Rough ride

cactusjack · 03-22-2009, 10:44 PM

Went on a ride today with a local group I belong to. 3 others besides me showed up, which is the norm for a 400-mile ride. A 2000 Nomad (the purple kind) an '06 1500 Classic and an '08 Street Glide.

Temps were in the mid-60's when we met at the Lowe's parking lot in Mesa at 07:30 this morning. We started by heading east on US60 to the town of Globe about 50 miles away, where we enjoyed a hearty breakfast at Judy's Cookhouse and fueled up. From Globe, we rode another 80 miles to Safford, where we stopped for gas. It was in the 80's by the time we arrived. After Safford, it was about 110 miles to Tucson, about 90 of which were at 75MPH and above on I-10. Heavy traffic, lots of tractor-trailers to dodge and a nasty headwind with gusts of 30 MPH. We stopped on the outskirts of Tucson for gas and to take a little break. The wind sure takes a toll on you.

Our original plans were to stay on I-10 past Tucson, then turn east to AZ-79, the Oracle Highway. One of the guys in the group suggested a different router, we went west of Tucson and turned on a road that took us through Saguaro National Monument, bypassing Tucson traffic. Lots of little hills, dips and twisties. Then we headed east to AZ-79 and to Lupe's Fine Mexican Cuisine. Excellent vittles, by the way. While we were eating, the wind seemed to pick up even more and we still had about 80 miles of open desert to cross to get home. We turned onto the Pinal-Pioneer Parkway and rode the 49 miles to Florence, where we bought our last tank of gas.

With only about 30 miles to home, one of the group peeled off to take a shortcut to his house. The wind was blowing really bad with so much blowing dust, visibility was near zero in some places. The road would just disappear. We hung on and made it back to Chandler. If not for the wind and dust, it would have been a perfect day for riding.

**Cajunrider** · 03-22-2009, 11:04 PM

That sand and dust can't be good for the rider or equipment. I've had crosswinds blow a little sand and dust in my path resulting in grit in my eyes. Not good....You guys were lucky to make it home without any major problems.

cactusjack · 03-22-2009, 11:13 PM

As you might imagine, dust storms here are quite common. Normally, I don't ride in them. They usually come during the summer monsoon and they are usually predicted, so we have advance warning. The first few times you see one, it's pretty amazing, a big, brown wall of dust several miles long sweeping across the Valley at 30 MPH or so.

Today, it was just windy, and we happened to get caught in it. There's no place to go for cover in the desert.

**schoeney** · 03-23-2009, 02:25 AM

OK CJ....So your weather isn't perfect afterall??

Glad you all made it home safe.

cactusjack · 03-23-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schoeney

OK CJ....So your weather isn't perfect afterall??

Glad you all made it home safe.

Not all the time. From May-September, it all depends on your interpretation of "perfect"

We don't get as much wind here as most places. Usually, you're lucky if there is any breeze at all.

dogdoc · 03-23-2009, 10:00 AM

lately it has been more windy than I ever recall it before. have live here since 1982 and its windy every frigging day now 10-30. I wished el nino or whatever is causing this crap would go away. :-)

damark115 · 03-23-2009, 12:54 PM

Couple that wind with 12" of snow and you get a regular New England day! Today we only got the wind at a warm 23 degrees.

paul · 03-23-2009, 01:04 PM

I think I'll shut up and stop complaining about the wind. At least, we don't get a good sandblasting to go with it

:(" title="

" border="0"/>. No part of that sounds like fun

.

Although, I had to laugh when a bud of mine told me they almost got knocked off their bike coming across some desert by a big tumbleweed. Can't say I ever figured that into my riding equation. ???

cactusjack · 03-23-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmsregalnadness

I think I'll shut up and stop complaining about the wind. At least, we don't get a good sandblasting to go with it

:(" title="

" border="0"/>. No part of that sounds like fun

.

Although, I had to laugh when a bud of mine told me they almost got knocked off their bike coming across some desert by a big tumbleweed. Can't say I ever figured that into my riding equation. ???

I got hit by a big tumbleweed yesterday. Didn't even see it, but it pretty much exploded when I hit it at 60 MPH.

