Riding the Grease: Gilbert to Show Low, AZ

Did i want to take the long way or the short way to Show Low? I was dying for twisties after miles of straight roads, but opted for Salt River Canyon up to Show Low and 191 or the windy Coronado Trail for my return to meet Gary in Phoenix.

Heading out of Phoenix

I believe that may have been a good call after riding the heck out of Salt River Canyon and a mere 4.6 miles out of Show Low, I got my first flat riding experience. One minute I was fine, the next my front end felt all wobbly and non-responsive. I coasted to the roadside using my front brakes, and got off to find this….grrrr

I found a hole the size of my little finger. Nice. Ok, Mo-Tow, Dean, Mo-Tow, Dean. After Bandito’s last Mo-Tow experience, I gave Dean a call. In moments he was there in white shining armor and we aired the tire enough to get me into town to the bike shop for a new rear tire. I could have plugged, but not when I would be riding another 3K…no. Better with new rubber.

Show Low reminded me a bit of Lake Tahoe area because of the pines.

Salt River Canyon

more…
Day four

After some great service from Show Low Motorsports, I proudly scrubbed my new rear tire on the dirt road to the MC B&B. At the beginning of Dean’s private drive, we encountered two lads in a pickup truck with a freezer on the back selling steaks. Hmmmm….One would think out here seemingly in the middle of nowhere, you would have some privacy. Nope, “hey, u don’t want um, but what about that lady on the bike?” I replied I was visiting from CA and his response, “don’t they eat steak in CA?” :hehe

The road in…

Dean’s driveway though better than it was, was small gravel deeply layered. Dean suggested that he ride in the Bandit. I gratefully accepted and drove in his jeep. He had just poured a new cement pad in front of the B&B and the Bandit was the first motorcycle to cross it. What an honor!

The MC B&B which will soon be green like Dean’s home.

Dean and Pam’s home

I was included on the wall of visiting fame…now that was special! :2thumbsup

Pam spend time making the B&B perfect. Her paint touches and decorating were amazing.

Dean’s collection of horsepower!

A tool for every occasion!

The B&B up above the motorcycle barn a life of luxury!

My room

Bunk room

The deck off the bunk room…wow.

The off the grid power source. Dean’s system is killer!

Dean and Pam have worked on their place for 12 years now, and it is simply amazing. From a one room cabin to a full blow, off the grid home with and additional motorcycle barn, shop and guest house. They have delicious well water and a solar system the powers everything, lights, pumps, water heater, refrigeration, I mean everything! The bed and barn alone are huge, complete with ceiling fans, lighting, two motorcycle lifts, tools and an amazing collection of ambient motorcycle memorabilia. Dean a Beemer dude, once owned a dealership and now enjoys the fruits of his years of labor. His lovely wife Pam has painstakingly made paths across the yard raking and lining them with stones. Her influence is abundant in the ambiance throughout the home and barn. Her eclectic style and drawn together a perfect union of antique and modern furnishings and traditional and modern art. The place glows warmth hospitality.

Pam’s beautifully lined rock paths