Oak Creek Road, AZ

[Warrior]

With the unseasonably cooler weather we've been having in Arizona this past week, this weekend was a great opportunity to head out pass my usual racer roads and take in some scenery. Unfortunetly I wasn't alone in my line of thinking.

Sedona is one of Phoenix resident's favorite getaways. With the bright red rocks surrounding the city, and all the shopping and high end restuarants in it, Sedona is perpetually packed year round. So hitting any roads at speed around here is a dream that only comes true during the week.

Any who, Oldy on his Monster, Malina and I on the Warrior were ready to roll out around 9:30 am. Moke piloting the R6, was getting his bike serviced, would meet up later in Jerome. Up the I-17, which I can say is not really all that bad, till we reach the 179 to take us into Sedona. Here I knew my fate was sealed and threw the mind set into "take in the scenery" mode.

Just getting through Sedona is a chore with tourist filling up SUV's and busses. After making it through town you arrive on Oak Creek, here you start to head out of the desert and into the forest. If you have ever ridden a canyon road before, you've ridden the first part of Oak Creek. Wall on one side, creek on the other, various trees creating a canopy that you ride through. Not complaining in the least, I never tire of roads like this. But nothing truly unique. Once you get past all the "campers", tent 20 feet from the main road, you start to head up the switchbacks to go up (guessing) 3000 ft of elevation change in maybe 4 miles. This is the part that makes Oak Creek truly worth riding, nice banked tight corners, with a couple of chicanes thrown in for good measure. Hit this during the week with no traffic and you won't be able to stop smiling. At the top you have a nice vista view area to reward you where you get to see Oak Creek and Oak Creek RD in all it's glory.

With the view soaked in, and our bikes starting to get soaked due to the scattered showers we head back down. The downhill was without the cage caravan so the pace was a little more sporting. Was able to make it almost all the way back till getting caught behind the usual suspects.

Passing all the shops we head straight to Jerome where lunch is served and bikers are getting drunk. The Conner Hotel is a cool place where all riders park. Think of it as the Rock Store of Arizona. At any time on the weekend, there are atleast 20-30 bikes parked around it.

We decide to pass up the bar and eat at the English Kitchen, which interestingly enough was started by a Chinese Immigrant back at the turn of the 20th Century. This is where we spend the next hour waiting for Moke to arrive. We actually weren't waiting for him to arrive, we were waiting for him to come back. He got there 20 minutes before we got there, didn't see our bikes parked, and continued his way through Mingus mountain, a good set of twisties. Hmm, yeah, if you wanted to run it a couple of times just let me know.

While he was getting his kicks in, the sprinkles that accompained us at Oak Creek were back. No down pour, so it actually felt good. nice departure from the usual blazing heat. Moke arrives, we depart and head through Mingus MTN to reach Prescott. Sorry no pics of Mingus, finally got around a caravan and was not going to let the pass again.

Gas in Prescott, and start the final leg of the journey home. Sorry once again, no pics of Prescott, I will do a proper write up this week. We had a pretty clean run in which Moke led, and then proceeded to leave me. Had to work the Warrior for all it's got to keep him from getting a turn ahead. Tires were rubbed considerably, Moke got his tire fully worn, and I almost. I need to purchase some rearsets for the Warrior to get that last millimeter.

All in all a good time. Heading out to Tortilla Flats today early to beat traffic and heat. Hope everyone has a good ride.

[Warrior]

Wow those pictures came out huge! Sorry.

[G8ESCAP]

OK Jason that's enough! You're making me homesick again!
Sad, I remember when Sedona had just one Mom and Pop market.

Nice pics even though they overflow the monitor!

So who has the Chaparral plate in the tire picture? You?

[Warrior]

Yeah, bought it back in 03'. Went there recently and it seems they just don't care about customer service anymore. Lot of rude people working there now. Still, they do have the largest showroom I've ever been in.

[G8ESCAP]

They've gone more dirt rider too. Used to like it. Berts is a little better for us street folk. Not as big but check it out next time you're out!

http://bertsmegamall.com/

[motowriter]

Hey Jason, overlooked this one... great pix!! The roads look like a blast. But I'm guessing early a.m. weekdays are best? Too bad there's so many cars on the road!!

G

[Toyuzu]

Nice ride. I've been through AZ more times than I can count, but have yet to see Sedona. Looks a lot like the Flagstaff area though. Beautiful! By the way, I'm guessing those rear Dunlop 208's don't last very long on your Warrior, do they?

[Warrior]

I usually only get 3000 miles to a tire. It's so hard to find a D220 in stock, and when they are it's usually going to cost at least $200. So I just go with the 208, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I like the added grip and their ability to hook up coming out of corner.

I have run Oak Creek on a Thursday afternoon once. Totally different experience, you are amazed at the speed you can carry through most of the corners leading up to the switchbacks. Once at the switchbacks you start to feel G's as you go around the corners. Absolutely loved it!

[Fastfar]

I loved Sedona, gorgeous scenery and rock formations. Loved this road too, but hated the traffic. Used to be good swimming at Slide Rock and some other more hard to find spots along the canyon. Maybe in the off season (is there one??) I'll make the trip, Arizona does have some great roads, different than out here in North Cali.

[acki2b]

Great pics. Nicely written article. I hope to ride Arizona someday soon. I do love to ride the coast highway though.

acki2b