PHX to LA on a bike: anyone done it this time of year?

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Have a bike I'm interested in that is in north PHX. If it were spring or Fall it would be an easy choice to fly in and ride it back. But according to weather.com Blythe was 111 today, and 6-8 hours of that doesn't sound fun. Anyone done that ride this time of year?

hardflex · 06-14-2008, 07:04 PM

why not just plan the trip to cross the desert in the early morning when it's cooler?

TimT · 06-14-2008, 07:10 PM

I did many bike trips through the Negev and Sinai in the mid 1980's..
Yamaha XT500

Ride early or late, pack water.. pretty simple

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

yeah, I was thinking the plan would be fly in, stay overnight, then head out around 5am. Back in the day I did San Diego to Flagstaff mid summer in a truck with no AC and I would leave at 9pm and drive all night. Don't really want to do that on a bike, especially a somewhat unknown ride.

speeder · 06-14-2008, 07:32 PM

So what are you getting? You can't just leave us like that.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

pondering an Aprilia Futura. Other shortlist bikes are a Duc ST2, MTS, Aprilia Caponard, or GS1100/1150. I'm leaning more towards the sport-touring thing as opposed to all-road. I'm not sure how much dirt I'd see around these parts...

BlueSkyJaunte · 06-14-2008, 07:58 PM

Get one of those breathe-thru ballistic jackets (Joe Rocket?). Fill your pockets with ice.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

I've done LA to Vegas in summer, but not LA to Phoenix. This was on my Katana about 4 years ago. Fun, almost spiritual. It gets hot. And windy. If you don't like riding when the wind is blowing you about, don't do it. The desert gets VERY windy especially around evening time. It was downright scary in parts.

But fun. I'd do it again.

LeeH · 06-14-2008, 08:50 PM

You can park it in my garage until it cools off a bit.

Arizona_928 · 06-14-2008, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts

How about this, take off from Phoenix at about 5PM, and ride until 8PM, then hit a motel for the night, and repeat with you leaving at dawn.

-Wayne

that's not a bad idea, it's around low 90's then.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

5pm is just about peak temp here and you do NOT want to be riding west here at sunset. I do it every day, but only about 1/2 mile between my street and the gym. However, I do it in a t-shirt and jogging pants with no helmet, so it's even worse. Tues. I had to go to DMV, which is hwy. riding where I always wear full gear. Honestly, it's more comfortable in full gear in the heat, since you're covered against the sun. I'd leave real early in the morning when the sun will be at your back and it's well below peak heat. Today it was around 105 deg. at 4:30 and it was much hotter while riding than while sitting in traffic. The wind at that temp. has no cooling effect whatsoever and just gets you hotter faster.

javadog · 06-15-2008, 05:24 AM

Once you get air temperatures that are higher than your body temp, the faster you go the hotter you get. It gets uncomfortable really quickly, particularly in leather. I'd make the ride at night, after the temperature has cooled down from the daytime heating. Maybe in the wee hours of the morning.

Be careful,
JR

varmint · 06-15-2008, 05:35 AM

i've run the BMW through death valley in september. it's possible as long as you keep up the speed. stop for thirty seconds and you'll cook. not really good for the engine either.

run early morning, it's a lot cooler, and going west you'll have the sun at your back.

the futura was a nice model.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by javadog

Once you get air temperatures that are higher than your body temp, the faster you go the hotter you get. It gets uncomfortable really quickly, particularly in leather. I'd make the ride at night, after the temperature has cooled down from the daytime heating. Maybe in the wee hours of the morning.

Be careful,
JR

In theory yes, although you're discounting the effects of evaporative cooling due to sweat. You can be in temperatures significantly above 98.6F and still not overheat. You'll be uncomfortable, but you won't be in mortal peril either due to imminent overheating.

Drink a crapload of water. And bring some with you. A camelback is probably a great idea. A big one.

javadog · 06-15-2008, 06:00 AM

I don't know about you but I get precious little evaporative cooling while dressed in full leathers... I do sweat a lot though, so it feels good when I pull them off.

Years ago, when I was working with a motorcycle roadracing team in the AMA and WERA series, it was not unusual for a rider to end an hour-long stint on the bike in hot weather nearly passed out from the heat. And I'm talking about experienced pros, not novices that got liquored up, the night before the races.

JR

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by javadog

I don't know about you but I get precious little evaporative cooling while dressed in full leathers... I do sweat a lot though, so it feels good when I pull them off.

Years ago, when I was working with a motorcycle roadracing team in the AMA and WERA series, it was not unusual for a rider to end an hour-long stint on the bike in hot weather nearly passed out from the heat. And I'm talking about experienced pros, not novices that got liquored up, the night before the races.

JR

Yea that's true. If you have the zip-vents it helps a lot. It does get damn hot, but as long as you keep hydrated and keep some air moving over your skin you can last a while.

I do recommend stopping semi-regularly at gas stations or food stops when able to get in some a/c, slug down some water, etc.

Going at the cooler time of day is a good idea, although evening is when it gets windy and the animals tend to come out (could potentially be a road hazard, particularly for someone with a history of meeting coyotes in unpleasant ways). Going west, early morning would be best for sure.

hardflex · 06-15-2008, 07:18 AM

about 5 hours phoenix to the moreno valley, Palm Springs is near 100 at 11 am, so you'd want to beat that. Is there an hour for the time zone change you pick up?

I'd leave at 5am with a couple breaks on the way. I love riding early morning anyway. Cooler, beautiful sunrises, less traffic, you and your bike. It's all good.

Wickd89 · 06-15-2008, 08:31 AM

Are you specifically going out for this ride?

I have driven this route a dozen times and found it boring as heck. Maybe better on a bike.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

early morning, and especially early evening you can see some significant winds.

Leave just before it starts getting light, get one of those camelback things the distance bicycle guys use, so you can get water conveniently without stopping. You will not need to stop and pee, because you will lose water so fast by perspiring, might want to drink gatorade diluted about 50% with water.

Plan to stop before noon, someplace cool, ride out the heat of the day then get up and go

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

You can probably make that trip in one night 6 hours easily. I did it in about 4.5 in my 86 911 a couple years ago, but was above 100 most of the trip. At 80mph, leaving at 6 or 7pm you will be home by midnight or so.