Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
4/14/04
Greetings Riders,
Well, Here we are at the middle of April and you know what that means. Yes,
it means that we are in the middle of our perfect riding time, but it is also the time when the Government is asking
for their share of your hard earned money. Maybe this year we should all ride our motorcycles when we make
that midnight drop to the post office. It won't prove anything, but it is another excuse to get the bike out. I would also like to thank the hundreds of emails
that I received with suggestions for Arizona Bike Week. There were some excellent suggestions that I have passed
on to the ABW group for them to review. Hopefully your constructive input will help to continue making this
a better event.
As we all know, riding motorcycles is an exhilarating experience. Whether it is across town or across the country. When you throw that leg over the
seat and press the start button it seems to briefly transform you into a different mindset. The rumble of the engine
to your ears and the feeling of power from the engine that is transferred to your sole erases everything else that
is around you. That challenging day or week you just had is left behind with the exhaust from your alter ego, AKA,
your motorcycle. With the heightened interest in motorcycles these days, it's hard to get on a big, throaty motorcycle
and not feel just a little bit cool, the modern day James Dean. The persona that you inherit doesn't just
stop in your mind, it also transfers into the way that you accessorize your bike and even the clothes that you
wear.
The Harley-Davidson Motor Company has created brand awareness better than
anyone with the logo recognized around the world. It is almost
a tribal mentality when it comes to the HD Bar and Shield on products, particularly clothing. And the easiest way
to show brand loyalty or where you have been on your Harley is with a T-Shirt. Harley has done a fantastic job
with the marketing of dealerships through the sales of T-Shirts with colorful descriptive backs.
So during ABW I decided to take pictures of the backs of T-Shirts and share them with everyone. I saw shirts
from as far away as Spain to the four corners
of the United States including Buffalo, Tampa, Seattle and Hawaii. T-Shirt backs are
kind of our own personal billboard or calling card. It is a way that we can show other riders where we have been, what
rally's we have been to, or other loyalty's that we might
have. They can also have interesting little words that can say a lot. I should probably get one of these.
They also provide an easy way to strike up a conversation with a fellow rider based upon where his shirt is from. It's amazing how a little thing like a
T-Shirt can actually affect the routes that we take on a trip. When we did our trip to California, we would
actually plan our ride based on where there were HD Dealerships to visit. One of the dealerships that we went
to was Hangtown
in Placerville, CA. Seeing that shirt at Bike Week evoked
memories of when we stopped at that dealership and our experience there. It was amazing how clear that image still
was.
One rider told me that he has more than 300 Harley T-Shirts in his closet. He said that when he goes through them it is like a walk down memory lane, as just
the sight of each one of them lights up and tells the story from where it came. I'm sure many of
you could say the same thing about your closets of shirts and the memories they bring back, I know I can. Why
do we do it? I guess it is all explained by the unexplainable passion
that we have for riding and the brand loyalty that Harley has developed
over the past 100 years. It's almost embarrassing in a way. I can't remember the last movie I saw or what the sermon
was 2 weeks ago, but If you show me a shirt, I can tell you in detail everything about the Dealership
and my journey to get there. Hmmm! Go Figure. Maybe I should get this checked out. Nah! They wouldn't
understand.
You can find the HD logo on everything
from toilet seats to dog collars and a lot of other things in between. It seems as though we just can't get
enough things with HD on them. Brand loyalty appears to be at an all time high for Harley. Sometimes
I wonder how this logo can be so popular and stand the test of time that it has. Then I read an article in Forbes
Magazine that helped clear this up for me. The HD logo is passed down through the generations with parents
starting their kids out early. According to Forbes, there aren't many ways that a child can interact with a real
Harley-Davidson, so Fisher-Price made one branded with the Bar and Shield that ended up selling more of those
than real Harley's that year. This would explain why so many kids these days are enamored with the Harley brand
and it continues to grow.
All of this is hard to explain to the non-rider.
But if you do ride, you know what all of the fuss is about. There is
nothing else like the experience that you get from a good road trip on your motorcycle, Nothing! You don't have to explain. Your friends can just see the smiles on your faces and
hear the excitement in your stories after you've returned from a few days on your motorcycle making deposits
into your memory bank of life. It's time to start planning our rides for this Summer. I wish everyone a safe and
adventurous riding season.
Click
Here for my photos of 67 backs of shirts from all over the world.
I'm sure you will recognize a few of them. Enjoy!
