Group riding is like wearing a helmet, it is a personal preference. I know some people who really dislike group riding, some who enjoy just a few fellow riders with them and those who say the more the merrier. Just because the other biker doesn't share your opinions on group riding doesn't mean they are wrong, just like helmets it is the biker's preference.
We started a local riding group with a couple other friends. It has grown in the past few months to over 30 people, all walks, all levels and all types of bikes. The big thing with this group is not to be a club or have colors of any kind. We just want to get out and ride and enjoy each others company. So far so good, there of course like anything else with a group is a small learning curve that we are going through right now. How does this person ride, how does that person ride, who needs help and who is willing to help. When you ride in a group try to remind yourself that not everyone has the same level of experience and while you should watch out for unsafe practices you can also help those with less experience on how to ride in a group.
We've take a few rides up north, the heat in Phoenix right now is triple digit for the last month+ so riding a motorcycle here is not something you want to do for very long.
Get about 1 hour north of here and you are starting into the mountains and cooler temps, of course you also get a higher chance of rain but that is usually welcome as well. We went up US60 through Wickenburg and then AZ89 into Yarnell. That town was hit hard by a wildfire in June, 19 firemen lost their lives fighting that fire and the community has really rallied together for the cause. The biker community also got involved heavily when it was reported that the idiots from WBC were going to protest a memorial service, never heard that they ended up showing up. Anyways, the first roads we road are very smooth, straight and we can crank up the speed. Once we hit the foothills of the mountains the sweeping curves start, with some great scenery of desert changing over to high desert. Once a little farther north and it starts to turn from high desert into pine trees and green grass. The switchbacks start, the awesome overlooks in this valley or that valley. At one point I swear you could see all the way back to Phoenix but of course being the driver I don't get a long look without stopping. <G> The roads seem to go and go and go, bank the bike right, then a quick upright then bank it left. Follow that with a hard switchback and a couple more tight turns and you keep going up and up. The air pressure is changing, your ears start to pop but whoa don't look at that edge of the cliff where there is no guard rail too long or you may end up in the other lane or worse miss that turn.
Stop at a small mom and pop diner, or greasy spoon for a good meal, right inside of Yarnell is a great little joint. The place is a bit small, no flashy names just dam good food at a reasonable price. If anyone ends up there save room for desert, or do what we did and stop on the way back down the mountain for some pie. If you are really hungry order the cobbler with a scoop of ice cream. You won't be sorry and you won't be hungry.
Back into the valley and the high heat. Luckily it wasn't a long ride back to the house were the bathing suits go one and into the pool to cool off.
I'll write again soon about another ride I took alone a couple weeks after this one. Wether in a group or alone the riding out here is really good. It may take ½ – 1 hour to get out of the valley and heat of the summer but these long straight roads do also offer some excellent riding opportunities.
Take it easy,
KG
