Author Topic: New Year's Day Ride...to Tortilla Flat (Read 2688 times)

JJ · « **on:** December 27, 2018, 11:09:32 AM »

For those living in the Phoenix area (aka, "The Valley of the Sun"), here is the forecast as of today...

full tort

Since the road to Tortilla Flat has now been "RE-PAVED" to the tune of $6.5M, I am going to celebrate New Year's Day by riding there for the annual motorcycle tradition that has been going on for >30 years now.

Here are some photos (by JJC) from 2012, which is the last time I rode there.

Back then, I was on my ol' '78 BMW R100RS "Motorsport Edition."

oldbike54 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 27, 2018, 11:56:01 AM »

Kinda hard to make a tortilla that isn't flat .

Dusty

JJ · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2018, 12:04:35 PM »

Quote from: oldbike54 on December 27, 2018, 11:56:01 AM

Kinda hard to make a tortilla that isn't flat .

Dusty

Yes, so true Dusty! However, like many towns it Arizona, it's a mystery on how Tortilla Flat got it's name...

A little history below.

wirespokes · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2018, 12:09:55 PM »

Funny that Tortilla Flat is closed during the summer.

Wildguzzi.com · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2018, 12:09:55 PM »

JJ · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2018, 12:40:47 PM »

Quote from: wirespokes on December 27, 2018, 12:09:55 PM

Funny that Tortilla Flat is closed during the summer.

Actually, OPEN YEAR ROUND - - See below from their website...

marjorie lowry

Turin · « **Reply #5 on:** December 27, 2018, 04:30:44 PM »

Since they repaved the road, it's become highly patrolled by law enforcement.
Fyi.

ohiorider · « **Reply #6 on:** December 27, 2018, 05:11:27 PM »

Never been there on a bike, but I've been to Tortilla Flats when visiting a good friend that lived in Queen Creek (now San Tan Valley.) She and I had many pleasant trips out of Phoenix into the mountains. On one of them, JJ, I think we took your advice and stopped at a place on the way to Prescott ..... I think it had "Cave" in the name. Unfortunately, my old friend of nearly 28 years now is in the advanced stages of ALS. I feel so bad for her ....... we had so many good times in AZ, and when she previously lived in the Cleveland, Ohio area. I spend time with her every day, now that she is back in the Cleveland area.

Although by car and not bike, we visited Prescott, Jerome, Cotton (something or other,) Verde Valley, and had a wonderful multi-day trip staying at Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Moab, Arches, and perhaps the best but not the most spectacular, Canyon De Chelly.

Wonderful memories! Love Arizona and Utah.

Bob

JJ · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2018, 10:45:22 AM »

Quote from: ohiorider on December 27, 2018, 05:11:27 PM

Never been there on a bike, but I've been to Tortilla Flats when visiting a good friend that lived in Queen Creek (now San Tan Valley.) She and I had many pleasant trips out of Phoenix into the mountains. On one of them, JJ, I think we took your advice and stopped at a place on the way to Prescott ..... I think it had "Cave" in the name. Unfortunately, my old friend of nearly 28 years now is in the advanced stages of ALS. I feel so bad for her ....... we had so many good times in AZ, and when she previously lived in the Cleveland, Ohio area. I spend time with her every day, now that she is back in the Cleveland area.

Although by car and not bike, we visited Prescott, Jerome, Cotton (something or other,) Verde Valley, and had a wonderful multi-day trip staying at Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Moab, Arches, and perhaps the best but not the most spectacular, Canyon De Chelly.

Wonderful memories! Love Arizona and Utah.

Bob

Very sorry to hear about your friend...but it's good you are spending time with her now...

* It's "Tortilla Flat" (not Flats...)
* "Cave Creek" is a town 20 minutes north of Scottsdale - lots of motorcycle friendly bars / restaurants up there
* "Cottonwood" is near Camp Verde, and where we host our annual Guzzi N.A.R. the first weekend in May at the View Motel

Yes, there is a lot to see and do in Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico!!

