Cyclerides.com Weekly Update 4/21/04

Well, it's hard to believe that almost 1/3 of year is already gone. It has been kind of a strange season for riding with all of the climate changes. It was a cool first of the year, then it went really hot for a while and settled back down, then the rains came and now the wind is taking a little of the fun out of the longer trips. And most of this activity has seemed to find the weekends. But the forecast now is calling for lots of sun and the low 90's for this weekend and next.

For me, that is the perfect time to do some short rides around the area or take one of the great Arizona rides up North. One of my favorite short rides is to the Tonto Natural Bridge Park just outside of Payson. It is about a 175 mile roundtrip from the East Valley, a beautiful ride and a fun destination to spend some time and hike around the natural bridge. Check out the 4 minute video on the page link above for a brief overview of the ride. Or go to the Day Rides page for 13 choices of rides around the Valley and the State. Have Fun, this is the time to get out and ride.

Most of us know that the great thing about riding is enjoying all of the elements that go along with being out in the open air. Lately the orange trees have been blooming and the smell is terrific when (and if) you can find an orange grove around anymore or smelling the pine trees in the forests and the sudden changes of cool air. But you can also experience a few undesirable things as well. Getting hit in the forehead with something very hard can make you spend some time trying to figure out what just happened. Was it a hard shelled bug, a rock or a bowling ball? There have been a few times I would have believed either of those choices.

I have dodged trash cans falling out of the backs of trucks, ran over tires laying in the road, ridden around other impediments and reluctantly shared my lane numerous times with clueless car drivers. These are all things that I could see. But the one question I have had over the years is the answer to the mystery water that starts hitting your face from out of nowhere. Many times I have been going down the 101 or I-17 and little drops of water will hit my face. There are no clouds in the sky, just water out of nowhere. In the past I have written it off to condensation from the cars and let it go. Not really wanting to know what it was from.

A couple of weeks ago Mrs. Cyclerides and I were taking one of our rides up North and this happened again. As we were going down Shea Blvd. I started feeling some water hitting my face. But this time it was a little different. It never seemed to let up. It just kept coming and coming and in fact got worse the farther I went. The smell of the orange groves were long gone and had been replaced by a musty type barnyard smell similar to what you would experience riding through Buckeye. It got so bad I actually had to wipe off my glasses to see where I was going. As has happened many times before, I couldn't help but wonder what the heck was flying through the air giving me an unexpected shower. Once again, I wrote it off as being some condensation issue with a car in front of me.

But as I licked my lips, I could tell that this was no ordinary condensation from a car. There was more to this than I could even imagine at the time. At the next stop light we were first at the intersection and I asked Mrs. C. if she had noticed any unusual moisture in the air. She agreed and we tried to figure what it was with no resolve. We continued from the stop light and started running into this fine mystery spray again. By this time we had caught up with the vehicles ahead and the answer to our burning question was right in front of us at the next light. Unfortunately, this would be the answer we didn't really want to see and would have rather gone without knowing. I'm sure you have your guesses by now, but this is what we saw.

Yep, the ole' toilet pump truck had not tightened down the nozzles and was sharing its' booty with unsuspecting motorcycle riders with no windshields. So the next time you are riding down the road and start feeling some moisture hitting your face, remember not to lick your lips until you are sure where it was coming from. It might be an RV or the local J-Jon extraction truck at work again.

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 3 Great Places for Food and Drink.
Start from the North or the South!

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.

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.

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

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.

Fri. - Sun. April 30th - May 1st
A.B.A.T.E. Yavapai County Chapter Spring Run 2004. This event takes place at the Kirkland Bar and Steakhouse. Four miles off 89 between Wickenburg and Prescott. $20 singles, $30 couples, includes Saturday night meal and Fri. and Sat. camping. Daypass $10. Sign in starts Friday at 8 am. Drive in Bike Show with trophies and vendors. Friday and Saturday night music featuring J.D. Simo. All motorcycles and makes welcome. More information at 928-639-4675.

Saturday, May 1st
Run For The Hog Poker Run. Proceeds to Elks major project Steele Memorial Children's Research Center. Hog Roast, 50/50 Drawing, Door Prizes, Live Band, Auction, Music by Krak Smokin Grannies. Registration 10am - Noon at Chandler Custom Cycles, 2775 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ. Singles $15, Couples $25. Dinner Only, Singles $10, Couples $18.00. Dinner and Ride end at Chandler Elks #2429, 1775 W. Chandler Blvd. in Chandler.

Sunday, May 2nd
4th Annual Thunder In The Desert Run. A lot of you probably know someone that has been affected with Breast Cancer. This is the fourth year of this very well done run sponsored by Banner Health benefiting the Banner Health Breast Cancer Programs. Proceeds provide Breast Health Care directly for Women in our Community. Registration begins at 9:30am at TWO locations: The East Valley at Joeta's Leather, 202 W. Main St. in Mesa. West Valley at Joeta's Leather 2 located at 16140 N. Arrowhead Fountains Centre in Peoria next to Arrowhead Harley. Riders will leave both locations at 11:30am for the ride to Jilly's for the post ride party with Great Food, Live Music by TATE, a Silent Auction, Raffle and 50/50. The auction this year is featuring lots of great gifts for Mother's Day. If you haven't gotten your gift yet, here is an opportunity to get a gift and help a charity. Basic Registration $15 includes continental breakfast and lunch and party at Jilly's. $10 for party at Jilly's includes food and beverage. More information at 602-865-4608 or Click Here.

Sunday, May 2nd
1st Annual Firebird Poker Run. Ride to benefit the children of Firebird Young Marines Youth Organization. $15 per person includes: Meal Ticket and Ride Pin to the first 150 riders. Sign in from 10am - Noon at Hardtailz, SW corner of 35th Ave. and Bell Rd. High Hand $100, Low Hand $50. 50/50, Live Music. More information: Randy, 602-622-1195.

Sunday, May 2nd
W. Steven Martin's Police Memorial Ride. Proceeds support Police Memorial and Veteran programs. This year the ride is from Phoenix to Wickenburg. Ride will begin at Childress Automall located at 2223 W. Camelback Rd. in Phoenix. Sign In from 8-10am. Donation of $10 per bike. Ride will head North on I-17 to the Lake Pleasant turn off. Route 74 West to US 60. US 60 into Wickenburg and American Legion Post #12. Ride in memory of DPS officer Lt. Mark Brown. 31 year DPS Veteran. Bar-B-Que lunch at the post is extra with proceeds benefiting the American Legion Veterans' Fund that supports our troops and veterans. More information at 480-921-6366.

Sunday, May 2nd
Motorcycle Awareness Event. Hosted By: MMA of Arizona and ABATE of Arizona. Sponsored by the Motorcycle Safety Fund and Governor's Office of Highway Safety. Event to be held at Spectrum Mall, 17th Avenue and Bethany Home Rd. in Phoenix. Event features: Riders education information, People's Choice Bike Show (Free entry - Sign-In 10-11:30am), Biker Memorial Monument, Voter Information Forms, Picture Opportunities Available, Puppeteer Show for Kids. More information: Ray Huston, 602-402-8026 and Bobbi Hartmann, 602-243-9479.