Cyclerides.com Weekly Update 5/12/04

Greetings Riders,

Ahhh! The evening riding is great right now. This is one of my favorite times of year to take a late afternoon/evening ride. Last Friday Mrs. C. and I took off for a short ride out of the City. We actually took the Lake Pleasant Day Ride that you will find on the site minus the parasail flight. This is a nice little short ride for the riders on the North and West parts of the Valley. We did the ride around the lake and then went to the Marina for dinner at about sunset at the Waterfront Grill. We have always found that they have good food, a fun atmosphere and Fridays aren't that crowded. On Saturday nights they have a band on a barge next to the grill that starts at 7:00pm and the place is always hopping. If you go, just park your bikes on the sidewalk next to the walkway to the Marina and walk down. Be sure and ride up the hill right next to the Marina for a great view of the lake. FYI, it will cost you $6.00 to get into the gates on the Marina side of the park. After leaving there at 8:00pm we still weren't ready to quit riding so we continued on down Carefree Highway to Pedragal on Scottsdale Rd. for a milkshake at Ben and Jerry's and then over to Cocomo Joe's to listen to the band. It was a great little 70 mile ride that scratched our riding itch.

Even though it scratched my itch, as usual it didn't really keep it from itching for very long. I had big ideas of taking a little longer ride on Sunday to do some exploring or even mapping out a new Day Ride when Mrs. C. informed me that she had some "Real Estate Enhancement Projects" that had been piling up. Since it was big trash pick up week, and one of the projects involved cutting down a tree, I decided I had better tackle this one now. So I pulled out the ladder and my trusty chainsaw and headed for the roof. I started the chainsaw and proceeded to cut a few of the close limbs off so that I could get to the big stuff. I then noticed that my neighbors were starting to set up lawn chairs on the sidewalk across the street. Apparently they heard the saw running and remembered watching my antics a couple of years ago when I tackled this same tree. As it turns out, they weren't disappointed as history repeated itself almost to a tee. Here is a reprise of what happened then and now.

As an avid rider I seem to compare everything I am doing to riding a motorcycle. At times even day dreaming where I might be riding, especially on a beautiful Sunday afternoon while attending to domestic duties. Imagine this. I'm standing 25 feet in the air all stretched out as if I'm doing an audition for Cirque De Soleil with one foot near the top of the roof, one foot on the tree, one hand hanging on to a limb and the other holding the chain saw roaring through a branch of the tree. There are two problems with this word picture. One, I was not auditioning for Cirque. Two, my mind was on my motorcycle cruising slowly through Oak Creek. the sound of the thunderheader was echoing softly off of the canyon walls, the sun was beating down on my face to take the chill away from the cool air and UH OH! My daydream had come to an end.

The chain saw made its way through the thick branch before my mind made it back from my leisurely ride through Oak Creek. As the saw sliced through the branch it severely changed the geometry of my strategically placed arms and legs for balance. My audition for Cirque was officially over. I was now a candidate for Funniest Home Videos. The sudden movement from the saw cutting through the branch made me lose footing from the foliage on the roof. Next thing I know I am on my back sliding down the roof, holding the chain saw in one hand and a twig from the branch in the other, wondering what would be my fate.

A lot of things go through your mind when you are about to experience something like this. Not unlike when you are in a tight spot on a motorcycle. The first thing you think is: How am I going to get out of this? The second is How bad is this going to hurt? As I'm sliding down the roof I'm thinking what is going to hurt worse, the pain from the fall or my ego from hearing Mrs. Cyclerides laugh after our neighbors tell her what happened. Fortunately the builder of the house must have envisioned my impending slide down the roof and strategically installed a chimney on the front of the house that also served as safety device for an amateur tree trimmer. As I was about to slide off the roof with chain saw in tow, I reached out and grabbed the chimney to stop my slide. I knew that fireplace would be good for something.

