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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.
 
Thanks to all who helped make this happen including Big D’s Mobile DJ’s and family, Tim and Willy, Craig Davis, Westgate City Center, Saddle Ranch, Bonnie, Pat and Ellen for making each kid a stocking filled with goodies, to Rusty Childress for taking and sharing his photos, and to Clark Kruger of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for making a donation to cover expenses.
 
Click Here for some awesome photos from Rusty Childress at Main Event Imaging. He really captures the kids.
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
6th Annual AZ Veterans Home Christmas Party & Donations Benefit.
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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