Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
2/25/09
 

Greetings Riders,
 
The first of March is still a few days away, but our premium riding weather has arrived a little early showing us sunshine and the mid 80's to give us a great excuse to roll the bike out of the garage and take a ride. It was even so nice yesterday that I was able to ride to bike night at the Sandbar with only a t-shirt in both directions. Now that is some good riding. If you are on the West side, and haven't been by the Sandbar to try your Wii bowling skills, take advantage of the weather and come by this Wednesday night for half price beers and $5.00 build your own burrito. The winner this week was Stacie with who rolled a 213.
 
As I mentioned above, the weather last weekend would have been perfect for motorcycle riding. But here at the Cyclerides household, we had a little issue in that we only had one bike in the garage. Mrs. C's bike has been in the shop for repair since her accident just a little over a month ago. For those men out there that have had a girl ride on the back with you, and then gone on to ride their own bike, you will know what I am about to say. Seems like once a Woman makes the transition from the back seat to riding their own bike, riding on the back of your bike just isn't as fun as it used to be. Even though Mrs. C. does it on our long trips around the country, and claims to enjoy it for the sightseeing advantages, riding around town just doesn't light her bulb any more.
 
With that in mind we decided to go to plan B and still do our favorite ride in the valley area, but do it from the air. As most of you know, the Tortilla Flat ride is one of my favorite rides in the valley area, and I have always wanted to see it from the air. Since I have recently gotten my private pilot's license, we decided to combine riding and flying, and share the experience with you. So with camera in hand, we went to the airport, pulled the Cessna 172 Skyhawk that I rent out of the hangar, pre flight and headed East toward Saguaro Lake to simulate the ride down Bush Hwy. and over to Canyon Lake.
 
It was a little overcast to start the day, but the clouds were plenty high to not interfere with our sightseeing tour. The pictures that I will have in the following links turned out excellent and will give you a great bird's eye view of the places you have ridden or might want to ride in the future. The plan for the day was to head East from Deer Valley Airport over Fountain Hills, which just happened to have the fountain running, over to Saguaro Lake then follow the lake reservoir system to Canyon Lake, Apache Lake and Roosevelt Lake.
 
Saguaro was nice to see, but Canyon Lake and Tortilla Flat was what I was really looking forward to seeing, and it is just as pretty from the air as it is on the ground. The following 2 pictures show an excellent view of your ride to Tortilla. As you know, it is about a 8 mile ride from the Goldfield Ghost Town to the Canyon Lake viewing area as you go through some beautiful desert landscape and serious twisties. This photo is from the Lake Viewing area back toward Apache Junction. The following photo is from the Lake Viewing to toward Canyon Lake. These really give you a great idea of the road you will be riding. Four miles down the road, nestled up next to a mountain is Tortilla Flat, a popular stop for a Sarsaparilla at the end of your ride. 
 
What many people don't know, or take advantage of, is the additional 6 miles of pavement on past Tortilla Flat. This is a beautiful ride and well worth the effort to experience. At the end of the 6 miles the road turns to dirt. You can turn around and experience the same stretch of road from the opposite direction or continue the next 20 miles on dirt Apache Trail that takes you across Fish Creek, past Apache Lake and to Roosevelt Dam. While I'm sure this is very pretty scenery, it is a very rough road. I took it one time for a few miles and turned around. So if you are not inclined to ride it, you can at least see what you are missing from this picture.
 
Back to the air, we continued following above the Apache trail over Apache Lake on up to Roosevelt Dam. If you have been on the Roosevelt Day Ride you will remember this very Recognizable Bridge and dam. It has been several years since I have been on the Roosevelt Lake Day Ride, but after flying over it, the ride is back to the top of my list of "things to do". When I did it several years ago, the lake was about 35% full. Now it is bulging at 100% covering over 21,500 acres. With the lake being so full, it appears that it would make the ride that much more interesting as the water line comes literally right next to the road in several areas of the 20 miles that you are parallel the lake.
 
After a circle around Roosevelt Lake, and one more look at the bridge, we pretty much followed the canyons, zig zagging our way around to check out interesting sights that we saw from the air. Once past Saguaro Lake, we headed toward Rio Verde and flew over Desert Mountain and Cave Creek before making our way back to Deer Valley Airport, the 2nd busiest general aviation airport in the U.S. 
 
If I couldn't ride this route on my motorcycle, this was the 2nd best way to do. It was fun to see some of the roads and terrain that I had been curious about for years from the air. I hope you enjoy these photos and that it will encourage you to get out and enjoy our beautiful desert scenery. Within the next 60 days, the desert will be green, the poppies, cactus and other flowers will be blooming which will make the desert come to life LIKE THIS.
 
Enjoy these 60 Photos from the day and enjoy your next ride. 

