| Author | Message | ||
     Al_lighton |
SteveH Sorry for not getting back to you sooner, bud. Yea, I'm committed. I just renewed my BRAG membership today and signed up for Torquefest. Woo hoo, pins and Tshirts for $85, o boy!  I had to figure out the family thing before getting back to you. Joanne and Zach have indicated that they want to go. They will ride in the truck with me and Sparky, with my S3 and his XB9R (assumed) in the trailer. In Mesa/Phoneix, we'll unload, and on friday we'll do the long route to Show-low with whoever. Joanne/Zach will continue to Show-Low, but may ditch the trailer somewhere in Phoneix if that makes sense. They just want to do some car based site seeing in that area, maybe up Jerome/OakCreek canyon way. No plans to bring Joannes SV or put Zach on the back of my S3 like Splash. On the way back from Tahoe after Splash, we comfortably had 5 people in the supercrew F150, with 2 S3's and one SV650 in the trailer. So we could probably fit ya if you wanted. I'd had some discussions here with XB9RSKI about possibly trailering him, but haven't heard anything recently, and that was before Joanne and Zach said they wanted to go. If you want to squeeze in (its pretty comfy with 4 adults and one kid, actually), you're welcome to. If you wanted to ride there, and then maybe just trailer it back, that'd be OK too. Sparky, looks like I've now got a couple roomies (wife/kid) in Show-Low, so best to make other arangements. Sorry for the late notice, my wife just worked it out with me last night. SteveH may be lookin for someone to cheap out with though. SteveH, if you're going, but want to ride it instead of trailering it to Phoenix, XB9RSki had indicated that he was probably going (from LA) even if his friend didn't, so you might want to connect with him. I'm not aware of other SoCal folks going, but I'd bet there are some. I'd ride there, but frankly, the stretch from SD to Phoenix is kinda dull, and I'd rather save my tires for the devils highway. Temps should be fine that time of year, however. Hey, it's time for a dirt trip, my XR is feeling neglected...what does your september look like? Where do ya wanna go? | ||
| Sparky |
Al, I signed up for the event today. Jen too, but she's iffy about getting the time off from work to go play. Probably won't know if she's going until the last minute. But I'll plan it for a 2-up ride to your place and trailer it from there. We're flexible though. We'd be open to riding 2-up all the way or part way like through the mountains to the desert floor, or 1-up & 1 in the truck or whatever; we're easy. It would be kinda cool to round up all the SoCal riders, meet at your place or somewhere convenient and make a "sea to the mountains & desert" kind of ride out of it. BTW, Kobie Ward has some interesting ideas for 3 days worth of riding on what's considered the best roads in the area. I gotta get back with him on his maps. His link didn't work. | ||
| Jim_witt |
Al, The software is from DeLorme. Here are a few more images. Place your pointer over the image for a description.    -JW:>  ); edited by jim_witt on August 21, 2003 | ||
| Al_lighton |
that is just so cool.... Al | ||
| Steveh |
Al love to go not really sure who you have plans with but if theres room to squeeze me in the truck/trailer let me know, also if you can tell me know which hotel your staying at i can make arrangements, speaking of arrangements... SPARKY if your looking to go cheap and dont mind snoring you could split a room with me?? smoking is no big deal, im an ex-smoker that doesnt mind smoke. Al woohoo the desert season is right around the corner! i dont see it cooling down for dirt action anytime soon, laborday is out, i have company coming in. anytime after that will work but it will start getting close to torque-fest. did you get zack his 100 yet? were you thinking Octotillo Wells or maybe Correl Canyon?? really looking forward to going to Ocotillo if the weather permits. | ||
| Steveh |
those are the most killer topo's ive seen, to quote Al...... way cool! | ||
| Jim_witt |
I agree, The satellite image below using SAT 10 data from Delorme software is of Lees Ferry. A popular trout/bass (HUGE fish) fishing place at lake Powell in Northern Arizona. I'll stop posting after this image.   -JW:> | ||
| Steveh |
wow! more great topo's hey Al didnt we ride through this area on the way back from Colorado? northern lake powell? | ||
| Al_lighton |
I love the pics, Jim. Steve, the place Jim is showing is southern Lake Powell (in northern AZ), but you're right, we crossed at northern Lake Powell, in Utah. STUNNING country. Makes one feel very small. I'm looking forward to this ride...I've done a lot more touring in Cali and other forested moutain regions... But something I've learned is that no matter how beautiful the countryside is, on a sport ride, I don't see much of it anyway, I'm too focused on the road. When sport riding thru the more open areas in the SW, you generally get better advance views of the road. It's different, and real neat, when it isn't too friggin HOT!! Should be nice in October. But I'm sure we'll be in tree'd alpine regions on this ride as well. It'll be a nice mix. Al | ||
| Jim_witt |
