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Greetings Riders,

Well...this is it. 2004 will now soon be in the history books and we can all start the process of remembering to put '05 as the year when writing a check. 2004 was a year that was once again full of news and drama. It was a busy year, but at the same time one that seemed to plod along. The Presidential election and the Iraq war dominated the news this year. The election was full of negative campaigning and the war certainly wasn't going as planned with casualties mounting by the day. And along with that we had our normal dose of sports stars and celebrities doing their usual stupid human tricks, finding ways to make the front pages of the national papers and wind up in jail, leaving the rest of us to wonder how these people can take a good life and screw it up so bad. It almost seems as though if it is not negative or sensational, you won't see it on TV or the print media. Getting hit with all of this stuff day after day seems to wear on us and there are times we just need to totally get away.

I firmly believe that is one of the reasons that motorcycle riding is enjoying the popularity that it is right now. It is one of the only places that you can totally get away from the phone, newspapers, TV, email or your job and enjoy the solitude of being alone with the motorcycle and nature. I noticed during our 10 day ride through Canada and the West Coast this year that we were totally out of touch with current events for the entire trip. Martha Stewart could have been elected to run the country from her jail cell and we wouldn't have known it. All we cared about was putting miles on the motorcycle, replacing all of the rigors of daily life with the beauty of the scenery and building memories from the experiences.

One thing about the calendar winding down to the end of another year is that it gives you a time to do a little look back at what transpired throughout the year. It was kind of fun to look back at the Archives of newsletters that I had written throughout the year. Click on any of the links below to read the stories. There were stories that talked about motorcycle safety including the death of Debra Moran, Motorcycle Safety Numbers and a "Ride Along" experience with the DUI task force. Local interest stories including "The Loud Four" who got cited in Carefree for loud pipes and then the resolve of that when The Law Tigers appealed the citations and the Pat Tillman story. Riding stories including the Sedona Day Ride, Bagdad Ride, The Pioneer Living History Museum and the 10 Day Ride to Canada and the West Coast. Industry stories including Harley Davidson's Earnings, The Value of your Harley, The Popularity of Motorcycle Riding. Stories about trips that I have taken including the Trip to OCC #1 and #2, Daytona Bike Week, New York and The visit to Arlen Ness. Pictorials of Harley Shirt Backs and places that riders have gone in the Readers Rides gallery. And of course the humorous stories about personal experiences including The Skydiving Story, Bungee Jumping, Tree Trimming, Where Does Water Come From?, A Trip Through Airport Security and The Flying Turkey. There are 52 stories of events and happenings throughout the year that you can review in the Archives section of www.cyclerides.com.

All in all, aside from everything going on in the world and in our own country, it was a great year in the motorcycle world. Motorcycle sales are at record levels across the board. There are many new riders including a surge in Women riding, and the popularity of the sport is at an all time high with mainstream television embracing both the riding and the building of motorcycles. It is a great time to be a part of this lifestyle as many more opportunities are being made available for the rider. Now is the time to start planning your next motorcycle vacation or weekend rides for this year. If you need ideas for a longer trip, check out our 7 Day Ride Through California and our 10 Day Ride Through Canada and the West Coast.

Mrs. C. and I would like to thank all of you for your support throughout the year and we strive to bring you more Events, Pictorials, Activities and Fun Places to ride as 2005 unfolds. If you would like to sign up for the Cyclerides.com Weekly Update Letter Click Here. Happy New Year to all.

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 Are You A Poker Player?? Make plans to play in National Pub Poker League "Texas Hold'em Tournament at Casey Jones. Tournaments at 7:00 and 10:00pm. Sign in starts at 6:00pm Thursday Nights. 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. You can always count on lots of bikes here.

Hooters at Ahwatukee Thursday Bike Night. Continues 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. Join Pioneer New Years Eve. Dinner, Dancing, Live Music. Kids New Years at 10pm with a Fireworks Show. Click Here for details. 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.

V-TWIN CONSIGNMENTS
For those of you who have been to V-Twin Consignments, you already know about the fantastic deals they have on Quality pre-owned parts, as well as new parts. For those of you that have not been there stop by and check out their inventory. You never know what you will find that would be the perfect part for your bike. And if you have some parts setting around the garage, this is your place to sell them. If it is new parts you are looking for, V-Twin is an authorized dealer for Drag Specialties, Custom Chrome, V-twin, Kuryakyn, Rivera, and Barnett. They also have a full service center, with the best shop rates in town, by appointment only, contact them for there oil change specials. They are now offering to all cyclists the opportunity to purchase a warranty, or extended warranty for there new or used motorcycle. There are several different warranties to choose from, and they can even cover your performance parts i.e.: Screamin Eagle ad-on parts that Harley won't cover, contact them for details. Having trouble getting your bike thru emissions, V-Twin has the answer, the most economical solution to get your bike to pass. Stop by and say HI at 1716 W. Bell Rd. For more information about new or used parts and service phone 602-548-5799.

As for me this weekend. I am going to try and take a few short trips around the area to enjoy the long weekend. If you need some ideas, check the Day Rides section for some places to ride. Happy New Year and Ride Safe,

Until Next Week,
Blessings and Safe Riding To All,

Barry Caraway
"The Road Is Yours - Take The Ride"
www.cyclerides.com
info@cyclerides.com