Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
9/2/09 

Greetings Riders,
 
Well, it is now September and Fall riding weather is right around the corner as evidenced by the large increase in rides on the calendars. Have you ever had those times when it seems like your motorcycle is channeling you from the garage? No matter what you are doing, those thoughts in the back of your mind lead to that 2 -wheeled mind cleanser parked just 40 feet away. This past Sunday the force was really grabbing me to take a good long ride at highway speeds. And the timing couldn't have been better, because I had finally got tired of using the hot weather as an excuse not to get out. So with Mrs. C. out shopping with our daughter, it was a good opportunity to get up off the couch, get on the bike and head North to some cooler weather.
 
My destination was Munds Park to surprise some friends and have an iced tea on the patio, racking up a nice little 220 mile roundtrip ride just for fun in some cooler weather. As luck would have it, they were just getting on their bikes when I pulled up, so we rode on in to Flagstaff for some lunch. On the way back, I found out that I-17 was closed with an 11 mile backup due to a couple of cage accidents. So I thought, great! This is my lucky day! I'll take the long way home. Turned off I-17 on Cherry Hill Rd. to Prescott Valley for a little rain, around to Skull Valley, Yarnell, Wickenburg and back home. My 220 mile get off the couch ride turned into an awesome 340 mile all afternoon adventure. So to borrow a famous quote from Tom Cruise in the movie "Risky Business", when you are sitting on the couch finding excuses not to ride, "Sometimes you just have to say, What the F$#@" and go do it.  I'm glad I did. Here are 10 random pictures from the day. 

With cooler weather and gorgeous evening riding on the way, NEW bike nights are going to be starting as well. But one bike night that I have had a lot of questions about is not going to start up again this fall. Westgate City Center has decided not to do bike night again for the fall season. They have too many events in the arena that would conflict with bike night. I'm guessing that on Coyote game nights they didn't want 1000 bikers tripping over 500 hockey fans. So we are looking at possibly starting up again in April of 2010. But there are a couple of others that I am working on that I can announce today.
 
For those of you on the West side of the Valley, we are starting a new Bike Night at McDuffy's Restaurant located just South of 83rd Ave. and Bell Rd. at 15814 N. 83rd Ave. in Peoria. This one should be excellent! Very large place, 2 outside patios, good food, fantastic food and drink specials, music, large area to mingle with high tops. large dining area, 100 TV's and plenty of reserved motorcycle parking. The first night will be Thursday, September 17th. Details next week. Make plans to be there.
 
For the riders in the Chandler area, you are about to get your wish. On Wednesday, September 23rd we are starting a new bike night in Historic Downtown Chandler, located just 6 miles South of U.S. 60 on Arizona Ave. (Map) This will be set up similar to the Westgate experience where there will be outdoor music, vendors and motorcycle parking on both sides of the street which will also be used as 2 blocks for cruising and walking around looking at bikes. There are 6 restaurants on the block with outdoor patios that will have bike night specials for food and drink. Vendor spots will be available on October 7th. Watch the newsletter for details next week.
 
And don't forget the Chester's Bike Night on Wednesday nights at Toby Keith's Bar and Grill with live music. and the Billet Bar in Scottsdale on Thursday's. I am also working on one more very, very large bike night that I hope to be able to announce in the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned!
 
If you are looking for a nice ride to a higher elevation this weekend, head to the Payson area and visit the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. This is possibly the last weekend it will be open this year due to State budget cuts. Open this weekend, Sept. 5-7. Great ride, great scenery and a nice little hike under the bridge. If you haven't been, it is well worth the ride. More info at http://twurl.nl/xpa6ix and http://budurl.com/tontobridge.

Another good little run for a day or even a quick overnighter if you wanted to make a weekend out of it would be the Monument Ride including the ride up to Snow Bowl for a chair lift ride to the top. This is an excellent ride in the cooler climate with tons of great scenery. Click Here for the Cyclerides.com Monument Tour story and view the 190 photos.

On a side note. A lot of you probably heard about the baseball sized hail that came down on the Sturgis Rally the last day. Here is a picture that a reader sent me that shows just how big this hail really was. Man that would hurt if you got caught in this. Click Here to View.

Lastly, I wanted to leave you with this quote by Jon Kabat-Zinn that a reader shared with me. It seems to fit the times that we are in. "You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf." 

Next Week 

Friday, September 11th
Celebration of Patriots Day. We are focused on our next adventure in Corporate Assistance to the war zone: Afghanistan in November.  Led by 3 Star General in the AF Reserve, John Bradley (Ret), Operation Lamia and the Lamia Afghan Foundation (www.lamia-afghanfoundation.org) and Fumar Cigars and its sponsors are embarking on a mission to deliver blankets to a corner of the world that God forgot.  Lamia is cold.  Her tribe and people need the basics and the way to build trust is to provide basics.  We need your support to gather blankets to distribute there on our mission.  Any help is beneficial.  See website for more info about the people and the place. In September on the 11th, our 8th anniversary of the War Against Terror, we will be celebrating and kicking off the drive for cigars to the troops for our trip and collection of the blankets will commence! Thanks for the partnership! 2pm-8pm
TAPS at sunset. Fumar Cigars is located at 2010 W. Parkside Lane, #110 in Phoenix, AZ.
 
