Wife and I went for a little 200 mile ride yesterday. Through the local mountains and dropped down into the desert on Banner Grade. It was around 100*+ out there and was fine but while we were out there the wind kicked up to 50mph. turned out to be some extreme riding. We took S-2 through Ocotilla and back west up the grade to Golden Acorn Casino for a rest stop. Wife was fine, Bike ran great and had a great day. Pictures were taken before we headed down into the desert but it is where we were. Oh yeah we saw two other crazy people on baggers while we were out there.

 

Nothing wrong with riding in the heat as long as you stay hydrated.

Phoenix is running around 110 for daily highs now. I left about 5:30 am yesterday and rode to Albuquerque, had lunch and rode back into Northern Arizona where it's cooler.

Came back to the valley after the sun got low in the sky and got home after dark. Was a great ride, met a few interesting people at stops and logged 893 miles.

 

Oh I am used to riding in the heat. It was the wind that was kicking my ***.

 

I'm planning on riding from Albuquerque to Phoenix in September. Love the stretch from Holbrook to Payson.

 

Take a look at riding on I-40 for about 50 miles, then turning down 117 at Grants, taking 39 down to Quemado and US 60 to Show Low, through the Salt River Canyon to Globe, then US 60 to Phoenix.

That's the reverse of how I went to Albuquerque, mostly 2 lane roads and some interesting rock formations. Just gas up at Grants before the 117 / 39 sections.

 

Riding through the mountains in Julian are great with the scenery and the winding roads, but once you drop down near S2 is when the heat picks up. I live in El Centro, about 30 miles east of Ocotillo and I haven't ridden the bike in about a month. It's usually covered up this time of year until it starts cooling down again. 120 degree summers just aren't appealing to ride in for me. Can't beat the 70 degree weather for about 5 months in the wintertime though. Only have to learn how to deal with summer for about 4 months outta the year.