Ride!  

Toronto Star editor Mark Richardson set out to retrace the route followed by Robert Pirsig in his classic Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. The result, Zen And Now (Knopf), is a fascinating biography of Persig himself and an inquiry into the lessons Persig's book continues to teach today. (www.zenandnow.org)

 

PHOENIX (April 30, 2007) --  Best Western International today announced the launch of Gold Crown Club International Ride Rewards^TM, an exciting, free, specially-themed frequent guest program for Harley-Davidson enthusiasts.  The rewards program is part of a multi-year agreement between Best Western and Harley-Davidson Motor Company to bring enhanced travel benefits to Harley enthusiasts.  

 

Any Harley-Davidson owner or enthusiast can register for the program by going to https://www.goldcrownclub.com/h-driderewards/.  Once registered online as Gold Crown Club Ride Rewards members, any Harley-Davidson enthusiast will earn 10 points for every U.S. dollar (or Canadian equivalent) spent on qualified room rates, or 250 airline miles per qualified stay, at any of the 4,200 Best Western hotels worldwide.  Ride Rewards members can redeem points toward an extensive offering of product and service awards -- including Global Free Room Nights, merchandise, as well as dining, shopping and entertainment gift certificates.  In addition, Ride Rewards members will be eligible for special promotions and bonuses throughout the year. 

 

As a complement to Ride Rewards, Best Western will also serve as a preferred hotel chain for Harley-Davidson’s “Great Roads” interactive Web application, found at www.harley-davidson.com/experience.  Using Microsoft® Virtual Earth^™ technology, the application maps out a variety of picturesque U.S. “Great Roads” and shows Best Western hotels and Harley-Davidson dealerships along the way.  Each property listing features hotel descriptions along with a directory of services and amenities.  A 10 percent savings is available to customers who book their Best Western reservations through this Web site, or by calling 1-888-224-BIKE. 

 

By joining Best Western’s Gold Crown Club International Ride Rewards loyalty program online, Harley-Davidson enthusiasts will automatically receive Gold Elite status, which includes 10 percent bonus points on every Best Western stay and the ability to purchase points for award redemption, along with other signature benefits.

 

“Like Harley-Davidson, Best Western’s heritage is deeply rooted along America’s scenic highways and byways,” said Dorothy Dowling, senior vice president of marketing and sales for Best Western.  “These two brands, synonymous with road travel, have joined together to create an exciting new program to meet the needs of this group of adventurers.”

 

“Harley-Davidson is very excited to team with Best Western to offer our enthusiasts additional benefits,” said Lara Lee, vice president, Harley-Davidson Enthusiast Services.  “There are always plenty of great reasons to ride, and now Harley-Davidson and Best Western are making it even easier to get out and hit the open road.”

 

For more information on Ride Rewards and other features of the Best Western/Harley-Davidson partnership, visit www.bestwestern.com or www.harley-davidson.com/experience.

 

About Best Western International

Best Western International is THE WORLD'S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN®, providing marketing, reservations and operational support to 4,200* independently owned and operated member hotels in 80* countries and territories worldwide.  Founded in 1946, this iconic brand is host to approximately 400,000 worldwide guests each night.  A pioneer within the industry, Best Western is recognized for its distinctive business model and diverse hotel portfolio.  The company continues to innovate and enhance both the business and leisure travel experience.  Since 2004, Best Western has served as the Official Hotel of NASCAR®.  For more information, please visit www.bestwestern.com.

 

*Numbers are approximate and can fluctuate.

 

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CONTACT:

Marie Yarroll                                                                                      Marcus Gamo

Best Western International                                                             Allison & Partners

(602) 957-5750                                                                                    (415) 277-4925

marie.yarroll@bestwestern.com                                                    marcus@allisonpr.com 

2008 Hall of Fame Inductees

Audrey Alexandre - Welland, Ontario Trailblazing Female Rider, first Canadian member of Motor Maids Inc.

BEMC - British Empire Motor Club - Toronto, ON Pioneering motorsports club, founded in 1928 as motorcycle racing club. Founders of the Corduroy Enduro.

Tom Faulds - St. Thomas, ON Competitor, organizer, industry executive.

Gerry German - (deceased) - Brampton, ON Club & federation organizer, trainer, safety advocate.

Dave Goulet - (deceased) - ON and NS Trainer, Ambassador

Robert Kelly - Caledonia, ON Competitor, Referee, trials and motocross

Ron Keys - Newcastle, ON Competitor

Buddy Koehler - New Dundee, ON Competitor

Michel Mercier - Adstock, QC Competitor, trainer

Military Motorcycle Riders - Canada All the riders of all generations who have rider in service of Canada's armed forces

Doug Sehl - Stillwell, OK, USA Competitor, mechanic

Rudy Zacsko, Sr. - Edmonton, AB Competitor, Team Member, Contributor, Businessman

The 2008 Hall of Fame Induction Banquet & Reunion, sponsored by the Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada (MCC), will be held at 6:00pm on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at the Renaissance Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Centre, 801 Dixon Road in Toronto.

The event, emceed by Pat Gonsalves, will feature an audio-visual presentation on each inductee, a display of special motorcycles, a silent auction to raise funds for the Foundation and, of course, a gourmet meal. A cash bar is offered. Tickets are $125, with discounts for "early bird" purchase and MCC members. Proceeeds support the work of the Hall of Fame. Tables of eight or ten can be requested. Everyone welcome! Dress is smart casual/ Business Attire.

Nominations can be made at any time, and are reviewed annually for up to five years or until selected for induction. Builders, contributors, rights advocates, volunteers and organizations, as well as competitors in all disciplines are eligible for consideration. Forms are available from the CMHF offices.

The Canadian International Motorcycle Heritage Museum Foundation is a charitable organization created to...

...record and preserve the history and heritage of the motorcycle and motorcycling activity in Canada; and to recognize, honour and celebrate those who have achieved excellence and / or made significant contributions to the well- being and advancement of motorcycling in Canada

The Founding Patrons are the North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW and the Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada.

About the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame

The Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame was founded in 2005. This year's inductions bring to 34 the total number of individuals and grops honoured.

It is a program of the Canadian International Motorcycle Heritage Museum Foundation, a registered charitable organization incorporated in Ontario, Canada.

It is administered by the Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada, a national not-for-profit association of motorcyclists and motorcycling groups, federally incorporated.

Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame Peter Jacobs, CAE Secretary email: halloffame@cimhmf.ca phone: 877-663-6622 / 416-762-7775

BMW is one of the world's most admired and enduring motorcycle companies. BMW Racing Motorcycles: The Mastery of Speed (Whitehorse Press) captures the colourful history of the marque, from aircraft engine builder to its reigning years as a racing competitor. Motojournalist Mark Gardiner talks about the new book he co-authored with Laurel Allen, senior editor at Road Racer X Magazine.