Well, the weather has been very cooperative this winter. A little rain, but mostly nice mild temps in the 60’s super riding weather. Here is a great ride that can be done this time of year. My name is Ford Willman. Please check out many other rides all available in my book 25 Greatest Southwest Motorcycle Rides at www.southwestmotorcyclerides.com Enjoy!
This ride is definitely a very long day ride or better it probably should be done as a weekend ride, at least for those coming from the Phoenix area. I am going to take you to Buenos Aires. No, not Buenos Aires in South America—that would be slightly more than a weekend ride, but the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge in far southern Arizona! Lots of folks I know have never even heard of this place. It wasn’t until about 10 or 12 years ago that I began to ride south on my journeys as opposed to always riding north in Arizona, and I found something out. There is some great riding down south!!

First a word about timing. This ride should definitely be done now or anytime in spring, fall or winter. This ride will be very hot in summer as the elevations are about 2,000 to 4,000 feet. My old saying applies here, “Altitude is everything!” So now would be a great time to plan & do this ride.

If you are starting this ride from Phoenix, you need to get on Interstate 10 heading south and ride the 100 or so miles to Tucson. Now I know what you are thinking: interstate, traffic, wind, Yuk! I know, I know. The first part of this ride is one of my least favorites too, but we have to get to where we want to be. If you have the time, go the back way to Tucson, which is out Hwy. 60 to Florence and then down the Pinal Pioneer Parkway to Catalina and Tucson—this is much nicer, less traffic, etc. but it is longer and not everyone will want to take the time to do this. So, bite the bullet and rocket down to Tucson.

From Tucson we continue south on I10 to the intersection with Interstate 19. Take 19 south 34 miles to Exit 48, which is Arivaca Junction/Amado. Get off here and you will see a huge steer head and horns about 35 feet across! No, you are not hallucinating; it is actually the Longhorn Grill/Saloon, which is a great place for food and cold drinks. If you prefer a steak in western setting, across the street is the Cow Palace. The Cow Palace is a landmark that has been serving food a long time and used to be a place movie stars hung out at, including the Duke.

If you want to stop here, there is a great bed and breakfast back under the highway, known as the Amado Territorial Inn. Nice place, biker friendly.
Leaving Arivaca Junction, we stay on Arivaca Road. You need to go just north of the Cow Palace and there is a turn to the left, with a very small sign that says Arivaca Rd. Be watching, or you will miss it. Now we are getting into some nice country. The 20 miles down to the little hamlet of Arivaca is nice curvy asphalt. Just as you are coming into the place, on your left will be Arivaca Cienega. There is a parking lot and a very nice trail down among the cottonwoods, some of it on wood platform walkways. This is a great little stretch for the legs and there are tons of birds here, including the quite rare gray hawk. I always take a small pair of binoculars and a bird book in the saddlebags and have had a lot of fun finding birds in Arizona.

From here rumble into town. There are two saloons. One you just passed coming in called the Grubsteak Saloon and Eatery. The other one is called La Gitana Cantina. La Gitana is Spanish for “the gypsy”, and its claim to fame is that it is “the oldest bar in the oldest continuously inhabited town site in Arizona”. Whew, what a mouthful! Anyway they have cold beer. Should you want to stay here there is a B&B called the Casa Bella Bed & Breakfast, with 6 rooms, but I have not stayed there yet. They can be reached toll free at 1-877-604-3385 or www.casa-bella-bandb.com.

Before we roll another 12 miles west out of town, be sure to stop by the information center (right side by the local grocery store) for information all about this wonderful area known as the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge. At about 12 miles west of town, we come to a T intersection, which is Highway 286. Take it left down about another 8-10 miles to the Refuge Headquarters (you must take a left off the road, and the headquarters is back about a mile or so). Here you can quickly learn about this fascinating area, and you might just be lucky enough to see some antelope. There are primitive campsites throughout the area, be sure to ask at the headquarters, if you want to camp.

From here head back north on Hwy. 286 about 44 miles to the junction with Hwy. 86. Here you turn right on Hwy. 86 and roll 21 miles back to Interstate 19 and then Interstate 10 and Tucson. Running north on Hwy. 286 you will certainly see a large peak off to your left. This is Baboquivari Peak, which is 7734 feet high. I have been up what is known as Brown Canyon to the peak, but this is only by special permit from the Refuge.

Once back in Tucson, open the throttle and head back up
I-10 to Phoenix. One nice and NEW ride under your belt.

Enjoy the Ride
Ford