7/14/10
 
Grand Canyon North Rim to South Rim

 
Well, with the scorching heat that we have been having lately and now the monsoon storms building up every evening, it is getting tough to find a good time to ride. So if you are wanting to day dream about a ride and you missed last week's newsletter, take a look at the pictures from our excellent ride to Grand Canyon North Rim. These are some of the best photos I have taken at one of the most magnificent locations we have been. The North Rim is a gem that only 10% of the people that visit the Grand Canyon ever go to see. It is far superior in beauty to the South Rim. So if you are looking for a good weekend ride to take, put this one at the top of your list. Click Here to read the article.Click Here for Photos, a must see. Click Slideshow button to view full screen. Here is one to get you interested.

When you ride to the North Rim, even as beautiful as it is, you have to come back sometime. So this letter will cover what is a good route to come back to the Valley and still get in a good day of riding. After taking some more pictures on Saturday morning, we finally pulled ourselves away from the North Rim at about 10:15am and embarked on what would be a 310 mile ride to Munds Park for the night.

You leave the North Rim the same way you came in, on Hwy. 67 through the pines and aspens opening to meadows, sweeping curves and mostly at 8000 feet in elevation. The 45 mile ride back to Jacob Lake is a great start to a great day of riding. Once at Jacob Lake you can top off the tank to get you to the South Rim. The next leg of your ride home will take you 56 miles for another look at the Vermillion Cliffs, a 293,000 acre National Monument. This is actually a better view of them as you head East, on your way to Hwy. 89. You will then turn South on 89 another 56 miles to Cameron where you can take a break or get some gas. From Cameron you will head back West on Hwy. 64 approximately 30 miles where you will enter the Grand Canyon South Rim at Desert View for your first look at the South side of the Grand Canyon.  

As you ride West on Hwy. 64 you will ride by 5 major view areas that you can pull into for photo ops and canyon viewing. These are well worth the effort to stop and see as this opens up a whole new appreciation of the grandeur and enormous size of the Grand Canyon. The first stop on the Rim heading West is called Desert View located immediately after entering the East entrance. Desert View is also the home of the Watchtower, built by the Fred Harvey company in the early 1930's to provide the widest possible view of the Grand Canyon and serve as a rest stop and gift shop. The tower was built with local stones handpicked by the architect, Mary Colter, to give the tower an ancient look. Inside the tower you will see authentic Indian paintings on the walls and pottery. You can also walk the 4 floors to the highest vantage point in the Grand Canyon at 7522 feet. Definitely a must stop for some history of the canyon.

As you head West 24 miles from Desert View you go past 3 more view points including Lipan Point, Moran Point, Grandview Point before coming to Mather Point, the most visited point at the canyon and on to Grand Canyon Village. At Mather point you will see hundreds of tourists usually speaking in languages you won't understand, getting their first look at the canyon. After you have mingled with the foreign tourists to get a glimpse of the most famous view of the Grand Canyon, I would recommend following the signs to the lodges and visit El Tovar Lodge. The historic El Tovar opened its doors in 1905 and is the most famous lodge at the Grand Canyon. In the past, the Hotel has hosted such luminaries as Theodore Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, Dwight Eisenhower and Paul McCartney. This is a great piece of Americana that is worth visiting.

Continuing South on Hwy. 64 will take you through the city of Tusayan, Arizona's newest city, located just outside the gate to the park. At Tusayan there is plenty of lodging if you would like to spend the night and also plenty of places to eat. Approximately 20 miles South is Valle which is also the junction of Hwy. 180 that takes you the 50 miles in to Flagstaff from the West. This is an excellent road that will give you give you a beautiful view of Mt. Humphrey's for the last half of the ride as you go through Aspens and pines reaching altitudes of 8000 feet. From here you can spend the night in Flagstaff or make your way back down the hill to Phoenix, which is about 130 miles from Flagstaff. Total mileage for the 2 day trip is a little over 820 miles from I-17 & Loop 101.

Needless to say, this is an excellent weekend trip that is full of many different roads, terrains, elevations and temperatures all while visiting one of the most famous landmarks in the United States, if not the world. You will be one of over 5 million who visit this area every year, but if you do the North Rim, you would be one of the only 10% that make it to the North side, which is well worth the effort, AND it makes it a much longer ride, which is what we are looking for anyway. The North Rim is only open from Mid May - Mid October, so plan your trip to get out of the heat today. 

Click Here for Map

I have several photos from the South Rim as well as some great shots of Vermillion Cliffs heading East. 

Click Here for Photos.  Click the "Slideshow" button in upper right of page and then click "Fast" in upper left of slideshow page and let it roll.  


 

Highlights This Week

 

Friday, July 16th

Chester's Summer Fling Hogs & Paradise. Now this sounds like some real fun!

It's HOT outside, so Join Chester's Harley-Davidson poolside at the Hyatt Place Hotel for some

Live Caribbean Music, Limbo Contest, Putting Green Contest and a  BIKINI CONTEST!

