Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
11/22/06 

Greetings Riders,
 
Well, it is hard to believe, but Christmas is now just a little over 30 days away. This is also the time of year when we seem to turn our focus to helping others that are less fortunate. Motorcyclist are particularly good at this all year long, but Christmas really seems to bring out the best in us. This brings me to the time that I would like to announce the 4th Annual Toys To Kids Ride organized by Cyclerides.com in conjunction with Santa's Christmas Theme Park and help from The Phoenix Firefighters Association. The ride will take place on Saturday, December 2nd. This should be the best toy ride we have ever had.
 
After years of riding my motorcycle to a destination and throwing my toy into the back of a truck and riding off without any emotional attachment, I decided that we need at least one ride where we  bring the kids to our end location, feed them, entertain them, make it a special day for them and then watch as they receive our gifts. The first one was four years ago and they keep getting better every year. This year, we are bringing in 200 Homeless Children from the Thomas J. Pappas schools and bussing them to Santa's Christmas Theme Park for a day they won't soon forget.
 
As with most things that I get involved with, I like to see first hand how things work. So with the help of Rich Bauer at the Phoenix Firefighters Association. I made an appointment with Rexanne Meredith of the Thomas J. Pappas school at 355 N. 5th Ave. to sit down and learn more about the school and how they are able to help these kids. I learned way more than I thought I would, so I will only cover a couple things in the letter. The first thing on my mind was wanting a better understanding of the kids  that come to this school and what the criteria is for them to be here. The criteria is "Home-Less". If you look up the definition for Homeless, it is "having no home or permanent place of residence". Yes, these kids might be living in cars, shelters, parks, churches or literally on the streets. Generally they are a part of a broken family with one parent that are the result of drugs, alcohol, abuse or in some cases, families that have just fallen on very hard times.
 
But one of the neatest things I learned about the Pappas School is their determination to get the kids to school and help them get back to some form of normalcy, at least for a few hours a day. If there is a child out there that should be in school, and their parent or guardian wants them in school, Pappas will send a bus out to pick them up and take them back to their shelter every day. They operate 12 busses that travel over 1200 miles per day. They will even send one bus out, to get one child if needed. Pappas is totally committed to getting the kids to school. Maricopa County serves over 1100 children without permanent housing every day. 430 attend the location at 355 N. 5th Ave. in grades K-5.
 
A part of the tour that hit home for me was the clothing that the school provides. Everyone reading this letter takes for granted that they go to their closet and pull from a selection of clean clothes every day. These kids don't have a closet, and in some cases, don't have multiple changes of clothes. The first thing that Pappas does for these kids when they come to the school is have their volunteers help the children pick out a complete change of clothing. Part of the mission of the school is to rebuild self-esteem in these children's lives, and they start by making them feel good about themselves with their clothing. When they come to the school for the first time they will let them shower, give them 3 NEW pair of underwear and socks, then go through the closets of donated items to round out their new wardrobe right down to a pair of sneakers. They also give them a bag of toiletries to take with them. Once a month, the kids are allowed to come back in for a fresh set of clothing. This was a sobering part of the tour for me and an area that I think we can continue to help with.
 
We then continued the tour to the onsite medical facility, the rooms used for one on one mentoring, classrooms, computer rooms, playgrounds and the lunchroom. They also have a room with toys in it for the kids to go into on their birthday and pick out a gift. Some of the additional toys that you bring on the ride will go to this room as they are getting low. The last place we visited was the food storage. If there are kids that are not in shelters, and need food, Pappas will make up a box of food items for them to take back to wherever they are staying. There is so much more good that this school is doing to help make a better life for these kids that I can't cover here. Click Here to read all about the Thomas J. Pappas Schools.
 
The good news is, that we ALL have the opportunity, with the Cyclerides.com Toys To Kids Ride on December 2nd, to do our small part in making a difference in these children's lives, by making Christmas a whole lot better for these kids than they are expecting right now. All you have to do is show up, bring a couple of really nice unwrapped gifts, interact with the kids, show them the love that they truly desire and make the day all about them. As motorcyclists, we have the passion and giving hearts to make this a day that these children will never forget.
 
Here is a breakdown of the day: 
* We will start the day at Steele Indian School Park, 3rd St. and Indian School in Phoenix lining up from 8-11am. There will be coffee, water and doughnuts available at this time.

* At 11am we will be escorted by DPS South on 3rd St. to I-10 and then out to Santa's Christmas Theme Park where we will ride our motorcycles through the entry and down the mile long Main St. where the kids will be lined up to greet and cheer us on as we ride in. If you would like, you can bring candy to throw to them as we ride by.
* We will then park our bikes and deliver the toys in front of the stage in a "Boys" pile and a "Girls" pile.
* We will entertain the kids and riders with a couple of stage shows, some animals and then wrapping it up with a popular guest appearance from Elvis.
* At this point the kids will be allowed to go pick any 3 gifts that they choose out of the piles of toys. This is truly the highlight of the day as you see the faces on these kids as they pick out the great gifts that the riders bring. Remote control cars, trucks, cd players and electronics are big hits. Attach extra batteries or even rechargeable.
* You can then spend the rest of the day at the park enjoying the shows. Santa's has a really funny Pig Show and a Tiger show that everyone would enjoy.
* There is no charge for the ride. Riders and passengers get into the park for free. If you would like to invite the rest of your family to meet you there, Santa's has extended a half-price admission for families of the riders good until 1pm on Dec. 2nd. Click Here to print the coupon.
 
Thank you in advance for attending this ride and making this a special day for these homeless kids. If you are going to do one toy ride this year, this would be the one. Forward this letter to all of your riding groups and friends to make a day of it. Join in on the fun of the Cyclerides.com Toys To Kids Ride. 
 
