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Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
3/7/12
 
Greetings Riders,
 
If you missed the newsletter last week including my preview of Arizona Bike Week, Click Here to read.
 
We are now well into March and only 16 days away from the pre-rally days of Arizona Bike Week. March and April also present some of the best riding weather that we have in Arizona. Along with good riding weather is an opportunity to get out with our riding friends we haven’t seen on the bikes for a while, and do what we like to do the best, take a ride and enjoy the great scenery that Arizona has to offer. Unfortunately, when you start getting your groups together to take that relaxing day ride, it can sometimes turn out to be more like herding chickens, unless you are all on the same page with the same purpose in mind, to maximize your riding day by “turning minutes into miles”.
 
There is never an easy way to make sure that everyone is on the same page ahead of time without looking like the dreaded “ride nazi”, and it can sometimes be uncomfortable to address those that are slowing down the group in the middle of a road trip. So a couple of years ago, I wrote an article called “Group Riding Etiquette 101”. Another title could be “Group Riding for Dummies” – Tips for being a considerate group rider. Please feel free to print this out, cut and paste or forward this to your group prior to your ride, it might help to bring some of these points up before your trip. Or you can just remind them what was in this article and blame it on me. It is something that we should all read at the beginning of each riding season to make sure that we respect others time and are not the problem child.
 
If you reprint in your own club newsletter, please give Cyclerides.com editorial credit.
 

Group Riding Etiquette 101:
“Group Riding for Dummies” – Tips for being a considerate group rider
 
As we all know, group rides are fun and a good way to spend some time with your friends, HOWEVER. . . when you start getting your groups together to take that relaxing day ride, it can sometimes turn out to be more like herding chickens unless you are all on the same page with the same purpose in mind, to maximize your riding day by “turning minutes into miles”. I'm sure some of you already know what I mean. As with any group activity you do, everyone needs to work together as a team to make it flow smoothly.

Let me set up a scenario. Imagine you are on a football team, the 15 minute halftime has ended and your team has the ball to start the second half. The team takes the field and is ready for the play, but all of a sudden 2 or 3 of your teammates decide they need to go to the bathroom, take a smoke break, gas up or get something to drink, all when the play was about to begin. This would most likely cause the team to not be efficient in playing the game and slow the progress down the field. After a move like that,  you would probably not be very excited about having them on the team and might not invite them to play the next game.

The same analogy works for riding in groups with other motorcycles. All riders in the group, whether riding the bike or a passenger need to be on the same page to make the day trip desirable for all. I realize that there are many different riding styles, but that will work itself out. Those in the group with similar riding preferences will eventually pair up for future rides. What I am referring to are some basic considerations that will make the whole outing flow much better. Here are a few examples of how you can help out the team.
 
Group Leader: Every group of more than 3-4 bikes should have an understanding who is going to be leading the group when planning a ride. This person is not the designated "ride nazi" but is merely responsible for keeping the group moving and on schedule, particularly if you are on a longer ride and are trying to reach a destination by a certain time. He is also responsible for letting everyone else in the group know the route that you are taking so that if someone needs to drop off for some reason, they will know where you are going and how to get there.
 
Punctuality: This is a big one with group riding and is a basic courtesy no matter what activity you are involved with. I've been in a group where the start time was 8:00am and the last straggler shows up at 8:50am. If you are one of those people that "move kind of slow in the morning" then DON'T PLAN A MORNING ACTIVITY THAT WILL REQUIRE YOU TO COMMIT TO AN EARLIER TIME THAN YOU ARE CAPABLE OF MEETING! Hangovers, Partying Late, Not Enough Sleep, or general Lack of Energy are not good excuses. Being on time for a ride trumps all of those excuses. If the ride is important to you, then plan your prior evening to make it desirable to get out of bed, meet your obligations and take a ride that will make you forget about everything else.
 
Having the rest of the group wait well past the start time will not endear you to the group, is not respectful of their time and is not a good way to start a ride. If you encounter an unavoidable delay, make sure that you call someone in the group to let them know that you will not be on time and when you could be expected to arrive. At this point the group has the option to wait a reasonable amount of time or you can catch up with them at the first stop. Otherwise, just make it a point to show up on time.
 
Be Ready To Go: When you show up at the agreed upon start location at the agreed upon time, be ready to go. HAVE A FULL TANK OF GAS, A FULL STOMACH AND AN EMPTY BLADDER. I have been in several groups where it is the start time, we are all saddled up and ready to go and someone announces that they are on reserve and will need to stop at a gas station to fill up. Not cool or fair to the rest of the group that filled up on the way TO the start location. One of your responsibilities of being "on time" includes being ready to ride with at least enough gas to make it to the first stop. 
 
