Afry 1 Posted May 29, 2014 Todd Whiteside and I decided to ride the AZBDR with 3 buddies from the OC and high desert area who would meet us on day 2 because of work constraints. John and Big Todd were riding 990's and Bill was on a 1200 GS. Todd an I met in Pine Valley @ 4 on Wed 4/21 and got to the to the very nice campgrounds near Gila Bend at the Petroglyph's which are pretty cool around 8:30. We had the place to ourselves and the firewood gods left us a nice present for our viewing pleasure. Hit the road early and ended up in Casa Grande for breakfast - if you are ever visiting the metropolis of Casa Grande make sure to eat at the "Big House Cafe" - it should be on Diners, Drive ins and Dives for sure. On the road to Tombstone to walk the very same streets as the likes of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday! Here is a picture of one of the local town drunks or Todd - I'm not sure which it was. Main St Tombstone Here is the bar at the Crystal Palace the wooden bar is a replica made in England as was the original at a modern day cost of 150k. If ever in Tombstone make sure you stop by here for a shot of Old Overholt whiskey (Wyatt Earp's drink of choice) poured by the lovely bartender Celeste. Just make sure your wife is not with you and you keep your shades on - you could set a pie on top of.....well you get it. Tombstone was cool but the Old Bisbee Brewing Company in Bisbee of course was a short ride away and well worth it. Next time we would stay in Bisbee. Day 1 - 258 miles (180 dirt) rode 8-6PM The next day we hit the AZBDR - here is the start. The AZBDR is broken down into 6 sections meant to be a days ride for each section but it's really easy to do it all in 4 days which we did. First day we left Tombstone @ 8 and hit the start @ 9 heading to Sonita. We took the "hard option" which was a bit of slow deep sand in a tight twisty trail which made it hard to get up on top with the loaded big bikes - it was hot and we did struggle a bit. Just when your a little worn down with the elevation of about 4500 the trail becomes very rocky for about five miles before we hopped on the freeway for the 11 miles to Benson for lunch around 1. After Benson a paved back road turns to high speed dirt/gravel all the way to Mammoth. We stopped for a cold beer and guacamole and chips before moving on to Winkelman where we had planned on camping and meeting the rest of the group. But it was too early and the camping options were pricey because of Memorial Day Weekend so we decided to head up to Pioneer Pass and camp in the pines at a cooler and higher elevation. Pioneer Pass was a bit rocky (as is the whole of AZ as it turns out) on the climb up with a couple steeper tricky sections on bigger loaded bikes but nothing to worry about. Pretty easy high speed stuff at first. Todd saw wild pigs on the side of the trail in this area. Quick side trip to this site were a Spanish dude passed through in 1539 - supposedly the first European west of the Rockies. Hows this for a title.... Local scenery - one thing about AZ is if you don't like the view just wait a minute cause it will change. Came around a corner to find this guy wrestling with a 950. We knew the sand was coming but it went from hard pack to deep soft sand in one blind corner - kinda catches you by surprise. Todd says he likes to fall in the sand....it's soft! Found this bitchin old mine- does anyone still use the phrase "bitchin"? Excellent meal here as you first enter Benson. Not sure if this is a ride report or a food report - try the French Dip. What would a ride report in AZ be without a photo of these? Fast graded roads on the way to Mammoth were FUN! Todd heading up Pioneer Pass on one of the smoother sections Camping that first night on the AZBDR Day 2 145 miles mostly dirt- short day - rode 8-4PM. Rode down to Globe then up onto the Mogollon Rim The rest of the crew met up with us at camp the next morning and we stopped for gas in Globe before heading out to Young. Big Todd, John and Bill riding the token GS. Bill crossing the bridge near Roosevelt Lake. The guard rail on the left was busted off and it looks like someone went for a ride over the edge - quite a ways down. Yes there is water in AZ! Shade was at a premium Did I mention how beautiful AZ is? We decided to forego the 22 miles of "relentless rock" on the way to Young and took anther route given to me by a AZ local on Advrider and it was a great route with some slightly challenging rocky sections but overall a scenic ride. It's a little longer then the AZBDR route to Young but very enjoyable. Big Todd having a good time! Up top we are back in the trees Lunch in Young at Antlers - great food again! Light sprinkles as we ate inside but it stopped in time to ride. Then we climbed up onto the Mogollon Rim which is spectacular! Hows this for a fire road... Todd pondering the meaning of life on a Super Enduro Camped right on the rim Day 3 - 183 miles - again mostly dirt, rode 8-6PM. Entire day is up on the rim with varying terrain and landscape. A shot looking back at our campsite Lots of this Bridge was out so we took a little bypass through the woods Bill's GS decided it didn't like it's centerstand anymore - broken bolt - turns out this was worth removing anyway as the rocks would get worse and ground clearance was at a premium. Gas station in Happy Jack - cool name for a town! This was our only breakdown of the trip and NO FLAT TIRES!!! Long Lake - which was appropriately named After Long Lake we hit miles (5+) of very rutted and sharp baby head sized rocks which really slowed things down. It started out just a little rutted.... Very deceiving - look closely Then on to the cinder cone area with it's black volcanic sand - only a couple deeper sections that were pretty short. The Mighty SE Todd's SE Big Todds new (to him) 990 John's 990 with BIG gas We were waiting for Bill to show up as he was last and when Todd went back he had crashed in the sand and was pinned under the bike but just his ego was hurt! Cinder Cone Finally back across the highway and on to Antelope Valley where we primitive camped for the night. Saw Elk as we found a spot to camp - they almost took out John as they crossed the trail through the trees hauling butt. We called this camp Boneyard due to the pile of big bones nearby. