Blatherings From The Editor

Hang Out Stops

(April 2005) 

When Wanda and I go for a ride usually there is a specific destination in mind…not always, but usually.  It may be a rally, a restaurant or the local cycle shop.  The ride there is planned accordingly and the stop is anticipated due to hunger or the need for a maintenance part or two.  Another destination, or maybe that should be called a non-destination or just an excuse for a ride, is the “Hang Out” stop.

     Down in Southeastern Arizona we have a couple of pretty good hang out stops.  These are places where you can get gas or groceries, and for sure it is a stop for bikers and motorcyclists to hang out and tell tales and kick tires.  These hang out stops tend to be at crossroads or intersections, and are either on great roads or are on the way to great roads.

      For example the Road Runner Gas Station in Corona De Tucson at the intersection of Sahuarita Road and South Houghton.  They seem to get a lot of gas customers so the gas shouldn’t be old or contaminated; the general store has quite a selection of your basic food; and the sandwiches at the deli are huge!  Good hang out stop for riders out of Tucson heading south to some of Arizona’s best roads.  Also, did you know that coffee is free on Friday?

     Just a bit further down the road in Sonoita the Shell Station has become a good hang out stop…gas, food, and on a pleasant afternoon loaded with bikes.  Sonoita really is at a major Southern Arizona crossroads and chances are you will see just about every brand and model of motorcycle made go by if you just wait long enough.  Hwy 83 on down to Parker Lake or the trip through Elgin are both good riding.  If you are so inclined, you can do a bit of wine tasting on your way to Elgin.   I highly recommend Callaghans but there are at least two other wineries in the area.

     Our favorite hang out stop is the Bisbee Coffee Company on the corner of Main and Tombstone Canyon in Bisbee.  No gas (though there is a Circle K just down the road) but the food and coffee are excellent, and anyone who cruises Bisbee has to go by the coffee shop at least once.  The outside tables and chairs are ready made for hanging out and talking’ motorcycles.  Lots of bike travelers come through Bisbee and are always looking for directions to the best roads.  On a good day you can BS with the local riders, a rider from Who Knows Where, USA, and possibly an around the world traveler.  I just love to pull out our maps and give them the Southern Arizona road tour.  But that’s another story.

     By now I’m sure some of you are saying something like, “We don’t need no stinking excuse for a ride!”  And I agree.  Everyday is a good day to ride and I’m sure we can sit and chat about it in Corona De Tucson, Sonoita or Bisbee!  Deryle and Wanda, hanging out on the road.

[Editor’s Note:  Know a good motorcycle hang out?  Email me at editor@seatrider.com.]