Colorado Rider News

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Laurie Montoya

There is always a Light at the End of the Tunnel

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Colorado Rider News is so pleased to be back to hard copy issue and getting back to all things Colorado!  For the past 60 days, we have watched this motorcycle community bond together and weather the storm of this pandemic.  

Laurie Montoya, Publisher

The riding community supported our biker owned restaurants like Dirty Dogs Roadhouse, The Piper and The Stagecoach and others through take-out, delivery and our #2Wheels4Meals program to generate enough revenue to keep the lights on.   

We will overcome the short term affect this pandemic had on our powersports community, our charities and events that have had to cancel and as always we will take of our own.

This month we will do our best to update everyone on how our biker owned businesses are surviving and the possibility of future events this summer such as Sturgis and our local events.

Lastly, we have updated our Biker Owned Business (B.O.B.)page with some new business that bring more diverse products and businesses to our page.  It has always been my hope that riders would look to our B.O.B. page when you need a service done, keeping those biker dollars within our community.

As always enjoy the ride, let us know what we can do better and BE SAFE OUT THERE

— Laurie Montoya, Publisher
Colorado Rider News
info@coloradoridernews.com

What does Summer Riding Look Like in 2020?

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As we enter June and begin to see restrictions lifted and our local biker bars open, the reality of COVID is still with our riding community, biker owned businesses, dealerships, and charities. The summer (June thru August) it would normally be difficult to find a weekend that there wasn’t a charitable ride or rally that a rider could head to on the weekend.

The shut down in April and May saw events canceled or rescheduled to another date in the fall. High profile rides/rally’s such as Arizona Bike Week (rescheduled to October), Red River bike rally (canceled), The Chicano Pride Ride, Realities Ride for Kids reluctantly canceled for this year and BikerDown’s Look Twice Ride was rescheduled to September 5th. All 3 of these charities use the funds raised at their annual rides to help the community and will find themselves struggling to maintain the services people are a custom to receiving.

June events such as the Freedom Fest, Rocky Mountain HOG, Tejon Street fest and MDA Ride for life have all been canceled for 2020 and July events – Greeley Stampede and Cheyenne Frontier Days are looking to 2021.

“At  the moment, The 28th annual salute American veterans rally in Cripple Creek is a GO! We are making all plans and preparations and are hopeful that the event is going to happen.  Having said that, the first hurdle is to get Cripple Creek open. The governor has not yet allowed the casinos to open up and without the casinos and supporting hotels, restaurants etc., it makes no sense to expect that we could pull the rally off.”

— Jim Wear, American Veterans Rally

80th Sturgis Rally 

The Sturgis Rally is months away and experts predict the coronavirus will have peaked and continue to be in decline before the end of summer save and except for a spike now that restrictions nationwide have been lifted. The concern for the City of Sturgis isn’t the COVID numbers in South Dakota, but the fact that hundreds of thousands of riders will come from all over the country. The City of Sturgis has yet to make the final determination on whether the 80th rally will go on as scheduled. They are set to decide no later than June 15th . 

The City of Sturgis only controls what happens in Sturgis city limits and the vast majority of Rally activities (including riding, camping and events) happen at venues and campgrounds outside of the city limits it would take more than the city banning people from town to shut down the Sturgis Rally

Here is an updated list of all the Sturgis Rally venues that have stated their position regarding the coronavirus below:

Sturgis Buffalo Chip – Moving forward as planned. They have had one band cancelation but say they are looking for replacements for any bands that cancel.

  • Glencoe Camp Resort – Moving forward as planned.
  • Pappy Hoel Campground – Moving forward as planned.
  • City of Deadwood – moving forward as planned.
  • City of Rapid City – 100% planning on rally

Colorado Rider News will continue to keep readers updated on any decisions that are made.

