Cyclerides.com Weekly Update 7/14/04

Greetings Riders,

It appears that I must have woken up Mother Nature last week with my comments about how great the weather has been for this long into the Summer. She must have read my comments and said "Oh, No! It's the middle of July and I haven't punished these people nearly enough yet. I'd better get to work before I am replaced by a computer!" So on day one she brought the humidity, day two the rising heat index, day three the clouds, day four the dust storms and day five came the wind and rains. I'm guessing she might make up for her tardiness in getting around to providing us with our Summertime Weather Blues by making days 6 through 46 much the same. So for those of you that got out and enjoyed the great June of riding, congratulations. Because now we have to develop the art of dodging thunderstorms.

Mrs. Cyclerides. and I took the good weather right to the last minute, and maybe a little beyond. Saturday, after a few small projects around the house, we headed to Krispy Kreme for a quick sugar high from some "low carb, fat free" doughnuts. To be sure, I pulled out my Diet computer and typed in "Krispy Kreme". It responded "Could not Compute". I took that as a positive that the reading was so low that it couldn't compute it. I promptly ordered three glazed and a raspberry jelly filled with a 20 ounce milk chaser. Now that is a way to get your morning going, and in fact, well into the afternoon. Those things hit the bottom of your stomach and pretty much set up camp for about 6 hours. Mmmm! I'm getting hungry just talking about it. I wonder if the "Hot" sign is on.

After our nutritious breakfast taken from page 5 of the Atkins Diet book, we were ready to take a ride. We were looking for a relatively short ride around town. One place that Mrs. C. had not been yet was Bartlett Lake. So we made our way from the West side to Carefree Highway, through Carefree, (seeing the Sheriff car with the microphone on top) where we even got Scott Pasmore to get his chopper out and meet us at the gas station for a little ride on a warm day.

Then it was out Cave Creek Rd. to the Bartlett Dam Rd. turnoff. Be sure and follow the speed limit through Carefree. We saw some sneaky radar hiding spots both ways. From here you've got a very nice 14 miles of good road, twisties and pretty desert scenery. The last 3 miles you will have a beautiful view of the lake. By this time you will be wanting to get something to drink. Near the end of the road you will see a sign that points you to the Marina. You can follow those signs and park in that lot and walk down to the Marina where they will grill you a hot dog or hamburger on an outdoor grill and you can get something to drink. I'm not sure if the food is available during the week. While we were setting at the marina cooling off, thinking that we were the only ones out that day, 6 more riders came walking in. Here they are.

When you leave the Marina on Bartlett Dam Rd. you can turn right on the road that will take you 4 miles to Bartlett Flats. It is a pretty ride through the desert and hills. After that you will take the same 14 miles back out. When you reach Cave Creek Rd. you can turn left and go back home OR you can turn right the road that goes to Seven Springs. This is a great 5 mile ride through some 15 mph switchbacks and unspoiled desert until the pavement ends. I don't know what it is about exploring, but my middle name must be "Magellan". I've yet to find a road that looks interesting that I won't take. So I said to Mrs. C., "let's just go a little way and see what is back there". Not being that excited about riding on rock roads, she followed. We went about a mile on this washboard road and we were about to turn around at the top of the hill until we saw some asphalt off in the distance. So we headed that way, and believe it or not there was about 4 log cabins/houses built in the trees next to a little stream. I have no idea why they are there, but I'll bet they aren't too pumped for me to tell everyone about it.

So after about a mile of asphalt and a mile of rough dirt road we were back on the main road to again enjoy the switchbacks and twisties on the way back to Cave Creek Rd. If you haven't done this 5 miles of road I would highly suggest it. If you choose to do the dirt part that I did, you are on your own. It is VERY pretty and quiet out there, but the road is pretty washboard. For you adventurers out there, let me know how you liked it. On your way home for some refreshments you can stop by Cocomo Joe's in the North Valley or the Billet and Sugar Daddy's in Scottsdale.

For a quickie ride near town, you will enjoy the Bartlett Lake ride. Here is a Day Ride feature with a map included that I did on it about a year ago. As usual, I took a lot of pictures while on the road.
Here is the full collection of them.

Thanks to all of you that emailed me with ideas of routes and things to do on our trip to Canada and back down the Coast Highway. It was a big help reading all of the ideas and places to stop. We have decided to start in Seattle and go up to Whistler and around through Lilloeet, back to Victoria, to Portland and the Columbia River Gorge, then back to the Oregon coast and down the California coast to Santa Barbara. That is if we can fit all of that in.

OCC Update:
I will be announcing the date for online ticket sales in next week's newsletter. I will hopefully have other details at that time. Vendor packages shoud be emailed by Tuesday. OCC recently added my email address to their site for information about the show. I have had inquiries from all over the United States from people that are going to attend the show. It is phenomenal the amount of interest in these guys. It should be a good one. If you missed the first episode of the "I Robot Bike", don't miss part 2 this Monday night with Will Smith.

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 4 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.

