Labor Day Weekend Ride Plans - Az -

[FJRocha]

Hello,

I am coordinating a ride plan for the Labor Day weekend during the Lee Parks Total Control Riding Clinic in Gilbert, AZ. I am putting together a nice ride plan that would have anyone attending the clinic back by 2:00pm. Ideally we would go out riding during the morning-afternoon on Saturday and Sunday and return to Gilbert by 2:00pm. The classes start at 5:00 pm so it cannot be a whole weekend getaway.

If you are going to be in the Phoenix area over the Labor Day weekend, and would like to join in the ride, let me know.

Frank.

PS: Edited to change the return time from 4:30 to 2:00pm

 

[8Ball]

If you think Show Low & back is too far, I often just go to the rest area at Salt River Canyon. Nothing but restrooms & water, but a nice view. Cuts about 50 miles off the ride.

 

[FJRocha]

Here is the plan for the Saturday 9/3/05 ride:

Meet at 6:30am on McDonald's on the corner of Arizona Avenue (State Hwy 87) and Ray Road.

Leave from McDonald's at 7:00am, heading North on State Hwy 87 to Payson. Stop at the Casino in Payson for breakfast. From casino we'll be heading North on State Hwy 87 through Pine and Strawberry, then turn west-bound on State Hwy 260 to Camp Verde. We can stop at Camp Verde for gas and food if neccesary, then use the freeway to head South through I-17 to 101 to 202 to Arizona Avenue (Starting point of the trip).

This trip is a hair over 250 miles. We should be back around noon with plenty of time for rest before the class.

Let me know if you intend to ride.

 

[8Ball]

I'm in.

Any plan for Sunday?

 

[8Ball]

Hey Frank,

Why don't you lead the ride & I will take tail end charlie position. If we keep a 2 second following distance between all bikes, that should put me oh ... about 2 seconds behind you.

Are we really the only 2 ???????? If so, maybe this thread needs to be moved.

Don

BTW, distance from Chandler to Salt River Canyon is about 110 miles. Could be some people taking ARC will be enroute Sat. morning; SRC would be good for Sunday if you don't have anything else in mind.

 

[FJRocha]

Yep, there doesn't seem to be much activity in this thread.

I believe Vstar2FJR is riding and there might be others joining at the Shell in SR 87 and Shea Blvd.

SRC sounds great for Sunday... Let's do it.

 

[Vstar2FJR]

OK Boys, I'm in! I contacted Frank some time ago to let him know I will be attending the Riding Clinic in Gilbert, and he put this together. Silly me hasn't been paying attention to the SW rides section so I wans't aware of these plans. Glad that there are plans and that a few FJR's will be making the rounds together. I know the temps will be high, gives me a chance to try the cooling vest I bought especially for this trip.

I'm staying at the Country Inn and Suites in Tempe on W. Elliot Rd near I-10. I'll find the McDonalds and be ready to roll at 7:00. Just received a Nady FRS/GMRS radio so I'll be looking to try it out if you guys have any communication gear.

Looking forward to meeting all of you;

Vstar2FJR

John from San Diego

 

[Vstar2FJR]

Frank:

Took a look at the ride you have planned on Saturday and it looks like a killer! I had my eye on this route before I contacted you about the weekend. Being back about noon or so is great because the temps will be in the low 100's anyway. Heck, I've got that in San Diego County right now as well, so I'll be used to it.

8Ball:

The roads to Show Low, Globe, etc. look real interesting as well.

What's in store for Sunday!!

John

 

[8Ball]

May as well meet at the same Ray Rd & Arizona Ave McDonalds on Sunday. Could push the meet time back from 0630 to no later than 0800 if that is agreeable to all.

Trip is all on Rte 60. Only the first 15 to 20 miles are interstate. When 60 turns southwest past Apache Junction, it's split 4 lane to just past Florence Junction, then 2 lane for 95% of the remainder.

Plan on stopping on the far east end of Globe for fuel &/or fast food. That's the end of civilization till we come back on the same route.

The rest stop at Salt River Canyon does not have any vending, but is pretty decent. The road beyond that point is still fairly twisty to Carrizo, but time wise, the rest area makes a good turn around point.

Plan on stopping on the west end of Globe for fuel &/or whatever, but mainly to rewet cooling vests as they don't last more than an hour in the Valley of the Sunstroke. Temp should only be 106, which is just past the minimum limit for HOT.

Don

 

[FJRocha]

Howdy,

Sunday might be a bit of a stretch for me (lots of school homework that I need to catch up with) I'll play by ear to see about Sunday. If I ride on Sunday, 8:00 is fine with me.

 

[Vstar2FJR]

Don - as long as we're back around 1:00pm on Sunday, and 8:00 departure is OK for me as well.

Getting kind of anxious to make the trip tomorrow, are you guys getting any problems with fuel, other than price??

John

 

[FJRocha]

Taking price out of the equation, there are no problems with fuel (that I know of).

I am falling behind in the school work and it is not looking good for me on Sunday.

 

[8Ball]

Back by 1:00 PM is ok. Ride should be 2 hours one way. Anticipating light traffic, but if I'm wrong we may have to exceed the speed limit.