Cyclerides.com Weekly Updates

12/14/11

Greetings Riders,

Well, the countdown for Christmas has begun, only 10 days left to get your shopping done, wrapped and under the tree. For me, I am keeping to my usual schedule for gift buying and will probably kick it in gear by Wednesday of next week. I’m guessing I already know what my present is from Mrs. C. It is big, red, has 2 wheels and looks like a shark. If you missed the newsletter last week recapping the Cyclerides.com Toys to Kids event, Click Here to read. Rusty Childress put together a really nice 2 minute video that gives a nice overview with music. Click Here to view.

For those of you that haven’t heard, there was some big news around the Harley community in the Valley this week. If this were a newspaper and I needed a headline for the front page, it might look something like this:

Rick Hatch Sells Hacienda Harley-Davidson!

“But not riding off into the sunset”

Yes, it is true. Rick Hatch, owner of Hacienda Harley-Davidson, has announced that after 38 years with Harley-Davidson, he has sold his dealership and franchise located in North Scottsdale. When I first heard the news, I was skeptical myself. After hearing this same story a few times over the years, and it never happened, this seemed like just another unfounded rumor, but this time it is true. I had the opportunity to sit down with Rick today to get it straight from the man himself, and he confirmed that he did in fact sell Hacienda HD and the closing of the sale is scheduled to be in January of 2012.

My association with Rick goes back to 1999, approximately one year after he built and opened the current store on Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale. I was just starting Cyclerides.com and was introduced to Rick by my buddy Scott Pasmore at one of Rick’s big rides, I think it was the Iron Horse. Even though I was just getting the site going at that time, Rick’s was the first dealership to step up with an ad on the site. I have always appreciated his support and we have been friends ever since.

It was enjoyable sitting with Rick and Julie today reminiscing the last 12 years and remembering all of the good times that Hacienda has provided to the motorcycle community over those years. I remember the first time walking into the store with the 40 foot ceilings built in a rotunda design featuring stain glassed windows. It seemed like the Taj Mahal of motorcycle dealerships. Or as Rick calls it, the “Taj MaHarley”. No other dealership even came close to that type of building at the time. Whatever you wanted to call it, it was beautiful and it catapulted Hacienda HD to one of the top 25 dealerships in America. In fact, Hacienda raised the bar for other dealerships eventually spawning mega stores all over the valley just to keep up.

Rick was always innovative with his rides, events and parties setting the bar high for others to follow. Whatever he did was done “all out” sparing no expense to put on a good party for the riders. The Kickstart Party at Hacienda was monumental as it drew thousands of bikers to the Friday night party to kick off Arizona Bike Week. When he opened the Custom store just across the street and combined the two properties, it became the perfect place for the Mega Party and was the place to be for several years. I remember semi- truck loads of motorcycles being shipped down from Illinois to participate in the event. Those were definitely memorable and enjoyable times provided by Rick that set a lot of what we enjoy today in motion.

The biggest question on everyone’s mind is probably, why did he sell? The rumor mill is in high gear with all kinds of reasons. Is he sick, is he broke, is he retiring? What’s going on? The answer is none of the above. He has been offered to sell this prime location and dealership many many times over the last 13 years and hasn’t done it. But there comes a time that all of us want to move on, and he is doing it on his own terms and his own timing. In fact, he says it best in the attached press release; "This industry and dealership has been my life for over 38 years", says Hatch. "Harley-Davidson is an incredible franchise, and I am blessed to have been so successful with it for all these years. I want all my customers to know this is a positive change for me, my family, employees and all our Harley-Davidson friends and customers. Change is good and it's happening right here, right now at Hacienda Harley! I invite everyone to be a part of it."

It was my first question too, and he simply said that he wanted to enjoy the fruits of his labor of the last 38 years and take some time to travel, enjoy life, enjoy his family, ride his motorcycle and step off of the hamster wheel for a while. My first word when I saw him was “Congratulations!”. I hope you enjoy whatever it is you are going to do. So what does the future hold? Rick and his wife Julie have plans to continue and expand Eagle Rider Motorcycle Rentals, the valley's largest Harley rental facility located near Scottsdale Airpark, just a couple of blocks from Hacienda. They plan to expand the scope of the operation to other states as well as provide group tours and organized day rides for out of state and out of the country riders. Sounds like fun to me.

I personally want to thank Rick for all that he has done for me personally as well as for all riders in Arizona, particularly over the past 13 years with Hacienda HD in Scottsdale. He has made a huge contribution to the motorcycle lifestyle in the Valley that will live on forever and be remembered for years to come by us that enjoyed it. Mrs. C. and I wish you well and hope to continue lending our hand to your new endeavors.

Click Here to read full Press Release.

Stay tuned to find out when you can take advantage of some storewide super deals that cannot be advertised. Also, mark Saturday, January 14th on the calendar to say so long to Rick as he hosts “THE RIDE” that will start and end at Hacienda. Registration begins at 10am. But donations will be accepted for Liberty Wildlife and the Colter Foundation. Flyer will be posted soon.

Tidbits and Updates:

**New Google Search for the Cyclerides.com Archives: If you remember something from a newsletter that you want to revisit but can’t remember the date of the newsletter, now you can use the new Google Search of the site. Just choose a “keyword” that is unique to the subject and click search. It will come up with all the newsletters that have that word in the letter. Click Here to give it a try. Or go to the Archives button on www.cyclerides.com.