BEST RIDES IN COLORADO

Instead of stressing over events outside of Colorado, here is a list of the top 10 Colorado Destinations to ride locally

1. MOUNT EVANS SCENIC AND HISTORIC BYWAY

As the highest paved road in North America, the Mount Evans Road rises to a height of 14,130 feet above sea level. Begin your trip in the historic mining town of Idaho Springs. From town, travel south on Highway 103 to the junction of Highway 5, the entrance to Mount Evans Road. Groves of pine trees first greet you on this section, but gradually give way once the timberline is breeched. Riding along the exposed mountainside, you’ll get a magnificent view of glacier-cut valleys and a seemingly endless horizon of sharp rocky peaks. Mountain goats and bighorn sheep are often seen grazing roadside. Be aware: The guardrails disappear up here, so caution is advised as you traverse the switchbacks to the top. (Read about other famous Colorado peaks).

  • Distance: 28 miles (one way)
  • Route: Idaho Springs to Mount Evans
  • Travel time: 1 hour

2. TRAIL RIDGE ROAD SCENIC AND HISTORIC BYWAY

One of the best ways to see Rocky Mountain National Park is on a motorcycle. Mount Evans Road may be the highest paved road, but Trail Ride Road Scenic and Historical Byway is the highest paved road in the United States that doesn’t dead-end. The grandeur of rocky peaks and lush blankets of pine trees accompany you through this route. Keep your eyes open for grazing elk, bighorn sheep and other animals — they’re common visitors to the roadside and surrounding cliffs. The ride combines straightaways with twists in the road that showcase all aspects of the park’s beauty. Tundra with brush no higher than a few feet is a contrast to the granite peaks of the Rockies that loom like immovable giants.

  • Distance: 48 miles (one way)
  • Route: Estes Park to Grand Lake 
  • Travel time: 2–3 hours

3. SANTA FE TRAIL SCENIC AND HISTORIC BYWAY

The original Santa Fe Trail carried pioneers and traders hundreds of miles over the prairie to points west during the 1800s. The trail is still in use today, but as the Sante Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway, taking travelers through a history-laden slice of Colorado. At certain points, you can even see the wagon ruts of original pioneers winding their way through the prairie grasses. This route is almost completely straight and is a relatively easy, though longer, drive. Midway on the trip sits one of Colorado’s most significant and historic treasures, Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site. Originally built in 1833 as a trading post along the Santa Fe Trail, it became a cultural meeting place. This route also takes you through the Comanche National Grassland, where the land still grows the original prairie that the pioneers saw when forging through the plains.

  • Distance: 184 miles (one way)
  • Route: Trinidad to Lamar
  • Travel time: 4 hours

4. SAN JUAN SKYWAY SCENIC AND HISTORIC BYWAY

Mountains here look as if they were painted. Crimsons bleed into purples and grays with vibrancy nearly unmatched by other peaks. The San Juan Skyway traverses multiple mountain passes that each rise more than 11,000 feet above sea level. The towns that you’ll pass through on this route are renowned for their history and beauty. Both Telluride and Silverton are rich in mining lore, and Cortez and Mancos stand at the entrance to perhaps the best Ancestral Puebloan site in the nation, Mesa Verde National Park. On the San Juan Skyway you can ride on what’s known in Colorado as the “Million Dollar Highway.” This specific stretch runs from Ouray to Silverton. Sights of Mount Wilson, Mount Eolus and Mount Sneffels — some of the highest mountains in the United States — also showcase their grandeur from roadside vistas.

  • Distance: 236 miles (loop)
  • Route: Cortez, Telluride, Placerville, Ridgway, Ouray, Silverton and Durango
  • Travel time: 6 hours

5. UNAWEEP/TABEGUACHE SCENIC AND HISTORIC BYWAY

This section of highway played an integral role in World War II: The uranium used in the country’s first atomic bombs was mined near Uravan, the midway point of the Unaweep/Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway. There’s more history here than just the A-bomb. Precambrian dinosaur and amphibian fossils have been found within the striated red sandstone canyon walls that surround the road. The byway cuts through a canyon for most of the way and follows the Dolores and San Miguel rivers. Through the years, these rivers slowly ate away at the soft sandstone creating the flattop canyon through which you’ll ride. 

