"Plan? There *IS* no plan!"

I've just done this a few times; don't call it a plan, call it 'research'. Bonefide research!

So...out of this end of the cactus patch, so far, I've been the one that's come the furthest to attend this event, so what has worked in the past has been me leaving the NW Tucson area right around 0600 on Friday the 13th. Details on meet-up locations, etc. can be discussed as we confirm who'll be coming from this end of the universe, but we do need to be moving smartly out of town by 0600'ish to make the rest of this schedule work. Now, others have come from much further east and they've typically used Tucson as a rest spot, they're welcomed to join along, or make their own time in this endeavor.

From there, we get to the next stop, which has been the gas station at Vulture Mine Road & US-60, on the north end of Wickenburg, AZ. From the last time I rode it - I-10 to Loop 303, then north of US-60 - it took me right about 2.5 hours (0600 departure from home to ~0830 arrival at Wickenburg). KSU from there about 0900.

From there our next stop would typically be Kingman for fuel. From Vulture Mine & US-60 to a typical location, that's ~120 miles and a couple of hours. From there, we will go over the bridge (we stopped on the way back the last time...) at Hoover Dam, then probably pick up mattbcnv and any of the other southern Nevada contingent that decide to ride up as we approach Boulder City about 90 minutes later.

We'll get through Las Vegas, stop at the north end...another 40 miles & 45 minutes or a bit more for fuel & a quick bite - then the remaining ~100 miles to Beatty. Riding time for me is around nine hours; another hour to an hour and a half for gas, eating and BS-ing - we get there when we get there, but at least there's still light in the event things go to crap for one of us on the way up.

All of this is subject to change; right now, these are my tentative plans. If they don't work for you, Beatty is a pretty small place, I'm sure we'll find each other. There's a motel, bar, and convenience store all with a short walk of each other...it won't be hard! :D ;D

Perhaps I will be on time this year...but being late and catching up sure was fun....

Just a few short weeks until:







Who *is* that helmeted man, anyway??

Just posted on the main board, I'm in and booked at the motel 6.
Looking forward to a fun and uneventful trip. Planning on joining you all for the ride up and will meet at the Wickenburg stop.

Yorky

I'm in, just book the Motel 6
Planning on joining for the ride up on Friday, at Wickenburg

We've not done this in a few years, but we really need to plan on a RTE...might need to start a new thread to discuss!

We will be in DV during that time frame and look forward to meeting up.

More pictures!



I'm expecting fuel prices to be about half this at this location this year...this was from 2013, highest I've ever seen here!



Google stitched these three together in what's called "Auto Awesome" - I like it - considering the three images were taken while we were moving...



Once a year, I come back. Good friends, good riding, good times.

Four weeks from now, many of us will be there.



...and the forums traffic will be reduced - a LOT! :D

Moar pix!


Probably one of my favorite pictures from this ride. I've taken this shot from this very spot many times. Many of us have done a LOT of riding in this desert...it's just one of those "can't wait!" images. The view from across the road looks like:


Letting everyone catch up at the intersection of Daylight Pass Rd & Beatty Rd.


A bit to let everyone get some pictures and the continuation of the b.s. sessions that have been taking place - Artist's Palette

Three weeks from now, the trek toward that desert will be in progress for many of us - can't wait!

So...looking good for the trek to the desert - to get rid of the bodies, of course...

My work colleagues ask "why?" I reply with showing them a few of the images that I've shared here already with you. Some get it, others are "Eh."

For the previous ride partcipants in AZ, I'm presuming our departure timing will be the same as it has been:

0900 KSU from the Mobil at Vulture Mine Rd & US-93
Shortly after 0800 at the US-60/Loop 303 interchange
I'll be departing the vicinity of I-10 exit 252/exit 250 at 0600

Hey - this year, I have a GPS map that *knows* the correct orientation of the Ann Rd. exit for the gas/grub stop... :D We won't mess that up this time (I hope...)

Wayne - you may need to paint the back of your bike gray, so we'll be able to recognize it. Jim has the same issue with that white one he's got...a bit of yellow might help pick that one up.

Ch. 1 most likely...in the AZ threads here & the other place, I'll post up a SpotWalla link.

I will be at the 303 /60 interchange at around 0745, really looking forward to this ride

Both Lanny and Wayne might be through that point before I'm there, so don't feel you need to wait for me, since I'm completely crossing the valley, and my time could vary. I'm sitting to be at the Wickenburg stop around 845 or so...The link will be posted Thursday for my Spot tracking via cell phone.

A couple more days dealing with the knuckleheads I work with, then hanging out with you guys...

EDIT: It's such a nice day outside - I don't wanna be here @ work, I wanna ride!!!!