In the past, when I thought about motorcycle riding, I always thought of going north. To Payson, Prescott, Flagstaff, Show Low, etc. And there is certainly nothing wrong with this—there is some terrific riding in the northern part of the state. But the last dozen years or so, I have been more and more pointing my front wheel south—and liking it a lot! Southern Arizona has some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere, with the different ranges of “Sky Islands” (so named because they rise like islands into the sky from the desert floor), the history, the climate, the people, etc.

So this ride is a ride down south, and one that I am sure few folks have done. First, a word about the “Sky Islands”. The main “Sky Island” ranges are the Santa Ritas, the Huachucas, the Chiricauhuas, and to a lesser degree, the Dragoon, Mule, and Baboquivari mountains. And no, Virginia, I am not swearing at you! These “islands” that rise above a “sea” of grass and scrub show incredible biological and ecological diversity (just big words for lots of different plants and animals). That is their great attraction. You can find birds and plants and animals here that you can find nowhere else in the United States! For example, it is only here in the sky islands that jaguars can be occasionally found! Yes, Virginia, jaguars, like here kitty, kitty. And elegant trogons (a neat bird) and up to 14 kinds of hummingbirds and lots of other cool stuff. And let me say that the motorcycle riding is just wonderful. Good roads, great scenery, and not a lot of traffic—my kind of place to ride!!

This particular ride skirts to the west of the “sky islands”, but I wanted to introduce you to them, because we will be seeing more of them in the coming months as I write these articles. Today’s ride is also a rather long day ride (my odometer read 314 miles from my driveway in Mesa back to my driveway). This might be 30 or 40 miles less depending on if you live in the western part of Phoenix.

So, you will want to start fairly early in the day. I rode this again yesterday just to check the roads and such, and Marilyn and I started out about 8:30 am on Sunday and were back before 3 pm. Of course, it will always depend on your speed and how often you stop, but this included several “potty” stops and a very relaxed lunch back in Casa Grande. (Also, this ride is best done in the spring, fall and winter. Summer can be very hot!)

The ride starts (in Mesa) by getting onto the 202 freeway westbound to Interstate 10. Then travel west on Interstate 10 approximately 32 miles to intersection 112, which is Highway 85. Take Hwy. 85 south 33 miles into Gila Bend (you can also take Old Hwy 80 which is more scenic, but you will have to look that one up in my book, 25 Greatest Southwest Motorcycle Rides). Find that at my web site: www.southwestmotorcyclerides.com

Once in Gila Bend gas up and then follow 85 on the main drag out of town south under the overpass. Travel this south for 42 miles into beautiful, downtown Ajo. You pass through some interesting chocolate brown foothills north of town. I strongly recommend you gas up here again, because it is a good long way without gas where we are going! After enjoying the amenities of Ajo, we head south of town on Hwy. 85 another 10 miles to the huge metropolis of Why. Why, I don’t know why, just because! At Why, the road forks and we want to take the road to your left or east which is Hwy. 86. (If we stayed on Hwy. 85, it would take us another 28 miles south to the border with Sonoyta, Mexico.)

Once on Hwy. 86 there is an Indian casino a few miles down the road, where you can get lunch. From Why we rumble 36 miles east, passing some great expansive views back on your left (to the north). This is really wide-open country without a lot of people. It is called Quijotoa Valley, but don’t ask me to pronounce that! At 36 miles we come to an intersection with Indian Highway 15. Be watching or you will sail right on by, but the road is good and wide and has (normally) very little traffic. Read none sometimes! You will want to turn left or north on Hwy. 15 an roll 53 miles though the Santa Rosa valley. Not spectacular, but really, really nice country. You could almost forget the horrific traffic of the Phoenix area running though here!

Once in Casa Grande there are the usual suspects for food and gas. There is a pretty good Mexican restaurant on the main drag called Mi Amigo Ricardos. From here you can either get back on Interstate 10 (and fly home the 40 or so miles to Phoenix—n ot recommended) or go west out of town on Hwy. 84 17 miles (through Stanfield) to Peters Corners. Peters Corners has a decent little hamburger joint called Burnt Buns if you’re hungry. Now go north or right on Hwy. 347 though a pleasant valley that is called—Pleasant Valley. It is here that John Wayne had his Red River ranch. You also pass by Harrah’s Ak Chin casino if you want to stop and try your luck. From Peters Corners it is about 12 miles into the town of Maricopa and then another 18 miles back to Interstate 10 and on into Phoenix. A fairly long, but most excellent day ride!