...to the Ajo Mountains, Arizona [many and mostly photographs]

[oldbike54]

 ahBO . Although I think the locals would pronounce it Aho .

 Dusty

[leroysch]

You didn't say, but I hope your Ducati friend wasn't pushing it on that road.  The shoulders are sand and there's plenty of sand on the road surface.  The turns are often blind due to the many up-and-downs and there are multiple cattle crossings in turns that are sometime in poor shape.  I rode pretty sedately.  It's a beautiful road, but not one to be aggressive on.

You're right..he and another in our group were getting after it when he took the spill. He was ok..but I learned a lesson I had only read about before. You ride where you look. With the scene unfolding in front of me, I was focused on my buddy who went down....until I realized I was going to run over him. A very conscious effort to shift my gaze elsewhere prevented me from adding insult to...non-injury. That was 20 years ago. Still remember that first hand experience of a lesson learned.

[zedXmick]

Thanks for the RR!! it's been 8 years since I've been to the SW,I love being in that part of the country,I need to get back there!

[Texas Turnip]

Many thanks for this pictorial post and all the others you do to help some of us relive memories.

Stayed at an old motel on route 66 that still had the original towels. Talk about thin!

As you are traveling on the lonely roads do you wonder what it was like in a covered wagon?

Some will ask me if I'm afraid when I ride the lonely backroads by myself. No, because the first vehicle to come along will stop. I was on a gravel road in Kansas just taking a break when the first vehicle to appear was a woman that stopped and wanted to know if everything was OK. If you broke down on the north loop in Houston, how long would it be before someone would stop?

This is an old story. A man has a flat tire on his pick-up on the Loop in Houston. He is removing it when a vehicle stops in front of him and raises the hood on his pickup. The pickup owner yelled, What ya doing"? The man in front said "I saw you stealing the spare tire and I thought I'd get the battery."

Tex

[chuck peterson]

 :1:

[Daniel Kalal]

...because the first vehicle to come along will stop.

One of the challenges of taking photographs on the backroads of the Great Plains is that nearly every car that comes by will slow to a stop asking me if I need help.

I was once stopped on KS-96 (a fairly major two-lane) when the sheriff pulled up. It seems somebody had called in thinking I might need some help (it wasn't that I was a potentially bad person--it was that I might need some help).

[rocker59]

Mike, it sound like you know this stuff (and you'll know why I stopped at the Belen yards), so you might have some information on the pronunciation of the canyon...

The nearby National Monument ranger says: ah-BO  (accent on the second)
Some NM natives say: AH-bo (accent on the first)
The Santa Fe Railroad video on the construction project says: AY-bo  (the Fonzie approach, I guess)

I was going to stop in the town of Abo, but it turns out that there really isn't a town of Abo (although it's on the map).

I give weight to the Santa Fe, but  they seem to be in the minority. It could be that the word has no meaning (being something the Spanish mangled from the original native language), so perhaps anybody can pronounce it as they want.

It's Spanish:  Abó

Abó canyon and pass were named for the Abó pueblo which is near Mountainair New Mexico.  It's an old time trade route that predates the Spanish, not to mention the AT&SF.  So you're probably right, it's probably a corrupted native name.

As I understand it, Abó is pronounced ah-bo.  Maybe a little more emphasis on the first syllable. 

[PJPR01]

Wonderful pics again!   

[Chuck in Indiana]

Yes.  I've seen it in a lot of photos of the corner of West 2nd and North Kinsley. 

It's either always there, or there quite often.

I have a picture of Dorcia and her sister there.  At that time,  there was a flat bed Ford in the building the girl is pointing at. We stayed at the Blue Swallow,  too.
Thanks again, Daniel 

[swordds]

This is so great, thanks!  I have taken lots of notes because I am hoping next spring/summer to make an extended cross country trip. I wish you would write a book on how you plan and execute your trips. What sort of maps do you use, paper or digital (Google Earth/Google Maps?, individual state maps, Motorcycle Maps?). Do you use a routing app that let's you drop pins along the roads you want to travel? Do you use an atlas?  Do you plan your daily rides in advance of starting the trip or the night before while staying in a hotel or do you not plan and just follow your nose to a destination?  Do you select hotels and make reservations in advance or do you just start looking for a place when you get tired?  How do you find such interesting hotels, is there an App or a method you have?  Do you carry a tent or a hammock "just in case?". How many miles do you typically plan to ride in a day?  Do you carry a jerry can of emergency gas?  What sort of tools and supplies do you carry?  What about clothes?  What is the longest  you have been on the road (days, weeks, months)?  Do you have some recommended books/apps/supplies/etc for planning and taking these trips?

