Good motorcycle routes around Phoenix (Flagstaff, Prescott: spring break, rent, restaurant)

[snoshoewalkr]

My husband and I want to fly into Phoenix on Spring Break, rent a motorcycle, and tour the areas around Phoenix. We are thinking to check out Prescott area, Superior/Safford/Tuscon loop, maybe Wickenburg to Kingman. We own an older GoldWing, which we considered trailering from MI (I voted no, since a long ride on the '83 is less than comfortable for me).
Does anyone have any suggestions for scenic rides in AZ? We can go pretty much anywhere, as long as we can start and end in Phoenix. We will have about 8 days. Oh, and I think we would prefer pavement as opposed to dirt roads.

[military spouse]

Head up to the Pinetop, Big Lake, Apache Indian Reservation. Look for lodging in Pinetop, Greer, or at Hannagan Meadow. Absolutely beautiful riding with pine trees and Aspens. Very fond memories. Hannagan Meadow Lodge is a bit rustic, but wonderful meals in an atmosphere where conversations flow nicely with strangers.

We did this ride a few years ago and stayed in Pinetop at a timeshare associated with my sister's timeshare in CA and we had an absolutely wonderful time and then headed up to Hannagan Meadow. Pinetop also has a nice German restaurant overlooking a small lake with ducks and geese. Wow! You're making me want to go back

[Rick Lee]

Definitely do 89A from Sedona through Jerome and Prescott to Wickenburg.

[snoshoewalkr]

Thanks! Both sound like great suggestions! Nothing beats the advice from someone who has actually ridden the roads! Can't get that info from just looking at a map!

[NotQuiteNative]

A favorite ride of mine is:

I-17 to Carefree Highway
West to US60
Right to Wickenberg
Right again on US89 just North of town
Through Congress and Yarnell (watch for radar on Yarnell Hill)
Follow 89A through Peeples Valley and the White Spars towards Prescott
Prescott to Jerome over Mingus Mountain
Back down to Cottonwood and then I-17 back to Phoenix

Or

Up 89A through Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon, finally reaching Flagstaff. (89A through Oak Creek is usually slow and crowded on the weekends, so I usually skip it).


Another good ride closer to town is Bartlett Lake, just a few miles beyond Carefree.

If you get a little more ambitious try the Superior/Winkleman/Kearny/Globe loop.

And of course, be careful out there: People drive like idiots in this town/country/state.

[locolobo13]

Another one to look at is US 60 from Globe to Show Low thru the Salt River Canyon, then over to Springerville. From there South on the 191 thru Clifton, then swing back to Globe on US 70.

[snoshoewalkr]

Thank you all! The CD folks have come through again! I will spend the winter happily making plans for this spring vacation! I am going to research this too, but...if anyone has really good-gotta try it-restaurant suggestions on these routes, I would love to hear them!

[madmmac]

Too early and some of those roads may have some snow in places!

[snoshoewalkr]

Good point! Then could you suggest a good way to get current road conditions for these routes-something we can quickly check online the night before and then make a route change if necessary?

[AZ Tracy]

Originally Posted by snoshoewalkr

Good point! Then could you suggest a good way to get current road conditions for these routes-something we can quickly check online the night before and then make a route change if necessary?

You can call 5-1-1- for road conditions.