Al mentioned: ...... But I'm sure we'll be in tree'd alpine regions on this ride as well. It'll be a nice mix ......  -JW:> | ||
| Jim_witt |
Like I said, the route I mentioned in the begining of this topic is "like way looong". Meaning hitting Prescott, Jerome, Sedona the ALT 89 Oak Creek Canyon route to Flagstaff. If you guys are going to unload the bikes in the Phoenix area and ride to Show Low, I'd suggest the following routes. Route is 175 miles long. Route is 186 miles long. Route is approximately 338 miles long. -JW:> | ||
| Bartimus |
Great maps, Jim! Camp Verde to ShowLow would be a great ride. Friday I'll be coming up from Tucson via San Manuel, Winkleman. I think I'm just going to stop for a short at Chosa's and head on up through Payson to ShowLow for Friday night. On Saturday, I'll be doing the loop through Alpine, Luna(NM, Glenwood(NM), and over to Clifton, Morenci, and on up 191 to Alpine and back to ShowLow. Sunday I'll be heading back through the Salt river canyon, Globe and back through Winkleman, etc... I may have space in the room up there, if someone needs a place to crash for the night. | ||
| Jim_witt |
A few updated routes with topo(s). Phoenix to Payson to Show Low. Phoenix to Globe to Show Low. Phoenix to Camp Verde to Payson to Show Low. -JW:> | ||
| Jim_witt |
Art, Thanks, you should see the Satellite images, totally freaking awesome. Actually I like Route 87 from Phoenix to Payson. The freeway is done, really smooth, nice long sweepers, huge canyons, astonishing mountain rangers and the diverse scenery is incredible (just gotta watch the speed limits). -JW:> | ||
| Jim_witt |
Hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday weekend! Been pretty busy going up to Pine every morning and driving home every night. Haven't had much time to work on the 3D SAT images of the Torque Fest. Anyway, updated my gallery tonight with a few house pictures. I also added a few 3D satellite images of the Arizona Torque Fest too. You'll need to scroll down past the first 17 images to view the new postings. I outlined the road in yellow via photoshop on the 3D topo(s). Cheers, -JW:> | ||
| Xb9rski |
Ok, Been a while since I posted about TQ Fest, I should be registering tomorrow, My wife has indicated that she might go, and Still have not received a defiant from my friend. Met another Bueller this weekend and he is considering it also. We would all be riding out, or it could just be me either way I'm going | ||
| Al_lighton |
JimW, Your house that you're building is in Alpine, but you live down Phoenix-way, right? My wife would like to leave the trailer somewhere in Phoenix after we've unloaded the bikes for the Friday/saturday/sunday rides, so that she can travel around in the truck without towing the beast. Can you suggest a place that would be OK to leave it for 3 days? Thanks, Al | ||
| Jim_witt |
Al, I'm in PINE not Alpine. Pine is right out side of Payson. Alpine is way up in the White Mountain area. There's no room at my Phoenix home for another trailer. My Sister lives right down the street from me on a 2 acre fenced lot. I'm sure I can swing something with her. Will let you know early next week. If I don't, remind me! -JW:> | ||
| Jim_witt |
Al, Talked with my daughter tonight about getting you a room in Phoenix for "one night" at her discount rate. She's the Catering and Event Coordinator at the Legacy Golf Resort here in Phoenix. They have some "really, like really" nice rooms there too. Of course it's all up to you, what you want to do and want you can afford. Figured you could park the trailer at my Sister's (once I ask her), stay at the resort that night and get an early start the next morning for the Torque Fest. All I need to know is the exact "night" you want to stay (Thursday or Friday for example), HOW MANY PEOPLE and I'll see what she can get it for. She's done it for me in the past with other folks, so it's a doable thing. Of course this all is suspect to availability and how many people you're talking about (usually the killer). That's WHY I need a date/night. A studio goes for $179 a night, a 1 bedroom for $219.00 and a Casita (that's a one bedroom and a studio) for $389.00 a night. They have a jacuzzi, big screen, all the good stuff etc.. She usually get the studio for about $45.00, one bedroom for $65.00 and the Casita for around $85.00. -JW:> | ||
| Al_lighton |
Jim, Very cool. If the trailer could stay at her place, that would be great. It's a relatively small utility trailer, 6x12 inside dimensions. Current plans have us (me,wife Joanne,son Zach, and Sparky, and maybe SteveH and Sparky's wife Jen) arriving in the phoenix area on Thursday afternoon. We'd leave Friday (me,Steve,Sparky,Jen on bikes, Joanne/Zach in truck), do the TF thing for Friday, Saturday, Sunday, then arrive back in Phoenix late Sunday afternoon. We'll spend the night in phoenix Sunday night, then head back to Socal on Monday. It'd be great to get one of those place at those prices, any one of them. I'd bet our whole group could squeeze into a casita, or maybe a Studio + a 1 bedroom (which would be better if Jen comes). Don't want to inconvenience, but if she can swing it for Thursday and/or Sunday night, that'd be great! Let me know, and thanks much!! Al |