Sorry for so many questions. My future goal is to travel from New Orleans to Seattle then to San Diego then back, a trip my wife and I did in a car in 1974. I am slowly working on mapping out my route including places to stay so that is why I am interested. If you do write a "how to plan and execute a long distance motorcycle trip" book let me know and I will be the first to buy it.

[Daniel Kalal]

What sort of maps do you use, paper or digital (Google Earth/Google Maps?, individual state maps, Motorcycle Maps?)

I like Rand McNally laminated state maps.  Good detail and they never get soggy.  I also use a small battery-powered GPS--not for the routing, but for the detail mapping within towns which Rand McNally can't supply.

Do you use a routing app?

no

Do you use an atlas?

no

Do you plan your daily rides in advance of starting the trip or the night before while staying in a hotel or do you not plan and just follow your nose to a destination?

I'll have a general destination each morning, but that hardly ever happens.  Be flexible.  Watch the weather and go where it's not supposed to be bad.  I keep track of roads I've been on and try as much as possible to ride all the other roads first.

Here's my map of New Mexico; it's getting trickier to find new roads, but there're always more.  I'll never run out.


For some people, the pre-planning is a big part of the fun, including marking out the entire trip.  For me, I prefer to wing it along the way with almost no planning.  Do what you enjoy best!

Do you select hotels and make reservations in advance or do you just start looking for a place when you get tired?

No advanced reservations.  This is America; it's quite easy to find a place if you don't regularly ride into the night (which I hardly do).  Think a few hours ahead and don't find yourself in a position of having to sleep in an alley.

How do you find such interesting hotels, is there an App or a method you have?

You get a feel for which towns might have something worthwhile, and which towns you might as well just grab the first of the major chains out by the Interstate.

Do you carry a tent or a hammock "just in case?"

No. I used to do that, but now I don't.

How many miles do you typically plan to ride in a day?

between 300 and 400, but don't find yourself pushing just gathering miles. that way is dangerous.

Do you carry a jerry can of emergency gas?

A Stelvio holds 8.5 gallons.

What sort of tools and supplies do you carry?

Tire pump under the seat (plugs into the heated vest outlet), tire plugs and basic tools cable-tie to the bars.

What about clothes?

I wash every night--quick dry.

What is the longest  you have been on the road (days, weeks, months)?

Four weeks (the same yellow bag works nearly indefinitely)

Do you have some recommended books/apps/supplies/etc for planning and taking these trips?

study maps, collect maps.  Just head out and you'll figure it out.  I'm a big believer in checklists, though--particularly for overseas trips where it's not so easy to just stop at a wal-mart to get what you've missed.  Just try finding lithium batteries in Italy.

[rboe]

Do you take interns? 

[brenwin]

Wonderful pictures along with history and geography info .  I've viewed your photo albums which are chronologically indexed with great interest .
I hope to venture down this way someday as is a real inspiration . Thanks and if these where in a book I'd buy it ! 

[swordds]

Thanks again, all your suggestions are a great be lp!

[charlie b]

My only addition to Daniel's reply about route planning.

If you are traveling to popular places, especially in peak season, be prepared to make reservations and pay peak prices.  I have been caught and had to pay $230 for a Best Western room outside Bryce Canyon NP (we only got a room because someone canceled while we were standing there).  I did not realize that tourist season goes through September in the SW.  Turns out that September and sometimes early October are very popular months for foreign tourists since it is still not too cold and kids are in school in the US.

If you are traveling on the back roads then there are other problems.  You decide to pass that motel in the little town cause it is only 4pm.  Then, an hour down the road you find that there is not actually a town where the map shows one.  And the next town is another hour and it has neither a gas station or motel.  Another hour or two and you finally find gas and a motel and are happy to get a room, until you open the door :) 

I admit this does not happen often, but, have been 'caught' enough times (including sleeping in a car/on table) that I do plan stops.  But, be flexible.  If you see a cute little hotel in an interesting area then stop, even if it is early.

