Cyclerides.com Weekly Update

12/4/13

Greetings Riders,

Well, it is December 4th and only 21 days until Christmas. Where has this year gone? I seem to be asking that more and more these days. A couple of years ago I wrote the following:

“How is the time going by so fast? I still don't understand how the spectrum of time works. When I was 10 years old on Summer break from school back in the small town of Lansing, Kansas, I remember hanging around the house bored out of my mind. The minutes seemed like hours and the hours seemed like days. The 3 months of Summer seemed like a year and couldn’t go fast enough. Now fast forward 47 years, I'm wanting things to slow down just a bit, but the calendar seems to be spinning out of control. I can barely remember what I did at the beginning of the week and January seems like an eternity ago. The spectrum of time must be related to how busy you keep your mind. If it is always busy, you don't have time to think about time, and it passes by before you know it.”

I’m sure some of you that are approaching my age and keep a busy schedule are asking the same thing. Well, I had two readers smarter than I am respond with an answer that I found very interesting and thought provoking. So if you are also wondering how time goes by so fast, ponder this theory for a while. Here is what they said. "The perception of time passing at different rates as you get older is easily explained as a simple function of math. When you are ten and turn eleven you are 10% older so you have experienced 1/10 of your life in the last year. When your 50 and turn 51 you are 2% older. Even though the two time periods are equal, our perception is that 2% goes much faster than 10%." Something to think about while on your next ride.

Now I am going to change gears from 57 years old to 5-9 years old. This Saturday morning, December 7th, I will be hosting my 11th Cyclerides.com Toys To Kids event at Westgate City Center. I know it is going to be a little cold this weekend, but no worries, just hop in the car and come over with some toys if that works better for you. This one is ALL about getting toys to these kids that are either homeless or living in temporary housing.

This day is a highlight for these kids every year and a day that can be a blessing to us as we feed them, entertain them, let them pick any 3 toys from the stack that you bring, and make it a special day that is ALL about them. One thing I have noticed about being around these kids for the last several years is that they typically don’t smile much. Our job is to encourage them, let them know that someone cares about them, put a smile back on their face and send them home with some hope for the future. Watch this video from a couple of years ago. Really worth while. Click Here to View. Go full screen with it.

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.

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.

Music: Starting at 9AM by David Darnell

Live Entertainment A special Christmas set 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.

This 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.

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.

Following the dedication ceremony, everyone is invited back to EagleRider Motorcycles for a FREE Concert by Jimmy Van Zant and Friends, Vendors, Food and Open House from 1-5pm. Conveniently located in the heart of Tempe, Arizona, Rick Hatch’s EaglerRider Motorcycle Shop at 1000 North McClintock Drive, Tempe, AZ.

Next Week

Saturday, December 14th

Arrowhead Harley-Davidson Holiday Open House. Join Arrowhead Harley-Davidson for their 2013 Holiday Open House from 9AM – 4PM. Free photos with Santa from 11AM – 2PM. Candy, Cookies, and Hot Chocolate while you shop. Free Gift Wrapping every weekend in December. Check out our Facebook page for full details at www.facebook.com/arrowheadhd. Plus: Free Gift with a $300 purchase, a H-D Vintage Storage Crate, a $75 value. 16130 N. Arrowhead Ftn. Ctr. Dr. in Peoria, AZ. 623-247-5542.

Saturday, December 14th

Chandler Harley-Davidson Holiday Open House. Join Chandler Harley-Davidson for their 2013 Holiday Open House from 9AM – 4PM. Free photos with Santa from 11AM – 2PM. Candy, Cookies, and Hot Chocolate while you shop. Free Gift Wrapping with any purchase. Take advantage of Tiered Discounts on Licensed H-D Merchandise.

Spend $1 – $200 and get 10% Off.

Spend $201 to $300 and get 15% Off.

Spend $301 and up and get 20% Off.

Chandler Harley-Davidson is located at 6895 W. Chandler Blvd. in Chandler, AZ. 480-496-6800.

Saturday, December 14th

Joy Ride for Toys. Join Scottsdale Schumacher from Noon – 4PM at the Tap Haus in Cave Creek for a Joy Ride for Toys. Free Food, Live Music, Displays, Raffle, Demo Trick Dirt Bike Exhibition, a visit from Santa and more! Show off your cool rod or ride at this family friendly event. Free entry and hamburger meal with the donation of a new, unwrapped toy for Military Assistance Mission. Military Assistance Mission helps active Arizona military families who are in need. For more information visit www.azmam.org.

Saturday, December 15th

W. Steven Martin’s 911 Poker Toy Run. Our 28th annual 911 Toy Drive and motorcycle ride is to support Officers and Firefighters and should be one of the best in years. (Warm stops with bathrooms, Free Coffee and Fun. We have offered toys to some families in the Yarnell AZ area that lost everything in the tragic fire that swept through this small town. You can sign in from 9-10 AM and ANY Big Apple location and start the ride. Donate $10 and a new toy. Enjoy a Free cup of coffee and get your first poker card. You’ll also get one extra Cruise ticket at each Big Apple location you stop at, or if you are short on time draw the rest of your hand at the last Big Apple stop on 19th Ave. across from Turf Paradise. See flyer for all start locations.

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!

It is that time of year, and here is a really good “feel good” video made possible from a high school football team. Click Here to View.

Video of the Week. I’ve seen a lot of stunt bike riders, but this guy is among the best I have seen. 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