untitled

Greetings Riders,

Well, it is now November and we are still seeing awesome riding weather. This is the perfect time of year to get out around the Valley for events or take a ride up North to see the leaves changing along 89A North of Sedona. Click Here for the Day Ride feature. If you don't have time to ride up there and you want to day dream a little, watch this video of the ride up Mingus Mountain, Jerome, Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon. This will get you going.

This past Monday I was invited over to see the progress on the construction of the new Superstition Harley-Davidson building. The bad news for me is that the trip to Apache Junction from where I live is a 130 mile roundtrip. But wait... depending on your mode of transportation, that could also be the good news. After just hearing the weather report of a sunny day and a high of 88 degrees, I walked out to the garage to see a 4 wheeled cage, and a Road Glide available for transportation to my meeting in Apache Junction. Which one do you think I took? DUH! Not only would I save $20 in gas on the trip, I would get to soak up some bonus wind and sun on a Monday. So I put in the ear plugs, turned on the radio and was on my way.

After an hour on the road listening to KMLE Country and KOOL FM I was now on Apache Trail looking for little ol' Superstition HD. To my surprise, that description doesn't fit any more. On my left I saw this huge 53 foot tall block building rising out of the ground that engulfed the existing dealership, that will soon be the El Grande version of Superstition Harley-Davidson. After a tour of the new facility by owners Mark and Beverly LeResche, along with Marketing Manager Sabrina Miller, I learned that the new dealership will be tripled in square footage to become the largest in the State at 49,000 square feet. The building will feature a mine shaft theme style of architecture to compliment the area, a 1000 square foot H.O.G. Chapter meeting room, a showroom 4 times the current size and motorclothes, service and parts will grow exponentially at the same rate. And for entertainment, there will be a second story balcony above the motorcycle parking for parties, as well as a Ramada and huge asphalt area for motorcycle events.

Needless to say, I was overwhelmed at the magnitude of this newest Harley dealership in the Valley and what they have planned. First it was Hacienda that held the torch for a few years. Then it was Arrowhead HD, Chandler HD and Chosas's (now Chester's) with expansions and new buildings. Then Buddy Stubbs opened their new store last year to take the crown. Just when you thought the biggest one had been built, another one comes along that stretches the envelope just a little bit more. But the good news for all of us is that when the dealerships build these monster shrines to the Harley-Davidson brand, they will continually want to invite us all in to see these beautiful buildings for weekend parties with free food and entertainment. Everybody wins. Superstition hopes to be in the new building mid first quarter of 2006.

After lunch and saying my good byes, a big decision was about to be made. As I was starting to pull out of the dealership, I looked East directly into the Superstition Mountains which also happen to be the gateway to my favorite ride in the Valley area, the road to Tortilla Flat and Canyon Lake. I knew I only had 5 miles that separated me from 40 minutes of blissful cruising with blue skies and perfect weather for complete satisfaction of my riding senses. The problem was, I had other commitments for the rest of the day. What to do? Should I try and rearrange my schedule and take the ride? Or do I do the right thing and save it for another day?

This must have been some kind of a test, because those of you that have read the letter for a while know that this ride is a 5 spoke review that is at the top of my list of things to do and I was soooo close to being able to enjoy it one more time. After visualizing a scene from Animal House in my mind with the "Do the right thing" character on my left shoulder and the "Go for it" character on my right shoulder trying to put their spin on what should be done, I decided to look away from the Superstitions, go West on Apache Trail and progress toward my next stop, leaving the ride to Tortilla Flat in my rear view mirror, to be anticipated for another day.

Hey guys! I'll bet none of you have had to go through that struggle before! If only we could pick the right one every time, we would have a lot less explaining to do. To curb the enthusiasm for the moment, I came home and looked at photos from a previous ride to Tortilla Flat. I also took a look at the video. So if a Day Ride to Tortilla Flat is in your future, stop by and take a look at the construction of Superstition Harley-Davidson on your way.

Superstition Harley-Davidson and Spirits Bar and Grill have teamed up to bring riders in the Far East Valley a great Thursday bike night. For those of you in Far East Mesa and Apache Junction, you now have a place to go on Thursday nights. And better yet, just for riding your bike to Spirits, they will give you a free hamburger. That’s right, every rider to show up on their bike between 7-10pm will receive a free hamburger! Stick around and win great prizes and raffle items from Superstition Harley-Davidson. ENTER YOUR NAME IN THE DRAWING EVERY THURSDAY IN OCTOBER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A $250 GIFT CARD FROM SUPERSTITION HARLEY-DAVIDSON. Drawing will be on October 27th. Must be present to win. Enter once every Thursday in October to increase your odds of winning. Spirits is located at 9303 E. Apache Trail in East Mesa. One block East of Ellsworth on Apache Trail (Main St.). Come sit on the patio and watch the bikes roll in, stay inside and enjoy a game of pool, and friendly wait staff. The large dance floor is always open with music from Goodtime Charlie The OUTLAW DJ playing The Best of Country and the Best of Rock and Roll every Thursday night from 8:30p.m till 2am. With an extensive food menu, 2 patios, and monitors inside to watch your bike, Spirits is the hottest Bike night place to be in the east valley. The LEGEND of Spirits Lives on. More info at Superstition HD at 480-346-0600 or 480-986-5572.

