Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
2/26/03

 
Greetings Riders,
 
Well, the last few weeks have been a little good news/bad news as far as riding is concerned. The good news is we desperately need the rain that we are getting here in the state, the bad news is it makes it a little tough to ride. Fortunately for the weekend riders most of the moisture has been coming during the week. All in all, I guess we really can't complain about a little rain and 70 degree weather. Our friends in the Northeast would love that option right now.
 
I don't know what it is about me and riding, but it seems as though every time I get on the bike another story develops. I have had so many crazy things happen on the bike that I am starting to lose track. Those of you that have been reading the letter for a while might recall the cell phone ejection from the pocket doing 50 mph, or the use of inappropriate sunscreen during bike week last year, or the turkey taking flight from the back of the bike, and of course the infamous "Muffin Cups" story. I've had so many things fly off the bike that I'm surprised I even try it anymore. Well, I still do.
 
Saturday morning I had to run a quick errand, so I hopped on the bike, took care of business and was heading back home when I remembered that I needed some bread to make a sandwich. So I stopped at the Circle K near home, grabbed a loaf of bread and a bag of chips and headed to the counter to the "Amazing Kreskin" at the checkout. Before the guy in front of me was even gone, she already had me rung up telling me my total. I thought, Wow, this girl doesn't even know what I have and she got the price right. They must have the price of all 20 items in the store memorized. So I paid the $2.40 and she asked me if wanted a bag. I thought that would be a good idea so she placed the items in the plastic bag and I was on my way. That is where the problems started.
 
Once I reached the bike I realized that this was going to be a little more of a juggling act than I had anticipated. At the risk of ending up with crumbs, I put the bag of chips inside my jacket for safekeeping which left me with the bread in the plastic bag. So I placed my Colonial sandwich sliced bread on the tank balancing it with my legs and holding the bag shut with one hand. I had reached about 40 mph and needed to shift, so I took my hand off of the bag to get to the clutch. That is when the bag filled with air, became a parachute and lifted my bread in the air before I knew what had happened. I looked in the mirror to see my future sandwich doing tumbles, rolls and flips on Bell Rd. that only Olympian Mary Lou Rhetton could dream about. After flirting with being road kill at the hands of a late model SUV, my bread came to rest in the gutter. Most of the judges gave it a 9.5 for complexity. But as usual, the French judge refused to vote citing that the performance was unnecessary.
 
So many things can go through your mind in just a moment of time. Surprise, anger, panic. And so many questions come to mind. Do I turn around and retrieve it? Do I go to the next Circle K and start over? How really hungry am I? Can I get across traffic to turn around? Just to name a few. All of this in just a couple of seconds. So I decided that I was hungry, the next convenience store was not really that convenient, I could get across traffic, so I turned around to retrieve what was left of my new sandwich style loaf of bread. It was in amazing shape considering that it had just been dropped doing 40 mph and wasn't wearing a helmet. I rescued it from the gutter, secured it and headed home. I am happy to report that we had lunch together that day and that the bread is still in the pantry and doing fine. One of these days I am going to get a bike with bags or an ample supply of bungee cords. But for now, just another chapter in the collection of stories and I'm sure many more will come.
 

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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. 

Thursdays 

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. 

Fridays 

33 American Bistro Friday Bike Night.
Live Music Every Friday Night 6-10PM
If you haven't been here yet, stop by and try some of Bistro 33's great food. Finally! A good place to go for an organized Friday Ride Night with live music every week from 6-10pm. American Bistro is a really comfortable restaurant that features an outdoor patio that seats 40 people with 4 wood burning fireplaces to keep you warm at night and a mist system to keep you cool in the summer. And a beautiful interior with a lounge for relaxing and keeping an eye on your favorite game. They have a broad menu including Bike Night Specials of Grilled Chicken Sandwich meal for $6.00 or a Steak Caesar for $9.00. They also have Pizzas, Pasta, Burgers and Fish and Chips just to name a few items. You have to try the Chicken Sandwich! It is the best I have ever had. $3.00 House Wines, $3.00 Well Drinks, $3.00 Rolling Rock Bombers. This is a very comfortable place that makes you feel at home when you walk in the door. And the food is very good. 33 American Bistro is located on Hayden Rd. one block South of Frank Lloyd Wright on the East side of the road. Help us kick off the first night February 7th starting at 6:00pm with live music on the patio. You won't be disappointed. Click here to see the pictures and info.
 

Saturday and Sunday

Bike Days at The Hideaway. 
March 1st and 2nd: Take a look at the Hideaway's new menu. The chicken strips are the perfect snack during your ride. I had them Saturday and they are great. This weekend enjoy the ride to Cave Creek and the beautiful weather from The Hideaway. Be a part of the Porch Posse at The Hideaway, one of most popular stops in the Southwest for riders that come to Arizona. Stop by for one of their great burgers and shop and Stampede Leathers while you are there. Check out the Friday Night Steak Fry from 6-10 PM for only $7.95.  Don't Forget, Every Day is Bike Day at the Hideaway. "There are no strangers here, just friends you haven't met yet! " 6746 E. Cave Creek Rd. in Cave Creek, AZ. 480-595-0358

Sundays 

Sugar Daddy's Blues Biker Sunday Brunch.
Live Music 1-5PM Every Sunday
This day is continuing to grow. Great Reviews on the Food. Complimentary coffee is now served. Make Sugar Daddy's Blues your stop on your ride down Scottsdale Rd. for Brunch or Lunch on their relaxing 5,000 square foot Tree Covered Patio from 11am - 5pm. Enjoy live music from 1-5pm and choose from the all you can eat "Bunch O'Brunch", 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 . 
 