Food: If you suffer from low blood sugar from not eating every hour, then take some crackers or something with you to tide you over to the scheduled lunch stop. Don't stand around talking and then when it is time to take off, announce that "you have to put some food in your stomach" before you go. Take care of these things as transparent as possible without slowing up the whole group.
 
Bathroom Stops: This is a big one in group riding. If you have 10 people in your group, you are going to have 10 different needs for bathroom breaks. This will usually send the group over the edge faster than anything when you have taken a rest stop for 45 minutes, and then everyone is on their bikes and ready to leave and someone says, "OH, I HAVE TO TAKE A POTTY BREAK". That is the last thing the rest of the group wants to wait for. If you have an active bladder, "pee planning" falls on your shoulders, the group leader cannot do this for you. If you know that you have to go every hour, make that a priority as soon as you stop and then again BEFORE departure time. The group leader will let you know plenty of time in advance of when you are leaving. Don't hold up the rest of the group while they wait for you to relieve yourself.
 
Gearing Up: When the ride leader announces that you will be rolling in 10 minutes, this is your cue to take care of all of your personal needs of bathroom, food, drink and putting on your riding gear. Especially if there is a lot of layering going on and the need to put on and take of clothing at stops. So you need to be cognizant of how long it takes you to put on your jacket, helmet, gloves, glasses, ear plugs, MP3 player, sunscreen and unwrap your lollipop or gum for the ride. It seems like in every group I've ever been in, when everyone else is on their bikes, with motors running, ready to roll, there is always one last person zipping up a jacket or putting on gloves, and we are setting there staring at them. Don't ALWAYS be the one everyone is waiting for. Spread it around.

Visiting with others in your group at stops. This is why we take these group rides, to enjoy the company of our friends while we all enjoy our passion of riding. But where the problem comes in is that we tend to talk about the last 100 miles before we take care of what we need to do at the stop. A good suggestion is to get your gas, drinks, bathroom breaks out of the way, then visit with your buddies. After the conversation is over, you are all ready to roll. 

Riding Style: This is a problem in some groups. Usually when you ride with a group you are pretty similar in riding styles, that's why you ride together. But occasionally there will be a new person that will join the group that just "doesn't feel comfortable enough to keep up the pace". That is fine, we would never ask anyone to compromise the way that they ride just to keep up with the group. That is not safe or fair. But, it is also not fair to slow down a group that likes to ride the speed limits and take away their style. What do you do? If you don't feel comfortable at certain speeds, make sure you find out from your ride leader the directions to the next stop, take your time and ride at your own pace, they will understand. But don't expect the rest of the group to adapt to your style. The fun part of riding is enjoying the pace at which you like to ride.
 
Conclusion: I know a lot of you reading this right now are shaking your head in agreement saying, "we've got one or two of those in our group". We all have. But there are some people that don't realize they are doing these things, and then there are some that don't care. The ones that "don't care", don't get a call the next time a ride comes along. The ones that "don't realize", you can forward this letter to them.
 
I don't want this to sound like going on group rides with friends is supposed to be equivalent to a military maneuver. It is not by any means, and if it was, I wouldn't do it. It is supposed to be fun, relaxing and a way to see the country in the best way possible, from the seat of a motorcycle and share it with friends. We have all been guilty of one of more of these nuances along the way. I know I have. The bottom line is, that we all need to consider if we are a consistent violator of any of these points above, find a way to improve on them and to respect the time of our friends.

Time is something that is hard to come by these days and we want to use it wisely.
 Going on these types of day rides are usually the only window of riding some of us have for the entire week or possibly the month, and making this time the most enjoyable possible should be very important to all of us. So if we could put the "It's all about ME" aside for the group and show up on time, full of gas, food, water and low on excess bodily fluids at every stop, the group riding world would be a better place. 
Pass this around to your riding buddies.

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Tidbits and Updates:
 
Mark your Calendar! This is going to be a big one.
Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Night
On Thursday, March 29th, I will be starting up The Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Night. For the first night we will be cross marketing with the Phoenix Coyotes on game night. There will be ticket specials of $20 per ticket ($40 face value) for the Coyote Game that night. We will have vendors, live music, food and drink specials and lots of bikes and fun. This will mark the beginning of the Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Night that will run every Thursday night from 5-9 PM until June 28th, 14 nights in all. Put it on your calendar. This should be a huge kick off for bike night. Click Here for the flyer to print off for your office.
 

