Cyclerides.com
Weekly Update
11/17/10
Greetings Riders,
Well, another outstanding weekend
riding weather forecast is ahead of us. Now I'm starting to
realize why I put up with the Summer's in AZ. Still better than freezing my butt
off in the Mid West, that is for sure.
I want to thank everyone who attended
the last night for the year of the Cyclerides.com
Westgate Bike Night last Thursday night. It was by far our
biggest night so far. Estimated at 2000 for the evening. All
available parking and overflow was full, but the bikes just kept coming. It
was a very special evening all around, and given the fact that it was Veterans
Day made it even better. The evening program and theme of the night was a
tribute to the Veterans. At 7pm the Patriot
Guard Riders road in with flags proudly waving as we played Lee Greenwood's
"God Bless the USA" over the sound systems. I never tire of seeing the
PGR with the flags on their bikes and I really appreciate the work they do
for our fallen soldiers. Thanks to all the PGR across the
country.
I then asked the crowd to remove
their hats, put their hands over the heart and join in to honor our Country with
the National Anthem. Since our theme for the night was Veterans
Day, I thought it would be a good idea for all of us to understand the history
of Veterans Day so that we can pass this on to our kids and grandkids, so that
they can continue the tradition and for it to mean more than just a day off of
school or work. After doing the research on this, I found that I had learned a
couple of things myself. So decided to share this with everyone who was there
and couldn't make it that night. (I will post below)
After the history of Veterans Day,
I played what is one of the favorite video's that I have put
together for Cyclerides.com. It is a mixture of some of the best photos that I
have taken from our travels around the United States as well as plenty of
motorcycle flag flying photos from my Cyclerides.com Hearts to Heroes event in
2007. The music is a mix of Ray Charles and Alicia singing America The
Beautiful. I'm sure you will be inspired by the music for patriotism and
the photos to get you thinking about planning your next ride. Click Here to View.
Bike night also had a
special guest appearance by the Arizona Centennial Copper
Chopper built and designed by Paul Yaffe. We put the Copper
Chopper on a rotating stand donated for the night by Arrowhead Harley that
really gave riders a great look at all sides of this fantastic motorcycle. The
bike will be toured around the state for the next 16 months until the winner is
drawn on February 14th, 2012. If it is in your area, be sure to take a look at
it and buy a $5 raffle ticket. It could end up in your garage. Thanks to the
Arizona Centennial for letting us display it for the night.
Overall, it was a fantastic night and
definitely one of my favorite over the last couple of years. We plan to start the Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Night up
again sometime next March. So stay tuned to this Newsletter for details.
Thanks again for all of your support for this event throughout the
year. I look forward to seeing you at the Cyclerides.com Toys To Kids on
December 11th that will be held at the same location at Westgate. See details
below.
Click Here for Photos from
the November 11th Cyclerides.com Westgate Bike Night. Thanks to Jim
Moore for some of the photos.
The History of Veterans Day.
World War I - known at the
time as "The Great War" - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was
signed on June 28, 1919. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an
armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and
Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the
eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the
end of "the war to end all wars." In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed
November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day.
In 1954, President Dwight D.
Eisenhower issued the first "Veterans Day Proclamation" which
stated: "In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this
anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry
will wish to join hands in the common purpose.
In 1968 The Uniform Holiday Bill was signed, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal
employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington's
Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day.
Due to much confusion on the new day
and the intense desire to honor the significance of the exact day,
November 11th, that was soon changed. In 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed a
proclamation which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its
original date of November 11, beginning in 1978.
Veterans Day continues to be observed on
November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it
falls. And as we are doing
today, Veterans Day is a celebration to honor America's veterans for their
patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the
common good.
Tidbits:
For you History and Aviation fans. This week
there were 3 historic WWII military bombers on display at Deer Valley
Airport in Phoenix. A B-29,
B-25
and a B-17.
