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Important Note: Schedule is subject to change and information is current as of date of publishing. You must sign ride waiver to ride at Amerivespa and agree to hold the organizers harmless and pay registration fee in order to participate. Read Group Riding by the MSF. Please have a cell phone or GPS attached to your scooter for map / directions to better enjoy your rides. Maps will be available for all rides. Because of the nature of the roads in Northern AZ, you may not always have a ride leader nearby for directions! Wear your wristband or lanyard to all rides and events or risk entry!
Wednesday, May 31st
5:00 pm Meet & Greet The traditional AMERIVESPA Meet & Greet will be happening at the Silver Pine Restaurant & Bar at the Little America Hotel, 2515 E. Butler Ave., Flagstaff, AZ 86004
- All North Rides leave from Little America Parking Lot
OR
- All South Rides leave from Walmart 2750 S Woodlands Village Blvd (NOT the Walmart on Huntington Dr)
Watch video about ride start locations
Thursday, June 1st
8:00am Registration opens in Agassiz room located on the first floor of the Little America Hotel next to front desk, at 2515 E. Butler Ave., Flagstaff, AZ 86004
9:00am Depart On Your Own to Walmart 2750 S Woodlands Village Blvd for all Thursday morning ride staging. Ride leaders will be holding signs at Walmart with Ride Names. BE SURE TO GO TO CORRECT WALMART!
9:30am Safety Briefing. Rides begin (staggered starts between the rides):
Sedona Ride (60 miles RT) (all day ride) – Departs Walmart. We will allow riders to explore Sedona for 3 hours before group ride back. Riders are welcome to stay longer and return on their own. Best for 125cc and above, approx. 50 mph top speed (short section), most of ride 25-45mph. Sharp curves on 89a. Optional rides once in Sedona include Cathedral Rock, Sedona Airport Mesa views, Chapel of the Holy Cross. LINK TO RIDE VIDEO
Slide Rock Ride (40 miles RT) (Self-guided or follow behind Sedona riders) – Departs Walmart. Bring your cell phone or GPS as this is a Self Guided ride to Slide Rock State Park (bring your swimming suit for a dip in the river & Slide Rock); State Park entrance fee is $10 per bike. Best for 125cc and above. 50 mph top speed (small section), most of ride 25-45mph. Sharp curves on 89a. There is a convenience store in the park. The lot fills up early so leave early! https://azstateparks.com/slide-rock
Jerome Ride (120 miles RT) (all day ride) – Departs Walmart. Twisty ride will go to the Ghost Mining town of Jerome. Features include the Gold King Mine Museum and Ghost Town, the Sliding Jail, etc. Lunch suggestion: the oldest dining facility in all of Arizona, Bobby D’s BBQ. Best for 150cc and above. approx. 55 mph top speed, first half of ride 25-45 mph to Sedona (Route 89a), 55 mph sections to Jerome; downtown Jerome is 25-45 with some steep hills and sharp curves. There is a big parking lot at the top of the hill in Jerome (check the ride map for location as parking can be tight in this cool little town).
Vintage Ride to Mormon Lake (80 miles RT) (half day ride) – Departs Walmart. Vintage scooter ride will go to Mormon Lake. Very pretty ride through the pines and stop at the rustic Mormon Lake Lodge and Steakhouse...and you'll see Buffalo!! 1 Mormon Lake Rd, Mormon Lake, AZ 86038. Top speed approx. 45 mph.
1:30pm Afternoon Rides: Safety Brief & Rides Depart (staggered starts) from Little America Hotel. Ride Leaders will be holding Signs for each ride.
Wupatki Pueblo National Monument Ride (74 miles RT) (half day ride) – Departs Little America. Ride will go to the Wupatki Pueblo, with stops at the Sunset Crater / Cinder Hills Overlook and the painted Desert Vista. Best for 150cc and above. Top speed Approx. 55 mph. $20 fee includes entry to Wupatki and Sunset Crater. Bring your own food, only vending machines in park. https://www.nps.gov/wupa/planyourvisit/fees.htm
Snowbowl / Aspen Loop Ride (40 miles RT) (half day ride) – Departs Little America. Ride to Snowbowl/Aspen Loop Trail. The Aspen Loop Trail is a great scenic ride, filled with forests of AZ aspen trees. Sorry, the ski lift is close. Top speed approx. 55 mph. Best to park in the upper lots near Agassiz Lodge (gravel lot so be careful).
5:00pm Registration closes @ Hotel you can register late at the Yucca North Party.
6:00pm Wild, Wild, West Party & Pinball Contest – at Yucca North, 15 N WC Riles St., Flagstaff, AZ 86001. Yee-haw! Come out for the AMERIVESPA Wild, Wild, West Party & Pinball Contest! Free appetizers, DJ’s, line dancing; Prizes for best Cowboy/Cowgirl outfit, and “Pinball Wizard” award for the Pinball Contest Winner. There is street parking on all streets around the block as well as the Train Station right across Route 66. NOTE: Registration will be onsite at this party for those arriving late and want to attend the Grand Canyon Ride in the morning. Please don't drink and drive! Ask bar if you need an Uber!!!