  • Distance: 133 miles (one way)
  • Route: Whitewater to Placerville
  • Travel time: 3 hours

6. FRONTIER PATHWAYS SCENIC AND HISTORIC BYWAY

The Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway charts a course through an area that was once a true cultural crossroads. These foothills to the Rockies were used by Ute Indians, Spanish and American explorers, fur trappers, ranchers, prospectors and now by visitors seeking stunning mountain views and prairie buttes. The journey takes you from the town of Pueblo and twice through the San Isabel National Forest. As you enter the San Isabel National Forest the first time, the peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains make their presence known through astonishing vistas showcasing their high pinnacles and craggy outcroppings. The ride then takes you to the town of Westcliffe at the base of this range, then doubles back to the southern passage through the forest and ends in Colorado City, where flat-topped prairie buttes jut out from the prairie.

  • Distance: 103 miles (one way)
  • Route: Pueblo to Westcliffe to Colorado City 
  • Travel time: 3.5 hours

7. PAWNEE PIONEER TRAILS SCENIC AND HISTORIC BYWAY 

Two of the most well-known buttes in Colorado’s prairie stand stark against the flat surroundings, the Pawnee Buttes. Their white and gray striations show the passage of time through geology and give you a view into the height of the original landscape. The ride here is flat and open, and travels through pristine and protected prairie. The Pawnee National Grassland dominates much to the landscape and provides you with a look into exactly the same terrain pioneers encountered in the 1800s. Pronghorn antelope — the fastest land mammal in North America — can often be seen, as can coyotes, prairie dogs and hundreds of bird species.

  • Distance: 128 miles (one way)
  • Route: Sterling to Fort Morgan to Ault
  • Travel time: 3 hours

8. TOP OF THE ROCKIES SCENIC AND HISTORIC BYWAY

Leadville, the highest incorporated city in the United States, is found along the Top of the Rockies Byway at an elevation of 10,200 feet. As high as this town is, it’s dwarfed by the two tallest peaks in Colorado, Mount Massive (14,421 feet) and Mount Elbert (14,440 feet). This route also crosses the Continental Divide twice and follows the Arkansas River nearly to its headwaters. Mining history is tucked into the scenery along this byway. Millions of dollars worth of precious metal was extracted from the mountains in the area in the 1800s, and Leadville proved to be the silver queen of the Rockies, providing one of the richest silver veins in the state.

  • Distance: 75 miles (one way)
  • Route: Twin Lakes to Minturn and the junction of Hwy. 70 and Hwy. 91
  • Travel time: 2 hours

9. INDEPENDENCE PASS

Due to the high altitude and winter road conditions, this route is only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The road rises to its peak at 12,095 feet on Independence Pass. Aspens and evergreens dissolve into each other as a lush valley meanders below, and the surrounding mountains provide jagged lines against the sharp blue sky. The ski towns of Aspen and Snowmass are also found along this stretch of highway. Glenwood Springs is found on the northern entrance to this route and is world-famous for its claim to the largest improved hot springs in the world. Between Glenwood Springs and the tiny town of Basalt, look to the south for a view of the scene-stealing grandeur of Mount Sopris. 

  • Distance: 80 miles (one way)
  • Route: Highway 82 southeast from Glenwood Springs to Twin Lakes 
  • Travel time: 2 hours

10. LOS CAMINOS ANTIGUOS SCENIC AND HISTORIC BYWAY

From the oldest towns to the highest sand dunes, Los Caminos Antiguos incorporates many of Colorado’s most intriguing sites. One of the first towns you’ll venture through is Conejos. Here, Colorado’s oldest Catholic parish still stands — Our Lady of Guadalupe, built in 1858. Continuing along the byway brings you to the town of San Luis, Colorado’s oldest surviving community, dating back to 1851. On the mesa adjacent to town is the spiritually inspiring Stations of the Cross, a string of bronze statues, each representing a moment during Christ’s crucifixion. Nearly 15 miles from San Luis is the town of Fort Garland, home to Colorado’s oldest military post, constructed in 1858 and once commanded by the legendary Civil War hero Kit Carson. North of Fort Garland are North America’s highest sand dunes — Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. 

  • Distance: 129 miles (one way)
  • Route: New Mexico border to Alamosa
  • Travel time: 3 hours

The Times They are a Changing

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Laurie Montoya, Publisher

I was sitting here as I have done for the past 3 weeks trying to think about what to write about. What positive spin or thoughts that I could share with you. All I could come up with is that history has a way of repeating itself and hopefully this world, our country and we, as citizens, will learn this time.

