AZ BDR (from a Canadian)

[Canzvt]

Well, just completed our 4th day of the AZBDR!

 

HUGE should out and thanks to @e010584 and @AZJW for meeting up with us and ZEKE giving us the personal tour of his home turf. Had a great night around the camp trading stories and learning about our new friends and fellow T7 riders, Zeke and John.

 

As for the ride, Day 1 morning was a nice gentle, enjoyable ride from the border up and  over the saddle of Coronado National Monument, then along the border (what a surprise, there wasn't a wall). The afternoon led us into a hugely rocky trail (after visiting Empire Ranch) that we should have been doing on WR's (or similar), not T7's - Ugly.

 

Day 2 started after a good night's camp at the KOA in Benson (who knew there were no cabs or Uber in Benson, for getting beer, of course) we left heading north to Globe. HUGE shout out to MARTIN MOTORSPORTS in Globe for receiving our Husky parts, and opening up their shop for changing a rear sprocket and front tire (long story related to piss poor bike prep pre-trip). The shop and owner look a bit sketchy from the outside, but turned out to be AWESOME, and hugely helpful. Support them if you are riding thru and mention us Canadian's. Stop and have a burro from across the street at Chala's. Once the bike was back on deck, we carried on north and camped just off the trail above Cherry Creek. Beautiful scenery and no light pollution, so amazing celestial gazing.

 

Day 3 took us up the trail where we met with @e010584 who proceeded to show us around the local trails, eating spots and amazing hospitality. Can't say enough good things about our local host. Met up with @AZJW for some secret touring spots and lunch at the hitching post (a small hole in the wall, but great green chili burros), then continued on riding the local area. Saw a super cool canyon, multiple fishing/swimming spots and finally a super secluded and will remain secret camping spot down by a creek that will rival any camping spot anywhere!! After some tall tails around the camp Zeke had to get home leaving us to our own devices.

 

Day 4 (today)  started as the sun came over the mountain and lit up the creek by the campsite to get our day going. Said good bye to John as he headed back home. We carried on past the Mogollon Rim and continued north. I have to say, the first half of the day was great and fairly easy going, but the latter half turned into a nasty battle with over 20 miles of rocks. All kinds of rocks. 15 mph max speed rocks. Ugly, but we made it, with only one front pinch flat (on the 690 - ha!) Finished the day with a well deserved shower, beer, steak and soon to be sleep.

 

Tomorrow, it's a drive on to Cameron with all of the challenges that may bring. Will post more when I have access, and time.

[AZJW]

It was great meeting you all and enjoyed the riding and great campsite.  Sorry ( not regretting missing that 20 mile bolder field on a 500lb T7!) I had to bail, would've been fun to continue on up to the border.  Safe travels and try some Indian fry bread while on the reservation,  nothing like it!

 

 

 

[sracer]

We were just up there last week...great riding! FYI Karcher Canyon SP near Benson is a great camping choice.

[Simmons1]

Great report so far! Thanks

[Canzvt]

So just completed day 5. Nothing spectacular, other than the GRAND CANYON! It was a good ride. We spend the night in Flagstaff as after the bolder fields we needed a beer and a steak! The riding was hugely varied but I have never ridden in volcanic ash around Sunset Crater. Super cool, and technical. The riding through the Kaibob National park was super cool as they were doing controlled burns so some of it was on fire, some of it was super green and the rest was, well forest. The most amazing/fun section for us was the last run into Cameron off 64. This takes you up and over a small mountain range, that was an absolute blast! High mesas, great views, high speed trails, rocky sections, huge valleys and wide open skies. Great day! Photos to come as our hotel in Tuba City has issues with WIFI!!!

[Canzvt]

Here's some pics.

 

 

[roygilbo]

Fellow Canuck here.  Would love to see some photos of those rock roads!  

[e010584]

On 5/15/2023 at 6:10 AM, AZJW said:

It was great meeting you all and enjoyed the riding and great campsite.  Sorry ( not regretting missing that 20 mile bolder field on a 500lb T7!) I had to bail, would've been fun to continue on up to the border.  Safe travels and try some Indian fry bread while on the reservation,  nothing like it!

 

 

 

Somebody took a cool drone video of the canyon worth sharing that doesn't disclose the secret location...

[AZJW]

2 hours ago, e010584 said:

Somebody took a cool drone video of the canyon worth sharing that doesn't disclose the secret location...

Since you asked....

https://youtu.be/h3GhoEcPjVE

 

[Hibobb]

As long as we are asking for secret canyons....