Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
11/19/08 

Greetings Riders,
 
Welcome to Summer in Phoenix part 2. As you might have noticed, we have been recording record highs here in the Valley over the last couple of days. The good news is that they are record highs 87-88 degrees that we are not going to complain about. Perfect for those that commute on motorcycles and has extended our riding season to the higher elevations. One of these days winter might finally make its way here and we could actually see some highs in the 60's. Sorry to those of you reading this back East, I'm not feeling the sympathy from you.  
 
To really take advantage of the weather, participate in one of the bike nights around the valley. Evening riding is really nice. The East side has 2 excellent Thursday nights already going with the Chester's Bike Night at Dos Gringos at Greenfield and Baseline in Mesa, the Billet Bar on Scottsdale Rd. with Dirty Doggs starting this Thursday Night. For those of you on the West side we have started a Wednesday bike night at the Sandbar Mexican Grill at the 101 and Northern Ave. This is an excellent venue with a large outdoor patio featuring $5 build your own burrito meals. To kick this one off, I will be giving away Cyclerides.com T-Shirts to the first 20 riders tonight from 6-10pm. Plus more to be raffled off throughout the night. Get out and enjoy this great weather and meet some new friends. Click Here for Pics and Details. 

A lot of you have been on the Cyclerides.com Toys To Kids ride over the last several years. It has always been well attended and has been a very rewarding time for everyone involved. It was the only ride that would actually bring the kids to you so that you could see them receive your gifts. With the recent changes in escorting rides and the costs being charged by law enforcement, insurance costs, permit fees, etc., I just didn't feel like it was appropriate, especially in these economic times to be spending money like that just to ride a few miles from point A to point B. So, in my mind, I had pretty much written it off to not do the event because of all of the above reasons. But... It wasn't meant to be.
 
Have you ever gone through those times when that little voice in your head and the spirit deep down inside you is telling you that you should be doing something, or possibly, should not be doing something? Regardless of where you believe that voice is coming from, we have all had to deal with it at some time. Well, it seems to happen to me a lot, and this time it was about the Toy Ride. Thanks to a lot of you with your emails of inquiry, a call from the school with the kids, getting a call from Westgate offering a place to end the event and watching this video from 2 years ago, there were enough signs to start a small city that I should be going forward with this event. It's not the kids fault about the economy or that there are costs involved with the normal way of putting on this event, they just look forward to this one bright spot in the Christmas Holiday that they can get out, be appreciated, and get some toys that they never thought they could have.
 
So, I finally listened to that little voice in my head that was getting louder by the day, and listened to all of you, to make this event happen in a way that works for everyone. To keep the event no charge for everyone to attend, I decided to make it a Toy Ride-In. We just ask for one toy per person donation. Westgate City Center has made available the Events Plaza next to the fountains for us to park the bikes, have the entertainment, stack the toys and accommodate the kids. This makes it possible to be less of a financial burden on everyone and give all available resources to the kids. Here is how the day will look:
 
Starting at 9am you and your groups can start arriving to park in the events plaza on both sides of the street until the area is full, then parking will be in the lot just East of the fountains. Saddle Ranch Chop House Restaurant will have a buffet available that will include a complete breakfast than includes orange juice and coffee for a total of $8.99 per person. Saddle Ranch is located right next to where we will be having the event and has a huge patio where you can dine and enjoy the music and fountains.
 
At 10:45am the 100 underprivileged and homeless children from the Children's First Academy will arrive and assemble in front of the stage and toys to our thunderous applause as the walk in. This should be a great moment for all of these kids to feel appreciated so much in a time when moments like that do not come around that often. Most of you have heard about the closure of the Pappas Schools last spring and were wondering where all of those kids would go to school. A new charter school was started called Children's First Academy and those kids were taken in by them. Most of the staff from Pappas transferred as well to continue taking care of these kids that have no where else to go. I personally went to visit the new school a couple of weeks ago and was extremely impressed with what they were doing with the new location a couple of blocks away from the former location. It looks as though they are making this a comfortable situation for all involved. Click Here to learn about Children's First Academy.
 
At 11:00am the program and entertainment will begin. I am working on a children's choir, entertainment for children and adults alike and what has become a Toys to Kids tradition, Bret Kaiser as ELVIS will rock us and the kids to close out the show. The kids will then be allowed to pick out their toys from the stacks of toys in front of the stage.
 
At 12:30pm, Westgate is sponsoring a "Big Air Freestyle Motocross" show. This will be a 20 minute show of motorcycles doing tricks high in the air from ramp to ramp including the now famous flips in mid air. These guys are a lot of fun to watch. This performance will be taking place right next to where the Toy Ride event will be. Just walk over and enjoy the free show. So ride your bike, have the rest of the family drive the car and make it a family day at the Cyclerides.com Toys to Kids Ride-In.
 
I really think this is going to be a great event and just as exciting as the rest of them. I would encourage you to get your riding chapters together, meet and a pre determined location and ride to Westgate together. Enjoy breakfast or just walk around Westgate City Center and enjoy the Christmas decorations and festive atmosphere that will be there that day.
 
Now I will ask for some help. I know times are tough for everyone, but if you work for a company that is still doing well, or are an individual that would like to donate, we will need approximately $270 to pay for the busses and the drivers to bring the kids to Westgate on that day. You can make the check out directly to the bus company. Contact me at info@cyclerides.com if you are interested in making this happen. Beyond that there will be some minor expenses for some staging, etc. that will need to be paid for. I will have a couple of buckets available for you to donate a buck or two if you would like. Any left over will be given to the Children First Academy.
 