And I get gas frequently.  If I am under half a tank and there is a nice gas station, I stop and fill up.

[rocker59]

If you are traveling to popular places, especially in peak season, be prepared to make reservations and pay peak prices.  I have been caught and had to pay $230 for a Best Western room outside Bryce Canyon NP (we only got a room because someone canceled while we were standing there).  I did not realize that tourist season goes through September in the SW.  Turns out that September and sometimes early October are very popular months for foreign tourists since it is still not too cold and kids are in school in the US.
 

Charlie,

National Parks can be a problem any time of year.  Bryce is a zoo.  I've stopped at Ruby's in mid-September, and couldn't wait to get back on the road, and away from the huge crowd of people, tour buses, and RVs.  I didn't even attempt to go into the park.  Funny how the crowds were focused there.  We saw almost no traffic from Torrey (where we overnighted) to Bryce, and then almost no traffic northward to our destination for the next night.  But, Ruby's (at the entrance to Bryce) was a zoo!!!

I must say, though, even if a person skips Bryce Canyon, Utah Highway 12 is one of the best motorcycle roads in the land.   

[rboe]

Dang! 12 does look awesome on the map. Thanks for the tip! 

[rocker59]

Dang! 12 does look awesome on the map. Thanks for the tip! 

It's even better in person. 

From Torrey to Boulder, it goes over Boulder Mountain with max elevation of about 9600 feet. 
From Boulder through Escalante to Bryce Canyon is fantastic canyonlands.

Fantastic ride.

North out of Bryce, we rode UT-22 and UT-62, staying off of US-89.  Light traffic and a nice ride.

[azguzzirep]

It is my policy never to leave town with half of a tank or less. ALWAYS fill up.

Tom

[blackbuell]

Daniel,

Once again you have done a great job of capturing the essence of the roads you ride and of the unique places that you visit. When you report on old favorite rides of mine, you stir wonderful memories; thanks. For five years I commuted between Albuquerque and the Chiricahua Mts.; my favorite rout between them went through the Black Range and Hillsboro (rt. 152).

It's cool that you made it to Arivaca; it's on the way to nowhere, but it's a great little town, despite the problems surrounding immigration and drug trafficking. For two summers I lived in the nearby ghost town of Ruby; the only road to get to Ruby from Arivaca is very rugged; you need a real adventure bike to manage it. However, every once in a while I would encounter a rider there from Europe who had the goal of riding along the entire USA-Mexico border--quite a challenge, as much of the border road is as rough as they come in more ways than one.

Jon

[charlie b]

Charlie,

National Parks can be a problem any time of year.  Bryce is a zoo.  I've stopped at Ruby's in mid-September, and couldn't wait to get back on the road, and away from the huge crowd of people, tour buses, and RVs.  I didn't even attempt to go into the park.  Funny how the crowds were focused there.  We saw almost no traffic from Torrey (where we overnighted) to Bryce, and then almost no traffic northward to our destination for the next night.  But, Ruby's (at the entrance to Bryce) was a zoo!!!

I must say, though, even if a person skips Bryce Canyon, Utah Highway 12 is one of the best motorcycle roads in the land.   

I totally agree.  But, if someone has not seen Bryce it is worth a 30min stop.  Don't bother with a hike, the views from the view points are the best part.

UT 12 to 24 and then down 95 is a beautiful run.  Huge variety of scenery in a single day.  Natural Bridges NM is pretty cool too.

[johnr]

Thanks Daniel. Like Muzz your photo trip reports allow me to visit vicariously places I will never get to in person and I open them with some enthusiasm.

Your overseas trips now Daniel. You have been on many and I was wondering what's left on your wish list?

[Daniel Kalal]

Your overseas trips now Daniel. You have been on many and I was wondering what's left on your wish list?

John,
For awhile, now, I've been doing two trips to Europe every year.  But, I'm a long ways from seeing what's there, so I'll keep doing that.  This summer I'm planning on Southern Spain and Portugal (with perhaps a loop back into the Pyrenees) and then a couple of months later, I'll be riding to Iceland (a neat trick).  But, I've hardly really touched eastern Europe so I need to start thinking more of the Baltics and Balkans



But, it's a return to India that I think about as much as any place.  I did three free-form days riding an Enfield using the same approach as all my rides (just go, and it will somehow work out).  I think spending three weeks on the road in southern India would be amazing.