Cyclerides.com Weekly
Update
9/18/13
Greetings Riders,
I want to start this week by thanking all of those that came out for
Firefighter Appreciation Night on the opening night of the
Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Night
presented by Arrowhead HD and Ridenow Powersports. There was a HUGE
crowd assembled at 7:30 PM to watch the Bagpipers and Honor Guard parade down
Coyote Blvd. to assemble at center court for presentation of the colors and 2
songs by the Bagpipers that included moving renditions of “America The
Beautiful” and “Amazing Grace”. This was followed by a parade of Wind & Fire
Motorcycle riders and a Fire Truck to honor all Firefighters. I would like to
personally thank Peoria Deputy Chief Rick Picard for being instrumental in
putting together this event as well as speaking on behalf of the all
firefighters. It was a great night to bring recognition for a great group of
people that are there to help us at a moments notice. My thanks to all for your
support. Click Here for Photos that I had
taken throughout the night. And here are some photos shot by Rusty Childress of
Main Event Imaging as only he can
do it. Click
Here to View.
A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that we were just back from our 10 day
trip to Nashville, TN that included 7 days of riding through the Appalachian
Mountains touching 6 states in our 1750 mile journey through a
beautiful area of the United States that we had never been. We shipped the bikes
to Franklin, TN, to our old friend Rich Gargano who is the GM at Harley-Davidson
of Cool Springs. We took an early morning flight to Nashville on Friday, August
23rd, Rich had us picked up from the airport and taken to HD Cool Springs where
our bikes were waiting for us, fully loaded and ready to go.
I will go into detail with plenty of photos and maps over the next few
weeks about this great trip that included touring the Jack Daniel’s
Distillery in Lynchburg, riding the Tail of the Dragon, visiting the Wheels
Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley, NC, touring the Biltmore Mansion in
Asheville, NC, visiting the Andy Griffith Museum in Mt. Airy, NC, seeing
picturesque Mabry Mill in Virginia, visiting the National Corvette Museum in
Bowling Green, KY and of course, riding over 250 miles on the beautiful Blue
Ridge Pkwy, a fantastic motorcycle road that more than lives up to the hype.
This week I will cover the first 2 days in Nashville. We are both big
country music fans, so we spent the first couple of nights staying in downtown
Nashville,
just being tourists and enjoying the Nashville
night life. This town WAY exceeded what my impressions of Nashville
would be. I thought it was going to be kind of an old Hayseed place with a few
bars and with some country music playing. Boy was I wrong! City Management has
done a great job of turning Nashville, aka “Music City” into a well rounded
entertainment center with lots of things to do and see. The way the downtown is
laid out being right on the river, it creates a really cool feel. Not only do
they have the infamous Broadway Rd. with all of the infamous bars, they also
have the Tennessee
Titans stadium just across the river accessed by a walking bridge,
the Bridgestone Arena, the Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame
all within a couple blocks of each other.
To say that I was impressed with Nashville is an
understatement. We stayed in a hotel downtown and walked to virtually
everything, with the exception being the Antique
Archaeology shop of the hit TV show “American Pickers”. For those
of you that are fans of the Pickers, it was a hoot to see all of the things that
they had picked displayed in the shop. They said that they are now the 2nd most
visited place in Nashville. All from a little cable show. A fun place to stop.
You will recognize the old Marathon Automobiles from the photos.
The Country Music Hall of Fame was interesting
and the Opryland Hotel was amazing to see, but the real excitement in Nashville
is the nightlife downtown. The crowded sidewalks, the sounds of live
music from all directions and the smell of leather flowing to the streets from
the many boot shops mixed in with the neon lights beckoning you in make for an
exciting place to spend a few hours. We had never experienced so many options
for live music all in a matter of a few blocks. You literally walk down the
sidewalks on either side and have live music emanating from every other bar
including the famous Tootsies Orchid Lounge, the Legend and many more with their
walls covered with memorabilia from the last 60 years of country music. Some
even have bands in the front and the back of the building and one is 3 stories
tall with a band on each level.
