Cyclerides.com Weekly Update

1/16/13

Greetings Riders,

Well, it looks like this cold snap, one of the coldest I have seen in a very long time in Phoenix, is finally over. It is really going to look like fall in the Midwest around here with all the fried bushes that we will be seeing. That’s alright, I will gladly take a few days of 20’s in the evening over what I have seen back East. The good news is, our Chamber of Commerce weather is right around the corner, just in time to make for some great riding.

This is usually about the time that I start thinking ahead about where I would like to plan to go for our annual 10 day trip. Always looking for ideas for that next best road, I ran across an article from the American Motorcyclist Association that listed the top 15 roads in America as chosen by their 230,000 members. A lot of these you have definitely heard of, some of them you might have ridden, a few you might never have heard of. But it is fun to go through the list to see how many of the top 15 roads you have actually been on.

"When it comes to the best places in the country to ride motorcycles, no group of riders is more knowledgeable than AMA members," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. "No group puts in more miles, samples more asphalt or rides more roads. "By publicizing our favorite roads in American Motorcyclist magazine, AMA members will seek out these destinations and bring tourism dollars into local communities through the purchase of food, fuel, lodging and more," Dingman said.

The editors of American Motorcyclist magazine used the 230,000-member, non-profit association's website, Americanmotorcyclist.com to accept nominations and tally votes for members' favorite roads. Nearly 100 roads made the ballot, and the magazine published the top 15 roads in the April issue as well as a list of "honorable mentions."

"Some of these roads are familiar to motorcyclists, and others may not be," said Managing Editor James Holter. "They all have one thing in common: They're the best roads in the country, as chosen by AMA members." American Motorcyclist magazine is exclusively for AMA members, and is not available on newsstands. For information on joining the AMA, go to AmericanMotorcyclist.com or call (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646).

A countdown of the top 15 routes:

15. Washington Route 129 and Oregon Route 3, Clarkston, Wash., to Enterprise, Ore.

14. Ohio Route 170, Calcutta to Poland.

13. California Route 58, McKittrick to Santa Margarita.

12. U.S. Route 33, Harrisonburg, Va., to Seneca Rocks, W.Va.

11. Natchez Trace, from Natchez, Miss., to Nashville, Tenn.

10. Angeles Crest Highway, California Route 2.

9. U.S. Route 12, Lolo Pass, Idaho and Montana.

8. California Route 36.

7. Cherohala Skyway, North Carolina and Tennessee.

6. Going to the Sun Road, Glacier National Park, Montana.

5. California Route 1, Pacific Coast Highway.

4. U.S. Route 550, from Ouray to Durango, Colo.

3. U.S. Route 129 -- The Tail of the Dragon -- on the North Carolina-Tennessee border.

2. Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina.

1. Beartooth Highway, Montana and Wyoming.

I have personally ridden 9 of these top 15 roads. Here are my reviews of them.

#15 WA. Hwy. 20 to OR. Route 3 (rode it just last year, very good)

#13 CA. Route 58 (not sure how it made the list)

#10 CA. Hwy. 2 Angeles Crest (an excellent road, did it last year for the 2nd time, will do it again for sure)

#9 Lolo Pass (excellent road, did it last year, belongs on the list)

#8 CA. Hwy. 36 (Tremendous road from the coast of California to Red Bluff. One of the best in California)

#6 Going to the Sun Rd. (Have done it twice, absolutely amazing road, a must destination ride)

#5 Pacific Coast Hwy 1 (Have done it at least 5 times, usually once per year, OUTSTANDING! Could have easily been number one)

#4 CO. Hwy. 550 (Have done it at least 6 times. Will do it 6 more times. One of the best)

#1 Beartooth Hwy. (Done it twice. Great road that you would not be disappointed with, but surprised it was the number one road).

On this particular list, my choice for #1 would have been the Pacific Coast Highway, with Route 550 from Ouray to Durango #2 and the Going to the Sun road in Glacier Park as #3. Take a look at this list and see how you would rate them. No matter how you rate them, these are 15 excellent roads for sure and would make a good goal for anyone to ride them all.

About.com Motorcycles has done a nice job of cataloging each of these roads with a picture and brief description about them. Just click “Next” to page through them. Click Here to View. Use these as a basis for planning your ride this Summer. Happy daydreaming!

As for me, I don’t know where we will be going this Summer yet. Might head back East to pick up numbers 2, 3, 7, and 11 on the list.

This Week

Through the End of January

Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale Rumble Into 2013 On a New Harley. This promotion ends soon so don’t miss your chance! This might be the only time you’ll ever see a deal like this on a new Harley. Only at Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale where our interested customers take test rides every day! Oh... and it’s 100% FREE! 3 Ways to get on 2 wheels.

Get your own tax holiday: We’ll pay your sales tax on any new motorcycle purchase.*

We need good trades: Receive up to N.A.D.A. retail book value on your trade-in for a new 2013 model.*

Used bike financing: NO down payment, NO interest for 180 days, NO payments for 210 days.

*Some restrictions apply. See a sales representative for details.

Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale is located at 15600 N. Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale, AZ. 480-905-1903.

