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Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
2/27/13

Greetings Riders,
 
Well, it looks like Mother Nature is going to give us a Chamber of Commerce weekend that will be perfect for riding. Predicted highs of Sunny and 82 for Saturday and Sunday. Sedona will even be a high of 68 and sunny so it will even unlock the North at least for a weekend. But you better get it in this weekend, because the forecast is showing rain and 64 next Saturday.
 
I might even have a totally different reason to ride this weekend. This Segway is a bit of a stretch, but it will let you know what I have been dealing with this week, and maybe my motorcycle can fix it. Chances are some of you have been through this as well. I awoke Monday morning expecting to make breakfast for Mrs. C. as I do for her every work day. As I was getting out of bed, I noticed that my right side and back was hurting, but that is not unusual as sleeping on it wrong can sometimes be the cause. When I got up and took about 4 steps, I literally went down to my knees in pain. It felt like someone was holding a blowtorch with a point on it and jabbing it into to my side/back. The pain was incredible and I had no idea what it was. Did an appendix burst? Was there some infection? What was going on? It was totally unexpected.
 
I got up and started walking around, drinking bottled water, trying to figure out what was wrong. I couldn’t lay down or sit down. It seemed all I could do was walk around in circles. Anything to keep moving. I ate some cereal, but that was a bad idea. The pain was so bad that the cereal didn’t last long. I downed 3 Advil and a bit later some more to try and knock it down a bit. After walking around and moaning for a while, Mrs. C. asked me if I wanted to go to the emergency room and I said yes. For me to answer yes to that question was amazing as I would usually just try to gut it out, but this was different. We got our stuff, got to the car and whatever was going on started to subside a little, the Advil must have been kicking in.
 
So we went back inside and she called my primary care Dr. and made an appointment for 3PM that afternoon, which seemed like an eternity to me. By about noon the pain had subsided enough where I could function almost normally. Now I am wondering what the heck is going on here. 5 hours ago my best position is on my knees leaning over the hassock, now I feel pretty good. I had a long standing appointment with my dermatologist at 2PM that I decided to keep. From the “when it rains it pours” chapter, as luck would have it, she finds a couple of spots that need to be cut off right then for biopsy.
 
By the time I get to my Dr. I had red spots all over my face from her freezing things and a band aid right in the middle of my forehead. He must have thought I had been in a cage fight or something. After a lot of questions and a urine test, where he found blood, he finally narrowed it down to being a possible kidney stone. Great, now at least I have some idea what has been kicking my butt all morning. I walked out with an appointment for a CT Scan of my kidney that would happen the next day and a welcomed prescription for pain killers to have on hand in case this flairs up again. Keep in mind, that in all of my years, I have only taken one prescription pain pill ever, usually trying to stick to Advil as a remedy. But after my experience of this morning I wanted the most effective I could get.
 
Sure enough, kick my butt round 2 reared its ugly head at around 11PM Monday night setting me up for a very difficult night and little sleep. The aforementioned pills did their job and at least curbed the pain enough to finally get SOME sleep. Tuesday morning I woke up and felt about as close to normal as I could feel. What the heck is going on here? Did I pass it? Am I all good? So I went ahead and kept my CT Scan appointment, even though I was convinced it was gone. “Negative Ghost Rider, the pattern is full”, it was still there and just taking a break to gain some more steam. About 7PM it was round 3 of major discomfort and another bad night.
 
Wednesday afternoon I got the call from my Dr. letting me know that I was a “stoner”. Yep, I was the proud owner of a 4 mm kidney stone with little crystal barbs all around. It was rolling through my kidney almost to my ureter. That just doesn’t sound good, no matter how you put it. Other than it finally getting out, I’m definitely not looking forward to the exit, if you know what I mean. My Dr. said that it should be exiting soon, but if it hasn’t in a week, to come back. The crazy thing about these stones are when they are not moving, you feel fine. But when they start moving, those jagged edges rolling around in your organs really cause a lot of pain and make it very difficult to even catch a deep breath, especially when laying down.
 
