AZ vs FL vs NC vs TX for dirtbike riding?

mikemxbike4
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North Andover, MA, USA
9/4/2015 8:45am
AZ all the way. We have great desert riding, technical single track, some decent moto tracks, and great sights to see. Lots of cool places to...
AZ all the way. We have great desert riding, technical single track, some decent moto tracks, and great sights to see.
Lots of cool places to go camping where you can ride as well.
The tracks aren't super amazing but there's a few good ones. ACP is ALWAYS prime. Canyon is hit or miss (but a 20 minute drive for me). ET out east is good. Motoland is casa grande as well. One of my buddy's friends is actually about to open a facility as well. From my understanding, there will be something like 4 tracks. There will also be utv tracks as well.

Make a drive out here to see how you like it. I'd be happy to show you around.

Oh and.. yes it does get hot in the summer but we have night practices. Between that and stand up jet skis, summers arent that bad.
Thanks for the offer man. I think my next drive up to AZ might involve a big UHaul truck
CamP
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Colleyville, TX, USA
9/4/2015 9:05am
For MX, the DFW area is at the top of the heap. The job market is also red hot and the cost of living is low.



9/4/2015 12:25pm
I just moved back to Tx from a 6yr stint in AZ if you like to RACE MOTO avoid AZ like the plague. Only 3 reliable...
I just moved back to Tx from a 6yr stint in AZ if you like to RACE MOTO avoid AZ like the plague. Only 3 reliable tracks in the valley, it's seasonal and the dirt sucks ass bad. But if you just like to ride off-road then it's a wonderland. I could go on for days about the Moto here in Tx it's that good.
Damn Shane!! LOL

ACP is always super prime.
Canyon.. well, we all know it's hit or miss. BUT, now that Joey Zapien is prepping it the faces are super nice and they have been doing a great job on getting rid of the rocks as much as possible.

Motoland is hit or miss. He needs to fix jump faces more often but the dirt prep is good.
G-man
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Mesa, AZ, USA
9/4/2015 4:33pm
Az sucks, there is nothing to do out here. Woohoo

The Shop

G-man
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9/4/2015 4:37pm


mikemxbike4
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9/4/2015 4:40pm
G-man wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2015/09/04/104006/s1200_7_14_Canyon2.jpg[/img]


Ohh man. You are making me miss AZ even more haha.

The main challenge is finding a job there while being a resident of MA.
G-man
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9/5/2015 9:33am
Depending on what you do and your work experience.
mikemxbike4
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9/5/2015 9:47am
G-man wrote:
Depending on what you do and your work experience.
Im a mechanical engineer with 2.5 years of experience plus 5 years of relevant hands-on experience
G-man
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Mesa, AZ, USA
9/5/2015 9:52am
Start searching now as I am sure you have.

I wouldn't move unless you had something lined up.
The AZ job mkt can be sketchy.
mikemxbike4
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9/5/2015 9:56am
G-man wrote:
Start searching now as I am sure you have.

I wouldn't move unless you had something lined up.
The AZ job mkt can be sketchy.
Absolutely. I wont be able to move out till November, so I will start searching around October. I heard that job market has recovered for the most part though.
resetjet
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Tampa, FL, USA
9/5/2015 10:27am
Free riding sucks in FL....Just not much state land that you are allowed to ride. Weather is awesome 9 months out of the year. The other 4, its too hot and humid to ride in my book. MX tracks at night are the only sane option. Pro's like it as they are training in the worst of conditions in the summer......Hot and humid. However, there is more to life then riding, so therefore pick FL....Tampa Bay area.

As for NC, still gets pretty cold there. Rideable, but cold. I don't like riding below 40 myself and even that is sketchy.

I just really hate cold, so I am biased. No way I am ever moving to another cold climate. Spent 5 years in Atlanta and that was way too cold for me.
Joko
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Haddam, CT, USA
Fantasy
9/5/2015 6:21pm
Does the ground freeze in NC winter months? What are the nearby tracks near Lake Norman/Moorseville? Any chance of getting to watch JGR practice sessions?
olds cool
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Claremont, NC, USA
9/5/2015 9:46pm
Joko wrote:
Does the ground freeze in NC winter months? What are the nearby tracks near Lake Norman/Moorseville? Any chance of getting to watch JGR practice sessions?
Yes, the ground does freeze here but not usually for an extended period of time like you're probably used to.

