Greetings Riders,

Well, for those of you that like the warm weather, here we are. As usual, we might as well take the 90's off of our thermometers, as we usually skip over that and go right to the 100's. Not much difference this year. But that's alright with me, I'm one of those that prefers the warmer weather and less clothing to carry around. Not only that, the longer days give us an excuse to get out and put on some more miles. Mrs. C. and I did just that last Saturday as we took the ride to Prescott for the Grand Canyon Grand Opening Party on Whiskey Row. That was a good reason to add 180 miles to the odometer on a Saturday afternoon. Not too many times will you see Whiskey Row blocked off just for motorcycles. Here are a few pics of the day.

I've talked about things in the past that we need to do as riders to take care of ourselves. I've mentioned Dehydration, Ear Protection and with the added length of days and the heat comes a few pitfalls as well. One of them is getting cooked by the sun. I'm sure we have all come home from a ride at some point, feeling the pain of a good sunburn and wished we had just gone to a good movie instead. Being one of those fair skinned people with a history of melanoma I have begun to pay a little more attention to what the sun is doing to me. And as a rider, we are all spending a fair amount of time in the direct sunlight. Not even a windshield can protect you from that. So as I was riding back from Prescott Saturday, feeling the heat and the intensity of the sun rise as we came down the hill, I started to ask some questions that the enquiring mind would want to know.

I've always wondered about the mystery of the sun and skin. Why is it that if you go out on a bright summer day and spend an hour in the sun, you get a sunburn? But I don't get burned if I have taken the time to get a nice gradual tan. With a nice tan you can go out in the sun and nothing happens. It doesn't make sense. What is a sunscreen? And what is a tan? What is the difference between a tan and a burn? Why can you spread a little blob of lotion on yourself and be protected, but if you forget you are miserable? All good questions that are answered on http://www.howstuffworks.com/sunscreen.htm. I have answered a few of these briefly below.

Why do I get sunburned?
The cells in your skin are not protected from the sun's ultraviolet radiation. You are therefore an easy target for sunburn if you spend too much time in the sun. When you get a sunburn, what you are really getting is cellular damage from ultraviolet radiation. The body responds to the damage with increased bloodflow to the capillary bed of the dermis in order to bring in cells to repair the damage. The extra blood in the capillaries causes the redness - if you press on sunburned skin it will turn white and then return to red as the capillaries refill.

Why is it when I have a tan don't I burn anymore?
When you get a tan, what is actually happening is that the melanocytes are producing melanin pigment in reaction to ultraviolet light in sunlight. Ultraviolet light stimulates melanin production. The pigment has the effect of absorbing the UV radiation in sunlight, so it protects the cells from UV damage. Melanin production takes a fair amount of time - that is why most people cannot get a tan in one day. You have to expose yourself to UV for a short period of time to activate the melanocytes. They produce melanin over the course of hours. By repeating this process over 5 to 7 days pigment builds up in your cells to a level that is protective.

Why does sunscreen work?
Sunscreens block or absorb ultraviolet light. You can absorb UV radiation in much the same way that melanin does. The first and most common of the absorption chemicals is PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid). It absorbs UVB. All sunscreens are labeled with an SPF, or Sun Protection Factor. The SPF acts like a multiplying factor. If you would normally be OK in the sun for 10 minutes and you apply an SPF 10 sunscreen, you will be OK in the sun for 100 minutes. In order for the sunscreen to work, however, you have to apply plenty and it has to stay on. You should apply it about half an hour before going out in the sun (or the water) so it can bind to your skin - if you don't, then it is very easy for the sunscreen to wash off.

This doesn't seem that important on the surface. But melanoma is a very serious skin cancer that can be prevented and cured. I never thought it would happen to me, but I have had 2 malignant melanoma taken off of my back. Fortunately I listened to my Mother for once and had them checked before it was too late. If you have any moles that you think are suspect. Spend the 10 minutes to have a dermatologist check them out. Here is a good site to answer your questions. http://www.melanoma.com/

I am constantly looking for that perfect sunscreen. Not too oily, doesn't come off with sweat or water, doesn't let every piece of road dirt stick to my face while riding and most importantly doesn't roll into my eyes to provide massive irritation. The closest thing I have found so far is Coppertone Sport that is ultra sweatproof, waterproof, ultra dry formula at a 30 SPF that comes in an attractive no slip grip blue plastic bottle. Let me know if you have that magic formula that I can try.

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

New! Starting Next Week, Thursday May 29th.
Thunder Pass Food and Spirits Lounge Thursday Bike Night.
Far East Siders you now have a nice big place to go on Thursday nights. The newly remodeled and very large Thunder Pass Food and Spirits Lounge will be opening for the first time on Thursday May 29th to kick off their Thursday Bike Night from 6pm to close. Thunder Pass owners are the same as the Spirits Lounge in Gilbert that a lot of you have gone to in the past. Spirits will be closing the doors on Saturday due to the loss of the lease. Taking the place of Spirits will be Thunder Pass located at 9303 E. Apache Trail in East Mesa. One block East of Ellsworth on Apache Trail (Main St.). They will have ladies night on Thursdays with $1.00 drinks, extensive food menu and a huge dance floor with a DJ. Thunder Pass features 2 patios. One out front and one in the back. Park your bikes right next to you. Rick invites all that have come to Spirits for the last 21 years to the new 300 seat Thunder Pass located on the County island between Mesa and Apache Junction.

