Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
8/6/08 

Greetings Riders,
 
Last Thursday we went to the premier of the movie "Long Way Down". The theater was virtually filled with riding enthusiasts to watch the 2 hour version of Ewen McGregor and Charley Boorman's 89 day, 15,000 mile trip from Scotland to Capetown, South Africa. Having not seen the first movie "Long Way Round", I had no idea what to expect of the production of this movie, but I have to say that I was thoroughly entertained the entire time. For those of us that love long distance riding, we were all walking out of the movie wanting to pack our bags and head out on the road the next day. Even though this trip would be considered extreme, it still really got you wanting to get out on the open road and enjoy the world. It is full of great scenery, humor and intrigue as they traverse their way through 3rd world countries and interact with the locals along the way.
 
For those of you that could not make the movie, they have made a 10 part series for television of the trip that is being run on the Fox Reality Channel on Saturday nights at 6 and 8pm, channel 144 on Cox in Phoenix. It is a premium channel package bundled with about 15 other channels that costs you $6.00 per month extra. The program is shown several times throughout the week, so check your guide for when it is playing in your area. We saw the first one and it is great. Much better than I thought it was going to be. The previews for this Saturday look excellent as well. So if you are a riding enthusiast, set the DVR or TIVO to record this show for the next 9 weeks. You won't be disappointed. It is well worth the $18 you will spend for the add on programming. I think the first one might even be on tonight.

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While the dynamics of their trip were entertaining and fun to watch, I wasn't exactly anxious to ride some of the roads they had to traverse to get there. I would much rather stick to the roads that Mrs. C. and I followed on our California Trip 2008. When I left you 2 weeks ago we had just finished the ride from Monterey through San Francisco and North to the Fairfax Bolinas Rd. and on to Corte Madera for the night. The next destination on the GPS was Lake Tahoe via Carson Pass, the first of 4 passes we would travel over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. If you are coming from San Francisco to get to Hwy 88, which is Carson Pass, I would just follow I-80 to Sacramento and then drop down on Hwy. 16 to 49 to Hwy. 88 and you will be on your way over the beautiful Sierra Nevada's and Carson Pass. We tried to make it interesting by taking the back roads across and it is the same mileage and not worth it.
 
After experiencing the beauty of the Sierra Nevada's 5 years ago when crossing the Sonora Pass, the idea of riding all 4 of these passes back to back had been on my list of things to do since that time. Combining this ride with the loop around Lake Tahoe, another place I had never ridden, was a natural. Carson Pass, named after famed explorer Kit Carson, traversed by California Hwy. 88 was the most significant overland route during the California Gold Rush as well as the primary route for shipping resources from California to assist in the Civil War This is a great road to start on if you plan to do all of the passes. I would call it the kindler, gentler road of the bunch. No hairpins or switchbacks, no rapid elevation changes and no real surprises. From Jackson on Hwy. 49 to Hwy. 89, is only 70 miles. However, 33 of those miles are above 7000 feet, with 5 miles above 8000 cresting Carson Pass at 8573 feet.
 
The road won't test your riding skills, but the raw beauty of the terrain that it goes through and the views that it offers from all around, will have your eyes bugging out in every direction. As you ride up the hill through the Eldorado Forest you will soon breakout to the granite outcroppings with giant cedar pines magically growing out of the rock. It still amazes how there can be a seemingly solid granite rock with a tree growing out of it. You will then pass, Silver Lake, the beautiful Kirkwood Meadow and stop for a photo op of Caples Lake with the snow capped mountains in the background before topping Carson Pass to start a couple thousand foot decent to Hwy. 89, your turn to Lake Tahoe. If you are ever in the area, be sure and go out of your way to ride Carson Pass, it is truly a beautiful stretch of highway that will leave you wanting more.  
 
After a short 16 mile ride North on Hwy. 89 you will reach South Lake Tahoe, home of the second deepest lake in the United States. This is the point that you will have to make a decision if you are going to start the Tahoe Circle, (which is split down the middle by the California/Nevada state line), on the West side of the Lake or the East. I recommend following 89 on the West side of the lake so that you will always have the water on your right to give you the best unencumbered view possible. In roughly 7 miles you will get your first view of Emerald Bay and Fannette Island, probably the most famous landmarks on all of Lake Tahoe. While you are there, you can stop for a visit of the famous Vikingsholm Castle located at the head of Emerald Bay. Mrs. Lora Knight bought Emerald Bay and Fannette Island in 1928 for $250,000. Shortly thereafter she brought in 200 workers to build the Scandinavian styled summer home which was finished in the fall of 1929. The property is now owned by the California State Parks. We toured it 20 years ago, if you have the time, it is a fascinating tour.
 
Once you have gotten all of your photo ops taken care of, you will start a gradual climb out of Emerald Bay before reaching Lake level again for most of the rest of your ride around the lake. The ensuing 46 miles to the Hwy. 50 intersection will take you through several small villages and across the Nevada State line while giving you intermittent peeks of the lake. Even though it is only 72 miles to complete the loop around the lake, don't plan on making it in much under 3 hours. With a couple of sightseeing stops and lots of cars doing the same to contend with, it can be a tedious trip if taken at the wrong time. But that being said, it is still worth the effort to see this massive lake and picturesque surroundings.
 
Instead of staying in the Lake Tahoe area, we decided to take Hwy. 50 down the hill 14 miles to Carson City, the capital of Nevada. I had always wanted to see where Bonanza was supposedly originated in the old town of Virginia City. So staying in Carson would get us just a little bit closer and it was a good place to spend the night. Our 8 hours of riding this day tallied out at 307 miles, which was just about right considering the slow pace around Lake Tahoe.
 