I asked the doorman at Tootsies
why that place was so famous and he said that back in the 50’s and 60’s
the likes of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and others used
to perform at the Ryman, they would slip out the side door, walk across the ally
to the back door of Tootsies, get drunk and perform on their stages for another
2 or 3 hours. Apparently that is still happening as the door man also said that
Kid Rock did the same thing recently after doing a show at the Bridgestone
Arena. He came across the street and performed for another 2 hours on the back
bar stage. And when you take a minute to think that most of the big country
stars that we hear on the radio today, were standing on those same stages just a
few years ago to get their start. Nashville is the most fun city I have been to
for nightlife and absolutely the bachelorette party capital of Tennessee. Never
seen so many young girls out partying in all my life. You will see some in the
photos.
Not only is the nightlife amazing in downtown Nashville, but a day time
walking tour away from the glare of the neon lights, to enjoy the
Architecture and the history of the area is also enjoyable. A walk down Broadway
toward the River and then a left on 2nd Ave. up to the City Hall and really
anywhere within 4 city blocks is full of old churches, buildings and hotels.
Given that the Nashville area was the site of one of the biggest battles in the
Civil War, you will see many references and signs that show how certain
buildings and churches played a roll during that time.
Overall, Nashville is a very fascinating and interesting city that has
captured the old spirit of Country Music while integrating sports
and entertainment of today’s world that are embraced by many from all around the
world. My advice would be to carve out at least 3 full days for seeing the
downtown Nashville area. We only had a day and a half, and that wasn’t nearly
enough to do it justice.
I would certainly recommend either making Nashville your first major stop
on your ride, or do what we did there is a time restriction, and
start your ride by either shipping your bikes to, or renting in the area, but as
you will see over the next few newsletters, this is definitely an area to be
considered for your next big ride.
Next week I will cover the ride to Lynchburg, TN for the Jack Daniels
Distillery tour and more.
Tidbits and Updates:
**Live Music this week with crowd favorite Chad Freeman & Redline 6-9
PM at the
Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike
Night presented by
Arrowhead
HD and
Ridenow Powersports.
Featured restaurants this week. The brand new Whiskey Rose Bar &
Grill. Check it out! Next to Hell’s Half Acre. Take 10% off your bill with M
class license. Deal of the night at the Shout House: Black Angus Burger or
Foot-Long Hot Dog, plus Fries and a Beer for only $9.00. More details
below.
**Arizona Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Foundation (AMSAF)
has teamed up with Team Arizona to give away a Motorcycle Training Course
each month. AMSAF's goal is to help reduce Motorcycle accidents and fatalities
in Arizona. Taking a Motorcycle Training Course is a step to help in that. You
can go to www.amsaf.org and click on the NEWS tab. You can
only fill one application per month but you can apply every month. AMSAF is also
looking for other Sponsors to help us give away more Motorcycle classes each
month. Together we can reduce Motorcycle accidents which are on the
climb.
Bike Nights
New Fall Season!
Every
Thursday, Sept. 12th – Nov. 14th
Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike
Night this Fall being presented by Arrowhead
Harley-Davidson and Ridenow
Powersports. Bike Night began
Thursday night, September 12th with a HUGE crowd and will continue for a total
of 10 nights ending on November 14th from 5 pm – 9 pm. This Thursday, you will
once again be able to enjoy a party every Thursday night with Live Music,
Vendors, Restaurants, parking on Coyote Blvd. next to the fountains and Hundreds
of motorcycles to look at as they cruise by. This is the place to be on Thursday
nights for sure.
Attractions this week:
Live Music this week with “Chad Freeman & Redline”
6-9 PM.
Here are the details for the Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Night
presented by Arrowhead HD and Ridenow Powersports:
Where: Westgate City Center, Loop 101 and Glendale Ave. SE Corner. Next to
Jobing.com Arena.
When: Thursday nights beginning March 28th – June 27th
Time: 5 PM – 9 PM
What: Bike Night. Live Music, Food, Fun, Vendors, Motorcycles and Sturgis Style
Cruising down Coyote Blvd.
