untitled

Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
2/5/03

Greetings Riders,

What a difference a day makes! I have said that many times before, but this past weekend I was saying it a lot. Saturday was an absolute Chamber of Commerce day for riding here in Arizona. Mid 80's, blue skies and no wind. A perfect riding day. Sunday was the exact opposite. Low 60's, 40 mph winds and generally a pain to ride in. But it was a good opportunity to ride on the outer one third of your tires that don't see much use. The only reason I bring this up is that I was hoping for the perfect day to kick off the new Sugar Daddy's Bike Day and Brunch last Sunday. But it didn't matter, you guys and gals came out in mass. There were well over 100 bikes that came through there for the first day in spite of the weather. In fact, they well underestimated the crowd and had to call in extra help. They have assured me that they will be ready for the Cyclerides.com crowd this Sunday. The review of the food and venue was very good. If you go, get the Biscuits and Gravy with Potato wedges. It is awesome. I would like to thank all of you that came out to support the opening day of Sugar Daddy's Bike Day.

On Saturday, Mrs. Cyclerides and I decided to take advantage of the great weather and do a Day Ride for the site at the same time. So we packed our bags (put everything we needed in our pockets) and headed West. This is a route that many of you have done, but it is one of those nice little 200 mile round trips that is the perfect day ride with lots of different scenery. We started the trip on Hwy. 74 heading West through the Saguaro infested lands past Lake Pleasant on our way to Wickenburg. After a brief stop in Wickenburg we made our way towards Yarnell Hill. Many of you have heard me talk about this before. This is the place that you will want to watch your speed as they frequently monitor your activity on this road. But it is a beautiful ride and worth the occasional gauntlet. Just do the speed limit and you will be alright. From there you will go through Yarnell, the plains of Peeples Valley (usually green), Kirkland Junction, Wilhoit and then on your way through 16 miles of mountainous twisties of the Prescott National Forest ending in downtown Prescott. A beautiful ride. Then head East out of Prescott through Mayer to I-17 South back to the Valley. I will be adding it to the Day Rides page of the site in the next couple of days.

Now here is where the story gets interesting. As usual, when I am out riding there always seems to be a story develop. As we were making our way through the last one third of the ride through the forest we came upon a motorcycle wreck on one of the switch backs. They had all the traffic stopped so that the Native Air Helicopter could transport the injured out. I'm sure I am like most other riders, if you are stopped in a line of cars, and there are other motorcycles up ahead a few hundred yards you are going to want to go hang out with them while you are waiting. Right? Since all traffic was blocked in both directions I thought we would just sneak up the left side of the road and meet up with the other riders and talk with them while we waited. So off I go making my way up the left side of the road. I had just gotten off my bike and was watching Mrs. C. follow my path with another rider behind her. About the time they parked, a DPS Officer pulls up and says "I need YOUR license and YOUR license". Not being a stranger to these words, I started to reach for my license. But for once, he wasn't talking to me! It was Mrs. C. and the other guy he wanted!

Now keep in mind, this is good news/bad news for me. Mrs. C. is the type that follows the letter of the law no matter what the circumstances. So for her to follow me into a situation and get a ticket, would not bode well for me after it was over. So naturally, as any guy would do, I was trying not to make eye contact with her while this was going on, because after 22 years of marriage I knew exactly what she was thinking and what she was going to say. And then it happened, for a nanosecond of time our eyes met and I could see the whole story: "I follow you one time in an illegal move and I get the ticket!" Oh My, this was not going to be pretty. I could see my future that night. It was going to be leftovers and a cold pillow if she didn't get out of this one. So after a few minutes of telling the officer that he had very clearly pointed out an obvious infraction that we would not violate again, (and from my point of view, that it was Saturday night and the kid was at a sleepover), he graciously gave Mrs. C. and the other rider warning tickets. Whew! Thank You. I would have never stopped hearing about that one.

Here is your Cyclerides.com Tip Of The Day. After talking to another rider on Sunday about our encounter, I was informed there is a crack down on motorcycles passing slow moving cars over double yellow lines in the mountain areas. The word is that they are hiding several motors in appropriate areas on 89A going up the hill to Jerome from Prescott specifically watching for this. So if you are in a hurry to get to Jerome, you might want to take a helicopter, it might be cheaper.

