Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
2/15/06 

Greetings Riders,
 
Well, it is the middle of February and this incredible riding weather in the Phoenix area is continuing. Still no measurable rain and the temps have been above normal. All adds up to great riding weather. Hopefully you have been able to take advantage of it. If not, check the Day Rides page for some ideas. I will be adding a short new ride soon.
 
Every once in a while a charity ride will come along that intrigues me enough to want to take a closer look. I like to tour the charity facilities to find out more about the entity and what the money is being used for so that I can report this to those who might be interested in supporting these organizations. And like a lot of you, I am especially drawn to organizations that help kids and animals.
 
You might have seen a run listed on the site called The Bikers Soar For Wildlife Poker Run to benefit the Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center. This past week I contacted the Wildlife Center located in North Phoenix at Pinnacle Peak and I-17 to arrange a tour of the facility to get a first hand look at what they were doing. You are now probably wondering, what is the Wildlife Center? The Wildlife Center was founded in May of 1983. They are into their 22nd year of operation. The Arizona Game and Fish Department was the first government agency in the nation to include the component of wildlife rehabilitation into its program. The center exists to:
* Care for all sick or injured native wildlife.
* Provide opportunities for the public to learn about the special needs of our state's wildlife.
* Work with licensed rehabilitators to ensure the best needs of our wildlife are served.
* Rehabilitate injured or orphaned wildlife and return it to the wildlands of the state.
 
To get an even better idea of what the Wildlife Center does is to read their mission statement. "The mission of The Wildlife Center at Adobe Mountain is to act in cooperation with The Arizona Game and Fish Department to provide rehabilitative care for ill or injured wildlife, and to be an outstanding resource for education concerning Arizona's  unique assortment of wild animals.  The Wildlife Center will accomplish this mission by providing the finest possible care to the animals residing at the center and by promoting positive relations and continuing education to volunteers, rehabilitators, and the public." From what I could tell, they are accomplishing all of these goals.
 
My tour started with Sandy Cate, the coordinator and the ONLY paid employee at the center. She gave me the overview of the operation which I covered above and we were off to explore the facilities. The center has an extensive Tortoise rehab area so we started by knocking on the door of "Big Momma's" house, a giant California Desert tortoise. Apparently Big Momma was out late partying with the Night Owls and wasn't ready to come out of her house, not even for some strawberries, so I had to settle for showing you a picture of what she looks like. Since I like a little more action in my wildlife viewing, we went right to the head of the class as we stepped into the cage of a Golden Eagle. This golden was very calm and allowed me to get close to it, albeit always keeping a close eye on me.
 
But the Eagle that I was most interested in seeing, was the one that we are all familiar with as a symbol of our Country, the Bald Eagle. They are more awesome in person than they appear to be in pictures. Displaying a much different attitude than the Golden, this Bald Eagle didn't want anything to do with me. As I would get close, he would open his beak, and give me the look of "Leave me alone, or pay the price". At that point, I could see why the Bald Eagle is our National symbol. As long as I was not threatening him, he was content to keep an eye on me from afar. But as I invaded his space, he was ready to defend.
 
The Center has more than 1000 injured or orphaned birds, mammals or reptiles come through there every year. They are brought in by Police, Firefighters, Game and Fish or anyone else who runs across an injured animal. They are then examined, treated and then released back to the wild if possible. Some of the work is done on site with fairly primitive equipment, the rest is done by veterinarians that donate their time. If they cannot be introduced back into the wild due to the extent of their injuries, they are then used to educate school kids, starting in the 4th grade, how to establish a personal commitment to conserving Arizona's wildlife. One bird in particular that was going through rehab was a Golden Eagle that had a splint due to major wing surgery. There is an average of 80 to over 150 animals housed at this facility at any one time depending on the time of year.
 
Sandy personally showed and explained to me the circumstances of every animal on site. It was amazing to listen to her talk about each of these animals and the circumstances that brought them there. It was like they were all her foster children and she was determined to fix them up and get them back into the wild if at all possible. Among the animals that I saw were a Bobcat that was a pet at one time and turned in by the owners, Barn Owls trying to scare me away, Great Horned Owls keeping an eye on me, Burrowing Owls, Turkey Vultures, Swainsons Hawks, a Grey Fox, Python and even a Gila Monster that had gotten its head run over by a car. And yes, I can now say I touched a Gila Monster.
 
From the beginning the Wildlife Center has run on a small budget and currently operates on an annual budget of $15,000.00 per year, deriving all operational resources from the Heritage Fund's "Lottery Dollars Working for Wildlife" and private donations. How can you help? Through monetary donations and by volunteering your time to help feed, care for and work with these orphaned and injured wildlife temporarily in their care. You can Click Here to learn how to make a tax deductible donation or Click Here to learn how to become a volunteer. Or you can call Sandy Cate at 623-587-0139. If any of you would want to make a considerable gift to the Center, Sandy told me that they could really use an X-Ray machine on the premises. A lot of the medical facilities are really dated, and the X-Ray would be a big help. She said it would cost about $7,000. So if you are an animal lover and have some extra money, here is your opportunity to make a difference by helping rehabilitate injured wild animals.

