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Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
11/27/13
 
Greetings Riders,
 
Well, by the time most of you read this, Thanksgiving 2013 will be history in the making and the 27 day countdown to Christmas will begin. And with that will come the formation of the yearly motorcycle accessory wish list. Chrome, leather and horsepower are always at the top of my list and this year is no different. I always keep the list handy for when Mrs. C. wants to buy me a gift. But for those of you that are looking for a good deal or might even want to buy yourself a little something, be sure and check the Rides and Events calendar on www.cyclerides.com for all of the upcoming sale opportunities from the dealerships in the Valley. There are quite a few “Black Friday” weekends coming up.
 
In these fast paced times that we all now live in, it is easy to get more caught up in anticipating the Thanksgiving sales and first day of the Christmas shopping season than taking the time to stop for a couple of minutes and reflect why we even celebrate Thanksgiving. As I thought back to first grade I recalled coloring the buckles on the Pilgrims boot or the rainbow of colors on the Turkey tail. The focus was really all about Pilgrims coming over on the Mayflower, Turkey's and Eating. But from simply extracting part of the name, it was a time for giving thanks. But I never really knew WHO I was giving thanks to and for what. It could have been to the Pilgrims for growing corn and coming up with the idea, but I was really never directed to focus on it's roots. As a youngster, it meant that I got a couple of days off of school and the countdown to Christmas had begun.
 
Unfortunately, I'm afraid things really haven't changed that much in the education of Thanksgiving in our schools today, in fact it has probably gotten worse. So for my own edification, I decided to once again go to Webster's to give me the official meaning of Thanksgiving.  Here is what I found:
Main Entry: Thanksgiving Day
Function: noun, Date: 1674, : a day appointed for giving thanks for divine goodness: the fourth Thursday in November observed as a legal holiday in the U.S.
 
But to clarify this, I did a little more research and found that Thanksgiving first started  in 1623 when William Bradford of the 1620 Pilgrim Colony proclaimed: "All ye Pilgrims with your wives and little ones, do gather at the Meeting House, on the hill. . . there to listen to the pastor, and render Thanksgiving to the Almighty God for an abundant harvest and all His blessings." Which was then followed by a feast to celebrate. Since then it was proclaimed many times by congress, George Washington in 1795 and Abraham Lincoln in 1863 as "a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens".
 
I looked at several entries as to the origin of Thanksgiving. So now I am up to date with the historical presence of this day. But the one thing I found that really sums it up for me at this point in my life was this poem. If you really take the time to read this, it can be as refreshing as that Pumpkin pie after your turkey dinner.
 
How to observe Thanksgiving
 
Count your blessings instead of your crosses; Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes; Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears; Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean; Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth; Count on God instead of yourself.
 
Happy Thanksgiving To All Of You From Mrs. C. and Myself.

 
I invite you to be a blessing to over 100 homeless kids at the Cyclerides.com Toys to Kids event on Saturday, December 7th at Westgate City Center. I have asked for Children First Academy from downtown Phoenix to bring as many as 120 kids aged from K-3 this year for the event. For those of you that have not been to this event before, we bus these children in to Westgate City Center seating them next to the giant Christmas tree on the grass where we entertain them, feed them and allow them to pick out any 3 toys out of the huge pile of toys that they want. It is an awesome sight to see them scoping out the gifts that they want, and go get them when it is time. This is my 11th year of doing this event and it is always a thrill to see how appreciative these kids are for what YOU do for them. Please bring at least one toy per person and enjoy the show. See Photos from last year. See a video from a couple of years ago. Really worth while. Click Here to View. See details below.
 
This Week
 
Friday-Saturday, November 29th & 30th
Arrowhead Harley-Davidson Black Friday & Orange Saturday. Extended Hours on Friday. 8:30AM – 8PM. We need to make room for the 2014 models. Purchase a Pre-Owned HD Motorcycle and receive a $500 Gift Card. FREE Harley-Davidson Backpack/Duffel Bag with a purchase of $100 or more while supplies last.
Saturday: Come and shop our HUGE indoor sidewalk sale of Licensed H-D Items that are perfect for gifts.
Plus: Sign up for the Harley Visa during our Black Friday Orange Saturday event and receive 0% interest for 12 months and $10 Chrome Cash with every approval. Arrowhead HD is located at 16130 N. Arrowhead Ftn. Ctr. Dr. in Peoria, AZ. 623-247-5542.
 
