Westering-South of I-40

[travelingbyguzzi]

Today was the best day so far. Left Alamogordo when Dawn showed her crack and hit US70 running. Once I got out of town, it was triple digits for a good distance and really fast the rest of the way to Las Cruces.
Had a green chile breakfast burrito in Hatch NM that had just the right amount of heat.
From Hatch, 26 & 27 were good roads, but 152 from Hillsboro was better. Really tight for 30+ miles but a good surface.
The best of the day, the best of the trip was NM32 that ties US180 to US60.
40 miles of fast sweepers with no traffic and an excellent surface.
My new favorite road.
I took a 20 mile detour to Pie Town and ALL 3 pie cafes were closed.
Saw a Griso southbound on US180 about 40 miles south of Springerville.

[rocker59]

 

Thanks for the tip.  I've added NM-152 to my list!

[PJPR01]

A pity about Pie Town...I suppose they had sold out already and gone home to take a siesta! 

Sounds like a great trip...I'm sure the Sport is loving it at triple digits on those wide open roads!

[oldbike54]

A pity about Pie Town...I suppose they had sold out already and gone home to take a siesta! 

Sounds like a great trip...I'm sure the Sport is loving it at triple digits on those wide open roads!

 I still say we should have an NAR at Pie Town , we have discussed this before .

                                                                  The Pie Town Million

 Because that's about how many calories will give up their lives .

 Dusty

[charlie b]

Well, there is an 'official' rally at Datil that is only 15min away.

[oldbike54]

Well, there is an 'official' rally at Datil that is only 15min away.

 True , but Datil is always in the dog days of summer which requires two days of riding in face melting temps across the plains.

  Dusty

[rocker59]

Well, there is an 'official' rally at Datil that is only 15min away.

But it's in August.  And riding to it from over here is mighty hot!

Why don't they have it in September ?

[PJPR01]

Mid December should work just fine then for a Pie-o-NAR!!! 

2 long days of riding, or an "almost IBA" and we might consume every single pie they produce...we better call in advance and forewarn them!!

Seriously this would be a fun ride!!!  Could be a sort of Western States NAR...

[Arizona Wayne]

Mid December should work just fine then for a Pie-o-NAR!!! 

2 long days of riding, or an "almost IBA" and we might consume every single pie they produce...we better call in advance and forewarn them!!

Seriously this would be a fun ride!!!  Could be a sort of Western States NAR...

Hmmm............... ...Pie town is @ 7,778ft...........yeah let's hit it in mid December. That's the ticket. 

[oldbike54]

Hmmm............... ...Pie town is @ 7,778ft...........yeah let's hit it in mid December. That's the ticket. 

 Wayne , I'm thinking a desert dweller like you might NOT like anything below 70 F .

 Dusty

 
 

[Arizona Wayne]

Wayne , I'm thinking a desert dweller like you might NOT like anything below 70 F .

 Dusty

 

I have visions of snow, ice on the road at that elevation in December, not to mention need of heated grips, etc.   Maybe the place isn't even open that time of year too.  Just trying to be a realist.

[oldbike54]

I have visions of snow, ice on the road at that elevation in December, not to mention need of heated grips, etc.   Maybe the place isn't even open that time of year too.  Just trying to be a realist.

 Oh I wasn't disagreeing with you , in fact Rocker's suggestion of Sept seems to be a good idea . Of course , the last few Septembers out here where Mike and I live have been a bit hot , so this might all be moot . Once again , my emos aren't working which renders me almost mute . LOL .

  Dusty

[PJPR01]

Hmmm............... ...Pie town is @ 7,778ft...........yeah let's hit it in mid December. That's the ticket. 

 

Ah...well I was thinking you guys didn't want to wait almost a full year here, seeing as September is a LONG ways in the future and folks might be tuckered out from the MGNOC Nat'l, the Washington and Idaho campouts and maybe not able to make another huge trip west.  But of course this could be an opportunity to buy some studded tires!  :)

Ah well...it's good to have plans and dreams!  I suppose it might be a bit chilly near the Continental Divide...

[charlie b]

Not yet.  7000ft around here is still 70 during the day and mid 50's in the morning.  Not even cold enough for heated gloves yet :)

Of course, each year is different.  Sometimes we get snow in Oct.  I've been out on Halloween in tshirt one year and next year in a heavy coat and gloves.

Matt plans the rally in Aug for a number of reasons.  One is that it is nice up there that time of year and most of the AZ folks are ready to escape the heat.  Another is cause it's always been that time of year, so why change  :)

If you would like it on a different date send him a note.  Or if an NAR is what you want then anyone can organize one.  There's a get together in July too.

[oldbike54]

 Charlie , no one wants the Datil rally moved to a different date , it's just that it is REALLY a long hot ride for those of us out here in the middle . Just like we have our stuff in the Spring and Fall to escape the heat and humidity , Datil is when it is .

  Dusty

[travelingbyguzzi]

This evening finds me in Pangutch UT. I couldnt face the heat and traffic of Las Vegas so I hung a right at Flagstaff. The weather continues to be amazing and. the red rock mountains are gorgeous

[Chuck in Indiana]

This evening finds me in Pangutch UT. I couldnt face the heat and traffic of Las Vegas so I hung a right at Flagstaff. The weather continues to be amazing and. the red rock mountains are gorgeous

Good choice.. 

