Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
12/11/02

 
Greetings Riders,
 
Well, the Kicks for Kids Ride has come and gone, and it was another record year. Phoenix Police reported that 5800 riders roared down 19th Avenue to deliver their toys. The donations nearly filled 2 large U-Haul trucks with toys. Those toys will now be dispersed to several small organizations around Arizona to be distributed to needy families. It was really neat to stand in the back of the truck as I was taking pictures and see the hundreds of riders making their way towards the truck to deliver their toys. One thing I noticed was how everyone was smiling as they handed over their toys. I sensed that there was genuine happiness from the riders that they were able to help in even a small way. Some even gave a little send off to the larger stuffed animals that made the ride with them.
 
There were Tonka Trucks, Baseball Mits, Barbie Dolls, Games of all kinds and even a Bicycle was delivered while I was there. (I wonder how he got that there.) For me, it is sometimes hard to grasp the impact of my giving to an unknown recipient. If I can't see it being given to the child I can have a hard time realizing the impact of my donation. But after standing in the middle of all of these gifts it kind of gave me a realization of what really happens. It's pretty cool to think about the joy that those toys are going to bring to the children that might have normally only had one gift under the tree this Christmas. Now, because of our giving, those same children might have their presents doubled or tripled thanks to the generosity of the motorcyclists that were kind enough to come out in such big numbers to participate in this event. On behalf of all these kids I want to say thank you and God Bless.
 
I have posted 102 pictures from the ride. There is a chance you might find yourself in one of them. I also did a video pictorial with music that you might find enjoyable. It is about 4 minutes long. The links for both of these are on the front page of www.cyclerides.com . The video is set for both broadband connection as well as a 56k connection. It is a fairly short download.
 
As with any event that gets this big there are always growing pains. Normally the National Guard blocks every street to keep drivers from becoming impatient and doing stupid things. But this year the Guard was called to active duty and was not available to do this so they had to use volunteers to block off streets. They did a great job but there were still a few cars that didn't want to wait. Hopefully next year the Guard will be back in place. As for the ending location, that clearly was not big enough and they are already looking for an alternative location. I have volunteered my services to help in planning for next year and hope they will take me up on it.
 
We have another big toy ride coming up this week. The W. Steven Martin Police Toy Run last year had over 3700 riders participate. This year it is expected to be even bigger. The ride will start in downtown Chandler just South of Chandler Blvd. on Arizona Ave. It will be a 50 mile ride to Casa Grande where there will be plenty of food and drink with live music from 12-3pm. For those of you that haven't seen it, I did a video interview with W. Steven and a tour of the Toy Warehouse. It is very interesting and shows you how the toys are distributed and tells you what they need. Click here to see the video. More information on the ride is below in this letter. I look forward to seeing you there. 

Wednesday

The Wild Hare Wednesday Bike Night. All of you that used to go to Chuy's, this is your new place on the East side of town. This is a new 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. This will all start on Wednesday, August 14th. I will have an information page on the event calendar that will give you all the details. Stop by and take a look, I'm sure you will like what you see. Info: 480-897-6200. 

Thursday

Jetz Americana Thursday Bike Night. This bike night is growing fast. Great bike parking right outside the patio that is now lighted. Stop by this week and see for yourself. Jetz is a Very Nice Restaurant located in North Scottsdale 1 block South of Shea on Scottsdale Rd. behind the California Pizza Kitchen. They have a beautiful interior with flat screen TV's to watch your favorite teams or a large bar to lounge at with your friends. Jetz also has a large patio with an outdoor bar right next to where you will be parking your bikes. Happy hour is 4-7pm with 1/2 price drinks and $4.95 appetizer menu. From 7:00PM till close there will be BURGER & BEER $7.95 (½ lb of Certified Angus Beef and a domestic pint or bottle), DOMESTIC BOTTLES $3, JACK DANIELS $4. Bike night is all night till close. This is one nice place to go for dinner or hang out on the patio and watch the bikes roll by. Stop by and take a look. You will be impressed. Bikes are always welcome. Take a look at Jetz Saturday food and drink specials and the Sunday Brunch and the Bloody Mary bar with over 75 items. Click here to see the pictures of where you will be going and all of the information.