If you have access to a stage, or risers that we can use for a stage, or a good sound system, that would be helpful as well.
 
This is short notice, but I really feel this is something that we need to do both for the kids and for ourselves. I hope that you will plan for yourself to attend and bring a few friends to make continue the Cyclerides.com Toys To Kids tradition and make this a special day. Please forward this to all of your groups and riding friends. Bring the whole family. To see what this is all about, watch this short 4 minute video from 2006. Click Here for Video. Thanks again for all of your support throughout the years!
 
Sincerely,
Barry 
 
Details for Cyclerids.com Toys To Kids Ride-In:
 
When: Saturday, December 6th
Where: Westgate City Center Events Plaza located on S.E. Corner of the Loop 101 and Glendale Ave.
Time: Breakfast starting at 9am at Saddle Ranch located next to event stage.
Kids Arrive at 10:45 am. Show starts at 11am. Freestyle Motocross starts at 12:30pm.
Cost: One Toy and Optional bag of hygiene products.
 
CLICK HERE FOR FLYER
 
**Please Read**
The following is a note from Dina Gerdon at Children's First.
These are desired toy ideas and additional items for the kids.
 
"Thank you so much for doing the Toy event for Children's First.
The toys that we are looking at would include: Bead sets, Art Sets, Sports equipment, Remote Control Car, Easy bake ovens, Play dough sets, Portable CD players, Color Wonder play sets, Kinex, Legos, Please no dolls or bratz dolls. If you are looking for more than giving the kids one toy. We would like a new book for each child, hygiene items and a sweatshirt."

Thank you so much,
Dina 

Next Week 

Friday, Saturday and Sunday
November 28th - 30th
Hacienda Harley-Davidson HUGE Tent Sale! Looking for a place to do some early Christmas Shopping?? Be the first in the tent on Black Friday to get your pick at savings of up to 75% off on Genuine Harley-Davidson merchandise, Parts and Accessories. And while you are there, check out the 2008 Holiday Collection that has JUST ARRIVED. This all takes place over 3 days, November 28th - 30th. Hacienda Harley-Davidson is located at 15600 N. Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale, AZ. 480-905-1903.
 
Saturday, November 29th
Chester's Harley-Davidson "Ride With Us" to San Tan Flat. This is the PERFECT time to take a ride and meet some new friends. And it is FREE. Chester's Ride With Us is quickly becoming a popular event every month at the dealership. Riders from all over the valley make their way to Chester's for these rides. This is a good opportunity to ride with some friends that you haven't met yet. Saddle up with Chester's Harley-Davidson for a fun 70 mile ride to San Tan Flat for lunch at the "San Tan Flat Saloon and Grill" in Queen Creek, AZ. Approximately 70 miles via US 60, US 79 to E. Arizona Farms Rd and Hunt Hwy. Everyone is Welcome! Ride Starts at Chester's located at 922 S. Country Club Dr. in Mesa. Registration from 9:00am - 10:00am. Kickstands up at 10:15am. This is a FREE ride.  Call 480-894-0404 to reserve your spot.
 
Saturday, November 29th
Buddy Stubbs Denim Drive. Buddy Stubbs Arizona Harley-Davidson will be hosting its annual Denim Drive event benefiting St. Vincent De Paul's Ministry to the Homeless. You have some jeans in your closet you are never going to wear again, right? Be one of the first 100 people to donate your denim and get a KSLX gift bag. Live Music, Great Food, Museum Tours with Buddy too! Come for the great cause and stay for the fun! 11-3 PM! FREE. Call 602-971-3400. www.buddystubbs.com
 
Saturday, November 29th
Hacienda Harley-Davidson Afternoon Free Ice Cream Sundaes. Need something to satisfy your sweet tooth in the middle of the afternoon?? Ride by Hacienda Harley-Davidson the last Saturday of every month to celebrate 30 Years with 30 toppings for your FREE Ice Cream Sundae. Ride by Hacienda Harley from 2pm - 4pm this Saturday and make your own Sundae from 30 toppings. While you are there, take a look at the new 2009 Harley-Davidson's and the latest in Motorclothes. Put this on your calendar for the last Saturday of every month. Hacienda is located at 15600 N. Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale. 480-905-1903. 

Saturday, November 29th
Night With the Phoenix Roadrunners to benefit Andrea's Closet. 3rd annual Hockey Ride, this year we will be donating all proceeds to Andrea's Closet. Pre-party will be at Evil Twin Customs, located at 2534 W. Broadway Rd. Mesa, Free Food, Free Beer, Free Soda, Your $20.00 Donation will get you a seat in the Attack Zone right down on the glass. Also it will pay for a child suffering from cancer and their parents ticket to the game.  This year we will also be doing a TOY DRIVE for these kids (please no stuffed animals, the hospital will not allow them). The party starts at 2p.m. with parade ride leaving at 5:15 pm. Call Robert for more info at 480-784-0040. 

Extras 

Cyclerides.com Classifieds are now FREE! List your Motorcycles, ATV's, Parts, etc. Just put 1234 in the credit card blanks and add your Bikes or Parts today. Click Here to add or view the current list of items for sale.
 
I've seen some dirty tricks in my time, but this one is just wrong. See what happens to this guy who wants to join the Polar Bear Club. Click Here to View.  
 
You might have seen these clips when David Letterman is taking orders at the Taco Bell. He is at it again. This one is really funny. Click Here to View.
 
Ever wonder how 18 wheelers end up rolling over on the highways? Take a look at this dash cam from another 18 wheeler. Click Here to View.