I regained my composure and made it back to the top of the roof to finish the job. The tree was completely down and now it was time for cleanup. My 79 year old Dad was nice enough to come over an help me with this task. After seeing the other performance, I'm surprised he wanted to be anywhere near me, but...I'm his son. So he agreed to help. We decided that I would throw the branches over the wall and he would drag them to the street. To keep him from getting hit, we agreed that I would yell "incoming" as I was throwing things over the wall, which would be his cue to high tail it out of the way. Well, either he didn't hear my warning of "incoming" or that word gave him a flashback to WW II and he thought there was a "Japanese Zero" flying overhead and decided to look up instead of following our plan of getting out of the way. Not a good idea when there is an 8 foot tree branch heading for your head. But everything is all right, the doctors say he will heal just fine.

As it turns out, there were seven broken roof tiles, one sore rear end, five thoroughly entertained neighbors, one injured Father and a bummed out City sanitation crew when they saw the pile of limbs they had to pick up.

The moral to this story is: If it is a nice Sunday afternoon...Send your Dad to a movie, Hire a tree trimmer and Go Riding with your Wife.

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

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. Stop by and take a look, I'm sure you will like what you see. Info: 480-897-6200.

Thursday Night

Thursday Night features 5 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.

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. 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 Genesis Custom Cycles 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. The Party In Full Force With Great Drink Specials. 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

Mike's At The Fountain Sunday Bike Day. 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. Live music is also Thursday - Saturday nights at 8:30pm. 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. 480-538-8008. 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, May 13th
Ms. Hooters Arizona Contest. Take a ride to Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix and watch as 50 girls on stage compete for the Ms. Hooters Arizona crown. Competition will be held in the beautiful grassy special event area at Arizona Center. First round will be casual wear and then Bikini's. The field will then be cut to the top 10 for the finals competition. Doors open at 5:30 pm. 6pm DJ ObiWan starts the music. The competition begins at 7pm and ends at 11pm. $10 General Admission tickets. Buy two General Admissions and get a free Hooter's calendar. Food and drink will be available. There are still a few VIP Tables left. Arizona Center is located between 3rd and 5th Streets and Van Buren. For more information about the contest and tickets call 602-375-0000.

Saturday, May 15th
Cliff Castle Casino Spring Poker Run. This is annually one of the best poker runs of the year. A chance to get out of the heat, a good route to ride, great prize money and excellent organization. Cliff Castle Casino will host this year’s Ante Up for the Kids Spring Poker Run charity event benefiting the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children®. Participants (riders & passengers) will begin their 109-mile journey from the casino at 10am, to qualify for prize money totaling $3,000. Stops include Prescott Valley, Mingus Mountain, Cottonwood, Windmill Park in Cornville and ending at the casino. Participants will each receive $10 in quarters, five entries for a custom bike to be awarded at this year’s Thunder Valley Rally on September 25 & 26, a ride t-shirt and a missing child ride button (while supplies last). Register online at www.cliffcastle.com. Same-day registration is from 8am-10am. Reservation fee is $25 per participant. Same-day registrations will only be accepted in cash. An Evening with Bryan Adams, in Cliff Castle Casino’s Stargazer Pavilion, will follow the spring poker run. Gates will open at 7pm and Bryan Adams takes the stage at 8pm. Tickets are just $20 and may be purchased in person at the Castle Club. Cliff Castle Casino is located off of I-17 at Exit 289 in Camp Verde, AZ.

Saturday, May 15th
It's a Mystery Poker Run. Join the Wachabe Tribe on a unique poker run on May 15, 2004 to benefit
the Joshua Tree foundation. The start point is Skunk Work Motorsports at 202 W Main Street in Mesa. Registration is between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM. The route will be a bit of a mystery; at the 1st stop you will be given directions to the 2nd stop. At the 2nd stop you will get directions to the 3rd stop and so on. We can tell you that the route will be a 100 plus mile scenic one through the Arizona wilderness. At the end of the ride you will be treated to a meal and a live band. Rooms will also be available for rent and we suggest bringing some extra cash in case you feel, "lucky". Pins to the first 250 riders, plus a raffle and 50/50. Cost is $21 per bike. The Joshua Tree foundation is a 301c organization.

