Arizona | Riding the Road of the Devil 1

El Camino Del Diablo, or "The Road of the Devil" is a historic overland route in the southwest United States. In this video I ride my BMW GS motorcycle along this adventurous dirt road and explain the things you need to know before taking on this challenge. I spent two days and two nights on this route, riding and camping in the spectacular Sonoran Desert of Arizona. The route passes through the Organ Pipes Cactus National Monument, the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range.
I made some mistakes on this ride. Please watch this video to learn more about the rules and regulations traveling on this route:
• Arizona | Mistakes I M...
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[@SterlingNoren]

Website for this video: www.norenfilms.com/videos/the-road-of-the-devil/

[@squiretomasie7003]

Sterling I admire your strength and artistic talent you are getting me through a difficult time . Thank you Sir I so appreciate your videos! I have had major back surgeries and havent been strong enough to ride for the last two months and it killing me. Your videos are such great therapy Thank you Sir!!!!!!!!!!!

[@TomReichner]

Wow - what a great video! You do a great job of showing me what this area is like. Gonna get a glass of wine myself, and sip it as I watch part two!

[@yagian]

Best motorcycle related channel on KZbin. Love this Riding Solo series

[@Al_Rowell]

I couldn't agree more.

[@paulocarreiro5855]

I'm running out of superlatives to describe your videos! These are the ones I love the most: you, the bike and the desert.

[@ginamiller6015]

Sterling, you are absolutely the best adventure motorcyclist and videographer. So so many of us really appreciate what you do. Thank you 🙂👍 ( PS I don’t like riding in sand either! ) (PPSS, the Heidenau K60 Scout Tire works good in sand)

[@art-oq4nr]

I really enjoy your solo work rather than the group rides. Thank you for your hard work and amazing content!

[@schoolofmediocrity2801]

This road had "nope" written all over it. I am both incredibly intrigued and completely convinced that I want nothing to do with that sand. Thanks for taking me along for the journey. I wouldn't get to see it otherwise.

[@rogue5643]

I'll give you 100% for effort. I'm 69 yrs. young and learned many yrs. ago on trips to Alaska and Baja that smaller was smarter. Odd that no one makes a good on and off road motorcycle that doesn't cost the price of a small car. Good luck Sir

[@AdventuresonZero]

Sterling, I’ve been binge watching your videos for the last few months. It’s been really interesting to see how your story telling style has changed and morphed into what you have here. I feel that it is such a great expression of visual storytelling and I encourage you to continue evolving as a film artist. I really dig what you’re doing and appreciate your passion for ‘seeing the world this way’ (via 2 wheels). Looking forward to more of your work! Love the evolved format!

[@SterlingNoren]

Thanks for sticking around for the evolution of my filmmaking :-) More to come like this one in the future!

[@michaelfernandez379]

Another hit Sterling...love your soundtrack!!!

[@njpaddler]

Yes at 6:00 a.m. in Philadelphia it's 30°. There's a good 10 in of concretetized snow outside and I'm on my second mug of coffee enjoying your trip , perfect timing ! Excellent escapism and camera work and editing as usual, thanks Sterling. As others have said when you've dug a trench with your rear wheel unload , drop , pivot to a better spot, and lift. Fort9 has some very entertaining and informative videos on just that thing I watched the other day.

[@mikedenton6485]

Going to be another great series.

[@patrickcooper9641]

Already is!

[@mikebiller25]

Can't wait for number two

[@zeplin4078]

Great video, thanks..What I have seen people do when stuck in deep sand, instead of filling the hole you can pivot your bike on the side stand and swing the back wheel to firmer ground.

[@paul.vanhout57]

Assume you carry an InReach or Spot should you need help in an area with no cell coverage? Starting issues prior to riding such a desolate area would make me nervous. Incredible ride and as usual fabulous cinematography.

[@DePaseoNacho]

Thanks Sterling!! you are an inspiration. Excellent cinematography as always. What better end of the day with a glass of wine and a tent.

[@scotterickson4015]

Your video clarity and colors are spot on. Excellent quality. Thank you for taking us into the desert.