Riders on the East side you now have the Thursday night Scottsdale Rd. Hat Trick!!
Jetz Americana, ACME Bar & Grill and The Billet Bar. Ride to all three.

Jetz Americana Thursday Bike Night.

INCREDIBLE would best describe the weather right now for an evening ride. INCREDIBLE is also the menu at Jetz prepared by Chef James Devine and the INCREDIBLE atmosphere created with DJ Aaron. Don’t miss any of these this and every THURSDAY! Preferred parking, delicious menu, and great music can be expected along with specials that run all night! Nitro Happy Hour starts with ½ price cocktails and a $4.95 appetizer menu from 4-7pm. Roll right into the Full Throttle Late Nite with $3 domestic bottles, $4 Jack Daniels, and a $7.95 Burger and Brew Special. Jetz is in the SW corner of Scottsdale Road and Gold Dust, just one block south of Shea behind CPK. Pull up, park, and party at one of Scottsdale’s finest. Click here to see the pictures of where you will be going and all of the information.

Come check out the Sixth Week of the ACME Bar and Grill Eight Week Rooftop Bikini Contest. Come check it out this week and see what happens. ACME is looking for contestants. 1st place $150, 2nd $50. Just show up with your best bikini. Contest begins at 8:30 PM. View the bikini contest while taking advantage of free appetizers and drink specials from the very cool rooftop lounge. Remember when downtown Scottsdale was the place to be? They are back with the complete remodel of the place including the new rooftop bar. You will enjoy a Free Buffet from 7:30-9:30 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.

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.

Saturday Night

NEW!!
Saturday Night Bike Night at Broker's Bar and Grill. Need a destination on a Saturday night for some great food and refreshments with other riders?? This is a great little place that reminds me of the show Cheer's. A lot of you already stop at Broker's for the excellent food and refreshments on the patio. Now they are having an official Bike Night starting May 10th from 6pm - Close with several food and drink specials. I'm sure the place will be packed on Saturday nights. Broker's is located on the SW corner of Scottsdale Rd. and Bell Rd. in North Scottsdale next to Paris Paris. Food Specials will be $6.00 Burger meal, $5.00 Chicken Sandwich meal and $1.00 Burger Sliders (each). Drink specials include $2.50 domestic bottles, $3.00 imports, $3.50 drafts, $4.50 Guinness and Black & Tans, $4.50 Well Drinks. Click Here for pictures and more information.

Saturday and Sunday

Bike Days at The Hideaway.
This Saturday: Ramjet Racing Performance Parts Expo and the weekly Bikini Bike Wash. Be a part of the Porch Posse at the world famous Hideaway, one of most popular stops in the Southwest for riders that come to Arizona. Stop by for one of their great burgers or their outstanding pizza and shop at Stampede Leathers while you are there. The porch is a busy place these days. This is Perfect weather for a ride to The Hideaway and try a few items from their new menu. This weekend enjoy the ride to Cave Creek and the beautiful weather from The Hideaway Porch. 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
At The Hideaway there is something to do every night. Click here for the Weekly Schedule of Events Monday-Friday: 10am - 6pm: $2 Well, Wine & Domestic Beer. Free Pizza Buffet 3pm - 6pm

Exclusive Bike Shows at The Hideaway with the Hottest Custom Manufacturers:
Jim Nasi Customs: The 1st Saturday of Every Month.
Bourget's Custom Bike Show: The 2nd Saturday of Every Month.
Titan Motorcycles Show: The 3rd Saturday of Every Month.
Ramjet Racing Performance Parts Expo. The 4th Saturday of Every Month.
In addition to the Bike Shows there will be a free Bikini Bike Wash during the shows along with Fun, Food, Entertainment, Vendors and More.

Sunday

Fandango
Sunday, May 25th,
Great Live BLUES Music all weekend long!
Yeah that's right, great live Blues music in Cave Creek! The GD Roadshow will be entertaining the biker crowd on Sunday from 2 to 6 pm (either on the patio or inside with air conditioning depending on the temperature!). If you have not heard Danny before you are in for a treat! Have a nice cold 16 oz Bud or Bud Light draft for only a $1.25. Have some lunch and check out our patio and waterfall or our rooftop bar. Great views of the surrounding mountains and the bikes cruisin' Cave Creek Road. Fandango's not just biker friendly on Sunday, stop by any time! We are located at 6032 E. Cave Creek Rd in the town of Cave Creek. Call 480-595-5633 for info or check out our website at www.restaurant.com/fandango. Here is the band lineup for the rest of the month:
Friday, May 23: Chuck Hall & The Brick Wall. Saturday, May 24: Chill Factor
And mark your calendar for Memorial Day weekend. We are having a party on Sunday May 25 with GD Roadshow (George & Duane of Mogollon). Bud & Cuervo shot & beer specials and giveaways with the Cuervo and Bud Girls! Stay tuned for Camp Fandango..coming soon!

