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Greetings Riders,

Well, it is now the middle of May and that means 2 things are about to happen. Number one is I get to wish Mrs. C. Happy Anniversary. Today we celebrated number 26. A lot of people ask how have you done it? The first reason must be that she is very tolerant. Other than that, I don't have the magic recipe, but there are three things I would suggest. Maintain your passion, your compassion and quickly discard those harsh words that are said in a heated discussion. If you hold on to them, they will block your path to forgiveness which we all have to have to move forward. And of course, maintain your sense of humor. Without that, I don't know if marriage is possible. Sharing the riding experience by being together away from the house, the kids, people and other distractions has also been great for the marriage. The second thing we can count on in the middle of May is 100+ degree temperatures and this year mother nature did not disappoint us as we had as high as 105 degrees this past weekend.

I mentioned in the letter last week about the passing of a man all of us knew as Waldo, October, 1955 - May, 2007. If you have been in the motorcycling community in the Phoenix, Arizona area for very long, you would have met Waldo, aka Paul Stuart. Waldo was the one you would see at all of the events riding the Harley with the sidecar attached, carrying his daughter Charity. What made his story even more interesting was that he was a quadriplegic since 1986, and gained enough strength in his arms to be able to continue to ride a motorcycle.

I first met Waldo and Charity about 8 years ago as our paths crossed with me doing Cyclerides.com work and them doing work for Thunder Press. Waldo was one of those guys that you would like from the very moment that you met him. Even though he was in a wheelchair, and could be feeling sorry for himself, he was always smiling, laughing and happy. After a few minutes you would forget that he was handicapped. I can't remember ever seeing him when he didn't make a point to give me a big smile and say hi.

He worked tirelessly within the motorcycling community with AIM, the MRO's, and writing articles for various publications including Thunder Press and recently AZ Rider. But not only that, he had a desire to have everyone in the biking world to know each other. Waldo knew no classes when it came to people who ride. Regardless if you were a weekend warrior, a RUB or a club member, he would want you to meet you. I can remember numerous times that he would be talking with someone and when I would walk up, he would stop his conversation to introduce me to whoever it was that he was talking to. His desire was that everyone should share the riding passion together. I always admired his gift for dealing with people and putting everyone at ease with his handicap.

Waldo was also a devoted Father. He raised his daughter Charity from a baby and has turned her into a beautiful young Woman that is about to have a child of her own. Many of us will never forget seeing Waldo and Charity roll up in the sidecar and Charity get out, get the wheelchair out, and drop off some magazines or flyers for the next upcoming event. Charity grew up with the same love for people and compassion that her Father had. When she was younger she would run up and give you a hug to say hello with that pleasant smile, just like her Dad. What looked like an unconventional childhood to a lot of people, seemed to work very well for them. She turned out better than a lot of kids that I have seen be raised in the Country Club life. It was a Father and Daughter team, not without bumps in the road, but filled with love and respect. When Charity joined the service and moved away from home, when I would see Waldo all he would talk about is how proud he was of Charity and show me the latest pictures. Charity is due to have her baby in the next few weeks. I'm sure Waldo would have been the proudest Grandfather around.

Many of you didn't know Waldo or had ever met him, but there were many that had. I attended his Memorial service last week along with about 1000 other riders and friends. There were so many that came out to show their last respects to Waldo that it really hit home how many people he and Charity touched with their smiles along the way as they traveled the thousands of miles on the Arizona roads in the sidecar. I will always admire his commitment to his daughter, to friends and to the motorcycling community.

Even though he appeared different in many people's eyes, he would always give you that smile, raise the two fingers for the peace sign and have that twinkle in his eye as if to say he was glad to see ya. He had a heart the size of the Grand Canyon and will be missed by many. I know I will miss that call every month or so that said, "Hey Old Man! How's it going?" And the tag line at the bottom of his emails that said, "Don't Ride Faster Than Your Angel Can Fly".

Waldo, we will miss you, but your legacy will live on. God Bless Charity and Waldo's grandchild.

One funny moment that Mrs. C. and I still laugh about is at the Kickstart Party this past March, Waldo came rolling by in his wheelchair after a few cocktails and wanted to take our picture. So he gets out his camera, lines it up, pushes the button and slowly starts to lean over to his right. By the time the picture clicked the camera was at about a 45 degree angle. He said that there must be something wrong with his camera as it takes a long time to take the picture. He mentioned he had more pictures of his lap than he could count. We can remember having a good laugh with Waldo on our last encounter. Click Here for some pictures of Waldo in action.

This excerpt out of the program at the Memorial really sums up Waldo's attitude toward life. I was told that he wrote this about a month ago and said do not open this until I pass away.

This Week's Bike Night Events

Tuesday Nights

Chester’s Harley Davidson Biker Night at the Tilted Kilt in Tempe! If you are looking for some fun on a Tuesday night, With 2 outdoor patios and plenty of excitement, This place is a good time! The Tilted Kilt is home to the best Scotch-Irish experience in Arizona, with an award-winning menu, classic pub fare, and signature Kilt items sure to please any palate, not to mention twenty four globe-spanning beers on tap! Biker Night Tuesdays also mean $3 Jack Daniels and half-price appetizers. And, with a Tilted Kilt Biker Night Card, you receive 15% OFF your total bill. So what are you waiting for? Come on down and have a craic with Chester’s Harley-Davidson! The Tilted Kilt is located at 660 W. Warner Rd. in Tempe, AZ. Just 1.5 miles East of I-10 on Warner Rd. 480-592-0102. Click Here for Map.