Saturday and Sunday, May 15-16
3rd Annual MS 300 Motorcycle Rally for Multiple Sclerosis. This is year three for this great rides through the desert, into the high country, visiting the great old mining town of Jerome and ending up in Prescott. The ride has bikes of all types. Most of the riders have a connection to Multiple Sclerosis, but each year we are adding riders who ride for the wonderful weekend they experience. After arriving in Prescott, riders are treated to a Barbecue cookout with steak, chicken, beans and desert. They are then transported to Whiskey Row for a night on the town. In the morning before heading back to the valley, all riders are fed an old fashioned pancake breakfast. Whether or not you have a connection to MS, this is a great weekend ride! Ride begins at Casino Arizona, Talking Stick Cactus Garden (Indian Bend and the 101). Registration begins at 9:00a.m. (breakfast sponsored by Casino Arizona.) Riders will depart at 10:00 a.m. $25.00 Per Person registration includes ride pin, t-shirt, dinner and breakfast. Fund Raising Minimum: $50.00 Per Person. Special room rates available at the Prescotonnian - $99.00/room 1-928-445-3096. For more information contact Gary at 480-922-7008. Ride proceeds go directly to the Arizona Chapter of the National MS Society.

Sunday, May 16th
2nd Annual Biker Dog Run. Does your dog ride motorcycles? Just Curious? Then come ride with Biker Dog and other biker dogs for a dog-gone good time. All proceeds benefit AZSTAR. Arizona Search Track and Rescue, Inc. Meet at Joeta's Leather and Skunk Work at 202 W Main in Mesa (Just east of Country Club on the North Side of Main). Run leaves at 9:30am with sign up from 8am to 9:30am. This Run is open to all bikers with or without dogs. Run leaves at 9:30am with sign up from 8am to 9:30am and rides to Yolanda’s in Florence then on to Hardbite’s house In Queen Creek for a BBQ provided by Arizona Search Track and Rescue (AZSTAR). There will be Search Dog Demos, Dog Riders, K9 Demos and Raffles. For more information: hardbite@k9az.com.

Sunday, May 16th
Canyon River Ride. Join us Sunday, May 16th for the 1st Annual Canyon River Ride Poker Run! Registration at Chosa's in Mesa from 8am to 10am, your registration fee will include a ride T-shirt for the first 100 registrants and an American Stroke Association pin for the first 200. Registration is $20 per person, with proceeds benefiting the American Stroke Association. The ride is approximately 65 miles and culminates with a 2pm lunch at Arizona Joe's in Apache Junction. At Arizona Joe's you'll also enjoy a raffle, some great poker games, and a 3pm high and low hand award. For pre-registration info, call Debbie Hubbard at (480) 600-9588 or Traci Ryan at (602) 809-6981.

Sunday, May 16th
1st Annual Bobby McGees Arizona Run For The Wall. On Wednesday, May 19th, riders approx. 300-500 riders leave Ontario, CA. Run for the Wall begins. These are the riders that become Rolling Thunder in Washington DC. Accounting of all POWs and MIAs from all wars is their message to the American public and our representatives on the hill. A variety of Veteran Service Organizations will prepare meals for their first overnight stop which is in Arizona. Central and Southern routes have been established. Part of the group (Southern run) will stop in Phoenix and the Central Route will stop in Williams. We provide meals for the entire entourage. We are requesting funds to support the organizations that purchase the food and pay for campsites, etc. This fund raiser is strictly for the kitchens that provide the support to Run for the Wall. At 4pm there will be an opening ceremony. From 4pm - 7pm there will be Food Buffet, Live Entertainment, Raffles and Auctions. There will be a $5 donation at the door. Bobby McGees is located at 8501 N. 27th Ave. in Phoenix. 602-995-5982.

