The road that defeated Rocinante....

I had planned to take 188 west and get on the way to Sedona. Instead I saw an alternative scenic route that would add about 70 miles to the trip.

What a shame I hadn't noticed the 20 miles of unpaved road at the end of it....Great canyon ride down to the edge of Pheonix then hang a left and back up again via a tiny twisty road.

Hundreds of bikers out today but all of them stopped at a restaurant at Tortilla Flats, which is where I an now, sat on a saddle at the bar, drinking beer out of a jar...Like an ejit I had riddin past until 2 miles later I hit the sign saying 'unpaved road for 24 miles'. I didn't fancy going back so I thought sod it, give it a go. 2 miles later I turned around. Poor Roci is designed for cruaising around town, not for riding the length and breadth of the USA, let alone miles of dirt track. Every bump bottomed out the suspension and I was at risk of doing poor Roci an injury.

Compo, your BWM would have been fine. Next time, I need to ride one of those or keep a better eye on the map ;o). So, its back down to Pheonix and try another route north.