Saturday, February 28th - Sunday, March 1st
Hacienda Harley-Davidson Huge Sidewalk Sale. Hacienda Harley-Davidson is ready to move some merchandise with their popular "Make and Offer" Sidewalk Sale. For 2 days you can look through the available merchandise and then Make An Offer on what you like. Event times 9am - 6pm Saturday and 10am - 4pm on Sunday. Present the attached flyer and take an additional 15% off of all ACE products. ACE products are items such as HD Logo bar stools, tables, clocks, juke box, pool tables, etc. There are several of these items in the North store that are perfect for the Harley Davidson collector. While you are there enjoy a Free BBQ from 11am - 2pm. Hacienda Harley-Davidson is located at 15600 N. Hayden Road in Scottsdale, AZ. 480-905-1903.
 
Sunday, March 1st
4th Annual Agent Orange Ride. This ride benefits The Order of the Silver Rose, recognizing and honoring our Vietnam and other Veterans, exposed, suffering and dying from Agent Orange and it's effects. For additional info go to http://www.silverrose.org/ $25 Solo. $35 Double. Sign in at Evolution Custom Cycles 617 S. McClintock, Tempe 9-11 AM. Fun-Prizes-Trophies-Early Registration Prize Drawing & More. Roll the dice at each stop to Win a Two night stay at Harrah's Laughlin. Watch for early registration cards at your local bike shop! Register early and save $5.00pp and become eligible for a "Special Drawing"! For additional info, contact Buffalo Rick 602-992-4578. buffalorick@mac.com. 

Next Week 

Saturday, March 7th
Born To Be Wild, Liberty Wildlife's 2nd Annual Run. Sponsored by Chester's Harley-Davidson. This is a puzzle run. You will create your own ride to varied places all over the valley. When you arrive at Chester's you will receive a list with all the business' participating such as The Steelhorse, Logan's Valley Motorcycles , The Dirty Dogg Saloon, The Elk's Lodge in Chandler , Renegade Classics and more. You will then have to ride to whatever business you choose and gather your puzzle pieces. It is up to you to decide where and how far to go, but you must bring all your puzzle pieces to the end. Sign Up/Ride 8am-10am Last bike out at 10am. Last Bike in 2pm for raffle, winnings, music live auction and food. 480-894-0404. Beginning at Chester's Harley-Davidson, 922 s. Country club drive, Mesa, Arizona. Final Stop: Harold's of Cave Creek. $20.00 per person, $35.00 per couple, Entry Fee includes meal. First 150 registered riders receive Born 2B Wild event shirt and pin. Music, Food, Raffle, 50/50, Live Auction, and more. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL MELISSA AT 480-998-0230, OR DAWN AT 480-213-1184. http://www.libertywildlife.org/
 
Saturday, March 7th
3rd Annual Ride To The Ruins Rally. This event is in conjunction with Cotton Days sponsored by the Coolidge Chamber of Commerce. In support of the Pinal County Family Advocacy Center. Enjoy Live Entertainment, Beer Garden, Games, Raffle, 50/50. Registration 8am - 11am at the Coolidge Chamber of Commerce located at San Carlos Park, 320 W. Central Ave. in Coolidge, AZ. $30 Per Person, $35 with passenger. Includes 1 Ride Shirt, 1 Ride Pin, and 2 cards. For more information call the Coolidge Chamber at 520-723-3009.
 
Saturday, March 7th
American Legion Riders Post #105 Presents, Operation Transition Warrior. Yard sale at 7am, Auction at 7pm with Kenny Cupp at Pati's Pub, 12820 N 19th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85029. (602) 943-7978. ALR is having first fund raiser at Pati's Pub to assist our Gulf War Veterans who are coming home, applying for disability, having been discharged from the service because of those war injuries.  As most of you know applying for disability takes a long time and if a Veteran can not work due to their disabilities they have virtually no income. We want to assist these families with monies raised to pay their bills, purchasing food, buy Christmas/Birthday presents for the children, clothes for the family or whatever assistance they might need. We are also looking for any donation you might have for our yard sale and auction. All donations are greatly appreciated! Please contact me. harleyrider32@cox.net  JC Reece, Ret US Coast Guard , Vice President ALR Chapter Post 105. 

Extras 

This is a funny bit from the Jimmy Kimmel show. Probably a good one for you that grew up in the 60's and 70's. Click Here to View.
 
These people are probably saying, Note to self. Don't stand too close to a glacier that is about to fall into the water. This is amazing video. Click Here to View.
 
After this game of dominoes, I'm guessing the driver of this fork lift is now scouring Monster.com for a new job. Click Here to View.
 
This video is called, How do you know you are shopping in Texas. Funny. Click Here to View.