Ride Report w/ 100's of Photos & Video - 8 States, 2 Countries & 2 Big Surprises

[DK Custom Products]

Day 16-

Kurt lent Mary his Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III camera.

It is a bit intimidating, and much larger and fancier than what Mary has been using for the last 10+ years.

But he has shown her how to use it in point & shoot mode.

Getting ready to roll out this morning...

...here's a map of what is planned...

...and a close-up of the best part, which is a little section of Old Route 66.

After lunch in Oatman, plan is to turn around and do it all again.

And we're off...

...oops, gotta get some gas.

Now we're rolling...

...we're on the cut-off...

...truck is doing 10 over...

...but Kurt wants to go faster. This is gonna be a fun day!

Shadow pic-

more in next post.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 16 continued-

The "cut-off" is a winding and hilly, 14 mile stretch of road...

...its' main purpose is to connect Bagdad with the "outside" world...

...and it is a fun road to ride!

Turning on to the 93...

...our first stop today is Kingman...

...and the road is a fast one...

...with a comfortable, early morning...

...desert beauty...

...and then there's Kurt. lol, couldn't resist messing with him.

A view off to the side.

Will post more of Day 16 as time permits.

Kevin

 

[TonkaDriver]

Day 15-

A BIG THANK YOU from Mary and I to Kurt and Sally!!!

After the last 5 days, their hospitality, and helping us out, have really put us back on track to enjoying this trip.

Not only did Kurt have a place all permitted for us to stay at. He also lent me a firearm to have while in AZ, lent us his tablet with a hot-spot so that we could have internet access, he lent Mary his camera to take photo's with, tomorrow he is going to accept some money from the shop with his ID so that we have $ for gas and food, but most of all, both of them have welcomed us and...it is hard to put into words, but we are back on an even keel now, thanks to their help, friendship and hospitality.

I should mention, about 4-5 months ago, Kurt rode out to the shop in Red Banks, MS. We toured the shop and then talked for a few hours, bikes, roads and many other subjects.

He informed me that AZ had twisty roads, mountains & woods- a selection of great riding. I admit I was ignorant. Mary and I have always just passed thru AZ, never realizing that there was anything other than straight roads, desert, and the Grand Canyon.

That is the reason we are out here. The next couple of days he is going to show us around some great riding in AZ.

Kevin

Thanks Kevin and Mary. It was our pleasure to be able to get you acquainted with a small portion of our home state. I am blessed to be surrounded with some of the best riding in the country. We didn't do anything special other than make new friends. I really think it was the solitude of your campsite that put you two back on track and helped salvage your trip. The photo I posted in the Sunrise/Sunset thread is from the campsite you were at except this time it had water.

The Twistys helped a lot I'm sure.

Kurt

 

[DK Custom Products]

Thanks Kevin and Mary. It was our pleasure to be able to get you acquainted with a small portion of our home state. I am blessed to be surrounded with some of the best riding in the country. We didn't do anything special other than make new friends. I really think it was the solitude of your campsite that put you two back on track and helped salvage your trip. The photo I posted in the Sunrise/Sunset thread is from the campsite you were at except this time it had water.

The Twistys helped a lot I'm sure.

Kurt

Hey, there's water in there!!! :laugh:

Yes, the twistys definitely helped, and the campsite was great, but the help and hospitality you showed really helped the most...probably more than I can communicate....but I'll try-

While I never had any doubt that we would eventually get out of Mexico...what was concerning was what would we have to go thru to get it done. To say it was not a pleasant 5 days is a massive understatement. That time sort of put us in a unfamiliar and less than positive state of mind. After a day with you guys, all that was flushed out and we were back to fully enjoying our trip. Thanks!

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 16 continued-

A view off to the other side of the road...

...and straight ahead.

We're going to be stopping in Kingman...

...getting close...

...we're going to the Walmart here...

...Lela, has been ready to send us $ for the last week. But we cannot receive it with no ID. So she is sending it here, in Kurt's name, so we will have enough $ to get home.

Got it done! Back on the road...

...for just a bit, before we stop to fill up the tanks. That was fast, now waiting for a line of 8 bikes to pull out ahead of us...

...our turn now...

...back rolling now...

More in next post.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 16 continued-

...just a little bit more interstate...

...before we get on Old Route 66...

...The Mother Road.

We started this trip, a couple of weeks ago, on Old Route 66. We did not know that Kurt would be taking us back on it today.

It is deceptively straight for awhile...

...a look back...

...but it is not long before...

...Kurt waves us to go ahead...

...it looks like we are getting to the fun part...

Yep.

More in next post.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 16 Continued-

I think Mary is getting pretty comfortable with Kurt's fancy camera.

It definitely takes better photos than the $100 point & shoots she's been using.

We're just getting started...

...fun ahead sign...

...dunno why...

...but roads like these...

...are a big part of...

...what makes riding fun for myself and Mary.

How did I never ride this road before????

Kurt gave me a heads up about the burros...

...a look back.

More of Day 16 as time allows.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 16 continued-

Oh yeah...

...this is a great road!

A look back at the curve we just came out of...

