Cyclerides.com Weekly Update

11/7/12

Greetings Riders,

Tonight I sit in a hotel room in Baltimore, MD at 10:30 pm local time Tuesday finishing the newsletter for this week. My day started at 5 am this morning in Phoenix, AZ as I arose to embark on what will be one of the most important and gratifying things that I will ever do with my 87 year old Father. As most of you know, he is a WW2 Veteran having served in the Navy in both WW2 and later in Korea. As a WW2 Vet he was sponsored by his Sun City Elks Lodge to take take the Honor Flight with 27 other WW2 Veterans to Washington DC to see their Memorial. Each one has to have a guardian to help them and my Father chose me to accompany him on this trip.

To say the this is an honor to be in the company of 28 World War II Veterans escorting them to their memorial is a huge understatement. This group of men range anywhere from 80 to 94 years old. You might be asking how can one of them be 80? He fudged on his application and enlisted when he was 13 years old. More on that next week.

It has been a long whirlwind of a day with a lot of emotion. Not only do I consider all of these men to be the pillars of this great country, that all willingly went to war at a very high cost to defend our country and make it the greatest in the world, but a lot of others feel the same way. I will admit to outright tears rolling down my face as I took the long walk with my Father at my side along with these 27 other great Americans wearing their yellow Honor Flight shirts as we headed toward gate 7 at Sky Harbor. I literally became overwhelmed with emotion while I watched as EVERYONE in the other gates rise to their feet and started to applaud and cheer as these gentlemen slowly walked the corridor making their way to the gate.

It was an extremely proud moment and overwhelming to see the patriotism rise up from the crowd and very emotional to see these guys honored for their service by total strangers over 60 years later. And also overwhelming that my Father was one of them. It was an awesome moment that will never be forgotten. I am so proud of Dad and all of these guys, and at the same time so proud of these people to give them this show of love and gratitude. Just an incredible moment that welled emotion from deep inside my gut. Hard to explain.

We also experienced the same as we exited the plane in Baltimore as we walked through a long line of travelers that were cheering and shaking hands with these vets. It has truly invigorated my faith that their still are many good people in this country that understand what these guys, and our current military mean to the future of America. We haven’t even gotten to the good stuff and it has been an incredible trip just to be able to witness the goodness of total strangers.

Tomorrow we start the day visiting the WW2 Memorial followed by the Navy, FDR, Iwo Jima, Vietnam, Lincoln and Korean Memorials. We will then go take a tour of the Capital followed by a trip to Arlington to witness the changing of the guard. The day will end at Ft. Myer for dinner followed by a night tour of Washington DC. It is a long day that starts at 7 am and ends at 7 pm that will be packed with history of the United States. I can’t wait to get started. We will then head back Thursday afternoon where I will go straight from the airport to Westgate for Bike Night getting there around 7:45 pm.

The weather report couldn’t be much worse Wednesday with 50% chance of rain and a high of 43 degrees. But we are going to make the most of our time here and enjoy it none the less. I will be posting pictures throughout the day on Wednesday on the Cyclerides.com Facebook at www.facebook.com/cycleridescom . Next week in the newsletter I will have a full report on the trip and will be anxious to share photos and video with you.

Click Here for a photo with my Dad and I standing next to the Honor Flight sign. Go to www.honorflight.org for information on this great program that sends WW2 Vets back to see their memorial that took way to long to be built.

God Bless America!

Bike Nights

Thursday Nights

September 13th – November 15th

Only 2 Nights Left!

Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Night this Fall being presented by Arrowhead Harley-Davidson and Ridenow Powersports. Only 2 nights left for this season. Last night on November 15th from 5 pm – 9 pm.

**Live Music this week with Valley Favorite “Kung Fu Grip”.

Riders are ready to enjoy the break in the weather and get back on their bikes. So grab your riding buddies and stop by to enjoy Live Music, Restaurant specials and other special events along the way. Click Here for Photos from the first night.

Here are the details for the Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Night presented by Arrowhead HD and Ridenow Powersports:

Where: Westgate City Center, Loop 101 and Glendale Ave. SE Corner. Next to Jobing.com Arena.

When: Thursday nights beginning September 13th – November 15th

Time: 5 PM – 9 PM

What: Bike Night. Live Music, Food, Fun, Vendors, Motorcycles and Sturgis Style Cruising down Coyote Blvd.

Click Here for Flyer.

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsors Arrowhead Harley-Davidson and Ridenow Powersports:

Arrowhead HD

Your local Harley-Davidson dealership and proud sponsor of the Cyclerides.com/Westgate Bike Night. Stop by and see the latest in what Harley-Davidson has to offer. Speak to one of our trained sales staff about what Harley-Davidson motorcycle would be right for you. We are located just South of 83rd Ave. and Bell Rd. 623-247-5542.

Ridenow Powersports

Stop by and talk to our staff at bike night or at one of our many valley locations. We feature many brands including Polaris, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Honda, Can-Am, BMW, Victory, KTM, Spyder, and Ski-doo. Click Here for a list of our locations.