NWrider · « **Reply #8 on:** December 28, 2018, 04:29:00 PM »

I normally try to ride to the New Years Tortilla Flat gathering -- didn't make it last year though and won't make it down to AZ this year until Feb. I'm already tired of the "wet" PNW and looking forward to some time in the sun!

JJ · « **Reply #9 on:** December 28, 2018, 05:26:04 PM »

Quote from: NWrider on December 28, 2018, 04:29:00 PM

I normally try to ride to the New Years Tortilla Flat gathering -- didn't make it last year though and won't make it down to AZ this year until Feb. I'm already tired of the "wet" PNW and looking forward to some time in the sun!

I have good friends in Kelso, WA and Scapoose, OR...LOVE it up there, but only in June-July-August!

Here is the Phoenix weather forecast for next week!

Tom · « **Reply #10 on:** December 28, 2018, 06:12:25 PM »

Did the repaving stop at the store? or did they pave to Roosevelt Lake? Going through Fish Creek pass is fun....

ohiorider · « **Reply #11 on:** December 28, 2018, 06:30:19 PM »

Quote from: JJ on December 28, 2018, 10:45:22 AM

Very sorry to hear about your friend...but it's good you are spending time with her now...

* It's "Tortilla Flat" (not Flats...)
* "Cave Creek" is a town 20 minutes north of Scottsdale - lots of motorcycle friendly bars / restaurants up there
* "Cottonwood" is near Camp Verde, and where we host our annual Guzzi N.A.R. the first weekend in May at the View Motel

Yes, there is a lot to see and do in Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico!!

Thanks JJ

Flat? Now I know.

Yes, it was Cave Creek where we stopped. A great place you'd recommended.

I need to get out there one more time and ride (at least) the road from Prescott to Jerome on two wheels.

Bob

JJ · « **Reply #12 on:** December 28, 2018, 08:30:40 PM »

Quote from: Tom on December 28, 2018, 06:12:25 PM

Did the repaving stop at the store? or did they pave to Roosevelt Lake? Going through Fish Creek pass is fun....

From Tortilla Flat to Roosevelt Lake and the Dam is about 22 miles of dirt (washboard) road, but it can be navigated by car, if you travel slowly. The views around there are spectacular...

JJ · « **Reply #13 on:** December 29, 2018, 07:56:07 AM »

Sadly now...*SNOW* is forecast in the VOC for next Monday, with only a high of 37 degrees!!

Might have to ride down there another time...when the weather is more..."temperate!"

Sykestone8886 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 29, 2018, 08:25:55 AM »

I agree with the awesome riding in AZ. I'll be out there in march for about 2-3 weeks with guzzi in tow.my buddy lives 30 mins. From tortilla flat. Can't wait to get out of this gloomy western pa weather !

Tom · « **Reply #15 on:** December 29, 2018, 10:22:57 PM »

Quote from: JJ on December 28, 2018, 08:30:40 PM

From Tortilla Flat to Roosevelt Lake and the Dam is about 22 miles of dirt (washboard) road, but it can be navigated by car, if you travel slowly. The views around there are spectacular...

Loads of fun on a dual sport exits out on Beeline. Nice loop.

So I guess they only repaved to Tortilla Flat.

John Ulrich · « **Reply #16 on:** December 30, 2018, 12:30:20 AM »

Quote from: Turin on December 27, 2018, 04:30:44 PM

Since they repaved the road, it's become highly patrolled by law enforcement.
Fyi.

Thanks, Good Tip!!!
I'm organizing a Corvette ride out there on the 1st...... this bunch is not known for reading speed signs!

John Ulrich · « **Reply #17 on:** December 30, 2018, 12:32:36 AM »

Quote from: JJ on December 29, 2018, 07:56:07 AM

Sadly now...*SNOW* is forecast in the VOC for next Monday, with only a high of 37 degrees!!

Might have to ride down there another time...when the weather is more..."temperate!"

What's wrong with driving your Mustang?