...and ahead at the next one...

...and a look off the side of the road!

Quite a view as we...

...pass a fellow traveler...

...on the way up to Sitgreaves Pass (elevation 3586 ft.)

A view from the pass...

...and a look at some of the fun ahead, as we go down toward Oatman.

More in next post.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 16 continued-

I sure was wrong all those years...

...when I only thought of Arizona as a place to pass thru to get to good riding.

I am having a blast...

...and Kurt said these great roads...

...are just a warm-up for what we'll be riding tomorrow.

A look back-

Remember those hot wheels tracks that you can make all kind of crazy curves and loops?

Another look back...and checkout the switchbacks ahead too!

What a great day to be riding!

More in next post.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 16 continued-

Yep, bike is dirty on Historic Route 66 as we...

...pull into Oatman, AZ.

What's this...

...there are burro's everywhere...

...and a lot of them!

This is where we're going to park. We have insurance if they decide to gnaw or kick.

Kurt says they'll be ok.

Time for some lunch and refreshment!

This is as far as we were followed. lol

This looks like a good place to sit.

More of Day 16 as time allows.

Kevin

 

[ol' school]

WOW! That definitely looks like a fun road! Thanks for the awesome pics Mary!

 

[Zammy]

That road looked awesome Kevin & Mary, can't wait to see what tomorrows ride brings.

 

[DK Custom Products]

WOW! That definitely looks like a fun road! Thanks for the awesome pics Mary!

She says "Aww, thank you. Kurt's camera is really nice".

That road looked awesome Kevin & Mary, can't wait to see what tomorrows ride brings.

Yeah, who knew? Well, I guess a bunch of folks, but we sure didn't. :laugh:

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 16 continued-

After a good meal, some talk, and taking in the local flavor, we walked around the tourist shops a bit...

...then headed back to our rides, where we saw this...

...and after a bit the burro decided to use the throttle to scratch the inside of its' ear...roflmao...

...then another one decided to clean its' teeth on the pouch inside Kurt's Tour-Pak.

No damage done, but it took a bit longer than normal to get geared up and headed out.

We saw a fellow triker...

...as we rode the short distance to the far end of town...

...and a little guy at the edge...

...back thru the center of town...

...and back out toward the twistys!

More in next post.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 16 continued-

Back thru this prime...

...section of Route 66.

It's just as much fun...

...riding back as it was a couple of hours ago.

Kurt is right on our tail, tearing up this amazing...

...road on this perfect riding day!

The views are...

...stunning. The road is great...

...the TG's are running fantastic...

...Riding the curves is the best medicine!

More in next post.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 16 continued-

Out of the curves now...

...back on the straight section...

...of Route 66, getting close to Kingman.

We have no idea where we are, Kurt leads us...

...via some nice secondary...

...roads skirting the city.

Uh Oh, the camera just ran out of juice. Last pic of the day.

After chewing up some road back to the 14 mile cut-off, we ran the curves of the cut-off at a near terrifying speed. It was a ton of fun, and very intense...not something I would do everyday, but glad we did it.

I have some video footage of it, and will try and get some stills out of there to post up.

But for now, this is the end of Day 16.

Kevin

 

[ol' school]

Glad you two got to have some good fun after the Mexico episode.

 

[Zammy]

Absolutely stunning scenery Kevin and Mary, I think Kurt knows exactly where you like to ride.

 

[TonkaDriver]

AZ-97 AKA the Cut-off

Day 16 continued-

Last pic of the day.

After chewing up some road back to the 14 mile cut-off, we ran the curves of the cut-off at a near terrifying speed. It was a ton of fun, and very intense...not something I would do everyday, but glad we did it.

I have some video footage of it, and will try and get some stills out of there to post up.

But for now, this is the end of Day 16.

Kevin

When we got back to the house we threw some steaks on the grill and talked about our day and the ride across the Cut-off. As Kevin said the Cut-off is the main road to Bagdad and all truck traffic into the mine uses it so although it holds up pretty well it has some undulations from the wear and tear. I ride the road often and have gotten used to the feel of it. The TriGlides are amazingly stable and handle like they are on rails. Kevin taught me a little trick for getting through twisty turns a lot quicker and it works great. At speed the undulations make you feel like you are floating but you feel very planted at the same time. It is a really fun ride.

Kurt

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 16- "The Cutoff"

Pictures don't do this road justice.

It is a 14 mile stretch of road that runs between the 93 and the 96.

Besides being curvy, there are dozens of elevation changes...

...some steeper and taller than others.

Running this road at sunset, behind Kurt. He knows the road well and there is little traffic, so we're hitting it pretty hard, 50 mph - 75 mph the entire way.

Seemed like we could do about twice the suggested mph in most of the curves.

Hilly curves are the most fun...in this pic we are at the top of a hill, headed down into a curve. That curve exits going back uphill, and then there is a curve at the top that turns back downhill.

Oh yeah!

Another long hilly S...

...what a great ride to end with...

...we have thoroughly enjoyed the ride today!

Headed into the only grocery store in Bagdad for a few things before going to Kurt & Sally's for a great meal and story swapping.

