Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
3/5/03


Greetings Riders,
 
Well, this is a page from the "be careful what you ask for" book. We have all been asking for rain, now we have gotten more rain already this year than we got all of last year. The good news is that it is raining, the bad news is that rain really messes with planned motorcycle events. Fortunately we don't have to worry about that too often living in Arizona. Just imagine if you lived in Seattle! For those of you that are itching to get out and ride, it looks like we are going to see sunshine and a reported 77 degrees this weekend. Perfect time for a ride to Tucson to see the Diamondbacks play ball. See all the rides listed below.
 
I am really amazed when I read the National Headlines
and see how messed up this world is right now. I see headlines about Car bombs in Colombia, Bus bombs in Haifa, N. Korea building nuclear bombs and President Bush close to making Iraq a former entry on the world map. And then I go to the local pages and I see that Carefree residents are upset because there is too much noise from motorcycles that ride through their town 2 days per week. Hmm, now this is serious!
 
I mean really, can't you see their point??
They moved to Carefree from out of State, bought overpriced real estate in a beautiful part of the area, got themselves elected to the town council and now they want to keep all Trains, Planes and Motorcycles from traveling through or above their town. How can you blame them? They came in and bought the area, now they want to keep everyone else out. Sounds like the perfect plan to me if you can pull it off! It used to be that the headlines were full of: "The Japanese are buying all of our real estate, Oh No!". That didn't turn out to be a problem. They didn't come in and initiate any noise ordinances that I can remember. Maybe we should be worried about the Retirees in Carefree and not the Japanese. And since they had a few bucks left over after buying the DB meters, Click here to see a picture of how they plan to enforce this ordinance.
 
Alright, before you start typing that nasty email to me, that was the cynical approach to addressing the issue. One that I have received many times via email. The point I want to bring out is that there are 2 cities that share a border. Carefree and Cave Creek. They also share the same traffic with motorcycles. The interesting thing is that the two cities have chosen completely different ways to handle the same issue. One is confrontational, the other is not. I had the chance to visit with Mayor Francia of Cave Creek about their approach. He has been riding motorcycles for over 30 years and appreciates the freedom of riding a motorcycle, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Cave Creek area and also appreciates that distinguishable sound that is emitted from a V-Twin engine. However, there is a point when that "Potato Potato" sound loses its melodic attraction and simply becomes obnoxious noise.
 
While on a walk in the desert
trying to come up with a way to address the noise issue without an ordinance, Mayor Francia received a dose of "Saguaro Inspiration" and came up with a way to get the word across to the riders. It will be an ad campaign throughout Cave Creek including all of the popular motorcycle establishments called "Burpin' Down In Cave Creek, AZ". It's a gentle approach that gets the point across to "Enjoy the Town and Respect the Community". The campaign asks riders to do three simple things:
1. Obey the speed limit.
2. Quick Shift.
3. Make sure fellow riders obey rules 1 & 2. 

I told him that I had never heard of the term "Burpin' Down". He said that it is a term that he came up with that reflects the sound of a Harley at idle or cruising slowly and allowing the engine to talk. "It doesn't do that at high RPM's". Mayor Francia has approached Harley-Davidson Corporate with this idea and they are considering adopting this phrase and using it nationwide in other areas that are having similar concerns. Click here to see the sign.
 
So as you are going through Cave Creek remember the term "Burpin Down".
Enjoy The Town, Respect The Community. That is the phrase that is going to make us good neighbors and keep us traveling through the area without being monitored for sound. You will soon be seeing these signs posted throughout Cave Creek. It is now up to us to avoid another noise ordinance. Here is a link to a newspaper that has written about this new campaign.  Cave Creek News.
 
This weekend I will be doing some testing with the MCSO in Carefree with my bike.
So if you are riding down Tom Darlington and see me on the side of the road with the Sheriff, hopefully it is not me getting a ticket. My goal is to find out the best way to ride and create the least amount of noise by controlling gearing and RPM's. I'll bring you the full report next week.
 


