Bought a Bike and Rode it Home!

[Big_John]

The bunch over on Thumpers is up to speed on my efforts here, but I thought I would post a ride report. About a month and a half ago, I purchase a Honda XL600 in Phoenix and stored it in a colleagues garage, until this weekend when I could pick it up and ride it home....to Colorado.

Here is the trip....


Loaded up and leaving the hotel in Chandler.


Leaving Phoenix on Hwy 60


Headed into the Tonto National Forest


Arriving at the first town on Hwy 60, Superior


The canyon on the way to Globe


Still got a ways to go.....

[Big_John]

Salt River Canyon


Look to the left on the photo and you will see the road winding down to the Salt River. What awesome twisties!


In between Springerville, AZ and the state line I took a rest.


Ahhhh...and finally, New Mexico!


Riding east, I ended up at Magdalena, NM... where I filled up with gas and road the 83 miles north to I40. About half way there, on NM 117, I came upon a nice surprise.....La Ventana Arch.


The area is called the Narrows because NM 117 is squeezed into a narrow corridor between the black lava flows of El Malpais and the towering sandstone cliffs that mark the west edge of Cebollita Mesa.

[Ledge End Hairy]

I was in AZ over the weekend, north though (Flagstaff) weather was a little more fierce for me, looks like your having fun!

[superdutyGS]

I love it. did you see the high school football dome in springerville/eger Az.
Hope I am remembering it correctly....those two towns are right together
....have an enclosed high school dome....for football. unbelievable. Pretty country out there. I always wanted to elk hunt at Apache Sitgreaves forest......would be the devil to get one out though. good luck....bring on the pix

[Big_John]

And finally, after a lot of 75 mph riding in serious cross winds, I arrive in Albuquerque. Navigating the west side streets, I arrive at my nephew and niece's home in Rio Rancho in 420 miles later.


Saturday morning, I awoke to sleet hitting my bedroom window at 5:30am. I thought....well crap......rolled over and went back to sleep, thinking that I might as well get some rest if I can't ride. The 7:30 alarm only revealed that the sleet had changed to rain at 43 degrees. After a cup of coffee and some debate between my nephew and niece, I took their advice, borrowing their pickup to haul the bike home, instead of riding the rest of the trip.

Here is the pic of the heroes!


Darn good thing I took my kin's advice....this is what I dealt with for a good 150 miles in northern NM.


And then upon arriving home....I have one happy young man!

[danny4744]

Not to be judgemental or anything but what kind of ride report is it if you trucked it most of the way home?
Ride yer bike!

[Osprey!]

Great pics and nice find. Looks like a fun ride while it lasted too. That XL should serve you well out here.

I'd have called in the reinforcements myself and smart choice too, given the weather.


p.s. Hey noob Danny. Read the rules before posting rude remarks.

[Big_John]

Originally Posted by superdutyGS

I love it. did you see the high school football dome in springerville/eger Az.
Hope I am remembering it correctly....those two towns are right together
....have an enclosed high school dome....for football. unbelievable. Pretty country out there. I always wanted to elk hunt at Apache Sitgreaves forest......would be the devil to get one out though. good luck....bring on the pix

I don't remember seeing any such football dome, but by that point the wind was whipping at 30-40 mph bursts and I was intent upon filling up with petro and getting down the road. But, I love Springerville. What a beautiful town and area!!!!

Originally Posted by danny4744

Not to be judgemental or anything but what kind of ride report is it if you trucked it most of the way home?
Ride yer bike!

Noob....my moto is ....."live to ride another day and ride smart"! Not wise to put a nobbied bike on ice at 75 mph. Sometimes it is a good thing to cry uncle, this was one of those times. I am very happy with my decision.

[careycsg]

Originally Posted by danny4744

Not to be judgemental or anything but what kind of ride report is it if you trucked it most of the way home?
Ride yer bike!

Get a grip!

[Turbeau]

That is on my bucket list for sure. Fly somewhere buy a bike and ride it back. Awsome!!!

[marcopolo27]

Congrats on a great find - thanks for sharing it with us, and for the great pics of your trip while conditions permitted it. Too bad the weather got in the way, but I'd rather read about half a trip here in Ride Reports than over in Face Plant and day!

[Big_John]

Originally Posted by marcopolo27

Congrats on a great find - thanks for sharing it with us, and for the great pics of your trip while conditions permitted it. Too bad the weather got in the way, but I'd rather read about half a trip here in Ride Reports than over in Face Plant and day!

Just for the record Marco.... I had planned to ride north to Santa Fe, leave I25 and toodle up through Taos. Once I arrived at Fort Garland, CO, I was going do some small CR's, ending up on dirt for the ride up to The Springs. Yeah....I am the most disappointed!!!!!!

Oh well...I live in Colorado and there will be more days to ride the High Trails!

[TDBiker]

That's me in the pic thanks for the bike dad

[seantx]

Originally Posted by TDBiker

That's me in the pic thanks for the bike dad

You have a five star dad. Be a five star son to him.

[crashmaster]

Originally Posted by danny4744

Not to be judgemental or anything but what kind of ride report is it if you trucked it most of the way home?
Ride yer bike!

Uh dood, read the RR he did ride it.............