My Dad and I are trailering from Colorado to Arizona to ride for a week in Feb. I posted earlier asking for local info in the Tucson area. It looks like we lost our place to stay, so we are considering Phoenix instead. The trip is planned for the 3rd week of February 2010. I'm wondering if it will be a lot colder in Phoenix vs. Tuscon in Feb.

Also, where would you stay? Apache Junction, Chandler, Scottsdale, Sun City? Other? We're looking to stay in a decent neighborhood and trying to avoid traffic getting into and out of town to ride.

Also, send your winter ride routes we have to stay out of the high elevations though. If we wanted to ride in the cold we'd just stay home. Ok, lemme have it.

Kevin.

 

It will be warmer in the Phoenix area than Tucson.

Stay anywhere along the freeways for quick access out of town.

Some day trips during the winter are Tortilla Flat, US 60 to Globe and 188 past Roosevelt Lake - back via 87, Tombstone is still doable in a day from Phoenix - but you're better off overnighting it there.

Check out this site: http://www.cyclerides.com/

Let us know when you're coming.

 

Joe Knows.

 

Joe, thanks for the heads up. I'm excited about this trip and want to make sure we don't have to worry about our rides or the truck/trailer at the motel. If anyone could help out with any recommendations that would be awesome.

Kevin.

 

I'm not much good at recommending motels, I usually stay at the economy chains like Day's Inn or Motel 6 - can't see spending the extra money for a place to stash gear and sleep.

A good area is in west Mesa near Chester's Harley Davidson. There are a couple of Motel 6's, a Travelodge and a Denny's close by. They are just north of US 60 on Country Club Drive.

US 60 will get you out of the city pretty quickly going east. Going west it connects you with AZ 101 that loops around the city to I-17 north, and with I-10 east (Tucson).

Give us a yell when you are coming and we'll be happy to come up with some ride plans that will keep you off the interstates.

 

Just a mile away from there on Alma School right near Rt 60 are, I think, a Marriott and a La Quinta.

There's also the Best Western Dobson Inn on Dobson Rd near Route 60.

 

Thanks guys. I'll check out the area around Chester's HD. We were also looking at the Apache Junction area, just because it's on the edge of town and we will have driven 15 hours by the time we get there. Is that a decent area of town? It's been 15 years or so since I've spent any time in the Phoenix area and I don't remember much. Thanks!
Kevin

 

AJ is not a great part of town. Stay out of central, west or south Phoenix motels. There are some nice Motels on Scottsdale around Chaparral and Scottsdale rds.
Tempe is a college town and Mesa is mostly OK.

Nice ride would be:
87 north to 188 south to Globe. US70 to 77 to 177 to Superior and back to town on US60. Good chow at Los Hermonos in Superior or a slight detour to Oracle to Casa Rivera.