Tune in to TV3 Wednesday, November 29th in the 7:00am hour as I will be on live at Santa's to talk about the ride.
 
Click Here for Photos of last year.
Click Here for Video of 2003 and 2005. 

If you would like to sign up for the free Cyclerides.com Newsletter, Click Here.
 

Highlights This Week
 
Save big at Superstition Harley-Davidson’s “After Thanksgiving Day” Sale!
On Friday, November 24th and Saturday the 25th, we’re
offering great savings storewide!
 
7th Annual Buddy Stubbs HD Blanket Drive Party.
Join Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson and KSLX Radio
from 11am - 2pm. Free Food, Music and Demo Rides. 

Next Week 

Cyclerides.com Toys To Kids Ride. If you have never been to one of these rides, Don't miss this one! Take your gifts to the Children. We will meet at Steele Indian School Park located at 3rd St. and Indian School from 8am - 11am for music, coffee, water and doughnuts, then ride to Santa's Christmas Theme Park located at Firebird International Raceway. We will enter through the grand entry and ride down the Main St. of Santa's where we will be met by 200 homeless kids from Thomas J. Pappas schools that will be awaiting our arrival. At Santa's we will have entertainment including a couple of stage shows including animals and Elvis will be making a return appearance. At the end of the program you can watch the children pick 3 gifts out of the toys that you bring. Food and drink will be available at Santa's for you to purchase. All riders and passengers will be admitted into Santa's for free, but if you would like to have your family join you at Santa's, they will be admitted for half-price up till 1:00pm with this coupon. Click Here for the half-price coupon. This should be the best toy run we have ever done. Get your riding clubs and friends together and ride as a group.
 
What you need to know:
No charge for the ride.
Admission: Just bring at least one unwrapped toy for a boy or girl ages 6-12 years. Electronic items with batteries are fine. Attach extra or rechargeable batteries.
Time: Lineup is from 8am - 11am Saturday, December 2nd.
Where: Location is Steele Indian School Park at 3rd St. and Indian School Rd.
Destination: Escorted Ride by DPS to Santa's Christmas Theme Park located at Firebird Raceway at Wildhorse Pass. Take I-10 South of Chandler to Exit 162, Wildhorse Pass Exit. You will see Santa's on your left.  
Additional Items: Bring candy to throw to the kids as we ride into Santa's.
Stick around for the entertainment and watch the kids go after the gifts that you bring.
 
Sunday, December 3rd
Kicks for Kids Toy Run. This years ride in memory of Art Stubbs. Sign in from 8-10am at the F.O.P. Lodge #2 located at 19th Ave. and Sweetwater in Phoenix. 19th Ave. will be closed from Thunderbird to Cactus. The route is the same as in the last few years. 19th ave. to Cactus, West to I-17, S. to Grant, E. on Grant to 7th Ave where you will drop off toys. Refreshments available at end. See flyer for Awards. Collectible Pins will be available. Donation: 1 New, Unwrapped Toy. Minimum Value $10. More information call Bud - 602-995-5808.
 
Sunday, December 3rd
4th Annual Poker Run for Arizona Action for Foster Children. Sign in 8am - 10am at the Rusty Spur Saloon located at 7245 E. Main Street in Scottsdale. Last card at 5pm. Drawing at 6pm. Prizes for High and Low hand. Raffles, Ride Pins, T-shirts and koozies for first 100 entries. $20 per rider, $5 per passenger. More information at 480-425-7787. 
 
Sunday, December 3rd
1st Annual Panty Dash. Sign in 9am - 11am. East side meet at Old Chicago located at 1656 S. Alma School Rd. in Mesa. West side meet at Old Chicago located at 5695 W. Bell Rd. in Glendale. Old Chicago will have a breakfast buffet available. End at Buffalo Chip in Cave Creek. Door Prizes, Games, Music, Food and Opportunity tickets. Partial proceeds to Faith House Children's Development Center, Autumn House Children's Services. For more information: Kat - 602-758-2201. Jan - 623-298-8083. 

Extras 

Want a new HARLEY and clean up your credit at the same time? Maybe some extra cash for the Holidays?  Let Dave at MORTGAGE PRO USA assist you. If you own a home with equity and have a steady income, I can help. Give me a call for a debt consolidation/cash-out refinance. MORTGAGE PRO USA specializes in sub prime business. I deal with over 300 lenders in all 50 states who will refinance manufactured homes, single family residences, condo's, commercial, & land loans. Mention you saw this ad in Cyclerides &  when your loan  funds, you  will receive a $500.00 gift certificate to your choice of any one of the Cyclerides advertisers. Email David Herr at dkh121@yahoo.com or call Ofc: 602-682-6355. Cell: 480-888-6961.
 
Last weekend was Ladies Weekend at Buddy Stubbs and Superstition Harley. Buddy led a ride from the dealership to the top of South Mountain with over 40 Women Riders in attendance. Then on to T-Bone Steakhouse for a BBQ. Click Here for a Photo Gallery of the ride. Superstition HD hosted a Garages are for Girls seminar to teach Women riders how to care for their own bikes. Click here for Photos.
 
I thought riding on roads in Colorado was bad. They are nothing compared to this road in Bolivia. Click Here for the photo page. Click arrow below photo to change the slides. Or click the "Slide Show" button in lower right for full screen and then click mouse on screen to change slide.
 
Here is that illusionist you have seen on the web. He is at it again. Click Here.
 
Here is a blooper reel of dancing mishaps. I'm pretty sure there was alcohol involved in some of these. Click Here to view.
 
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!