Hooters Mesa Thursday Bike Night. Hooters in Mesa located at 6730 E. Superstition Springs Blvd. will host a Bike Night every Thursday night from 6-9 pm. If you haven't seen this Hooters yet you will have to stop by and take a look. This is one of the nicest locations that they have. Hooters will $2.00 Corona's and 20% off of food and merchandise if you ride your bike in. Stop by for raffles prizes every Thursday Night with Big Raffle prizes the first Thursday of every month. For more information call 480-396-9396.

Hooters at Arrowhead Bike Night. Continues Giveaways and Raffles. Ride by and join in on the fun! Hooters will host a Bike Night every Thursday at the Hooters at Arrowhead located just 1 block S. of Bell on 83rd Ave. Stop by for some great food and Hooters Hospitality. There will be 20% off menu items, $2.00 Corona Thursdays and plenty of parking next to the outdoor patio. Stop by for some giveaways and raffles from Hooters and Arrowhead Harley as well as great wings and fun at Hooters. Click Here to see Pictures and all the detailed information.

Casey Jones Grill Bike Night. A valley favorite bike night for over 3 years. Ride in and sit out on the patio for what I call the Best Cheesesteak Sandwich in town. This thing melts in your mouth. They have 3 new pool tables, darts and foosball. Located in the Mervyns Shopping Center on the SE corner of 43rd Ave. and Thunderbird Rd. Casey Jones is a great place for a bike night featuring a large outdoor seating and over 150 people inside. And for those of you that want to watch a sporting event they have 50 TV's scattered throughout the restaurant connected to satellite to get any game you can think of. They have a full menu for lunch, dinner and a Happy Hour from 11:00AM - 7:00PM and a reverse happy hour from 10:00PM - 12:00 Midnight. $1.75 domestic bottles and $2.00 Jacks. There are always a lot of bikes showing up for bike night at Casey Jones Thursday night. Join them for open mic night on Wednesdays. Sunday. You can always count on lots of bikes here.

Sugar Daddy's Blues Biker Sunday Brunch.
Now is the perfect weather to be sitting out on the Sugar Daddy's patio, listening to Live Music while dining from the Brunch Menu. Live Music from 10am on the patio.
And Sunday Brunch Just Got Better! You now have 3 options to choose from.
Option #1: Eggs Benedict – Grilled English muffins, smoked ham, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce.
Served with your chose of fresh fruit or crispy potatoes. ($8) or Sugar’s Pancakes – You won’t eat pancakes anywhere else. Buttermilk pancakes served with butter and syrup. ($5)
Option #2: Can’t decide what to eat? How about an All-You-Can-Eat buffet for ONLY $12.
Option #3: Order off our regular menu.
Our 5,000 sq. ft. temperature controlled patio has six air conditioning units, misters, and plenty of shade. Sugar Daddy's patio, food and entertainment is becoming a regular Sunday stop. If you haven't tried it yet, give them a try. Complimentary coffee is now served. Make Sugar Daddy's Blues your stop on your ride down Scottsdale Rd. for Brunch or Lunch from 10am - 4pm. Enjoy live music from 10am - 2pm Or maybe just relax on the patio with your favorite beverage and enjoy the beautiful weather and watch the bikes roll down Scottsdale Rd. Click here to see the awesome pictures and details of Sugar Daddy's located at 3102 N. Scottsdale Rd. between Indian School and Thomas on the West side of the road. Stop by and check it out. A great place to hang out. Plenty of Bike Parking. If you have suggestions, email them at sugardaddysaz@aol.com . 480-970-6556.