[@ka509]

Excellent adventure! And thanks for the public service announcement about the BMW GS hazards.

[@kennethvernonprivate]

Awesome!! Looking forward to part 2!! Thanks and yes, SOME of us are in the dark and currently -20C!!

[@patrickcooper9641]

Looking back it feels that I have been riding with the Devil for the last 50 years! Great trip/scenery/video/editing as always Sterling. Cheers

[@murraehaynes3182]

Nice spot, great video...my father always said getting stuck in the sand builds character😉 looking forward to the next installment.

[@veryscarygary]

Fantastic video. Loved the variety of shots. Looking forward to PT2. Thx.

[@a77nature]

Wow beautiful ride and this is the real adventure life thank you very much for sharing this video and how to prepare for a long ride. Have a nice trip

[@wfodavid]

I'm stealing your Wine idea! Love It!

[@weigelji1]

Can't wait to ride this one. Also great timing. Just rode my Ural for about 80 miles on gravel/sand roads north and east of Yuma today. You gotta love desert riding!

[@glenns6923]

I have a 2019 Nav 6.. same problem, Garmin is calling it ghosting.. they replaced mine under warranty...just an fyi. Thank you sharing your videos Awesome!!

[@jaronard1]

I’m on my 5th Nav VI. This is a well documented and known problem. I’ve just about given up on asking Garmin for Garmin the Sixth. I kept my Nav VI after selling my BMW to use on my KTM and Tiger since it’s pretty good Nav unit, and because I spent almost $1,000 for it! I think it’s the vibrations from my other bike’s that causes the issue, since neither has the well damped OEM mount that comes on BMWs. I noticed that the issue arose when I had my 1290 SAS windscreen all the way up, but it subsided when lowered, I think because the windscreen shakes less in the low position. That said, I still got the issue when it was mostly on my BMW RS, it just took longer for the issue to present itself. At this point, I plan to keep my current iPhone when I replace it, and just use it as a dedicated Nav unit. There’s still a lot of utility IMHO for having redundancy in case something happens to my phone. There’s tons of Nav apps now that work just fine without cell service.

[@seamustierney1791]

I have enjoyed watching how fluid and informational your videos have become, each better than the one before. After reading some of these comments you should take pleasure in knowing how many riders you have inspired over the years. 👍🏻

[@SterlingNoren]

It's a learning process being "in front" of the camera instead of always being behind the lens. I take pleasure in all of the comments and knowing how the videos affect people. Thank you.

[@JL-yk5xf]

Nicely done Sterling!!! Thanks for taking us along.

[@BabaGSARider]

Can't remember how I stumbled across your channel, but I have to admit it one of the best ADV travel channels period. Watched everything so far and looking forward to your new content. Awesome channel and fantastic videos. Many thanks from the UK :-)

[@SterlingNoren]

Welcome aboard!

[@MrRedneckrider]

Seriously my favorite channel on KZbin! Love your series. Look forward to it each week.

[@christurla4464]

Once again, thanks for taking us along. Love the closing shot.

[@ads9765]

You're camera work and editing is amazing!

[@wolfschwartze4823]

Great job, Sterling. Looking forward to the second part. Thanks.

[@richardzollinger4750]

Great vid. Thanks for the inspiration to continue to travel. Heading to Death Valley via Panamint Springs then on to Badwater on my Goldwing this weekend!!!

[@hashim7509]

No words to say, just "wow"

[@suppersready4you]

Thanks Sterling for sharing all these great adventures!

[@a.k1311]

Its a true adventure riding on this desert... a good one Sterling...👍

[@mrlongtree]

Great channel, no doubt about it being the best motorcycle solo travel channel.

[@neilurquhart8622]

Certainly a great channel but my favourite is Itchyboots……both excellent in different ways🇬🇧

[@rhllnm]

If you need a moto mechanic in Ajo go to the Napa and ask for Josh, good guy.

[@DiscoveryMotoADV]

Thanks Sterling for the great video. We just complete the route last week. It was pretty incredible and only learned about it from your channel. It was great to bump into you in Bisbee this week too. Thanks for the tips about riding Ruby road. Another awesome route! Stunning scenery.