[Arizona Wayne]

This evening finds me in Pangutch UT. I couldnt face the heat and traffic of Las Vegas so I hung a right at Flagstaff. The weather continues to be amazing and. the red rock mountains are gorgeous

In the near past there have been some Guzzi rallies in Panguitch.  Did you or are you going to see the North rim of the GC from there?    There's also Bryce Canyon and Zion nearby.  Rain coming in my neck of the woods soon thru the weekend and maybe Las Vegas since they usually get rain when we do.  If you want to dodge rain might be best you head north from Panguitch.    Maybe hit Ely or Battle Mtn. next.

[travelingbyguzzi]

My next stop is Winnemucca, thru Ely, Austin and Battle Mountain. First, I ride thru Beaver UT, but if my experience in Pie Town was any indicator, I am boundto be disappointed. I think I am going to find rain before I get home, probably at the WA state line.

[oldbike54]

My next stop is Winnemucca, thru Ely, Austin and Battle Mountain. First, I ride thru Beaver UT, but if my experience in Pie Town was any indicator, I am boundto be disappointed. I think I am going to find rain before I get home, probably at the WA state line.

 Wait , disappointed in Pie Town  Say it ain't so 

  Dusty

[travelingbyguzzi]

Today was the third good day in a row. UT21 is what 6th gear was made for, as is US50. I have ridden US50 in Nevada several times, but never without my wife on back. What the hell was I thinking?A totally different experience.  Rolled into Winnemucca as planned. Tomorrow will be my last day of open country. By evening, I will be back in the megalopolis.

Bill Lovelady     IS
Eskimo Spy

[oldbike54]

 Bill , as you were rolling out of the Okie I had the strongest urge to tag along 

  Dusty

[PJPR01]

Bill , as you were rolling out of the Okie I had the strongest urge to tag along 

  Dusty

  The call of the open road is strong...always a temptation ( in the best sort of way of course!).

[travelingbyguzzi]

My last full day on the road.
Left Winnemucca at dawn with the thought that if everything went well, I would push the full 700 and get home tonight.
Had a fast 230 miles of open sage desert in Nevada amd Southern OR. Get out your atlas and find NV140. Then find OR201 thru Fields and French Glen.
When you turn off of US95 onto NV140, there is a sign that says 'next gas 149 miles'. Not quite true. Usually there is gas in Fields @ 90 miles.
Anyway, Got to Burns OR. Gassed up and headed North on US395.
This is a great road. 70 miles North of Burns is John Day, which you will all see next June.
Continued North. US395 is a fast road and I was making good time. As I got closer to the Columbia Plateau, the wind picked up as it often does.
It can be brutal and I decided to stop in Pendleton.
I will hit it earlt tomorrow when there is no wind.
One of the best things about Pendleton is that they have a revitalized downtown and there is a brewery right behind the Rodeway.
Tomorrow finishes it. I expect to hit rain at the top of Snoqualmie Pass, 50 miles from home. This is nirmal

[oldbike54]

 No snow , no snow , no snow , no snow , no snow , no snow , no snow , no snow , no snow , no snow , no snow , no snow.

  Dusty

[travelingbyguzzi]

No snow! Chinook Pass on WA410 is still open and this keeps me off I-90! Hurray!

[oldbike54]

No snow! Chinook Pass on WA410 is still open and this keeps me off I-90! Hurray!

 I like peanut butter cookies Bill , but a good oatmeal would be fine also 

  Dusty

[travelingbyguzzi]

Well, cookies are cookies, but riding in and around Seattle is more like a shit sandwich. I hope to hold my nose and nibble a bit of crust, not take a big ol' bite right out of the middle.
Seriously, you guys who live in AR and OK don't have a clue. Lucydad does, living in Houston.
After 14 days of riding in the wilderness, I have to adjust my habits fot the city.
Spend more time watching my 6. And my 3 and my 9.
Home in a few more hours.

[oldbike54]

Well, cookies are cookies, but riding in and around Seattle is more like a shit sandwich. I hope to hold my nose and nibble a bit of crust, not take a big ol' bite right out of the middle.
Seriously, you guys who live in AR and OK don't have a clue. Lucydad does, living in Houston.
After 14 days of riding in the wilderness, I have to adjust my habits fot the city.
Spend more time watching my 6. And my 3 and my 9.
Home in a few more hours.

 Uh Bill , you obviously missed the Fayettville/Springdale/Rogers/Bentonville Metro ,  Tulsa and OKC . Trust me , we know all about 90 MPH SUVs and minivans running nose to tail . One of the main reasons we have CV and the Okie as far away from those places as possible 

 Tell the other Cookie we said hello , and be safe , six months until CV .

  Dusty

[travelingbyguzzi]

Gome again, home again, jiggedy jig! Got back about 1:00 this afternoon. The famed Seattle rain was absent.
In 8 days and 3225 miles, there was only one slightly damp afternoon around Mena AR.
Ate a lot of good food, from cajun to tex-mex to steak and potatoes. Visited a couple breweries.
Only one interaction with the Fuzz, a discussion only.
Lots of highspeed fun in the Great American West!


Bill Lovelady      IS
Eskimo Spy