Cyclerides.com Weekly Update

2/6/13

Greetings Riders,

It is getting close to prime riding season throughout the State. With a new season of riding also comes a new season of the Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Nights. With the NHL and the Coyotes being in limbo, we were unable to nail down a date to start until last Friday. I would like to announce that we will begin the 2013 Spring season of the Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Nights this year on Thursday, March 28th running every Thursday through June 27th. We are already working on programming for bike night to make it even bigger and better than in years past. I look forward to seeing all of you on opening night, Thursday, March 28th. Save the Date! We have limited space for vendors, if you would like to be a vendor, please contact me at info@cyclerides.com .

Planning Your 2013 Ride

It is now time to start getting some ideas for planning your Summer rides. I know I have already started thinking about where we would like to go this year. In fact, planning a good long motorcycle ride is half the fun for me, and with the internet at our disposal, you can almost feel the wind in your face. I have done some research and found a couple of really neat programs and web sites that I want to share with you.

When planning any trip, especially for pleasure, you would like to pick the kind of scenery that you are going to see along the way. In the old days, you really only had a couple of choices. You might see a picture of the area in a magazine or ask someone who had been there to describe it to you. Either way, the information was going to be limited at best. In today's world, you can usually find many photos on the internet. For instance, just go into www.google.com , click on images and type in the name of the road or area that you want to see, and hundreds of photos will come up. Another way I have previewed a road is to fly over it. That works if it is in the general area. Another way is to go into google maps and click on the aerial button to see the general landscape of the area from above. But the best way to do it is by viewing the road in Google Earth.

I hadn't played around with Google Earth for a while and the improvements they have made to this program are unbelievable. For example, I wanted to see what the road that goes North out of Silver City through the Pinos Altos Range was like before I decided to ride it. I went in to Google Earth found the road that I wanted to see, started zooming in on the road and camera icons started to appear. Click on one of those camera icons and it will show you a small picture from the road or the area. Then you can click on "Show Full Screen" and it will take you right down to the road as if you were right there. At that point you can drag the screen around and do a complete 360 degree view of the area like you were standing in the middle of the road. You might also see some blue squares on the map, click on them for photos from that spot. This is an amazing program.

But that's not all. To get an idea for the topography landscape of the area, zoom in a little bit to the area that you want to see, place your mouse cursor toward the top of the screen, hold down the Ctrl key and your left mouse button while dragging the mouse down the screen. This will change the angle of view to let you see the topography of the area. Then you can follow the road at that angle. You can also check the elevation wherever your mouse cursor is. Once again, outstanding software for researching just about anything before you actually go there. You can even try going to Maui, London or Paris, France to see what all the fuss is about. You could spend hours getting lost in this program. You can even drill down to street level on Google Maps and see the road as well.

Now that I have your interest peaked, how do you get it? Simply go to http://earth.google.com/ and download the free version of Google Earth. Install it and you will now be on a virtual tour to wherever you want to go. There is a tutorial that is good to get you going. It also really helps to have a mouse with a wheel on the top to help with zooming in and out of a page.

Ok, now that you know where you want to go, how are you going to get there? When I do my trip planning I always load up my Garmin Nuvi 1450 GPS with my daily routes planned out on the Garmin City Navigator North America software. Using this software allows me to make waypoints on the map and be able to keep them for future use or reference. But if you don't have a GPS or the software to go with it, I have found the next best thing that you can use to plan your trip. It is on the internet, it is FREE and it is outstanding!

This new ride planning program is the Harley-Davidson Ride Planner. You can plan your route, save it and then email it to your riding buddies complete with turn by turn directions. The great thing about this mapping program is that you can simply right mouse click on the map, insert either a "waypoint" or a "location". Start with inserting a "location" to get your route started, and then insert "waypoints" along the route that you want to follow. (Sometimes you will have to force your route by adding several waypoints along the road that you want to take) At the end of your route, insert a "location" point and it will draw a line on the road and tell you how far it is and how long it will take you to get there. You can even drag your waypoints and locations around the map to check mileage or change your route. This is great for planning out legs of your trip for gas, food, or just seeing how far you want to ride for the day. Once you have laid out your route, you can click the mixed button to see the aerial terrain of where you are going to be riding.

The HD Ride Planner is a great asset for anyone planning a trip. You can also add the dealerships that you would see along your route, hotels and even fuel stops. Even see routes listed from other riders. I guarantee you will spend hours playing around with this program. You will also find and extensive "Help" page in the upper right of the program. To save the map you will need to become a registered user. But no worries, you don't have to be a Harley Rider or H.O.G. Member to use the page. Here is a screen shot of a trip that I want to take down the Coronado Trail and on to Silver City, NM. Here is an example of a route that I emailed to myself for a ride that I want to take to Silver City, NM. Click Here.

Give the HD Ride Planner a try at http://rideplanner.harley-davidson.com/rideplanner/

Enjoy planning your next ride. Email me your trip!

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.