Bike Nights

Every Wednesday

Irish Republic Bike Night in Downtown Chandler. For those of you in the East Valley, Irish Republic restaurant and bar in downtown Chandler is hosting a bike night on Wednesday nights. There will be motorcycle parking out front with Food and Drink specials. Bike night is from 6 PM – 9 PM. Location is 58 S. San Marcos Place in Chandler, AZ. For more information go to www.irishrepublicaz.com .

This Week

Saturday, December 17th

Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson Customer Appreciation. Buddy Stubbs Arizona Harley-Davidson and Buddy Stubbs Anthem Harley-Davidson would like to invite you join them for customer appreciation day on Saturday, December 17th, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy FREE food, drinks, great music and take advantage of the complimentary gift wrapping services provided by the Ladies of Harley. Mr. and Mrs. Clause will also be on hand for photographs and to receive Christmas wishes from the little ones at the Anthem location from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and at the Phoenix location from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Don’t miss this great family friendly event at your favorite Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson location. For more information go to www.buddystubbs.com or e-mail marketing@buddystubbs.com.

Saturday, December 17th

Hacienda Harley-Davidson All-Day Holiday Festivities. Stop by Hacienda Harley-Davidson for your one-stop holiday shopping needs. Enjoy All-Day Holiday Festivities: Free gift wrap by our Ladies of Harley group, Free New Owners Workshop at 10am. Get some great deals in the Bargain Basement Sale of Take-Off Parts from 9am-6pm. While you are there, have lunch on Hacienda HD. Enjoy a Free BBQ on the patio from 11am-3pm. Hacienda Harley-Davidson is located at 15600 N. Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale. 480-905-1903.

Saturday, December 17th

5th Annual Christmas Celebration at the Old Vet’s Home at the VA Hospital. We welcome all to help us bring joy, love and respect to the 200 patients confined to the VA’s “Old Vet’s Home”, located on the east end of the VA Hospital. Located North on 3rd Street from Indian School Rd. Meet at 2:30 PM. An event you will never forget. Many of these Veterans rarely receive visits from the outside world, and not only need and desire companionship, but are all in desperate need of the items listed to the left. Food, live entertainment, and special VIP’s will also be in attendance. If you are not able to attend this years event, please donate as many of the items listed , so we can insure each and every patient will receive the items they need and the items they desire. Your donations are needed. Place your donations in the collection box. Socks, Robes, Slippers, Toiletries, Patriotic & Biker, T-Shirts, Photo Frames, DVD’s, Diet Pop and Non -Alcoholic Beer. THANK YOU! Contact Tom Tardy at eaglepromotion@gmail.com

See flyer for details.

Sunday, December 18th

W. Steven Martin 911 Toy Run. Riders check-in in both cities (Phoenix or Tucson) at the same time, 8:30 – 9:45 AM. Ride starts at 10 AM. Sign-in for Phoenix riders at Chandler Harley-Davidson, 6895 W. Chandler Blvd. in Chandler, AZ. Sign-in for Tucson riders at Tucson Harley-Davidson located at 7355 N. i-10 EB Frontage Rd. (I-10 at Ina Rd. Exit). Both ride groups will leave at 10 AM toward Florence, AZ. The ride is about half way between both locations (60 miles). Both groups should arrive about the same time. Bar-B-Q at the end of the ride will be at the Pinal County Sheriffs Office near the Arizona State Prison. ($6 if you eat.) Bike must have decal to enter this area. Donation is $10 per person and a New Un-Wrapped toy at check in. Gifts donated will be distributed by local officers and firefighters to children in need in patrolled areas of public safety. See flyer for all details.

All Month of December

Happy Holidays from Victory BMW. For the entire month of December enjoy great deals on motorcycles and service at Victory BMW. This holiday season make the best part of going to Grandma’s house, getting to Grandma’s house. Take advantage of factory to dealer incentives. Save up to $1800 on select 2011 BMW models this December. But hurry! This is a time sensitive offer. Get your bike ready to go for the upcoming riding season by taking advantage of these Holiday Service Specials: $60 BMW Oil Change, FREE 30 Point Visual Inspection on ALL motorcycles and scooters, FREE Tire Installation with purchase of in-stock BMW, Piaggio, Vespa tires, FREE East Valley pickup and delivery through the month of December for Manufacturer-required scheduled maintenance on BMW, Piaggio and Vespa. You will also find 30% OFF on select in-stock apparel. Victory BMW and Vespa Chandler is located at 1701 N. Arizona Avenue in Chandler, AZ 480-899-9113. www.victorybmw.com .

Next Week

No events on calendar.

Extras

Mid Week Updates will be made on the Cyclerides.com Facebook. New Easy to remember Facebook address. Go to Cyclerides.com Facebook. Over 3500 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!

Adding human voices to dogs actions can be really funny. This one is. Click Here to View.

Here are 3 “Ooops” videos. Looks like some photoshop on the last one. Click Here to View.

I have a bonus video this week. This is a very funny adaptation from a movie about Hitler doing a ride to Sturgis. Click Here to View

Video of the Week: Sounds like this Hippo better lay off the Taco Bell lunches for a couple of weeks. 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