Wednesday, May 19
Run For The Wall. You can join up with the Southern Route Riders in Tonopah, Exit #94 on I-10 West of Phoenix. Depart Tonopah for Phoenix at 3:15pm, I-10 east with DPS Escort to Wesley Bolin Plaza in Phoenix arriving at 4:15pm for a "Wreath Laying Ceremony" at Wesley Bolin Plaza with a RFTW Volunteer Honor Guard. RFTW will depart Wesley Bolin for Carl P. Hayden VAMC & AZ Soldiers Home at 5pm with DPS Escort. Arrive at VAMC, 5:15pm for visitation with Veterans at VAMC & AZ Soldiers Home. Dinner will be served at VAMC after visitations, provided by Church of the Son. Travel on your own to the Holiday Inn after dinner. More information from Bob Rogers: 602-439-4517.

Saturday, May 22nd
Run To The Racetrack. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Arizona Hepatitis C Coalition to provide public awareness about Hepatitis C in Arizona. Sign in at Hacienda Harley, 15600 N. Hayden Road, Noon to 2pm. $10 per person. Run will end at Manzanita Speedway. Your poker card is good for free admission to the Sprint Cars and Mini-Sprints that evening. More information at 602-690-2810.

Saturday, May 22nd
Skunkwork Motorsports Presents: How To Ride Safe. Do you need a little tune up for yourself in the area of riding safe? How about some fresh ideas to keep you out of tight situations. We all need to be reminded from time to time on Safe Riding. This is your opportunity to hear it from the professionals of T.E.A.M. Arizona Motorcycle Training. Stop by Skunkwork Motorsports for a good seminar on safety. Hot Dogs and Soft Drinks will be served. And while you are there, your discounts on ordered parts will start at 12%. Skunk Work is a business dedicated to supplying quality motorcycle parts, accessories, and Service to the motorcycle enthusiast at Discount Prices! Every Day! We keep our overhead low and pass the savings along to our customers. We are dealers for most of the largest suppliers of motorcycle parts and accessories in the World! www.skunkwork03.com 202 W. Main St, Mesa, AZ 480 649 2800.

Sunday, May 23rd
Scooters To Hooters. Join Hooters for their Annual Scooters to Hooters Poker Run. This is a 7 Card Stud Draw that will take you to all of the Hooters in the Valley. The ride starts at the Tempe Hooters located at Mill Ave. & 5th Street in Downtown Tempe. Registration and 1st draw from 8-10am. Draw cards from the Hooters Girls as they wait for you to arrive. Lunch catered by Hooters at the final stop. There will be Raffle Prizes, T-Shirts, Ride Pin, 50/50 and Hooters Girls at every stop. All proceeds benefit local Children's Charities. Ride cost is $25 per person includes Lunch, Poker Run and Ride Pin to the first 300 riders. For more information call 480-967-4600.

Sunday, May 23rd
Bonsai Ride To The Wall. If you have a desire to visit The Wall, but can't take the time to travel with the regular Run For The Wall organization, or would prefer to pack with a smaller group, this is your chance. This ride is not for the wimpy. The Bonsai Ride will take you to D.C. and back in less than 2 weeks. You will be covering 600 miles per day in order to reach the rally point in Tom's Brook, Virginia for the Police escort into Washington, D.C. For more information click the above link or call Red at 480-980-4241.

Sunday, May 23rd
Phoenix Chapter of A.B.A.T.E. 13th Annual Luau Poker Run. Run starts at Slapshots located at 7941 W. Glendale Ave. Sign in from 9-10:30am. $15.00 per hand includes 1 meal ticket (extra meal ticket $5.00) Run ends at the New River Station. Last card drawn at 1:00 pm. Ride in Bike Show and Live Music. More information call Dwayne at 602-319-8621.