[@SterlingNoren]

Thanks for stopping by and glad you made the Ruby Road too!!!

[@justincoleman2740]

-10 C here tonight. Thanks for the warm up!

[@StephenRowe-bf7rn]

We rode this road March 9-12. 2024. The sand “ moon dust” was deep and difficult for our KLR 650 with overweight riders and 40 lbs of gear. The first day to the camp area about 30 miles in was good. But the next day we only got 18 miles in 6 hrs and had to quit due to exhaustion. And owies. Day 3 we made the 74 miles to Welton but the sand for 24 miles was deep and difficult to get up on top. The 3 of us have 173 yrs of riding. We met a few riders on 350 lb enduros and they did much better than us. The few people we met advised the sand was not this bad last year, no doubt due to the flooding that occurred in the spring. The evenings and stars were fantastic, too busy trying to get through and did not take enough pictures our major regret.

[@SterlingNoren]

Yes, the conditions can change quite a bit from year to year. Sounds like you had a heckuva time, mine was a lot easier.

[@oiturralde]

Great ride, great story and great editing. Thank you so much.

[@danielfarmer4311]

Good on you showing the real side of riding big bikes in the soft sand. Great channel A++

[@SterlingNoren]

Thanks! 👍

[@mariogarza6699]

Amazing moments. Amazing ride. Amazing route. Exelente job. Congratulations

[@Liberty4Ever]

I'm still exploring the eastern US but there's a desert southwest trip in me next winter or possibly the winter after that. El Camino del Diablo is my kind of trip. Thank you for the education and inspiration.

[@stefanaxelsson513]

Love your channel.Keep Up the great work you do Sterling

[@louiebodenstaff6772]

Simply awesome ... that's what adventure biking is all about!

[@wadewhite1006]

After watching most of your videos, I am seriously considering Southern Arizona for an annual migration during January, February. I'll plan a scouting trip and hopefully use the Jonquil as home base. Great videos, as I've come to expect, as well as great storytelling. You possess a very rare combination. Thanks for your efforts to introduce these areas to the "rest" of us.

[@nich8184]

I live mid Europe, amongst the ice at the moment, with my GS in peaceful hibernation, waiting .... I enjoy your filmmaking work greatly, Noren. The last scene in the 'The Road of the Devil (Part 1) - Riding Solo' clip was excellent and sleeping in the desert is on my bucket list; this is why I cut that screen out and use it as my laptop background pic. Income idea to help subsidize your hard work - sell selected HD pictures set of your adventures that can be used as background pics. 😉

[@SterlingNoren]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@raymondlirette8678]

We really enjoy your channel, we have been following your travels for a while. I had the same problem with the GPS, I found some videos on KZbin to solve it. I don't know what worked but it did. I reset it and washed the screen with alcohol, the only thing I did different is that I cleaned the contract on the back with alcohol and used a small amount of dielectric grease. I haven't taken it for a ride yet but it works better now.

[@JohnDoe-xm9ql]

Beautiful solitude. Thank you Sterling. Garmin inreach explorer.. Really can be helpful in areas like this. Safe travels. 👍

[@richardbryce3201]

great, inspiring me to get on with my move out west from Florida, only a few weeks away :)

[@RugerM77]

What brand is the little lantern that uses your stove fuel canister. I have a propane one but it uses one of the green Coleman bottles. I saw the GSI table in one of your other videos and had to have one.

[@davidsanderson1891]

Hi sterling. Amazing. Stunning. Scary. And yes Can you send some sun our way please (lol) This is going to be another good series. Thank you for taking us along Old dave (UK)

[@billmcmeekin7909]

Thanks for the sunshine and climate. -26 here and plenty of snow in our Rockies 🇨🇦 I'm so ignorant to Arizona, looks amazing! Can't get over how the road is graded. Keeps any moisture in, no slopes or banks? Guess it's a desert, who'd cares eh? Can't wait for VID to be over so I can travel south on my Africa Twin ATAS, and follow some of your route's. Thank you, eh :-)

[@russellinthebush2897]

I live in Phoenix and am tossing around doing that ride only the other direction, getting there along the Agua Caliente Rd from your last video. Thanks Sterling!

