Thunder Valley Rally AZ

[danimal2]

Had never been to a rally before. My girlfriend and I decided to check one out to see what it's all about. We didn't participate in the poker run, but saw the bands, walked the street and checked out all the hardware. Lots of people and bikes in Cottonwood (small town AZ). They shut down the main street to all but bikes and set up the stage at the end of it.

Had a couple MC members in attendance, four or so from the red and white as well as some members of a local club I had never heard of, but everything was civil. Maybe in part to the state gang taskforce and local police making their presence known or maybe just because........

Tons of bikes and that alone was cool. Enjoyed looking at all the rides.

For the locals, we went up through Wickenburg through Congress, Skull Valley, Prescott, Jerome to Cottonwood. Had to get a room in Camp Verde (12 miles from the rally) since we booked late and Cottonwood was full. Hung around the rally all day Saturday until about 9:00 pm and saw three bands play. Got up Sunday and rode up to Sedona for breakfast. Met our two college students halfway up Oakcreek Canyon and lounged around with them for a bit before heading back.

Saw a butt ton of Harleys of course. We were definitely in the minority with a Kawi and Yammi.

Anyway....it was pretty cool. Ate good, tipped a couple (responsibly), and had some laughs. We probably only rode 400 miles or so but the riding was real nice and very scenic. With my stock seat (brick) I'm pretty sore after 100 miles or so. Think I'm going to have to look into something else.

Just a couple photos.

[cactusjack]

I did this rally a couple of years back, 3 years ago I guess it was. I did the poker run as well (it was damn hot, too). It was at Cliff Castle Casino in Camp Verde. I hadn't even seen any announcements on it.

How did you like the road from Jerome to Cottonwood, with all those !@#$% roundabouts?

[danimal2]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I did this rally a couple of years back, 3 years ago I guess it was. I did the poker run as well (it was damn hot, too). It was at Cliff Castle Casino in Camp Verde. I hadn't even seen any announcements on it.

How did you like the road from Jerome to Cottonwood, with all those !@#$% roundabouts?

We heard about it from some friends that were going and met them up there. I hadn't heard about it prior to them telling us about it. Not very well advertised apparently. Yeah the roundabouts are fun aren't they. Kinda like a big meat grinder. There are more of them between Cottonwood and Sedona too. We had nice weather this year Scott. It was probably in mid-80's for peak heat so real nice. Rode the 12 miles back to Camp Verde in shirt sleeves at 9:30pm and it was cool but comfortable.

I was curious..........where did they have you ride to when you did the poker run?

We saw mountain rescue setup up on the switchbacks a couple miles from Jerome. Didn't see any skidmarks or guard rails smashed so not sure what happened, but they were in full rescue regale and making ready to go down with the basket. Nasty looking vertical face right in that area.

[cactusjack]

If you ever ride AZ-179 from Sedona to I-10, you'll find 12 of those roundabouts in about 10 miles. Horrible.

[danimal2]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

If you ever ride AZ-179 from Sedona to I-10, you'll find 12 of those roundabouts in about 10 miles. Horrible.

Yep, been there..........done that. That's the way we usually go in. They're putting those things in all over the place now. Wickenburg has a couple, there's even a couple in Payson. I don't get it. It's not like there's a huge amount of traffic in these little burgs.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by danimal2

Yep, been there..........done that. That's the way we usually go in. They're putting those things in all over the place now. Wickenburg has a couple, there's even a couple in Payson. I don't get it. It's not like there's a huge amount of traffic in these little burgs.

They are probably less expensive than other traffic control devices. I really don't mind them, I just don't trust other drivers in them.

[danimal2]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

They are probably less expensive than other traffic control devices. I really don't mind them, I just don't trust other drivers in them.

If everybody does it right, it can be a no stop procedure (if everybody does it right).......

Some people get so confused they even stop when nobody else is entering the thing. Always amazes me.

[markclark57]

Just a plug for the locals . . . North Valley Honda/Kawasaki is having a "Bike Night" on Thursday September 26th. Sort of a "Mini Rally" without so much focus on HD's.

[danimal2]

Originally Posted by markclark57

Just a plug for the locals . . . North Valley Honda/Kawasaki is having a "Bike Night" on Thursday September 26th. Sort of a "Mini Rally" without so much focus on HD's.

That's too bad. Our boy has soccer Thursday night. We never miss a practice or game. Would've liked to come up in hopes of possibly running into some board members in person.

Funny. Speaking of the whole Harley/Kawasaki thing...... Got up Sunday morning at the hotel and went out to load something in my saddlebags. A guy was standing next to his Harley having a cigar (my bike was next to his). He says, "Hey nice bike". Thanks I say. He goes on to say "A buddy of mine has one of those Victorys and he likes it alot". I say "Ahem, it's actually a 13 year old Kawasaki". "Oh" he says. Long pause............ "Oh well, I guess I still like it". From my hotel room window I saw him pull out and hour or so later in the day with a female rider on the back and he was pointing at it and saying something to his passenger when they went by. Guess he really did like it.

[markclark57]

Hey Danimal2, Did you see the "Invited" thread? It's a B.A.C.A. Awareness run.

http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=35541