After another sleepless night on Wednesday, as I write this Thursday morning, I feel pretty good again. But I know that it is just a matter of time till the next shoe drops. So to go back 5 paragraphs and explain how my motorcycle could help, maybe I should head out on Cave Creek Rd. heading North of the 101 and hit a few of those teeth rattling bumps and see if that will jar it loose. At this point, I would try anything. I don’t want it in there any longer that it has to be, as it is one of the most painful things I have experienced, and has been the gift that keeps on giving. Hopefully it will go away today and I will be done with it. In the meantime, the wait continues.
 
So for those of you that have gone through this, and I have heard many stories worse than mine, I’m sure you have your own accounts and can appreciate my experience. But if you haven’t, and these type of symptoms happen to you, it might at least give you a clue as to what is going on. The not knowing what was happening was especially concerning at the time, so I hope this helps.
 

 
Tidbits and Updates:
 
Motorcycle Emission Testing:
Since February has rolled around, I have had a lot of inquiry about getting rid of the emission testing for motorcycles. The rumor was that it was to go away in February of this year. That didn't happen. But when dealing with bureaucrats, time tables are usually never accurate. A couple of days ago I talked with Billy Larson, the MMA Designated Lobbyist. He said that it has now been released to start implementing the program of no longer doing emissions on motorcycles and that it should be a done deal by the end of April. You can reach Billy for more info at lobbyist@mma-az.org.
 
Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Night:
I would like to announce that we will begin the 2013 Spring season of the Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Nights this year on Thursday, March 28th running every Thursday through June 27th. We are already working on programming for bike night to make it even bigger and better than in years past. I look forward to seeing all of you on opening night, Thursday, March 28th. Save the Date! We have limited space for vendors, if you would like to be a vendor, please contact me at info@cyclerides.com .
 

 
This Week
 
Friday-Sunday, March 1st-3rd
Checkered Flag Run. The Checkered Flag Run is a weekend in Phoenix, Arizona hosted by Phoenix International Raceway, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, and The Radisson Hotel. The weekend culminates with motorcycle rides to Phoenix International Raceway to watch NASCAR Drivers tear up the track at the NASCAR Subway Fresh Fit 500 on Sunday March 3rd, 2013. Tickets: Available for $25 starting February 1st, 2013 or while supplies last. Each ticket grants you entrance into the block party and dance. Discounted Multi-cultural tickets to the NASCAR Subway Fresh Fit 500 on March 3rd, 2013 at Phoenix International Raceway can also be purchased for $35 from February 1st through March 2nd, 2013. You may also purchase your Checkered Flag Run tickets and NASCAR tickets at Chandler Harley-Davidson, Arrowhead Harley-Davidson, Chester's Harley-Davidson, and Paul Yaffe’s Bagger Nation. After March 2nd, 2013, NASCAR tickets will also be available at Phoenix International Raceway at the regular gate price, if available. See web page for details of activities each day. http://www.checkeredflagrun.com/
 
Saturday, March 2nd
Inaugural Tillman's Ride 2013. American Legion Pat Tillman Post 117 ALR Hosts Pat Tillman’s Ride 2013. Proceeds Benefitting - Military Assistance Mission & Pat Tillman Foundation. Sign-in 8-10AM. Event Starts at: Chester’s Harley Davidson - 922 South Country Club, Mesa, AZ. Event ends at: Toby Keith’s for a Huge Party. Sponsored Stops for this event are: Rula Bula, Buffalo Chip, Greasewood Flat, and Toby Keiths in Mesa. Pre-Registration On-Line at MAD4VETS.ORG (starting 1/12/13) Or Day of the Ride Chester’s Harley Davidson - 922 South Country Club, Mesa, AZ. $20.00/$30.00 with Passenger. More information at Tillmansride@gmail.com. Events and Raffles at Each Stop. End of Ride at Toby Keith’s for a Huge Party Celebrating ALL OUR Heroes who have served.
 
Next Week
 
Saturday, March 9th
6th Annual Teen Challenge Bike Run. Since 1965, Teen Challenge of Arizona has been combating the drug and alcohol problem in our state with amazing results... a documented 86% Success Rate! As a nonprofit recovery program supported by donations from caring individuals, family members, community organizations, local businesses and churches, we're also getting the word out about substance abuse prevention and education. Bike run begins with an 8AM registration/Breakfast. 9AM ride begins. Start at the Greater Phoenix Teen Challenge located at 1515 W. Grand Ave. in Phoenix. Ends at the Christian Life Ranch located at 47819 N. Fig Springs Rd. in Phoenix. Cost is $25 (includes breakfast, lunch and t-shirt). See flyer for details.
 