This Week

Friday - Sunday, November 4-6
Ride Now Powersports Sales Event. Huge Factory Authorized Sales Event! FREE ADMISSION!! Join us November 4th - 6th at the Tempe Diablo Stadium parking lot. All Makes, All models. There will be over 400 new & used motorcycles & ATV's show priced and ready for immediate delivery! On the spot financing! Manufacturer Reps on hand to talk about the latest features. We will have huge $500,000 discounted parts and accessories tent to get you ready to ride. And after you have worked up an appetite shopping, there will be plenty of food and beverage vendors. Live entertainment, motorcycles exhibitions, FREE kids games and activities, charity raffles and more! Try your luck at the Money Machine. Visit our website for more information www.ridenow.com. Or call (602) 923-4375.

Saturday, November 5th
Canyon Honda Open House. Canyon Honda in Scottsdale is having their annual Open House from 9am - 6pm. Stop by all day for Free Food and Drinks, Giveaways Every Hour, Demo Rides and the opportunity to talk to Vendor Representatives. See all of the New Honda Street Bikes, Dirt Bikes, Personal Watercraft, ATV's including the 2006 TRX450ER. Entire inventory is reduced to sell. Specials on all accessories in stock. Enjoy a Motorcycle Show from 11am-2pm. Includes all brands and categories including Vintage Cruiser, Touring, Dirt Bike and ATV. All entrants will receive a Canyon Honda gift certificate. Special awards for the top three entries. Stop by the Canyon Honda Open House and see what is new while taking advantage of the Open House savings. Canyon Honda is located at 8420 E. Butherus Dr. Click Here for map. 480-607-5000.

Saturday, November 5th
Texas Hold 'Em Charity Poker Run. Two starting points. Start at Rock Bottom Arrowhead, 7640 W. Bell Rd. or Rock Bottom Desert Ridge at 21001 N. Tatum Rd. $35 per rider includes a Lunch Buffet and an "I rode for the Miracle in the Desert" T-Shirt. First prize $150 Gift Certificate to Rock Bottom. 100% of the proceeds will benefit the third annual Miracle in the Desert. 623-202-6433.

Saturday, November 5th
Integrity Run for Katrina Relief. Bikes, Trikes and Classic Car Run. All proceeds to benefit Hurricane Katrina Victims. Sign in from 9-11am at Keller Williams South located at 2500 S. Power Rd. $40 per couple, $25 per person. There will be prizes and a party at the end.

Saturday, November 5th
1st Annual Toys for Tots Run. Poker Run, Live Music, Chili, 50/50. Sign in from 9-10am at K-Mart Parking Lot at Prescott Valley, AZ. $10 per person, $15 per couple. Donation of 1 can of food and 1 toy. No stuffed toys please. 928-775-9213.

Sunday, November 6th
8th Annual Toys For Tots Poker Run. This is an always popular Toy Run entering its 8th year. The ride starts at Chandler Custom Cycles located at 2775 N. Arizona Ave., 1 block S. of Elliot Rd. on the East side. Registration is from 9am - 10:30am. Please bring one unwrapped toy for ages 2-17, plus $15 donation or $20 per person donation without toy. Last stop, Chandler Elks Lodge with Live Music by Mogollon, Auction, Door Prizes, Free Lunch. All donations benefit the Child Crisis Center. For more information call 480-497-3573.

Sunday, November 6th
1st Annual Rally In The Valley. State Representative Jerry Weiers (R-12) is spearheading an effort to fight hunger here in the Valley this year. All types and sizes of two and four wheeled vehicles, with strong support from Hummer and Harley owners, will participate in the First Annual Hummers to Harleys for Hunger "Rally in the Valley". Participants will assemble and sign up at 2 locations including Tempe Public Library, 3500 S. Rural Road, Tempe and the Glendale Arena, 9400 W Maryland Ave., Glendale beginning at 8:30 a.m. through 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6. Hummers, Harleys and other two- and four-wheel vehicles will then criss-cross the Valley to raise at least $100,000 for the St. Vincent de Paul Society and St. Mary's/Westside Food Bank, allowing them to obtain more than one million pounds of food. There are twenty rally stops where participants can acquire nearly fifty (50) chances to win prizes, then finish the event with food, fun, prizes and live music at Glendale's Murphy Park at 58th and Glendale avenues. There will also be a silent auction held during the luncheon. More than 100 items have already been donated, including a Plasma TV, $5,000 in patio furniture, a computer, $500.00 barbecue, $500.00 gas card, IPOD's, a set of tires, etc. The cost to register as a participant is only $25.00 per person.

Tuesday, November 8th
Vietnam Memorial Wall Experience. Motorcycle escorts needed for the traveling 240 foot long Vietnam Memorial Wall that crisscrosses the country each year. Rally at the Carioca Minute Mart (Shell Station) on I-10 at exit #94 in Tonopah, AZ. and accompany the truck to Steel Indian School Park at 300 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix. Registration starts at 3:00 pm. A fee of $15 each or $25 per couple, includes a ride T-Shirt and Bandanna. Depart Tonopah at 5:10pm sharp and have a full DPS escorted ride. Proceeds benefit the Enduring Freedom Memorial. http://www.enduringfreedomaz.com/home.htm. More information contact Marty O'Dell at 520-568-2796 or cwo3marine@msn.com .

