Cyclerides.com Weekly Update

3/6/13

Greetings Riders,

Well, as far as I know, I am still a “Stoner”. If you missed last week’s letter about my cruel introduction to kidney stones, Click Here to read. After 3 difficult days managing the movement of the stone, I had been pain free for about 72 hours. To manage my optimism that I wouldn’t feel that pain again, I started counting the hours of being pain free to trick myself into thinking that it might have passed without me knowing it. I felt pretty good Saturday morning and decided to play in the Wounded Warriors golf tournament in Sun City Grand with Arrowhead Harley-Davidson. I made it through the day and thought that I was out of the woods, that is until about 9PM that night and my little barbed pain inducer decided to make another move to remind me that all was not well. So out with the Percocet and off to bed to sleep it off.

Realizing that my optimism had gotten ahead of itself, and that it had not magically disappeared, I was now reading everything on the internet that I could find as a home remedy to eliminate a kidney stone. The one that seemed to be the most consistent was to juice lemons and drink the pure juice, followed by a therapy of water and juice behind that. The theory is that the citric acid is supposed to breakdown or dissolve the stone and it will easily be passed. So Mrs. C. broke out the juicer and a bag of lemons and I was on my way to concocting my magic “Caraway Stone Elixir” that would eradicate my stone. That was the plan anyway. . . After downing 8 ounces of pure lemon juice, that according to Mrs. C., produced an award winning “Bitter Beer Face”, the stone was starting to look pretty good.

The other one that I came up with was to mix 2 ounces of pure lemon juice with 2 ounces of virgin olive oil followed by 10 ounces of water to drink before bed. Hmmm. I’m not sure how well that worked for the stone, but it did make for a silky smooth pea the next morning and it definitely works as a colon cleanser. Still not sure if either one of these have done any good, but at this point I am ready to try hanging from my feet while wiggling around patting my head and rubbing my stomach to see if I can get things moving to shake this crystal nemesis out of my kidney.

Even with all of these magic home remedies and a 20 mile ride on the bike with no air in the shocks, there still has been no evidence that it is gone. So either it has found a nice place to camp to keep me out of the Percocet, or it has dissolved and passed without my knowledge. Putting it in AA terms, I am now 7 days without pain, which is good. I guess if I have no evidence by Monday that is actually gone, it will be back to the Dr. for another CT scan to see if it is still there, and if so, what to do next. I have to know one way or the other. It just wouldn’t be a good idea to be out flying the plane or on a ride when this thing decides to rear its ugly head again.

Thanks to everyone who responded with their own stories and home remedies last week. This was one time that misery did love company. I had no idea that kidney stones were so prevalent, and apparently it is not necessarily an age thing. These little boogers can attack anyone, old, young, male or female. All is good for now, but stay tuned.

I want to remind everyone that the Spring season for the Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Night starts on Thursday, March 28th from 5-9 PM. Just 3 weeks from today, you will once again be able to enjoy a party every Thursday night with Live Music, Vendors, Restaurants, parking on Coyote Blvd. next to the fountains and Hundreds of motorcycles to look at as they cruise by. This is the place to be on Thursday nights for sure. We will kick off this year with the 7 piece “Fuel It Band” for our Live entertainment. Weather should be great, I look forward to kicking off this new season on March 28th. Hope to see you there on opening night! Please pass on the word. Click Here for more information. Westgate City Center is located at the Loop 101 and Glendale Ave.

Have a great weekend and ride safe!

Barry

Tidbits and Updates:

Pre-Rally days for Arizona Bike Week is only 30 days away. A couple of big events the first weekend are the Buddy Stubbs 9th Annual Bike Week Bash on Saturday, April 6th that features a 2 acre beer garden with Live Music and vendors from 12PM – 8PM. This is always a great time with thousands of motorcycles in attendance. On Sunday, March 7th, Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale is having their 2nd Annual Bike Week Blast-Off Party with a full day event agenda including motorcycle stunt riders and featuring the headlining band of John Kay & Steppenwolf. See the April event calendar on www.cyclerides.com for the upcoming events.