 
Next Week
March 5th – March 31st
Chandler Harley-Davidson Roll to Bike Week in Style. Are you looking to spiff up your bike for Bike Week? Time to add a little bling to separate it from the crowd? This year roll to bike week in style with a new set of Performance Machine Wheels! And it gets even better. Buy a set of Performance Machine Wheels and get the matching air filter for FREE! A $440 value!* See flyer for details. Chandler is located at 6895 W. Chandler Blvd. in Chandler, AZ. 480-496-6800.
 
Thursday, March 8th
Arrowhead Harley-Davidson Women’s Garage Party. Do you know a woman interested in learning about motorcycles? She can learn more about the sport of riding at our women-only Garage Party. This is a FREE EVENT from 6 – 8:30 PM that offers fun, beginner information for women with limited – or even no – background with motorcycles. Forward this invitation to your female friend and tell her to join us for one night of fun workshops and festive activities during this event geared toward women who dream of riding, but just aren’t sure how to get started on their motorcycle journey. You must RSVP for this event. There is limited space. So gather your friends and get signed up today! For more information or to register, email chdmarketing@ridenow.com or call 480-496-6800. Arrowhead Harley-Davidson is located at 16130 N. Arrowhead Ftn. Ctr. Dr. in Peoria, AZ.
 
Saturday, March 10th
Chief Bill Lanford Memorial Ride. Honoring our Fallen Firefighter Brother William D. “Bill” Lanford was the Chief of Buckeye Valley Fire until he was tragically killed while riding his Harley on Vulture Mine Road on February 6th 2003. Please join the many brother and sister Firefighters, Law Enforcement Officers and all of his friends and family in honoring Chief Lanford on this memorial ride. Everyone is welcome – Any Scooter, Hot Rod, or Apparatus, Ride it, Drive it, Push it, or Pull it – Just come and make this a huge, memorable event. Check-in at 8:00 A.M. – Ride Starts at 10:00 A.M. at Station 324: 25206 W. MC 85 Buckeye Az. 85326. $20.00 Single rider, $25.00 Couple. Escorted, 100 mile ride, including a stop at Bill’s roadside memorial on Vulture Mine Rd. Everyone Welcome to the After Ride Party. If any questions please contact Jason at jjessamine@local4371.org or 480-734-3778.
 
Saturday, March 10th
Run for the Gold. Benefitting Florence Crittenton a non profit organization that has served Arizona's girls and their family for over a Century. Entry fee is 20.00 per rider, $10.00 per passenger. Registration begins at 8 am at Skunk Motorsports in Mesa with the first 125 participants receiving ride bags and pins. Pre-registration: http://www.sites.google.com/site/ddcharities/ or day of at Skunk Motorsports. This ride takes you across the Valley of the Sun to some of our favorite biker stops and ends at Chester's Harley Davidson where there will be prizes for best/worst hand, a live band, food and raffles.
 
Saturday, March 10th
Ride 4 Change. All proceeds benefit: Will2Walk Foundation. 5 Stops, 5 Cards, Best hand wins. Check-In 9 AM at Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale located at 15600 N. Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale, AZ. First Bike Out at 9:30 AM, Last bike out 10:30 AM. Last bike back at 4 PM. Register online at www.will2walk.org.
 
Saturday, March 10th
Colon All Angels. "Ride a Bike, Save a Butt". This ride benefits the Colon Cancer Alliance Blue Note Fund. Ride begins at Chester's Harley-Davidson located at 922 S. Country Club Dr. in Mesa, AZ. Registration from 10:30 AM. KSU at Noon. $25 Single/$15 Passenger. Ride donations include a ride pin to all riders and dinner at the River Bottom Grill in Florence. Ride, Friends, Food and Music. Best hand wins $200. More information at www.colonallangels.webs.com .
 
Next Week
 
March 5th – March 31st
Chandler Harley-Davidson Roll to Bike Week in Style. Are you looking to spiff up your bike for Bike Week? Time to add a little bling to separate it from the crowd? This year roll to bike week in style with a new set of Performance Machine Wheels! And it gets even better. Buy a set of Performance Machine Wheels and get the matching air filter for FREE! A $440 value!* See flyer for details. Chandler is located at 6895 W. Chandler Blvd. in Chandler, AZ. 480-496-6800.
 
