Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
11/24/04
 
Greetings Riders,
 
Well, Thanksgiving is upon us and Christmas is only 30 days away. So it's time for all you guys and gals to get out your highlighter and those motorcycle accessory catalogs to let your loved ones know what you want for Christmas. There are several dealership sales and in store parties that will be upcoming in the month of December. Be sure and watch the events calendar on www.cyclerides.com for all the dates and times of these events and to see all of the Toy Runs that are available for you to participate in.
 
I have finally found some time to update the site in a few areas. I'm one of those that love to look at motorcycle pictures to try and get ideas for what my dream bike would look like. And after looking at the counter on the site, I am not the only one that likes to kill a little time day dreaming over motorcycle pictures. Everywhere I go I have my camera ready to take pictures of exceptional motorcycles. I have been collecting these photos from Daytona to California in the last 18 months and have finally gotten them posted. There are 126 new motorcycle photos that are really fun to look at. You can view the entire gallery of 316 total photos from the Bike Photos button on www.cyclerides.com . I have also updated the Video section All Ride Photos area. Take a look and enjoy.
 
I received an email from a rider that has been taking the newsletter for quite a while. With Thanksgiving coming up she reminded me that it might me time to dust off an old story that I did about my experience with the Birds On Bikes run in 2002. Some of you have seen this, but I know there are a few thousand new subscribers since that time that have not. So here is a reprise of what happened when Mrs. C. and I tried to deliver a frozen turkey to St. Vincent De Paul's.

 
The Flying Turkey!
 
You would think that strapping a turkey on the back of your bike and riding to the starting point would be no big deal. For most people, I'm sure that was true. For me, it was a little more exciting. Have you ever heard that old saying that says something about "the best laid plans"? Well, I had good plans, but I must have had a turkey fresh out of Houdini's escape artist school. I took my frozen friend and placed him on the back of Mrs. Cycleride's bike, securing him with a couple of bungee's for the ride to St. Vinny's. I knew he was a little slick as a result of his cryogenic state combined with the thawing, but I did my best to tie him down and thought that he would be secure for the duration of the ride. So off we go to top off our tanks with gas and head to our starting point.
 
As I am riding behind Mrs. C., I notice that my frozen featherless friend is attempting to make a break for freedom. It appears that this turkey is not living up to the reputation of being the dumbest animal on the planet. With every turn and bump in the road he is actually using his frozen state to slip through the bungee cords and make his escape. As I was making my attempt to catch up with Mrs. C. to alert her of the impending escape, she ran directly over an extremely recessed manhole cover. You guessed it! For the first time ever, my fine frozen friend with no head, no feathers and wings solidly frozen to his sides was now in the midst of his first ever flight for freedom. 
 
He was launched so high he could have given Orville Wright a run for his money. Albeit, on the way down, it looked more like a cannonball by an 8 year old from the high dive than a flight. Nonetheless, our Turkey was now airborne, even if was for only a brief moment. Facing the insurmountable odds of trying to fly with no possible means of doing so, 100% gravity and 0% lift, my former flawless frozen turkey came crashing to the pavement and rolled end over end for about 50 yards making his way over the curb and landing in the grass on the side of the road. Not even a 40 mph headwind and being launched from the back of a V-Rod was able to help my friend in his quest to successfully fly for more than just a few seconds.
 
I quickly stopped and went back to retrieve my fallen holiday fowl and to survey the damage. Really wasn't too bad considering the ride he had taken. The only visible damage was a little road rash and a broken neck. But the neck thing probably happened when that turkey farmer caught up with him a couple of weeks ago. In the end, I guess this turkey did uphold the less than intelligent reputation of the species. Why else would a bird that has no head, no feathers and wings frozen to his side try to fly off the back of a motorcycle? What a Turkey!
 