[@roger4375]

I believe you are correct, two people should really go on this ADV ride. Not solo. Beautiful scenery, trail was decent, except for the sand trap you found yourself in. I watched parts 1 and 2. 👍👍

[@thecorporategypsy]

That was FANTASTIC! The best yet! I so appreciate your explain on what you are doing, how you packed, prep, etc. excellent! btw, switched from TKC80's/Anakee Wild to the MotoZ Tractionator RallZ tires. Way better off road, dramatic, but a bit squirrely on the interstate.

[@marcoluoma3770]

I Love these videos, and especially the riding solo series. More, please!

[@davidbones8947]

Greetings from Oregon yes cold wet weather really enjoy your channel brother can't wait to ride some of that country. I'm riding down to visit my cousin he lives about half way between tombstone and Bisbee mile and a half up to his ranch we'll stop by and and visit with you be safe and shiny side up

[@SterlingNoren]

Sounds great!

[@northpole9311]

Them big heavys in the sand make a pretty good golds gym in the middle of a beautiful desert....

[@daviddodd366]

Mate thank you so much all your videos are just wow really love your passion fabulous moviemaking , kind regards from Fremante Western Australia should come over here and do the Kimberley , 👍🇦🇺

[@markbewley4974]

It’s Amazing all the content and footage you produce whilst adventuring on your own 👌

[@SlowEddie]

Just cracked a cold one. Good timing!

[@brandenhellman4381]

Like your style.

[@SlowEddie]

@@brandenhellman4381 👍🍺

[@ThePipeiper]

Note to people stuck in sand. Slower speed is better than slamming the gas. It allows the weight of the vehicle to settle on the surface Vs. kicking the surface from under you. Also lower your tire pressure. This allows the surface area of the tire to be greater and gives you more traction. Only do this though it you have a means of raising the tire pressure back up once you’re unstuck. Also, if your on a trail bike it’s better to take a slower route over less sandy ground( just off the roadway) than to try to push it through sand trying to look cool. Just be slow about it and watch out for things that can puncture a tire like cactus. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast. -Marine Corps saying.

[@emanuelkaramanukian1370]

Helll Yeaahhhh, Riding Solo it's backkkk. Saludos desde Buenos Aires

[@DollyAndFamilyGetOutAndRide]

great video thanks for posting can't wait to have part two

[@mikebrown4429]

the weather here i southwest michigan is pretty bad right now

[@lostagain2992]

Great! Looking forward to #2!

[@tonycastro6805]

Another great video. I hate seeing you getting stuck, but watch you mange through it is reductional.

[@klh3244]

Man you get some great shots with your drone. Awesome job!

[@davemcmahon8140]

Sands always a hassle but I try to drag the bike away from the hole. Certainly can be a physical drain good thing you bought along the plonk even though its warm red plonk 🤣 thumbs up

[@ericmessinger1361]

What a great video. Keep up the great work.

[@JamesAllmond]

not a fan of desert riding, but since I have a good friend, the only one crazy/young enough to be doing this still, loves it, I better watch this...

[@JamesAllmond]

so that is what they did with the Gadsden Purchase! Looks like most of it is a Wildlife Refuge! Nice ride, dunno about camping that close to the border. Bring on part 2...

[@mikemcallister757]

Love the desert! I usually start my spring early from the PNW and head south in April. It gets pretty warm that time of year. Check your key fob if your bike uses one, the battery could be getting weak and that will cause starting problems. Thank you for showing us El Camino Del Diablo! Great photography too! Do you carry a Garmin Inreach for an emergency situation? Thanks again.

[@jonlongmire]

Love it. Great episode!

[@Droptineful]

Awesome ride! Thanks for sharing!🙏🏻🇺🇸

[@billybiker1383]

Like awesome dude, thanks for sharing 👍

[@carpenterek]

Compare to my place- Norway. 25,3 minus C (bike`s inndoors to may) Great video!

