Cyclerides.com
Weekly Update
8/25/10
Greetings Riders,
Well, it is hard to believe that we are already
at the end of August. This month has flown by. Most
likely because I was on the road for 9 days and never looked at the
calendar anyway. So I have actually only been in the real world for 16 days
which probably explains why it seems like the month has gone fast. The other
9 were just riding bliss. If you missed last week's letter and my review of
the joys of an extended ride with no reservations and Day 1 photos, Click Here to
read.
You would think coming off of a 3000 mile
road trip would pretty much satisfy my desire to ride anywhere for a while, and
sometimes it does. But this one was so easy and relaxing that
I didn't come home beat up and needing rest, I am all ready to go
again. Since we don't have a
whole lot of time right now to use for a ride, we thought we would take
advantage of the upcoming long weekend to maybe do one of our favorites that we
had done before. After this long hot summer, I'm sure a lot of you are thinking
about doing the same thing to get out of the heat, so I wanted to
share with you a three ideas that fit well into the upcoming 3 day
weekend, will keep you mostly out of the heat, but still log some miles
for you.
Option 1:
The first one and also the leader in the
clubhouse right now for us is the ride that we did and reported on in May of
last year. That is the ride to Silver City, NM. It is an easy 3 day
ride and this is a particularly good one right now because it gets you out of
the heat pretty fast and mostly keeps you there, of course until you have to
come home. The route that I chose was to go to Payson, Show Low, Alpine, then
down the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway through Hannagan Meadow and the
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest to Morenci. Then cut over on Hwy. 78 at
Three Way to 180 and into Silver City. The elevation in Silver City, NM stands
at 6142 feet and temperatures range in the 80's this time of year. There is a
really nice half day loop out of the city on the "Trail of the
Mountain Spirits" Scenic Byway.
Then we came back on the East side of the
mountain, which is the New Mexico side on 180 back to Alpine. Then
took U.S. 60 out of Show Low, through the Salt River Canyon and back to the
Valley. This makes for an excellent 3 day ride of a around 917 miles depending
on where you start from. I calculated from I-17 and the Loop 101. The
Coronado Trail is one of my favorite routes in the State.
Option 2:
The second one that we considered and have done
several times is the ride to Durango, CO. I doesn't get much better than the San
Juan Parkway and the Million Dollar Highway from Silverton to Ouray. This is one
of my all time favorite routes for sure and would certainly be a cooler place to
ride. If you haven't done it, I would highly suggest giving that consideration.
But we have done it several times and have only done Silver City once. With
just the basic route from I-17 and the Loop 101 it is 1100 miles. Add in the
Curecanti Loop and you will be over 1500 miles.
Option 3:
And the third choice would be the ride that
we took a few weeks ago over the 4th of July weekend which is the ride
and overnight stay at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon that we really enjoyed.
I could even do it again right now. This one would
need to be done fairly soon as the park closes in Mid-October. This is an
excellent trip that not many ever do. Just take 89 North out of Flagstaff to 89A
by the Vermillion Cliffs to Jacobs Lake and South on 67 to the North Rim.
There is a great 22 mile in and out road that takes you to several view points
of the North Rim area. As I said in the report that I just did, the North Rim
blows away the South Rim in raw beauty.
If you haven't done this, I
would HIGHLY recommend it. But get a cabin reservation right away as they
do fill up, especially this time of year. Plus it is much cooler than the
Phoenix area at over 8000 feet in elevation. It is a nice easy one day ride
to the North rim totaling about 380 miles with stops at Lee's Ferry and
Vermillion Cliffs. On your way back you can swing by the South Rim to verify
what I said about the North Rim, or you can go to a location that we really
enjoyed just East of Flagstaff that was part of my Cyclerides.com Monument Tour
called Walnut Canyon National Monument that features Cliff Dwellings from the
1100's. A real nice stop on the way up or back.
Click Here
for Google Map of route. 800 miles roundtrip if you
follow our entire route.
Map of North Rim for rides to the points. Click
Here.
Summary:
These are all excellent rides that will get you
out of town, enjoy some cooler weather and most importantly put
around 1000 miles or more on your bike over a 3 day weekend. Gotta love that.
Not sure where you will see Mrs. C. and I, but it will most likely be one of
those 3 choices. For some closer rides, take a look at the Day Rides section for
some ideas. Wherever it is that you decide to go, Ride Safe.
I will be back next week with Day 2 of the
Oregon ride.
See last week's newsletter with Day 1 commentary
and photos. Click
Here.
Tidbits and Updates:
NEW!!
The
Cyclerides.com/Westgate Bike Night is going to start up again on
September 16th. But the Fall season is going to be a little different.
We are just going to do 3 Thursday nights for the
Fall. So mark you calendars for September 16th, October 14th
and November 11th which will be a Veteran themed event. I will end the
season with the Cyclerides.com Toy Event at Westgate on Saturday, December 4th.
This year we will have a band every month starting with Urban Roots bringing
back classic R&B, Motown and Blues. Urban roots is an 8 piece band featuring
seasoned musicians including a horn section that takes the vibe to the next
level. There will be Vendors, Restaurant Specials, Videos on the giant LED,
performances from the 6 million dollar dancing water fountains and of course
plenty of motorcycle parking on Coyote Blvd. and beyond. Urban Roots will play
from 6-9 pm.
***********************
Thunder Mountain Ride in
Payson
I want to call your attention to a really
interesting motorcycle event coming up in Payson called the Thunder Mountain Ride on
October 8-10. It is hard to believe, but they are giving
away 13 motorcycles at this event to registered participants.
