Cyclerides.com Weekly Update 12/7/11
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Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
12/7/11
 
Greetings Riders,
 
Well, we have had several inclement weather days over the last 9 years for the Cyclerides.com Toys To Kids event and this year was no exception. With rain threatening the night before, the skies cleared in the morning over Westgate to allow the always faithful riders to come in with gifts for the nearly 100 kids that were brought in for the show. When we have weather like this I am always concerned that we will get enough presents for the kids, but I have NEVER been let down by the riders in this town. You ALWAYS come through and I can’t thank you enough for your loyalty for this event and for helping make this a day to remember for the kids.
 
As the sun peaked through the cloudy skies, riders started rolling in before 9am to grab the breakfast buffet at Saddle Ranch and to enjoy the Christmas spirit. At 10:15 am, the first group of kids arrived from the Children First Academy in Phoenix. Children First Academy of Phoenix is a nonprofit, open-enrollment, K-8th grade public charter school who opened their doors in 2008 to provide a quality education to the Valley's inner-city youth and are privileged to serve approximately 325 low-income, at-risk, or homeless students every day. 15 minutes later we were joined by the children from their school in Tempe.
 
At 10:45 am I started the program talking with some of the kids and asking them to point out some of the gifts that they would like to pick out. This is always fun hearing from them what is on their mind. Then I played the music to the video I had done for the toy ride back in 2006 called “Do it Anyway”, trying to instill into these kids that no matter how tough things are right now to keep believing that things will get better and to always continue to follow their dreams.
 
After that, we were on to the main entertainment for the day with a 30 minute show by professional entertainer Craig Davis who specializes in Juggling, Magic and Comedy. When I hire entertainment like this I hope that it will be as good as advertised. In this case, Craig exceeded my expectations by far as he did several interactive tricks with the kids on stage as well as the riders. The juggling he did was amazing as well as wowing the crowd, including myself, with juggling knives while blindfolded and riding a unicycle. Do you think he could have made it any tougher? But he did it flawlessly. And seeing the kids with their magic wands on stage to facilitate is magic act was priceless. Thanks to Craig for making this one of the best Toys to Kids events yet.
 
Then we were on to the kids receiving their gifts. But this year we had a couple of bonus gifts for the kids. Bonnie and a few of her friends hand made over 100 stockings and then filled them with stocking stuffers from donations from several businesses. This was a huge thrill for their kids as this is likely the only stocking that they will receive this year and they had a blast searching through them to see what was there. Thanks to these ladies for taking the time to make this event even more special for all of the kids.
 
Another surprise was a phone call that I got from Roy Garibaldi from the Positive Side of Sports television show here in Phoenix. He asked if he could film the event to show how giving motorcycle riders are and to use the footage on his show the week before Christmas. I will give you the exact time and date that this will be shown in the next newsletter. Roy also had one more surprise for us. He donated 17 bicycles to give away to the kids. To make this fair we gave each child an armband with numbers on them and called random numbers for the winners. It was priceless seeing these kids get up and get these bikes. Thanks Roy for making this an even more special day for the kids.
 
We ended the program with the kids getting to pick their choice out of the huge piles of girls and boys toys. This is the highlight of the day. They really put a lot of thought into which toys they are going to choose. Following getting their toys, Saddle Ranch donated lunch to the kids. They had 100 to go boxes all set up for them with hot dogs, chips and a drink to end the day.
 
My thanks again to all of the riders who came out to make this Toys to Kids event another special day for the kids. I am honored and humbled by your support, without it, this blessing for these kids would not happen. For Mrs. C. and myself, it is our blessing to be able to put this event together for all of us to have a chance to give back for those who need the help. Thank You!
 
Thanks to David Darnell and family of Big D’s Mobile DJ’s for providing the sound system and spinning the Christmas music. Thanks also to Westgate City Center for providing the venue and the entertainment and all others who came together to make this a success.
 
Video:
Watch this great 2 minute video of the Toys To Kids event put together by Rusty Childress of Main Event Imaging. Go full screen on this for best viewing. A really fun video.
 
See Photos of the day:
Photos by Rusty Childress; 200 photos.
Photos by Nancy Paganelli and Barry Caraway: Lots of photos of the entertainer and riders.
Click “Slideshow” for best Full Screen viewing.
 

Tidbits and Updates:
 
**Congratulations to Paul Jr. on winning the big Discovery Biker Build Off. He clearly had the most innovative and crafted bike of them all. The bike Jesse built was alright, but it looked just like the bikes he was building 15 years ago, nothing new or innovative at all. It was kind of funny that at the beginning of the show he said he was going to build it all himself with one other guy, then half way through the show he brings in 7 guys from Austin Speed Shop that ended up bailing him out. But in the end, not even his juvenile smack talk could sway the vote in his direction. In my opinion Jesse James act, as well as his bikes are very tired. He needs to vault into the millennium with some fresh ideas if he is ever going to be a factor again.
 
Some criticize Jr’s bike because it is not a long rider. But his bike was nothing different than you see at the Top 50 bike show in Sturgis every year. Very few of those bike are road worthy either, but yet they are billed as the top bikes of the world. I don't remember seeing any rules where the bike had to have a range on it. Do you really think a Road Glide with a 30 inch front tire is anything more than a bar hopper either? Jesse couldn't even see over his tank, he had to keep looking off to the side. His stuff is TIRED. It was relevant 10 years ago, but if he is going to be among the bike building elite again, he needs to freshen up and quit mailing it in to feed his own ego.
 
