Cyclerides.com Weekly Update

2/1/12

Greeting Riders,

Well, we are in the middle of some fantastic riding weather here in the Phoenix area. It doesn’t get much better than this and from the amount of bikes I have seen on the road, there are a lot of you taking advantage of it. Hopefully it holds out for at least another week or so.

In February of 2010 I was asked to be a member of the Arizona Centennial Ride Committee to help plan the big ride to celebrate the Arizona Centennial. It was an honor to be asked and I was excited to be a part of such a monumental event and happy to jump in and share my experience with organizing large rides over the last several years.

After being offered this opportunity, I soon attended the unveiling of the drawing of the Copper Chopper back in February of 2010 and heard all about the bike, the ride, the celebration, etc. The Centennial was to take place 2 years from that date. Isn’t it interesting how the time continuum works with respect to events that are planned to happen at some time in the future? Now I don’t know about you, but 2 years in advance for anything in my world is a LONG time. I can barely quantify how long that is. I know it is 730 days, but a lot can happen in that period of time. It’s not exactly something I would even rush out and put on my calendar. My long term planning window works in 90 day increments at best, so the prospects of 730 days seemed like an eternity.

But as you all know, even though it is hard to quantify time, 2 years can fly by faster than you can imagine, as these last 2 years have done for me. Over this time The Copper Chopper did go from a 4 foot cardboard drawing and was brought to reality by Paul Yafee. The bike has been touring the State promoting the AZ Centennial for the last 17 months. The ride planning started in earnest this past Summer and after many meetings with the DPS, who will be leading the ride, and the cities of Mesa and Phoenix who will be involved with making it all happen, we are now only 9 days away from what will be among the largest organized rides to ever be staged in the Phoenix area.

As of today, there are over 1300 riders pre-registered for this once in a lifetime event, which to my knowledge is unprecedented for motorcycle ride pre registrations in Arizona. You might be asking why I am calling this ride a once in a lifetime event? The reason is because there is only one Centennial celebration for any State, and I have some serious doubts that I am going to live to be 155 years old and be able to participate in the Bi-Centennial Ride in 2112. What comes along with once in a lifetime anything are certain treasures that you will not be able to get unless you are on the ride. Those include the AZ Centennial Ride Pin and the Centennial Ride Shirt. Once these are gone, they will not be reproduced.

There are only going to be 2000 of those items guaranteed for this event, which is why the pre-registration for this ride is off the charts. If you are among the first 2000 to pre register, you will be guaranteed a pin and a ride shirt. If you come day of to ride, that is permitted, and it is possible that you could still get those items, but certainly not guaranteed. Once the items are gone, riders registering day of will still get a raffle ticket for the Copper Chopper drawing. My advice would be that if you want a shirt and a pin to CLICK HERE to pre register and lock in your Centennial Ride memorabilia.

This “Once in a Lifetime” event to celebrate 100 years of Arizona Statehood will be led by Dierks Bentley and Paul Yaffe on the Copper Chopper. Sponsored by the Law Tigers. For those of you planning on going, here are the particulars that you will need to know:

Registration: Saturday, February 11th. Mesa Riverview. 10 AM – 1:45 PM. The ride leaves promptly at 2 PM.

Location: Mesa Riverview located at Southeast corner of the Loop 202 and Dobson Rd. in Mesa next to Bass Pro Shops. Exit the 202 South bound. Go to the first light and turn left. Follow the signs to line up. Click Here for Maps.

Staging: We will be lining all of the bikes up in the street on Bass Pro Drive utilizing 3 of the 4 lanes with all bikes heading West. There will be 2 bikes per lane. When we fill up one lane, we will start on the next lane. The first lane to fill up will be the first released. This takes away the nasty bottle neck of leaving from a parking lot. So whoever gets there first, will be at the front of the line. If you would like to ride with your group, you will have to wait for them to get there and then get in line together, because once you are in the line, you won’t be able to move.