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Afry 1 Posted May 29, 2014 Day 4 - 289 miles again mostly dirt 8-6:30 - Down off the rim down to Cameron and across Navajo reservation then across the Grand Canyon to North Rim to camp with our first showers!!!!! The ride down was again spectacular! Wide open spaces Open range horses Ran into two Navajo local's with a broken truck and Big Todd gave one a lift out of the middle of nowhere Navajo Reservation is HUGE! Had the BEST French Dip made with Navajo bread which tastes kinda like funnel cake - yum! Our own GC overlook on the res. Todd Lite has bigger ones then I do This is close enough for me! Bill let us have a big orange moment Off the res and on the Navajo bridge Bison on the way to North Rim Campground - and did I mention the showers?! The morning view a short walk from the campground Day 4 245 miles rode 8-6PM from North Rim to Fredonia for fuel and breakfast in Kanab then hit the dirt to Mt Turmbull area the hotel in Mesquite called the Virgin River Casino but did not see a river of virgins. Once again great eats Self explanatory picture Again I repeat myself Shade! Saw turkeys in the woods nearby. This last day of riding from Fredona to Mesquite was a very pleasant surprise with great terrain and views. Schoolhouse These hoodlums were inside Nice shot Last day - Todd and I blasted home on the SE's while our wiser friends had a truck in Mesquite to ride home in the AC with some kind of noise blaring out of the speakers - I am sure of this. But the weather was quite comfortable on the ride home from 7-2:30 and the big V Twin's just rumbled on and on at a steady 70+ Two SE's at the In N Out in Barstow - trusty steeds resting in the shade! Great ride, great riding buddies - what more could you ask for! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirt dame 559 Posted May 29, 2014 Great write up and pix! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Afry 1 Posted May 30, 2014 Forgot to mention when we were back on the trail after lunch near Winona I whacked a huge rock at speed and lost first gear due to a bent kickstand restricting movement - pretty darn sure if I hadn't put on the kickstand re-locator kit I would have lost the cases. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danrider 5 Posted May 30, 2014 What a great place to ride, the scenery is endless in AZ, you can get lost in the moment while you ride. I am sure you guys had fun and stories to tell. I grew up in Prescott AZ, and used to ride to Sheep's Crossing out side of Cave Creek which you can do on a big bike. I think next year I will put together some kind of ride like you guys did. Did you guys get to ride into the White Mountains at all? The pics on the Rim are cool. Nice time and great memories!!! One for your book of life!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beezzz 6 Posted May 30, 2014 nice write up "Afry". thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ceke 0 Posted May 30, 2014 looks like a great trip, thanks for sharing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TdubLady 1 Posted May 30, 2014 Beautiful pics! Thanks for taking us along. Personally I'm a foodie so I love those details. I think the big Indian on the back is the best, though!!! Priceless!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oracle 195 Posted May 30, 2014 Glad you made it home safe my friend and with good stories to tell. Sure wish I could have made the trip. I'm hoping next spring maybe I can pull off a 7 dayer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hodnettjj 0 Posted May 30, 2014 Nice... I rode that same area near Roosevelt Lake... The scenery is awesome... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vacman 0 Posted May 30, 2014 Awesome ride but damn you Afry for snaking that SE in San Diego out from under me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
downs 1 Posted May 30, 2014 Very cool write up. I've got to get out there and do that before I get stationed somewhere else or get forced out. When is a good time of year to do it? I've got the map and DVD. I'd like to avoid the blazing hot summer but I've heard that some sections are closed during the winter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillP 0 Posted May 30, 2014 Nice - Thanks for sharing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shooby 0 Posted May 30, 2014 Thanks for this Arnie. Been eyeballin' this ride for awhile as it developed through adv. Amazing how your great pics somehow made BigTodd look normal sized. Lens compression ? Todd - Just kiddin', really. We're good, right? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Afry 1 Posted May 30, 2014 Very cool write up. I've got to get out there and do that before I get stationed somewhere else or get forced out. When is a good time of year to do it? I've got the map and DVD. I'd like to avoid the blazing hot summer but I've heard that some sections are closed during the winter. Spring or fall, I would say May or the latest mid June. I think I read that some trails don't open until May 1st. We had temps around 30 one night on the rim then daytime temps in Mesquite were 110. Pretty big spread to cover when packing light. Realize that you spend most of the trip above 6000 feet in elevation. The first and part of the last day was toasty, plus the travel to and from the AZBDR are across deserts otherwise it's comfortable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dress4Less 162 Posted May 30, 2014 Great report and pics Arnie! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dirtdiver 2 Posted May 31, 2014 Wow, that looked great. Id be interested in that trip. DD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Afry 1 Posted June 1, 2014 Awesome ride but damn you Afry for snaking that SE in San Diego out from under me. Yeah sorry about that, my buddy just bought a KTM 1190 for the road and needed a more dirt worthy bike for DS rides lol. That's a hell of a quiver of bikes..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FuzzyNugs 0 Posted June 1, 2014 Great looking trip guys. Some of those campsites are spectacular. Was the GS1200 too big for Big Todd? The 990/950s all look good, but I have to ask..how big is that one gas tank? It went from motorcycle to motortank. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fudgypup 4 Posted June 11, 2014 Looks like you guys had a great time. I did it w/7 other guys from the Seattle area two weeks before you guys. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fletch 0 Posted July 9, 2014 Arnie: Here I am in Yunnan Province, China, with endless mountains and winding roads but heading back to the US for about four months (October through January). Thought I would check out Dualsport to see if any rides were planned and this one caught my eye. Wasn't I surprised to see your smiling face. Looks like you had another great ride. Give me a shout on email (don't have yours anymore) and keep in touch. Fletch - fletcherbrown@me.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strega 0 Posted July 9, 2014 That looks awesome Arny. I just need to get a working bike...then I can do these awesome things!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