There are several practice tracks within 1 - 1.5 hrs from Mooresville/Lake Norman area. Center Road, MX421 and East Bend are 60-70ish miles north and Club MX is about the same distance south. They (Club) used to be open to the public on Wednesdays, not sure if they still are. Top Gun is about 30 min west. They have a couple Ultra Series races per year and usually a few local/outlaw races too. Not open for regular weekly practice though. Cathey's Creek is in Forest City, about 1 3/4 hrs away NW. They're open most weekends, either for practice or racing. For a weekend day trip, Lake Sugartree is just over 2 hrs away, just across the VA line. Windy Hill, NCMP and a few other tracks in the Eastern part of the state are within driving distance also. South of the Border is right off I-95 on the SC side of the NC/SC border (hence, the name).

As far as getting in to watch practice at JGR, you prolly have to know somebody high up the food chain at JGR or be bud's with JB, WP, or Filthy Phil. I live less than 10 min from their track and let's just say it's off the beaten path, down a private drive, with a gate at the entrance to Coy's "farm". You're not going to stumble across it while out cruising around in the country here, see anybody riding and stop at the fence and watch the boys ride from the road, lol. My son has a brother-in-law that lives literally outside the gate and has become friends with Coy but we don't impose on him to get us in when they are there riding because we don't feel it's proper to impose on that relationship. He has taken us and showed us around when nobody was there and the place was fairly new but we didn't even get out of the truck. I believe he said one of the team guy's, maybe the truck driver, stays there now in a mobile home or something to watch all the equipment and stuff. If you can get in, good for you! Maybe you can get me in too, lol.

I have lived here all of my life and this is a great place to live. The economy is not as good as it has been in the past but it's slowly getting better. Mooresville/Lake Norman down to Charlotte is rocking along pretty good but I live NW of there and we are lagging a little behind, economically. The good news is I don't have to deal with the traffic!
SEEMEFIRST
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Arlington, TX, USA
9/5/2015 10:14pm
I just moved back to Tx from a 6yr stint in AZ if you like to RACE MOTO avoid AZ like the plague. Only 3 reliable...
I just moved back to Tx from a 6yr stint in AZ if you like to RACE MOTO avoid AZ like the plague. Only 3 reliable tracks in the valley, it's seasonal and the dirt sucks ass bad. But if you just like to ride off-road then it's a wonderland. I could go on for days about the Moto here in Tx it's that good.
You moved back to Texas City? On purpose?

Hahaha... My wife is from there and I've spent a lot of time visiting there. In fact, I think we're going to see her dad the weekend of the 19th. You wanna talk "Flat" Texas City is "FLAT".Wink
chaseodc
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Fort Myers, FL, USA
9/6/2015 7:09am
Hey guys. I currently live in Massachusetts and am really sick of long winters and limited places to ride. I'm possibly looking to relocate to one...
Hey guys. I currently live in Massachusetts and am really sick of long winters and limited places to ride.

I'm possibly looking to relocate to one of the 3 states this spring (Arizona, Florida, Texas or North Carolina ). Which state/area do you feel offers the best freeriding and MX track oprions?

Thanks!
This conversation can't be had without considering FTT.
Pretty much 2 hours to all the others tracks in FL.

FTT
mikemxbike4
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North Andover, MA, USA
9/10/2015 7:45am Edited Date/Time 9/10/2015 7:46am
Hey guys. I currently live in Massachusetts and am really sick of long winters and limited places to ride. I'm possibly looking to relocate to one...
Hey guys. I currently live in Massachusetts and am really sick of long winters and limited places to ride.

I'm possibly looking to relocate to one of the 3 states this spring (Arizona, Florida, Texas or North Carolina ). Which state/area do you feel offers the best freeriding and MX track oprions?