Check In: All riders will be met by a team of volunteers at your bike when you get in the line. If you have pre registered you will give your name, it will be looked up on the pre registration sheet, you will then sign a ride release and then be given a wristband that will enable you to go pick up your Shirt, Ride Pin and Copper Chopper Raffle Ticket at the Registration area located in the Cyclerides.com Photo Gallery on the Main St. If you have not pre registered, you will pay the $25 per person when you park your bike, sign a ride release, get a wrist band and then go to the Registration room to get your Shirt and Ride Pin per availability, but you will be guaranteed a raffle ticket for the Copper Chopper.

Entertainment: Live Music and Vendors from 10 AM – 2 PM on Main St. Cactus Moon will be serving a $7.00 breakfast special starting at 8 AM. There are several restaurants and stores within walking distance of the registration area within Mesa Riverview.

Ride: All riders will need to be back to their bike by 1:45 PM. The ride will leave promptly at 2 PM and will be escorted by the Arizona DPS for this 16 mile ride. The rows of bikes will be released according to their time of lining up. The “Top 48” bikes who represent Arizona as being the 48th State, will consist of Dierks Bentley, the Copper Chopper, State Officials, Media, etc. will be staged on the Main Street in Mesa Riverview. When DPS leads these bikes out all of the other bikes will follow in behind and the ride will be underway. REMEMBER: This is not a race. The ride is only 16 miles long and will move at a pace of 25 mph. Keep ample in front of the rider in front of you.

Route: The route will go from Mesa Riverview to Dobson Rd., North to the Loop 202, West on the 202 in the HOV lane which will be completely closed Westbound to I-10 exiting on 3rd St. We will then follow 3rd St. South to Washington where we will turn West on Washington to 7th Ave. South to Jefferson. Then West on Jefferson to parking on Jefferson next to the Centennial Best Fest Celebration. Park on Jefferson and proceed to enjoy the Centennial Best Fest. Click Here for Map of Route.

We will be putting a rumble in downtown Phoenix like they have never heard before. Should be a great moment to experience. Share the route with friends and family so they can go downtown and view the ride.

After Ride: When riders reach the end you can walk around and enjoy the Arizona Best Fest activities. At 4 PM everyone will line Washington street where the Top 48 led by Dierks Bentley and the Copper Chopper will parade West on Washington Street on their way to the Capital building where they will be met by Governor Jan Brewer. At 5:30 PM there will be the Salute To Arizona program where Governor Brewer will preside over the Salute To Arizona from the Capitol building plaza. Dierks Bentley will address his home state crowd at this event, but will not perform. This will followed by live entertainment Jerry Riopelle, Michelle Branch and the Gin Blossoms.

I have been honored to serve on this committee for such an important event and take my hat off to Mandi Wimmer, Deputy Director, Arizona Centennial Commission who has worked diligently and tirelessly to make this Ride and Centennial Best Fest Event come to fruition in all areas of the State over the last 2 years. Congratulations on a job well done. Watch for us on the local morning TV programs next week promoting this event.

Below are some links that you might want to explore for the upcoming Centennial Celebration.

Arizona Centennial. Celebrating 100 Years of Statehood.

Arizona Best Fest Schedule of Activities. February 11th and 12th. See all times and activities. Fun and history lesson for the entire family.

Cyclerides.com Article about Centennial from February, 24th 2010

Story and pictures of Copper Chopper Unveiled from October, 2010

This Week

Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale - OPEN AND READY TO ROCK & ROLL - New Ownership, New Management, New Attitude! This new dealership is on its way to being one-of-a-kind, providing a WORLD CLASS customer experience; part of the Go AZ Motorcycles family. Go AZ Motorcycles is currently developing a destination in Scottsdale that will include a 2.5 acre training, demonstration and event center that will be like no other! Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale and Go AZ Motorcycles, the place for ALL bikers! New Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale t-shirts are arriving daily, worth riding in for!