Kurt says today was just a warm-up for what we're going to ride tomorrow!



Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Glad you two got to have some good fun after the Mexico episode.

Yes...just what the doctor ordered! :laugh:

Absolutely stunning scenery Kevin and Mary, I think Kurt knows exactly where you like to ride.

True that!

When he visited the shop, many months ago (pic below). He told me about curvy roads in AZ. It was hard to picture, but today he showed it to be so!

When we got back to the house we threw some steaks on the grill and talked about our day and the ride across the Cut-off. As Kevin said the Cut-off is the main road to Bagdad and all truck traffic into the mine uses it so although it holds up pretty well it has some undulations from the wear and tear. I ride the road often and have gotten used to the feel of it. The TriGlides are amazingly stable and handle like they are on rails. Kevin taught me a little trick for getting through twisty turns a lot quicker and it works great. At speed the undulations make you feel like you are floating but you feel very planted at the same time. It is a really fun ride.

Kurt

While smooth it has a lot of variables (besides the hills and curves) that make for a very interesting ride at speed! I was on full alert, the entire time. Definitely a blast, and definitely shows off how stable the Tri Glide is.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 17-

This is a map of the planned route for today-

Gonna be a full one, some twistys, then Skull Valley, Prescott, Jerome, Sedona, Oak Ceek Canyon, Camp Verde, and more.

Leaving out from our campsite early this morning...

...not been this direction on the road before...

...the wind feels good this morning...

...and before you know it...

...we're winding our way thru the hills...

...canyons and curves.

Fellow traveler enjoying an early morning ride!

This is a pull-out, on the side of the road, where Dezirae was born...not enough time to get to the hospital!

Kurt letting us know the story of the birth, and that this little pass was where he had picked out for us to put the drone up and get some good footage of us flying thru the curves. Will have to do that another time!

More in next post.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 17 continued-

Back rolling toward...

...Skull Valley...

...thoroughly enjoying...

...the wide open road and very little traffic.

What amazing sights we're seeing!

The road is fun too!

We've only just started today...

...but it is definitely getting...

...interesting, as we climb...

...40 mph sounds about right.

More in next post.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 17 continued-

I don't know where we are...

...but Kurt said to go ahead of him and enjoy. So I am.

A look back...

...a look to the side...

...curves everywhere, sweepers and tight ones...

...AND, something we have not seen in a while....

...besides the great riding, there are TREES!

A look back-

This is definitely some fun!

I don't know where the trees went, but the twistys are still here!

More of Day 17 as time allows.

Kevin

 

[TonkaDriver]

Historic

One place we passed a few miles before Kevin and Mary took the lead was the Kirkland Steakhouse. It is on the National Registry of Historic Places. It was previously a stage stop, brothel, train stop and at one time was one of the best steakhouses in Arizona. Now it has been condemned for health code violations. Sad to see. Sally and I and two other couples stayed the night there a number of years ago. It was an experience to say the least.

Kurt

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 17 continued-

Still early in the day...

...and it is off to a great start...

...curves everywhere we look...

...and the views are amazing...

...whoa! I knew we've been climbing, but this is a bit surprising.

Shadow Pic-

Pulled over in the woods for a little convo and break. Stunningly different terrain than an hour ago.

Kurt leads the way into downtown Prescott...

...the Foodies have a plan!

We park right off the Prescott Town Square. That blue Mustang is Sally's ride. She does not ride motorcycles, so today she is our "chase" vehicle.

More in next post.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 17 continued-

We end up at Olive-U Naturally. Mary is in heaven! They make and sell flavor infused oils and balsamic vinegar's.

I enjoy her enjoying the tasting and oohing and ahhing over all the different flavors. They have a comfortable chair, just for folks like me. lol

Kurt and Sally stocked up on some, and Mary got introduced to a whole new world of flavors...I'm sure we'll be back here.

But now we are on our way out of Prescott...

...headed toward Jerome.

Water! Not a common sight for us the last few days!

A look back at Sally.

Wow-Cloud pic!

Another shot of Sally, enjoying her Mustang!

Starting our climb toward Jerome...

...something's telling me this is gonna be another good road.

More of Day 17 as time allows.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 17 Continued-

I had no idea...

...there was such great riding in Arizona!

A look back on this spectacular road!

What a blast!

The curves just keep on...

and on.

A quick look back...

...the views are amazing...

...and Kurt's camera is a whole new level for Mary!

We are thoroughly enjoying the day Kurt has planned out.

More in next post.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 17 continued-

Riding this road...

...we are overwhelming grateful...

...for the privilege of riding Free, for the beauty...

...and to Kurt for showing us this.

Coming into Jerome...

...a copper mining town, built on the side of a mountain.

We stop at a copper store, and the 4 of us look around a bit, pick up a few reminders of our day, then step onto the back porch of the store for a look around.

Leaving Jerome, it is a short roll...

...but amazingly scenic...

...to Sedona.

More of Day 17 as time allows.

Kevin

 

[ol' school]

WOW! Beautiful scenery and awesome roads! Thanks for sharing!