Cyclerides.com
Weekly Update
4/13/11
Greetings Riders,
Isn't it funny how the weather
can sometimes rule our lives? Especially if you are a motorcycle
rider and have a ride planned for the weekend and you see it is supposed to rain
or a cold front coming in. It has happened many times over the last several
years and you tend to work around it or reschedule your ride. But as an event
organizer, the looming threat of bad weather can make you crazy because it
is a little more difficult than just saying you will do it next weekend.
As most of you know, I kicked off the
Cyclerides.com Mesa Riverview Bike Night last Friday night. The weathermen
all week long were constantly repeating how bad the
weather was supposed to be on Friday evening, which was starting to raise
my stress level a bit on kicking off a new event. They were saying that it was
going to start raining at 6pm, ironically the same time the live band was
supposed to start. In these types of situations I look at 3 weather reports on
the internet, and being the optimistic person that I am, I choose to follow
the one that would best serve my needs. Two of them painted a bleak picture and
one gave me hope that the rain would hold off till midnight. I'll go with that
one!
Even though there is not a thing I
can do about it, I so want any event to be the best that I almost
become obsessed with the weather report. I look at the forecast 7
times a day to see if it has changed and drill in on the hourly report like
an expectant Father looking at contraction and dilation times and sizes.
Not to mention watching the loop on the radar like a "B" movie on Netflix,
trying to find any ray of hope that the storm will either hold off, or miss us.
One thing we do know about weather
prognosticators in Arizona is that any thing other than the temperature, trying to predict where the rain is going to hit in the
valley area is definitely a crap shoot at best. So on Friday
afternoon the clouds were starting to build up all around just like
reported. But by this time I was dizzy from watching the radar loop and was
wore out trying to out guess what was going to happen. So I packed up
and headed to Mesa Riverview to set up and hope for the best. At
around 5 pm, the sun peaked through the clouds raising my optimism for the next
few hours, the band started a little while later mixing in Creedence
Clearwater's "Who'll Stop The Rain", gotta love the irony
there. A short while later the loyal riders from
the area who love a good bike night started to roll in throwing
caution to the impending weather and thoroughly enjoyed the evening.
As it turns out, it was cold and some
black clouds surrounded us for most of the night. But even though
quite a few decided not to press their luck and stayed home, we still had
250 bikes ride in for the first night which I thought was a great turnout
considering weather. Those who did show up had a great time and really
enjoyed the setup that we had at Riverview. The Tin Weasel
band set a good vibe from the center of the street, vendors were set
up and the outdoor patios were a big hit with Cactus Moon serving fresh cooked
food right from the patio. Matta's will be doing the same this week.This is a
great venue for a bike night and I think this week will absolutely ROCK with the
weather being sunny and 89 degrees. The 5 piece band "Fuel It" will be
providing the live music from center court. Hope to see you all there this
Friday night from 5-9 pm at the loop 202 & Dobson Rd. Click Here for
Details. Forward this letter to your riding
friends.
Many thanks to those who showed up
last week. I appreciate it very much.
Let's see how many we
can put in there this week.
I would also like to remind everyone
to take a walk through the Cyclerides.com Photo Gallery
while you are there. As you know I have taken literally thousands
of photos over the years. Riverview has given me access to a vacant suite on the
corner right behind the band that I am using as a photo gallery. Walk in a
take a look at approximately 40 photos that I have blown up from our riding
around the country and also some exceptional photos of landmarks that I have
taken from the air. I'm happy to finally be able to share some of my photos in a
setting like this. See you there.
Exciting Announcement!
The West side has been enjoying the Cyclerides.com
Westgate Bike Night for the last 2 years as it has become
a Valley favorite place to go for bike night. We are
now just starting the 3rd season with 12 more nights to go for
the Spring session. I made a public plea in the newsletter last
week to Duane Moore from Mogollon to play at Westgate for Bike
Night. He is a good friend of mine and it is something that we have both wanted
to do for the last 2 years.
I am planning
a big Memorial Day celebration for Bike Night on Thursday, May 26th and am
excited to announce that MOGOLLON will provide the
Live Music that night. For those of you that haven't heard
it, they do a 15 minute patriotic set that will blow your socks off and put
goosebumps on your arms. I have a few other surprises for that night as well as
we honor our fallen on Memorial Day. Don't miss it.