Thanks to our Presenting Sponsors Arrowhead Harley-Davidson and
Ridenow Powersports:
Your local Harley-Davidson dealership and proud sponsor of the
Cyclerides.com/Westgate Bike Night. Stop by and see the latest in what
Harley-Davidson has to offer. Speak to one of our trained sales staff about what
Harley-Davidson motorcycle would be right for you. We are located just South of
83rd Ave. and Bell Rd. 623-247-5542.
Stop by and talk to our staff at bike night or at one of
our many valley locations. We feature many brands including Polaris, Yamaha,
Kawasaki, Suzuki, Honda, Can-Am, BMW, Victory, KTM, Spyder, and Ski-doo. Click
Here for a list of our
locations.
And to our Associate Sponsor Curly’s Customs
Curly's Customs. Curly's Customs is a full service Custom Paint & Body
Shop for the motorcycle enthusiast. 623- 977-0339. Stop by and see them at Bike
Night.
Scottsdale Victory and Indian
Motorcycles. Scottsdale, Arizona NOW has it's own INDIAN
& VICTORY Motorcycle Dealership! The New 2014 Indian Motorcycles revealed at
Sturgis on August 3rd are NOW AVAILABLE for PRE-ORDERING! Be the First to OWN a
NEW INDIAN MOTORCYCLE that will revolutionize the Motorcycle Industry!
Stop by and See us at Bike Night.
Bike
Night Restaurant Specials.
I
have worked very hard to get the restaurants to come up with some consistent
bike night specials. I think they have stepped up very well this year to offer some good
deals. There will be restaurant specials all season long that include offers
from:
McFadden’s - 10% discount on your bill
when you show your M-class license on Bike Night. Plus, bikers can enjoy regular
happy hour specials, including $2 domestic Drafts, $3 Wells and $5 Appetizers
from 4-7pm.
Calico Jack’s Cantina - $19.99 Bike Night Platters with Nacho
chips, mini-chimis, onion rings and jalapeno poppers, plus a pitcher of domestic
draft beer. Enjoy 10% off your bill when you show your M-class license on Bike
Night.
The Shout! House - $9 Natural Black Angus Burger, Fries,
and Beer special ($15 value) and a FREE cover for 2 card to come back on the
weekend ($10 value) when you show your M-class license on Bike
Night.
Kabuki - Take 15% off when you show your
motorcycle license during Westgate Bike Night. Valid only during Westgate Bike
Night events. Dine-in only. Valid only at Westgate City Center location. One
offer per table per party. Not valid during Happy Hour and Reverse Happy Hour.
Cannot be combined with any other offers or rewards. Excludes alcohol, tax,
gratuity and gift card purchases.
Saddle Ranch - 2 chicken tacos for $5.50*. Classic
pints of draft beer for only $3.75 when showing M class on license. Plus, bikers
can enjoy regular happy hour specials from 4-6:30pm with 50% off all appetizers
and drinks. *Valid from 6:30pm to 10:00pm on all Bike Nights, excluding event
days when there are concerts, sporting or other events at the Center, Stadium or
Arena.
Mama Gia’s – Enjoy $3 domestic beer and $.50 cent wings
with an order of 24 or more when showing M class on license.
Shane’s Rib Shack – Free 10 piece
traditional chicken wings with the purchase of 20 traditional chicken wings when
you show your M class license. Plus, domestic beer for $2 per bottle.
Whiskey Rose Bar & Grill. Take 10%
off your bill when you show your M class on license. Excludes Alcohol.
This Week
Friday – Sunday
September 20-22
Thunder Valley
Rally 2013. Thunder Valley Rally 2013 in Old Town Cottonwood, AZ. This rally
is under new management and promises to be a real party this year!
The Bootlegger capital of Arizona knows how to throw a party with FREE
concerts by “Jackyl” and “Leon Russell”. Sturgis style parking on Main, Huge
Beer Garden, Top Builders, Vendors, Outrageous Poker Run through the Verde
Valley Wine Country $2,000 in prize money, Bike Show with $1,000 in prize money
and prizes and a Miss TVR Pageant are just the start of a smokin’ good time in
Old Town. Visit www.thundervalleyrallyaz.com for event updates
and make your reservations now. A 4-Coyotes Production & City of Cottonwood.