You could take tours of them or even take a ride in them. Your
wallet needed to be pretty deep though, because it cost $900 to ride in the
bombardier seat in the B-29. But the historic value of seeing these old planes
in person were priceless when you consider what they meant to the outcome of
WWII. I recalled my 86 year old WWII Veteran Father telling me years ago that
he used to watch the B-29's take off in Okinawa during the war. He
said they would count them when they left and counted again when they returned
to see how many didn't make it back. So I took him out to Deer Valley Airport
where he saw a another B-29 on Wednesday for the first time in
over 65 years, and also saw it take off. FIFI is the only B-29 in the world
still flying and it was here at Deer Valley airport. Truly a majestic old
Warbird that totally changed the world over Hiroshima. Enola Gay, the plane that
dropped the atomic bomb was also a B-29.
It was really interesting talking to and hearing
stories from some of the older guys at this event that were there over 60 years
ago. One story that hit home about how dangerous it was to take off
in one of these in wartime was the statistic on the B-17. There were over 12,700
of them built for WWII, and over 5000 of them did not make it back from their
mission. Amazing when you think about that and compare it with military aviation
today. There was also a 90 year old guy there that was a bombardier in the war
and served in a B-29 dropping bombs. His family bought him a ride in the B-29 in
the bombardier seat once again, but this time he wasn't being shot at. If you
get a chance, stop by and see some of these old Warbirds when they are in town
and take some time to talk to the old guys standing around. They love to talk.
Thanks to all the Veterans for their service, including my Dad. Glad he got the
chance to see the planes again.
Video of the B-29 firing up is at
the end of the photo page.
There are several old warplanes that are on
display at the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force located
at Falcon Field in Mesa. I believe the Sentimental Journey B-17 is based there.
http://www.azcaf.org/
Press the Like button to get current
updates.
Bike Nights
Every Friday and Saturday
Night
Chilly Bombers is your place for
Motorsports. Chilly Bombers has a real nice outdoor patio, great food
and plenty of parking for cars and motorcycles. If you need a destination on a
Friday or Saturday night, this is a good choice.
Friday Night: Ride by Chilly Bombers every Friday night for the Chilly Bombers Cruisin Car Show.
See at least 100 classic and muscle cars displayed in the parking lot. Bike
parking available. Starts at 5pm. 2 winners every week. Food and drink specials,
vendors, DJ and Fun.
Enjoy $5.00 1/2 pound
Hamburgers, $2.50 Longnecks, 1/2 priced appetizers and $4 Jack Daniels.
Tuesday Night: Showing Sons
of Anarchy at 7pm.
Chilly Bombers is located at the SE Corner of
51st Ave. and Bell Rd. 602-298-0843
This Week
Saturday, November 20th
14th Annual
MDA & Arrowhead Harley-Davidson's Ride for a Cure. Join true "Rebels
with a Cause" and take part in the first Scrabble Ride with silent Auction and
After Party featuring Live Music with "Boy Named Sioux" at Arrowhead Harley.
Registration, Silent Auction and Open House 10am - 11:30am. Start
your Scrabble Game upon registering. Entry fee is $20 per person. After Party at
Arrowhead HD from 2pm - 6pm. After party with a beer garden and Live
Music with "A Boy Named Sioux". All Proceeds benefit MDA. For more
information or Auction/Raffle donations call: 480-753-9084. Check out the ride
route by visiting www.arrowheadharley.com .
Saturday, November 20th
Come celebrate Military Appreciation Month at Anthem H-D! November
20th 11am-3pm: free food, drinks, live music and active and Veteran military
save 10% off Hoodies, Leather Jackets, Helmets and FXRG (must have
proper ID, no other discounts apply and only good in General Merchandise and
Parts and Accessories). Also, please sign the Harley-Davidson flag that we will
be sending to the Pat Tillman Memorial USO at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan.
Veteran and Active military will receive an H-D military-style bandana as a
thank you for signing the flag while supplies last. Also, too we will be handing
out double-sided Marisa Miller posters, again while supplies last so get there
early! Remember too, if you spend $300 in Parts or General Merchandise, you will
be eligible for the Military Archival Collection plaque valued at $75.
Restrictions apply. Ask an associate for details. Buddy Stubbs Anthem HD is
located at 41715 N. 41st Dr. in Anthem, AZ.