Save the Date! Thursday, May
26th. Should be our biggest night yet.
The weather should be beautiful this Thursday
night for riding. Look forward to seeing you this Thursday
night at the Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Night with "The
Naugahydes" providing the Live Music in events plaza. Don't forget to pick up
your Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Night T-Shirt at the Arrowhead Harley booth for $15.00 or at their store.
Bike Nights
Every Thursday
The wait is finally
over. Welcome back to "The Times Square In The Desert". The
Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Night that has been a valley favorite for the last
2 years began again on Thursday, March 31st from 5-9 pm. It will run this
season for 14 consecutive Thursday nights from March 31st and end on June 30th.
Anticipation has been building for this year and we kicked it off with a record
crowd of almost 2500 bikes on March 31st for another season of fun and
entertainment. We hope to make this season as good as the last by
bringing you different programming each week with Live Bands, Vendors,
Displays and Special Events. We look forward to seeing you again this
year.
Restaurant Pick of the night!
If you haven't been here yet, try the Tuscan Oven for great food and their $8
pizza and beer special from 5-9. Plenty of space on their outdoor
patio or their bar inside.
Also pick up the Tuscan Oven
"Tomato" Card and receive 20% off all future visits.
Live Music:
Our musical guest for April 13th will be "The
Naugahydes" playing their special brand of Classic Rock and hits
from the 80's and 90's.
Click Here to view the new Westgate Bike
Night Web Cam. Page
automatically refreshes every 10 seconds. Will be live every Thursday for bike
night from 5pm - 10pm.
I would like to give special thanks to our
Sponsors of the Westgate Bike Night.
Please visit their booths at the event
and click their links below to learn more about them.
Petersen Johnson is a local Arizona
law firm, whose attorneys have over 60 years of combined legal experience in
Accident/Injury law and DUI/Criminal Defense law. We have substantial
experience in representing riders injured in motorcycle accidents. Ron
Petersen and Brad Johnson are involved in every injury case. We discount
our fees; never our service. Please call us locally at 602-650-1200 24
hours a day, 7 days a week.
Your local Harley-Davidson
dealership and proud sponsor of the Cyclerides.com/Westgate Bike Night. We are
located just South of 83rd Ave. and Bell Rd. Stop to see the latest 2011 HD
motorcycles and to pick up the new Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Night T-Shirt. 623-247-5542.
Curly's Customs is a full service Custom Paint & Body Shop
for the motorcycle enthusiast. We refinish Harley Davidson and Metric
motorcycles. Our goal is to provide high quality workmanship & materials at
a very reasonable price. Curly's is located at 12030 N. 111th Ave. in Youngtown,
AZ. 623- 977-0339. Stop by and see them at Bike Night.
For the duration of this run over the next
12 weeks, I will be updating the Westgate Bike Night page with the weekly
photos, restaurant specials, special guests, musical guests
and programming. So BOOKMARK
THIS PAGE and check back every week to see what is coming up.
I look forward to seeing you all next week at Westgate. Westgate City Center is
located on the SE Corner of the Loop 101 and Glendale Ave. in Glendale next to
Jobing.com Arena and University of Phoenix
Stadium.
Friday Nights
EAST SIDERS! This one is for
you!
We will not be able to have the bike night on the first Friday
of May and June.
For 2 years I have been looking for a great bike
night location on the East side that would be comparable to the Westgate
location. There is only one location in the valley that has a setup like
Westgate, but Mesa Riverview, located at the Loop 202 and Dobson Rd. has
the next best venue available to host a bike night. I wanted a location that is
new, clean, attractive, well lit at night, has plenty of places to go eat and
have fun, and could create that critical mass of excitement in one
location. This is private property, so the management has agreed to close the
street for 2 blocks in the complex from Bass Pro to the theatre. This
will be utilized for motorcycle only traffic and parking. The great thing
about Mesa Riverview is that they have 3 GREAT restaurants on the 3 corners
in the middle of the 2 blocks plus 3 more within a few hundred feet.
These locations are
Toby
Keith's Bar and Grill with 18,000 square feet of Restaurant, 85
Foot Guitar Shaped Bar, Live Music, Dance Floor, Tv's And Outdoor Patio And Beer
Served In Mason Jars.
Across the street from Toby's is the brand new 14,000
square foot
Cactus Moon Sports
Grill featuring 12 pool tables, Forty eight
65" plasma screen tv's, a huge bar in the middle, a dance floor and a
Huge outdoor patio.