Saturday, March 17th
Arizona Burn Center Chili Cook Off. This CASI Sanctioned Chili Cook Off is hosted by: Arrowhead Harley-Davidson. We will be offering trophies for many People’s Choice Categories as well as best decorated chili booth/team! Best Green Chili, Mystery Celebrity Judges, Raffle Prizes. All proceeds benefit the Arizona Burn Center. People’s Choice Chili starting at 11 AM. CASI Competition Red Chili Turn-In at 2 PM. For chili information contact Jerry Lee at 623-388-9748 or alchemistchili@gmail.com . Arizona Burn Center contact Paula Walker at 602-344-5624.
 
Saturday, March 17th
Buddy Stubbs Anthem Hogs & Dogs. Swing up to Buddy Stubbs Anthem Harley-Davidson on Saturday, March 17th from 11AM to 2PM and be a little Irish! It's a St. Patrick's Day Hogs & Dogs at Anthem H-D and we're encouraging you to strut in GREEN! There will be FREE food and drinks as well as wear green and get a chance to pop a balloon for prizes and other specials (while supplies last). Also, in the spirit of St. Patty’s Day save 15% on any casual outer wear in MotorClothes with green on it! Buddy Stubbs Anthem Harley-Davidson is located at 41715 N. 41st Drive, Anthem AZ 85086, or on the web at www.anthemhd.com. For more information you may e-mail marketing@buddystubbs.com or call (623) 465-1122.
 
Saturday and Sunday,
March 17th & 18th
Chandler Harley-Davidson Demo Event. This is your chance to ride the brand new 2012 Harley-Davidson of your choice. The Harley-Davidson factory demo truck will be at Chandler Harley-Davidson from 9am - 4pm on March 17th and 18th to let you experience the ride you have been dreaming about. It is always fun to see how the bike that you don't have would ride. There will be Food vendors on site both days! Must have a valid motorcycle license and be at least 21 years of age. Chandler Harley-Davidson is located at 6895 W. Chandler Blvd. in Chandler, AZ. 480-496-6800.
 
Saturday, March 17th
Ride for Baby Mateo. Cory Donaldson, Dave Six and Tammy Woods will be hosting a ride for Baby Mateo who was prematurely born on 12/22/11 at 24 weeks and 5 days. Mateo, who is still in ICU has doubled his weight from 2 to 4 pounds so he finally gets to wear clothes now. This little man is scheduled to be in the hospital until April before he can go home with his mom, Liz Alvarez-Gallagher from Cave Creek. All proceeds will go towards months of hospital bills for his intensive care stay at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center. Let's welcome this young man to the world the biker way with a motorcycle ride and raffle to help him and his mom.  10AM - Noon Registration begins at the Dirty Dogg with a continental breakfast and Bloody Mary drink specials. Noon - 4PM Kickstands up at noon for a leisurely ride to the Hideaway Grill in Cave Creek for the raffle. Rider fee $10.00.  Raffle tickets $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. Raffle items include hats, shirts, mugs, ladies wear, gift cards and any other items you would like to donate for the cause. (Gifts may be taken to Hideaway in advance for the raffle.) T-Shirts will be available for a small donation. Info email davesix@hotmail.com.
 
March 18th-31st
Arrowhead Harley-Davidson Pre-Bike Week Service Special. Need a few things done to get your bike ready for Bike Week? Take advantage of Arrowhead Harley-Davidson’s Pre-Bike Week Service Special. Get 10% OFF of any Service. This offer is valid March 18th through March 31st, 2012 only at Arrowhead Harley-Davidson. Service must be scheduled before March 31st, 2012. Call Arrowhead HD for details at 623-247-5542. AHD is located at 16130 N. Arrowhead Ftn. Ctr. Dr. in Peoria, AZ.
 
