Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
2/1/06 

Greetings Riders,
 
The calendar has now turned to February and the Arizona riding weather is still excellent. Most of you know that we are setting records here in the Valley at 106 consecutive days without rain. That is good news if you are looking to ride, but we might be paying for that this summer with dry forests. But, while it is here, we can enjoy it and this weekend looks to be great. Forecasts are for the 80's in Phoenix which will mean low to mid 70's in higher elevations. If you are looking to get out of the Valley for a short ride, a ride to the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park would be a good one. Here is the Day Ride page for it, and here is the Video of the Ride.
 
I'm sure a lot of you are like me in that you would rather take the bike for short errands to the store rather than the car. And if you don't have bags, you tend to improvise by balancing the sack on your legs and tank or stuffing things in your jacket, etc. And even if you do have bags, you tend to over buy and have to do a little balancing act anyway. Mrs. C. and I stopped by the store last weekend on our way back from the Buddy's Girls Ride (see story of that in the extras column below) and I found myself in that situation once again trying to balance a couple of sacks and a box of Cheerios on my lap for the 3 block ride home. While I made it home this time with no calamities or injured fruit, I couldn't help thinking back about the story I did 4 years ago about my incident when Mrs. C. sent me to the store to pick up some Muffin Cups. And since there are several thousand of you new to the newsletter, and the Super Bowl is coming up, I thought it would be a good idea to share this story with you again. 

"The Muffin Cups"

Ok guys, for those of you that have been married for a while, you know that there are tests in your marriage from time to time. And usually they come at some of the worst times in a Man's world for some of the craziest things. That's what happened to me last Sunday afternoon. I'm not a huge football fan by any means, college basketball is really my sport, but I am a sports fan and the Superbowl ranks right up there in scope of big sporting events. So I'm sitting back watching the game and listening to Mrs. Cyclerides and my daughter in the kitchen making muffins. In the distance I hear, "oh no, we're out of muffin cups!" With those words, I knew that it was MY number that was about to be called, and it wasn't to play fullback. It was to be "errand boy". Sure enough, the voice rang out with the request that I was expecting. Dad.... would you go get us some "mini muffin cups"?

Ugh! Here I am, caught between being the subject of Roseanne Barr's next act about a couch growing out of my butt and being the loving Husband/Father that will leave in the middle of the Superbowl to do an errand for my Wife and Daughter. Of course wanting to help, but not just right then, I felt I had to ask some probing questions. Do we need muffin cups right now? Can it wait till tomorrow? Why are we getting "mini" muffin cups? Since I am taking the time to go, why not get the full sized ones? In a guys mind these are all valid questions. The answers were yes, no, and presentation. There was about 5 minutes left in the second quarter and at this point I was more interested in the commercials than the game anyway, So I figured I could get up there and back in time to see the halftime show.

This is where it gets interesting. I figured I would take this opportunity to bank some brownie points AND take a spin on the bike to make the emergency run for the muffin cups a little more enjoyable. To help make the trip a little quicker, Mrs. C. was kind enough to call ahead and have the 4 containers of 88 mini muffin cups waiting for me at the counter. So I walked in the door and the women said, "you must be the husband for the muffin cups". I agreed, gave her the $8.32 and it appeared things were going pretty well. So I put the four plastic containers in my jacket pocket and was looking forward to getting home to collect my brownie points and watch the halftime show. Wanting to get back home to see U2 sing words that I couldn't understand anyway, I thought I would try to get home as quickly as possible. For those of you that have read the letter for a while know that I have trouble hanging onto things while riding.

So I pulled onto the street, shifted quickly to second gear and heard a noise that was not normal. But at the same time, a sound that I had heard before. Kind of a plastic sound scraping on asphalt. I immediately checked for my cell phone and it was still there. I then realized that it was actually my booty from the Kitchen Store that had decided that they would have a better chance of surviving on 75th Ave. than in a 350 degree oven. I looked in my mirror to find that my recently purchased "mini muffin cups" were now about to become ROAD KILL! Knowing that the Kitchen Store was closed, I quickly pulled a u-turn and went back to rescue as many as possible.

As I reached the scene I saw that 166 of these cups had decided to make a run for it by ejecting from their containers. It looked like someone had hit a bird and there were feathers everywhere. As cars would go by more of them would fly up in the air. But fortunately two of the containers were still intact. There wasn't much I could do about the ones flying around, but I had to save the ones still in the box to have any chance of cashing in on my "Good Dad" award.

