Cyclerides.com Weekly Update 1/19/11

Well, when the mercury surpasses 70 degrees and gas prices are over $3.00 per gallon, it is time to start taking the bike as the first mode of transportation. And it looks like both of those are happening now. When I have to make those cross town trips, the Road Glide gets to ride while the gas guzzler sits. It is amazing how much money you can save on a 100 mile round trip across town. For me it is about $15 and it is a whole lot more fun. Do some math for yourself and see how it works out for you. It could at least work out to a free lunch.

As usual this time of year, especially after the rather ugly weather we have had for a while, I really start getting antsy to put on a few miles. A lap across town just doesn't do it for me. So last Friday, I wanted to check out a couple of new roads up North. It was going to be a nice day here at about 74 degrees, but I wasn't real sure how warm it would be in that direction. So I layered a bit, hopped on the Road Glide at about 11:30am and headed North. After exploring the roads, that I will bring to you soon, I decided to go through Cottonwood for a late lunch and on up to Jerome where there was still snow on the ground. See Picture. Any excuse to add a few miles.

Believe it or not it was a balmy, beautiful 60 degrees in Jerome at 4:30pm. I was thinking it would have been much cooler than that. But it was great. After hanging out there for a few minutes, I thought I had better head back to beat the cool, but it just kept getting warmer on the way home. It ended up being a beautiful 235 mile ride for the afternoon that was desperately needed Chicken Soup for my Riding Soul. It was invigorating and left me planning my next ride before I even got home.

So the moral to this story is, don't let the thought of going to the higher elevations scare you right now. Between here and Sedona, there is only about an 8-10 degree difference in high temps. So if we are going to see 70 here on Saturday, they are going to be around 61. And with the sun shining on you, it will feel perfect when riding. Just for reference, Sedona is 4500 feet elevation and Jerome is 5000 feet. So roll the bike out of the garage this weekend, head out late morning and put some miles on like I did this past week. You will be glad you did.

Mrs. C. and I are excited to announce that we have a new member of the Cyclerides.com family. We are Grandparents for the first time! Our daughter gave birth to a beautiful, healthy 8 lb 6 oz baby boy Monday night. We are thrilled! He is a real cutie! I have heard that being a Grandparent was really special and didn't know how it was going to feel. But when you see your Daughter, who you have raised from a baby, holding her own baby, you realize that your parental life has now come full circle. It truly is a blessing and we are proud Grandparents. The good news is, Grandpa Caraway has noticed that the boy already seems to have an interest in motorcycles and planes. I'm just saying. . . There will at least be those kinds of toys coming his way in case I am wrong. Here are a couple of pics.

Attention Ladies!

Submit your photo to the Cyclerides.com 2011 Women Who Ride photo gallery. I decided to kick off 2011 with a new Women Who Ride photo gallery. I started it 2 weeks ago and we now have 30 women riders who have sent in their picture. If you are a Woman who rides your own bike, send me a good photo of yourself either riding the bike or a beauty shot sitting on or standing next to your bike. Email them to info@cyclerides.com and I will add them ASAP. Click Here to see the Gallery, or you can always see it on the front page of www.cyclerides.com .

Since a lot of you are probably starting to get the same itch that I am to ride and have probably taken a look at some of your trips the last few years. Send me a couple of your best photos from the locations you have been. Preferably next to a sign, landmark or landscape that we might recognize. This will be the beginning of the 2011 Reader's Rides Photo Gallery. Email your photos to info@cyclerides.com . Look forward to sharing your rides with you and others. Click Here for the Gallery.

Tucson Harley-Davidson Swap Meet. This is your time to clean out that garage and get rid of a few things you have been tripping over. If you don't have anything to sell, then come by to find that nugget you didn't know you needed. Set up for vendors from 8:00am - 9:00am. Event time from 9:00am - 2pm. There will also be a Hot Dog vendor on site and Harley Girls. Limited spaces, so please call 520-751-3389 to reserve your spot. Tucson HD is located at 7355 N. I-10 Frontage Rd. East in Tucson, AZ 85743. 520-751-3380

Grant Walker Memorial Poker Run. This is a memorial Run for Grant Walker who recently passed away from a motorcycle accident. All proceeds go to the Grant Walker Memorial Fund. Run Leaves the Steel Horse Saloon located at 1818 W. Bell Rd. at 11AM. Register at 10. $15 per person/$20 per couple. For donations only: visit any Chase Bank and ask about the Grant Walker Memorial Fund. Prizes for the Best and worst hand. More information call Trout at 928-830-3947.

