Long Spring Ride from desert to mountains

Scooter and Rally Pictures and Videos

Moderator: Modern Buddy Staff

Post Reply
User avatar
Howardr
Member
Posts: 1605
Joined: Thu May 15, 2008 9:42 am
Location: Tucson, AZ
Contact:

Long Spring Ride from desert to mountains

Post by Howardr »

After my recent debacle where my Prima pipe fell off during a ride, I've been trying to get back out on the road. I kept having an exhaust leak and related backfiring, but finally solved the problem with a new Prima.
One of many great things about living in the Arizona desert is that you will drive into mountains, almost no matter which direct you decide to drive. Today, I decide to go southeast from Tucson and into the Coronado National forest which goes right down to the Mexico/US border.
I took AZ highway 83 south into Arizona's wine country. Yes, wine country. Actually, as you may notice in a couple of the pics that follow, if it weren't for mountains in the distance, this part of AZ looks a lot like Kansas.
83 is 2 lane, not-so-smooth black-top with less and less traffic the further south you get. Also, the further south I got, the higher the elevation and the cooler if got. It was 70 when I left Tucson and mid-50's at Parker Canyon Lake.
Enjoy:
Image

Image Kansas?

Image There were some excellent twisties on this ride.

Image Buddy on a hill

Image
We've had so much rain, I had to do several water crossings.


Image
Parker Canyon Lake

Image
I couldn't help it. I had to take a little detour.
Iron Butt Association Member Number 42256
Club - The Sky Island Riders.
Publisher: The Scooter 'Zine thescooterzine.com
User avatar
scootergator
Member
Posts: 39
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:50 pm
Location: Gainesville FL
Contact:

Post by scootergator »

Thats some gorgeous territory you have there.
"You cant live in this world but where else can you go?" -Jack Kerouac
User avatar
Skootz Kabootz
Member
Posts: 4305
Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2008 12:47 pm
Location: West Hollywood, CA
Contact:

Post by Skootz Kabootz »

What a great ride! I'll have to add that to my "dream cross country ride of a lifetime" :)
Image

"It's only fun if you live to talk about it." | Adventurists Scooter Group |
User avatar
Syd
Member
Posts: 4686
Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2007 6:41 am
Location: Tempe

Post by Syd »

Looks like a nice ride, Howard. How'd you get from Tucson to Vail/Mountain View?
The majority is always sane - Nessus
User avatar
Howardr
Member
Posts: 1605
Joined: Thu May 15, 2008 9:42 am
Location: Tucson, AZ
Contact:

Post by Howardr »

Old Spanish Trail from Tucson to Vail, then the I-1- access road to get to AZ83. An easier, though less scenic way to get to 83 is to take Houghton Road to Sahuarita Rd east and it ends at 83. If you're coming from Phoenix via I-10 you can also take I-19 to Sahuarita Rd and take it all the way to 83. If you need more routes, i've got 'em.

Howard
Iron Butt Association Member Number 42256
Club - The Sky Island Riders.
Publisher: The Scooter 'Zine thescooterzine.com
Nickie McNichols
Member
Posts: 67
Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2009 2:52 am
Location: Florida

Post by Nickie McNichols »

Great photos!
User avatar
jasondavis48108
Member
Posts: 2919
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 12:36 pm
Location: Ann Arbor

Post by jasondavis48108 »

wow! that was some seriously beautiful scenery. I have to admit I'm a bit jealous of you at the moment. Right now michigan is cold and muddy :( But on the bright side it gets so cold here that most stuff that can bite and kill you can't live up here :D
"Only the curious have, if they live, a tale worth telling at all" Alastair Reid
User avatar
mattgordon
Member
Posts: 730
Joined: Fri Jun 23, 2006 3:40 am
Location: Temecula, CA

Post by mattgordon »

I like the St. Trop. with blackwall tires. Doesn't diminish the effect, just makes it a bit more aggressive looking.
MYSCTR
Member
Posts: 1007
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 9:39 pm
Location: McKinney Texas

Post by MYSCTR »

Yep, awesome looking country - was out in Tucson with my son for some rock climbing, camping, mtb riding in February - loved it!

Planning a trip November for the Tour De Tucson again and we want to bring the buddy's so we can hit more distances when not riding the road bikes.

Love Tucson!
Post Reply