Russ Comes to Arizona!!
by Connie Hammond (f6gal)

Several weeks ago I found out that Russ Bullard, #800/25 from Iowa, was going
to be in Arizona for a Bondurant Driving School.  Since I've heard they have
severe PMS (parked motorcycle syndrome) back there, I contacted Chuck and
La'Manza and we set about planning a ride in his honor.  Here's a recap of
the ride:


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Russ is supposed to ride my Vulcan (haven't gotten around to selling it
yet).  But, fortunately for Russ (unfortunately for John Q),  John has a bad
cold and can't make the ride; so Russ gets the pleasure of riding
John's Interstate instead.


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We start out at Bill Johnson's Big Apple in NW Phoenix with 20
bikes; 7 Standards, 5 Tourers, 3 Interstates, 2 Intruders, 1 Marauder, 1
Royal Star, and of course our token Harley.  After breakfast, we're getting
ready to roll when Mike realizes the key in his Royal Star was left on - so
the pushing begins.  Thanks Jim F, La'Manza, and Tony for the assist.


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Now we're rolling!!  And what a beautiful day for a ride it is; perfect temp,
wispy clouds set against a bright blue sky - gorgeous!!  We head for
Wickenburg via I-17, Carefree Hwy, & SR60.  In Wickenburg we draw our first
cards for the poker game Gary (our Harley guy) is running.  From Wickenburg
it's North on 89, commonly referred to as Yarnell Hill.  For those of you
that have never been to AZ, this little stretch of road is a blast!!  Great
twisties, it's divided so no oncoming traffic, and it's 2 lanes so no getting
stuck behind slow moving vehicles - WhooHoo!  We stop in front of a little
cafe-bar in Kirkland for photos, then we're off again.  Beautiful scenery and
some more good twisties on 89 heading into Prescott...hey wait, what's that
white stuff on the side of the road?  Make you homesick Russ?  AS IF!!


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In Prescott, we meet up with a few more Valkyrie riders.  Unfortunately,
however, we're about an hour later than I thought we would be, so only one of
them, Jim E, can stay and have lunch with us.  Sorry about that Jim B, Ron &
Sharon, it was nice meeting you anyway.  Lunch is at the Palace on historic
Whiskey Row.  Jim is able to regale us with stories of infamous outlaws and
lawmen that have frequented the Palace - very cool.


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Hmmm...the shadows are getting way too long.  Looks like we're going to have
to shorten this trip up some.  Instead of going though Bagdad, as planned,
we'll make the Skull Valley/Kirkland loop and then back down 89.  Since 89 is
divided, Yarnell Hill is entirely different going the other way, anyway...but
just as fun.  I ride ahead and jump off my bike in time to get pics of the
bikes coming off Yarnell Hill.  A cop stops to make sure I'm OK, nice of him,
but now come the Valk questions.  Chuck comes back to see what's up and has
to go half way up the hill to turn around.  I finally take off again, but now
the cop's behind me!!  How am I ever going to catch up like this?  And where
the heck is Chuck?  Geez!!

I finally pull into the Wickenburg Gas Station where everyone is waiting and
drawing their final cards for the poker game.  Oh, and here comes Chuck. 
Congrats to Diane (high hand) & Mark B (low hand) who split the $110 pot.  By
the time we get to Carefree Hwy, darkness is upon us and it's getting a bit
nippy.  Not too much further to go, though.

After dismounting the Interstate, Russ pretty well summed up the day: "Now
that was fun!"  I have to agree.  Thanks one and all for making this another
great ride.