I would like to highlight a new Friday Bike Night this week that I have been working on for some time. I am really happy to announce that 33 American Bistro, located just one block South of Frank Lloyd Wright on the East side of Hayden Rd. is opening their doors to riders for a Friday Bike Night. This is a really nice place that features and outdoor patio with four wood burning fireplaces and a very comfortably decorated dining area and lounge inside. There will be live music from 6-10pm every Friday along with Bike Night food and drink specials. This week get the Grilled Chicken Sandwich meal for only $6.00. This is my personal recommendation. It is the best I have ever had. They also have a Steak and Caesar for $9.00 as well as drink specials. This is a great place, you will not be disappointed. Click here to see the pictures and info.

See last week's poll results and vote in new poll in the Extras column below.

In This Issue:
The Jetz "Bikers and Bunnies" Fashion Show
Valentine's Sale For The Hog Hearted Feb. 7-9
Sign Up For Rides With Limited Space, See Below
See Poll Results and Vote in New Poll in Extras Column
"Brownie's" Funeral. See the Extras Column
Jean Davidson Book Signing and Slide Show Presentation Sign up.

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.

Jetz Americana Thursday Bike Night. Special Night February 6th. "Bikes and Bunnies" with 944 Magazine. Playmates will be here signing autographs. It will include Playboy's new leather line. The fashion show will feature Playboy's new line of leathers and HD will model their apparel at 9:30PM. We will have podiums and runways for the models, Bike Displays and Giveaways. 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.

Every Saturday and Sunday

Bike Days at The Hideaway. 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
The Hideaway Schedule for February:
Monday-Friday: 10am - 6pm: $2 Well, Wine & Domestic Beer. Free Pizza Buffet 3pm - 6pm
February 8th: The Bourget Bike Show and Bikini Bike Wash. Come out and see an awesome display of motorcycles.
February 15th: Join The Hideaway for a ride to Vulture Mine V-Twin. Ride leaves at noon.
February 22nd: The Ramjet Racing Bike and Performance Parts Expo. Check out the latest in parts and accessories.

There are now 3 Sunday stops with live entertainment and food and drink specials!

Sunday February 9th
New!! Sugar Daddy's Blues Biker Sunday Brunch New!!
Last Sunday was a huge success. You definitely caught them by surprise. They will add staff to take care of the crowd this Sunday. Great Reviews on the Food. 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.

Sunday, February 9th- "GD Roadshow".
Fandango - Live Music Every Sunday from 1:00PM - 5:00PM.
Visit our outdoor Patio's and Roof Top Bar. Plenty of bike parking.
GD ROADSHOW WARNING!! George and Duane from MOGOLLON are doing it again this Sunday. Watch show at your own risk!!! Sunday Bike Day features food and drink specials from NOON to 6pm and the best bands in Arizona. Fandango is located at 6432 E. Cave Creek Rd., in Cave Creek. There is also live music Friday and Saturday nights. For more info call 480-595-5633 or www.restaurant.com/fandango. Here is the band lineup for the rest of the month:
February 7th and 8th: "Combo Deluxe 9pm till close"
February 16th: "Combo Deluxe"
February 22nd: Run to Fandango Old Time Clam Bake, Noon - 6PM. Live Reggae music with Walt Richardson and the Morning Star Band.
February 23rd: "Combo Deluxe"

Sunday, February 9th
Hailey's Live Entertainment Sunday's - This Sunday - "Combo Deluxe". Hailey's is continuing their live entertainment every Sunday. This Sunday enjoy Arizona Favorite "Combo Deluxe". 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.
February 9th: "Combo Deluxe"
February 16th: "Rhondavous"
February 23rd: "Joker's Wild" and Car Show
March 2nd: "Combo Deluxe", March 9th: "Rhondavous", March 16th: "Rhondavous" and Car Show,
March 23rd: "Combo Deluxe", March 30th: "Joker's Wild"

This Week

Friday, February 7th
This Friday kicks off the 33 American Bistro Friday Bike Night. 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.

