Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
8/17/11

Greetings Riders,
 
Well, it is now the middle of August and as a 30 year resident of the Phoenix area, this is officially the point where I start to get real tired of the heat. I know the end is in sight within the next 30 days, but it usually seems like more of a crawl, than a sprint to the finish line.
 
But we know it is going to break soon which means that the Fall schedule for the Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Night is not far off. We are going to expand the frequency for the Fall season this year. There will be 10 nights this year. Due to the Coyotes schedule and not being able to overlap on their games due to the use of events plaza, we will be doing 5 Thursday nights in a row starting on Thursday, September 15th through Thursday, October 13th. Then we will switch to Wednesday nights for the next 5 from Wednesday, October 19th through Wednesday, November 12th. This year we will be doing theme nights that will incorporate classic cars, music and Extreme Machines. The first one on September 15th will be 50’s Night featuring 1950’s vintage cars as well as 50’s Live Music. The next 2 will be 60’s and 70’s with classic cars reflecting the era. We will then move on to “Extreme Machines” bringing in for display the most exotic motorsports we can find for you to see. I am really looking forward to programming this season. There will be something new to see each week. Click Here for Schedule. Pass this on to your riding pals.

Last week I left you with the story of how our 2011 Road Trip started that featured a blown engine on the yellow Road Glide within the first 2 minutes of the ride. It appeared to be really bad luck to the start of a ride, but I called it good luck wrapped in a bad circumstance as we were only 2 miles from home. If you missed this newsletter and you want to catch up on the details, Go to Cyclerides.com Newsletter 8/10/11.

Fortunately I had another Road Glide that I had just bought 3 weeks prior available to go and we were able to complete our planned 3450 mile trip taking us through 8 states in 8 days and 4 hours that turned out to be one of our most memorable ever. Once we finally got on the road at 2:30pm that Friday afternoon we made it to Snowflake, AZ just in time for the afternoon Arizona storms where we decided to call it a day. Saturday our scenic highlights were going to be Canyon De Chelly, Hwy. 13, Durango and the Million Dollar Hwy. to Ouray, CO. I will include the route map at the end, but I want to give you some of the highlights of the route so that you might include them on your rides to that area.

Canyon De Chelly National Monument
:
Canyon De Chelly is located in Northeastern Arizona and is one of those places that is out of the way and you really aren’t going to be going by there for much of any reason, but in this case we made a special effort to see it since we weren’t in any real hurry to get anywhere and it also happened to be on the way to Hwy. 13. Canyon De Chelly Nat. Mon. preserves ruins of the early indigenous tribes that lived in the area, including the Ancient Pueblo Peoples (also called Anasazi) and Navajo. The monument covers 83,840 acres and encompasses the floors and rims of the three major canyons: de Chelly, del Muerto, and Monument. These canyons were cut by streams with headwaters in the Chuska mountains just to the east of the monument. None of the land is federally owned. There are several viewpoints along a 7 mile stretch of asphalt along the rim. You will have to turn around and come back out the same way. Kind of like Bryce Canyon. But if you have a reason to go to that area, I would definitely stop to see it.

Indian Route Hwy. 13:
I had been told about this road by a seasoned rider, Travis Metcalfe for about 3 years. Every time I would see him he would ask if I had done Hwy. 13. Now I know why. This is a little gem of a road that NO one, except apparently Travis knew about. I’m glad we were finally heading in that direction to be able to experience this road. To get there from Canyon De Chelly take Indian Route 64 on the N. side of the canyon 24 miles to Indian route 12. Go N. on 12 8 miles to Indian Route 13 at Lukachukai. Turn right and you will immediately be heading into the read rocks similar to Sedona and will then work your way up through the red rocks to Aspens on your way to tall pines at over 8600 feet in elevation before you make your descent back down to 5800 feet and cross into New Mexico at Red Rock on your way to Hwy. 481 and Shiprock. The total route from Lukachukai to Shiprock is 51 miles with 20 of it being very excellent, memorable and worth the effort to get there. If you are going to Durango, this would be a very good way to go to break up your trip and it is not out of the way at all.