We are in unsettling times. We will speak of this global virus pandemic, the stay-at-home orders, food shortages, gas prices possibly going back to 99 cents per gallon, highest unemployment in recent memory and the aftermath this pandemic had on our economy.  Before this, how many of you knew the word Essential business or ventilator? The simple word COVID-19 will flow off our tongues like WWI & The Depression and we will all remember where we were and who we lost. This virus knows no color or race, no religion, no gender and doesn’t discriminate… sounds like a John Lennon song. 

Future generations will roll their eyes when we try to tell them the stories of the day when there was no toilet paper and food was being rationed.  How manufacturing plants were converted from making pillows or beer, to making hand sanitizers and hospital masks/PPE clothing to save the lives of Americans. GM and Ford converted their plants to make not guns and ammo for WAR, but medical equipment.  They will humor us, and half listen at the unimaginable sacrifices people have made to save the lives others.

I remember when I was younger, I went down into my Italian grandparents’ basement, and would see everything that they stocked up on.  Every weekend, they would take the Sunday newspaper ads and coupon and spend the whole weekend going to stores picking up the Buy One-Get One free products and then they would proudly stock them on massive shelves in the basement.  They would only go out to eat at restaurants they had a coupon for.  My beautiful Grandma Ginny was our family Italian drug dealer, because she would pay you to refill your prescriptions and then stock them up in her private home pharmacy.  I remember thinking that they were just a little bit crazy, but now I understand that they had lived thru the depression, they had lived in a house with several married families and struggled every single day.  My grandma worked at a plant in St. Louis and paid double on her mortgage every month so that she could pay her house off early and the bank didn’t own her.  She believed in living within her means, and I can’t tell you the countless times my parents borrowed money from them and thank god they always had it to give.  They didn’t have credit card because they didn’t want to owe anyone.  If they wanted something, they had an envelope and they SAVED until they could go in and pay cash.

It is my belief and deepest hope that this pandemic and shut down will be a life lesson to world leaders, our government and all of us in some small way and will bring CHANGE in how we deal with things. 

I have personally learned a lot about how I will deal with things moving forward and to be the rock for my family and friends.

Our estimated goal date to getting back to some semblance of normal is now April 30th, and I pray each day that more people will honor the stay-at-home orders and practice safe social distancing. Group rides are not encouraged, and we ask all riders if you are going to ride to make sure you take the necessary steps to keep yourself and others safe.

The sooner we all sacrifice and bring this curve of infection down, the sooner we can all get back to the living and rebuilding our lives and our country.

#2WHEELS4MEALS

Colorado Rider News is working with a collective group of biker owned business to form #ColoradoRidersCare.  Our first initiative was our #2WheelsforMeals program to ensure that our small business biker owned restaurants survive so that we have them when this is over.  We are working with businesses like Dirty Dogs Roadhouse, Wide Open Saloon, and Takoda Tavern. Each of these businesses are open for carryout and delivery and we encourage all riders to try your best to support your local biker owned business. If you know of someone  that needs a hot meal, please let us know by sending an email to info@coloradoridernews.com

Motorcycle Business Directory

CRN has also created a directory of businesses that have modified or adapted to the shut-down.  Many of our dealerships are still open and while the showroom may be closed, they are still open for service and parts. 

We will always be #COLORADOSTRONG and stand side-by-side.

As always enjoy the ride, let us know what we can do better and BE SAFE OUT THERE

Contact Laurie: info@coloradoridernews.com

Auto Insurance Offering Customers Shelter-in-Place Payback

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Update: 4/9/20 — Additional auto insurance carriers have followed suit and are offering rebate/pay backs to customers.  Be sure to contact your auto insurance carrier and find out what programs are available to you.

Laurie Montoya, Publisher

As we all continue to practice Shelter-in-Place during the COVID-19 spread, many are working from home or have been temporarily laid off. This stay at home policy is significantly limiting the amount of driving (except for essential travel) and lowering the possibility of a driver/rider’s being in an accident.

