Hot coffee and warm breakfast burritos started our day at the Jonquil Motel, another cool clear morning. As soon as the sun clears the mountain top the yard warms quickly.

 

 

 

We kept plans loose for today. Some are looking to spend time exploring Bisbee. We're gathering up folks to put together an itinerary. The bikes wait patiently outside our room.

 

xBefore long, 5 of us set out around 8 and heading up into the mountains surrounding town. An unpaved road leads to the top of one of the tallest with great views to the north and hen back towards Bisbee on the way down.

 

 

Returning through town we paused on the southern side to view the "Big Hole", the Queen Copper Mine which gave historic Bisbee it's fame and fortune.

 

 

From there we cruised due south for about 12 miles to the tiny town of Naco. We could go no further because of a big fence - we'd come to see the infamous Border Wall.

 

 

We rode right along the wall for several miles passing a handful of border patrol trucks then veered north into the desert on a spur road to reach pavement and loop back into Bisbee. After a quick ride up some of the steep side streets surrounding town we returned to the Jonquil to regroup.

 

Of those that did not go on one of the longer all day rides today, most wanted to go explore town. It's quite a place. One day I must do that. As I was here to ride Ash and I picked up Rob and headed north to explore the Dragoon Mountains about 25 miles north. 

 

 

We finished up at the Dragoons and backtracked to touristy Tombstone for a good BBQ lunch. The town was mobbed on this holiday weekend.

 

 

After lunch we reversed course again and rode out into the desert on the dirt roads passing the Dragoon spur road this time and headed east through the peaks on Middlemarch Road. It's broad, pretty flat, and smooth at both ends, though I really enjoyed the pretty part in the middle when it got up into the high parts.

 

 

We then turned south on the Ghost Town Trail. It was a long dirt road and outside of the sign and a couple old buildings, no more ghost towns we found. Meh.

 

 

Completing the loop we returned to Bisbee and the Jonquil. After a delicious Indian curry rice dinner, Sterling Noren treated us to a first showing of his soon to be released next motorcycle adventure documentary. You should be seeing more about this soon.

 

 

Tomorrow we all go back to our homes or out on more adventures. It's been really great getting to meet all these Backcountry Discovery Route titans, the gear providers, the artists and talent, as well as fellow adventurers away from some big event. I hope to see them all again and share some time on a trail.

 

  

 

 

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Article by Wayne Busch, America Rides Maps

We produce detailed maps of the best roads to enjoy on your motorcycle travels in the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. Get the maps at America Rides Maps.com