This 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.

Next Week

Saturday, March 16th

CASI Sanctioned Chili Cook Off Hosted by Arrowhead Harley-Davidson. Proceeds benefit the Arizona Burn Center. We will be offering trophies for may People’s Choice Categories as well as best decorated chili booth/team. Best GREEN Chili, Mystery Celebrity Judges, Raffle Prizes. People’s Choice Chili starting at 11:00 AM, CASI Competition Red Chili Turn-In at 2:00 PM. For Chili information contact Jerry Lee at 623-388-9748 or alchemistchili@gmail.com . Arizona burn contact Paula Walker at 602-344-5624. Arrowhead Harley-Davidson is located at 16130 N. Arrowhead Ftn. Ctr. Dr. in Peoria, AZ. 623-247-5542.

Saturday, March 16th

Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day! So, Join us for a Wee Bit O’ Fun on Saturday, March 16th from 10AM – 4PM. All Lads and Lasses wearing green receive a 10 pack of entry forms to win a Softail Slim. Enjoy Cold Beer – Grub – Door Prizes – LIVE MUSIC – Green Bikini Bike Wash. With a qualifying $300 purchase get a Commemorative 110th Illuminated Picture Frame as your free gift while supplies last. Now through March 31st. Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale is located at 15600 N. Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale, AZ. 480-905-1903.

Saturday, March 16th & 17th

Chandler 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 Chandler Harley-Davidson from 9am - 4pm on March 16th and 17th 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 FREE FOOD Saturday and Sunday from 11AM – 1PM! Onsite Vendors, Patches – Buy 1 Get 1 Half Off. And Raffle Prizes throughout the day. Must have a valid motorcycle license and be at least 21 years of age. Chandler Harley-Davidson is located at 6895 W. Chandler Blvd. in Chandler, AZ. 480-496-6800.

Saturday, March 16th

Buddy Stubbs Anthem Hogs and Dogs. Buddy Stubbs Anthem H-D invites you to their monthly Hogs & Dogs on Saturday, March 16th from 11AM till 2PM! This month we want to know, "Is your suspension setup correctly for how you ride?" TEAM AZ will be onsite to provide a FREE Suspension seminar as well as be available to answer your valuable riding questions. So, if you are one of those riders who agree that you can never have too much riding knowledge, RSVP to this seminar and join us! The class will be from 12:00 - 1:00 in the HOG room. There will of course be FREE hot dogs and sodas available so grab your favorite riding partner and ride up to Buddy Stubbs Anthem H-D! For more information e-mail marketing@buddystubbs.com or call (623) 465-1122. Anthem H-D can also be found on the web at www.anthemhd.com.

Upcoming Events

April 10th - 14th

Arizona Bike Week 2013. The countdown is underway! Less than 5 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. One of the aspects of Arizona Bike Week that we are most proud of is the hundreds of thousands of dollars that are raised for a multitude of charities, through the many fund-raising opportunities our event presents. This year there are more organized rides than ever before. They are all for amazing causes and all offer you a great time you can feel good about. Each includes a different variety of amenities such as breakfast, lunch, pins, patches, t-shirts, prizes, etc. All rides that occur from April 10 – 14 include admission to Cyclefest and that night’s concert. For complete details, go to the “Events” page at azbikeweek.com or go to the “Rides” page for a brief summary. We hope you’ll join in on one or more of these rides during Arizona Bike Week 2013. 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!

This one is entitled. “How Spain gets rid of stupid people”. I can see where they got that title. Click Here to View.

For those of you that like amazing dog stories, this is one for the ages. Click Here to View.

Video of the Week. This video is a Wow, Wow, Wow! This is called the Red Bull Rampage. These guys have some stones too. Not for me. Click Here to View. Click on the Video of the Week graphic on the page.

If you would like to sign up for the Cyclerides.com Weekly Update Click Here.

Until Next Week,
Blessings and Safe Riding To All,

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