 
This Week's Events 

Wednesday 

The Wild Hare Wednesday Bike Night. Looking for a Bike Night on the East side? Here is a bike night for the East side of town at a really nice location. Stop by and take a look, you will be impressed. It is called The Wild Hare located at 4910 W. Ray Rd. That is the NE Corner of Ray Rd. and Rural Rd. This is a really nice place with a very large outdoor patio. The inside has just been remodeled to double the seating along with adding a DJ, pool tables and games. The Wild Hare has a broad menu including 20 different appetizers, salads, wings, 17 different sandwiches, chicken, filet mignon, burgers and desserts including strawberry cheese cake. There will be food and drink specials that will run during bike night from 6 PM till close.  Stop by and take a look, I'm sure you will like what you see. Info: 480-897-6200. 

Thursday Night
 
Thursday Night features 4 Bike Nights all over the Valley.

Hooters at Arrowhead Bike Night. Every Third Thursday of the month Hooters is giving away a gift certificate for $1000 towards a custom paint job. Continues Giveaways and Raffles. Ride by and join in on the fun! Hooters will host a Bike Night every Thursday at the Hooters at Arrowhead located just 1 block S. of Bell on 83rd Ave. Stop by for some great food and Hooters Hospitality. There will be 20% off menu items (25% off with Cyclerides.com V.I.P. Card). $2.00 Corona Thursdays and plenty of parking next to the outdoor patio. Stop by for some giveaways and raffles from Hooters and Arrowhead Harley as well as great wings and fun at Hooters. Click Here to see Pictures and all the detailed information.

Casey Jones Grill Bike Night  The evening riding weather is good. You can always count on lots of bikes here. Ride in for what I call the Best Cheesesteak Sandwich in town. This thing melts in your mouth. They have 3 new pool tables, darts and foosball. Located in the Mervyns Shopping Center on the SE corner of 43rd Ave. and Thunderbird Rd. Casey Jones is a great place for a bike night featuring a large outdoor seating and over 150 people inside. And for those of you that want to watch a sporting event they have 50 TV's scattered throughout the restaurant connected to satellite to get any game you can think of. They have a full menu for lunch, dinner and a Happy Hour from 11:00AM - 7:00PM and a reverse happy hour from 10:00PM - 12:00 Midnight. $1.75 domestic bottles and $2.00 Jacks. There are always a lot of bikes showing up for bike night at Casey Jones Thursday night. Join them for open mic night on Wednesdays. Sunday.

Hooters at Ahwatukee Thursday Bike NightContinues Giveaways and Raffles. The riders in Ahwatukee were wanting a Bike Night of their own, so Hooters Ahwatukee stepped up to provide a great place to come on your motorcycle on Thursday nights. Stop by for raffles, good times and good food at Hooters in Ahwatukee located at 4804 E. Chandler Blvd. There will be raffles and giveaways from Chandler Harley and Hooters as well as 20% off menu items (25% off with Cyclerides.com V.I.P. Card). $2.00 Corona Thursdays and plenty of parking next to the outdoor patio. Click Here for the pictures and all the details.
 

The Bike Night At The Billet Bar. Voted "BEST BIKER BAR IN PHOENIX" by New Times. There is no better place to watch all the Bikes ride down Scottsdale road than from The Billet Bar Patio. The Billet is ALWAYS packed with bikes Every Day. Stop by and take a look at the New Flamed Booths on the Paradise Patio. The new bars front and rear provide spacious seating, fresh air atmosphere, perfect temperature and courteous staff. The food is amazing and always the latest in cold libations await. You can sit at the back bar and watch your favorite TV on any of the seven big inch televisions. Play pool, listen to the latest music and socialize. The front patio seats over 75 people and is perfect for people watching on Scottsdale Rd. The Billet Bar is located right next to Genesis Custom Cycles on 3752 N. Scottsdale Rd. Check it out this Thursday night and all weekend long. Info: at 480-941-1876. Click Here for the New Billet Bar Page with pictures. 