ALTERNATE ACTIVITIES:
Lowell Observatory (Night) Ride Optional (also a ride on Friday night) Departs at 7:30pm, from the Little America Hotel parking lot, for a quick ride to the close-by, world-famous Lowell Observatory (Pluto was discovered via the telescope here!). We will be met by observatory volunteers who will lead tours of the observatory and have telescopes set-up for us. Bring your AMERIVESPA discount ticket for a rate of $23pp. Open to all size bikes, top speed approx. 45 mph.
Flagstaff Brewery Trail (https://craftbeerflg.com/#howit_works) Walking Progressive Brewery Event (Everyone gets a map with a spot to get stamped at each location – you only need to hit 5 of the spots and no purchase is necessary at each spot to get a stamp). Park and walk your scooter. Call an Uber if you need one. We will provide the maps/passport, so you don’t have to get them from the Flagstaff Visitor Center. This is a self-guided tour. Please drink responsibly. Don't drink and drive!
Friday, June 2nd
7:30am Registration opens in Agassiz room located on the first floor of the Little America Hotel next to front desk, at 2515 E. Butler Ave., Flagstaff, AZ 86004
6:00am - 8am THE GREAT GRAND CANYON SCOOTER RIDE! (190 miles RT/Full Day Ride) (departs from hotel) After 8am it's on your own. Park Rangers advise that if you get to gate after 9am expect long wait times!
Please read all ride details before coming on this ride.You must sign waiver before going on this ride. EVERY rider will be checked when lining up. AmeriVespa ID must be shown when you line up!..Registration will be open late Thursday.
- Staggered start, leaving approx. every 15-20 minutes in groups of 25 from 6am - 8am. You may ride up on your own if you like.
- You must get a Grand Canyon pass, before leaving on ride. Highly suggest you purchase a digital motorcycle pass, take a screen shoot of pass as cell phone service can be bad to none at park entrance. You must also have photo ID.
- We will be using the East Entrance (much less crowded). The 1st leg of ride is 1 hour until we hit our first rest/gas/food stop.
- Ride outline: Leave Hotel - ride non-stop 1 hour via 89 Eastern Route - Cameron Trading post - 30 min break - 30 min to Park East Entrance - 5 min to Desert View Watchtower - 30 min rest (food/bathroom/views) - 30 min to Grand Canyon Village Lot "D" - 2 hours enjoying views. Return leaving about every 30 minutes via parking lot "D"via 64/180 Western Route starting at 11:30am. Gas Stations just outside park on return. See video above for details.
NOTE: This can be a challenging ride and we suggest you consider your riding skill: high speeds, winds & long ride. With ride, stops, walking the park and ride back, this is about a 7-8 hour day!
Ride to Grand Canyon National Park. $30 per scooter (Link to digital pass; suggested); Riders can explore the Grand Canyon South Rim Visitor Center for an 2 hours. The group ride then leaves for the Grand Canyon south rim road and beyond, eventually looping back to the Little America Hotel. Stay longer if you like and make your own way back. Please make sure your scooter is in top condition for this ride. Highly suggested minimum 150cc and above. Top Speed is posted 65mph for ride up and back! 50cc scooters are not allowed on this ride because of the high speeds and long distance. Chase vehicle(s) will be provided by Go AZ Motorcycles. Grand Canyon Information.
Don't want to ride?...think about taking the Grand Canyon Rail Road and meet us in the park (Lot D is adjacent to Station). They are offering AmeriVespa attendees 20% off train tickets
For reservations, Call – 1-888-484-7245 ; www.thetrain.com
Use Discount Code: 2132920
***You can't ride your scooter to the train in Williams. It requires 75mph on I40*** You can arrange transportation from Little America Hotel to Grand Canyon Rail Road in Williams via Groom Transportation (or you can have Groom drive you directly to the Canyon if you like)
Other Friday Rides:
9:00am Depart On Your Own to Walmart 2750 S Woodlands Village Blvd for all other Friday morning ride staging. Ride leaders will be holding signs at Walmart with Ride Names.
9:30am Safety Briefing. Rides begin (staggered starts between the rides):
Sedona Ride (60 miles RT) (all day ride) – Departs Walmart. We will allow riders to explore Sedona for 3 hours before organizing the group ride back. Riders have the option of staying longer and returning on their own. Best for 125cc and above, approx. 50 mph top speed (short section), most of ride 25-45mph. Sharp curves on 89a. Optional rides once in Sedona include: Cathedral Rock, Sedona Airport Mesa views, Chapel of the Holy Cross. LINK TO RIDE VIDEO.