This is when I started my best imitation of the game "Frogger", jumping in and out of cars trying to retrieve the other two containers while being enveloped by the other 166 cups fly up in the air every time a car went by, all while trying keep from getting run over. I finally retrieved them and  stuck the two remaining containers firmly in my pocket and headed home. Even though I lost two packages of "mini muffin cups", the story does have a happy ending. Fortunately they didn't need the two lost containers, they were just stocking up for the future. As it turns out,  I was still the Good Dad for leaving during the Super Bowl to get the Mini Muffin Cups, and I still got to see most of the half time show. This is just another chapter in the book of: "The Man With No Saddle Bags".

The Hearts To Heroes ride will be on March 25th.
There are still over 100,000 troops in Iraq and the surrounding area that need our support at home. I am working on some great things to show support for our Troops and to benefit Packages From Home. We will again start at CCV at 67th Ave. and Happy Valley where there will be a 30 min Multimedia presentation that will include singing, interviews with troops and video presentations on the two 20 foot screens inside the 3500 seat Church. You will not want to miss this one. Click Here for links to the story of the last year's Hearts to Heroes ride, Pictures and Video. Please pass this on to your groups and riding friends to encourage them to support this event. More details will follow in upcoming newsletters.
 


Highlights This Week 

Thursday, February 2nd
The First Night of the Uncle Sam's Thursday Bike Night.
Stop by for the first night this Thursday. Patio, Raffle Prizes and Food Specials.
 
Starts Friday February 3rd
Movie: "The Worlds Fastest Indian".
Exclusively at Harkins Camelview in Scottsdale Starting Friday.
 
Saturday, February 4th
Chester's Harley-Davidson Pigskin Party.
Are you ready for the big game?
 
Saturday, February 4th
Desert Rose Chili Lovers Cook Off
 
Sunday, February 5th
A.B.A.T.E. Superbowl Poker Run
 

 

This Week's Bike Night Events 

Tuesday Nights 

 
Chester’s Harley Davidson Biker Night at the Tilted Kilt in Tempe!  If you are looking for some fun on a Tuesday night, With 2 outdoor patios and plenty of excitement, This place is a good time! The Tilted Kilt is home to the best Scotch-Irish experience in Arizona, with an award-winning menu, classic pub fare, and signature Kilt items sure to please any palate—not to mention twenty four globe-spanning beers on tap!  Biker Night Tuesdays also mean $3 Jack Daniels and half-price appetizers.  And, with a Tilted Kilt Biker Night Card, you receive 15% OFF your total bill.  So what are you waiting for? Come on down and have a craic with Chester’s Harley-Davidson! The Tilted Kilt is located at 660 W. Warner Rd. in Tempe, AZ. Just 1.5 miles East of I-10 on Warner Rd. 480-592-0102. Click Here for Map. 

Thursday Night

Superstition Harley-Davidson and Spirits Bar and Grill have teamed up to bring riders in the Far East Valley a great Thursday bike night. For those of you in Far East Mesa and Apache Junction, you now have a place to go on Thursday nights. And better yet, just for riding your bike to Spirits, they will give you a free hamburger. That’s right, every rider to show up on their bike between 7-10pm will receive a free hamburger! Stick around and win great prizes and raffle items from Superstition Harley-Davidson. 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 every Thursday night from 8:30p.m till 2am. With an extensive food menu, 2 patios, and monitors inside to watch your bike, 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.

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. 

Every Saturday and Sunday  

The "Hog Pen" at the Roadhouse Bike Weekend. Take a ride and stop by the "Hog Pen" at The Roadhouse, the Hottest New motorcycle patio in Cave Creek where every weekend will be Bike Weekend. Now Featuring a new Breakfast Buffet from 8am - Noon on Saturday and Sunday and Live Music on the patio every Sunday from Noon - 4pm! Grab a seat at the new Hog Pen bar rail and watch the bikes ride by. There is plenty of new concrete motorcycle parking right out front. CCR is located on Cave Creek Rd. in the heart of Cave Creek directly across from Harold's. It is a restaurant and bar that focuses on a broad menu of good food and has a large bar for socializing with your riding pals for a good time. It is built to look like something out of the 1800's, but it is brand new. Stop by this weekend for lunch, dinner or just to have a drink and take a look at the place. I can tell you that their hamburgers and steak fries are exceptional. Mrs. C. had the swordfish and said it was very good.
Live Music Every Weekend:

Thursday: Live Music with Todd & Ethan 9pm - Close
Friday: Live Music with "EastonAshe" 9pm - 1:30am

Saturday: Live Music with "EastonAshe" 9pm - 1:30am

Sunday Afternoon: Live Music with "Dok and Gal" Noon - 4pm

Sunday Evening: Super Bowl Party

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 

Thursday, February 2nd
The First Night of the Uncle Sam's Thursday Bike Night. Riders on the West side, this is what you have been asking for. The brand new Uncle Sam's Restaurant located at 18913 N. 83rd Ave is starting a bike night that will be every Thursday night. This is a very nice new restaurant with EXCELLENT food including Pizza, Chessesteaks (which they are known valley wide for) Wings, Hoagies, Grinders and Salads. They have a large outdoor patio with TV's and Music. There is plenty of parking for motorcycles next to the patio that will be reserved for bikes. Ride by and help us kick off this first night to build a fun bike night on the West side. Food and drink specials will be available for motorcycle riders on bike night. Arrowhead Harley will be there the first night with a chance for raffle prizes for anyone who rides in. For more information call 623-362-3900. Uncle Sam's is located just one block North of Union Hills on 83rd Ave. just off of the Loop 101. Click here for the map.
 
Starts Friday, February 3rd
Movie: The World's Fastest Indian exclusively at Harkins Camelview Theatre in Scottsdale. I have been hearing a lot about this movie. Watched every trailer and read a lot of reviews. Everything seems to point to this being a great movie, not just about motorcycles, but the will of a man. I will definitely be seeing it this weekend.
This is the true story of Burt Munro (Anthony Hopkins) - a New Zealand man who spent decades perfecting his classic 1920 Indian motorcycle. At age 68, he risked everything, including his own life, taking the bike to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah to break the world speed record. Here is an excerpt from a review:
"The World's Fastest Indian" is a crowd pleaser of the highest order. It's an underdog film in the vein of "Rocky," yet it constantly surprises and subverts formula with sneaky direction and screen writing by Roger Donaldson. "Indian" is an episodic film, taking warm cues from "The Straight Story" and "Forrest Gump" as Munro drifts his way across the west, meeting and ingratiating himself to small-town folk along the way. While overall a story about the desire for speed, "Indian" eventually reveals itself to care deeply about human connection, paying great attention to Munro's sunny Kiwi attitude to challenges, and his endless reservoir of kindness to anyone who crosses his path. The race moments provide the thrills, yet Munro's gentle nature gives the film a jovial mood, and makes "Indian" a much more emotional experience than expected. Click Here for all of the trailers.
This is only playing at Harkins Camelview 5 Theatre, 7001 E. Highland Ave. in Scottsdale.
So you might want to buy tickets in advance. Click Here for Showtimes and tickets.
 
Saturday, February 4th
Chester's Harley-Davidson Pigskin Party. Are you ready for the big game?  The competition, the excitement, the roar of the crowd as your team wins? There's no better way to get psyched for the Super Bowl than with Chester's Super Bowl Pigskin Party on Saturday, February 4th from 9am to 4pm.  Want to experience the excitement of football for yourself?  Play the Super Toss Challenge and you'll get three chances to score and win a hundred dollar gift card!  You won't have to worry about calling the fun because of hunger because we'll be serving up HOG Dog Day and Super Bowl munchies from 11am to 2pm.  Be sure to wear your favorite team jersey – you'll get a 10% discount on your total MotorClothes® merchandise purchase.
 
Saturday, February 4th
Desert Rose Chili Lovers Cook Off. Ride out to Desert Rose at 18300 S Old Hwy 80 in Arlington, for a good ride and some good Chili. If you want to ride with a group, you can meet at the Sam's Club at 8340 W. McDowell. Ride leaves at 11:00am. The cost is $5.00 per person. $2 per chili entry. $3 for Kids 7-14. Kids under 7 free. Registration is from Noon - 4:00pm. There will be vendors, Live Music, 50/50 and more. Everyone welcome. Portion of the proceeds to the Michael's Garden. For more information or to enter your chili call Terrye at 623-826-5293.