I received an email from Esurance, an Allstate company offering insureds up to a 15% payback off their monthly insurance premiums during April thru May. They are also offering other vital services such as:

  • Free identity protection from Allstate
    You can now get free identity protection from Allstate throughout the remainder of this year. With shelter-in-place orders requiring people to work at home and attend virtual classes, meetings, and events, it’s more important than ever to protect your personal data against increased cyber and financial threats. Enroll by 5/31/20 to get Allstate Identity Protection for free through 12/31/20.
  • Extended coverage for commercial deliveries
    Many auto insurance policies don’t cover commercial deliveries. But while so many people are helping deliver vital supplies to their communities, we’re extending coverage for customers who use their personal vehicles to deliver food, medicine, and essential services for a commercial purpose. This coverage will be automatically applied in any state where an emergency order is in place. No action is required on your part.
  • Payment relief
    Customers facing financial challenges due to the COVID-19 crisis can contact us for payment flexibility. Call us at 1-800-ESURANCE (1-800-378-7262) to learn more.

State Farm is also considering a rebate plan.  “We are closely monitoring our automobile insurance loss and are considering how best to take this into account and return value to our auto insurance policyholders,” State Farm spokeswoman Gina Morss-Fischer said in an emailed statement. “We expect a decision in this regard by the end of the week.”

American Family Insurance said it will return about $200 million to its auto insurance customers.  “American Family Insurance is doing this out of responsibility to our customers. They are driving less and experiencing fewer claims. Because of these results, they deserve premium relief,” American Family Chief Operating Officer Telisa Yancy said in a news release.

If you aren’t insured with Allstate, I would encourage you to contact your auto policy provider and see what offers they might be putting into place.

Proactive Management of Bills During COVID-19 Crisis

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The Times they are a Changing

Laurie Montoya, Publisher

There is a song by Bob Dylan that is called The Times They Are A-Changin’ and as I was writing this article, I put on the song, closed my eyes and just took a moment to listen to the words and all the stress just took a back seat to a song and lyrics that are so relative in these unknown times.

Right now I want to focus on what everyone can do to try to take care of their monthly bills if your income has been affected by the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. As many of you know, I am the President and Founder of BikerDown Foundation, a non-profit that helps injured motorcycle riders.  For 10 years, we have helped injured riders with financial guidance and strategy when their income has been immediately impacted by an accident. The current coronavirus health crisis has suddenly put millions of Americans in that same uncertain financial position that injured riders often experience.

Strategies for Managing Finances Now

When you are injured and out of work for the foreseeable future, you must come up with ways to restructure your finances such as car payments, mortgage, rent and other bills. By restructuring or deferring some financial payments, it enables you to save your cash and possibly make another payment paid that you cannot defer (like food).  BikerDown encourages people to be PROACTIVE with their bills before they go in arrears and a computer starts spitting out delinquency bills and the collection calls process begins.

Here are a few helpful suggestions on what everyone can do right now to try and stay ahead of the inevitable financial fears that you may have.

  1. Car payments – call your financial institutions including Ford, GM, Hyundai, Chrysler as well as others and ask to have 2-3 of your vehicle payments deferred to the back of the loan.  You will find that most, if not all, of them during COVID-19 are offering these deferments that will help enable you to pay critical bills such as your mortgage or rent.
    1. New car purchases – if you are in the market for a new car, Ford, Chrysler and GM are offering (based on your credit) new car purchases with no payments for 6 months. 
  • Motorcycle payments – deferring motorcycle payments thru Harley-Davidson finance (www.myhdfs.com) are also offering up to 60 days deferments on bike payments.  Other motorcycle manufacturers are also stepping in line to help our riding community overcome the financial obligations that we are all experiencing.
  • Cable/Internet bills – If you have a high cable bill and/or are no longer part of a VIP package you are probably wondering how you are going to stay connected.  Most packages such as Dish, Comcast or Direct TV won’t want to lose your business and now is an excellent time to re-negotiate your package.  Most recently I called Direct TV with the intent of cancelling, and they re-organized my DirectTV bills down to 59.95 per month.  Please note that when they re-organize or restructure your cable bills, you will be entering into at least a 1 year or more commitment.
  1. Amazon Fire Stick – this is a great option to be able to get out from under any cable commitments and Fire stick and other providers devices just go into your USB port on the back of your television.
  2. Smart TV – Most TV’s now come with smart options where with an internet connection you can get many of the programs that you get with a cable provider.  Today I checked at Walmart.com and you can buy a SAMSUNG 55″ Class 4K Ultra HD (2160P) HDR Smart for $399.00.  So, imagine, if you got rid of a 200.00 per month cable bill and kept your internet and bought a smart tv, the money you could save over the course of a year.
  • Utilities – Utilities are more difficult to restructure.  However, many electric and water companies offer you the option to average out your bills over the year.  As an example, in the spring/summer months when your electric or water bills are much higher, companies like Xcel can average out your electric bill based on an estimated usage to even out your payment.  Please note however, that if you do that, in the off-season when your electric bills are normally lower, you will see it go up a little bit.
  • Credit Cards – Many will use their credit cards to try and get through the next 30-60 days or until your government checks or unemployment arrive. Call any of your credit card providers and ask for a credit line increase or possibly ask what these financial institutions are offering for payments. Talk with your credit card company before you rack up bills so you know what to expect.