Saturday and Sunday 

Pioneer Restaurant and Saloon. Live Music on the back Patio Every Sunday from 3-7pm. Now opening at 6:00AM for Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. All of us are looking for that quick getaway out of town for an early morning breakfast on the weekends, or a good stop on our way up North. The Pioneer Restaurant and Saloon is the perfect place for that and they are inviting all motorcycle riders to stop by for a good old fashioned breakfast on the patio or a cool drink on the way home. The biscuits and gravy are awesome and my personal recommendation. Breakfast starts at 6:00am. Pioneer is also open for lunch and dinner. On Saturday nights Live Music from 6pm - 10pm. Pioneer is also a great place to get your group together for a sunset dinner ride. Sit out on the patio or the air conditioned dining room. If you are organizing a ride, it is the perfect place for a ride end. Pioneer is located just 1 mile North of the Carefree Highway exit on I-17 at Pioneer Rd. exit 225. For private parties call Karen at 602-493-7373.  

Sunday

Cocomo Joe's Sunday Bike Day Cocomo Joes's is now your place to ride to for Sunday NFL Football Games. Enjoy breakfast starting at 10:00am with $5.95 for a Burrito Loco, French Toast or 2 Eggs, Hash Browns, Bacon and Toast. Cocomo Joe's has the full NFL Package to make it easy for you to watch the game of your choice all day long. Cocomo Joe's is a very open and comfortable place to hang out and watch the games. They have a new large outdoor patio as well as 2 smaller ones around the side. There is a large dining area with TV's all around to keep up on all NFL football on Sundays. See the pictures here. There is also 3 pool tables and games for your enjoyment. There will be food and drink specials for ride days starting at 10:00am as well as blocked off preferred parking for motorcycles. The day starts at 10:00am with breakfast foods available. Bike day is from Noon - 6pm. Cocomo Joe's is located on the NW corner of Tatum and Dynamite Rd. So if you are riding to or from Cave Creek, or want to take a ride up North and not have to run the DB gauntlet, stop by Cocomo Joe's. 28244 N. Tatum Blvd. 480-538-8008. Stop by this Sunday for opening day. Click Here for all the details.

Sugar Daddy's Blues Biker Sunday Brunch.
Now is the perfect weather to be sitting out on the Sugar Daddy's patio, listening to Live Music while dining from the Brunch Menu. And Sunday Brunch Just Got Better! You now have 3 options to choose from. Option #1: Eggs Benedict – Grilled English muffins, smoked ham, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce.
Served with your chose of fresh fruit or crispy potatoes. ($8) or
Sugar’s Pancakes – You won’t eat pancakes anywhere else. Buttermilk pancakes served with butter and syrup. ($5)
Option #2: Can’t decide what to eat? How about an All-You-Can-Eat buffet for ONLY $12.
Option #3: Order off our regular menu.
Our 5,000 sq. ft. temperature controlled patio has six air conditioning units, misters, and plenty of shade. Sugar Daddy's patio, food and entertainment is becoming a regular Sunday stop. If you haven't tried it yet, give them a try. Complimentary coffee is now served. Make Sugar Daddy's Blues your stop on your ride down Scottsdale Rd. for
Brunch or Lunch from 10am - 4pm. Enjoy live music from 10am - 2pm Or maybe just relax on the patio with your favorite beverage and enjoy the beautiful weather and watch the bikes roll down Scottsdale Rd.  Click here to see the awesome pictures and details of Sugar Daddy's located at 3102 N. Scottsdale Rd. between Indian School and Thomas on the West side of the road. Stop by and check it out. A great place to hang out. Plenty of Bike Parking. If you have suggestions, email them at sugardaddysaz@aol.com . 480-970-6556.

Sunday Evening
 
Looking for that last stop for food and drink after a Sunday ride? Bar Louie located 7014 E. Camelback Rd. under the roof at Scottsdale Fashion Square is providing you with your last stop. Starting at 5:00 pm you can pull up and park right on the curb in front of the outdoor patio at Bar Louie. All riders will receive food and drink specials on Sunday and an additional 20% off of your bill. Happy hour is from 3-7pm and 10-close. Stop by this Sunday and see what Bar Louie has to offer. Click Here to look at the pictures and for more information. Phone: 480-874-9944.
 
