Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
8/10/11
 

Greetings Riders,
 
As most of you know by now, Mrs. C. and I embarked Friday, July 29th on our planned 9 day ride up to Sturgis and beyond that would take us through 8 states and over 3400 miles. This was to be a special trip for us as it was the first one that Mrs. C. was going to ride her own bike for our long Summer trip as we have usually shipped my bike somewhere and ridden back. Have you ever heard the old saying; The Adventure Starts When Something Goes wrong? I don’t know that is necessarily true, we have had a lot of good adventures without anything going wrong, but if it were true, our adventure started before we even left the driveway. Sit back and read the challenging beginning as well as the trials and tribulations along the way, that turned this ride into one of our most memorable and enjoyable trips yet. The complete trip log and story will be told in a 4 part series over the next few weeks.

Friday morning, July 29th, we were right on our scheduled 8am departure time. All of the gear was loaded, we were on our bikes and ready to roll. Our plan that day was to make it to Durango, CO for the night in time to avoid the afternoon storms. We saddled up, put on our helmets with the Bluetooth communication that we always use on these trips, started the bikes and were ready to roll. This is where the alleged adventure began. I heard what sounded like a strange ticking sound coming out of the right side of my engine. I explained it away that it was probably just noises being funneled up and magnified through my helmet that I was not used to to hearing. So we proceeded to leave the neighborhood and head toward the 101.

As we got about 3/4 of a mile away from the house, the ticking sound became louder and more noticeable. I’m starting to think that this is a little more than my helmet playing tricks on me. Since Arrowhead HD is only about 1.5 miles from where I was now at, I decided to head that direction to get a second opinion. Over the next 1/2 mile the louder ticking sound had now turned into a clacking sound that was starting to tell me that this was more serious than a loose heat shield. I alternated coasting with the engine off and running, but by the time I turned into AHD, the clacking sound was now a loud clickity clacking that sounded like someone had put marbles into my crankcase. They put the bike up on the lift immediately and found that a cam bearing had given way and proceeded to send metal throughout the engine cratering it from the bottom up doing over $4000 damage. Needless to say, our 3400 mile ride had now come to an unexpected end after only 2 miles.

This was not the news that I wanted to hear, especially at this particular time. Not to mention that this is the second complete motor grenade that I have had in the last 35,000 miles. What are the chances of that?? Being so excited about starting a 9 day ride to having a blown engine all in the matter of 5 minutes was a bit of a buzz kill to say the least. My immediate reaction was to think, what bad luck this is. That was until I took a minute to look at the big picture and realize that this was really good luck, wrapped around a bad circumstance. Just imagine if this had happened in the middle of the Indian reservation North of Holbrook with no cell service! That would have probably ended the trip for good.

So while standing in the showroom at Arrowhead HD with Mrs. C. trying to assess our options, all we could do was just look at each other and laugh about what had just happened. While it was disappointing that we were looking at our trip being compromised, we both realized that worse things could happen, and also realized how blessed we were that it happened where it did. Who knows, maybe this delay was meant as protection for us from a worse calamity down the road. When things like this happen that seem to change what MY timing is, I always think back to the stories of the people who were on their way to the World Trade Center on 9/11 and were delayed by little things like a broken elevator, missed a cab, had a flat tire, or stuck in NY traffic. All instances that delayed their arrival at the WTC just enough to save them. It seems the older I have gotten, the more I tend to evaluate what is really important to me and tend take these kinds of setbacks in stride. I try to spend less time figuring out why it happened and more time on how to make it better. So now that the initial shock had worn off and we knew the yellow bike was not going on the trip, we turned to figuring out a plan B.

There were bikes available to rent from AHD, even a Road Glide Ultra. But that would cost well over $1000 to do that. While it was an option, not a financially attractive one. The next option was the fact that I had just bought the 2010 Road Glide that was sitting in the garage and was to be my project bike. Unfortunately, the project had already begun as I had just taken the fairing off the night before and delivered it to the fabricator. After some discussion we decided that getting the 2010 Road Glide back together would be the best option, so we made the 40 mile round trip to pick that up. I also had to buy and install a $500 sissy bar and rack kit to carry the T-Bag, which I would have needed at some point. The good news was, for some reason earlier in the week, I had just gotten the 10k service on that bike and had a new clutch put in it under warranty. Hmmm. I guess this bike was destined for a road trip.

By the time we had picked up all the parts, got the faring, detachable sissy bar, rack and windshield installed, we finally got on the road at 2:30 pm, over 6 hours behind our schedule. As a result of the delay, we only made it approximately 190 miles through Payson and on to Snowflake, AZ before the afternoon rains hit and we decided to call it a day. And what a day it was. But not even the rain could stop me from smiling about the fact that we were fortunate enough to be on the road to enjoy this trip, that the breakdown occurred near home, that I had another bike sitting in the garage to ride and wondering what the next 8 days were going to bring our way.

As it turns out, there was a lot more to head our way in the form of Mother Nature, animals, crazy mishaps and circumstances out of our control. Our final tally was 3450 miles taking us through 8 states in 8 days and 4 hours and turned out to be one of our most memorable ever. Places that I will have photographs of and will be talking about are Durango, Aspen, Independence Pass, Mt. Evans, Custer State Park and the Black Hills, Devils Tower, Beartooth Pass, Yellowstone, Tetons and Hwy. 12. Even though it was an expensive beginning to the trip losing a motor on the bike, no one got hurt, we were still able to take the trip and returned healthy and safe. It was a joy to spend 9 days with my wife of 30 years watching her experience this trip on her own bike. That made it all worthwhile for me. I made sure the first thing I bought her in South Dakota was the “I Rode Mine To Sturgis” patch. Just to get you warmed up for pictures, take a look at this great shot in front of the most photographed barn in America with the Tetons in the background. Click Here.