This Week's Events
Tuesday
Eli's American Grille Tuesday Bike Night. Live Music "Rule 11" Every Tuesday Night 8:00PM. EXCELLENT Sliders and a Great Band. Many of you know about Eli's located at 70th St. and Shea in Scottsdale. They have been a popular stop around Scottsdale for many years and the owners are avid riders. They are now doing a special night for motorcycles including live music featuring classic rock tunes from "Rule 11". If you haven't been by Eli's yet, be sure and try one of their 9 varieties of sliders served until midnight. You will not be disappointed. You can also watch your favorite game on TV while you eat, play some pool or sit out on the patio in front watching the bikes roll in. Eli's is your motorcycle friendly grille located on 7000 E. Shea in Scottsdale right behind Claim Jumpers. 480-948-9800. Stop by this Tuesday night.
Wednesday
Margarita
Rocks Beach Club Bike Night. This is our first bike night in the Downtown
Tempe Entertainment District. Margarita Rocks is a multi
level building with outdoor patios on each level that will feature a Bike Night every Wednesday starting at 6:00pm.
This is a fun place decorated in a beach theme with a large dance floor that can be viewed from the second level and waitresses
dressed in beach attire. >From the second level patio you will also have a view of all the bikes parked on the
large brick patio in front of the building that provides parking for hundreds of bikes. (See the pictures) Bike Night
will feature 1 Cent Tacos, 10 Cent Wings and $2.00 Buds, Bud Lights and Jack and Cokes. There will also be
a DJ playing tunes that you can dance to or just sit back and enjoy the atmosphere. KUPD will be on-site with prizes and concert tickets. Ride by and take a look. Margarita Rocks is located on 4th Street just West of Mill Ave.
The street ends there but just ride right up on the brick patio and park where ever you can. 480-968-3301.
Click Here for Margarita
Rocks Web Site.
The Wild Hare Wednesday
Bike Night. Looking
for a Bike Night on the East side? Here is a 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.
Thursday Night
Thursday Night features 7 Bike Nights all over
the Valley.
Hooters at Arrowhead Bike Night. Ride by and join in on the fun! Hooters will host a Bike Night every Thursday at the Hooters at Arrowhead located just 1 block S. of Bell on 83rd Ave. Stop by for some great food and Hooters Hospitality. There will be 20% off menu items (25% off with Cyclerides.com V.I.P. Card). $2.00 Corona Thursdays and plenty of parking next to the outdoor patio. Stop by for some giveaways and raffles from Hooters and Arrowhead Harley as well as great wings and fun at Hooters. Click Here to see Pictures and all the detailed information.
Casey Jones Grill Bike Night The evening riding weather is good. 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 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.
Hooters
at Ahwatukee Thursday Bike Night. Continues
Giveaways and Raffles. The
riders in Ahwatukee were wanting a Bike Night of their own, so Hooters Ahwatukee stepped up to provide a great
place to come on your motorcycle on Thursday nights. Stop by for raffles, good times and good food at
Hooters in Ahwatukee located at 4804 E. Chandler Blvd. There will be raffles and giveaways from Chandler Harley
and Hooters as well as 20% off menu items (25% off with Cyclerides.com V.I.P. Card). $2.00 Corona Thursdays
and plenty of parking next to the outdoor patio. Click Here for
the pictures and all the details.
Eastside Riders Can
Now Make The
"Scottsdale Road Fun Run" to 4 Great Places for Food and Drink.
Start from the North or the South!
Jilly's American Grill. Many of you have been to Jilly's in the past. They now have a regular Thursday Bike Night. The food at Jilly's is excellent and would be a great place to start off your riding night on the outdoor patio or in the dining room with your own personal TV and sound. Motorcycle parking will be provided right in front of the building. Bike Night dinner specials include the Hog Heaven Sampler, The Fat Boy Burger, The Custom Chopper, Indian Mikes Smokey Pork Chops and The Flaming Bird. For a mouth watering description of all the specials Click Here. After dinner enjoy the music throughout or try your luck at Pool, Darts or Shuffleboard. This is a great laid back atmosphere with great food and fun. Jilly's is located just 1 block inside the front entrance to Scottsdale Airpark off of Scottsdale Rd. at 7301 E. Butherus (Greenway). Bike Night hours are from 6pm til Close. Click Here for Pics.
