Riding a bike for 24 hours around a 17-mile track in the middle of the desert may sound like torture to most people.
For Dean Becwar, the bartender at Famous Sam's Sports Grill on the corner of East Golf Links and South Kolb roads, it sounds like a good time.
"I like doing mountain bike races and endurance races," says Becwar, whose team of five placed second in the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo bike race last year. "It's 3,000 people out in the middle of the desert — I like the mental aspect of it. You have to be mentally strong to get through it."
Becwar, who has bartended at Famous Sam's for 16 years, says he owns six bicycles: one road bike, two mountain bikes, a cyclo-cross, a BMX and a vintage Schwinn, which was his first bike.
"At one time I had nine, but I had to consolidate," he says with a smile.
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When he's not pouring drinks or riding bikes, Becwar can be found spending time with his wife, taking his three kids to soccer and football practice, or cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers, his favorite team.
Does your wife bike with you, too?
"Oh no. No, no, no. She won't get near a bike. If I ask her if she wants to go on a bike ride, she looks at me like I'm crazy."
Have you invented any drinks?
"Lately we've been doing the 'Watermelon F---up.' It's never made the same twice, but it always includes Watermelon Pucker and always tastes like watermelon. It started out when I messed up a shot, and then we just kept doing it from there."
Do you hear lots of good stories from barflies?
"The problem with stories from barflies is that you can never trust them. You have to take them with a grain of salt."
What is your best joke?
"So a three-legged dog walks into an old Western saloon, looks around and says, 'I'm looking for the man who shot my paw.'"
What's your favorite beer?
"I love ales. My favorite is Arrogant Bastard Ale."
David Hasselhoff has been spending a lot of time in Tucson. What would you do if the Hoff came to Famous Sam's?
"Honestly, I'd probably leave him alone. I might ask him about 'Baywatch.' "
Do you have any pet peeves?
"I can't stand when people say, 'Give me something that tastes good, is strong and cheap.' I tell them to pick two, because you can't get all three."
What weekly events do you have at Famous Sam's?
"We just put in a Nintendo Wii, so we are going to have Wii Wednesdays and have bowling tournaments."
Do you ever play Wii at home?
"Not since (my daughter) kicked my butt in Wii boxing. When you get your butt kicked by an 11-year-old girl, it's time to put it down."
Famous Sam's Sports Grill
• Where: 7129 E. Golf Links Road.
• Hours: 10 a.m.-2 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays, 9 a.m.-2 a.m. Sundays.
• Happy hour: 3-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. $2.25 domestic long-neck bottles, $3 domestic 22-ounce drafts, $2.50 wild drinks.
More online
Read more about Tucson nightlife at go.azstarnet.com/sceneatnight.
We're looking for the best bartenders
So if you know one who serves a mean cocktail, tells a good joke or has an attentive ear, go to aznightbuzz.com and click on "nightlife."
