Motorcycling XCountry

Sept.20-24 Wed-Sun

Sept.20 Wed. 

Baja MX - San Diego CA = ~650 miles - ~ 11 hrs.

Being in the Mexican desert for so long, made me starve for some good old American conveniences that we tend to take for granted everyday.

So, after Baja, I shot straight to San Diego. 

Since it was late, and I was tired, I got a room at the Econo Lodge.

The manager there was mad cool. 

He let me know that the area wasn’t safe for bikes and told me to park inside the room.

Sept.21 Thur. 

San Diego CA - Phoeniz AZ = 360 miles - 5.5 hrs.

The next day I decided to head towards Arizona and check out the Grand Canyon. 

On the way I stopped by Phoenix.  Didn’t do much there, just stayed at the hostel.

Sept.22 Fri. 

Phoenix AZ - Flagstaff AZ = 145 miles - 2 hrs.

I arrived in Flagstaff Arizona.  Unpacked my things at the hostel, and went to see the Grand Canyon.

For some reason, I had always thought that the Grand Canyon was a site along a highway or interstate.  Basically free.

I was wrong.  Like any other attraction in this country, you have to pay for it.

I paid $12 to get in.  Which I thought was pretty steep.

The Grand Canyon Park was huge.  They give you this map so that you find your way around the park.  And it covers more than a few miles.  But it’s all Grand Canyon.

The experience of being there was awesome.  I felt like a drop of water in a ocean. 

Pictures cannot describe how immense these canyons are, and how insignificant you feel around them.

Sept.23 

Grand Canyon AZ - Santa Fe NM = 470 miles - 7 hrs.

I heard that New Mexico was I place I should check out.  So I went to Santa Fe.

It’s different being in the high country.  Due to the high altitude, it’s a little hard to breath at first and at times it makes your legs feel like spaghetti. 

The only problem I had with Santa Fe was that it was freaking cold out there.

It felt like it was in the 40’s.

I met a few local riders from the area, and they suggested that I should ride up Hyde Park mountain.

Sept.24 Sun. 

Santa Fe NM - Albuquerque NM = 65 miles - 1 hr.

Hyde Park Mountain had some good roads for riding, but since I woke up a little late, and being Sun., by the time I went, the road was packed with cars.

It’s sketchy riding out there.  You have the factors of, hikers, cyclists, cars, gravel, ice, and snow. 

Now I can say that I have ridden trough all types of conditions, except hail… jk

It was worth going to the top to see the view from above Santa Fe.

On my way down, I stooped for some gas, and another local rider tells me that there’s a show/race going on in Albuquerque.  So I went with it.

I got there after 4pm, so I didn’t get charged admission.

I took way to many photos to post up so I’ll just do some.

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