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Shortcuts, Long Cuts and Ways Around! Read about all the Great Roads and Short Cuts The freeway is a great way to get from point A to point B by the most expeditious route. In most instances, freeways are straight ahead riding with little to no change in scenery. There is so much more to see by getting off the freeway. Taking the less traveled back roads you can turn a boring straight ahead ride into an enjoyable ride that gives you the opportunity to see some of Arizona and her history that not all travelers see. Some of these back roads are shorter, some longer, all are more interesting than the super slab. For example, look at Old Highway 80 that connects Gila Bend on Interstate 8 to Interstate 10. Hwy 85 between Gila Bend and I-10 is known by all, especially truckers who are skirting Phoenix. Old Highway 80 runs parallel to Hwy 85 and has way less traffic. You cross over the Gila River at the now defunct Gillespie Dam on a very old riveted metal bridge built before most of us SEAT members were born. A way more interesting and actually shorter way to bridge I-8 and I-10. Still want to continue on to points north? Try this route: turn west at Hassayampa off of Old Hwy 80 onto the Buckeye-Solome Road; then take 355th Ave north to Vulture Mine Road. All paved, Vulture Mine Road will take you into the back door of Wickenburg on a very motorcycle friendly road that passes the old Vulture Mine. Little to no traffic and a couple of nice roadside pull outs to stop and smell the roses. The ride from Sierra Vista to Safford has always included about 12 miles of I-10. No way to get around it. Not any more. It turns out the Ft Grant-Bonita Road north out of Wilcox to AZ Highway 266 is now paved. You’ll ride by some serious greenhouses north of Wilcox. Hwy 266 runs through the foot hills and brings you back to Hwy 191 about 17 miles from Safford. A long cut that is a way around the freeway and worth it Many SEAT members know the freeway-bypassing shortcuts above and a bunch more; many other members don’t. To help pass the word, we’ll have a map of Arizona with links to Google Maps detailing the shortcuts, long cuts or ways around on the SEAT web site. Don’t see your favorite way around marked? Send us an email and let us know, we’ll add it to the map. There is no better way to experience Arizona than by riding a motorcycle along her back roads. Small town history is the best. Knowing the shortcuts, long cuts and ways around, it gets even better
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