Cyclerides.com Weekly Update 1/7/04

Greetings Riders,

Well, all the festivities are over from the holidays and one week of 2004 is already in the books. I don't know about anyone else out there but I'm starting to get some motorcycle cabin fever. With all of the busy times through the holidays, the cold and sometimes rainy weather we have been having, there hasn't been very many opportunities to ride lately. This has been going on for 3 weeks for me and I'm already getting antsy.

It really got bad Monday when a guy from Minnesota called me to inquire about some places to ride down here. There are nine businessmen that are coming to Phoenix the end of this month for 3 days just to rent Harleys and get out and ride. Now that's getting motorcycle cabin fever and doing something about it. As we were going through the Day Rides looking at maps and reliving some of the rides that I had done, the itch was really getting bad. After he decided on a couple of routes, I spent the next 10 minutes looking at maps and pictures myself, daydreaming about some new rides that I want to do this Spring. I guess that is what it is all about. When you have a passion like riding a motorcycle, it is kind of fun to set back and envision that next deposit into your memory bank of rides. If you are setting in the office and want to take a virtual ride, click onto the Day Rides section and take a look at some pictures and maps yourself.

We have turned the calendar now and good riding weather is just around the corner. The calendar's are starting to fill up and we will be adding more in the next few days. March is the start of the bigger rides and a couple of them are up on the calendar. The Arizona Diamondbacks ride is planned for March 13th and the Greasewood Poker Run is planned for March 21st. And this year Arizona Bike Week runs from March 26th - April 4th.

In case you haven't heard, Arizona Bike Week has gone through a major reconstruction this year. As many of you know in the last couple of years, riders have been critical of this event because a lack of a cohesive location for everyone to cruise through and hang out with their bikes. Part of the problem was that the Phoenix area does not have a location that would be host to that kind of an event. So if it is not available, you have to build it and that is what is going to be done with Arizona Bike Week this year. Rawhide is going to be the new home for Arizona Bike Week and the Handlebar Saloon. ABW is going to make their own town made up of vendors, restaurants and bars. You will be able to cruise down a long "Main Street" similar to Sturgis, park your bikes, walk around, eat, drink and watch the action go by. YOUR motorcycles will now be a part of the venue all throughout the vendor village. Now that is what we have been asking for!

The Rawhide Pavilion will be transformed into the Handlebar Saloon and will be open every night for the entire run of bike week starting with the "Kickoff Party" on March 26th. There will be nightly activities, bands and events including flat track racing, biker bull riding on real bulls and much more. Cyclefest will run from April 1st through April 4th. Mar 31st will kick off Cyclefest with a performance from "The Little River Band". One of my big questions was, "What about the dust?" The answer is that they are spending over $20,000 to treat all of the dirt in the area with a product that will make it like asphalt. Dust will not be an issue.

I was very excited to hear all of the changes for Arizona Bike Week for the coming year. If this turns out anything like it is planned, Arizona might be on its way to becoming one of those major Annual events that we deserve to be. This is just a brief synopsis of what is to come. You can go to www.arizonabikeweek.com for more information. They are planning and updating events on a daily basis. I am really looking forward to seeing how this all works out. It should be fun.

I will be bringing you more details as they develop. So plan some time off and enjoy our great riding weather that time of year.

Los Gringos Locos Wednesday Bike Night sponsored by Chosa's Harley-Davidson Shop.
Here is one for the riders in the far East Valley and Apache Junction. Los Gringos Locos and Chosa's HD Shop have combined for a Wednesday Bike Night. This is a great facility with a separate Cantina and an outdoor patio. Enjoy great Mexican food in the dining area or eat in the Cantina or outside. Happy Hour will be all evening long. $3.00 house margaritas, $1.50 domestics and $2.50 imports. Los Gringos is located at 280 S. Phelps Dr. in Apache Junction. That is just 2 blocks South of Apache Trail (Main) on Phelps. Join the gang from Chosa's HD Shop on Wednesday nights for some good food and fun. There will be raffle prizes and giveaways. More information at 480-288-5626. Click Here for Pictures.

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. 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.

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. 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. Click Here for the New Billet Bar Page with pictures.

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 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.
Hooters at Arrowhead Bike Night. 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.