 

In This Issue: 
**Miss Arizona Bike Week Contest At Jetz Thursday Night**
**Diamondbacks Line Drive For Kids Ride Saturday**
**Pre-Register For Greasewood Poker Run**
**Go To The "Extras" Column Below for Some Fun Stuff**

 


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 NightThis bike night is growing fastGreat 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

This Saturday, March 8th, enjoy the The Bourget Bike Show and Bikini Bike Wash. Ride out and see a display of some of the wildest bikes in the country. If you haven't been to the Hideaway yet. Come out and see the most famous Biker Stop in all of the Southwest. This weekend enjoy the ride to Cave Creek and the beautiful weather from The Hideaway. Be a part of the Porch Posse. 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
March 15th: Ride to Ramjet Customer Appreciation Day.
March 29th:
The Ramjet Racing Bike and Performance Parts Expo. Check out the latest in parts and accessories. 

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 9th "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. Fandango features the best of Classic Rock 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, March 7 - "Walking Cane Mark" 9-Close, Sat 8th Chris Hiatt 9pm-1am
Sun. March 9th: GD Roadshow (George & Duane from Mogollon) 2-6pm, Fri 14th Combo Deluxe 9pm-1am
Sun. March 16th: Combo Deluxe 2-6pm, Sat 22nd Whiskey River 9pm-1am
Sun. March 23rd: Danny Rhodes & The Messengers 2-6pm, Fri 28th Rocket 88's 9pm-1am, Sat 29th Chill Factor 9pm-1am
Sun. March 30th: Combo Deluxe 2-6pm

Sunday, March 9th
Hailey's Live Entertainment Sunday's This Sunday - "Rhondavous". The popular Arizona Band Rhondavous 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 

Thursday, March 6th
Miss Arizona Bikeweek Contest. This Week the contest moves to Jetz Americana. Jetz is offering the two semifinalists winners of this contest a Weekend Getaway at one of the Valley's finest resorts. Last week was a full house and I expect this week the contest to be even better at Jetz. Click the above link for the results. This year Arizona Bikeweek is going to bring this contest to the public. What was once a one night affair at the Kickstart Party, will now take a page from "American Idol" and bring the contest to you, to help decide the winner. This will be a 5 week long contest on consecutive Thursdays at 5 different locations starting February 27th at the Steelhorse Saloon. There will be multiple contestants at each location strutting their stuff to get the attention of the judges so that they can make the cut to be one of the final 10 contestants the night of the Kickstart Party on April 4th. There will be 2 winners from each location that will move on to the finals. Come out and make some noise for your favorite contestant. And yes, your cheering has been known to sway the judges opinions. The winners from each week will be posted on Cyclerides.com for all to see. At the end of week #5, all the contestants will be on the site and you will be able to vote online for your favorite Miss ABW "Biker" Idol. Your votes will be weighted 50% with the judges votes on April 4th. All contests start at 7:30PM. The first week will be:
March 6th: Jetz Americana, 10050 N. Scottsdale Rd Scottsdale, 480 948-2606
March 13th: The Wild Hare, 4910 W. Ray Rd Chandler, 480 897-6200
March 20th: The Lucky Seven Sports Lounge, 7341 E. 6th Ave Scottsdale Rd Scottsdale, 480 990-7770
March 27th: The Steelhorse Saloon.
KSLX will be there to MC the competition and have some free giveaways. If you would like to be a contestant,
Click Here For An Application. If it is raining, hop in the car and come on over.
 

Saturday, March 8th
The Diamondbacks Line Drive For Kids. The Weather is supposed to be sunny and 77 degrees on Saturday. That's the break we've been looking for. The 20/30 club has secured 100 additional tickets for this ride. So if you haven't pre-registered, come on down the day of the ride, there should be tickets available. You can still register on line to reserve your spot. Many of you have enjoyed this event before and it is here again. This is really a fun time. The ride begins at Claim Jumpers in Tempe, AZ located at 1530 W. Baseline Rd. Sign in from 8-9AM. The ride will go to Tucson via Florence and then onto the Diamondbacks Spring Training game. Cost is $30.00 per rider and participants receive: Breakfast, Lunch, Event T-Shirt, Spring Training Game Ticket and Ride Pin. There will also be several autographed memorabilia available at a silent auction. 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. This year they have added Cyclerides.com to the very cool ride pin. Click here to see the pin. 

