Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
7/10/13
Greetings Riders,
Well, you might have noticed that there was no newsletter last week. It was
the first time in 12 years that I have missed a week of a newsletter, but it was unavoidable. Mrs. C. and I were out of the country for a few
days and where we were staying had little to no communication. More about that
adventure next week. They said they had Wi-Fi, I paid for Wi-Fi, I connected to
Wi-Fi, but it was worse than the 28k baud dial up modems that we used back in
the day. In fact, it acted like a 1k dial up. Pretty much un useable. So those
plans were scrapped and I just decided to not worry about it and break my string
of 12 consecutive years. Not a bad run. Besides, how much can YOU be thinking
about riding when there are a series of 118 degree days. It was a good week to
miss.
Part of being off the grid is that you really don’t know much about what is
going on in the world around you. I got one of those KTAR breaking
news texts on my phone about the 19 Firefighters being killed in Yarnell, then
communications ceased for a few days and we weren’t able to hear much about it
after that. When we got back to the States and found out the impact of what had
happened we were deeply saddened by this tragedy. Especially happening in an
area that we all know so well and enjoy riding through so often. Mrs. C. and I
give our condolences to all of the families who lost their loved ones, and to
those in Yarnell who lost their homes in this raging fire. Very sad to say the
least.
We got back home on Sunday afternoon. After having some time to catch up on
what had happened, I decided that I wanted to at least pay my
respects in person by attending the memorial service in Prescott Valley on
Tuesday. Ernie Lizarraga emailed me Monday night and asked if I would like to
ride up with the Wind & Fire group on Tuesday morning. Riding up with a
group of firefighters sounded like a good idea so I graciously accepted the
invitation and met them at 0800 Tuesday morning for our short ride to Tim’s
Toyota Center in Prescott Valley.
After a short stop in Cordes Junction to meet some others, we arrived at
the center around 10am. There were already hundreds of fire trucks,
hot shot trucks, busses and other support vehicles lining the streets. There
were literally firefighters who came in from all over the United States
and Canada to represent and show support for their fallen brothers. It was truly
amazing to see all of the different patches on uniforms and trucks that were in
attendance.
All the tickets to the Toyota center were given out to firefighters and
families, but they had a giant screen and speakers set up in the
parking lot to the West for onlookers who wanted to be a part of the event and
show their respects. The screen and the quality of sound was excellent making
the viewing enjoyable. The Red Cross was set up there in numbers to pass out
cold water, flyers and sunscreen. They did a wonderful job trying to keep
everyone comfortable in the heat with no shade. Fortunately, it was in Prescott
where it was only 90 degrees. As I was standing there lamenting how hot it was,
and thinking about leaving early, I reminded myself how hot that these hot shot
firefighters must get in all of that gear, then sucked it up and stayed to the
very end. Those guys do not bail on us, I won’t bail on them.
The Memorial service was outstanding. It was a moving tribute to these 19
heroes who walked selflessly into the face of danger to try and
save the forest and the homes of the people in Yarnell, but ended up paying the
ultimate sacrifice as winds abruptly changed and drove the fire right back at
them. All of the speeches were excellent. I’m not a big fan of Joe Biden the
politician, but he gave one heck of a heart felt talk that day reflecting on
personal interactions with firefighters saving his family in the past. One quote
he had was that “All men are created equal, and then a few become firefighters”.
Nice job Joe.
The most emotional part of the this 2 1/2 hour program was when Brendan
McDonough, the lone surviving member of the 20 man Granite Mountain
Hot Shot team took to the stage and recited the “Hot Shot Prayer”, and then
tearfully said, “I miss my brothers”. You could tell it took all he had to get
up there, but he was determined to do it for his guys. A very touching moment
that brought tears all around, including me.
The program ended soon after that as 4 Harrier jets did a low pass from the
East over the center and pealed out into the missing man formation.
It was now 1:30 and time to make the run back to the heat in the Valley. After a
quick stop for food in Cordes Junction I made it back home around 3:30 PM having
plenty of time to reflect on what I had just seen. It is so sad to read all of
the stories about the families, children, spouses, brothers, sisters and parents
that these young guys left behind. I even heard that there are 3 unborn children
as well. They will need a lot of help and will be getting it.