Friday-Sunday, February 7-9th
Valentine's Sale for the Hog Hearted. Join Arrowhead Harley and Chandler Harley to find those Harley gifts for your favorite Valentine. Take advantage of 20% off all leather jackets, pants, chaps and vests! And 20% off of a huge selection of Harley-Davidson Jewelry and Watches. Arrowhead Harley is located at: 16130 N. Arrowhead Fountain Center Dr. and Chandler Harley is located at 6895 W. Chandler Blvd.
Friday: 6-9pm. Special H.O.G. Appreciation Preview Party. Double H.O.G. Discounts All Night for local H.O.G. members. Sweetheart Buffet by 5 & Diner.
Saturday & Sunday: 10am - 6pm. Hourly door prizes and vendors, Hotdog BBQ with all the fixins. Phoenix Sun's Charity Ride registration. Charity raffle for a New Harley! Take advantage of the huge savings. *Discounts on regular priced items only. Excludes 100th Anniversary items.

Saturday, February 8th
Desert Rose Chili Run. Ride to Desert Rose Bar And Grill in Arlington. Ride leaves from Sam's Club 83rd Ave & McDowell at 11:00 AM. $5 per person, $2 per Chili entry. Ride Pins to first 300 Riders. Door Prizes, 50/50, Vendors , Live Band. Ride leaves from Sam's Club 83rd Ave & McDowell at 11:00 AM. For more information call: 623 877-9646 or 623 486-1756. Portion of proceeds to New Life Shelter for Domestic Violence.

Sunday, February 9th
Arizona Scenic Motorcycle Run. Take a 100 mile scenic run. Sign In 9:00am - 11:00am at Casey Jones Grill located at 4163 Thunderbird Rd. next to Mervyn's. This is a 100 Mile Scenic Route with a twist for those of you who like to ride. At Sign-in you will be given a map and an number. At the last stop a number will be drawn for the grand prize. $100 and a leather vest. There will also be $1000 in raffle prizes, 50/50, music and lots of fun. ALL this for only $10 per person. For more info call 602-708-3024.

Next Week

Saturday, February 15th
100 Year Harley-Davidson Celebration Featuring the Jean Davidson Book Signing and Slide Show Presentation. For all you Harley buffs and historians, Join Jean Davidson, the Granddaughter of Walter Davidson, the first President of Harley-Davidson as she shows Never-Before-Seen Rare Photos From The Family Album, Shares Family Stories and Signs Her New Book. 10:30am Special Slide Show Presentation and Talk (must sign up for this to reserve a seat) 1:00pm - 3:00pm ish (could be longer) Book Signing at Hacienda Harley Dealership. Click above link for more details on Jean. While you are there, enjoy free lunch in our Top Spoke Lounge from 11:30am - 2:30pm (and it's not just cheap hotdogs....) 50/50 drawing, 100th Anniversary Giveaways, Enter to win a 100th Anniversary Jacket, View over 150 - 2003 Anniversary Harley-Davidsons. 100th Anniversary Celebration all day Saturday from 9:00am - 6:00pm. Call 480-905-1903 for reservations for the slide show presentation and talk. Space is limited.

Saturday, February 15th
T.E.A.M. Arizona is offering a "Ladies Only" Experienced Rider Course. 8:00am-5:00pm and lunch will be provided by Chosa's Harley-Davidson. The fee is $75 and sign-up is limited to the first 24 who register. Ladies must have a current license or permit, their own bike and at least 6 months experience. It will be a fun day of both knowledge and skills improvement in an environment geared specifically for the ladies! To sign up call 480-998-9888.

On Saturday February 15th, 2003,
This one is for you riders up North. The Lake Havasu City Desert Road Riders MC will be having their "Saint Valentine's Day Massacre Poker Run". And for your convenience, you can either start this run in Bullhead City at Thunder Lanes & Lightning Lounge at 4575 Highway 95 at 9:00am , or in Lake Havasu at the RIO at 2131 McCullough at 10:00am. The Poker Run ends at the Shooters Lounge in Lake Havasu, where there will be Live Music, 50/50, Raffle, Food & Drink and more. Info at 928-855-1640.

Saturday, February 15th
Rally >From Valley Charity Motorcycle Ride. Come join the fun! Enjoy a wonderful day riding from Mesa, Arizona, to Oracle Park in Tucson, Arizona, where lunch, soft drinks, and water will be served and raffle winners will be announced. Raffle prizes include a Custom Sterling Silver Skull Belt Buckle/Belt ($350 Value), A Ladies “Force Ten” Leather Handbag ($175 Value), A Harley Davidson “Willy G” Leather Jacket ($450 Value), And Many More! Registration from 8:00 - 9:00 AM at Valley Lutheran Medical Center located at 6644 E. Baywood Avenue in Mesa, AZ. $20 Single Rider, $30 Double. Coffee, Juice and Rolls will be served at the start.