RENTALS: 15% Off your next rental at Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale. Present this ad at time of reservation. We honor competitors offers. Renting Harley-Davidson Motorcycles from anyone other than a Harley-Davidson Authorized rentals dealer would be like renting a tuxedo from a clown store! HD of Scottsdale is located at 15600 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 408.905.1903. www.hdofscottsdale.com

Next Week

Saturday, February 11th

Arizona Centennial Ride Sponsored by the Law Tigers. Plan to attend this “Once in a Lifetime” event to celebrate 100 years of Arizona Statehood will be led by Dierks Bentley. This will be a DPS escorted ceremonial ride of approximately 16 miles that will take us West on the Loop 202 to I-10 through downtown Phoenix past Chase Field and West on Jefferson to the Capitol where we will end at the Centennial Best Fest. This will absolutely put a rumble in Downtown Phoenix like they have never heard before. I can’t wait. The cost for the ride will be $25 per person that will include participation in the ride, a commemorative t-shirt, ride pin and one (1) ticket for the drawing to win the AZ Copper Chopper. On site registration will start at 10 AM at Mesa Riverview. The t-shirt and ride pin will be in limited quantity so you will want to pre-register to guarantee that you get these collectible items. Once they are gone that is it. There will be a very cool patch that will be available to purchase at registration. I will have a picture of that in a couple of weeks. Click the following link for a picture of the shirt design that I took with my cell phone at a meeting. This will be shirt back.

Upcoming Events

Friday and Saturday, March 2nd and 3rd

2nd Annual Checkered Flag Run. This is a unique event put on by Alan “A.P.” Powell that incorporates Motorcycles, NASCAR and Parties, all for one $25 ticket. The Checkered Flag Run is a weekend in Arizona hosted by Phoenix International Raceway, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, and The Radisson Hotel. The weekend culminates with motorcycle rides to Phoenix International Raceway to watch NASCAR Drivers tear up the track at the Bashas Supermarkets 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series race, Saturday March 3rd, 2012. Here is the itinerary for the weekend:

Friday, March 2nd

Join us for the “Checkered Flag Run Kickstands Down Pre Bash” at Chandler Harley-Davidson, 12 pm – 4 pm. Free Food, Cold Drinks, & Bikini Bike Wash! Discounts on Service, Merchandise, & Parts!

CFR Meet and Greet at Airia Night Club at Wildhorse Pass. Live performance by Honey Brown 6PM – 10PM.

Saturday, March 3rd

Checkered Flag Run at PIR. Bike Show and Entertainment 9AM – Noon. Bike Show first place is $2000 Cash. Race Time 1PM – 4PM. The 3 Amigos Tequila Leather/Lace Ball at Ovations Live! Show Room at Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino 9PM – 2AM.

One $25 ticket gets you into ALL of these events. Get your tickets Now!

Extras

Mid Week Updates will be made on the Cyclerides.com Facebook. New Easy to remember Facebook address. Go to Cyclerides.com Facebook. Over 3600 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!

Watch this HILARIOUS compilation of cheerleading and band miscues. Click Here to View.

Take advantage of this GREAT DEAL!: Trask 2012 New Year Performance Special.

Thinking of new pipes, intake, cams or all of the above? Start your new year off right, come into Trask Performances premier dyno tuning center January 1st - 31st for a FREE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (normally a $75 value). Our tuning experts will help you make your bike run the way you want it to. Arizona's premier performance and service center, Trask Performance! Located at 21601 N. 3rd Ave. in Phoenix, AZ. Call 623-879-8488 to make an appointment and Refer to this offer from Cyclerides.com.

I’m not sure if this guy is CRAZY or just brave as can be. But there is no way that I would try this. Amazing and scary to watch. Click Here to View

Video of the Week: Not sure why people get so crazy when they get into a golf cart, but it happens. Watch this compilation of golf cart mishaps. 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