Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
6/14/06 

Greetings Riders,
 
Well, another week and another City to experience some motorcycle activities. As I mentioned last week I was writing the letter in Spokane, Washington. Whenever I go to different cities I try to plan it around some motorcycle event so that I can learn something by seeing how they do things in other areas. For some reason, Spokane is a huge motorcycle town. I was told that there is one motorcycle for every 26 people there. That seems like a lot, but when you see how many show up for even a small event, you can sort of believe the numbers.
 
Every Thursday night in Post Falls, Idaho, (located just 4 miles across the Washington border) they have what is called Thunder Thursdays in the parking lot between the Easyrider's Roadhouse and The Hot Rod Cafe hosting anywhere between 300 to 600 riders. The reason I even bring this up is to follow up on last week's article about the stringent rules that we have to abide by here. At this weekly event, the Hot Rod Cafe sets out a little food booth with dollar tacos, a beer and soft drink tub, has a live band on a stage, live radio remote and cones off the parking lot. That is it! No fences, no security guards, no costly permits, NO PROBLEMS! Everyone just rides in and enjoys the music and the inexpensive food for a while, then rides on. Imagine that. Ahh....to have something like that here would be great.
 
Ok, enough of my dreaming, let's get down to some riding. I don't usually do this, but a friend of mine, Ken Keacher from Prescott, sent me a note that thoroughly got me fired up to ride. I was envious of his experience and was ready to saddle up and take off after reading it. This is a story that I can totally relate to and sounds like something I would do myself just for the fun of it.
Here is Ken's story in his own words:
 
Morning Barry,
 
Wanted to thank you for a great day...
 
Yesterday I left the house at 6:30am and went up to The North Rim (301 miles from my house) had breakfast at Jacob Lake on the way. Then decided to head up to Zion National Park (what the heck, I bought the annual pass). Then I figured, OK, I'll go on to Bryce Canyon.  Watched the sunset there and then headed home. Got home at 2:30 AM, 899 miles and a million great pictures and memories.
 
Coming back thorough Jacob Lake at about 10:00 PM I had to drive about 30-40 mph for about 50 miles because there were literally 100's of deer and rabbits  on the side of the road. They never came on the road but it was awesome and a little scary that they might dart into my path... It was like I was in a Disney Picture.
 
It was a great day, but I was a bit tired the last 100 miles... :o)
 
Hope to see you and Mrs. C soon,
Ken Keacher 
 
Now that is my kind of rider. That is one heck of a ride. 20 hours and 899 miles...Wow! After just doing that route last year for the feature I did called the Four Canyons Ride, I could almost see in my mind's eye, everything he was describing. As with all motorcycle rides, they leave a lasting deposit in our memory bank. After reading that short account of his ride, I'll admit to taking a few minutes to relive my own experience and live vicariously through Ken's ride. But isn't that why we do it? To take these rides and then share them with our friends?
 
Good for you Ken. Thanks for sharing. You just got a lot of us motivated to get out and take a good ride. It worked for me. Mrs. C. and I will be riding to Flagstaff and then onto Williams for a bit, then taking a little side trip to Seligman before coming back down 89A through Sedona this weekend. It is no 899 miles in 20 hours, but it will be a nice 430 mile trip.
 
I want to say Thank You to all of you that reply to my newsletters. I thoroughly enjoy reading all of your responses. I try to reply to as many as possible, but lately I have been short on time and don't get to answer all of them. But I am not ignoring you and I try to learn from all of your suggestions and comments. Thanks again.
Barry

Next Week 

Monday, June 19th and Tuesday, June 20th
21st Century Paul Revere Ride comes to Phoenix. This one is for those that have an opinion on Illegal Immigration and the effect that it has on the United States. If that is you, this is your chance to be seen and heard. The 21st Century Paul Revere Ride of 2006 is a summer-long cross-country motorcycle ride that will visit all state capitols to inform the public and their elected public servants of the severity of the illegal immigration crisis. The ride began in Denver and will terminate in Washington, DC. Monday, June 19th these riders will be holding a rally at Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson located at 13850 N. Cave Creek Rd. in Phoenix from 6-8 pm. If you have an opinion about Illegal Immigration and would like to show our elected officials how you feel, stop by Buddy Stubbs on Monday, June 19th for an evening Rally with the Riders of the 21st Century Paul Revere Ride.
 
 Guest Speakers will include:

Buffalo Rick Galeener -  MC & Event Organizer
Howard Woolridge      -  21st Century Paul Revere Rider/Organizer
Mike Harris                - Candidate for Governor
Rusty Childress           - Business Leader & Activist
David Heppler             - Arizona Border Watch
Phyllis Gross                - Minuteman Civil Defense Corp.
Don Goldwater             - Candidate for Governor
Stacy O'Connell           - Minuteman Civil Defense Corp.
Bob Park                      - Veterans For Secure Borders
Frosty Woolridge         - 21st Century Paul Revere Rider/Organizer
 
Tuesday, June 20th:
Tuesday morning there will be a rally at The Senate Lawn at the State Capitol 9-10 am, then on to the Mexican Embassy on West Camelback Rd. before the ride heads for New Mexico.

Extras 

I am back this week with some videos and this one is hilarious! I watched it about 10 times and have gotten a chuckle out of this every time. Notice the empty bottles laying around this guy. Click Here.
 
Here is a funny video showing some mishaps involving parachutes. Click Here.
 
If you are one that thinks we should keep "In God We Trust" on our money. You will like this song by Lonestar and video of great photos. It is 3:30, watch it through. Click Here.