Thanks!
chaseodc wrote:
This conversation can't be had without considering FTT.
Pretty much 2 hours to all the others tracks in FL.

FTT
What is FTT?
TXDirt
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Plano, TX, USA
9/10/2015 8:20am
Don't move to Texas. We already have enough people from California moving in. They have discovered that the mobile home they were living in gets them a 4 bdrm house in Texas for same price.
Kyle978
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Dirt, NM, USA
9/10/2015 3:08pm
I've been living in Phoenix for 4 years now, and have experienced a lot here. When I first moved here, I was a bit disappointed in the quality of tracks and the lack of scenery. I still don't prefer the desert landscape, and the tracks are very hit or miss, but I've found a lot of positives to living here and have actually learned to love this place.

First, there are some really good shops with great prices and great selection. I live in the north valley, and have great dealerships and aftermarket shops very close. There are 4 tracks to choose from (a 5th opening soon) that all have their good and bad days. The desert riding after a rain is UNREAL. Corner tracks wherever you want to make them, and the traction is amazing.

In the summer, it can be hot, but if you enjoy trail riding the single track up around Flagstaff and other parts of the mountains is very good and gets you out of the heat and into the mountains. Very fun and a great escape from the valley.

If you're into mountain biking, there's not a much better place. There's tons of trails and mountain parks in the Phoenix area, Flag is great and Sedona is one of the top destinations in the country. If you live here, you gotta invest in a decent MTB.

Stand-up jet ski's are another great way to beat the heat, and there are plenty of lakes close to choose from. Not to mention Havasu and Lake Powell aren't far away at all. Also, tons of lakes in the mountains with great camping and fishing.

There's tons of good food, and lots of fun stuff to do around the valley. Obviously May-September are pretty damn hot, but the rest of the year is beautiful and the sun is always shining.

You're 5 hours from Vegas, 5 hours from Glen Helen and 4 SX rounds, Phx has a SX round obviously. Housing is pretty cheap, and the job market is a lot better than most places around the country.

Combine all this, it's not too bad of a place to live.
mikemxbike4
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9/10/2015 4:21pm
Kyle978 wrote:
I've been living in Phoenix for 4 years now, and have experienced a lot here. When I first moved here, I was a bit disappointed in...
I've been living in Phoenix for 4 years now, and have experienced a lot here. When I first moved here, I was a bit disappointed in the quality of tracks and the lack of scenery. I still don't prefer the desert landscape, and the tracks are very hit or miss, but I've found a lot of positives to living here and have actually learned to love this place.

First, there are some really good shops with great prices and great selection. I live in the north valley, and have great dealerships and aftermarket shops very close. There are 4 tracks to choose from (a 5th opening soon) that all have their good and bad days. The desert riding after a rain is UNREAL. Corner tracks wherever you want to make them, and the traction is amazing.

In the summer, it can be hot, but if you enjoy trail riding the single track up around Flagstaff and other parts of the mountains is very good and gets you out of the heat and into the mountains. Very fun and a great escape from the valley.

If you're into mountain biking, there's not a much better place. There's tons of trails and mountain parks in the Phoenix area, Flag is great and Sedona is one of the top destinations in the country. If you live here, you gotta invest in a decent MTB.

Stand-up jet ski's are another great way to beat the heat, and there are plenty of lakes close to choose from. Not to mention Havasu and Lake Powell aren't far away at all. Also, tons of lakes in the mountains with great camping and fishing.

There's tons of good food, and lots of fun stuff to do around the valley. Obviously May-September are pretty damn hot, but the rest of the year is beautiful and the sun is always shining.

You're 5 hours from Vegas, 5 hours from Glen Helen and 4 SX rounds, Phx has a SX round obviously. Housing is pretty cheap, and the job market is a lot better than most places around the country.

Combine all this, it's not too bad of a place to live.
That sounds amazing.

And yes, I used to ride downhill MTB. I still have a freeride MTB that has been collecting dust in Mass haha.

Are you from Mass originally or is 978 your race number?
Kyle978
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9/10/2015 9:29pm
That sounds amazing. And yes, I used to ride downhill MTB. I still have a freeride MTB that has been collecting dust in Mass haha. Are...
That sounds amazing.