The other corner across from Cactus Moon is
Matta's Grill &
Cantina featuring 5,000 square feet, 2 floors of
great Mexican food dining, a great bar, beautiful interior design and an outdoor
patio.
Within a few hundred feet of walking distance from the
street parking is Chili's and Famous Dave's. All of these
restaurants will have Bike Night specials and are welcoming riders from all over
the valley to a fun Friday night at Mesa Riverview located at the Loop 202 and
Dobson Rd. in Mesa. There is also a
Gyro shop at the end of the street by the theatre and
a Yogurt shop next to Matta's.
CLICK HERE
to see photos of these great restaurants.
A live band featuring "Fuel It" in center court will
be enjoyed by all the riders
walking the streets as well as dining
on the 3 outdoor patios. Toby's will then start National band acts at 9pm
inside their place. There will also be vendors and special attractions
throughout the run of this new East Side Cyclerides.com Bike Night. If you would
like to be a vendor at this bike night, email me at info@cyclerides.com .
I would like to give special thanks to our
First Sponsors of the Cyclerides.com Mesa Riverview Bike Night.
Please visit their booths at the event
and click their links below to learn more about them.
Chester's
Harley-Davidson - Your local Harley-Davidson dealer.
See our display at Bike Night. Store location at 922 S.
Country Club Dr. in Mesa, AZ. 480-894-0404
Victory Big Dog
Motorcycles of Mesa - Your store for Victory and Big Dog
motorcycles. Visit our display at Bike Night. Store location at 833 S.
Country Club Dr. in Mesa, AZ. 480-668-7969
T.E.A.M. Arizona Motorcycle Training - "T.E.A.M. Arizona
is the premier motorcycle rider education organization in Arizona. Through our
passionate coaches and staff, we strive to deliver a FUN, safe, and consistent
motorcycling experience to riders of all backgrounds and skill level.
480-998-9888
The Law Tigers - "If you have injured in a motorcycle accident, call 800-LAWTIGERS
(529-8443) or visit lawtigers.com. We know bikes, bikers, and the
law. The Law Tigers, Arizona's Injury Lawyers Who Ride."
I am looking forward to bringing some good fun to the East
Valley riders
and am currently adding the details to the
page, but CLICK HERE to see some photos to give
you an idea of how nice this property is and general information. See you this week from
5-9pm.
Mesa Riverview is located at
the SE Corner of the Loop 202 and Dobson Rd. Bike night location is next
to Bass Pro. Follow the signs to cruise the Main
St.
This Week
Saturday, April 16th
Border Patrol Agent
Brian Terry Memorial Run. A benefit run that will raise money to benefit the
family of Fallen Border Patrol Agent Brian A. Terry, and honor his
life by raising money for the Border Patrol Scholarship Fund and the 100 Club of
Arizona. Brian was shot and killed in the line of duty on Dec. 15th, 2010
near Nogales, AZ. Registration starts at 8am at the Arena Bar in Benson, AZ
located at 250 N. Prickly Pear Ave. Last bike out at 11am. $20 rider and $15
passenger. Meal included with registration. See flyer for details.
Saturday, April 16th
Rustler's
Run. Poker Run to benefit the Arizona National Guard Emergency Relief Fun.
Registration at VFW located at 7220 E. Wilshire Dr. in
Scottsdale, AZ. Registration begins at 8am, kickstands up at 10am. $25 per
rider, $30 per couple. Lunch meal included at end party. The OCC "Patriot
Chopper" scheduled to appear at the end party.
Saturday, April 16th
Buddy
Stubbs Anthem Harley-Davidson Hogs and Dogs. On Saturday, April 16th turn
your bike to destination Anthem for the always enjoyable Anthem
Hogs and Dogs from 11am -3pm. As always there will be Free Food, Free Drink,
Live Music and Day Special. Buy 1 helmet, get a second of same or lesser value
for 50% off. Buddy Stubbs Anthem is located at 41715 N. 41st Dr. in Anthem,
AZ
Saturday, April 16th
3rd Annual
Branded-Streetlight Abolition Raffle Ride. Event to Stop Child
Rape for Profit in Phoenix.