Jetz Americana Thursday Bike Night. Live Band Every Thursday starting at 8:00PM. The Party In Full Force With Great Drink Specials And Giveaways. If you want to get there early there is a complimentary Happy Hour Buffet from 4-6pm and Half Price Happy Hour Cocktails from 4pm - 7pm. You can enjoy $1.00/ Dozen Hot Wings 6pm-close, $2.50 Sam Adams Light or Lager all night, $4.00 Jack Daniels Cocktails, $7.95 1/2lb Burger and Domestic Beer all night. Jetz is in the SW corner of Scottsdale Road and Gold Dust, just one block south of Shea behind California Pizza Kitchen. Pull up, park, and party at one of Scottsdale’s finest. Click here to see the pictures of where you will be going and more information. 480-948-2606.
ACME Bar and Grill. ACME is finishing their major remodeling now. You will not recognize the place. They have added a front patio and an opened up
the bar area for dancing on the bar. Stop by and take a look. You will enjoy a Free Buffet from 8:00-9:30 PM, Drink Specials, Raffles every week, Great Music, Pool and lots of fun in Downtown
Scottsdale. Make your plans for Thursday March 20th to kick off the return of ACME. Come early for the free buffet
and get your raffle ticket and return at 10:00 PM for the drawing. ACME is located in Old Town Scottsdale
at 4245 N. Craftsmen Ct. just South of 5th Ave. and West of Scottsdale Rd. For more information call 480-990-7111.
Ride by and be a part of the Rebirth of the Acme Ride Night This Thursday Night. Click here for details and pictures.
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.
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. Click
Here for the New Billet Bar Page with pictures.
Sunday
NEW!!
Mike's
At The Fountain Sunday Bike Day. Stop
by and take a look. We are all looking for a nice ride on a Sunday for lunch
or just a drink and some beautiful scenery. Mike, owner of Mike's at
the Fountain is inviting all riders out to Fountain Hills from Noon to 5:00pm to his restaurant for great food,
good views from the patio of the mountains and the fountain, as well as DJ music from the 60's and 70's.
Like Italian food? Then this is your place. Many menu items just for this day from $5.95 and up. Mike's is located on
the corner of Saguaro Blvd. and Avenue of the Fountains. This is the same location that we had the Toys To Kids
Ride. It all begins this Sunday. A good ride would be to take Dynamite from Pima Rd. through Rio Verde to Saguaro
Blvd. or from the East Valley down the Bee Line Hwy. or straight East on Shea to Saguaro Blvd. Click
Here for pictures and map.
Cocomo Joe's Sunday Bike Day. Live Music Every Sunday from 1:30-4:30pm. Many of you have been to Cocomo Joe's in North Phoenix. There is now a day just for riders. Cocomo Joe's is a very open and comfortable place to hang out that is decorated in a Jamaican theme. They have a new large outdoor patio as well as 2 smaller ones around the side. There is a large dining area with TV's all around to keep up on all NFL football on Sundays. See the pictures here. After football season they will be bringing in live entertainment on Sunday afternoons. There is also 3 pool tables and games for your enjoyment. There will be food and drink specials for ride days starting at 10:30am as well as blocked off preferred parking for motorcycles. The day starts at 10:30am with breakfast foods available. Bike day is from Noon - 6pm. Cocomo Joe's is located on the NW corner of Tatum and Dynamite Rd. So if you are riding to or from Cave Creek, or want to take a ride up North and not have to run the DB gauntlet, stop by Cocomo Joe's. 28244 N. Tatum Blvd. 480-535-8008. Stop by this Sunday for opening day. Click Here for all the details.
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. 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 - 5pm. Enjoy live music from 1-6pm 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
Friday - Sunday
April 16th - 18th
Ride Now Sales Event
and Manufacturers Tent Sale. This is going to be a very large Manufacturer
Tent Sale taking place in Tempe Diablo Stadium, just W. of I-10 at 2200
W. Alameda Dr. in Tempe. There will
be Motorcycles, ATV's, Watercraft, Boats and Scooters. New and Used, All Brands, All Models, Dirt, Street and Ski.
Over 400 Units Show Priced and Drastically Reduced and ready for immediate delivery. There will also be a Bike
Show, LBZ Freestyle Shows, Geoff Aaron Stunt Trial Rider, Dyno Competitions, Kids Games, Food, Raffle Prizes, Vendors
and an ATV Charity Raffle. And $200,000 in Gear, Apparel and Accessories plus savings up to 50%. Friday: Noon-8pm,
Saturday: 10am-8pm, Sunday: 10am-6pm. For more information call 602-923-4360. Fun
for the whole Family.
