2 weeks of touring AZ!! Any thoughts?

[richmotion]

Hi everyone!

I am planning a 2 week ride from Phoenix to Flaggstaff, Monument Valley, Page and back to Phoenix. My bike will be a Surly Cross Check with touring equpiment.
Please take a look at my route below.

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Any comments, recommendations, no-go´s? A lot of forest service roads will be on my route, highways if necessary or for "regenerating". Do you think 28x1.6" tires will be fine? 2.0 tires would fit into the Cross Check, but I was thinking of rolling resistance on tarmac and a little more clearance between tires and frame.

Anyone infos about permits in Navajo Country? Do I get the necessary permits in Cameron, AZ right when I´m there?

Is dispersed camping allowed in Navajo Country? Or on designated campgrounds only?

Start will be middle of May. Probably May, 18th to June, 1st. Depends on flight fares. Any hints on weather, wind, traffic on my route, anyone? Any help will be appreciated. I will surely bring a good GPS unit, warm sleeping bag, small tent. How about snakes, scorpions? Are they often seen inside tents and sleeping bags? I´m not really concerned, but a litte awareness on these animals will certainly be approbriate, no?
My whole equipment is about 18lbs, food and water not included. There is still plenty of weight to save, but my equipment grows (or changes) slowly, ultralight equipment is mostly expensive...

Probably I wouldn´t need a tent at all, but that´s 800 grams of living space, bug shelter, privacy. I am not really used to sleep outside, I guess it provides some sort of "inside" feeling. It wouldn´t keep a bear outside, but bugs and spiders won´t crawl over my face.
I am not sure if this tour is rather adventurous or boring. There are some long sections without anything at all, not sure how much water to bring, where to fill up my belly, etc...
I want to plan everything in advance, I probably should just be a little more adventurous and willing to take some risks... But I come from a country where you can find a village every few miles and I am very aware of the simple bigness and long distances between infrastructure in AZ.

Thanks a lot for infos!

Richard

PS: The link should work now!

[richmotion]

Nobody? Nothing? Never been cycling in Arizona? 

[ScottM]

Wow, that is the longest URL I have ever seen.  I'd recommend getting a google acct and then using the "myMaps" feature to be able to save and easily edit your intended route.

Most of us bikepackers in AZ are seeking singletrack and roads are just a way to connect the dots.  That means we end up riding a lot, but you definitely are covering some ground I'm not familiar with.  Check the AZT network GPX here in the routes section to see if there's any overlap or anything you're missing.  All the dirt roads on that are pretty good.

I wouldn't worry too much about snakes and scorpions up in the north country.  Even down here they aren't common as a camping nuisance.

Good luck.

[goyo]

Judging from your description, and the fact that your route shows up in German, this will be a real learning experience for you. It can be downright hot that time of year, even in northern AZ, so plan on lots of water. I doubt you will need a warm bag, unless you go into the high country around Flagstaff, which you should, and even then nothing below freezing.... The leg out of Phoenix will be very hot, but Prescott is not to be missed, especially for off road camping. All that way through the reservation...I could not recommend it. A whole lot of nothing out there, deep sand, and very windy, and the natives prefer their privacy. I would suggest the Grand Canyon north rim, and up through Kanab and across to Page. You can go from the South Rim all the way to Flagstaff off road, they used to do it 100 yrs ago... You've also missed some of the best of AZ that time of year, namely the Mogollon Rim; Pinetop, Eagar, Luna NM, the east side. Try to stick to the high country for cooler conditions. Catch a shuttle from PHX to Prescott and start riding there. Travel as light as you can. Hope this helps.

[richmotion]

Thanks, guys!
Of course that will be a learning experience! I was in Az twice, but only by car. My sleeping bag should provide comfort down to the freezing point and weighs about 750 grams, I guess it´s perfect.

@goyo: How would you ride from Phoenix to the north rim and up to Kanab and Page? East of the GC is Page first, and in the west I would have to hike through the canyon?? 
You wouldn´t recommend the Reservation? There are people recommending it just because of the friendly people, the wonderful Hopi and the Navajos... I guess there are a lot of different opinions about the Natives. Mogollon Rim sounds great, is it rideable on a touring bike or MTB only? I have not gathered information about it yet. I could imagine changing my route from Phx to Payson - Mogollon Rim - Page. Back to Phx as planned. I would win the Mogollon Rim, but lose the Hopi, Navajos and Monument Valley. Also, Google Maps does not include any dirt roads from Phx to Payson and up north, also the Mogollon Rim is not plannable. At least I haven´t found it yet.

I have to think about it...

[offroute]

richmo,

FWIW, I echo goyo's sentiment about temperatures. I would not want spend any more time than necessary below 5K' at that time of year. Individual tolerance to heat applies, of course.

I've had mixed experience with the natives on reservations--from sharing a beer with me to having bottles thrown at me. Mostly it's been positive interaction. Not much help there, maybe except to say the reservation experience is a little more raw than elsewhere.

Good luck with your great adventure.

Mike

[Chad B]

May 18th? As previously mentioned, that is perhaps the worst time to be biking in most of your proposed locations. I would stick to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon during those months and Flagstaff/Williams area. That said, I have ridden in 100 degree heat for a race, but would not recommend it for a bikepack trip.

Have you thought about CO?

[goyo]

In reply to my previous post, you might have an incredible adventure sticking to your original plan, so take our advice with some salt...I've bike toured from Tucson up east of Phoenix through Payson, on to Sedona and Flagstaff, to the South Rim, up through the reservation to Lee's Ferry, to the North Rim, etc. This was in April, and temps were good. Around Phoenix you'll have to sit out the afternoon heat in May. The reservation was extremely windy. Colorado may still be under snow in May, but the lower parts will be excellent. Stay in touch, you may be able to meet up with other bikers while here.