Thunder Pass Food and Spirits Lounge Thursday Bike Night.
Far East Siders you now have a nice big place to go on Thursday nights. The newly remodeled and very large Thunder Pass Food and Spirits Lounge opened for the first time Thursday May 29th to kick off their Thursday Bike Night from 6pm to close. Thunder Pass owners are the same as the Spirits Lounge in Gilbert that a lot of you have gone to in the past. Spirits closed the doors on Saturday due to the loss of the lease. Rick's new place, taking the place of Spirits will be Thunder Pass located at 9303 E. Apache Trail in East Mesa. One block East of Ellsworth on Apache Trail (Main St.). They will have ladies night on Thursdays with $1.00 drinks, extensive food menu and a huge dance floor with a DJ. Thunder Pass features 2 patios. One out front and one in the back. Park your bikes right next to you. Rick invites all that have come to Spirits for the last 21 years to the new 300 seat Thunder Pass located on the County island between Mesa and Apache Junction.

ACME Bar and Grill . Remember when downtown Scottsdale was the place to be? They are back with the complete remodel of the place including the new rooftop bar. You will enjoy a Free Buffet from 8:00-9:30 PM, Drink Specials, Raffles every week, Great Music, Pool and lots of fun in Downtown Scottsdale. Make your plans for Thursday March 20th to kick off the return of ACME. Come early for the free buffet and get your raffle ticket and return at 10:00 PM for the drawing. ACME is located in Old Town Scottsdale at 4245 N. Craftsmen Ct. just South of 5th Ave. and West of Scottsdale Rd. For more information call 480-990-7111. Ride by and be a part of the Rebirth of the Acme Ride Night This Thursday Night. Click here for details and pictures.

Cocomo Joe's Sunday Bike Day. Many of you have been to Cocomo Joe's in North Phoenix. There is now a day just for riders. Cocomo Joe's is a very open and comfortable place to hang out that is decorated in a Jamaican theme. 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. After football season they will be bringing in live entertainment on Sunday afternoons. There is also 3 pool tables and games for your enjoyment. There will be food and drink specials for ride days starting at 10:30am as well as blocked off preferred parking for motorcycles. The day starts at 10:30am 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. 480-535-8008. 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. 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 - 5pm. Enjoy live music from 1-6pm and choose from 9 delicious ala carte brunch items or order off of the extensive menu including pizza, salads, burgers or sandwiches. Or maybe just relax on the patio with your favorite beverage and enjoy the beautiful weather and watch the bikes roll down Scottsdale Rd. You can even play a game of pool as you watch the activities on the patio. Don't forget to go inside and see the unbelievable decor inside Sugar Daddy's. It's a Cajun and blues delight. Even if you can't make it 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.

Saturday and Sunday
January 11th and 12th
Ramjet Racing Parts Blowout Sale. These are the sales that I personally look forward to. This is a one time only overstocked parts sales of 30-50% off of new parts. This is the time to look for that expensive part that you just didn't want to pay the big bucks for. Now it might be priced a little closer to what the budget can handle. Ramjet will have indoor and outdoor displays of parts for you to find what you are looking for. Stop by Saturday from 9:00am - 6:00pm and Sunday from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Ramjet is located at 13207 N. Cavecreek Rd. in Phoenix. For more information call 602-788-0364.

Sunday, January 11th
Friends For Life Charity Ride. Here's one for the animal lovers! It is time for Friends for Life Animal Sanctuary's 2nd Annual Charity Ride hosted by The Helmet Harbor of Gilbert. This year we will be heading south on Hunt Highway to Florence, down State Highway 79 to Oracle, with lunch at North Mammoth on State Highway 77. The total for the trip is just over 200 miles, and should be finished in just over 4 hours, not including lunch. Registration begins at 7 a.m. at The Helmet Harbor (511 W. Guadalupe Rd. #4 in Gilbert. Krispy Kreme donuts and Seattle's Best Coffee will be providing free coffee and donuts at time of registration. Registration is $10.00 for each rider, $5.00 for each passenger. Each registered rider/passenger will be given a raffle ticket, and a drawing will be held at our lunch stop. For more information call The Helmet Harbor at 480-635-1009.

Sunday, January 11th
Miracle In The Desert 9th Annual Benefit Run. This run is to benefit the Sunshine Acres Children's Home. Registration begins at 9:00AM at Sunshine Acres located at 3405 N. Higley Rd. in Mesa. The cost is $10 each or $15 per couple. Includes entry, BBQ, Entry into Bike Show, Beverages will be available. There will be a special blessing of the bikes and bikers. ABATE, Desert Thunder, CMA and others are working together to make this happen for the kids.