Durango and the Million Dollar Highway 550:
Hwy. 550 is also known as the “San Juan Parkway” and carries the distinction of being an All American Road. According to the Department of Transportation this means that the road must possess multiple intrinsic qualities that are nationally significant and contain one-of-a-kind features that do not exist elsewhere. The road or highway must also be considered a “destination unto itself.” In other words, the road must provide an exceptional traveling experience that travelers would make a drive along the highway a primary reason for their trip. With that in mind, I would say that Hwy. 550 more than deserves this distinction. It is one of the coolest and most mind bending 70 mile stretch of road as you will see anywhere. It has it all, mountain views, switchbacks, sheer drop-offs with no guard rails, mountain passes and plenty of eye candy along the way. Unfortunately for us this time, it rained the whole way, which does take a little something away from the ride. This road is a must sometime in your riding career. I have done a couple of reports on this road before. Click Here to see complete story and photos. Click Here for Video.

We ended this day in Ridgway, CO just 8 miles North of Ouray in the rain that had started 3 hours prior and stayed with us the whole way. The Ridgway Inn is a great place to stay and the True Grit Café was a real winner for a place to eat.

Next weekend's highlights will be Marble, Aspen, Independence Pass and Mt. Evans. All great places to visit on a motorcycle.
 
Click Here for Photos from today's story. Click Slideshow in upper right for best full screen viewing.
For Photos of Million Dollar Hwy. with Blue Skies, Click Here.
Click Here for Map of Route

See Story from Day 2


 

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.

 

Next Week

 

Friday, August 26th

Chandler Harley-Davidson Hot August Nights. 2012 Model Premier Open House. Aren’t you always looking for a good destination this time of year? Ride by Chandler Harley-Davidson to listen to some Live Music while checking out some beautiful classic cars. While you are there, see the remaining 2011’s we have on the showroom floor and then drool over the BRAND NEW 2012 inventory that is just arriving. This would also be the time to pick up some HD goodies. There will be 20% OFF on licensed Harley-Davidson products. Contact Deb at 480-496-6800 to register for the car and bike show. Trophies for the winners! Chandler Harley-Davidson is located at 6895 W. Chandler Blvd. in Chandler, AZ. 480-496-6800.

 

Saturday, August 27th

Buddy Stubbs Hogs & Dogs. Party with Buddy Stubbs Arizona Harley-Davidson on Saturday, August 27th, where the competition for top salsa recipe will be heating up! Mix up a batch of your best salsa and come prepared to taste the competition. Prizes will be awarded to first and second place finishers based on majority vote! Not a salsa connoisseur? Don’t fret, enjoy FREE food and drinks, a bikini bike wash, live music and tours of Buddy’s Museum from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, or to sign up for the salsa contest, contact marketing@buddystubbs.com or call (602) 971-3400. Buddy Stubbs Arizona Harley-Davidson is located at 13850 N. Cave Creek Road in Phoenix, AZ. Check them out online at www.buddystubbshd.com.

 

Saturday, August 27th

American Legion Post 105's "Classic' Car and Bike Show. Fundraiser for our Vet's presented by S.A.L. & A.L.R. Event being held at The Thunderbird Roadhouse - SW Corner of 35th Ave and Thunderbird starting at 1:00PM. Pre Enter $15.00 per car or bike / Day of show $20. Poker Run $10 Single or $15 Couple. Raffles, Prizes, Food and Drink Specials, Live Music. For more information: Dan AT 602-938-1811.

 

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 kid should really choose his friends more carefully. Ouch! Click Here to View.

This is a great video and music of a dog surfing. Really a fun one. Click Here to View.

Video of the Week: Snowmobiling is all good till it isn’t all good any more. Check out what happens when this guy gets to the top of the hill. Click Here to View. Click on the Video of the Week graphic on the page.

 

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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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