This Week
 
Friday, November 26th
Superstition After Thanksgiving Day Sale & Holiday Preview. Do Thanksgiving Harley-Davidson Style. Friday, November 26th 8:00am - 7:00pm. Green and red, make way for orange and black! Harley-Davidson® gifts for the holidays. FREE gift wrapping from 11am to 3pm. Receive a gift card with qualifying MotorClothes purchase! Enjoy holiday treats and refreshments! And don't forget that a Superstition Harley-Davidson gift card makes the perfect stocking stuffer! Superstition HD is located at 2910 W. Apache Trail in Apache Junction. 480-346-0600.
 
Saturday, November 27th
Operation Appreciation. This is a Toy Drive and Poker Run to Benefit USMC Families. All riders are invited to join the Arizona Stray Feathers for a Day of Thanks and Support for our Troops. Provide one $10 toy for the toy drive. Poker run registration 10am - 11am at Indian Motorcycle of Phoenix. 1133 W. Bell Rd. $20 includes one card. Additional card $5. First 75 registered receive event ride shirt. Meet active duty Marines at each stop on the Poker Run. High Hand $200, Low Hand $50. 2:00pm Final Stop at Pioneer Restaurant and Saloon. Food and Drink available to purchase. Live Music provided by Tumbleweed Junction. Click Here for all information.
 
Saturday, November 27th
Old Pueblo Riders With the Tucson Kiwanis Bike Show and Car Show. This event benefits Mobile Meals and Children and family services. Please bring food item to donate at entrance. BBQ from 11:00am - 2:00pm. BBQ tickets $10 in advance. Limited quantities at show. Trophies in six motorcycle categories including People's Choice award. Family entertainment, bring the kids. Registration begins at 10:00am at the Rillito Race Track, First Ave. and River Rd. in Tucson. Pre-Registration $15 per motorcycle, $20 day of event. Free admission for spectators. Click Here for all information and pre-registration information. 520-579-8244.
 
Next Week
 
Saturday, December 4th
2nd Annual Toys To Kids Ride. The Toys To Kids Ride is the one that I am personally involved with and it is back for a second year. For those of you that are new to the area, this is a little different Toy Run than you might have seen in the past. With the Toys To Kids Ride, you will be doing exactly what the name says, taking your toys directly to 200 smiling and excited underprivileged kids. We will feed and entertain the kids while they are waiting for the riders to arrive at Rawhide. When you arrive, the children will be eyeing up every gift that you lay on the pile. Once all the riders have delivered the toys, the kids will be able to go and pick out any three toys that they desire. It is an awesome site to see. For those of you that were there last year, you know what I mean. Feel free to bring some candy to throw to the kids as you walk in. Click Here to see the video of the kids receiving their toys and Click Here for photos of last year.
 
Now for the logistics of the ride. Sign in will be at the Avenue of the Fountains in Fountain Hills, AZ from 8:00am - 11:00am. Ride will leave at 11:00am escorted by the Sheriff department to Rawhide to deliver your toys to the kids. This is a beautiful 30 mile ride that will take us North of Fountain Hills through Rio Verde and West on Dynamite to Pima Rd. and then into the South side of Rawhide. The first 1000 registered will receive a Ride Pin and a Lunch Ticket for a $10 donation. After that, there will be a $5 donation that will in part go to Hospice of the Valley in the name of my Mother and My Nephew Marcus who passed away from cancer and received incredible care from Hospice. Funds will also be donated to The Youth Assistance Foundation. We ask that everyone bring one unwrapped toy of at least $10 value. Water, coffee and donuts will be provided at the start of the ride as long as supply lasts. We are expecting a lot of bikes on this ride. So come early and enjoy the start of the Holiday Season. Click Here for the flyer and a map to Fountain Hills. The Toys To Kids Ride is organized by Cyclerides.com, Arizona Bike Week and NP Group in association with Outback Productions and Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the Maricopa County Sheriffs Department.
 