Friday-Saturday, November 29th & 30th
Chandler Harley-Davidson Black Friday & Orange Saturday. Try our Plinko Board for a discount up to 20% Off on licensed HD merchandise both Friday and Saturday. FREE Harley-Davidson Backpack/Duffel Bag with a purchase of $100 or more while supplies last.
Saturday: Come and shop our HUGE sidewalk sale of Licensed H-D Items that are perfect for gifts.
Plus: Sign up for the Harley Visa during our Black Friday Orange Saturday event and receive 0% interest for 12 months and $10 Chrome Cash with every approval. Chandler Harley-Davidson is located at 6895 W. Chandler Blvd. in Chandler, AZ. 480-496-6800.
 
Friday-Saturday, November 29th & 30th
Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale Black Friday Weekend.
Black Friday (11/29) - 10am-3pm. Photos with Santa, Noon-5pm Food & beverages, Live Music, Turkey Bowling & Prizes.
-SALES (11/29) - 20% off leather jackets (9am-noon), double points. Free boom ball speaker with purchase of $250 or more.
-SALES (11/30) - 20% off jewelry, 20% off kids, 20% off boots. Free boom ball speaker with purchase of $250 or more.
Harley-Davidson of Scottsdale is located at 15600 N. Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale, AZ. 480-905-1903.
 
Saturday, November 30th
Buddy Stubbs Hogs and Dogs. It’s Black Friday and even Blacker Saturdays at Buddy Stubbs Arizona Harley-Davidson THIS WEEKEND! Join us for Black Friday deals including 50% off of End of Season items, as well as the ever popular Pop a Balloon for a chance at extra savings!* Everything gets started at 8AM on Friday morning. Then, on Saturday, it’s time for Hogs & Dogs from 11am till 3pm. In addition to FREE food, drinks, museum tours and live music; Buddy Stubbs H-D is hosting a Performance Clinic and you’re invited! Learn about Dyno Tuning, Exhaust Upgrades and much more! Do you want more performance out of your H-D? Sign up today and let our certified Harley-Davidson technicians walk through the process with you. Performance clinic starts at 12:30. Register at www.buddystubbsperformance.eventbrite.com or email marketing@buddystubbs.com. Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson is located at 13850 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, or on the web at buddystubbshd.com.
 
Saturday, November 30th
7th annual Marines Toys For Tots Ride. Hosted by ALR Post 35, Chandler. Starting Location: Chandler Harley-Davidson 6895 W Chandler Blvd, Registration 8 – 10 AM. Donations: $20 W/O A Toy - $15 With A Toy And Passengers: $15 W/O A Toy - $10 With A Toy ** Ride Pin For The First 200 participants ** PAID RIDE INCLUDES: RIDE, LUNCH, DOOR PRIZES & END PARTY LAST BIKE IN at 2pm / RAFFLES AND DOOR PRIZES at 3pm ***Music by The 74th St Band *** All donations go to the Marines Toys for Tots Organization. FMI contact Jim Yilek 480-600-3734.
 
Saturday, November 30th
Ahwatukee Festival of Lights Lighted Harley Parade. The climax of this festival is the 13th annual lighted Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Parade sponsored by Chandler Harley-Davidson. Up to 100 riders on all types of bikes decorated for
Christmas and escorted by the City Of Phoenix Police Department are followed by Santa Claus through the Park. Meet at 5:15pm at the Foothills Baptist Church at 21 st  Street and Chandler Blvd. Phoenix, 85048 where we will pick up our police escort.   At 5:45, depart the church and enter the park at 6:00, parading through nearly 15,000 festival-attendees. We will be arriving at the park before the end of the festival so that the bikers may enjoy some of the festivities.  No registration is necessary.  For more information, contact the event coordinator, Bill Hazlett at 480-756-1988.
 
