Cyclerides.com
Weekly Update
12/16/09
Greetings Riders,
Well, the toy ride that almost
wasn't, turned out to be one of the best ever. Thanks to over 350 dedicated
riders, the Cyclerides.com Toys To Kids ride for 2009 was one of
the most enjoyable that we have had. The Rawhide venue was excellent for this
type of event, the kids had a GREAT time and there were plenty of toys available
for them to get 3 gifts each with some left over. Thanks again to all who
participated to make this a better Christmas for these underprivileged children.
The weather report for
last Sunday was dreary to say the least. The
consentient prognosis was that there would be possible rain with cloudy
skies. But fortunately, weather forecasters in Arizona are about as accurate as
a broken clock. I got up Sunday morning expecting the worst and was greeted with
sunshine and partly cloudy skies. Nothing like what I was seeing on the weather
pages. To say the least, my excitement for the day was amped up a lot. The
biggest obstacle to getting riders out, rain, was at least off the table for a
while. And due to the overnight clouds, the morning temp came in at around 50
degrees. Not bad at all, certainly a lot better than expected.
Mrs. C. and I got there at about
8:00am to unload and set up. The gates were to open at 9am, but by
8:45am we heard the sounds of the motorcycle doorbells ringing outside the
gates, so we opened up and the bikes started filing in 1 by 1 over the Rawhide
covered bridge to get their
parking spot on Main St. At 9am, the $5 buffet
breakfast was ready to be served in the Golden Belle Saloon. It proved to
be very popular as over 300 breakfast were served that
morning.
The sun was shining and the bikes
kept rolling in, soon filling both sides of Main St. Rawhide. The kids arrived at 9:30am for a quick tour of the town
before watching a performance of the Roughriders at the Six Gun Theatre
while the riders enjoyed breakfast and coffee on the picnic tables located around the
stage while listening to Christmas tunes. At 10:45am the kids were back in their spot in
front of the stage ready to receive the hamburger lunch that Rawhide
had donated for them.
At 11:00am we started the show with
the presentation
of colors and the National Anthem followed by Lee Greenwood's
"Proud to be an America". This is no better way to start an event than by
paying honor to our Country and our Soldiers. After that, I started to make
some announcements and get the entertainment started when the Rawhide Town
Marshall Hannibal came on stage and arrested me on suspicion of
kidnappin' Chris Magic, the town magician. He gave me 5 minutes to get on my
bike and go find Chris Magic or I would be spending some time the Rawhide Jail.
Click Here to see the 1:30 video clip. After I rode down the Main St. and found Chris Magic I
rode him back to the stage to start his magic show. It was a fun way to start
the entertainment.
Following 10 minutes of entertainment
by Chris
Magic, the Roughriders took the stage for some good old
fashioned Wild West comedy. After a couple of quick announcements we were at the
part of the show that the kids were looking forward to. They had now been
sitting there for 30 minutes eyeing up the gifts that they wanted to take home
with them. Since the riders had more than brought enough toys, each child was
told that they could pick out any 3 gifts that they wanted.
Two of them to keep for themselves and one for a friend or sibling. For me, this
is the highlight of the day. It is such a delight to see these kids, who
otherwise have a pretty tough go at it, to be catered to, have a couple of hours
made just for them, and then be able to pick any 3 toys they want, which might be all
they get for Christmas this year.
After the kids picked their gifts and
got them put in their plastic bags, they all came
up on stage to sing "We wish you a Merry Christmas" to the riders. And to give us a great big THANK YOU. They were really cute and at that
point I think we all knew we had done something special for these youngsters.
The left over toys were split between the Real Gift Foundation for homeless
children to be distributed to teachers in impoverished areas and UMOM
New Day Centers homeless shelter on East Van Buren.
I have said it before and will
probably say it another 100 times, I don't know any other group that is more
giving than those who are a part of the motorcycle riding community. Even though we may not know each other, and come from varying walks of
life, our camaraderie is bound by the love of riding motorcycles. The
important thing is, we all possess the same benevolence in wanting to help
others in need. It would be hard to find another group of people that has a
bigger giving heart than those who love to ride. Thanks to all who participated
in this event and who support Cyclerides.com events throughout the year.
You are the best!
I'd like to give one special shout
out to a rider named Larry
that rode in from Quartzite, AZ Sunday morning, leaving at
5:20am just to come to this event. Now that is a big heart for kids and a
testimony to motorcycle riders. God Bless ya Larry.
Thanks to Rawhide for providing a
great venue for this event, the entertainment and donating all
of the food for the kids. Thanks to Nancy Perry of Arizona Sportswear for
donating t-shirts for all of the kids and getting me in touch with Rawhide.