Wednesday Nights

Bike Night at Buffalo Wild Wings Mesa-Falcon Field. This is a great new stop for riders on the East Side. Enjoy GREAT FOOD and Live Music every Wednesday night with Soul Catcher, featuring acoustic blues and classic rock from 7pm - 10pm every Wednesday Night at Buffalo Wild Wings located at 4425 E. McKellips Rd. in Mesa, AZ, just across from Falcon Field. Special motorcycle parking in front of the patio. Choose from the extensive new menu including Wings, Chicken Tenders, Huge selection of salads, Wraps, Sandwiches, Ribs & Combos, Burgers, Desserts and Beverages. Click Here for complete menu. Bike Night specials are 50 Cent Legs all day, $2.50 Coronas & Pacificos, $2.00 Well Rum and Coke, $2.00 Well Vodka Tonics, $1.75 Bud Light Pints, $1.75 Miller Light Pints. Sit inside and watch your favorite sporting events on over 50 TV's and 5 Giant Screen TV's or sit outside on the huge patio where there are more TV's and enjoy the evening air. Wherever you find to relax, you will be sure to have a good time, good food and good entertainment at the Buffalo Wings Wednesday Bike Night. 480-218-9464. Click Here to take a look at Buffalo Wild Wings.

Thursday Night

Arrowhead Harley-Davidson Thursday Bike Night at Gordon Biersch Brewery at Westgate. Live Music on the patio this week 6:30 - 9:30pm!! You can also sign up for the Gordon Biersch Passport card. What a great deal! Pay only $10 for the card, and you will get a $20 gift certificate to redeem for food and drink. On Bike Nights you will receive double rewards to build points for free food and drink. Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant in Glendale features the best Beer Garden you will find in this State, an impressive bar area equipped with TVs and speaker system, great food, and a large outdoor patio seating. Bike night specials include 1/2 off of my favorite Pepperoni and Sausage Pizza. 1/2 off appetizers plus $3.00 Micro Brew Beer specials. Try my favorite, the Gordon Biersch "Golden Export" or a sampler of all 5 of their beers brewed on site. Plenty of motorcycle only parking. Gordon Biersch is located at 6915 N. 95th Ave. at Westgate City Center, Loop 101 and Glendale next to the Cardinals Stadium. An easy ride from anywhere in the Valley. 623-877-4300

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. Stop by and take a look at the New Flamed Booths on the Paradise Patio. 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 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.

Every Saturday and Sunday

Harold's Cave Creek Corral Bike Weekends. This is the patio that we have all been waiting for in Cave Creek. The new 4000 Sq. Ft. patio at Harold's is finally finished complete with misters, TV's and an outdoor bar. There is plenty of room to put some tables together and hang out with your riding group for breakfast, lunch or the cold beverage of your choice. Live Music from Noon to 4pm every Saturday with Bob Bouchard, the man who plays at Greasewood every weekend. Enjoy TV's all around the patio with a walk up bar. Ride out on Sunday's and enjoy the All You Can Eat breakfast buffet for $8.99 on Sundays from 8am - Noon. Or grab one of Harold's fantastic hamburgers and watch the bikes roll by on Cave Creek Rd. from the patio. 50% Off Appetizers and $2.00 Bud/Bud Light bottles. You can also choose from their full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu every day of the week. Plenty of new motorcycle parking right in front of the patio. A great destination patio for your weekend rides. Harold's is located at 6895 E. Cave Creek Rd., in Cave Creek. 480-488-1906. There are still no tickets being given for DB violations. Just continue to keep the noise down as much as possible when riding through Carefree.

Western Trails Ranch Bike Weekend. Things have changed at the Ranch! It will still be open on weekend days for you to drop by on your rides out of town, but due to the weather heating up, live entertainment will be moved to Saturday nights. This Saturday night features King Gypsy Caravan, an R&B, Soul and Classic Rock Band from 8pm till Midnight. $2.00 Domestic, Free Admission. Take a nice ride out of town and Enjoy a relaxed country atmosphere with good food great Music every Friday and Saturday Nights. Live Music every Saturday Night from 8pm - Midnight. Loud pipes? No problem! You can ride out to Western Trails without worrying about DB metering equipment to greet you. Hang out under the covered patio at the Buzzard's Saloon or in front of the stage for some impromptu dancing. Buzzard’s Saloon now has Appetizer’s available at the Bar. Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, Chicken Tenders, Fries, Jalapeno Poppers, Breaded Mushrooms, Onion Rings, Beer Battered Mushrooms & Zucchini and Spicy Chicken Wings. Fast food service from the Bartender. Buddy Boom’s Real BBQ is also open for those who don’t mind walking 300 Feet for the best Burgers, award winning Ribs & BBQ on the Westside of town.
So take a ride out to Western Trails for some Lunch, Music and Fun every Saturday and Sunday. For more information on Western Trails Ranch go to www.westerntrailsranch.com . Located on Hwy. 60 in Morristown, just 12 N. of Sun City West on Grand or just 3 miles South of Carefree Hwy. Click Here for Map. 623-388-0450.