Next Week
 
Saturday, December 7th
Cyclerides.com Toys To Kids. Event that will be held on Saturday, December 7th at Westgate City Center. I have asked for Children First Academy from downtown Phoenix to bring as many as 120 kids aged from K-3 this year for the event. For those of you that have not been to this event before, we bus these children in to Westgate City Center seating them next to the giant Christmas tree on the grass where we entertain them, feed them and allow them to pick out any 3 toys out of the huge pile of toys that they want. It is an awesome sight to see them scoping out the gifts that they want, and go get them when it is time. This is my 11th year of doing this event and it is always a thrill to see how appreciative these kids are for what YOU do for them. Please bring at least one toy per person and enjoy the show. See Photos from last year. See a video from a couple of years ago. Really worth while. Click Here to View.
 
Our headliner this year will be an encore performance by Elvis. We haven’t had him for a few years, but the kids love this part of the show, and believe it or not, you will see most of them singing along with him. It is great to see how the kids enjoy the show. We will also be visited from some of the Peoria Fire Department rescue and recovery dogs that will interact with the kids and demonstrate how they find lost people. Maybe you would volunteer to get in the barrel to be found. Should be fun as we will have the kids help the dogs find the missing persons.
 
And last but not least, Westgate installed snow machines that will be turned on at the completion of the show. The kids will really get a kick out of this. I was at the tree lighting at Westgate last year with 2000 other people and watched as the crowd really enjoyed it. Bring the whole family to enjoy this event on Saturday, December 7th to make sure that we have enough toys for these kids so that they can each pick any 3 toys out of the stack to take home with them and to share one with a sibling or friend. Kids this year will range from Kindergarten – 3rd grade.
 
A $9.99 breakfast buffet at Saddle Ranch starts at 9AM for those early birds. The kids will be arriving at 10 AM and the show starting at 10:45 AM. All we ask is that you bring at least one toy per person for ages 5-9 years old.
 
When: Saturday, December 7th
Where: Westgate City Center Events Plaza located on S.E. Corner of the Loop 101 and Glendale Ave. Next to the giant Christmas Tree just South of the AMC Theaters.
Time: Breakfast starting at 9am at Saddle Ranch. $9.99 Buffet.
Kids Arrive at 10:15 am. Show starts at 11am.
Live Entertainment by Elvis. And a visit by the Peoria Fire Dept. rescue dogs. They CAN find you.
Cost: One Toy, more if desired, for ages K-3.
 
Saturday, December 7th
Chandler Harley-Davidson Free Photos and Breakfast with Santa. Bring the kids, the friendly pets, and your jolly self into Chandler HD for a free photo & breakfast with Santa Claus. Forget the milk and cookies. Enjoy FREE Breakfast Burritos from Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q. Chandler Harley-Davidson is located at 6895 W. Chandler Blvd. in Chandler, AZ. 480-496-6800. 
 
Saturday, December 7th
Run to the Guns. Secretary of State Ken Bennett's Run to the Guns, Salute the Fallen of WWII and Ride with Us. Join us for the dedication of the WWII Memorial at the State Capitol. Starting at Eagle Riders - 1000 North McClintock Drive, Tempe, AZ. 85281. Line up starts at 6:00 A.M. Arrive early with your group. Single riders will fall-in behind all Veteran Organizations and Registered Rider Groups. Please respect Veteran Riders as they will lead the ride. Road Captains ONLY Meeting 7:00 A.M. For MC& RC Groups. Public will fall in behind Veteran Organizations. Depart at the time Pearl Harbor was attacked. Kick Stands Up at 7:48 A.M. DPS ESCORT with Road Captain /Vice Commander Jim “Boomer” Bourassa. Ride will END at Wesley Bolin Plaza - Arizona State Capitol 1700 W. Washington. Phoenix AZ. All Participants Riders will ride in formation past The Saluting Marine and past the Big Guns of the Memorial Timing of start of the Ceremony and the Fly Over of the B-17. We will have Special Bike Parking Reserved. NO CAGES. WW2 Fly Over of Flying Fortress B-17  and the Saluting Marine S-Sgt Tim Chambers. For more information contact Jim "Boober" Bourassa at runtotheguns@cox.net or visit http://www.gunstosalutethefallen.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 4500 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 heart warming and emotional video at the end about Bob Hope and his many performances for the troops. Click Here to View.
 
Video of the Week.  How to make sure you get the most tender turkey for Thanksgiving. 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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