Friday, September 11th
Phoenix, AZ 8th Anniversary 9-11 Tribute Ceremony. 12:00 noon Wesley Bolin Memorial park. Will honor the public safety & military personnel who made the supreme sacrifice, in the line of duty, as well as the civilians that were lost on Sept 11th 2001. Will also honor the families and will pay tribute to the men and women of public safety and armed forces that serve our cities and our country. Other activities throughout the weekend. See Flyer for details.
 
Friday, September 11th
Pink Heals Tour '09. Join Dave Graybill and crew from 5 to 7:30 at ABC Nissan, Camelback Toyota and Showcase Honda on Camelback Ave in Phoenix located between 13th and 15th streets.  Wear pink or tie a pink ribbon on your motorcycle and escort the Pink Heals Tour Trucks as they kick off their 2nd cross country tour supporting women and their fight against cancer.  First tour stop this year is Vegas so show your support and be part of the pink parade to Wickenburg. Listen to live music at the car dealers and buy some raffle tickets to win a Pink Heals one of a kind car courtesy of ABC Nissan, Camelback Toyota and Showcase Honda. Raffle tickets are only $10 each.  The Tour leaves Phoenix at 7:30 PM so don't be late!   For more information visit www.pinkheals.com
 
Friday, September 11th
Motorcycles on Main Street in Mesa. City of Mesa is sponsoring this event that is part of their monthly "2nd Friday". Event time is from 6pm - 10pm. Park your bike on Main St. and enjoy a patriotic theme with flags lining the street. Vendors, local merchants, artisans, restaurants, live bands and more. Activities up and down Main St. From Center to Country Club on Main St. Park and walk or cruise Main St.
 
Sunday, September 13th
Save The Chesticles Run. 6th Annual Breast Cancer Bash, proceeds to benefit The Breast Cancer 3-day. Sign up 10am at Steel Horse Saloon located at 1818 W Bell Road. Ride pins to first 200 registered riders. Cost is $10 Single $15 Double. Run Ends at 4pm. For more info, contact "G" at 623-262-7101 or heartakes@yahoo.com.

Sunday, September 13th
Benefit - Auction for Paulr. Retired Charter Member and Sgt. at Arms for Medieval Maidens MC. Auction will start at 12:30 ending at 4:00 at the American Legion 105 - 3534 W. Calavar Rd in Phoneix [Map It] 100% of Proceeds will go to help Paulr's 2 daughters Jill & Jessica with the funeral expenses. We need items to Auction please contact Kimmy at Biker Information Guide (602-843-8907) or Blister: 623-330-3440. Sponsored by Biker Information Guide & Chuck Franklin Law.

Tuesday, September 15th
Motorcycle Escort of the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall. If you have NEVER seen the portable WALL, it is a very moving experience, especially if you are not able or have the privilege to experience the WALL in Washington DC. This is a must see! If you can not make anything else make the ride past the Wall or come and watch the motorcycles ride past. Very moving! Here is the schedule: Sept 15th at Buddy Stubbs in Anthem. CHANNEL 10 NEWS TO POSSIBLY COVER ESCORT.

1pm - 3 pm: Sign in, everyone must sign the waiver and receive a bobber wrist band which has "Remember". Without signing the waiver and this wristband you will not be allowed to participate in the Escort.
Safety meeting before departure. 3pm: PHOENIX POLICE TO TOTALLY CLOSE DOWN I-17 AND SR 101 FOR ESCORT. Route to be I-17 South to SR 101 East, exit 7th St, loop around onto Beardsley to Phoenix Memorial. Once at Phx Memorial follow traffic control personnel please! Buddy Stubbs to feed MC escort between 4:45 and 6 pm.
1:00 - 3:00pm, Sign in all bikes and vehicles  Bike raffle tickets for sale all weekend.
3:00pm - Motorcycle Escort begins -Phx Police Dept to lead escorts
3:45 - 4:45pm. Wall Arrives with motorcycles
4:45 - 6:00pm. Motorcycle Escorts are fed by Buddy Stubbs.
 
Sept 16th - 9 am NEED ASSISTANCE WITH WALL CONSTRUCTION! Anyone wishing to help please show up at American Legion Post 107 for breakfast at 7:30 am on Cave Creek Road just South of SR 101 for Breakfast with some Iraq Veterans who will help in the assembly of the Wall.