As you can see, by taking a few proactive steps and restructuring your monthly obligations, you can free up your cash to enable you to continue to make your rent or monthly mortgage payments and get thru the next few months.

The biker community is strong and at Colorado Rider News we are doing all that we can to help! If you have any suggestions on other comments, we would love to hear from you. Remember #ColoradoRidersCare

Resources

Colorado Riders Care Launches

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Laurie Montoya, Publisher

Our riding community and nation are under siege from a virus spreading worldwide called coronavirus (COVID-19).  If you would have asked me in January what the coronavirus was, I probably would have thought it was a new ad campaign for Corona beer. Every part of our daily lives has changed by COVID-19: the way we say hello, the biker hug, handshakes and direct contact. Our Colorado roadways are brisker for those of you going to/from work each day and for some, they are learning how to work from home instead of going to the office.

[Read more…] about Colorado Riders Care Launches

Spring 2020

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Laurie Montoya, Publisher

As we enter in to March and the see the snow still on the ground in Colorado, I am beginning to believe that Phil the Groundhog from Punxsutawney Pennsylvania who revealed that “Spring will be early” isn’t just a fun thing to do on Groundhog Day. Most of us are beginning to feel a little cabin fever and itch to ride but we must remember this is still Colorado, and it appears nature is replenishing its resources in 2020.

[Read more…] about Spring 2020

Wide Open Saloon Opening

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After a year of painstaking work, it appears that Wide Open Saloon is in the final stages and should be open this March just in time for riding season. Bikers and cagers who regularly drive to Castle Rock or Palmer Lake have been counting the days to have their local watering hole and restaurant back on Santa Fe (Hwy 85).

Owner Todd Hills has left no stone unturned when it comes to renovating this historical landmark in Sedalia. In fact, in my conversations with Todd, we confirmed that it probably would have been easier and more efficient to have torn down the whole building down and started over. Todd stated, the building has great bones and we wanted to keep the integrity of the older building and historical value.” We gave her a fresh look and have added some great additions including:

  • Brand new stage
  • All new seating
  • Extended patio that is enclosed
  • Motorcycle parking and so much more!

With renovating it has come with its own set of challenges and rumor is that this week Wide Open will get their final inspections and is hoping to soft open the doors on March 7th.

The name Wide Open Saloon is personal to the owner as in 2009 he hosted a Wednesday night bike night at Top-Gun Motorsports off 58th and I-25 and the name of the bar was Wide Open Saloon. Todd knows how to throw a party and create a biker friendly environment.

On behalf of Colorado Rider News, we want to WELCOME BACK Wide Open Saloon to our riding community and we hope that all our readers will stay updated on their website and Facebook pages. For more information please visit their website.

Arizona: Your late winter, early spring destination

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Bikes, Balloons and Baseball

Riders are always looking for destinations that have great sunsets, mountain riding, small little towns that you can soak up local color and eat meals with people who live in that small town. This month we have chosen Arizona as a destination for March 2020.

We titled this article Bikes, Balloons and Baseball because Phoenix Arizona is over flowing with things to do when you aren’t riding in March.