Saturday, March 8th & 9th
Ride for the Warrior. Two-Day Motorcycle Rally & Music Festival featuring 7 bands. BBQ from Whiskey Ranch and Up in Smoke, static display of military helicopters including Apache and Blackhawk. By enlisting the caring power of our community, our mission is to raise awareness and funds for our United States Military Veteran organizations. Ride for the Warrior is a non-profit organization under the IRS tax code 501(c)3 created for the sole purpose of raising money for United States Military Veteran organizations. We are proud that our organization is strictly a 100% volunteer based group, and that 100% of the funds we raise go directly to the United States Military Veteran organizations. The funds raised for our 2013 event will be split between Operation Wounded Warrior and The Pinal County Veterans Memorial Foundation. By enlisting the caring power of our community, our mission is to raise awareness and funds for our United States Military Veteran organizations.
Take a ride and enjoy some wonderful music and food.  Starting locations will be at the Tucson Harley Davidson, and Chandler Harley Davidson.  Sign in  from 8-10 a.m. $25 per bike (1 up or 2 up).  includes 1 pin, and admission to the event. Self guided ride, route to be determined. Arrival time 1:00pm at the Ride for the Warrior Music Festival at the Ed Hooper Rodeo Grounds in Casa Grande. For more information and band information, check out our website www.rideforthewarrior.com
 
Saturday and Sunday
March 9th & 10th
Arrowhead Harley-Davidson Demo Event. This is your chance to ride the brand new 2013 Harley-Davidson motorcycle FOR FREE. The Harley-Davidson factory demo truck will be at Arrowhead Harley-Davidson from 9am - 4pm on March 9th and 10th to let you experience the ride you have been dreaming about. It is always fun to see how the bike that you don't have would ride. There will be Food vendors on site both days! And Raffle Prizes throughout the day. Must have a valid motorcycle license and be at least 21 years of age. Arrowhead Harley-Davidson is located at 16130 N. Arrowhead Ftn. Ctr. Dr. in Peoria, AZ. 623-247-5542.
 
Upcoming Events
 
April 10th - 14th
Arizona Bike Week 2013. The countdown is underway! Less than 6 weeks till the start of Arizona Bike Week 2013, and what a good one it is shaping up to be. If you haven’t made your plans or taken your days off, you might want to do that now. Go to www.azbikeweek.com to see all of the events. Feeling charitable? This year there will be 13 charity rides during the ten days of Arizona Bike Week! These runs are a great way to meet new people, reconnect with old friends and see some great scenery, all while supporting some very worthy causes. Not to mention that every ride that occurs from April 10 – 14 includes admission to Cyclefest and that night’s concert. You can check out the complete list of official ABW rides and get registered at www.azbikeweek.com/rides.htm. Many of these rides offer preregistration incentives such as discounted fees, t-shirts, pins, etc. You can get more details on these rides and all the activities and events planned for Arizona Bike Week 2013 by picking up a Guide to Ride or visiting www.azbikeweek.com.
 
Extras

Mid Week Updates will be made on the Cyclerides.com Facebook. New Easy to remember Facebook address. Go to Cyclerides.com Facebook. Over 4100 FANS! Take a look at all the new photos posted on the wall. If you are not on Facebook, you can still view the page, but you will not be able to post. There will be a link there for you to sign up for Facebook if you are inclined. Click the LIKE button!

Can’t remember if I had this in the newsletter before, but it is worth watching again. If you like to travel, you will enjoy this for sure. Click Here to View.

This is one of the best slight of hand magicians that I have seen. I have NO idea how he does this stuff. Click Here to View.

Video of the Week. All I can say is OMG! This is a real pucker moment for this guy. Wow! Click Here to View. Click on the Video of the Week graphic on the page.

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Until Next Week,
Blessings and Safe Riding To All,

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

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