc.html __________________ Glenn petenomad Peterman 2016 BMW R1200RT 2012 Candy Arabian Red Concours - Traded at 23000 miles 2008 Red/Black Nomad - Traded at 29500 miles
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01-13-2013, 03:08 PM	#3
fammdw Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 543	Yeah I have looked at that, but would rather hear from people that live in the area. __________________ *Mike Williams* *Wichita, Kansas* VBA Member #02104 2013 HD 110th Anniversary Electra Glide Ultra Limited 2012 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager 2009 Yamaha FJR1300 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Nomad 2002 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Custom 1989 Yamaha Virago 750
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01-13-2013, 07:24 PM	#4
waterman Top Contributor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 6,530	Send CJ a pm. __________________ Joel "Waterman" 2017 HD Road Glide Ultra 2006 Nomad - Sold VBA 213 VROC 16913 Custer 09: Cortez 10: Crescent City 11: Kanab 12: Estes Park 13: Tahoe 14: Red Lodge 16
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01-13-2013, 09:10 PM	#5
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Why do you want to go to Nogales? It's a sh!thole. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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01-15-2013, 10:58 AM	#8
Sight Seer Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 56	+1 to what CJ said. 191 is a great motorcycle road. It's fun, but technical. If the sign says 15mph on the corner...it's 15. The road runs up the side of a mountain that's part of a mining complex. Very scenic. Bisbee makes a nice stop also. Very nice little town. The road between Bisbee and Tombstone is nice. Easy winding road. Take 191 north then take 260 west to Payson. You're a stone's throw from the Grand Canyon. I'm in Tucson and ride those roads quite often. __________________ 2009 1700 Nomad, 2000 Honda VFR800 Garmin Nuvi 765T, Edmonds Lowers, Cobra Rack Americas Guardians PS MC Patriot Guard Rider VBA #01982
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01-15-2013, 11:51 AM	#9
flavor Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: RI Posts: 1,351	Utah. Moab, Bryce canyon, Arches nat'l park, Zion, Canyonlands.
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