Next Week

Saturday, February 16th
Buddy Stubbs Anthem Hogs and Dogs. Buddy Stubbs Anthem Harley-Davidson invites you to ride over to their store on Saturday, February 16th, from 11am to 2pm to take back Valentine’s Day! Join Buddy’s crew for complimentary food and drinks while taking advantage of their 20% off ALL in stock jewelry sale! It will be a great day for a ride and an even better day when you pick out that special something that you wanted but didn’t receive for Valentine’s Day. Anthem H-D H.O.G. Chapter 2376 will be providing the FREE food and drinks so be sure to stop by and say hello. Buddy Stubbs Anthem Harley-Davidson is located at 41715 N. 41st Dr. Anthem, AZ 85086.

Saturday, February 16th
Stand Up for Stand Down. Stand Up For StandDown is an event to raise money for Arizona StandDown which helps homeless and in need veterans. There will be a motorcycle run- registration is 8:00 - 10:00 A.M. at VFW Post 1433, 7618 N. 63rd Ave, Glendale. $20 solo & $35 couple. Last stop is a concert at Chopper John's - 2546 E. Indian School Rd, Phx. Concert 2:00 P.M. - 2:00 A.M. Hans Olson, Elvis Before Noon and Many more! Food, drink specials, raffle, auction, prizes and more! Proudly sponsored by: Chopper John's and Harley Davidson Motorcycles of Scottsdale AZ. To volunteer or make a donation call 480-359-5025.

Saturday, February 16th
3rd Annual Lost Dutchman State Park Run. Superstition Harley-Davidson Lost Dutchman State Park Benefit Ride and Party at the Park. Ride at your own pace observation run ending at Lost Dutchman State Park. Lunch, live music, vendors, raffles. Help us keep Lost Dutchman State Park one of the most profitable in the state. All proceeds directly impact Lost Dutchman State Park. Superstition Harley-Davidson – 2910 W Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ 85120 | www.superstitionhd.com | 480.346.0600

Sunday, February 17th
Bikers Soar for Wildlife Poker Run. Want to see Eagles, Red Tail Hawks, Burrowing Owls, and Turkey Vultures up close? Join us for our 8th annual “Bikers Soar For Wildlife” motorcycle ride sponsored by the Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center Auxiliary (AMWCA). All proceeds go to help rescue, rehabilitate and care for the hundreds of animals that come to the Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center each year. The ride starts and ends at Buffalo Chip Saloon - 6811 E. Cave Creek Rd. Cave Creek, AZ. 85331. Sign-up is 8:00 - 9:30 A.M. Breakfast will be available for purchase on a first come basis. As always participants will enjoy a great lunch, music, a raffle, auction and a large display of animals courtesy of the volunteers at Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center. Pre-registration is $25.00 for rider, $35.00 for rider & passenger. The first 200 who pre-register will receive a ride shirt and pin. After February 8, 2013, registration prices are $30.00 for rider and $40.00 for rider & passenger.

Wednesday, February 20th
Motorcycle Day at the Dome. Sponsored by ABATE of Arizona. The purpose of the Motorcycle Day at the Dome (MDATD) is to meet, greet and converse with your State/District Legislators and National Senators/Representatives in their offices OR on the Senate Lawn of the State Capitol, 1700 W. Washington St. in Phoenix. You will have the opportunity to discuss various issues facing Motorcyclists today. You can also sit in the gallery as the Legislators are in session. Representatives from Motorcycle Rights Organization Members, Motorcycle Clubs (MCs), Independent Riders and Motorcycle Supporters will attend the Annual Motorcycle Day at the Dome. This event is sponsored by ABATE of Arizona and the date is Wednesday, February 20th from 10:30-3pm on the Capitol grounds, House lawn. All volunteer organizations/workers and clubs should be on sight by 8:30am. Please mark your calendars. "All Bikers Welcome". A barricaded area is reserved for bike parking on 17th Ave between Washington and Jefferson , the full length of the Capitol grounds itself. Any delivery vehicles will have to enter the area from the Washington side. We have notified TV stations for media coverage. Your lobbyists cannot do this alone and we are asking for your help to make this another great year with our Legislation. We are asking that each of you invite as many of your motorcyclist friends as you can to participate in this important event. WE ARE ASKING ALL MOTOCYCLISTS TO PLEASE CALL or EMAIL your 2 Representatives and 1 Senator and Set-up an appointment with them to meet in their office from 9am-3pm. Or ask them to join you on the House lawn to discuss some key points effecting motorcyclists in Arizona. The Motorcycle Day at the Dome Committee (MDATD) is made up of all 4 MROs in the State of Arizona (Abate,MMA, ACMC, & MMAA). Sponsored by ABATEof Arizona.

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!

Want to dream a little? Check out this backyard attraction. Click Here to View.

This is a great video and it happened right here in Cave Creek. Check out this bobcat story and rescue. Click Here to View.

Video of the Week. I would bet you have never seen a coat quite like this one. Amazing they pulled this one off. 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