[@mwewering]

Beautiful channel! Thanks you so much.

[@injunnfuz6698]

Beautuful great info on this route

[@sdbrantley9065]

Thank you for sharing.

[@petermaltin4629]

Excellent, photography is really good and the narrative is both informative and helpful. Most entertaining, thanks. A question, does your bike have an external fuel filter or just the standard one in the tank? Maybe contaminated fuel is not a problem where you are. Looking forward to the next video.

[@SterlingNoren]

No extra fuel filter.

[@Junkityjunk]

Much of the park is closed now but the fee is still required for Organ Pipe. Flying a drone there is illegal also. The Cabeza Prieta requires a dune flag for all motorcycles and ATVs. Collecting firewood and fires outside the designated campsites are illegal. This area was off limits to motorcycles and ATVs for many years. Following the rules is the best way to keep it open.

[@mglax13]

I've had the same issue with my BMW Nav VI. Garmin replaced it under warranty 3 times. I finally sold it after this last replacement.

[@SterlingNoren]

Yes, this is my third one too.

[@calisdad3]

Cool drone footage. Can you set that to just follow you? Re the NP Pass- Get a 'Geezer Pass'. Used to be $10 cheap but went up last year- still a deal.

[@SterlingNoren]

Yes, follow me mode, to an extent. It's not perfect but works in some situations.

[@larrykaminski3269]

I am surprised that you do not have a Garmin in reach explorer. Without cell service you can pair with your cell for SOS or emergency issues plus text loved ones in emergency.. Your adventures are interesting plus you cover great detail.. thanks

[@davidcrute3423]

The comments say it all!! Just elite 😊

[@tcat0211]

Those noodles are pretty spicy. Hope u were ok afterwards!~ really enjoying your videos

[@LuckyTown77]

Will carry my snow shovel when I go. 🇨🇦

[@Xplorer.Adventures]

The screen is dead. Typical for Navigator VI. If on warrenty - get it replaced ASAP otherwise it'll go completly out soon. Don't sit on a bike while getting off a ditch - manouver it from the side. And when stuck again just rotate the lying bike like 90 deg instead of filling the ditch. Keep safe.

[@aBluegrassPicker]

Another great video. Nav VI needs to be sent in for replacement. Have done that twice working good now. If it's urgent they will sell you another and refund your card when they receive your current one.

[@SterlingNoren]

Yes, same here. this is my third one.

[@fredmartine674]

Interesting AZ road trip, new subscriber here.

[@marklerfald]

From the open to the conclusion, outstanding! How are you feeling about the GS, especially after the mechanical at the end of the last solo series? Would you consider another bike, and if so, which one? Thank you for the history and how-to’s. I can’t wait for the next installment. Thank you from Eugene, OR.

[@SterlingNoren]

I would definitely consider another bike but not because I think the GS is a bad bike. Just because it would be nice to have options... something smaller for a different ride. I had a 650 and an 800 before, both great bikes.

[@jaronard1]

@@SterlingNoren I can’t believe you only have one bike, lol. I kept my Tiger 800 after purchasing my 1290 SAS, the later of which is very comparable to the 1200 GS in most respects/use cases. The Tiger is a bit better suited and lighter for more off road duty, which is also why I keep soft bags on it. Someday I’ll probably swap the Tiger some day for a 790/890, or the like that offers better off road capability. The Tiger is a good all rounder, but it’s a bit top heavy and has too short a rake for heavier off road use in my experience. The quality of your videos continue to be best in class!

[@GiliamsTravels]

Great video. Love the drone shots. I know how long it takes to set these shots up so thanks for making the effort. I had the same non response from my Garmin V a while back. Did you get it sorted?

[@SterlingNoren]

I was able to take the battery out once home and reset the unit and it is working again, but probably not for long...

[@ryanmoore686]

Great video, this has been on my list for awhile now. What GPS track did you use. Also when did you do this, I know they had construction going for the wall.

[@SteelHorseman]

Outstanding

[@bradb2514]

Just amazing!