Saturday, December 4th
MMA Tri District Poker Run Benefiting Sunshine Acres Children's Home.
Sign-In 9-10am at any one of three locations: The Doghouse, 1241 E Broadway, Mesa, AZ. Fast Eddies at 3422 W Glendale Avenue in Phoenix, AZ or The 1800's Saloon, 13608 N Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ. A $10 per person or a Gift Donation will be gratefully accepted. Items needed for 35 Boys & 20 Girls include: Fast Food Gift Certificates, Batteries, Deodorant, Medical & First Aid Supplies, Cleaning Supplies, etc. The Drawing for the 2005 H-D FLHTI will be held at Sunshine Acres! The Run's End Party will start 3pm at TJ's Bar & Grill, 1734 East Main Street in Mesa, AZ. 50/50, Raffle Prizes, & Prizes for High & Low Poker Hands.
 
Saturday, December 4th
2nd Annual Poker Run Benefiting "Keep A Breast" foundation for breast cancer treatment and prevention. Sign in from 8-10am at the Rusty Spur Saloon located at 7245 E. Main St. in Scottsdale, AZ. Breakfast Burritos for $5 starting at 7:30am. Last card pickup by 5pm. Prizes for High and Low hand. Raffles, and 50/50. Ride pins, T-Shirts and Koozies to the first 100 entries. $20 per rider and $5 per passenger. More information at 480-425-7787. 
 
Sunday, December 5th
Kicks For Kids Toy Run. This is one of the popular runs every year. This year the route is the same as last year. Again this year the route will be escorted down 19th Ave. to Cactus then over to I-17, then down I-17 to Grant, to 7th Ave. where the ride ends at the Elks Lodge at 1007 S. 7th Ave. The street will be blocked off to accommodate parking. Sign In from 8-10am at the F.O.P. Lodge, 19th Ave. and Sweetwater. Donation is one new unwrapped toy with a minimum value of $5.00. Refreshments will be served at the ride destination. More information at 623-846-9446.
Sunday, December 5th
8th Annual Christmas Angel Tree Run. Registration 10-11am at Branded Bar & Grill, 6411 N. 59th Ave. in Glendale, AZ. Breakfast available starting at 9am. Ride leaves at 11:30am for Desert Sky Mall to pick a wish off the Salvation Army Angel Trees and buy a gift for an underprivileged child. The group will then return to Branded for food and drink specials, 50/50, Raffles, Silent Auction. Presented by the Phoenix Chapter of ABATE to benefit Underprivileged Children & the Salvation Army. 602-319-8621 or 602-285-0366.
 
Upcoming Events
 
Friday - Sunday, December 10-12
Arizona Motorcycle Expo. The Expo is getting bigger than ever and has a new home at the Arizona State Fairgrounds. This year the expo will include Motorcycles, Off Road Trucks and a Sand Expo. This will also be the site of a Discovery Channel Biker Build off including Matt Hotch. Click Here for all the information.
 
Extras
 
UPDATE ON EXEMPTION OF MOTORCYCLES FROM EMISSIONS TESTING
Some of you might have heard about the bill to exempt motorcycles from emissions testing. Stan Dale, the Cyclerides.com legislative reporter has an update from a meeting this past Tuesday. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (AZDEQ) held a public meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 23, and released its "draft" report on the Potential Exemptions from Vehicle Emissions Testing for Motorcycles, Collectible Vehicles and Vehicles 25 Model Years Old and Older.  This study was commissioned HB2501 (2002) and revised by HB 2294 (2003). Click Here for the complete update.
 
As for me this weekend, I will be spending Thanksgiving at home and trying to use the time to do a few Real Estate Enhancement projects to get ready for the holidays.
 
Until Next Week,
Blessings and Safe Riding To All,
 
Barry Caraway
"The Road Is Yours - Take The Ride"
www.cyclerides.com
info@cyclerides.com
All information in this newsletter is
Copyright © 2002 BDC Products, LLC.
Information may be used only with permission. 
All rights reserved.