Click Here for all of the Photos that I took at the Wildlife Center. There are some very good shots.
Click Here for all the information on the Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center.
Click Here for the Arizona Game and Fish Link to the Wildlife Center.
 

Highlights This Week
 
Friday, February 17th
Arrowhead Harley-Davidson Clutches and Chrome Car and Bike Show.
 
Saturday, February 18th
Superstition Harley-Davidson Presidents Day Sale. One Day Only!
 
Sunday, February 19th
Bikers Soar for Wildlife Benefit Ride
 

 
Superstition Harley-Davidson and Spirits Bar and Grill have teamed up to bring riders in the Far East Valley a great Thursday bike night. Now riders in the far East Valley can enjoy a great Thursday Bike Night, thanks to Superstition Harley-Davidson and Spirits Bar and Grill!  Ride up on your bike between 7pm and 10pm and receive a FREE hamburger!  That’s right, every rider to show up on their bike between 7-10pm will receive a free hamburger! Be sure to make it every Thursday to better your chance to win a $250 Superstition Harley-Davidson Gift Card!  Enter your name in the drawing every Thursday in February.  Drawing to be held on February 23rd @ 9pm. Spirits is located at 9303 E. Apache Trail in East Mesa. One block East of Ellsworth on Apache Trail (Main St.). Come sit on the patio and watch the bikes roll in, stay inside and enjoy a game of pool, and friendly wait staff.  The large dance floor is always open with music from Goodtime Charlie The OUTLAW DJ playing The Best of Country and the Best of Rock and Roll. Spirits is the hottest Bike night place to be in the east valley. The LEGEND of Spirits Lives on. More info at Superstition HD at 480-346-0600 or 480-986-5572.
 
Casey Jones Grill Bike Night. A valley favorite bike night for over 3 years. Ride in and sit out on the patio 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.

Sunday

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. Live Music from 10am on the patio.
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.

This Week 

Next Week 

Saturday, February 25th
Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson Hot Rods and Hot Dogs. Ride by Buddy Stubbs HD from 10am - 3pm and enjoy free BBQ and drinks while checking out some cool Hot Rod Cars. There will be Live Bands, Pool Tournament and a 1:30pm Motorcycle Museum Tour with Buddy Stubbs. You can also meet and get to know members of H.O.G. Chapter #93. Prizes for viewer's choice. For more information or to show your car call 602-971-3400. Buddy Stubbs HD is located at 13850 N. Cave Creek Rd. in Phoenix.
 
Saturday, February 25th
The MMA and old friends of Lobo and Josie are having a fund raiser and auction Saturday 2/25 at Captain’s bar in Apache Junction S/W corner of Apache trail and the road to Canyon Lake.   They have been riding in the valley since the 60’s and Lobo has had lots of medical bills (just getting old) and we are trying to raise funds for the bills and to get a Trike built for him.  (Missing a leg) …They have a Shovel Motor, Tranny, Frame, Primary drive, Carb, but need help with the rear end and someone that know Trikes.  I believe it is the Salt River MMA -contact Mike Cooper at 602-541-2441 or people can call me Hippy Rick at 480-659-0830. 

Upcoming Events 

Extras 

Important Announcement for Motorcycle Insurance.
Nationwide Insurance, through the Don Peterson Agency in Anthem Arizona, is excited to announce a new "stand alone" motorcycle insurance policy available for purchase by the end of February.  We can insure motorcycles (including custom), quads, dirt bikes, scooters, dune buggies, sand rails, and even golf carts without having to insure your home or auto.  Of course, if you have all of your insurance with Nationwide, you could get a substantial discount of up to 40%.  Call us today for a free quote on this very competitively priced product.  Don has been riding motorcycles since he was a kid and understands the "passion" riders have for their motorcycles and their lifestyle. Peterson Financial Services, LLC, Nationwide Insurance. 4205 W. Anthem Way, Suite 105. Anthem, AZ 85086. 623-551-5400 - office, 623-551-4444 - fax.
 
This public service announcement video from England has been making the email rounds. They were looking to make an impact for making car drivers look both ways twice, and they did. This gets me every time I watch it. We should show this to the car drivers in this state as well. Click Here to View.
 
This guy should feel very lucky that this tree was watching over him. Click Here to view.
 
This video of a guy flying out of a car is pretty gruesome. He was trying to outrun the cops and got into a wreck. So if you have a weak stomach you might want to pass. Click Here to view.