Year round riding in Arizona

Celebrated my 64th birthday with a nice 200 mile ride. Winter may be creeping in early but here in southern Arizona it is not a problem. We left at 0900 with the temp hovering in the low 40's. Highway 77 took us from Catalina (25 miles north of Tucson), past Oracle, through Mammoth and on to Winkleman where we stopped for coffee. From Winkleman to Globe is where 77 really starts being a lot of fun. Two lane twisty following the Gila River and then some serious climbing up the 12 mile 6 to 8% grade topping out at 5,000' then dropping like a stone down to Globe. Breakfast at the Apache Gold Casino with a little time to pull a couple of slots and some video poker.

We rode through Globe and southwest past the huge copper mines outside of Miami, over "Top of the World" and down into Superior where we picked up 177 and headed east back to Winkleman to close your earlier loop. This stretch of 2 lane twisty includes three 10% grades and takes you past one of the largest copper mines in the country. By the time we passed through Hayden and Kearny it had warmed up to a very pleasant 62 degrees and we began to un layer. My riding buddy is a retired motor officer having spent 27 years with the CHP in northern California. He bought his BMW when he retired and with 134,000+ miles on it he has it pretty well dialed in though he does miss the blue lights and siren. I cannot imagine a better instructor, mentor or friend to go riding with and since he lives across the street we have no problem finding lots of time to ride together. We are often joined by my next door neighbor on his Harley who brings 50 years of BMW/Harley riding/mechanic experience to the equation (from who I bought my 87 R80 RT following his thorough restoration).

It will be a little chilly this winter but after riding in our 100+ degree summers it nice to be able to just add a couple of layers and get out on the road. I feel sorry for the folks who live where winter riding is more of an adventure than I would ever pursue. It must be a serious bummer to have to put riding on hold for months at a time. I think the next ride will be an overnighter down through Tombstone and on to Bisbee. Lots of Arizona we have yet to thoroughly explore.

I would think that sometimes in the summer, in Arizona it's so hot as to not be conducive to enjoyable riding, causing the year round riding weather to be abridge by a month or two. I too live in the south where the temperate climes lends itself to a perennial riding season.

Summer is a coast to coast event

Yep, Arizona gets hot in the summer but then so does the rest of the country (that's why they call it "summer"). I draw the line at 100 degrees, even at our low humidity of 12 - 20%, above that it it not all that much fun (ATGATT), and if it is too hot to ride with all the gear it is simply too hot to ride. But.... I remember a week last summer when Portland Oregon (and most of the rest of the Pacific Northwest), were hotter than Phoenix and in the last ten years I have never seen Tucson with the high temp in the nation.

The nice thing about being here is that you simply head to the higher elevations to escape the heat just as we ride at the lower elevations during the winter. The average elevation in Arizona is a little over 4,000'. Bottom line, riding, like all of the other outdoor activities, are pretty much year round.

As always.... Opinions and YMMV.

Spent 15 months in Iraq, 3 months in Saudi back in 91. Even being in great shape 50+ Celsius on the helicopter FAT gauge seemed to cause those not in Olympic shape to wilt a bit. I was just curious if it gets too hot to ride in the summer in ATGATT. You answered my inquiry quite well.

It's never too hot for me to ride in summer.
But my winter riding is usually crimped. As to me, a good ride from here is up to Utah and Colorado, and maybe Idaho and Montana with some Nevada thrown in. And for the next 4 months or so, that is mostly out of the question.
dc

That's a nice ride. I've ridden Superior/Winkleman/Globe several times and sometimes head down to Oracle Junction and take 79 up thru Florence and back home. This is definitely a nice time of year to ride the desert roads down south that're too hot in the summer, I can't handle it when it's over 90. Tombstone/Bisbee is on my list for sometime this winter as well. Plan to stop at Karchner Caverns down by Benson...well worth a visit.

I live just 3 miles down the road from Oracle Junction so great riding is always close at hand. Next time you head out from Oracle Junction try taking Park Link Drive (10 miles west of the junction), west out to I-10. It is 18 miles of the prettiest Saguaro lined twisty you'll ever see. It brings you out to the frontage road on the east side of I-10 and 5 miles north from there you reach Piccacho Peak.

If you are headed to Kirchner Caverns be sure and make reservations for the cave tour ahead of time. With the snowbirds flocking back the tours are often booked up well in advance. The tour is awesome and definitely worth your time. The State park there is very nice as well.

I am planning to do a western trip this spring and Arizona is part of the route. I assume that the lower elevations temperatures will be comfortable, but what will the weather be like in the higher mountains like around Flagstaff say for sometime around the first week of April. Will it still be cold and possible snow?

Yes, they might

Given the monster El Nino we are having all bets are off. Flagstaff could easily have snow as late as April but normally they do not. There are lower elevation route options should Flagstaff get snow.

I rode most of the roads in your initial post this past weekend. I agree with everything you said. As for summer riding, I head for high ground like Show Low and spend as much time at altitude as possible. When returning, I have to make an hour long sprint for home in the heat, but it's worth it.

ducster said:

I am planning to do a western trip this spring and Arizona is part of the route. I assume that the lower elevations temperatures will be comfortable ...

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It depends. Around Phoenix and farther south in the first part of April it'll likely be warm, say mid-80's, but it could be warmer. The average time for the first 100 deg day of the season is early May.

OK all you AZ riders...

Indulge a former AZ resident who, this time of year, misses the place and the ability to ride year round - put up some pics! (and make me even more jealous.)

Regards,

Marty

Here's one. Park Link Drive north of Tucson the week before Christmas.

It's been raining heavily the last few days, tho. We probably got about 2" judging from the level in my pool.

AZ96 Between Kirkland and Bagdad

Road on the left. I rode there less than 2 weeks ago. We have snow in Prescott this week, so I'm garaged.

HW 96 & 97 are Fun little roads by Bagdad. I have family in Bagdad working at the mine. +1 on the HW 77, 177 & 60 loop. Good road. I went to High School in Kearny,AZ so it is home. Don't forget the old Florence / Kelvin Hwy if you have a GS.

Thank You!

I needed a fix My scoots are both cowering behind the snowblower right now...

Regards, Marty

Kelvin/Florence road

Rharrod said:

HW 96 & 97 are Fun little roads by Bagdad. I have family in Bagdad working at the mine. +1 on the HW 77, 177 & 60 loop. Good road. I went to High School in Kearny,AZ so it is home. Don't forget the old Florence / Kelvin Hwy if you have a GS.

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I rode that road just the other day from Winkleman side to Hwy. 79. It's not that bad on an 1150 rt. Just can't travel very fast 15 -20 mph. It's a great ride either way. Met one guy on a crotch rocket coming the other direction.,