**Top Cat** · 03-23-2009, 02:19 PM

I keep reading your posts Scott and sit here waiting for the snow to go away.
Wont be long now

03-22-2009, 10:44 PM	#1
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Rough ride Went on a ride today with a local group I belong to. 3 others besides me showed up, which is the norm for a 400-mile ride. A 2000 Nomad (the purple kind) an '06 1500 Classic and an '08 Street Glide. Temps were in the mid-60's when we met at the Lowe's parking lot in Mesa at 07:30 this morning. We started by heading east on US60 to the town of Globe about 50 miles away, where we enjoyed a hearty breakfast at Judy's Cookhouse and fueled up. From Globe, we rode another 80 miles to Safford, where we stopped for gas. It was in the 80's by the time we arrived. After Safford, it was about 110 miles to Tucson, about 90 of which were at 75MPH and above on I-10. Heavy traffic, lots of tractor-trailers to dodge and a nasty headwind with gusts of 30 MPH. We stopped on the outskirts of Tucson for gas and to take a little break. The wind sure takes a toll on you. Our original plans were to stay on I-10 past Tucson, then turn east to AZ-79, the Oracle Highway. One of the guys in the group suggested a different router, we went west of Tucson and turned on a road that took us through Saguaro National Monument, bypassing Tucson traffic. Lots of little hills, dips and twisties. Then we headed east to AZ-79 and to Lupe's Fine Mexican Cuisine. Excellent vittles, by the way. While we were eating, the wind seemed to pick up even more and we still had about 80 miles of open desert to cross to get home. We turned onto the Pinal-Pioneer Parkway and rode the 49 miles to Florence, where we bought our last tank of gas. With only about 30 miles to home, one of the group peeled off to take a shortcut to his house. The wind was blowing really bad with so much blowing dust, visibility was near zero in some places. The road would just disappear. We hung on and made it back to Chandler. If not for the wind and dust, it would have been a perfect day for riding. __________________ 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
	0

03-22-2009, 11:04 PM	#2
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	Rough ride That sand and dust can't be good for the rider or equipment. I've had crosswinds blow a little sand and dust in my path resulting in grit in my eyes. Not good....You guys were lucky to make it home without any major problems. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
	0

03-22-2009, 11:13 PM	#3
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Rough ride As you might imagine, dust storms here are quite common. Normally, I don't ride in them. They usually come during the summer monsoon and they are usually predicted, so we have advance warning. The first few times you see one, it's pretty amazing, a big, brown wall of dust several miles long sweeping across the Valley at 30 MPH or so. Today, it was just windy, and we happened to get caught in it. There's no place to go for cover in the desert. __________________ 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
	0

03-23-2009, 02:25 AM	#4
schoeney Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW Region Posts: 5,222	Rough ride OK CJ....So your weather isn't perfect afterall?? Glad you all made it home safe. __________________ VBA #659 2003 Nomad 1500 (Gone but never forgotten) 2005 Honda ST1300 - Sweet and still kickin 2006 Honda Goldwing - Best Boat in the Marina
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03-23-2009, 10:00 AM	#6
dogdoc Top Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,263	Rough ride lately it has been more windy than I ever recall it before. have live here since 1982 and its windy every frigging day now 10-30. I wished el nino or whatever is causing this crap would go away. :-)
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03-23-2009, 12:54 PM	#7
damark115 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Methuen MA Posts: 349	Rough ride Couple that wind with 12" of snow and you get a regular New England day! Today we only got the wind at a warm 23 degrees.
	0

03-23-2009, 01:04 PM	#8
paul Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: magnolia, tx Posts: 1,500	Rough ride I think I'll shut up and stop complaining about the wind. At least, we don't get a good sandblasting to go with it :(" title="" border="0"/>. No part of that sounds like fun . Although, I had to laugh when a bud of mine told me they almost got knocked off their bike coming across some desert by a big tumbleweed. Can't say I ever figured that into my riding equation. ??? __________________ The beatings will stop when morale improves.
	0

03-23-2009, 02:19 PM	#10
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Rough ride I keep reading your posts Scott and sit here waiting for the snow to go away. Wont be long now __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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