I posted some daily pictures along the way on the Cyclerides Facebook. Even if you are not a member of Facebook you can see the pics and comments. Thanks for all the well wishes along the way. It is truly appreciated. As usual I was snap happy and took over 2300 photos that I am anxious to go through and share with you starting next week. If you missed the newsletter leading up to this trip, you can catch up with our projected route by Clicking Here.

I don’t know what I am going to do with the yellow Road Glide at this point. Will either sell as it is or put another motor in it then sell or keep. If anyone has, or knows where to get a twin cam 88 fuel injected motor that would fit in a 2005 Road Glide, or even has a good crank or lower end for one, please let me know by emailing me at info@cyclerides.com . I would really like to get it running, just not at the cost of $4000. Any help would or suggestions would be appreciated.

See Story from Day 1




This Week 

Saturday, August 13th
Chester's Harley-Davidson Party on the Patio. Live Bands every Saturday at the Party on the Patio from 11-2pm. We have a lot going on at Chester’s Harley-Davidson. Click Here to see who is performing each week. This week August 13th, our Party on the Patio features live music with Psychobilly Rodeo Band and helping East Valley HOG Chapter Charities. Free food, music all while helping our chosen charity each week. Each Saturday 11-2pm. Food, Fun and much more and it’s FREE. Chester's Harley-Davidson is located at 922 S. Country Club Dr. in Mesa, AZ. 480-894-0404.
Save the Date: Are you ready to party for our Rocktoberfest Oct. 8th. We have Paul Rodgers/Bad Company. Tickets go on sale this weekend at Chester's H-D. Let the good times roll. 

Next Week 

Friday, August 19th
Hot August Nights Car and Bike Show at Arrowhead Harley-Davidson. This is always a big event and a good time. Stop by Arrowhead HD from 5-9pm to see a whole lot of classic cars and bikes on display. There will also be LIVE MUSIC and a BIKINI CONTEST. Hot August Nights T-Shirts for all who enter a car or a bike in the show. Come in and check out our fantastic bargains in our end of the Summer Clearance Sale on August 19th only. To enter your car or bike in the show, email mhains@ridenow.com . Arrowhead Harley is located at 16130 N. Arrowhead Ftn. Ctr. Dr. in Peoria, AZ. Just South of 83rd Ave. and Bell Rd. 623-247-5542.

Saturday, August 20th
Chester's Harley-Davidson Party on the Patio. Live Bands every Saturday at the Party on the Patio from 11-2pm. We have a lot going on at Chester’s Harley-Davidson. Click Here to see who is performing each week. This week August 13th, our Party on the Patio features live music with Christopher Robbin Band and helping Chandler Center for the Arts. Free food, music all while helping our chosen charity each week. Each Saturday 11-2pm. Food, Fun and much more and it’s FREE. Chester's Harley-Davidson is located at 922 S. Country Club Dr. in Mesa, AZ. 480-894-0404.
Save the Date: Are you ready to party for our Rocktoberfest Oct. 8th. We have Paul Rodgers/Bad Company. Tickets go on sale this weekend at Chester's H-D. Let the good times roll.

Saturday, August 20th
Hacienda Harley Davidson Basement Blowout Sale. 1 Day Only! From 9am – 5pm. For those of you that have been to a Hacienda Basement Blowout sale before, you know there are going to be some deals to be had. This is an end of the season General Merchandise Blowout Sale and with Andreanne being the host and head deal maker, you might be surprised what you could come away with. So get there early to get the best choices. While you are there, take advantage of the FREE Dinner on the Patio from 11am – 2pm. Also the New Owners Workshop at 10am. Hacienda HD is located at 15600 N. Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale, AZ. 480-905-1903.

Saturday, August 20th
Buddy Stubbs Anthem Harley-Davidson Hogs and Dogs. Ride up to Buddy Stubbs Anthem Harley-Davidson on Saturday, August 20th, where they are serving up a healthy dose of SAVINGS along with FREE food and drinks! Enjoy up to 75% off select boots, helmets, women’s jeans and leather jackets from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.! Enjoy these great discounts and relax on their misted patio while the bikini bike wash girls give your motorcycle a much needed cleaning. These deals won’t last, so be sure to stop in and grab them before they are gone! For more information regarding this event go to www.anthemhd.com or call (623) 465-1122. Buddy Stubbs Anthem H-D is located at 41715 N. 41st Drive, Anthem, AZ.

Extras

Mid Week Updates will be made on the Cyclerides.com Facebook. New Easy to remember Facebook address. Go to Cyclerides.com Facebook. Over 3300 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!

This is really cool. A Cockpit view of a twilight landing at Los Angeles airport compressed into about 3 minutes taken from the cockpit of a commercial plane. Be sure to view this in full screen to see how awesome it really is! Click Here to View.

See these Japanese girls play a prank with a Polaroid camera. Click Here to View.

Video of the Week: New House, New Pool, should be a good day, or not. See what happens here. 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

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