Saturday and Sunday

Pioneer Restaurant and Saloon. Now opening at 6:00AM for Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. All of us are looking for that quick getaway out of town for an early morning breakfast on the weekends, or a good stop on our way up North. The Pioneer Restaurant and Saloon is the perfect place for that and they are inviting all motorcycle riders to stop by for a good old fashioned breakfast on the patio or a cool drink on the way home. Sundays feature a $6.99 all you can eat breakfast including drinks and any day you can get my personal favorite 1/2 order of biscuits and gravy for $1.95. This is a great dish. Breakfast starts at 7:00am. Pioneer is also open for lunch and dinner until 9:00 pm. On Saturday nights Canyon Walls plays from 7pm - 11pm. Pioneer is also a great place to get your group together for a sunset dinner ride. Sit out on the patio or the air conditioned dining room. Click Here for the complete menu. If you are organizing a ride, it is the perfect place for a ride end. Pioneer is located just 1 mile North of the Carefree Highway exit on I-17 at Pioneer Rd. exit 225. For private parties call Joey at 602-696-5245 or 623-465-1821.

Hungry Bear Roadhouse In Mayer. Many of you remember Hailey's Grill in Mayer, AZ. Hailey's went out of business last fall and the building was purchased by the owners of Grand Canyon Harley and has re-opened as The Hungry Bear Roadhouse. The Roadhouse has been completely remodeled to provide meeting rooms for motorcycle groups or any special events. The usable space has now been expanded to the front patio. You can now sit out on the huge patio and eat your breakfast or lunch and watch the bikes roll in for a weekend ride. There will be tables and chairs as well as stools next to the railing to relax and enjoy your favorite beverages. Roadhouse hours are 8:00am - 10:00pm. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner will be served. Stop by the Hungry Bear on your rides to Prescott. More Info at: 928-632-4211.

Sunday

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

Friday, July 16th
High Country MMA Friday Night Biker Party. Sign in begins at 8:30pm at Road House 69 located at 300 N. Montezuma St. in Prescott, AZ. Fee is $3.00 to support MMA. Sign up as new MMA member and get 3 friends in free. 50/50, Live Music, People Games, Drink and Food Specials, 50/50 Three Ball Pool Tournament. Support your High Country MMA. For more information call Stony Monday at 928-759-9449.

Saturday, July 17th
Skunkwork Monthly Free Seminar. How To Protect Your Ears. This is one of the most important and most overlooked aspects of riding gear that there is. I see a large amount of riders out on the open road without ear plugs. I started riding with Ear Plugs 3 years ago and can't ride without them now. When I didn't wear ear protection I could still hear the wind in my ears hours if not days after riding. The wind and noise add a level of fatigue that you can totally erase by wearing ear plugs. I now wear the molded ear plugs that plug into my MP3 player and it is the best of both worlds. To find out the technical reasons why you should wear ear protection while riding, stop by Skunkwork Motorsports on Saturday, July 17th for a free seminar presented by T.E.A.M. Arizona and Arizona Ear Protection. There will be hot dogs and refreshments available at this free seminar. AZ Ear Protection will be on site to fit you with the molded ear plugs while you wait. Do yourself a favor, attend this seminar and find out more about protecting your ears and enjoying your ride even more. Seminar Time is from 11am - Noon. Skunkwork is located at 202 W. Main St. in Mesa, AZ. 480-649-2800.

Saturday, July 17th.
Eagles Wing Poker Run and Christmas In July Co-Sponsored by Grand Canyon Harley in Bellemont and Toys for Tots. It’s truly poker on the run as participants visit Designated Sponsor Stops along a 160 mile route, in search of the best cards to build a perfect hand. It really is poker, and there’s chips in the kitty. Ride takes off at 9:00 am – staggered release – First Leg -3 hours –Over all - 7hr. limit. High Hand $600, Low Hand $400. Gather at the Home of the Eagle’s Wing – Grand Canyon Harley Davidson - for what promises to be the concert event of the season – featuring the R&R Icons The Georgia Satellites, with special guests, Pure Prophet – A Sunset finale. (show time 5:45 PM) "After Show parties" $20 advance registration includes poker run and concert admission. $25 at the door. For more information call: 928-774-3896.

Next Week

Wednesday, July 21st
13th Annual Ride To Work Day. Ride your motorcycle and demonstrate the number of motorcyclists, that there really are, to the general public and to politicians. Show that motorcyclists are from all occupations and all walks of life, that motorcyclists can reduce traffic congestion in large cities and that motorcyclists are for transportation as well as recreation.

Extras

This is Hilarious! This is a parody about Onstar for blondes. This one is called Blondestar. It is about a woman that calls Blondestar to tell them that she has locked her keys on the "Outside" of her car. Very funny. It is a 1:14 long 1.2 mb .mp3 file that anyone should be able to download and listen to. Click Here to listen.

Here is an article for you guys and gals that think you ride a lot. This guy did 5632 miles in 100 hours on a ride from the Northern most road in Alaska to the Southern Most tip of Florida. Click Here for the complete story.

This is from the "Someone has too much time on their hands" column. It is a flash movie with Bush and Kerry to the tune of This Land Is My Land. It is very funny and worth the download. For some reason the site takes a while to load. So hang in there. For dial up users it could take a while to start playing. Click Here to view.

They are at it again. Harley-Davidson today reported record earnings bringing in 1.33 billion dollars for the quarter. Not bad for a little motorcycle business that started in a garage. Click Here for the whole story.

As for me this weekend. I will probably try to dodge a few T-Storms and get some morning riding in.

Until Next Week,
Blessings and Safe Riding To All,

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