Sponsored by: Tequila Penasco, Grand Canyon Harley-Davidson, Law Tigers, Nation
Wide Vision, Hensley, Beverage Co Budweiser, D&K Cycles & Service,
Cottonwood Motorsports. Make your plans to ride to Cottonwood and join party!!
Friday and Saturday
September 20th and 21st
Friday: “Shelly’s Sun Down
Ride”
5-6 PM Registration at HDOS
6:30 PM Kickstands Up riding to Thunder Valley Rally 2013 with
Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale.
9:00 PM enjoy the FREE Jackyl Concert.
Saturday: “Janeen’s Sunrise
Ride”
7-8 AM Registration at HDOS
8 AM Kickstands Up
Ride with HDOS for the poker run through wine country followed
by a full day of entertainment including free concert by the Legendary Leon
Russell.
Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale is located at 15600 N. Hayden
Rd. in Scottsdale, AZ.
Saturday, September 21st
Join Buddy
Stubbs Anthem Harley-Davidson on Saturday, September 21st from 11am – 2pm
for Hogs & Dogs
as well as a brand new Boom! Audio workshop.
Are you ready to learn about all the new updates and changes to the audio and
infotainment system that Harley-Davidson has introduced on the new Rushmore
Touring bikes? RSVP today at boomworkshop.eventbrite.com. Anthem H-D will also
have free food and drinks while supplies last with all donations going to HOG
2376 charities. For more information go to www.anthemhd.com or call (623) 465-1122. Buddy Stubbs Anthem Harley-Davidson is located
at 41715 N. 41st Drive, Anthem AZ 85086.
Next Week
Saturday, September 28th
Don’t miss this always popular event at Arrowhead HD. Clean out the garage,
make some money for new chrome.
SWAP MEET: 6 AM – 1 PM. Bring those old parts
sitting around the garage and sell enough of them to buy some new chrome! Used
parts only. No competitive items or bike sales. Space is limited so call
623-247-5542 or email ahdebay@ridenow.com to reserve your spot.
FREE Lunch: Hot Dogs served 11 AM – 1 PM.
While supplies last.
FREE Bikini Bike Wash by the Arrowhead HD
Girls from 11 AM – 3 PM.
Arrowhead HD is located at 16130 N. Arrowhead Ftn. Ctr. Dr. in
Peoria, AZ.
Saturday & Sunday
September 28th & 29th
Buddy
Stubbs Arizona Harley-Davidson Hogs & Dogs. Join the crew at Buddy
Stubbs AZ H-D for FREE lunch
(while supplies last), a bikini bike
wash, museum tours and much more on Saturday September 28th from 11am-2pm.
The weather is beginning to break and riding weather will only get better!
Better yet, you’ve seen the new 2014 Harley-Davidson lineup and you are ready to
test ride? Buddy Stubbs Arizona Harley-Davidson is hosting FREE Factory Demo
Rides September 28th from 9am to 5pm and September 29th from 10am to 4pm. Bring
your gear or borrow some from us and see what the most technologically advanced
Harley® ever built is like! Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson is located at 13850 N.
Cave Creek Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85022. Or catch us on the web at www.buddystubbs.com.
Saturday, September 28th
Gatekeepers
Points Ride. Benefiting the Arizona Burn Center Pediatric Trauma Unit.
Check-In at HD of Scottsdale from 9AM – 11AM located at 15600 N. Hayden
Rd. in Scottsdale, AZ. 4 Stops include Cocomo Joe’s, Greasewood Flat, Rio Verde
Fire District and Hooter’s of Scottsdale for a Wing Lunch. Last bike in at
Hooter’s 2PM. Games at each location for points. Goodie Bags, Drawings &
More. Live Music by Whiskey Dogz. $20 per person or $35 per pair. Double Points
Day. Receive double points on all purchases at Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale.
Extras
Mid
Week Updates will be made on the Cyclerides.com Facebook. New
Easy to remember Facebook address. Go to
Cyclerides.com Facebook. Over
4400 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!
Looking for an intense sport? This would qualify. Even tethered this would
be scary.
Click Here
to View.
Video of the Week.
This is
funny. A real life car chase in California set to the Benny Hill theme song.
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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