My Southwest Tour was cut short about a week into the trip by a family medical emergency.  I diverted to Phoenix to help the family during the recovery.  I was able to do several day and weekend trips around Arizona to explore some of the fantastic riding throughout the state. 

It was the middle of March and the weather in Colorado warmed to about mid-thirties and the roads were dry.  I was out of work and sick and tired of the cold weather.  I took the opportunity to hop on the bike and haul ass south.  My initial plan was to head south through Moab, UT and meet some friends in Quartzite, AZ.  We could do some riding in the desert southwest.  I made it down there with little trouble.  It was really cold all the way to AZ.  I had to use the heated vest most of the way. 

I detoured a bit west to ride down the Moki Dugway in southern Utah.  It is a short but really interesting section of dirt road.  It switchbacks down from the high mesa to the valley floor.  It offers some spectacular views. 

The river goes through a series of "goosenecks".  The park overlooks this section of the river. 

I continued south to Prescott to have dinner with some friends and to spend the night.  With all the wandering I did today it was a 500 mile ride.  Definitely time for a break and a night cap.

I headed on down to Quartzite the next morning.  I went down the canyon towards the town of Congress.  I failed to take any pictures on the way down the canyon.  I was surprised at how twisty it was.  I highly recommend a pass through there to any bikers.

I spend the night in Quartzite then we headed north for Lake Mead just south of Las Vegas. 

I had a chance to ride across Hoover Dam and take some photos.  The new bridge across the canyon is nearing completion. 

My friend Mark and I went out into the desert for a bit of exploring.

We rode up to St. George Utah to meet our friend Joe to do some more riding.  We took the old 91 road up to St. George around the pass.  It was a very nice ride. 

It was shortly after this that I had to divert to Phoenix.  I was able to do some day rides and weekend trips around the state.  Below are some pictures.

Note the road about half way up the hill.

Steep rocky road up to the fire look-out station at the summit of McFadden Peak.

Yes, there are actually water crossings in Arizona.

I got shut down a few times by closed roads and locked gates.  Great riding though.

Crossing over the 9,000' high pass from Show Low to access the Devil's Highway AZ-191.  Sorry no photos of the 191.  It just takes too much attention to riding and there are not may safe pull-outs.  It was especially challenging because of all the debris on the road from the harsh winter.  It was in the high 30's at high elevation and most secondary roads were still closed.

I also had a chance to take a ride from Cave Creek through Bloody Basin along the Great Western Trail.  It was a really nice big bike friendly trail ride.  It's surprising how green the desert is this spring.

Bloody Basin was a really fun ride.  The switchbacks got much rougher and steeper up above.  They went on for a long way.  Definitely fun!


Home