The Dignity Providers of Arizona and Veterans First Ltd. are proud to present this memorial from November 11th - 13th in honor of all Veterans and Active Military, Guard and Reservists that have and continue to protect our family, friends and Nation. Visitation at Steele Indian Park at 300 E. Indian School Rd. in Phoenix, AZ.

Thursday, November 10th.
Cyclerides.com Ride to the Rocky Point Rally. This is your chance to see Rocky Point, one of the hottest up and coming resort locations around, and do it with 5000 other riders. This sleepy little fishing village is growing up and so is the Cinco Annual Rocky Point Rally. Never seen Rocky Point? Click Here for a couple of videos that I did for my Rocky Point Day Ride. If you have never been to Rocky Point and want to ride with a group, Cyclerides.com is hosting a free ride on Thursday November 10th to the Rally. Just arrive at Arrowhead Harley, sign up for the $10 Rocky Point Rally poker run and be ready to ride by 10am. We will leave and you can all ride at your own pace down there, but there will always be riders nearby as bikes will be coming from all over the State and California. Friday morning you can participate in the Resort Ride and all of the activities throughout the weekend. Come join us for the ride down. Click Here For the Event Listings. If you don't have a place to stay, Click Here to see what rooms are left. You will need insurance for your trip there as well. I would advise that you get it before you leave to avoid the lines to get it on the way. Click Here for insurance, you can do it online. If you have any questions you can email me at info@cyclerides.com .

November 10th -13th
Rocky Point Rally. This has quickly become a favorite fall Southwestern event for riders from Arizona, California and New Mexico. The Fifth Annual Rocky Point Rally is set to take place in Puerto Penasco, Sonora Mexico on November 10th through 13th, 2005. On the agenda are many activities and events to participate in throughout the weekend. The heart of the Rocky Point Rally is in raising funds for the local charities by sponsoring the Red Cross, D.I.F. Families in Distress, Children's and Senior's Homes, Women's Cancer Society and the Volunteer Fire Department. The Fifth Annual Rocky Point Rally kicks off with the largest Poker Run in the Southwest on Thursday & Friday mornings, November 10th & 11th, 2005.

The "Red Cross Mystery Cards Poker Run to Mexico", starts at ten participating motorcycle Dealerships located throughout Arizona. Sign up at the Dealerships will be from 8:00 - 10:00 a.m., for a fee of $10.00 per Mystery Poker Play Sheet, you may win one of many Resort Vacation Packages awarded to the highest poker hands. The route down to Mexico brings thousands of motorcyclists together on scenic roads leading to the Resort destination on the Sea of Cortez known as Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point). The Mystery Cards Poker Run finishes at the Playa Bonita Resort's Cantina where the poker cards are to be turned in Friday ONLY, between 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. The Mystery Cards winners will be announced and raffle prizes will be drawn at 7:30 p.m. during the Party at the Playa on the Playa Bonita Patio. For those wishing to ride en masse, Thursday Nov 10th, Cyclerides.com is organizing a huge group ride departing from Arrowhead Harley- Davidson at 10:00 a.m. sharp. The information above just gets you there. See the many activities in the links below.
Click Here for very good written details from the press release.
Click Here for the web site with all of the information.

Saturday, November 12th
4th Annual Halo Run. For those of you staying in town this weekend, this is the ride to go on. This ride has quickly become a favorite of Valley Riders. Always a well run and excellent event. The 4th Annual Halo Run is a charity fundraiser motorcycle event from which 100% of the proceeds benefit the Children’s Angel Foundation. Pre-Ride festivities and registration from 8am - 10am is $20 single rider and $30 for a couple and includes a continental breakfast at Glendale Arena, Loop 101 and Glendale Ave. (starting location), a beautiful ride, and lunch at Casino Arizona (final destination)! Plus, first 500 pre-registered riders receive a t-shirt and commemorative pin! Post-Ride Festivities 1:30 p.m - 4 p.m at Casino Arizona located at 101 & Indian Bend includes Lunch, Raffle and Entertainment provided by Casino Arizona. Casino Arizona (Indian Bend) gives each rider: Buffet and beverages (with no host bar), A Casino Arizona gift. Plus enjoy: Live Music & Grand Prize Drawing of Two Round Trip Tickets to any continental America West Airlines Destination!