**New Google Search for the Cyclerides.com Archives: If you remember something from a newsletter that you want to revisit but can’t remember the date of the newsletter, now you can use the new Google Search of the site. Just choose a “keyword” that is unique to the subject and click search. It will come up with all the newsletters that have that word in the letter. Click Here to give it a try. Or go to the Archives button on www.cyclerides.com.
 
**Mid Week Updates will be made on the Cyclerides.com Facebook. New Easy to remember Facebook address. Go to Cyclerides.com Facebook. Over 3500 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!
 

 
This Week
Saturday, December 10th
Operation Toy Ride. Operation Toy Ride is an all-ages, non-competitive motorcycle ride to benefit Operation Homefront Arizona. Operation Homefront Arizona supports our local needy military families during the holidays and all year long. Join us on Saturday, December 10 at Schumacher European (Loop 101 and Scottsdale Road) and we'll head out to The Hideaway Grill in Cave Creek. Meet up with a new, unwrapped toy donation at Schumacher European between 10:00 and noon. Last kickstands are up at noon. The first 200 registrants get an Operation Toy Ride T-shirt. There will be food, fun and a great ride for a good cause. For event details and to register, please go to our website: SchumacherToyRide.org.
 
Saturday, December 10th
2011 United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation Toys For Tots. This is the 4th Annual Toys for Tots fundraiser. It will be the same as years past at Fuzzy's Southwest Sports Grill on Reems & Grand, in Surprise. This year it will be Saturday, Dec 10th., from 9am to 3pm. We will be in the streets & parking lots along with the Marines, accepting cash & new unwrapped toys. All donations go directly to the USMC Toys for Tots Foundation, & stay in Maricopa county. We're not asking for a lot of your time- this isn't an organized "Toy Run" or "Ride", we just hope folks will ride over & drop off a donation, visit for awhile, if you'd like, then be on your merry way. For more info, contact Nick at nickp67@yahoo.com
 
Saturday, December 10th
Sunshine Acres Toy Run. Sign in at 10:30 AM at the Monastery in Mesa, AZ. KSU at 11:30 AM to Sunshine Acres Noon to 2 PM. Cost of the ride: A Toy Donation. Please bring a helmet and give the kids a ride! Huge after ride party at What The Hell Bar & Grill, Apache Junction. Raffle and Silent Auction prizes donated from Harley Davidson stores, Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, Philosophy-Upscale Cosmetics and Skin Care, Petco, Gift certificates to various local restaurants and Hot Rod Tattoo. As a bonus, there will be one free raffle ticket given to each person who participates in the ride. More raffle tickets will be for $1.00 each at the after ride party. Hawg Wild and friends will be donating their playing time! Food and drink specials! More information email sassyladynaz@gmail.com.
 
Saturday, December 10th
Smile for Santa at Chandler Harley-Davidson. Bring friends, kids or come alone for your free photo with Santa! 11 AM to 2 PM. Free gift wrap with any holiday purchase. Enjoy snacks & drinks while you shop. Free gift with qualifying $300 purchase. (A $75 Value) Win the Ultimate Harley Holiday. Stop in and fill out a want list. Someone will Win! Chandler HD is located at 6895 W. Chandler Blvd. in Chandler, AZ. 480-496-6800.
 
Saturday, December 10th
Hacienda Harley-Davidson Timewire Trunk Show. If it is outstanding Jewelry and Sculptures that you like, come to Hacienda HD and be here for a very special trunk show with Timewire displaying handmade wearable art and sculptures by Time McClendon. Time McClendonis the designer & owner of TimeWire Jewelry.  He's designed pieces for celebrities like Janet Jackson, Vanessa Williams, Snoop Dogg & Kristen Chenoweth. He'll be bringing is custom made swarovski crystal guitar worth over $300,000. Event time is Saturday, December 10th from 10am – 4pm. Hacienda Harley-Davidson is located at 15600 N. Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale. 480-905-1903.
 
Next Week
 
Saturday, December 17th
Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson Customer Appreciation. Buddy Stubbs Arizona Harley-Davidson and Buddy Stubbs Anthem Harley-Davidson would like to invite you join them for customer appreciation day on Friday, December 16th, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy FREE food, drinks, great music and take advantage of the complimentary gift wrapping services provided by the Ladies of Harley™. Mr. and Mrs. Clause will also be on hand for photographs and to receive Christmas wishes from the little ones at the Anthem location from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and at the Phoenix location from  1:00 to 3:00 p.m. 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 17th
Hacienda Harley-Davidson All-Day Holiday Festivities. Stop by Hacienda Harley-Davidson for your one-stop holiday shopping needs. Enjoy All-Day Holiday Festivities: Free gift wrap by our Ladies of Harley group, Free New Owners Workshop at 10am. Get some great deals in the Bargain Basement Sale of Take-Off Parts from 9am-6pm. While you are there, have lunch on Hacienda HD. Enjoy a Free BBQ on the patio from 11am-3pm. Hacienda Harley-Davidson is located at 15600 N. Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale. 480-905-1903.
 
Extras

Mid Week Updates will be made on the Cyclerides.com Facebook. New Easy to remember Facebook address. Go to Cyclerides.com Facebook. Over 3500 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!

This is hilarious! See what happens when you introduce static to a very hairy dog. Click Here to View.

Are Big Screen TV’s getting a little too life like? See how it fools this dog. Click Here to View.

Video of the Week: Wow! I’m guessing you have never seen anything like this. I sure hadn’t. 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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