Cyclerides.com Weekly
Update
12/5/12
Greetings Riders,
I would like to start this week by thanking everyone who attended the 10th
Cyclerides.com Toys To Kids ride this past Saturday and made it a huge
success.
The kids were absolutely stoked and were extremely happy
to have a day just for them and left with smiles from ear to
ear.
The venue this year at Westgate City Center couldn’t have been better.
We moved the location to the fountain plaza where they have a 28 foot
Christmas tree and lots of brand
new fake grass for the kids to set on. They
installed a large stage just off the grass which provided the perfect place for
the entertainment. Riders started arriving by 9 AM and were greeted with
Christmas music by Big D’s DJ as they walked up to drop off their gifts at the
stage. As a warm up to the scheduled program starting at 10:45 AM I decided to
have a hula hoop contest with 4 riders from the crowd that was
judged by the kids. Then a contest with the kids judged by the riders.
Against my better judgment, Tim even got me to do it. Click
Here. As you can imagine,
there not anything much more entertaining than watching anyone try to do a hula
hoop correctly, certainly not adults.
This got everyone laughing and ready for our opening act of
Tim
and Willy.
These two are great entertainers and perfect for
kids and adults alike. They sang a couple of songs and then ended their part of
the show with a song written just for us about motorcycle riders doing toy
rides. It is called “Lots of Toys”, to the tune of Jingle Bells. It is really
funny and perfect for the event. The song is about 50 seconds long. Click Here to
Listen.
Thanks to Tim and Willy for coming out and showing everyone a good time.
Next I introduced Craig Davis, a professional magician, juggler and
comedian.
Craig entertained the crowd for 30 minutes with a variety
of tricks including juggling fire sticks, juggling 7 balls at one time and
juggling 18” knives. That is good enough, now
imagine juggling 18” knives while blindfolded and riding a unicycle. He made it
look easy, but that was unbelievable to watch in person. He went on to do some
magic tricks with his pet bird and 4 kids from the
audience, then closed the show by balancing on a loose rope while juggling fire
sticks. Craig is a fantastic talent and entertained the kids and adults just the
same. Thanks to Craig for making it a great day for all.
After Craig was finished, Mrs. C. and I gave away the 5 bikes that we
bought for the kids,
then the kids were instructed that they would
be able to get up and choose any 3 gifts from the giant stack of toys the riders
had brought to them that morning. You could tell that some of them had been
scoping out the exact gifts that they wanted to pick when they got up. Others
were very calculated in finding the exact toy that they wanted. For
a lot of us, the most fun part of the day is seeing the huge smiles that these
kids have when they pick their toys and go off to examine what they have gotten
and share their find with their friends.
These kids are all from the
Children
First Academy in downtown Phoenix and Tempe.
They live in
shelters, temporary housing or in some cases on the streets going from shelter
to shelter every day. This school gives them some stability during the day
before they have to face what going back to their living condition has in store
for them. This event that you guys help make happen, is in the words of some of
these kids, the best thing that happens to them all year long. That is why we
keep doing this. To provide a blessing to the kids and a way for all of us to
bless someone else. It is always a very fulfilling time for everyone who
attends.
A very special thanks to Saddle Ranch for
feeding
the kids after the event.
They set up a buffet line and gave
them all a big hot dog, chips, juice box and then surprised them with a giant
cotton candy container for each
table. The teachers told me that this was the only meal that some of these kids
would get that day. It was so hard to hear that which made this donation by
Saddle Ranch even more important. I will admit to getting a little emotional
over hearing this while standing in the midst of all these smiling faces as they
came over to give Mrs. C. and I a hug to thank us for the day. You just can’t
get a better thank you than one of these grabbing you, holding on tight to say
thanks. It is amazing at how resilient these kids are. It makes you stop for a
moment and thank God for how fortunate we are to have 3 meals a day and a place
to sleep every night.
I want to once again say thanks to all who supported this event this year
and to those that have come to all 10. We sincerely appreciate it more than you
know. It could not happen without you.
Click
Here for some photos that I took throughout the day.
This Week
Friday, December 7th
Chester’s Rock N’ Roll Christmas. If you like Journey you will
not want to miss this night.
DSB rocks out with all of your Journey
favorites. Come find out why DSB is the #1 tribute band in the country. Gates
open at 5pm and DSB takes the stage at 9pm. Food and Adult beverages will be
available. Dec 7th, 5-11pm at your Lifestyle Destination, Chester's
Harley-Davidson. $10.00 donation or a toy, lets bring a smile to a child’s face
at Pappas Kids Schoolhouse Foundation. Come into Chester’s to buy your tickets
while they last! Chester’s HD is located at 922 S. Country Club Dr. in Mesa, AZ.
480-894-0404.
Saturday, December 8th
Operation Toy
Ride. Operation Toy Ride is a charity motorcycle ride to benefit Military
Assistance Mission,
a non-profit organization that helps local
needy active military families. Along with your tax-deductible ride fee, riders
are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy as a donation to these deserving
families. The ride is a family oriented, non-competitive atmosphere with great
food and live entertainment featured at the rendezvous point: The Hideaway Grill
in Cave Creek, Arizona. This is not a guided tour; please ride at your own pace.
