Triumphrat

Tri-Bonn

hey all, So, I've never been to, nor seen the American southwest, and I am thinking of planning a trip in the coming year to ride out to the desert states from the midwest... could anybody give me some ideas about the best time of year, (fall, winter, spring) or best states/areas to ride through once I get out there? even specific routes or highways for the best scenery/experience? may seem ridiculous to some, but i've always wanted to go and ride the desert highways...

HiDesert

Can I suggest my Golden Eagle thread?

I'll assume you are asking about twisty roads. Long, straight roads through gorgeous scenery are a different list. These have scenery too, but are also primo riding.

Route 141 from Grand Junction, Colorado to Naturita. 100 miles of bliss.

In southern Utah, route 9 to 89 to 12 to 24 to 95, to 191. This will take you through Zion NP, Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase Escalante, Capitol Reef, Glen Canyon, and Natural Bridges National Monument. This is a mind-blowing stretch. You can see selections from most of it in this ride report, toward the end.

Route 550 from Durango, Colorado to Ouray.

Route 128 from Moab to I-70. At I-70, turn around and do 128 again, because you won't have any fun on that stretch of I-70.

Route 64 from Tierra Amarilla to Tres Piedras.

The Golden Circle, from Taos, NM to Angle Fire to Eagle Nest to Red River to Questa and back to Taos.

Route 152 from I-25 to Silver City, NM.

Route 191 from Eagar, AZ to Clifton. I'm sure there's more good riding in AZ, but I'll leave that to those who know it better.

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I won't stop riding because you tell me about someone who died in an accident, just as I won't stop eating because someone died of e.coli.

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Tri-Bonn

my god... the most succinct, comprehensive response I could have asked for! thanks so much HiDesert! i'll be breaking out the maps... and yes, roads that twist and turn are a good thing, plenty of straights across the plains to experience on my way out there!

HiDesert

Just trying to make sure you get your money's worth.

Let me know when you're in the area; it's always fun to meet another TriumphRATter!

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I won't stop riding because you tell me about someone who died in an accident, just as I won't stop eating because someone died of e.coli.

HiDesert's ride photos

houston08thruxton

I just posted photos of my Memorial Day weekend trip through southwest Texas. There are some great variances of terrain and elevation with beautiful scenery and it's not that far south of New Mexico which also has some fantastic scenery, both mountains and desert. I absolutely love Taos.
Here's the link to my post.
http://www.triumphrat.net/rides-and-...ekend-run.html

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08 Thruxton/Airbox,AI Removal/K&N/Predators/CRG Barends

Tri-Bonn

wow! looks beautiful, thanks for sharing Houston08Thruxton!
and HiDesert, I'll definitely let you know when i'm gonna be rolling out that way, though it may be a while.. thank you both for the great and informative responses!

Catenaccio

Southern Utah has a lot of incredible scenery including Highway 12, Highway 89, and the aforementioned Golden Eagle references. Northern Arizona along the Arizona Strip is nice and leads to the Grand Canyon, Glen Canyon Dam, the Vermilion Cliffs, and eventually to Flagstaff. Give a shout when you're out and I'll try and link up, if you'd like a riding partner.

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I like to reminisce with people I don't know.

Medic09

Lies, all lies.

There is nothing to see in the SW, and just boring straight mind-numbing hours of riding rivalled only by the Sahara.

What's more, we don't want riders coming through here on their noisy, smoking, smelly motorbikes.


We want the magnificent scenery, long lonely rides through stunning vistas, and breathtaking sunsets all to ourselves. And folks throughout the SW are notoriously cranky, and no one will help if you need it. So there! No good food, either.

Did I leave anything out?

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Mordechai Y. Scher
Santa Fe, NM
'76 Trident T160 (rebuilding)
'78 Honda CB750K
'07 aprilia Caponord

The Rand Man

May I suggest a ride from Phoenix to Jerome? I spent a week in AZ last year, and headed up Arizona's Highway 89, which twists and curves its way to Prescott and then to Jerome. Jerome is a striking old mining town that is perched on the side of a hill. There's some great scenery on the way, and tons of curves. If you like, you can continue up US 89 to Sedona and beyond. Incidentally, Sedona is absolutely gorgeous. You can head all the way to the Grand Canyon from 89 very easily, if you're up for it. Here's a pic from above Sedona with the highway in it.



Here's one from Sedona itself, although it's off 89 a little way.

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Mr. Rand
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Click here for photos. '07 Thrux, all the usual mods.

HiDesert

Yes; bugs. Mosquitos the size of Hawker Hurricanes, ants the size of back hoes (ever see the movie Them?), flies so thick they'll darken the sun...

I often have to clean the bugs off my visor every other week! It's awful!



Thanks, Rand Man; I'm riding to Tucson in July, and I'm definitly going to fit that road in.

__________________
I won't stop riding because you tell me about someone who died in an accident, just as I won't stop eating because someone died of e.coli.

HiDesert's ride photos