Slide Rock Ride (Self-Guided or follow behind Sedona Riders- 40 miles RT) (half day ride) –Departs Walmart. Ride will go to Slide Rock State Park (bring your swimming suit for a dip on the river & Slide Rock); food available in snack shop; State Park entrance fee is $10 per bike. Best for 125cc and above, approx. 50 mph top speed (short section), most of ride 25-45mph. Sharp curves on 89a. https://azstateparks.com/slide-rock
1:30pm Afternoon Rides Depart Safety Brief & Rides Depart (staggered starts) from Little America Hotel. Ride Leaders will be holding Signs for each ride.
Route 66 & Historic Flagstaff Ride (half day ride) – Departs Little America. This ride includes signitcant stretches of Route 66 in Flagstaff and historic buildings predating Route 66 and also buildings from the heyday of Flagstaff. Ride ends at Mother Road Brewing 7 S Mikes Pike St, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. Top speed 35-45 mph. This ride will be offered on Sunday, June 4th, at 10:00am, as well.
Snowbowl / Aspen Loop Ride (40 miles RT) (half day ride) – Departs Little America. Ride to Snowbowl/Aspen Loop Trail. The Aspen Loop Trail is a great scenic ride, filled with forests of AZ aspen trees. Sorry, the ski lift is close. Top speed approx. 55 mph. Best to park in the upper lots near Agassiz Lodge (gravel lot so be careful).
5:00pm Registration closes
5:30pm Route 66 Scooter Party (Hosted by GO AZ Motorcycles), located at 1400 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff, AZ – walking distance from the host hotel. Relax and unwind before our ride up to Lowell Observatory. Store will stay open so bring your % off coupon from the rally bag!
7:30pm Lowell Observatory (Night) Ride Ride departs at 7:30pm from GOAZ Motorcycle parking lot 1400 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff, AZ for a short (slow) ride to the close-by, world-famous Lowell Observatory (Pluto was discovered via the telescope here!). We will be met by the local astronomy club / observatory volunteers who will lead tours of the observatory and have telescopes set-up for us. Bring your AMERIVESPA discount ticket in rally pack for a discounted rally rate of $23pp. Open to all scooters, top speed 45 mph, only a few miles from hotel.
Saturday, June 3rd - All Saturday Events are at Little America Hotel except morning ride!
8:00am Registration opens Registration room is located on the first floor of the Little America Hotel, at 2515 E. Butler Ave., Flagstaff, AZ 86004
8:00am Annual General Meeting for Chapter Clubs Meeting to take place at the Little America Hotel, Ponderosa Room. All active card-carrying members of the VCOA are welcome to attend.
8:30am Welcome Message and Ride Description
9:00am Sleep in or Ride to Fort Tuthill Park and back to Little America Hotel Departs Little America going to (Ft Tuthill address: 2446 Ft Tuthill Lp, Flagstaff, AZ 86005). Go to the Navajo Ramada. Breakfast Sponsored by Piaggio! 10:30am ride back to Little America Hotel, at 2515 E. Butler Ave., Flagstaff, AZ 86004... First Come First Served...we feed until we run out. We have to take out our own trash so trash bags will be provided. If someone can drive a pick up/car ... or if everyone can take a little...the park would appreciate it :-) ....you can't make this stuff up!
11am-4pm Scooter Show / Events at Little America Hotel Saturday events which includes the Concours D’ Elegance, scooter games (slow race, Gymkhana, etc.), vendor expo. Lunch is available for purchase @ Travel Center Hot Grill & Deli (front entrance of parking lot). 2515 E. Butler Ave., Flagstaff AZ
2:00pm Gymkhana. 2nd Raffle right after, you have to be present to win.
5:00pm Cocktail Reception at Little America Hotel Grand Ball Room
6:00pm Banquet/Awards at Little America Hotel Grand Ball Room (Rally badge required for entry). Final Raffle, Scooters Raffled at this time!
8:00pm [Post Banquet] Tiki Poolside Party at Little America Hotel - Make your way to the outside pool at the back of the hotel for drinks and story telling. Wear your best Hawaiian shirt!
Sunday, June 4th
9am- Vespa Motorsports / Scooter West Donuts!! Our good friends will be out in the parking lot before the ride with FREE donuts! Come and enjoy.
10:00am Route 66 & Historic Flagstaff Ride (half day ride. Please note this ride is subject to check check at event with organizers to confirm) – Departs Little America. This ride includes signitcant stretches of Route 66 in Flagstaff and historic buildings predating Route 66 and also buildings from the heyday of Flagstaff. Ride ends at Mother Road Brewing 7 S Mikes Pike St, Flagstaff, (Opens 12noon Sundays). Top speed 35-45 mph.
End of AmeriVespa 2023