This was one of those riding days that was kind of uninteresting for the first 3 hours of travel getting to where we wanted to be, but after that, the beauty of the next 5 hours more than made you forget how you got there. Once again, Carson Pass is a great little road to sit back, cruise, enjoy the scenery and not be challenged by the road. It is one of the most visually dramatic of the trans-Sierra highways. You will witness jagged volcanic skylines, green meadows, deep blue mountain lakes backed by snow covered slopes and majestic mountain views all around. I would highly recommend this roadway. Lake Tahoe with the enormous body of water backed by mountain views is an awesome sight and a ride that I would recommend as well. I have posted 118 photos that will really give you a feel for the area. We had a perfect blue skied day that was excellent for taking pictures. I hope you enjoy.
 
Click Here For Photos.
 
Click Here for the Google Map of the route.
 
Useful Links:
 
Carson Pass.
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe facts from Wikipedia.
 

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Highlights This Week
 
Thursday, August 7th
Buddy Stubbs Presents Ladies Night!
Buddy Stubbs is having a Special Night just for the Ladies.
 
Saturday, August 9th
Watch St. Pierre vs Fitch at Hacienda North. Ultimate fight - St. Pierre vs Fitch
on pay per view in the newly remodeled upstairs mega party place at Hacienda North.
 
Saturday, August 9th
Chester's Harley-Davidson "Lifesaver" Blood Drive.
Are you a Bloodhound? Be a Life Saver. 

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Bike Nights This Week 

Saturday, August 9th
Watch St. Pierre vs Fitch at Hacienda North. How about something different to do on a Saturday Night! Ultimate fight - St. Pierre vs Fitch on pay per view in the newly remodeled upstairs mega party place at Hacienda North. Come watch it here for free. A great place to hang out and watch the fight. We will have heavy hor d'eouvres and beverages. Cocktails are available- beer $2.00 Donation and mixed drinks $3.00 Donation. The party in May for the Ultimate fight was extremely well attended. This is a great atmosphere to watch these fights. Hacienda North is located at 15750 N. Northsight Blvd. in Scottsdale, AZ. 480-991-7977.
 
Saturday, August 9th
Chester's Harley-Davidson "Lifesaver" Blood Drive. Are you a Bloodhound? Be a Life Saver. Come sniff out our blood drive with United Blood Service and a FREE LUNCH is on US! It is also Dog Days of Summer at Chester's with a visit from the AZ Humane Society. Be a Lifesaver and Adopt a Dog. This all takes place from 9am - 1pm. Chester's is located at 922 S. Country Club Dr. in Mesa, AZ. 480-894-0404. 

Next Week 

Saturday, August 16th
Bikini Contest to Crown Miss Arrowhead Harley-Davidson 2009. It's Summer, It's Hot, It's time for a Bikini Contest!
Ride on over to Arrowhead HD for a good old fashioned Bikini Contest to see who will be crowned Miss Arrowhead Harley-Davidson 2009. Watch the girls perform on stage to the music of their choice as they try to impress the judges to earn the $500 First Place, $300 Second Place or $100 Third Place money. There will be 2 rounds. First round will include a question to show personality and public speaking, 2nd round the contestants will be given an AHD T-shirt and a pair of scissors to design, cut up and model. Winner will represent AHD for the at RideNow and other events like Bike Week. Bikini Contest starts at 12 Noon with the finals at 2PM. Enjoy Floats & The S.S. Wiener! Rootbeer floats & hot dog cart returns with Brian at the helm from 11am - 2pm. Enjoy DJ Music and More. Want to be a guest Judge for the Bikini Contest? Judge selection will be at 12 Noon. Bike Wash from 10am - 2pm. First come first served. While you are there you can take a look at the new 2009 model Harley's that are arriving daily. 20% off Men's HD Beach Wear and Towels. If you would like to compete in the contest, call Dan Herrera at 623-247-5542 or email Dan at dherrera@ridenow.com . Arrowhead HD is located at 16130 N. Ftn. Ctr. Dr. in Peoria. Just South of 83rd Ave. and Bell Rd.
 
Saturday, August 16th
Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson and Miller Lite Summer Evening Blockbuster Party. We are all looking for something to do on a Saturday night. Finally, the Summer event you have been waiting for! It all takes place Saturday, August 16th from 6pm - 9pm. To celebrate, Harley-Davidson's 105th Anniversary, Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson, Phoenix's Premier Harley-Davidson dealership and Miller Lite will be giving away new motorcycles on August 16th. Come enjoy the huge cooled Miller beer garden in the North parking lot, great Live Music by Breakdown, and your chance to win a motorcycle: Everyone who signs up that night gets a chance to win. If your key starts it, you'll ride it home! Really! Everyone has the chance to win a brand new VROD that night. Admission is free. Lots of parking and fun. You will also be able to check out the new 2009 models! See you there. Call 602-971-3400 for more information. 13850 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, 85022. www.buddystubbs.com. 

Extras 

Since the Olympics are starting tomorrow, I thought it would be nice to have a little video collection of those that didn't quite make it to the olympics. Click Here to View.
 
If any of those bad guys from across the pond ever think about interrupting a presidential motorcade, they might want to think again. There could be a little surprise waiting for them. Click Here to View.
 
This video has been going around the interenet like crazy. It is a great exhibition of group riding by a 1950's Italian Police Motorcycle Drill team. They are really good. Click Here to View.
 
You might have seen the new ad by John McCain claiming Obama to be nothing more than a celebrity and comparing him to Paris Hilton. Paris has now rebutted with a funny video ad of her own. In fact, amazingly, she even makes some sense in her own way. Click Here to View.