Saturday, November 20th
1st
Annual Benefit Run for the Fisher House Foundation. "Helping Military
Families"
Sign in at American Legion Post 75 in Sunnyslope located
at 10625 N Cave Creek Road in Phoenix from 8:30 - 10am. $25 donation per
rider. $30 with passenger. Ride pin to 1st 100 riders. Last bike in at 3pm.
The Fisher House is a non-profit organization that
survives totally on donations. They supply a place for veterans'
families to stay, for little or no cost to the veterans, while out of town for
medical treatments and surgeries. As we all know the V.A. has specialists in
different areas of the country, while they may do liver and kidney transplants
in the northwest, a limb reconstruction might have to be performed in Texas, and
so on. It is more cost effective to move patients than doctors, but where does
the family stay. That's where the Fisher House comes in. The average stay for an
injured vet returning home from the Middle East is 60 to 90 days; can you
imagine just the motel room bill for one person? Then add two or three children
on top of that. Costs to an injured soldier returning home could restrict the
family from being there during recovery. Thankfully the Fisher House is there to
help in the time of need. The American Legion acknowledges the Fisher House
Foundation, and now the American Legion Riders, with your service and support,
will strive to help them.
Sunday, November 21st
Birds
on Bikes 2010. Sponsored by MMA of Arizona. Grab your frozen bird, strap it
on and meet the rest of the flock at 10am.
We will be leaving out
of the following locations: Charley's Place 4324 W. Thunderbird Glendale. Steel
Horse Saloon 1818 W. Bell Road Phoenix. Smokey's 1734 E. Main St. Mesa. Moose
Lodge 1572 S. Cotton Lane Goodyear. Curly's Customs 12030 N. 111th Ave
Youngtown. Want your club or association to be involved, but want to ride from
your own starting point? Plan to arrive at the St. Vincent de Paul site at
11:30 am (No earlier) FMI: Cindy 623.695.5659.
Next Week
Saturday, November 27th
Buddy
Stubbs Salute to Our Brave Defenders of Freedom. Ride by Buddy Stubbs
Harley-Davidson and help celebrate Military Appreciation Month at the
dealership.
Enjoy Free Food, Drinks, Live Music, Museum Tours with
Buddy, and a pool tournament for prizes from 11am - 3pm. The NJROTC Color
Guard and Rifle Presentation at 12 PM. Active and Veteran military save 10% off
Hoodies, Leather Jackets, Helmets and FXRG (must have proper ID, no other
discounts apply and only good in General Merchandise and Parts and Accessories).
Take par in signing the Harley-Davidson flag that will be sent to the Pat
Tillman Memorial USO at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. Veteran and Active
military will receive an H-D military-style bandana as a thank you for signing
the flag while supplies last. We will be handing out double-sided Marisa Miller
posters, again while supplies last so get there early! Spend $300 in Parts
or General Merchandise, you will be eligible for the Military Archival
Collection plaque valued at $75. Restrictions apply. Ask an associate for
details. 602-971-3400. Buddy Stubbs HD is located at 13850 W. Cave Creek Rd. in
Phoenix.
Upcoming Events
The Cyclerides.com
Toys To Kids ride will be held on Saturday, December 11th this year.
For the last 8 years I have done this ride on the first Saturday of
December, but this year I could not get the kids on that date. So we moved it to
the 11th. once again be held at Westgate City Center. As usual, we will be
bussing in 100 kids as we have done before. I would like to thank Arizona Bikeweek for offering to
pay for the bus transportation for the kids this year. The program will include
live entertainment with crowd and kid favorite Bret Kaiser as "Elvis", and
Saddle Ranch will be serving an $8.99 breakfast buffet that morning starting at
9am. The program for the kids will start at 11am. As always, after being fed and
entertained, the kids will be able to pick any 3 gifts from the toys that
you bring while they are there. I look forward once again to make this a very
special day for these kids and for the riders who faithfully
participate.
Extras
Mid Week Updates will be made
on the Cyclerides.com Facebook.
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: Ever wonder why
the arabs ride camels? Because they haven't quite mastered the motorcycle. 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.
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information in this newsletter is
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