Highlights include a performance by state wide favorite band Mogollon
playing and other major acts. Food, Entertainment, Vendors, etc. There will
also be 3 rides around the mountain areas. Should be fun. Watch the video below, it will get you
excited. I would expect this to be well attended, so you might want to make your
lodging reservations early. http://www.thunder-mountain-ride.com. Go full screen with the video.
Events This
Week
Friday, August 27th
Arrowhead
Harley-Davidson Hot Summer Nights Car and Bike Show. It ain't no cure for
the summertime blues, but a cool car show can come close. Arrowhead
Harley-Davidson
hosts a free car and motorcycle show from 4-8pm
Friday. This has become a very popular bi-annual event and
a family-friendly place you can go and have some good, clean
fun. Organizers expect two or three dozen bikes (the first 25 of which can
be displayed indoors) and around 100 cars at the show. Plaques will be awarded
to the top car in each of four categories - Muscle Car, Street Rod, Old School
and Restored. Plaques will be awarded for the top bikes in each of the four
motorcycle categories - Harley, Non-Harley, Vintage and Custom. In addition to
the awards for each category, organizers will present "Best of Show" prizes for
the best overall car and best overall motorcycle. Valley-based band "A Boy Named
Sioux" will provide music for the show, playing their trademark blend of
Southern rock and outlaw country. Food venders will be on-site serving Hotdogs,
Beef Jerky, Shaved Ice, Popcorn and more. Once you've viewed the bikes and cars,
you can enjoy the beer garden provided by the "DOON'' irish pub, located
adjacent to Arrowhead HD. AHD is located at 16130 N. Arrowhead Fountain Center
Drive, Peoria. If you would like to register your car or motorcycle, call
623-247-5542.
Saturday, August 28th
Enjoy:
**Free
Lunch
**Live Music with Holly
Kirsten
**View the 2011
Harley's
**Free Demo
Rides
**Fashion Show at
1pm
**End of Summer
"Cool"
Also participate in the United Blood Drive from 10:30am - 2:30pm. Donate
blood with United Blood services in August or September and you will
automatically be entered to win a 2010 VW Beetle.
Chester's Harley-Davidson is located at
922 S. Country Club Dr., in Mesa, AZ. 480-894-0404.
Saturday, August 28th
Enjoy:
**FREE Food and Drink.
**Live
Music
**Museum Tours with
Buddy
**Bikini Bike Wash 11 -
2
Party takes place from 11am - 3pm.
Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson is located
at 13850 N. Cave Creek Rd. in Phoenix, AZ.
602-971-3400.
Next Week
Friday, September 3rd
Motorcycles On
Main St. in Mesa Sponsored by Chester's Harley-Davidson. After a 1 month
Summer break, the Motorcycles on Main in Mesa is back. Riders have been asking
for something to do on a Friday night for a long time and it is finally
here
at least once per month. Last month over 1000 riders came
out to downtown Mesa for a fun time. Ride to downtown Mesa the first Friday of
every month for the Downtown Mesa "Motorcycles On Main St." Cruise Main St.
and enjoy Sturgis Style parking on the inside lanes. Park and show off your
bike. The night will feature 4 Beer Gardens located throughout the 2 blocks and
4 Live Band Stages. Be sure and check it out this month
on Friday, September 3rd to join in on the motorcycle fun in
Downtown Mesa from 6pm - 10pm. Downtown Mesa is located Just East of Country
Club Dr. on Main St. Ride in with Chester's HD. Meet at the dealership at
6:30pm located at 922 S. Country Club Dr. in Mesa. Ride leaves at 6:30pm and
ends at the Chester's Booth on Main St. Reserved Motorcycle Parking on the
Main St.
Saturday, September 4th
Arrowhead and
Chandler Harley-Davison present "The Best Seats in the House". Don't miss
the September 4th Ride to Chase Field. Show your support with the
Going Gonzo for Kids Program, benefitting the Captain Katie Foundation, with a
ride to Chase Field on Saturday, September 4. Get $12 tickets to the game when
the D-backs host the Astros at 5:10 p.m. $5 of each ticket will go to Captain
Katie Foundation. The first 30 people to buy tickets will be located in the
RideNow Powersports Pool Suite.
There will be VIP parking on 4th
Ave. for motorcycles. Ride leaves at 2:30 p.m. from each dealership (Chandler
Harley-Davidson and Arrowhead Harley-Davidson) and will end at Chase Field.
Don't miss the pre-party at Cooperstown! For
more information and to buy tickets Click Here.
Upcoming Rides
October 8-10, 2010
There are rides or events that come along
every now and then that really get me excited and that includes the upcoming
Thunder Mountain Ride Motorcycle Rally in Payson, AZ. Not only is
Payson Arizona a beautiful place to have a motorcycle event, it is also the
perfect time of year for it. But they are really making it huge by
giving away 13 motorcycles to those who attend. Not to
mention live music daily including high profile acts like
Mogollon and rides through and around the rim. I
will be talking more about this event over the next several weeks. But for
now I would like to direct you to the excellent video that they have done
for this ride that will definitely get you excited about it. Event is
sponsored by Native Air, City of Payson, North Country HealthCare, Outback
Steakhouse and Budweiser.
Stay tuned for weekly updates for this
event.
Best Deal Entry Fee: For $120 you receive drawing
tickets for all 13 motorcycles, and a free
T-Shirt.
For $60 you receive drawing tickets for 5
motorcycles.
For $20 participate and be entered to win one specific
motorcycle.
Extras
Mid Week Updates will be made
on the Cyclerides.com Facebook.
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!
Now this is some precision stunt driving.
I can't believe these people don't even
flinch. Click Here to View.
Video of the Week: This 2 minute
video is excellent. You will watch it more than once. These kids
are human spidermen. 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.
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information in this newsletter is
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LLC.
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reserved.
