Ok so here's the story, I'm a 19 year old Australian that had recently acquired a Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation, and loves the 3 big M's, Motorcycles, Mountain Bikes and Music, (but not that shitty stuff that they play on the radio these days). I'm hopefully headed to America (specifically West Virginia) in June (interview this weekend) to teach a bunch of young kids how to ride and shred on their Mountain Bikes for 2-3 months at a Summer Camp. After I'm done with the camp I'm headed over to Phoenix, Arizona to see family. Once I'm im in Phoenix, what am i to do? Most people when they go to America they want to go to a mall that's a million times bigger than anything in Australia. Or go to Wall Mart or Disney Land or whatever the hell it is that people do when they go to America. Here's the plot twist! But then i though, hey! Why not make it a legendary experience and rent a motorcycle, buy a few maps and find some magic in the form of asphalt and dirt roads between Phoenix and Monument Valley/Canyon Lands National Park . But as it turns out, every single rental company wants me to be 21, if not 25, to rent a bike or car. I've tried offering money to cover the insurance and that im not you're average 19 year old and i've never done a wheelie on a motorcycle in my life, but that doesn't appear to make a difference . So does anyone know of a little rental company that is a bit slacker with their rules that will rent me a motorcycle that A) starts and B) isn't a Harley/cruiser? OR is someone on here LUCKY enough to own two bikes, KEEN enough to ride 1500 or so miles in 3, 4 or 5 days and GENEROUS enough to let me borrow one of their beloved steeds, with some sort of payment if need be. So if anyone is up for it, or knows a guy, or knows a guy who knows a guy, or kno.... You get the point. Shoot me a message if you have any information you think might help me, or if you just want to come along, and we'll fix up a plan! I'd be happy to return the favor here in Australia one day!
Well the first thing you need to do when you get here is go to one of our fantastic, enormous and glamorous mega-malls. I recommend Arrowhead, Fashion Square, Arizona Mills and Westgate. When you're done, go to Wal-Mart but be warned, some are crappy while some are extremely nice. I recommend any of the ones in Scottsdale, or the one off of Lake Pleasant Dr. up in Peoria. Ask your family, they'll probably know where the best Wal-Mart's are at No need to go to Disneyland, that place is a shithole anymore. In all seriousness though, do see some of the local sights but I know, I'm the same way about wanting to go to Australia, and ride right through the middle and camp out near Ayers Rock. Best bet is probably finding some one on here who'll let you borrow an old Enduro they have for a fee. As you have already seen the US is HIGHLY regulated and most people here don't like it either. There are some amazing twisties if you know where to look. Head out to Wickenburg on HWY 60 (Grand Ave. in Phoenix) and you'll experience a really charming little old west town. Take HWY 89 North just past Wickenburg (Google Maps it) and it'll take you on some killer twisties, beautiful scenery, you get to go through a really cool ghost town built on a cliff (Jerome) and it ends up going through Sedona (must see) and onto Flagstaff. You could actually use this route to make your way to both the Grand Canyon (must see) and Monument Valley. I've just recently discovered HWY 191 (which use to be HWY 666) which is supposedly unreal and mega fun, but it's on the eastern part of the state near New Mexico. Just depends on how long you'll be staying for.
Ok well if I'm going to do it I want the real Mega Mall experience. Which one has the most obnoxious screaming 2 year olds with parents that don't care and people parking their trollies where i want to walk? I looked up Jerome on Google Maps and when the screen loaded it was confronted with little white squiggly lines all over the place. I think my heart fluttered a little bit. I'm planning on doing that trip across Australia, Byron Bay to Steep point. But something that people don't really come here to do is Newcastle or Wollongong down to Melbourne. The opportunities are endless. If you studied your maps you could do the whole ride on dirt and never see a police car. A couple of suggestions of roads scattered along the east coast for you are The Putty Road, Macquarie Pass, Omeo Highway, The Barry Way and the Bonang Highway AKA The Road Of 1000 Corners. If you're up for a little more of a challenge on the dirt give Turon Gates road a go, I've done it by myself on a Dakar 650 with no issues, dad has done it on his GS1200, mum has done it on her GS650, its just fairly rocky in places but nothing an Adventure bike can't handle. My J1 Visa gives me 30 days after i finish working to travel before i have to leave, but i will most likely be back again in November on a working visa because i've got work lined up guiding mountain biking with a company based in Sedona.
Well if it only ends up being 2 months, try to make it HERE as there are groups of riders going out every day, beer and music at night. Some of the Phoenix bunch may pop in here and they know the good stuff there. If you make it to the San Diego area, I have a street legal DR-Z250 and DR650. Be glad to show you back roads and trails.
Oh now you're just teasing me. Im missing out on seeing Buddy Guy at the Byron Bay Blues Festival here i Aus because i can't afford it. It's his last time playing here, and the only other name on the lineup that i recognise is Quinn Sullivan. I'm sure the other bands will be great too. Unfortunately unless a tornado takes out the camp i don't think I'll be finishing early! If im headed your way I'll take you up on that offer!
Hit me up when your in PHX. I can loan you a bike and show you some mtb trails. I have an extra beach cruiser bike you can ride also. In regard to renting a motorcycle, I'd suggest buying something used and then selling it when your done...depending how long you are staying in the states. Lots of people use this site to buy/sell/rent: http://phoenix.craigslist.org/mcy/
From the sounds of it, you'll really like Sedona. Very outdoorsy-place. Most of the malls here are too snooty for screaming children. You'd probably get kicked out of Fashion Square for that (Fanciest mall in the heart of Scottsdale). Arizona Mills is probably the closest to that. I'm sure there's lot of cool places in Oz to explore but my first order of business is that damn Monolith. I'm going to sneak on top of it late at night and camp out plump strait on top of it.
That would be awesome, look forward to it. Should i bring a full face and kneepads or will a skate helmet be fine? Yeah i've been looking around on here and on craigslist. I'll see how i go i guess.
Yeah well hopefully i'll be working up there at the end of the year! I think my family lives in scottsdale, the name sounds familiar. Haha, good stuff. I don't know how that will go, but i'd like to hear about it. I've never been there so I'm not sure of the security situation out there. I've heard that the camping site fee's are daylight robbery though. As for the heat, Once it gets over 33 degrees here its cooler to close your vents and visor. Once you get closer to 40 and over we just dunk our jackets and shirts in a river, open up the vents, put them back on and keep riding. Only problem is your shirt is dry in 5 minutes.
Better bring a full-face helmet and gear. The trails here are technical, rocky, and steep! Skate helmets are for skate parks. I have extra gear I can loan you if needed. If you want to rent a new Santa Cruz bike, Action Ski and Bike rental in Mesa, AZ has a nice selection of quality MTB to rent.