Casey Jones Grill Bike Night in Phoenix on Thursday nights. The evening riding weather is perfect, Casey Jones will be packed as it always is from here on. 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 drafts. 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.
 
The Bike Night At The Billet Bar. 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 on Bike Night. 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. Keep an eye on your prized possession (your motorcycle) on the monitors. 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 Easyriders on 3752 N. Scottsdale Rd. Check it out this Thursday night and all weekend long. Info: at 480-941-1876. 

Sundays

There are now 2 Sunday stops with live entertainment and food and drink specials! 

Sunday, December 8th- "Jamaican Me Crazy 2. Walt Richardson ". 
This Sunday ride by Fandango  for "Jamaican Me Crazy 2" with Walt Richardson. Walt Richardson will be back with the Island sounds playing from 1:00PM - 5:00PM. Gina and Annette would like to show their long time support of motorcyclists enthusiasts by celebrating Bike Day every Sunday with live music from 1pm-5pm along with lunch and drink specials from noon-6pm. Fandango is located at 6032 E. Cave Creek Rd. in Cave Creek. There is also live music on Friday and Saturday night. More info at 480-595-5633. Here is the band lineup for the rest of the month:
December 22nd - It's Fandango's Christmas Party and Light Parade. Light parade leaves Vulture Mine V-Twin at Sunset for Fandango. Combo Deluxe will be here bringing in the holiday cheer. 6-10pm. Specials all day long. Budweiser Santa will be passing out the gifts.
December 29th - Danny Rhodes and The Messengers will close out the year.

Sunday, December 15th  
Hailey's Live Entertainment Sunday's - This Weekend - Combo Deluxe. Hailey's is continuing their live entertainment every Sunday. This Sunday enjoy the Arizona favorite Combo Deluxe. If you are looking for a short ride (only 60 miles from I-17 & Loop 101) this weekend with some good food and entertainment, this is it. They also have a great ice cream parlor. I am giving the 5 spokes award for the best chocolate milkshakes I have had in a long, long time. These things are awesome.  Hailey's Grill is located just 60 miles from the Loop 101 and I-17 at 10434 S. Hwy 69 right next door to the Harley-Davidson shop in Mayer, AZ.  This is a fun ride for some great food and entertainment. For more information call 928-632-4448. Here is the upcoming schedule of bands.
December 22nd - Rhondavous,
December 29th - Rhondavous,
January 1st - Combo Deluxe.

Saturday, December 21st
MMA's 4th Annual Sunshine Acres Benefit Run. Come join MMA for this worthy cause. In lieu of stuffed toys, we are seeking donations of toiletries, games, radios, school type clothes, and school supplies (Backpacks, calculators, fancy pencils/notebooks, pens..etc).**$5.00 + Donated item or $10.00 per bike. Party at TJ's after delivering our generous donations. Run sign in 9-11am at Tri-City Eagles (Just east off the loop 101 on Apache Blvd /Main St.) More information at 480-984-7742 or 480-898-3319. 

Extras 

I have been getting a lot of questions about when Arizona Bike Week this coming year. The dates for this years event is April 4th-13th. You can reference this information at www.arizonabikeweek.com .

Need that stocking stuffer for your favorite rider? The Cyclerides.com Long Sleeve white T-Shirts are now available. They are high quality Hanes Beefy T's and feature the new logo small on the front and a large one the back. The left sleeve says: "The Road Is Yours". The right sleeve says: "Take The Ride". You can purchase them online for $15.00 for Free Shipping or pick one up off the rack at Arrowhead Harley-Davidson.  Click here to view the shirt on the Online Store.  

This is also the season for stolen motorcycles. Keep a close eye on your bikes. There was one stolen from right out in front of a restaurant in North Scottsdale on Sunday after the toy ride. If someone tries to sell you an orange APC bike with flames and a chain drive, make sure it is legit.