Upcoming Events
 
Friday – Sunday
March 23rd – 25th
Chester’s Harley-Davidson® Backstage Biker Bash VI Weekend!
2012 is Bigger and Better than ever! Chester’s Harley-Davidson Backstage Biker Bash VI roars to life with a FREE concert by Whiskey 6 on the main stage at Chester’s Harley-Davidson. Chester’s kicks off Bike Week with 3 days of Great Concert Performances, Vendors, Charity Benefit Rides, Food, Adult Beverages, Builders, Live Entertainment, Contests, Give-a-Ways, Raffles, and a mouth watering Kansas City BBQ State Championship Competition sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Society. All of this and more at the Chester’s Harley-Davidson® Backstage Biker Bash Weekend Experience. See you here!
Friday, March 23rd - Backstage Biker Bash at Chester’s Harley-Davidson featuring Whiskey 6 and Lynch Mob. 5-11 PM. Free Admission.
Saturday, March 24th - Backstage Biker Bash at Chester’s Harley-Davidson featuring Molly Hatchet & Blackfoot. 11 AM – 11 PM. $15 Admission.
Sunday, March 25th - Backstage Biker Bash at Chester’s Harley-Davidson featuring Jimmie Van Zant Band. 11 AM – 5 PM. $10 Admission.
Chester’s Harley-Davidson is located at 922 S Country Club Dr. in Mesa.
 
Sunday, March 25th
Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale “Sunshine Blast Off Party” featuring Bret Michaels. A party by Bob Parsons needs little explanation other than DON'T MISS IT! Party starts at 1 PM and rocks on until 9 PM. You won’t want to miss the FREE concert by Bret Michaels performing live at 7 PM. DJ shows start at 1 PM. Adult beverages, Go AZ Girls, Live Music throughout the day with Crown Kings at 4 PM.  Worldwide Extreme Motorsports Brigade FMX Motorcycle Stunt Jumpers 2 PM. One show every hour for 4 shows. Food, Fun and a chance to check out the construction and development of a whole new motorcycle destination in Scottsdale, including a 2.5 acre training, demonstration and event center that will be one of a kind! Bring your biker friends, plenty of bike parking! Donations will be made to: Wounded Warriors & Families of Officers who have Fallen in the Line of Duty. This all takes place at the new Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale located at 15600 N. Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale, AZ.
 
March 28th – April 1st
Arizona Bike Week. We hope you've all had an opportunity to either check out our website azbikeweek.com or pick up a copy of the Guide to Ride or both. But just in case, here's a quick overview of what's in store for you at this year's Cyclefest:
Nightly concerts in the HandleBar Saloon featuring:
* Quiet Riot
* Puddle of Mudd - Presented by Paul Yaffe's Bagger Nation
* REO Speedwagon - Presented by Buddy Stubbs Arizona Harley-Davidson
* Tesla - Presented by Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale
* TNT
Other activities include:
Sons of Anarchy - cast member special appearance, presented by Arrowhead Harley-Davidson
Live music all day and into the night on the Jagermeister mobile concert stage
Daily Happy Hour in the HandleBar Saloon
The Miss Arizona Bike Week Pageant
Harley stunt riders and Kawasaki tandem stunt riders
More vendors, builders and manufacturers than ever before
Daily demo rides offered by: Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha/Star, Victory and Can-Am
Dave Perewitz will be receiving our "Tribute to Excellence" award
Buddy Stubbs  will be receiving our "Arizona Bike Week Hero" award
"Baddest Bagger" Bike Show - Presented by Bagger Nation and American Bagger Magazine
Bike Games
Paul Yaffe's Bash
Crusaders for the Children - Silent/Live Auction
The always popular "Jager Games"- Presented by Jagermeister
The World Famous Saturday Night Contest - Presented by Christie's Cabaret
All this and so much more included in your admission to Cyclefest!!!
Get your tickets at azbikeweek.com
 
Extras

Mid Week Updates will be made on the Cyclerides.com Facebook. New Easy to remember Facebook address. Go to Cyclerides.com Facebook. Over 3700 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!

Trask 2012 New Year Performance Special.
Thinking of new pipes, intake, cams or all of the above? Start your new year off right, come into Trask Performances premier dyno tuning center January 1st - 31st for a FREE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (normally a $75 value). Our tuning experts will help you make your bike run the way you want it to. Arizona's premier performance and service center, Trask Performance! Located at 21601 N. 3rd Ave. in Phoenix, AZ. Call 623-879-8488 to make an appointment and Refer to this offer from Cyclerides.com.

For those of you that like guns, you will enjoy the firepower that this guy displays. Click Here to View

Not even sure what prompted this girl to learn how to do this, but she is talented. Click Here to View.
 
Video of the Week: This video is hilarious. I’ve never seen a dolphin be quite this tenacious, but he definitely has something on his mind. Watch it to the end. Hilarious! Click Here to View. Click on the Video of the Week graphic on the page.
 
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Until Next Week,
Blessings and Safe Riding To All,

Barry Caraway
"The Road Is Yours - Take The Ride"
www.cyclerides.com

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