Saturday, April 17th
Pre-Laughlin
River Run Open House. Wanted, Custom Bikes and Hot Rods! Join us
Saturday, April 17th, from 9am to 3pm, at Chosa's Harley-Davidson in Mesa for our Pre-Laughlin River Run Open House!
From 9am to 3pm:
Saturday, April 17th
"Hogs
and Horses". Ride
from Hacienda Harley to Turf Paradise. Ride departs at 12 noon on Saturday from Hacienda in Scottsdale, 15600 N.
Hayden Rd. Ride cost is $15 and includes admission, special reserved VIP bike parking up front, buffet lunch Cajun
Cookout. Live Racing at 1:20pm and Fashion Show at 2:00pm. Best Bikini Contest at 3:00pm. Live Band, The Chadwicks
all day. Proceeds benefit Colter and Assoc. Info at 480-905-1903.
Sunday, April 18th
Real Deal
3. The 3rd installment of Arizona's only Stunt Fest. There is not much else going on this Sunday so this might actually be pretty entertaining.
Not to mention the ride to get there. The event is being held at Speedworld Motorplex located at 19421 W. Jomax
Rd. Watch sport bike riders as they ride wheelies down the track, race or just do stunts. Street or strip, Stunt
Lane and Time only lanes will be available. This is your chance to see if you can ride a longer/faster wheelie
than your friends-Legally! $10 for spectators, 12 and under free. $20 to stunt or race. Must have chain guard,
boots, gloves, helmet and jacket to participate. If you have a Harley, bring it on down and show them what you've
got. Harley Vs. Rice Burner all day long. Gates open at 8am. For more information: 623-388-2424. Click Here for directions.
Next Week
Thursday - Sunday
April 22nd - 25th
Rocky Point
Fun Run. For those of you tired of the Laughlin Scene, here is an alternative. This is an unorganized Fun Run to Rocky Point. Last year
there were about 300 bikes that made the trip. Make your own hotel reservations and travel plans. If you want
to ride with a group, here is an option for you. There is a group that
will meet at the Texaco Station Highway 85 and Buckeye Rd. at 8:00 AM Thursday. There
should be several going with this group. There will also be a group going Friday Contact Mike Depinto tort1@yahoo.com ,
he can take whoever wants to go Friday. You can also go to the hotelbaja.net web site. They
have all the maps and directions you'll need. For all of the information Click Here.
Saturday, April 24th
Ride
For Glory. Ride for Glory
begins at Marble Ice Entertainment at 309 W. McDowell Rd. in Phoenix. Ride begins at 8:00am and ends at The Gospel
Block Party with 4 stops in North Phoenix and Scottsdale. Lunch will be provided at the Gospel Block Party on Jefferson
St. between 13th and 15th streets. $20 per bike 1 or 2 riders includes lunch and giveaways. Join Mayor Phil Gordon
and Councilman Michael Johnson, Saturday, April 24, 2004 from 10am. to 4pm. Special guest performance by Maadai
and some of Arizona's best gospel vocalists, poets, dancers, bands and more. $2000 to the best choir in Phoenix.
Come early for great food, retail vendors, an extensive Health
Fair for all ages and a kids play area. Benefiting Big Brothers - Big Sisters and
The HOPE Scholarship Fund. Info at 602-254-6200.
Sunday, April 25th
First
Annual Run For Kids Poker Run. Registration begins 10:00
am at the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind at 1200 W. Speedway Blvd. in Tucson, AZ. All proceeds benefit the
school. Pins for the first 100 riders. $250 high hand, $75 low hand, 50/50, Raffle and Door Prizes.
Extras
Many of you already know about V-Twin
Consignments, the place where you can buy used parts or clean out your
garage and consign your old parts to sell. But in addition to new and quality pre-owned parts, V-Twin Consignments is now offering a service center.
Our service department is second to none. Our mission is to provide the best service possible, at a reasonable
hourly rate. Give us a try, you will be back. Services include:
* V-Twin oil change while you wait. $34.95
* Complete V-Twin Service Department
* Performance Packages
*V-Twin Parts & Accessories
* Some accessories installed while you wait.
Appointments necessary, phone 602-548-5799 or stop by the shop at 1716 W.
Bell Rd. in Phoenix.
As for me, I am going to try and make the rounds this weekend. Just
to get out and enjoy this nice weather. Looks like some fun things to see and do.
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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