Registration: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon at Schumacher European, Ltd. 18530 North
Scottsdale Road, Phoenix, AZ 85054. (West side of Scottsdale Road, just South of
the Loop 101). Last Kickstands Up: Noon. Choose your
favorite scenic route: Enjoy your favorite route or explore a new ride. However
you choose to get there, make sure to meet up with the rest of the riders at
2:00 for the wrap up party and fun, food and festivities! One rider: $20 plus a
new, unwrapped toy donation—includes one XL Operation Toy Ride T-shirt and a
ticket for a hamburger from The Hideaway Grill (redeemable on day of event only)
for the first 200 registrants. Two riders: $30 plus a new, unwrapped toy
donation—includes two XL Operation Toy Ride T-shirts and two tickets for
hamburgers from The Hideaway Grill, (redeemable on day of event only) for the
first 200 registrants.
Sunday, December 9th
Arizona Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs Toy Run. All
donations are going to Andrea’s Closet.
Bring new unused toys, any
donation given and you will receive a bracelet for entry into the Road Runner
for free. Run Starts at 8 AM. Phoenix Walmart Supercenter Store 2512, 1825 W.
Bell Rd. (S.E. corner of 19th Ave & Bell) Phoenix, AZ. Plenty of restaurants
to eat breakfast in the area 11 AM parade ride out to the Road Runner Saloon.
Tuesday, December 11th
Bike Night at
Hooters Mesa. Ride in to Hooters of Mesa the 2nd Tuesday of Every Month for
Bike Night.
You will be greeted by the Hooter’s Girls and some of
the best wings in the West. Bike night from 6-9 PM. Motorcycle parking and ALL
bikes welcome. Raffles. Hooters Mesa is located at Alma School Rd. South of US
60. 480-839-4767.
Next Week
Saturday, December 15th
Buddy
Stubbs Arizona Harley-Davidson and Buddy Stubbs Anthem Harley-Davidson would
like to invite you to join them for customer appreciation day
on
Saturday, December 15th, from 11-3 PM @ AZ H-D and 11-2PM @ Anthem H-D. Enjoy
FREE food, drinks, great music and take advantage of the complimentary gift
wrapping services provided by the Ladies of Harley™. Santa Claus will also be on
hand for photographs and to receive Christmas wishes from the little ones at the
Anthem location from 11- 12:00 PM and at the Phoenix location from 1-3 PM.
Don’t miss this great family friendly event at your favorite Buddy Stubbs
Harley-Davidson location. For more information go to www.buddystubbs.com or
e-mail marketing@buddystubbs.com.
Saturday, December 15th
Please help us bring joy, love and respect to the 200 patients confined to
the VA’s “Old Vet’s Home”.
Event will be held at the Arizona State
Veterans Home at 4141 N. 3rd St. in Phoenix, AZ from Noon to 5PM. This will be
an event you will never forget. Just being in the presence of those who have
fought for our freedom is an honor and a privilege. Food, live entertainment,
and special VIP’s will also be in attendance. Many of these Veterans rarely
receive visits from the outside world, and not only need and desire
companionship, but are all in desperate need of the items listed on our
Donations page. If you are not able to attend
this year’s event, please donate as many of the items listed, so we can insure
each and every patient will receive the items they need and the items they
desire. Explore our website to learn more about how you can help, view our video
and photo galleries of previous Christmas celebrations, and "meet" our Featured Veteran and Featured Staff/Volunteer. If
you have questions or have donations that need to be picked-up, please call our
Event Hotline and leave us your name, phone number and nature of your
correspondence. A representative will be in touch just as soon as possible. More
information at 602-535-2170 or email arizonaveteranschristmasparty@gmail.com . Visit
http://www.arizona-vets-christmas.org/
Sunday, December 16th
W. Steven
Martin’s 911 Toy Drive Toy Run. Sign in and Start at Cowtown Boots located
at 1-17 and Thunderbird Rd.
(NW Corner) from 9:30 to 11:00 AM. Ride
starts at 11 AM. Donation: $10 and a New Toy for a chance to win a Cruise. The
ride will end at the new 911 Toy Drive warehouse located at 6939 S. Harl Ave. in
Tempe, AZ at the I T Partners building. Exit I-10 and Elliott. Turn East on
Elliott to the first stop light. Harl runs along side the Coca Cola Company.
This is the last ride of the 2012 Holiday Season and we know that most of you
ride in a few other runs. That is why we want you to see where your gift and
money goes. We work with Officers and Fiew all year long to help children in
need. If you can’t make the ride, you can still donate. See flyer for details.
Join W. on on 96.3 KSWG radio for Friday morning parties!
Extras
Mid Week Updates will be made on
the Cyclerides.com Facebook. New
Easy to remember Facebook address. Go to
Cyclerides.com
Facebook. Over 4000 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!
See an
interesting video from the garage of Craig Jackson here in Phoenix. Click Here
to View.
Video of the Week. This is a good one. See this
motorcycle magazine editor shooting a promo clip a pole with his bags. 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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Copyright © 2012 BDC Products,
LLC.
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reserved.