Chandler Harley-Davidson Swap Meet and Classic Car Show. This is your time to clean out that garage and get rid of a few things you have been tripping over. If you don't have anything to sell, then come by to find that nugget you didn't know you needed. Set up for vendors from 8:00am - 9:00am. Event time from 9:00am - 2pm. There will also be a Hot Dog vendor on site and a classic car show. Registration for car show starts at 9am. Trophies will be awarded at 2pm. Limited spaces, so please call 520-751-3389 to reserve your spot vendor spot. Chandler HD is located at 6895 W. Chandler Blvd. in Chandler, AZ. 480-496-6800.

Buddy Stubbs Hogs and Dogs Chili Cookoff. Ride by and enjoy the Buddy Stubbs popular end of the month party. In addition to the usual Hot Dogs and fixings, this month Buddy is featuring a Chili Tasting and Contest. 1st and 2nd Place cash prizes for best chili. Event is from 11am - 3pm. Live Band, Museum Tours, Pool Tournament. Email marketing@buddystubbs.com to sign up. Buddy Stubbs HD is located at 13850 N. Cave Creek Rd. in Phoenix. 602-971-3400.

Renegade Classics of PhoenixWinter Clearance Sale. Cool Nights and HOT Prices! All the gear you need for a warm ride home. Don't miss your chance to get that riding item you have been wanting at 20% Off. Brand New Hoodies and Long Sleeve Shirts, Fleece Lined with Thermal Outer. 20% Off Everything in stock! Saturday and Sunday 9am - 4pm. Renegade Classics is located at 3102 E. Cactus Rd. in Phoenix, AZ. 602-595-9597.

February 25th-27th

Checkered Flag Run. The Checkered Flag Run is a weekend in Arizona hosted by the Second II None Phoenix Motorcycle Club, Phoenix International Raceway and Talking Stick Resort and Casino. The weekend culminates with an escorted motorcycle run from Talking Stick Resort and Casino to Phoenix International Raceway to watch NASCAR Drivers, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson tear up the track in the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, Sunday, February 27th, 2011. 3 days of activities and fun. Go to www.checkeredflagrun.com for more information. Click Here for tickets.

Hogs with Hearts Poker Run. Hacienda HOG Chapter 97 is hosting the Second Annual Hogs with Hearts Poker Run. This run is in support of the MDA Children’s Summer Camp at Camp Shadow Pines east of Payson, Arizona. We’ll be giving away over $5,000 worth of raffle prizes so don’t miss out on your chance for some great prizes as well as making a difference in a child's life. The entry fee is $25 for a single rider and $35 two-up. Fee includes a t-shirt for the first 100 registered riders, ride pin, coffee and breakfast supplied by Dunkin Donuts at the start, lunch and live music at the end. The ride will start at Hacienda Harley-Davidson. There will be prizes for high and low hand as well as dozens of raffle prizes including a Shell Vacation Club week valued at over $2100. Best Hand grand prize is $250 cash. Ride Registration is from 8am - 10am at Hacienda HD located at 15600 N. Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale. All Bikes Welcome. Join us for a great 120 mile ride through beautiful Arizona scenery and make a huge difference in a child’s life. More information and online registration at www.hog97.com

March 30th - April 3rd.
Arizona Bike Week 2011. Arizona Bike Week is a little over 2 months away. The dates this year are March 30th - April 3rd for Cyclefest at Westworld in Scottsdale. Musical acts this year include Skid Row, Warrant, Heart and Buckcherry. Pre-Rally Days start Friday March 25th with the Chester's Harley-Davidson Backstage Biker Bash featuring Gretchen Wilson and the Herndon Brothers in concert. There are lots of RV and tent camping options available. Go to www.arizonabikeweek.com for tickets and more information.

Extras

Mid Week Updates will be made on the Cyclerides.com Facebook.

New Easy to remember Facebook address. Go to Cyclerides.com Facebook. Over 2800 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!

The new Biker Information Guide is now out and expanded by 16 pages.

Pick up a copy at your local dealership.

I think I had this in the letter a couple of years ago. But it is definitely worth another look. Wow! Click Here to View.

This is an interesting commercial by Pine Sol to promote clean floors. How do they think of this stuff? Click Here to View.

Video of the Week: Ok, this one made me laugh out loud. A lot. The beer commercials have done it again. But we probably won't see it in this country. 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
info@cyclerides.com