Cyclerides.com Weekly Update

1/30/13

Greetings Riders,

Well, has anyone had enough rain yet? I’ve lived here almost 32 years and I mentioned to Mrs. C. that I couldn’t remember getting that much rain over the course of 24 hours. Then I found out that we hadn’t. That was actually a record rainfall over a 24 hour period of just 1.1 inches. I’ve seen some wicked floods around here in the past, but I guess if 1/2 inch of rain drops in an hour it has a much different impact. But it looks like it is moving out for now and we are in for some good riding weather this weekend. If you missed last week’s newsletter about our tour through the Queen Mine in Bisbee, AZ., Click Here to Read.

T.E.A.M. Arizona Motorcycle Training is a name most everyone in Arizona has heard about over the years. You or a spouse might have even attended training there at one time. Both Mrs. C. and our daughter have gone through their classes several years ago. Ron Arieli, the owner and founder of T.E.A.M. Arizona Motorcycle Training has been instrumental in providing training and promoting safety in motorcycling for the last 23 years here in the Phoenix area. The business started with two trailers and a few motorcycles and now maintains 15 locations throughout the state including a 5 acre rider training facility in Gilbert, Arizona.

But this week they have reached a rare milestone, they trained their 100,000th student. And the lucky student that was deemed to be the 100,000th was given a brand new Kawasaki motorcycle provided by Kawasaki and the local Kawasaki dealerships. This is indeed a rare accomplishment and a testament to Ron’s desire to fill the street’s with safe riders. Given that roughly 25% of fatalities in motorcycle accidents were improperly trained or unlicensed riders, he has been instrumental in keeping that statistic from being much higher, but he still has a lot more training to do.

"I would have never imagined that from our humble beginnings with two trailers and a few motorcycles that we would train this many riders," said Ron Arieli, president of TEAM Arizona. "This really is a testament to everyone involved with TEAM Arizona. Our patient, friendly, and passionate RiderCoaches make all the difference.”

Here are some Fun Facts that Ron shared with me about the training over the years.

• Number of rider hours spent on the training range: 1.1 Million Hours

• Number of miles traveled by riders: 1.6 Million Miles

• Number of RiderCoaches Involved: More than 200

• Number of RiderCoach Miles Walked: 500,000 Miles

• Number of training motorcycles used: More than 1,000

• Number of current, active RiderCoaches: More than 60

Congratulations to Ron Arieli and to all of the current and past rider coaches of T.E.A.M. Arizona that have made this happen to make the streets a safer place. You have touched a lot of people and made them better riders. If you would like to get your motorcycle license or participate in some advanced riding courses, contact T.E.A.M. Arizona Motorcycle Training at 480-998-9888. Or go to www.motorcycletraining.com for more information. I would highly recommend it.

As a side note to motorcycle safety, I have recently accepted a position on the advisory board for the Arizona Motorcycle Safety & Awareness Foundation, more affectionately known as AMSAF. As you probably know, motorcycling has grown in popularity over the last decade and it is more important than ever to make sure that we keep our lifestyle as safe as possible. There are more than 160,000 registered motorcycles in Arizona that translate to over 3000 accidents per year. So clearly there are more reasons than ever to promote motorcycle safety.

AMSAF is Arizona motorcyclists working for our fellow riders. Here are few ways that we intend to meet our goals:

• Promote various media campaigns and public safety announcements

• Develop motorcycle education, training and awareness programs

• Create legislation directly affecting motorcycle safety and awareness

• Support rider-training assistance programs

AMSAF is a non-profit 501c3 Foundation established in 2011. There are no paid positions and all of the money goes directly into promoting motorcycle safety through creating rider education programs, billboards on highways, safety tips given to riders to just name a few. If you would like to donate to further the AMSAF cause and help all of us that ride, you can make a tax deductible donation of whatever size that you would like right on their web site. Go to www.amsaf.org and click on the “Support” tab. At the bottom of that page you can see some of the billboards that have already been run by AMSAF.

I will keep you updated as to the progress of AMSAF along the way. In the meantime, for those of you on Facebook, keep up with ongoing riding tips and other cool things along the way. Please “Like” the AMSAF Facebook page. Click Here.

Next Week

Saturday, February 9th

Sidewinder Cycles Grand Opening. Long time resident of Fountain Hills, Peter Bordow and his son, Patrick, have announced the opening of Sidewinder Cycles, a full service and Harley-Davidson certified motorcycle repair facility, the first in Fountain Hills. With the recession, the growth of motorcycle owners has grown in our area and the southwest in general. The Bordows, avid bikers themselves, see the value of such a repair shop in the excellent location of 17005 E. Colony Dr, Fountain Hills. The operation is set up for Certified Warranty work as well as regular service, rebuilding and customizing your motorcycle, all with a personal touch and reasonable pricing on all models. They just love motorcycles and want to ensure your bike is in the best condition for safe and enjoyable riding.

The Grand Opening is set for February 9 from 12:00-2:00 pm offering tours of the facility, refreshments, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Riders USA and the focus of the day, a 1947 Classic Indian will be on display. It's not often avid bikers get a chance to inspect such a fine machine as this Classic Indian motorcycle. If you can't make it to the Grand Opening, stop in any time for a free inspection of your motorcycle and to take a look at this state-of-the-art facility. The Bordows will be waiting with a friendly smile! 480-816-5581

Saturday, February 9th

12th Annual Chili Lovers Cook Off. Hosted by American Legion Riders Post 53 – Buckeye. Come Taste Some Of The Best Chili In The South West. Live Music, 50/50 and prize Drawings. $10 event entry, children under 17 free. $5 entry for Chili Contest. $50 prize for Best Mild, Wild or Hot. Proceeds benefit the American Legion and Veterans Charities. Event time 11AM – 4PM. Held at the Tin Top Bar and Grill located at 37900 W. Salome Hwy. in Tonopah, AZ. Please contact Nomad at 623-964-2455 with questions.

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!

Take a look at what being in the wrong place at the wrong time looks like. This would have been scary. Click Here to View.

If you like old cars and motorcycles, you will really enjoy this video. Extremely interesting what all they found in this old barn. Click Here to View.

Video of the Week. For those of you that like those go anywhere off road machines, this one is definitely an animal. 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