Any Phoenix riders up for a saddlesore 1000?

[izpep]

I'm getting ready to try a SS1000 in April probably the 12th but maybe the 19th
depending on other riders schedules.

General Ride Info
http://www.ironbutt.com/ridecerts/getdocument.cfm?DocID=1

Route
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=17314066541395231613,32.308620,-106.777190&saddr=2750+W+Thunderbird+Rd,+Phoenix,+AZ+85053&daddr=880+E+Benson+Hwy,+Tucson,+AZ+85713+to:NM-478+N+%4032.308620,+-106.777190+to:801+E+Thorpe+Rd,+Las+Cruces,+NM+to:2012+7th+St+Nw,+Albuquerque,+NM+to:2300+E+Butler+Ave,+Flagstaff,+AZ+to:2750+W+Thunderbird+Rd,+Phoenix,+AZ+85053&mra=pe&mrcr=3,4&via=2&sll=35.103058,-111.466255&sspn=0.244645,0.541077&ie=UTF8&z=8

If interested just post or pm me.  

[jwhite518]

That route looks simple, elegant, do-able, and boring. Is there any way you can get off the interstate?

[izpep]

  do-able is what I was going for!  

I'm always open to route suggestions.

[izpep]

Looks like we are focusing in on April the 19th for the ride. Anyone who wishes to join
in is more than welcome to do so.  

[swimmer]

holy shit is that a bland route.  I've been on all those roads more than once.  I am not trying to be critical, just sayin..  It should certainly be doable.   I've done Tucson-morenci-show low-globe-tucson in 10 hours and I think that was  a little more than 500 miles.  I'd rather do that route twice as you get to hit the 191.  Although the second time through I guess you'd likely be going through there in the dark which, while probably very peaceful, could be a little nerve racking.   I think you'll be able to complete this whole ride in daylight.  let us know how it goes.  

[izpep]

I love 191 but it takes awhile itself and hitting it at night when your tired would be interesting  
My main concern at night on that route would be deer and bear crossing the road. Actually saw
a black bear my last time through. Friggin' sweet ride though.

[izpep]

Well we've decided on April 19th as the ride date, we have 4 people going so far and a start
time witness but no one to act as a witness at the end yet.

The start & end point is the QT Station on 2750 W Thunderbird Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85053 It's just off of I-17, 27th Ave & Thunderbird Rd.
We'll start at approx 5am, not sure what the end time will be but if any IBA guys/gals are available to witness the
end we'd love to have you there  

[DangerMoney]

I love 191 but it takes awhile itself and hitting it at night when your tired would be interesting  
My main concern at night on that route would be deer and bear crossing the road. Actually saw
a black bear my last time through.

Amen Brother. Last time I rode 191 I came flying around a corner and there were two deer standing in the road. It was 2:00 in the afternoon.  

A big hazard with any of those roads through forest is wildlife. We were riding between Heber and Payson at night and had to slam on the brakes because several deer decided to cross Route 260 in front of us. We hit our horns and then we saw several more sets of eyes on the side of the road reflecting out headlights. There were easily 10 of them.

[izpep]

There's a small diner in Alpine that has pics of elk,deer & bear that have been
hunted in the area. Apparently the place is chock full of them. I was amazed at
the size of the Elk, I haven't seen any that large since I lived back East.

[ModemRat]

How about this route (going clockwise)?  This is something I was thinking of doing myself.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=3341617898599438038,32.046210,-110.089610%3B14462602091453340528,33.099330,-112.649190&saddr=tempe,+az&daddr=payson,+az+to:Holbrook,+AZ+to:Quemado,+NM+to:Socorro,+nm+to:las+cruces,+nm+to:lordsburg,+NM+to:AZ-85+%4033.099330,+-112.649190+to:tempe,+az&mra=mr&mrcr=6&sll=33.215712,-109.940186&sspn=3.101772,7.289429&ie=UTF8&z=8&om=0

The first half would be state roads. 87 is ok, nothing amazing, and I can't speak for the rest of the state roads after that.  I figure it would be more fun for the first half on state roads, then you could hit the slab for the last half.  I'm interested in going.  Haven't decided yet though.

[izpep]

Good route, 87 is pretty nice. Was considering dropping South from Holbrook
for that section. The only problem is the Tempe start, the guys signed up so
far don't seem too enthused about the Southern start. Candy Asses  

Bypasses the construction hell taking place on I-17 N from Phoenix.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=4642118706319128777,35.481090,-108.440610%3B11784811383362287014,33.147390,-111.864530%3B12448005739206933107,33.601860,-112.116670&saddr=2750+w+thunderbird+rd+phoenix+az&daddr=payson,+az+to:Holbrook,+AZ+to:I-40+E+%4035.481090,+-108.440610+to:Socorro,+nm+to:las+cruces,+nm+to:lordsburg,+NM+to:I-10+W+%4033.147390,+-111.864530+to:2750+w+thunderbird+rd+phoenix+az&mra=pe&mrcr=7&sll=33.774581,-109.242554&sspn=3.976516,8.657227&ie=UTF8&z=8

If your thinking of going it would be great to have you with us.

[ModemRat]

I'm in Tempe, so I just started it there. Obviously if I'm doing 1,000 what's an extra 20 to go up near your starting point  

My bike is going in the shop this week. Just discovered an oil leak so the results of that will determine if I can go or not.

[izpep]

Well we have a couple of weeks so you should be good to go I hope  
How do you like the 650r? I've seriously considered it for my second bike.

[ModemRat]

Well we have a couple of weeks so you should be good to go I hope  
How do you like the 650r? I've seriously considered it for my second bike.

I absolutely love it.  I'm at 32,000 miles right now and up until now I haven't had any problems with it.  Great for touring and nimble as hell.  

[swimmer]

I'm in Tempe, so I just started it there. Obviously if I'm doing 1,000 what's an extra 20 to go up near your starting point  

My bike is going in the shop this week. Just discovered an oil leak so the results of that will determine if I can go or not.

Post back on what the leak was so I can keep an eye out for the same.

[ModemRat]

Post back on what the leak was so I can keep an eye out for the same.

Will do.

[izpep]

Did you find out what the leak was from?

[ModemRat]

Did you find out what the leak was from?

I did, the head gasket caused a leak and there was another one from the water pump.  So I'll be at the other end of a pretty heft bill on Thursday when I get her back    At least I can get my valves checked while they are in there though.

So my ride should be ready to go for the 19th, however, I am moving into a new apartment and coincidentally my move in date is on the 19th.  I can push it back to Sunday, but I am still thinking it over.

[swimmer]

I did, the head gasket caused a leak and there was another one from the water pump.  So I'll be at the other end of a pretty heft bill on Thursday when I get her back    At least I can get my valves checked while they are in there though.

So my ride should be ready to go for the 19th, however, I am moving into a new apartment and coincidentally my move in date is on the 19th.  I can push it back to Sunday, but I am still thinking it over.

Head gasket as in head gasket or valve cover gasket?  I guess with your mileage I can assume you've had the valves checked before so the valve cover gasket would have been removed.  If it was a head gasket you were leaking coolant?
Was the leak at the water pump a shaft seal leak or something else?
Thanks

[ModemRat]

Head gasket as in head gasket or valve cover gasket?  I guess with your mileage I can assume you've had the valves checked before so the valve cover gasket would have been removed.  If it was a head gasket you were leaking coolant?
Was the leak at the water pump a shaft seal leak or something else?
Thanks

I haven't had my valves checked before this.  As for your other questions...umm I don't know.  I'm not that mechanically knowledgeable.