 


 

Bike Nights This Week

 

Wednesday

 

Billet Bar Bike Night has moved to Wednesdays as well as Thursdays!

The Bike Night At The Billet Bar.  The Billet Bar has now moved bike night to Wednesday nights as well as Thursdays.

Not only that, Billet Bar is now serving food cooked right there on the grill!
That's right, Myron now has a grill and is serving up 1/4 pound cheeseburgers and chips right there hot off the grill for $6.50 every day of the week. On bike night enjoy happy hour pricing on drinks all night long. Click Here for 2 for 1 coupon for your first drink. Print it out and bring it in to redeem.

 

The Billet was Voted "BEST BIKER BAR IN PHOENIX" by New Times. There is no better place to watch all the Bikes ride down Scottsdale road than from The Billet Bar Patio. The Billet is ALWAYS packed with bikes Every Day. Stop by and take a look at the New Flamed Booths on the Paradise Patio. The new bars front and rear provide spacious seating, fresh air atmosphere, perfect temperature and courteous staff. You can sit at the back bar and watch your favorite TV on any of the seven big inch televisions. Play pool, listen to the latest music and socialize. The front patio seats over 75 people and is perfect for people watching on Scottsdale Rd. The Billet Bar is located on 3752 N. Scottsdale Rd. Check it out this Thursday night and all weekend long. Info: at 480-941-1876.

 

 

Events This Week
 

Friday, July 16th

Chester's Summer Fling Hogs & Paradise. Now this sounds like some real fun! It's HOT outside, so Join Chester's Harley-Davidson poolside at the Hyatt Place Hotel for some Live Caribbean Music, Limbo Contest, Putting Green Contest and a  BIKINI CONTEST, There will be a Cash Bar and BBQ available for purchase. Free Admittance. If you want to make a night of it, there are special hotel packages available. The fun will be at the Pool and Patio area of the Hyatt Place located at 1422 West Bass Pro Drive in Mesa next to Toby Keith's Bar & Grill. Should be a good time! If you would like to be in the Bikini Contest, contact Andreanne at 480-894-0404 or email adepape@chestershd.com for more details.

 

Next Week

 

July 23 - 25

19th Annual Too Broke For Sturgis presented by ABATE of Arizona. TBFS is the largest biker event in AZ other than Bike Week. There is live music, The Fryed Brothers, bike games, a bike show, Miss Too Broke contest, a wet t-shirt contest and more. TBFS is ABATE of Arizona's annual fundraiser. All proceeds go directly towards ABATE’s efforts to preserve and promote motorcycling throughout Arizona. THIS IS AN OLD SCHOOL ADULTS ONLY PARTY! No one under the age of 18.  Admission: $30 per person for weekend pass * $15 per person Saturday Pass ** ABATE MEMBERS GET $5 off per person for weekend pass. Admission includes: * Event pins to first 1500 *Camping Fri & Sat nights *Live Music Fri & Sat night * Bike Show *Poker Run * Poker Walk * People Games * Ms Too Broke Contest * Wet T-Shirt Contest * 50/50 Raffle  [Vendors call 520-371-1735] All takes place next to Mormon Lake Lodge located just South of Flagstaff. See flyer for directions and details or visit Website: www.toobrokeforsturgis.com or  Call 602-ABATEAZ or  E-mail: abateaz@qwestoffice.net

 

Saturday, July 24th

Chester's Harley-Davidson presents E.B. Chester's Story of his 9100 mile Hoka Hey ride. E.B. Chester is back from his 9100 mile Hoka Hey Challenge adventure and wants to tell his story. Click Here for E.B.'s personal video invitation. Stop by the Chester's Harley-Davidson HOG Room on Saturday, July 24th at 10:30am to hear E.B's one hour presentation as he outlines his incredible story of how they rode from the Florida Keys to Homer, AK, over 9100 miles in 12 Days. For all who ride, this will be a treat to hear this story of endurance in a once in a lifetime ride.  Meet fellow Hoka Hey Riders Travis & Judy. Limited Seating and Lunch Provided. Must RSVP by Thursday, July 22nd. Call 480-894-0404 or email adepape@chestershd.com . Chester's Harley-Davidson is located at 922 S. Country Club Dr. in Mesa, AZ.

Click Here for E.B.'s personal video invitation.

 

 

 

Extras

 

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

New Easy to remember Facebook address. Go to Cyclerides.com Facebook. Over 2500 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!

 
Here is a hot video for you. Check out this truck fire in a hill climbing race. Maybe they should put parking brakes on these things. Click Here to View.

 

I don't who this guy is, but I have seen a couple of videos from him and he is one of the best illusionists I have seen for a while. You will be amazed at this one. Click Here to View.

 

Video of the Week: Who says deer can't defend themselves and their young. Check out this momma deer trying to defend Bambi. Click Here to View. Click on the Video of the Week graphic on the page.

 

Until Next Week,
Blessings and Safe Riding To All,
 
Barry Caraway
"The Road Is Yours - Take The Ride"
www.cyclerides.com
info@cyclerides.com

 

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