And yes, I used to ride downhill MTB. I still have a freeride MTB that has been collecting dust in Mass haha.

Are you from Mass originally or is 978 your race number?
No sir, originally from Northern California, but I do enjoy visiting New England! 978 is my race number.

If you happen to make the move out here, let us know and I'm sure you will have plenty of people to show you a good time, myself included.
mikemxbike4
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9/11/2015 3:51pm
That sounds amazing. And yes, I used to ride downhill MTB. I still have a freeride MTB that has been collecting dust in Mass haha. Are...
That sounds amazing.

And yes, I used to ride downhill MTB. I still have a freeride MTB that has been collecting dust in Mass haha.

Are you from Mass originally or is 978 your race number?
Kyle978 wrote:
No sir, originally from Northern California, but I do enjoy visiting New England! 978 is my race number. If you happen to make the move out...
No sir, originally from Northern California, but I do enjoy visiting New England! 978 is my race number.

If you happen to make the move out here, let us know and I'm sure you will have plenty of people to show you a good time, myself included.
Hell yeah man. I'll definitely hit you up!! Thanks for the offer!
mikemxbike4
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11/4/2015 3:32pm
How about Austin/San antonio area? Decent trail riding and track selection?
bgpn35
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Gastonia, NC, USA
11/4/2015 3:57pm
I recommend nc, lol! Anyway for any of you North Carolina guys reading this, have you heard about a nascar guy buying a industrial park in lincolnton and having a training facility in it? I live in Gastonia but a friend of mine showed me the article in the paper talking about this. It's going to have 2 national tracks, arenacross track and a couple tracks inside the building on the property. Would be unbelievable if it happens!!
wwoberg
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Soddy Daisy, TN, USA
11/4/2015 5:53pm Edited Date/Time 11/4/2015 5:53pm
How about Austin/San antonio area? Decent trail riding and track selection?
I'm in TN near Chattanooga. There are a number of places to ride plus loads of other outdoor activities. U say u are a BSME. U should not have a job problem where ever u decide.
Pirate421
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USA
11/4/2015 6:47pm Edited Date/Time 11/4/2015 6:50pm
I'm from mass and have to live down south of San Antonio. No Mts, no tracks no trails. The moto culture is pretty bad down here. But Dallas, Austin and Houston all
Have pretty good tracks and race series but not like New England. If I could choose where I lived in Texas it would be Austin or Dallas for moto.

Also a big thing I took for granted was how big this damn state is! It takes about 12 hours to cross the whole state, that is equal to driving half the east coast from mass to Florida so don't think that just because there are a bunch of tracks in tx you
Can easily drive to them. You'll be driving your ass off down here!
mikemxbike4
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North Andover, MA, USA
11/4/2015 7:12pm
Pirate421 wrote:
I'm from mass and have to live down south of San Antonio. No Mts, no tracks no trails. The moto culture is pretty bad down here...
I'm from mass and have to live down south of San Antonio. No Mts, no tracks no trails. The moto culture is pretty bad down here. But Dallas, Austin and Houston all
Have pretty good tracks and race series but not like New England. If I could choose where I lived in Texas it would be Austin or Dallas for moto.

Also a big thing I took for granted was how big this damn state is! It takes about 12 hours to cross the whole state, that is equal to driving half the east coast from mass to Florida so don't think that just because there are a bunch of tracks in tx you
Can easily drive to them. You'll be driving your ass off down here!
There are a few tracks within 1.5hrs of where we live in Mass. Idl'd say that tracks around Mass are average at nest and trails aren't good either. Plus Mass is way too congested and overpriced for my tastes. And the riding season is way too short. That's why I need to move down south.
DTHA70
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Surprise, AZ, USA
11/4/2015 8:13pm
RPM68 wrote:
Texas because:


Mexican food
Whataburger


The end...lol
plenty of both in AZ, no hurricanes EVER make it here. AND its a constitutional carry state. Welcome to free america. Moto isnt the best of the selection. But if youre interested in 2nd amendment activities, there is nowhere better than AZ.

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