Great Day rides

Tombstone and Bisbee – Explore Southern Arizona’s unique charm and the history of the Wild West. Take the back roads through open desert. Best done late fall, winter and early spring to beat the heat of summer. Historic Tombstone and Bisbee, the OK Corral, Museums, Shopping, Restaurants and Mine Tours.

Bartlett Lake – Enjoy this quick 50-mile ride to one of Arizona’s beautiful lakes and the fantastic scenery of the Tonto National Forest. Short local ride through Cave Creek with restaurants and shopping. Beautiful desert scenery and Saguaros. Good, quick way to get out of the city any time of year.

Prescott, Jerome and Sedona – Sedona the scenic way. Open desert, mountain passes and forests. Allow 5 hours for this route to Sedona or more if you take time to explore historic Jerome or Prescott. High country riding best done late spring to early fall. Great summer escape from the desert heat.

Grand Canyon – Direct Route – Enjoy a 230-mile ride to one of the World’s most amazing destinations. Quickest route to Arizona’s most spectacular scenery. High elevation makes the trip best for late spring to early fall. Through Flagstaff and Williams on old Route 66. Make reservations early if you plan to stay at the Grand Canyon or in Tusayan at the entrance of the National Park.

Arizona Bike Week – April 1st thru 5th is the best early spring rally to attend. Great bikes, camping and live entertainment. There are also other rally’s such as Cave Creek Bike week March 27th thru April 5th.

Hot Air Balloon Experience – Start your Valley of the Sun day or evening by watching the sunrise/sunset from a hot air balloon tour in north Phoenix. There are several great hot air balloon companies that have shared or private experiences. The earth from above is a sight you will never tire of, and you can see wildlife from the ultra-quiet balloons. Every flight is unique, and the wind will decide your path, and offer you clear views of Lake Pleasant. The price during March will run you about 179.00 per person for a 45-90-minute ride

Spring Training Baseball Camps – Like motorcycles, baseball will always be one of America’s national past times and spring training in February thru March give us a unique opportunity to see baseball the way baseball used to be. The tickets are reasonably priced ($46 -$166), stadiums are small and intimate, and the smell of fresh popcorn is in the air. You will have a better chance to get an autograph from your favorite player here than at Coor’s Field. Families are everywhere to see their new rookies fight for a chance to get on the team. Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale is where the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondback are based, but you can also see other teams that aren’t in our division such as Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, and Texas Rangers.

If you are looking for a long weekend destination that isn’t too far away and affordable, I can’t think of anywhere that holds this kind of value.

There is nothing like living in Colorado!

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Laurie Montoya, Publisher

I don’t know about you, but as a rider in Colorado…. I am loving me some global warming! My theory is that if the mountains in Colorado get daily boost of snow, tourists will continue to come, and our local snowboarders and skiers will continue to head up the mountains every weekend bringing tourism dollars into our state. Having riding weather like this in February is such a treat for us. I am sure many can recall the old days when Abates Last Brass Monkey Run on New Year’s Eve would be cold and blistery, and you would literally freeze your nuts off it was so cold!

Colorado Rider News is proud to feature the unofficial program of the Colorado Motorcycle Expo. This Expo is an annual favorite in the riding community and a great chance to see friends you haven’t seen over the holidays, but also to get ready for spring! We have a new owner of the Expo this year, and I can’t wait to see the new additions, new ownership brings to the Expo.

CRN will also be updating our Biker Owned Business Directory for the 2020 season so if you are a rider who owns a business that provides a service to the community, be sure to go to our website and submit your business. Every month we try to feature a new biker owned business and tell their story.

Our publication is the last motorcycle related monthly publication in Colorado and we feel a tremendous responsibility to keep it going with great stories about what is happening within our community. We have also increased our circulation and distribution. If you aren’t seeing CRN at your local biker business, please contact us and we will do our best to get copies out. As a follower or reader of this publication, we count on YOU to tell us what you would like to read or features that you would like to see in CRN.
We have launched our 2020 advertising media kit and if you have any interest in getting your business seen to your demographic, please email us at info@coloradoridernews.com.

As always enjoy the ride, let us know what we can do better and BE SAFE OUT THERE.

— Laurie Montoya, Publisher
Colorado Rider News
info@coloradoridernews.com