And to our Associate Sponsor Curly’s Customs

Curly's Customs. Curly's Customs is a full service Custom Paint & Body Shop for the motorcycle enthusiast. 623- 977-0339. Stop by and see them at Bike Night.

Restaurant Specials at Westgate:

Saddle Ranch - 2 chicken tacos for $5.50. Classic pints of draft beer for only $3. 6:30pm to 10:00pm All Bike Nights, excluding event days/nights (when there are concerts, sporting or other events at the Center/stadium/arena). Show “M” Class on license for discount.

Calico Jack’s Cantina - Bike Night Platters. Nacho chips, mini-chimis, onion rings & jalapeno poppers, plus a pitcher of domestic draft beer for only $19.99. Enjoy 10% off your bill when you show your motorcycle license.

The SHOUT! House - Bike Night Burger Deal: Burger, fries and one beer for only $7.00.

Kabuki - Take 15% off when you show your motorcycle license during Westgate Bike Night, Dine-in only. One offer per table per party. Not valid during Happy Hour and Reverse Happy Hour.

Margaritaville – 5-9 PM. 15% off for bikers that show their motorcycle license, alcohol not included. $2 PBRs.

This Week

Wednesday, November 7th

Chandler Harley-Davidson Loco Patron Bike Night. Join Chandler Harley-Davidson for Bike Night at Loco Patron from 6:30 – 9:30 PM located at 1327 E. Chandler Blvd., Phoenix, AZ. Featuring a Ride-In Bike Show with Trophies Awarded. Bike Night Specials include $2.50 domestics, 10% off food for H.O.G. Members, Raffle Prizes throughout the night by the Chandler Harley girls, VIP Motorcycle Parking, LIVE MUSIC from Paul Ludenia.

Saturday, November 10th

Red, White and Blue Bike Show at Chandler Harley-Davidson. Come out and support our local Veterans from 10am – 4pm on Saturday, November 10th. Harley’s Heroes will be onsite to process claims for Vets in need! If you are a vet in need or know a vet in need, please tell them about this event. Enjoy FREE FOOD, Music, Raffles and a Bike Show with trophies awarded at 3pm. Call the store at 480-496-6800 to register for the show. Chandler HD is located at 6895 W. Chandler Blvd. in Chandler, AZ. www.chandlerharley.com .

Saturday, November 10th

Veterans Tribute Ride. On Saturday, November 10, 2012 motorcycle enthusiasts and the community will come together at the Veterans Tribute Ride & Family Festival to honor all five branches of our armed services and our veterans presented by Sanderson Ford and Sanderson Lincoln. Proceeds benefit the USO Arizona and Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society. $30 rider/$50 two-up. Includes dinner & party with ride registration. $15 for After Party & Concert only includes 1 Drink Ticket. All monies stay in Arizona and will be used for programs that support the men, women and families in our state. The day is filled with two moving experiences: from 10 am – 2 pm bikers can register for the Veterans Tribute Ride at Sanderson Ford located at 6400 N. 51st Ave. in Glendale and enjoy the FREE Family Festival with activities such as a rock wall, Broken Toys Band, Veteran services plus food and drinks. Kick stands are up at 2:30 pm with two honor stops: Wesley Bolin Plaza and Arizona State Veterans Home.

Pre-Register this week at the Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Night

VETERANS TRIBUTE RUN SCHEDULE

2:30 PM: Kicks Stands Up at Sanderson Ford

STOP: Wesley Bolin Plaza, 1700 W. Washington St. (home to 29 Memorials)

STOP: AZ State Veteran Home, 4141 North S. Herrera Way, Phoenix

Bring a DVD and/or CD to donate to the Veteran Home

REFUEL and REFRESHMENTS sponsored by Madison Pointe Apartment Homes and Dunkin Donuts

6 PM - 10 PM: Party At Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale!

$15 - After Party & Concert only includes 1 Drink Ticket

The event finishes with a Party at Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale from 6 – 10 pm featuring Furious George Band, Miller/Coors Beer Garden, Tequila Sheila and Whiskey Ranch BBQ. For more information visit the website www.AZTributeRides.com or Facebook www.facebook.com/aztributerides .

Tuesday, November 13th

Bike Night at Hooters Mesa. Ride in to Hooters of Mesa the 2nd Tuesday of Every Month for Bike Night. You will be greeted by the Hooter’s Girls and some of the best wings in the West. Bike night from 6-9 PM. Motorcycle parking and ALL bikes welcome. Raffles. Hooters Mesa is located at Alma School Rd. South of US 60. 480-839-4767.

Next Week

Saturday, November 17th

Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale Chili Cook-Off and Blood Drive.

Whip up a batch of your best chili and join us at our Chili Cook-off event to see who'll win bragging rights for the best chili 'round town! We'll have a live band & ice cold beer so don't miss out! The cook-off is from 11am-2pm

$5 donation includes all the chili you can taste (100% of donations benefit the Combat Vets). You are the judge!