Sunday, January 11th
Customer Appreciation Day. This is a FREE Poker Run with FREE Food. Best hand wins $250, worst hand $50. There will be Vendors, Music, Volleyball, Horse Shoes, 50/50, Raffle Prizes and more. Run starts at Arizona Biker Leathers at 13833 N. 19th Ave. & Thunderbird. Sign In 10:00am - Noon. Run ends at Coyote Hill Bar at 12417 W. Glendale Ave. Ride sponsored by Coyote Hill and Arizona Biker Information Guide. For more info call 602-708-3024.

Saturday, January 17th
Chosa's 3rd Annual Customer Appreciation Sale in Mesa. Join us at Chosa's in Mesa for our 3rd Annual Customer Appreciation Sale on Saturday, January 17th, from 9am - 3pm! BIG SAVINGS ON SELECTED HARLEY-DAVIDSON MERCHANDISE: 10-50% off selected MotorClothes Apparel, Leathers, Helmets, Boots, Gifts & Collectibles; and selected Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories. (All specials are limited to IN STOCK items only. Cannot be combined with any other Chosa's offer). The Hooters girls will be at Chosa's H-D in Mesa serving FREE refreshments and Chosa's Biker BBQ from 11am to 2pm! Chosa's is located at 922 S. Country Club in Mesa. 480-894-0404.

Saturday, January 17th
V-Twin Consignments Grand Opening. I was wondering when someone was going to come up with this concept. V-Twin consignments is giving everyone the opportunity to clean out those quality parts that are sitting around your garage and providing a venue for you to sell them. Bring in your parts to consign to sell or stop by and see if that part you have been looking for is already there. While you are there you can pick up some new essentials for yourself. VTC carries spark plugs, cams, starters, mirrors, carbs, tires, etc. They are an authorized Drag Specialties and Custom Chrome Dealer. If they don't have it, they can have it the next day. The Grand Opening is January 17th from 11am - 3pm. Stop by for some food, beverages and giveaways. V-Twin Consignments, "Your Harley Parts Place". 1716 W. Bell Rd. in Phoenix. 602-548-5799.

Sunday, January 18th
Arizona Freedom Rally 2004. This is where the motorcycle riders of Arizona put on a very visible show of support for the Right's of ALL Motorcyclists here in Arizona. This event is sponsored by ABATE, MMA and the ACMC. There are always several hundred motorcycles that show support. Sign in 9:00 AM, Parade Lines Up at 10:30 AM. Start at Park Central Mall - Central and Earl, Between Indian School and Thomas on Central in Phoenix. Parade to Wesley Bolin Plaza at 17th ave and Washington. Guest speakers are Senator Gabrielle Giffords, New York Myke and Local Representatives From: ABATE-ACMC-MMA. Vendors and food. 480 855-4023 or 480 694-0741.

Phoenix 2004 Supercross. I went to this event for the first time last year and have been looking forward to this years event ever since. If you haven't been to a Supercross event I would highly recommend it. Supercross is the indoor version of Motocross. It is full of high flying motorcycle action and lots of excitement. It will be held at Bank One Ballpark on January 10th. Main event starts at 7:00pm. You can buy tickets until Friday afternoon at all Arizona Motorsports locations.

One of the hottest motorcycle builders in the business right now are Orange County Choppers. The Discovery Program American Chopper has made Paul Sr. and Paulie overnight sensations. They have even crossed over to main stream non riders that watch this reality based motorcycle building show. Even Dillard's are now selling Orange County Choppers gear. The new season of American Chopper starts this Monday, January 12th on Discovery as Paul Sr. builds a bike dedicated to the POW/MIA forgotten fallen heroes. Check your local listings for times.

New Design Cyclerides.com Long Sleeve and Short Sleeve Shirts. These are available in white and black in limited quantity. On the East Side you can now pick up the new Cyclerides T-Shirts at Skunk Work Motorsports at 202 W. Main St. in Mesa, 480-649-2800. On the West side at Joeta's Leather 2 located on Arrowhead Fountain Center Dr. next to Arrowhead Harley. 623-979-3335. You can also order online. Click Here.

As for me this weekend, I am going to get out and take advantage of some this predicted beautiful weather to get out and ride a little.

Until Next Week,
Blessings and Safe Riding To All,

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