Sunday, May 24th-26th
Hailey's Live Entertainment Sunday's - All Memorial Day Weekend - "Instant Replay" 1 - 5 PM. Here is your chance to take a ride up North and stop in to Hailey's for some good food and entertainment all weekend long. If you are looking for a short ride (only 60 miles from I-17 & Loop 101) this weekend, 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:
May 23-26: Instant replay-5/23-9:00pm to ?, 5/24-5/26-1pm -5pm

Sugar Daddy's Blues Biker Sunday Brunch.
Live Music on the patio from 1-6PM this Sunday.
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 on their relaxing 5,000 square foot Tree Covered Patio from 11am - 5pm. Enjoy live music from 1-6pm and choose from 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 . 480-970-6556.
Every Saturday: Live Reggae Saturdays at Sugar Daddy's. Every Saturday from 2-6pm. $2 Red Stripe and $4 Appleton Rum Drinks. Enter a drawing for a trip for two to Jamaica. Day Drinking Reggae Style.

This Week
Memorial Day Weekend

Friday - Sunday, May 23 - 25th
MMA's 16th Anniversary State Rally. Memorial Day Weekend at Tom's Cabin in Overgaard, Arizona. Pre-Registration before May 16, 2003 is $20 per person. At the gate it's $25 per person. Saturday night's BBQ included. On site bar & restaurant, Live Music (Friday, Saturday, & Sunday) by "White Mountain Boogie Band" & "Zalienz", Bike Show, Bike Games, Trophies, Kids Games, Raffle, Events, Vendors, 50/50, & Poker Run. Run pins to the first 200. On site camping and RV parking included (dry). Presented by Modified Motorcycle Association of Arizona. Info: 928 537-7288 or 928 368-6424. Vendors call 928 532-7693.

Next Week

Saturday, May 31st - 9am - 6pm.
Sunday, June 1st -10am - 4pm.
Hacienda Harley Open House Party and Outdoor Make an Offer Tent Sale. Celebrating 2 anniversaries in one party. Hacienda is turning 30 and Harley-Davidson is turning 100. Stop by and help them celebrate with Live Music, Raffles, Bikini Bike Wash, free 30th Poster signings by Brittny and Fashion Shows Daily, 12:30PM & 2:00PM. Saturday, 9am-6pm, Sunday, 10am-4pm. Take advantage of an "Everything Must Go" Outdoor Tent Sale and the popular "Basement Sale" both days. Hacienda is located at 15600 N. Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale. Information at 480-905-1903.

Extras

Here is the latest testimonial from a Cyclerides.com V.I.P. Member.

"Barry, I bought a card during Bike Week and decided to deck out my new Road King Classic. Well, I got a little carried away and bought $3,300 of accessories at Hacienda - but it only cost me $2,640! I saved over $660! Jim K. Paradise Valley".

I asked Linda at Hailey's Grill if she had seen any of the cards come through. V.I.P. Card holders get 20% off at Hailey's. She said there had been lots of them. Five on Mother's Day alone. If you would like 20% off parts, accessories and motorclothes, free food, free dyno runs and ongoing discounts all year long, order your Cyclerides.com V.I.P. card online for only $39.95 and save hundreds of dollars all year long. The perfect Gift for Father's Day.

SUMMER LEGISLATIVE WATCH

A great source for information about what is going on with motorcycle safety initiatives is a visit to the National Highway Safety and Transportation Agency’s web site at www.nhtsa.dot.gov/hot/ .

Right now there are two ongoing studies regarding motorcycling; One dealing with Costs of Injuries Resulting From Motorcycle Crashes and the other addressing The Motorcycle Safety Program . The latter of the two is particularly interesting since it is looking at the disturbing trend of motorcycle fatalities as a growing percentage of all highway deaths. Fatalities (3,181) have risen from 5.0% of all traffic fatalities (42,116) to 7.6% over the period 1997 – 2001. Some of the identified causes are alcohol, older riders, and larger bikes.

With Memorial Day upon us some might like to read the May 15, 2003 press release from the office of Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO). Senator Campbell is an avid biker and a national spokesperson for the rights of motorcycling enthusiast. The full text of Why We Ride can be found at www.senate.gov/~campbell/press-item.cfm?id=203945. It is worth the visit to be reminded why we remember.

Hope you find these detours informative. As always, if you come across any possible legislative issues that could affect the riding freedoms that we Arizonans enjoy – whether it be at the local, state or federal level, please get in touch with us and alert us to the issue. We will check it out and report on it objectively. Again, contact should be made at sjd3@cox.net and leave the details, including a phone number so that we can call you and discuss the issue. Stan Dale.

As for me this weekend, I am going to do some casual riding in between catching up on some real estate enhancement projects. Enjoy the long weekend and ride safe.

Until Next Week,
Blessings and Safe Riding To All,

Barry Caraway
"The Road Is Yours - Take The Ride"
www.cyclerides.com
info@cyclerides.com