Saturday, March 8th
Luck Of The Irish Pinochle Poker Run presented by Rio Salado Rotary. Sign in from 8:30AM at Identity Marketing at the SE Corner of Rural and Elliot in Tempe. Ride leaves at 9AM. Join the activities at Falcon Field in Mesa for the Planes, Trains and Automobiles Exhibit. Lot of activities. $25 per person, $40 per couple includes your admission to the exhibit. Grand prize is a 3 day RV rental. Click the above link for more information. 602-244-2300. 

Sunday, March 9th
2nd Annual Women's Riding Expo. Attention Women riders, even if you ride on the back. If you missed the first one you have a second chance. Come share your ideas and make friends at Chosa's 2nd Annual Women's Riding Expo in Mesa. There will be a buffet lunch, roadside essentials pouch containing survival must-haves, raffle prizes and a chance to shop in Chosa's General Merchandise area. There will be several presentations by women in the community and industry, featuring Ruth Crowley, Vice President of General Merchandise for Harley-Davidson. Registration is free but space is limited. Call 480-894-0404 to register. Registration 11-11:30AM, Lunch at 11:30AM, Presentations to follow. 

Next Week 

Sunday, March 16th
15th Annual Greasewood Poker Run. This is annually one of the biggest rides of the year. Usually 1500-2000 riders and will be featuring a little different route this year. This year the ride begins at Arrowhead HD located at 16130 N. Arrowhead Fountain Dr. (1 block S. of Bell Rd. off 83rd. Ave.) Pre-register on Saturday for $15 per person which entitles you to Lunch, Ride Pin (to the first 1500 registered) Vendors and Live Music. If you have sent in pre-registration you can pick up your packet on the 15th at Arrowhead Harley. $20 day of ride (no ride pin). Registration between 8am and 10:30am on the 16th. Ride ends at Rock Springs where you will enjoy the great sounds of Arizona's favorite band Mogollon. Prizes to the top 3 Poker Hands. Big 50/50 drawing. For more information call Buck at 623-247-5542 or 602-999-8047. See ya there.
 
Sunday, March 16th
AZ Thunder Cycles St. Pat's Rally. Want to stay on the East side of town and take a beautiful ride up the Bee Line Highway to Roosevelt Lake? Then this is your ride. Join AZ Thunder Cycles as they present the St. Pat's Rally to Roosevelt Lake for a BBQ complete with all the fixins and drinks. $10 per person and $15 per couple. The ride starts at AZ Thunder Cycles location at 15001 N. Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale at 10:30 AM. RSVP to Melissa at 480-990-8700 or Call Torence at 480-905-3200 for more information. For some insight on this route Click Here to view my Day Ride.
 

Extras 

The band Mogollon has a big following here in Phoenix so I thought I would share a little video clip with you. They were on TV3 Monday morning to play a new song they are about to record called "Cowboy Road". I thought it was really a good and wanted to give you all a chance to see it. Click here if you have cable internet. For all others click here.
 
Harley-Davidson Lovers Set World Record for Largest Wedding Vow Renewal. For those of you that have said that the love for Harley's are a fad might have just been proven wrong. According to this story, the honeymoon is still not over for Harley lovers. 325 couples traveled from 30 states to have their wedding vows renewed on their Harley's at Orlando Harley-Davidson during their 100 year celebration. Click here for the complete story.
 
It appears by this picture that the debate between the states with helmet laws and riders have finally been solved. The riders wanted to feel the wind in their hair and the states wanted head protection. See how they compromised. Click here to see what they came up with.
 
Some of you might have seen this one before, but it bears repeating. All of us get these crazy emails telling us that Bill Gates is going to send us money if we forward an email and a million other things to waste our time. This little flash animation pretty much says what we would all like to say. Click here for the Soap Box.
 
You have all heard that the pilots want to be able to arm themselves in the cockpits. This Captain is taking it seriously. Click Here To See.
 
As for me this weekend I will be going to the start of the Diamondbacks ride and then onto the Decibel testing out in Carefree. Should be a beautiful weekend, so get your bikes polished and get ready to enjoy the 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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