Thanks to Paul Yaffe Originals for the donation for the bus transportation. And
to everyone else who made this a great day for the kids. And to TV3 for covering
the event and showing the rest of the valley the good that motorcycle riders do.
Check out all of the
new rider photos that have been posted on the
front
page of the Cyclerides.com Facebook.
Even if you
don't have a Facebook page, you can still look at the pictures and
video.
Check back often. I
post mid-week updates here.
Highlights This
Week
Saturday, December
19th
Buddy Stubbs is having their annual
Customer Appreciation Party
at both dealerships (Phoenix
and Anthem) from 11:00 am-4:00 pm on Saturday Dec. 19th.
Bike Nights This
Week
Thursday Night
The Bike Night At The Billet Bar. The
Billet Bar is the place to be for the Summer nights and weekends. Set on the
patio and watch the action. Voted "BEST
BIKER BAR IN PHOENIX" by New Times.
There is no better place to watch all
the Bikes ride down Scottsdale road than from The Billet Bar
Patio. The Billet is ALWAYS packed with bikes Every Day. Stop by
and take a look at the New Flamed Booths on the Paradise Patio. The new bars front and rear provide
spacious seating, fresh air atmosphere, perfect temperature and courteous staff.
The food is amazing and always the latest in cold libations await. You can sit
at the back bar and watch your favorite TV on any of the seven big inch
televisions. Play pool, listen to the latest music and socialize. The front
patio seats over 75 people and is perfect for people watching on Scottsdale Rd.
The Billet Bar is located on 3752 N. Scottsdale Rd. Check it out this Thursday
night and all weekend long. Info: at 480-941-1876. Click Here for the New
Billet Bar Page with pictures.
McDuffy's is one of the finest West side locations for a bike night at a single restaurant. The 12,500 Sq. Ft. McDuffy's features 2 outdoor
patios, a huge dining room with booths for seating, a very large area with high
tops for you to easily hang out with your friends, an upper level for lounging
or to play pool, a very large bar and 100 TV's to watch your favorite sporting
event. Not only that the dinner menu is very broad and McDuffy's has excellent
food at a very good price. Bike Nights features a $6.99 Menu
that includes Classic Burgers, Charbroiled Chicken Breast Burger, Buffalo Wings,
Chicken Quesadilla, Nachos, Popcorn Chicken, Pizza and 1/2 Drink
Pricing. Stop by for the first night on Thursday, September 17th.
McDuffy's is located just South of 83rd Ave. and Bell Rd. at 15814 N. 83rd Ave.
623-334-5000. Plenty of Motorcycle Parking!
Every
Weekend
Western Trails Ranch -
Dec 31st, $5 NEW
YEARS EVE PARTY, Includes "Aerial Assault Motorcycle Stunt
Show" starts at 2pm ,VENDORS, "Fools
Life" Live Band from 6:00 to 10pm, Party
Favors, Free Champagne at 10pm - midnight N.Y. time and watch the Ball Fall in
Time Square. Free RV Parking! More Info at www.westerntrailsranch.com
Now Open 7 Days a
Week
Western Trails Ranch is a 12 Acre Old
Western Ghost Town, you can Bar Hop with your drinks between Buzzard's Saloon
& The Ice House, enjoy live entertainment while keeping warm around our
outdoor fire pits. Secure Motorcycle Parking in Buzzard's Corral.
Extensive Menu featuring everything from Burgers to Smoked Prime Rib and
Mesquite Grilled Steaks. WTR is a
great place to end a Motorcycle Run, charity event, Christmas Party or put on
your own special event with it's 2 covered outdoor stages along with a separate
Concert area that holds 10,000 people featuring a 60ft Concert Sound
Stage. Now Open 7 Days a Week from 10am to 9pm. Happy Hour all day Monday
through Thursday all Long Necks including Imports $2.50. Big Screen TV's,
Horse shoe pits, Pool Tables and the best part is the 30 minute ride out the
Carefree Hwy or Grand Ave on your motorcycle. A real Biker Destination for
people that like to ride! Contact Marcos at 480 299-5615 or Sign Up
for our Newsletter at www.westerntrailsranch.com
WTR Weekly Schedule of
Events:
Mondays,
Monday Night Football on our 4 Big screens TV's in the ICE HOUSE. Buy 1
Mesquite Grilled Burger and Get One Free! Happy Hour all day, all Long
Necks including Imports $2.50. Plus Drink Specials.