We have focused on the families of the fallen, and rightfully so, but there
are still residents in Yarnell that will be suffering for a long time. In the paper this morning they talked about the loss of the families in
Yarnell that lost their homes and everything they had. The paper stated that
over 30% of them had no fire insurance and were at a total loss and left with
nothing. A lot of these people are retired on fixed income or low income. These
are the very people that the Hot Shots were trying to protect. We can’t forget
these people either and should figure out a way to help them. I’m sure the
Yarnell 19 would want it that way.
This Week
Thursday, July 11th
July 18th – Fox and Hound, July 25th – Hooter’s,
August 1st - Moon Saloon,
August 8th – Cucina Tagliani, August
15th – Barrel Grill.
* VIP Motorcycle Parking
* Arrowhead Harley Girls
* Raffles
* Food and Drink Specials
Saturday, July 13th
Saturday, July 13th
4th
Annual National Collector Car Appreciation Day. Bring your car or just come
out to see all of the top notch collector cars at this major event.
Over 600 cars expected. There will also be a motorcycle competition with
4 different categories that include trophies. 100 Free Commemorative T-Shirts
and 200 Dash Plaques will be given out. Show from 5-9 PM. Music, Food and 24
Awards. 67th Ave. and Bell @ Mixteca K-Mart Plaza. www.nancyperryproductions.com .
Next Week
Saturday, July 20th
Buddy
Stubbs Anthem Harley-Davidson U-Turn Clinic. Buddy Stubbs Anthem
Harley-Davidson helps you combat the dreaded U-Turn
during this
month’s Hogs & Dogs! Join them on Saturday, July 20th from 11AM to 2PM for
FREE food, drinks, a bikini bike wash and U-Turn clinic provided by TEAM
Arizona! Did you know making a U-Turn is one of the most challenging maneuvers
for a rider to accomplish? Join us for this great clinic and go away with great
tips and tricks to practice. To RSVP for the clinic go to http://u-turn.eventbrite.com. Buddy Stubbs Anthem
H-D® is located at 41715 N. 41st Drive, Anthem AZ. You can also check them out
on the web at www.anthemhd.com.
Saturday, July 20th
Arrowhead
Harley-Davidson Bikes and Bikinis with the Arrowhead Harley-Davidson Girls.
Don’t miss this always popular Arrowhead HD Bikini Contest that starts at 2
PM.
The winner of the contest will win a $300 Cash Prize. So dust
off your bikini and enter by emailing Michelle at mhains@ridenow.com for information and to register.
FREE Bikini Bike Wash by the Arrowhead HD
Girls from 11 AM – 3 PM.
SWAP MEET: 6 AM – 1 PM. Bring those old parts
sitting around the garage and sell enough of them to buy some new chrome! Used
parts only. No competitive items or bike sales. Space is limited so call
623-247-5542 to reserve your spot.
FREE Lunch: Hot Dogs served 11 AM – 1 PM.
While supplies last.
LIVE MUSIC!
Arrowhead HD is located at 16130 N. Arrowhead Ftn. Ctr. Dr. in
Peoria, AZ.
Wednesday, July 24th
Harley-Davidson of
Scottsdale Kid Rock Concert Tickets. Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale is giving
YOU a Chance to Win tickets to see Kid Rock LIVE
on July 24th at
Ak-Chin Pavilion. Up to 250 tickets to giveaway! PLUS, enter to win up to 4
Grand Prize VIP ticket packages including:
VIP box tickets
VIP Parking
VIP Club Access
Open to all Kid Rock ticket holders and contest winners. Meet
at Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale at 4:30pm for light snacks and refreshments.
Kickstands up at 5:30pm.
Extras
Mid
Week Updates will be made on the Cyclerides.com Facebook. New
Easy to remember Facebook address. Go to
Cyclerides.com Facebook. Over
4200 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 is a great HD video of people doing
crazy things. A compilation of some fails and success. Wow! Click
Here to View.
Video of the
Week. You think traffic is bad in
Phoenix, check out Saigon. You can’t take your eyes off of this video. Wouldn’t
want to be on 2 wheels here. Crazy! 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
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