Sunday, March 2nd "GD Roadshow" 
Fandango - Live Music Every Sunday from 2:00PM - 6:00PM.
Visit our outdoor Patio's and Roof Top Bar. Plenty of bike parking.
If you have not experienced Sunday at Fandango your are missing one of the best parties in the valley. Live music outside 2-6PM, weather permitting, the best seat in the house is the Rooftop Bar!. The Rooftop Bar also has the best views of Black Mountain, Spur Cross as well as all the bikes cruisin' Cave Creek not to mention all the action on the lower patio. Enjoy the drink and food specials NOON to 6PM. The party continues with Reverse Happy Hour Sunday Night 6 to close. Fandango features the best of Classic Roxk and Blues Friday and Saturday nights as well as Sunday afternoons. Fandango is located 6032 E. Cave Creek Rd., in Cave Creek. For more info call 480-595-5633 or www.restaurant.com/fandango. Here is the band lineup for the rest of the month:
Friday, February 28th: "Combo Deluxe, 9-Close"
Saturday, March 1st - "Hans Olsen" 9-Close
Sunday, March 2 - "GD Road Show". George and Duane from Mogollon
Friday, March 7 - "Walking Cane Mark" 9-Close
Saturday, March 8 - "Chris Hyatt", 9-Close
Sunday, March 9 - "GD Road Show" Returns 
 

Sunday, March 2nd
Hailey's Live Entertainment Sunday's - This Sunday - "Combo Deluxe". The popular Arizona Band Combo Deluxe will be taking their act to Hailey's this weekend. Hailey's is continuing their live entertainment every Sunday. This Sunday enjoy Pandy and Rhonda with "Rhondavous". The weather should be nice this weekend, give it a try. 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.
Upcoming Bands appearing at Hailey's on Sundays:
March 9th: "Rhondavous",
March 16th: "Rhondavous" and Car Show,
March 23rd: "Combo Deluxe",
March 30th: "Joker's Wild" 

This Week 

 
Saturday, March 1st
Friends For Life Animal Sanctuary Charity Ride. 
The ride will depart at 9:00am from The Helmet Harbor located at 511 W. Guadalupe Rd. #4 Gilbert, AZ and travel East to Globe, Winkleman, Mammoth, Florence, and back to the Valley. The ride will total 235 miles, and take the group through some of the most beautiful desert scenery in Southern Arizona. A $10.00 registration fee will be collected from each rider, ($5.00 per passenger) with ALL of the proceeds going to Friends for Life. Friends For Life is a nonprofit organization helping animals find new homes. Special need animals are also cared for, with many of the vet services paid for out of private donations. Friends for Life currently maintain a shelter and an active adoption program for the unwanted animals. In addition, they maintain two community programs designed to help low-income families keep their animal companions through times of crisis. For more information call Todd at 480-635-1009.
 
Saturday, March 1st
1st Annual Arizona Bike Week "Ride To The Suns". Be a part of Motorcycle Theme Night at the Suns. $20 cost gets you a ticket to the Suns Vs. Hornets game, a visor, a pin and the ride. You can get your tickets ahead of time at any of the Harley dealerships in the valley, Metro Motorsports, Town and Country Motorsports or on the day of the ride. The ride will leave at 3PM from all of the above dealerships. There will be secured parking on Jackson Street with the street closed. You will need to leave from one of the dealerships to get your parking pass. There will be lots of giveaways and pre and post parties. Post parties will be at Jackson's and Cooperstown. For more information, call any of the dealerships listed on the flyer. Tickets are limited. Sounds like a good time to me, I'll be there.
 
Saturday, March 1st
Memorial Ride For Steven "Brownie" Brown. This is a benefit memorial run that will celebrate the life "Brownie". Sign in at Bikers Discount Supply at 15242 N. Cave Creek Rd. from 10AM - Noon. The procession will leave BDS and proceed South on Cave Creek Road to Thunderbird. It will then turn Right and proceed West on Thunderbird to 35^th Ave. At 35^th Ave., the procession will turn Left to go South on 35^th Ave. The procession will continue South on 35^th Ave. until 1-block North of Cholla. At that point, the procession, will turn Merge Right on to the West side access road along 35^th Ave. At this point there will be a cross place in the ground where Brownie was murdered. There should be enough room to park all the bikes along the access road and neighboring streets. Poker run ends at the Hideaway with an auction, 50/50 starting at 3:00PM. Prizes for Best Hand, Second and Worst hand. $10 donation for poker run will be given to the Brown family. For more information call 602-992-2229. A good opportunity for the friends of Brownie to get together and celebrate his life. 602-242-1524.