The 10th Annual Freedom Beach Party & People's Choice Bike Show. This year the party will be from Noon till 5:00pm at the Longbranch Saloon located at 107th Ave and Buckeye Rd., 1 mile south of I-10 off the 107th exit. Featuring "Classic Daze" Band with an A.I.M. STEAK DINNER and drink specials just $5 bucks for the whole day! Paved parking and lots of it! More seating/more room $100 bill giveaway from A.I.M. Attorney Joseph Eggleston Drink stations and fast dinner delivery!! Vendors, Raffles, 50/50. A day to kick back and enjoy FREEDOM all for only $5 bucks.....still!!! Priest-602-788-8873, Ray-602-862-1081.

There are three events that are still a few weeks out that I want to preview because there is limited space available.

March 1st is the 1st Annual Arizona Bike Week "Ride To The Suns". The cost is $20 per person and you get a ticket to the Suns Vs. Hornets game, a Visor, Ride Pin, and secured parking on the street behind the arena. There will be pre and post game parties with lots of giveaways. Tickets are limited and can be bought at any of the Harley dealerships as well as Metro Motorsports and Town and Country Motorsports. Tickets are limited. Proceeds to the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Bike Week Charities Foundation. Now this sounds like a good deal to me. I will be there.

March 8th is The Diamondbacks Line Drive For Kids. Many of you have done this one before and it is here again. Cost is $30.00 per rider and participants receive: Breakfast, Lunch, Event T-Shirt, Spring Training Game Ticket and Ride Pin. This ride is limited to 500 Participants. You can sign up online at the above link. This ride is always a good time. I have been to 2 out of the last 3 and will probably go this year.

March 9th is the 2nd Annual Women's Riding Expo at Chosa's Harley-Davidson from 11am - 4pm. This year features Ruth Crowley, Vice-President of General Merchandise for Harley-Davidson, will be the VIP speaker. There will be a buffet lunch, roadside essentials pouch containing survival must-have, raffle prizes and a chance to shop in Chosa's General Merchandise area. There will be several presentations by women in the industry and community. Registration is free but space is limited to 200 participants, so sign up early by calling 480-894-0404 to reserve your seat. Chosa's is located at 922 S. Country Club Drive in Mesa.

Extras

I keep thinking that I would get used to hearing about motorcyclists that lose their lives on the road. But it never gets any easier. In fact, it gets harder to take. The riding community is so close that even if you don't know the person, your heart still reaches out to the family and friends. And when it is a senseless act of road rage it makes it even harder to understand. Last Thursday night we lost a rider that many of us knew. He was known around these parts as "Brownie". He spent some years working at BDS which is where you might have run across him. Brownie was heading South down 35th Ave. when he was intentionally ran over and killed last Thursday night by a drugged up kid in a pickup truck who reportedly said "He did not like bikers". This is especially sad because it was the senseless loss of life of an innocent man. His close friends say he was a wonderful person and a true friend of man. The irony of this is that Brownie was a decorated Vietnam Veteran that made it through the war, but lost his life to a deranged drug addict on the streets of Phoenix. Go figure. Services for Steve Brown will be held at 6901 West Indian School Road, Phoenix at 2 PM Thursday, Feb 6th. May God Bless his Wife, Family and Friends with strength and comfort to get through this very difficult time.

Last Week's Poll Results: The Top 6. Surprising? It was very surprising to me. I thought that Harley would run away from the pack. Looks like we might have been part of a well organized campaign to make the Goldwingers presence felt on Cyclerides.com. They can't outnumber the Harley riders, but they certainly out finessed them this time.
Out of 3416 total votes.
Honda Goldwings - 1779 votes (52%)
Harley-Davidson - 1057 votes (30%)
Honda - 244 votes (7%)
Yamaha - 64 votes (1%)
BMW - 58 votes (1%)
Kawasaki - 53 votes (1%)

This week's poll is very simple. I would like to see what the percentage of women riders to men riders that use the site. That is, women who ride their own bike. If there are 2 riders in a household you can both vote in this poll. Please only vote once for your category. Click Here To Vote.

As for me this weekend I will be attending the opening night of the 33 American Bistro Friday Bike Night. Live music from 6-10pm. My recommendation: Get the Grilled Chicken Sandwich.

Until Next Week,
Blessings and Safe Riding To All,

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