Saturday, January 19th

Buddy Stubbs Anthem Harley-Davidson Chili Cook-Off. Join Buddy Stubbs Anthem Harley-Davidson as they hold a Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, January 19th, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Do you have the best tasting chili on your block? Then don’t miss this event where you can showcase your culinary skills! Whether you like your chili sweltering, hot or pleasantly mild there will be something for everyone to sample. For more information or to sign up for the cook-off e-mail marketing@buddystubbs.com. In addition to Hottest Chili as well as 1st and 2nd place prizes, the Anthem H.O.G. chapter 2376 will be serving FREE Hot Dogs and drinks to support their H.O.G. chapter charities. Get out and enjoy this great riding weather and visit Buddy Stubbs Anthem Harley-Davidson located at 41715 N. 41st Drive, Anthem, AZ 85086. They can also be found on the web at www.anthemhd.com or by calling (623) 465-1122.

Saturday, January 19th

Superstition HD Customer Appreciation Party. Hey Eastsiders! Looking for a destination on a beautiful Saturday with FREE Food, LIVE Music, Raffles and Savings of up to 60% on end of season merchandise?? Superstition Harley-Davidson would be a great option, especially since it is on the way to Tortilla Flat. Event time is from 10:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. Ride in this Saturday and take advantage of some Free food, enjoy live music, raffles and savings at Superstition Harley-Davidson located at 2910 W Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ 85120. 480-346-0600.

Sunday, January 20th

Arrowhead Harley-Davidson Swap Meet. Looking for a good excuse to clean out the garage and get rid of some of those used parts you have laying around?? Bring them to Arrowhead Harley-Davidson on Sunday, January 20th and sell them. The Arrowhead HD swap meet is from 7 AM – Noon. This is a great opportunity to raise a few bucks from old parts to go buy some new shiny chrome for your ride. This is also a good time to find that obscure parts you have been looking for. There will also be Food Vendors, Raffles and More. No competitive items or bike sales please. Space is limited so call 623-247-5542 or email ahdebay@ridenow.com to reserve your spot. AHD is located at 16130 N. Arrowhead Fountain Center Dr. in Peoria, AZ.

Next Week

Saturday & Sunday

January 26-27

Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale 1 Year Anniversary Celebration. Can you believe it has already been 1 year in since Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale opened their doors? To celebrate their first year they are having a 2 day celebration to thank you for a great first year.

Saturday: Storewide Celebrations from 10am-5pm.

Bill’s Beer & Bait Truck. 11am-5pm

FREE Lunch at the Patio Grill 11am-2pm

Live Music – Hard Ride Band 11am-3pm

Fashion & Parts Show 4pm-5pm

Sunday: The Usual Suspects LEMC Unusual Scavenger Ride 10am-4pm. Live Music by Tuck Dailey 2pm-5pm.

Sunday, January 27th

Unusual Scavenger Ride at Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale. There’s nothing unusual about this ride! Riders will receive a list of very unusual items to go out and find. Such as: something green and sharp, or something that crows leave behind. There is no set ride route, it is up to the rider to decipher and go find! Commemorative Scavenger Bags will be supplied to hold your findings. Registration starts at 10am at Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale. $20 per person, $30 2-up. Includes FREE breakfast at 10am and commemorative scavenger bag. Riders must return by 2pm to HD of Scottsdale to enter their scavenger items to win. Live Music by Tuck Dailey 2pm-5pm. 1st Place $500 HDOS gift card. 2nd Place $250 HDOS gift card. Raffle Prizes, 50/50 Raffle. 100% of proceeds benefit the 2013 Devil’s Oven for Fallen Police Officers. Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale is located at 15600 N. Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale, AZ. 480-905-1903.

Saturday, January 26th

Buddy Stubbs Arizona Harley-Davidson Chili Cookoff. Buddy will once again ring in the New Year with a Chili Cook-Off! If your chili recipe is as polished as your chrome or if you simply consider yourself an expert sampler, be sure to join them on Saturday, January 26th, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., to take part in the festivities. Prizes for 1st and 2nd place, and the hottest chili will be handed out along with FREE food, drinks and museum tours with Buddy. To sign up for the chili contest or for more information contact marketing@buddystubbs.com or (602) 970-3400. Buddy Stubbs Arizona Harley-Davidson is located at 13850 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ 85022, or on the web at www.buddystubbshd.com.

Saturday, January 26th

Chandler Harley-Davidson Car Show and Swap Meet. We all have parts sitting around our garage that we need to get rid of. And there is someone out there that is looking for that exact part. Bring them to Chandler Harley-Davidson on Saturday, January 26th from 8am-2pm to sell them. Used parts and merchandise only. No motorcycle sales. If you are looking for some parts, this is your chance to get a great deal. Classic car show registration starts at 9am. Trophies awarded for car show winners beginning at 2pm. LIVE MUSIC will play from 10am-1pm. To pre-register please call 480-496-6800. Chandler HD is located at 6895 W. Chandler Blvd. in Chandler, AZ.

Extras

Mid Week Updates will be made on the Cyclerides.com Facebook. New Easy to remember Facebook address. Go to Cyclerides.com Facebook. Over 4100 FANS! Take a look at all the new photos posted on the wall. If you are not on Facebook, you can still view the page, but you will not be able to post. There will be a link there for you to sign up for Facebook if you are inclined. Click the LIKE button!

NIKE has always been known to create fun commercials. Here is the latest with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Click Here to View.

For those of you that like wildlife, this is a good one. It won Best of Show at International Wildlife Film Festival. Click Here to View.

Video of the Week. This is one of the best video’s I have seen in a long time. It shows the innocence of a child and the obedience of o dog. Click Here to View. Click on the Video of the Week graphic on the page.

If you would like to sign up for the Cyclerides.com Weekly Update Click Here.

Until Next Week,
Blessings and Safe Riding To All,

Barry Caraway
"The Road Is Yours - Take The Ride"
www.cyclerides.com