Tuesdays, Happy Hour all day, all Long
Necks including Imports $2.50. Plus Drink Specials. Ride your Motorcycle and Get
2nd Drink for .50 cents. Motorcycle Passenger gets 2nd drink for $1.00.
$2.00 off any Appetizer's
Wednesdays,
Hump Day, Choice of any Daily Special on Menu. Happy Hour all day, all
Long Necks including Imports $2.50. Drink Specials,
Thursdays,
Blues & BBQ, $2. off any Burger & $4.off any Rib Dinner.
Happy Hour all day.
Fridays,
Fish Fry, all you can eat Fish Fry $12. Drink
Specials.
Saturday, $4 off any Steak Dinner.
Sunday, Soft
Tacos, $2. choice of chicken, pork or
beef.
This Week
Friday, December 18th
Birthday Party for Paul Yaffe at the Billet Bar. Looking for something to
do this Friday night? Join the Billet Bar in throwing a birthday bash for Paul
Yaffe who is turning 46 years old. Celebration starts at 7:30pm.
Scottsdale's best kept secret, the Billet Bar, has a little something for
everyone. If you thought we were just a biker bar you're WRONG! We have 2 of the
best stocked bars in town, live music, pool tables, big screen tvs, and great
food!The Billet Bar is located on 3752 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Saturday, December 19th
Buddy Stubbs
Annual Customer Appreciation Party. Buddy Stubbs is having their annual
Customer Appreciation Party at both dealerships (Phoenix and Anthem) from
11:00 am-4:00 pm on Saturday Dec. 19th. It’s their way of saying
thank you for doing business with the Buddy Stubbs dealerships, especially in
today’s hard economic times. Speaking of which, to make your gift-giving easier
on your wallet, they will have an entire room devoted to sales merchandise at up
to 75% off at Arizona Harley-Davidson and big sales at
Anthem! Bring the kids!
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at Buddy Stubbs Arizona Harley-Davidson from 12-2
and at Anthem Harley-Davidson from 2-4. Everyone who takes a photo with Santa
will receive a printed photo in a keepsake frame. Adults can enjoy free food,
live music, a pool tournament for prizes and museum tours with Buddy! Buddy
Stubbs Phoenix is located at 13850 N. Cave Creek Rd. 602-971-3400. Anthem is
located at 41715 N. 41st Dr. in Anthem. 623-465-1122.
Sunday, December 20th
W. Steven Martins
Police Toy Run. Check-in starts at 8:30 a.m. Ride starts at 10:00 a.m at
Chandler Harley-Davidson 56th. & Chandler Blvd. Ends at San Tan
Flat in Queencreek AZ. Lunch at Noon. Ride is POLICE ESCORTED and is about 50
miles total. (1:30 Min) Donation is $10 per rider and a New $10 toy.
With Christmas only a
short time off we need your help to get toys for our officers to give to
children they meet on their beats. If you have a house warming, or a company
party or just want to collect items at your location just email us at w.stevenmartin@cox.net. If you have a retail
location you could get some FREE radio plugs on (Mega-104 FM) We will come out
and pick up your gifts when you are done. IT IS NOT TO LATE TO HELP! EVERY GIFT
COUNTS, YOU WILL HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE. NEED MORE INFORMATION PLEASE GO
TO
www.policetoydrive.com
Extras
Take a look at all the new photos
posted on the wall. I invite you to post a picture of yourself by a sign or
landmark from a trip you have taken, or a picture of you on your motorcycle.
Or just share your favorite ride with 1400 other motorcycle
enthusiasts.
I am inviting you to 1400 other riders and "Become A
Fan" on the Cyclerides.com Facebook page. Click Here
to Become a Fan and bookmark this
page. 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.
Since we are in the
winter season, I thought this sleigh ride video would be appropriate. Too funny!
Click Here to View.
A lot of the dealerships are having creative sales to catch our attention,
but here is one that caught my eye.
I found an interesting
promotion going on at Chester's Harley-Davidson called Tires 4
Life. If you saw any pictures of me at the
Rocky Point Rally, you might imagine my excitement over this program.
Apparently, if you buy a new Harley from Chester's Harley-Davidson, they will
pay for new tires for your motorcycle as long as you own it. Since I have 58,000
miles on my bike and spend about $500 a year on average for tires, (not counting
burnouts) this could save me about $2500 over 5 years. Pretty sweet deal if you
ride a lot." So if you ride a lot and are looking for a new bike, you might
check them out.
Video of the Week
Have you ever wondered why email was invented? These dogs might have had
something to do with it.
Click Here to View. Click on the Video of the Week graphic on the
page.