100% Proceeds benefit Streetlight Phx
in the fight to Eradicate Child Sex Slavery. 7:15-8:15am - Registration, Donuts,
Coffee / 8:30am - All bikes out. Approx. 100 mile route. Fees: $20 single, $30
two up Pre-register by 4/13. $25 single and $35 day of registration.
Includes: T-shirt to first 75 registered riders. Raffle ticket at each
stop. Raffle prizes at finish + 50/50 raffle at finish. Food at
finish.
Saturday, April 16th
Brees Ride
for Life. To benefit a 17 year old girl with an inoperable brain tumor.
Ride cost is $10 per bike including the ride and one general
benefit drawing ticket. Begins at North Valley Honda, located at 14827 N. Cave
Creek Rd. in Phoenix. Registration 8am - 10pm. All proceeds from this event
including sales of food and drink will be donated. More information: breesride4life@yahoo.com .
Sunday, April 17th
W. Steven
Martins Law Ride & Scavenger Hunt. Help us honor all 233 Arizona
Officers that have died in the line of duty
in our states history
and replace or add new Memorial Markers at departments where officers have
served. Check in between 9am - 10:30am at Iguana Macks located at 1371 N. Alma
School in Chandler, AZ. Drawing and prizes at 1pm on the patio. Scavenger hunt
will have 5 photo stops and 20 trivia questions. Bring your digital
phone/camera. Get half of the 20 questions or photos right and you will be in
the drawing for a one week San Diego vacation. Donation $20 per bike. Police
Week shirts and 50/50 separate.
Next Week
Saturday, April 23rd
Craig Creed
Rally Ride. This ride is to honor the memory of a man who loved his Family,
Friends and Country.
He was fulfilling a mission with the Patriot
Guard Riders when he lost his life honoring a brave soldier who died in combat.
$25 Rider, $35 couple. Food, drink, raffle prizes, t-shirt, music, honor guard.
All proceeds benefit Vet Tix. Register at AZ Victory Motorcycle located at 1133
W. Bell Rd. in Phoenix. Kick stands up at 10am. Last bike in at 3pm.
Special Ongoing
Event
February 1st - April
30th
Looking for a new bike, have a little
extra time on your hands and know a lot of people? Chester's HD is giving you
the opportunity to win a 2011 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Ultra for a little
effort on your part. Giveaway program starts February 1, 2011, and
ends April 30, 2011. Just
bring someone you know into Chester's Harley-Davidson to buy a new bike.
You must accompany buyer to the dealership and
have proof of purchase signed off by the General Manager. Buyer must agree to Chester's Harley-Davidson's terms of
sale and cannot already have a deal pending at Chester's. Validity of
referral is at the sole discretion of the General Manager and could be denied.
The person who brings in the most new bike
sales wins a 2011 Harley-Davidson Road Glide® Ultra. Referrals must be contracted and take delivery of a new
Harley-Davidson motorcycle at Chester's Harley-Davidson by April 30, 2011.
Winner must refer a minimum of three sales to qualify. There will be no
ties. In the event that 2 or more persons bring in the highest amount of
qualifying buyers, the winner will be the person that reaches the minimum of
three sales first. Winner is responsible for all applicable sales tax, license
and doc fees. Click Here for
details.
Extras
Mid Week Updates will be made on the
Cyclerides.com Facebook. New
Easy to remember Facebook address. Go to Cyclerides.com Facebook. Over 3000 FANS! Take a look at all the new photos posted on the
wall. If you are not on Facebook, you can still view the
page, but you will not be able to post.
There will be a link there for you to sign up for Facebook if you are inclined.
Click the LIKE button!
If you like
Arizona landscape see the short 1 minute to 2 minute HD video's that Hangar 5
shot with a helicopter. Outstanding video. Go FULL screen on
them. Click Here to View.
Here is a Thunderbirds show gone bad. Good thing the pilot ejected. Click Here to View.
Video of the Week: What do you do if you forgot the ramp to get your
backhoe out of the truck? This guy has the answer. Click Here to View. Click on the Video of the Week graphic on the page.
If you would like to sign up for the
Cyclerides.com Weekly Update Click Here.
Until Next Week,
Blessings
and Safe Riding To All,
Barry Caraway
"The Road Is Yours - Take
The Ride"
www.cyclerides.com
All information in this newsletter is
Copyright © 2011 BDC Products,
LLC.
Information may be used only with permission.
All rights
reserved.
