Story & Photos by: Pastor Z.
One of the best Motorcycle Rallies in the West – Arizona Bike Week 2020 was over the top! Covid19 hit planet earth, and most motorcycle events, and many businesses were shutting down. But many were still bound and determined to have motorcycle rallies in spite of the threat of the virus. Sturgis 2020 drew large crowds last August. The team at AZ Bike Week, at West World put on a great event over their five-days – with some great bands, lots of vendors, on-site food and drink, and lots of fun. It almost felt like the world was normal again. Many thanks to the AZ Bike Week promoters for helping us once again feel almost normal, and enjoy the motorcycle lifestyle during the event.
Our Bikers For Christ brothers and sisters were armed with lots of Gospel Tracts, and we passed them out everyday of the event. We also had the blessing of praying with a few people throughout the extended weekend. It was a beautiful time in the Lord. With social distancing in place, and masks following, the City of Phoenix and CDC guidelines: Brad, Lisa and their team really did their best to put on an awesome classy event. It was a blessing to see a team working side by side, dedicated to making their rally work within the guidelines, and still helping everyone to have a great time at their anticipated event. They set up metal fence barriers like highway lanes in front of the stage with large round tables – 10 feet apart that could accommodate nine people at each table. So again the social distancing thing was in place as best as it could be. Our hats are again off to the event planners for sticking to their guns to make sure that Arizona Bike Week 2020 would be an event to remember.
Weds. Oct. 7th kicked things off with the vendors open with all types of cool wares: motorcycles, parts, clothing, accessories, etc., and some great food too. They had a bar set up with lots of tables (socially distanced of course).
“The Rock Yard” concert stadium venue was a hit on Wednesday Night with “Jackyl” – an awesome Southern Rock Metal band from Georgia who’s first release sold over 1 million copies. With amazing vocals, screaming lead and bass guitars, and pounding drums – they had the audience rocking out. Many were singing along with their Jackyl favorites. It was a great performance, people were dancing, singing, and things again seemed “almost normal” despite Covid – for the attendees at the show. We took some day rides and enjoyed the beautiful Arizona scenery with cactus and succulents of all types. We were on our way down the freeway to Tombstone at 75 mph, when the beautiful 2016 Road King that I was riding started shaking violently. I was able to ride the storm out, and got off at the next exit to discover a nail in the rear tire. After being towed to the closest Harley shop the bike was getting a new back tire, while we went and had lunch. We never made it to Tombstone (next time – Lord willing)… We were all really thankful for God’s protection over the bike and me as it could’ve turned badly really quick.
Thursday night at the Rock Yard featured the metal mayhem of “The Texas Hippie Coalition”. Ripping double lead guitar solos, dark and heavy vocals, and serious metal blues sounds through the rhythm section of loud bass guitar and drums. All the metal-heads in the crowd were digging THC. Some talented guys on the heavier, dark and sinister side of the music spectrum. It was warm in Arizona. As usual, 90 degrees most days. The Bikers For Christ Crew hit some great restaurants together, and again really enjoyed the awesome rides and beautiful scenery. And we of course passed out more Gospel tracts and shared our faith everywhere that we went. We had some incredible fellowship with our friends, and we stayed hydrated by drinking lots of cold water, and electrolytes… And I of course had to feed one of my addictions – Iced Coffees with 4 shots (gotta have that high-octane coffee) to keep me rockin’ all day.
Friday night we were all totally blown away by one of the finest Southern Rock and Blues Bands on planet earth: “Blackberry Smoke” put on an absolutely amazing show for almost two hours. Charlie the lead vocalist and an incredible lead guitarist led the charge. They sound like a blend of: Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker, 38 Special, Molly Hatchet, the Outlaws, and Blackfoot. Blackberry Smoke is truly an amazing band proving to the world that “Southern Rock is still alive and well in the USA. They were assaulting the stage with three amazing and tasteful lead guitarists, awesome vocals and harmonies, thundering bass guitar, incredible keyboards, pounding and syncopated drums, and a very talented percussionist. It was our first-time seeing Blackberry Smoke live – and they are now one of my favorite bands. I of course grabbed a couple of CD’s, and T-shirts to represent – for my new friends.
On Saturday we took a bike ride to Sedona (which I’d never been to). It was a breathtaking ride… complete with some rolling hills, and breathtaking scenery. The red rock formations were absolutely incredible and were a reminder of God’s amazing handiwork in creation. We visited the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a beautiful historic church built on the top of a Butte. Built in 1956, the Chapel is a must -see in your Arizona motorcycle experience. We had lunch and rolled back to Scottsdale to get a little R&R in the afternoon.
Saturday night – the Rockyard was cranking up again, with tens of thousands of classic rock n’ roll fans. Night Ranger who has sold over 17 million albums and has a radio audience of over 1 billion. The band hit the stage like a nuclear assault. With three original Night Ranger members: Jack Blades (lead vocals & bass), Brad Gillis (lead guitar), Kelly Keaggy (drums & vocals), and other legendary artists put on an amazing show. Incredible musicians, legendary songs, and an over the top stage presence had the audience dancing and singing with their well-known platinum and gold hits throughout the 80’s and 90’s to tunes like: “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me”, “Sister Christian”, “When You Close Your Eyes”, etc. Jack and the boys put on an incredible two-hour show spanning their dozen albums. And again – AZ Bike Week delivered an amazing weekend of Biker Bliss! We look forward to joining them again next year for their 25th Anniversary, which should be “off the charts”. We’ll be praying that things will be more normal, and the crowds will all come back, and invite their friends.