Winning categories include:

-Best Over-All ($200 gift card & trophy)

-2nd Best ($100 gift card & trophy)

-Hottest ($100 gift card & trophy)

-Most Unique ($100 gift card & trophy)

-Best named/Table Theme ($100 gift card & trophy)

To register, send us an e-mail at marketing@hdofscottsdale.com or give us a call at (480) 905-1903.

We'll also have a bloodmobile out in the parking lot from 9am-1pm if you're feeling generous and would like to donate. For more information about the blood drive, visit this link: To register to donate blood, visit this link: Sponsor code: ScottsdaleHarley

Saturday, November 17th

Buddy Stubbs Anthem Hogs & Dogs. Buddy Stubbs Anthem H-D invites you to their Hogs & Dogs event on Saturday, November 17th, from 11:00-2:00 p.m.! This month they ask the ever-important question, "Are you riding in the correct lane to protect your life?" TEAM AZ will be onsite during the event to provide a FREE Lane Positioning Seminar and to answer your important riding questions. Be sure to RSVP for the seminar taking place from 12:00-1:00 p.m. in the HOG room and join Team Stubbs and TEAM AZ as they discuss valuable riding information you won’t want to miss!

Grab your favorite riding partner and head to Buddy Stubbs Anthem H-D to take part in the class and/or to enjoy their monthly FREE hot dogs and sodas! For more information contact marketing@buddystubbs.com or call (623) 465-1122. Anthem Harley-Davidson is located at 41715 N. 41st Drive, Anthem, AZ 85086, find them on the web at www.anthemhd.com.

Saturday, November 17th

5th Annual Fallen Firefighters Motorcycle Poker Run. Registration will be at The Nautical Beach Front Resort in Lake Havasu at 8am, with the poker stops in various places throughout Mohave County as in years past. The final stop will be back in Lake Havasu at the Nautical Beach Front Resort. The Los Regulars will be playing live music as well as a DJ playing into the night with a variety of other events. All final poker stop events, food and fun are at the host hotel allowing all local and out of town guests to party it up without having to ride when the fun is over.

Saturday, November 17th

American Legion Riders Post 107 benefit ride for Justa Center. This benefit ride is for the JUSTA CENTER and will provide them with much needed funds to help at risk homeless Veterans get off the streets and back to work. In addition to their daily needs (i.e. showers, laundry and restrooms) they assist Veterans in getting their VA benefits, finding housing, jobs and help them regain their lives. Ride starts and ends at American Legion Post 107, 20001 N. Cave Creek Rd. 602-971-9982. Pre reg $20 per rider and $5 for passenger. Registration will be available on site starting at 8am. Breakfast burritos available with coffee. Last bike out by 10am, back by 4pm.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, December 1st Save The Date! Saturday, December 1st.

The Cyclerides.com Toys to Kids event will once again be held at Westgate City Center in the fountain plaza area where we will bus in 130 underprivileged and homeless kids from the Children First Academy from downtown Phoenix. We will entertain them, feed them and then they will each get to pick 3 gifts from the stack of toys that you bring to take home with them. One of the toys that they pick is for them to give away to another child that could not come. There is no cost for this event. All we ask is that you bring at least one toy or game per person for ages K-5.

This year is going to be especially fun as we once again have Craig Davis for entertainment. Craig was a huge hit for the adults as well as the kids last year. He is a world class magician that normally charges over $2000 per show at private parties and corporate events. He combines the art of illusion, comedy and the spectacle of the circus that is amazingly entertaining. Craig specializes in Original and Unbelievable Grand Magic Illusions, Side-Splitting Comedy, Audience Participation, Trained Tropical Birds, Amazing Juggling and features Original, Exciting Music. This is always a special event and should be especially entertaining this year. Bring the whole family. Craig will start his performance at 10:45 AM. So be sure to be there. Check out a video on his web site. Click Here.

Cyclerides.com Toys To Kids.

Itinerary of the Day:

The morning will begin at 9 AM at Westgate City Center with Christmas music spun by Big D’s Mobile DJ’s.

Saddle Ranch will have available an all inclusive $9.99 per person breakfast buffet beginning at 9 am. The kids will be arriving at 10:15 am and all will enjoy some street entertainment as a warm up for the big show. At 10:45 am the Toys to Kids will begin with some amazing comedy, magic and juggling from Craig Davis. Bring the whole family to enjoy this great event. This is usually the best day of the year for these kids and they love to see the riders and bikes. Westgate City Center is located at Loop 101 and West Glendale Ave. in Glendale.

Extras

Mid Week Updates will be made on the Cyclerides.com Facebook. New Easy to remember Facebook address. Go to Cyclerides.com Facebook. Over 4000 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!

Video of the Week. Talk about reality TV, this is it at its best. See how this game warden tames a Moose tangled in a swing set. 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