Sunday, February 5th
A.B.A.T.E. Superbowl Poker Run. Poker Run sponsored by ABATE of AZ Phoenix Chapter. Sign-In from 9-10:30am at the Charley's Place, 4324 W. Thunderbird in Phoenix. $10 per hand. $2 for extra cards drawn at last stop. 50/50 drawing and Door Prizes. Run Ends at Peckerhead's located at Cactus/T-Bird & Cave Creek Rd. Last card drawn at 2:30pm. More information: Turtle at 602-432-9073. 

Next Week 

February 7th - 14th
Arrowhead Harley-Davidson and Chandler Harley-Davidson Valentine's Sweet Savings Event.
Arrowhead Harley-Davidson: From Tuesday, Feb. 7th to Feb. 14th save 14% on selected merchandise that day including Boots, Exhaust, Watches, Jackets, Chaps and Vests, Jewelry and Luggage. Click Here to see what days to save for your needed items. And back by popular demand on February 17th, the Clutches and Chrome Car & Bike Show 5-8pm. Pre-Registration is required for the 1st 35 Cars and 1st 40 Bikes. Free Show and Free Food provided by Cattlemens. Arrowhead HD is located at 16130 N. Arrowhead Ftn. Ctr. Dr. in Peoria. 623-247-5542.
Chandler Harley-Davidson: February 7th-14th win 2 new motorcycles. Any purchase in those 7 days gets you an attempt to open the vault and win both bikes. February 11th and 12th SAVE BIG with the sweetheart drawing. Pick a heart to receive 10%-20% OFF your purchase. Chandler HD is located at 6895 W. Chandler Blvd. in Chandler. 480-496-6800.
 
February 11-14
Chester's Harley-Davidson HOG Hearted Sale. Want to give a gift this Valentine's Day that really comes from your heart?  Then check out Chester's HOG Hearted Sale, running February 11th through 14th.  You'll find 25% OFF on all jewelry and watches, excluding accessories.  That's right – MOD, Stamper, and Bulova watches will all be on sale.  We even sweeten the deal with free gift wrapping! Chester's Harley-Davidson is located at 922 S. Country Club Dr. in Mesa, AZ. 480-894-0404.
 
Saturday and Sunday
February 11th - 12th
Superstition Harley-Davidson Presents Cupids Corner.
Roses are red, violets are blue…Superstition Harley’s got gold and silver for you!  Love won’t be the only thing in the air this month at Superstition Harley-Davidson, in Apache Junction.  You’ll find HUGE savings everywhere you look during our Valentine’s weekend shop-a-thon, February 11th and 12th, including 25% OFF ALL jewelry and watches. On Saturday only, spend $50 or more on jewelry and receive a FREE rose to go along with your Valentine treasures.  If you find a red heart sticker item, even greater discounts await you.  And that’s not all!  You’ll also enjoy sweets and biker brew while you shop for beautiful jewelry and more!  Happy Valentine’s Day from Superstition Harley Davidson in Apache Junction! Located at 2910 W. Apache Trail in Apache Junction. 480-346-0600.
 
Saturday, February 11th
East Valley A.B.A.T.E. Valentines Day Party. Doors open 7pm at Jake's O'Mine, 1985 W. Apache Trail in Apache Junction, AZ. Live Music and drink specials for those that donate to the cause ($5 per person). Great door prizes and raffle for a Romantic Weekend for Two, Food available at Fatman's Pizza and Grill. Presented by East Valley ABATE of Arizona. Come out and support ABATE and ensure your right to ride free. Special Parking for bikes. For More Information: 480-830-4434 or 480-839-9369. 

Extras 

The Buddy's Girl's Ride was a big success last Sunday with almost 70 Women taking the scenic ride with Buddy to the Hog Pen and the Cave Creek Roadhouse. From that ride I added 25 more ladies to the Women Who Ride Gallery. Click Here for pictures from the event.
 
I used to shoot some blue rocks on the farm in Kansas, but nothing like this guy. Watch this video of a champion shooter. Click Here to view.
 
Ever been on a plane flight that really got on your nerves. Check out this commercial from Princess Cruise Lines. Click Here to view.
 
As for me this weekend I am going to go see the World's Fastest Indian and then try and take advantage of some awesome riding weather that is supposed to be this weekend. 
 

Until Next Week,
Blessings and Safe Riding To All, 

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

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