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Greetings Riders,

Well, Christmas is now just a few days away and this week I am going to get totally away from my own passion of riding motorcycles and focus on something that is way more important, especially during this season. It is that time of year that is filled with a plethora of emotions. It can be hectic as you try and get all of your gifts bought or to plan the family dinner. It can be uplifting when you see homes and businesses decorated with trees, lights and wreaths to celebrate the birth of Christ. It can be a joyous time as we get together with family and friends while we slow down the pace of our everyday lives to fellowship. It can also be a melancholy time, particularly if we are separated from loved ones that we would desperately like to spend some time with. There are a variety of reasons why this happens. In some cases, we could do it, but we just don't expend the effort to make it happen. In other cases, it just isn't possible.

There are several thousand Americans right now that fall into the latter. Among them are the families of the Men and Women in our United States Armed Forces throughout the world, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan. I would like to dedicate this newsletter to all of our troops that won't be with their families this year because they are currently serving our Country, and to let them know that we honor them for their service and will remember them as we set down with our families for Christmas dinner.

It is easy to forget that we have a couple hundred thousand Moms, Dads, Brothers and Sisters, 8000 miles away that are going to be celebrating Christmas in the middle of the desert in a foreign country. This thought was really set on my heart last week when I read the following story that was sent to me via email. There are a lot of kids that are going to miss their Mom or Dad this Christmas, just as the one that you will read about below. I don't know who wrote this, but I will admit that this story really touched me and made me aware of the sacrifice of our Armed Forces and their families that are at home.

Last week I was in Atlanta , Georgia attending a conference. While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen.

Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camo. As they began heading to their gate, everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering.

When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for, it hit me I'm not alone. I'm not the only red-blooded American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families. Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal.

Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women, a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said 'hi.'

The little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her.

The young soldier, who didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy. Then suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek. The mother of the little girl, who said her daughter's name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter Courtney missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up.

When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military-looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it. After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, 'I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you.' He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying 'your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon.'

The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet, he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event.

As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around, there were very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier in one last act of selflessness, turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.

We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices. It's good to be an American.

There is a video that has been going around the internet for the last year called "Remember Me" that was put together by a 13 year old girl named Lizzie Palmer. It has subsequently been one of the most played video's on You Tube with over 21 million views and was even featured on Fox News. I played it at the Hearts To Heroes event last year and it is a part of the Hearts To Heroes DVD. Click Here to view "Remember Me".

I encourage us all to take just a moment with our families this Christmas to honor those that are standing in the gap for us as we are free to safely spend this time with our loved ones.

Merry Christmas to All of our Armed Forces and May God Bless and Protect You.

If you find yourself looking for something to do after that big Christmas dinner, go to www.cyclerides.com and check out the All Ride Photos tab and the Videos tab. I have just updated both. You can also click the Archives tab to review past newsletters that you might have missed. This should keep you busy for quite a while.

This Week's Bike Night Events

Tuesday Nights

Chandler Harley-Davidson Two Wheeled Tuesdays.

Take a ride on a Tuesday Night to the Chandler HD Bike Night at the Tilted Kilt. Bike night is every Tuesday night with food and drink specials, but Chandler Harley will be doing a special with live music the first Tuesday of every month. Enter drawing to win door prizes and gift certificates. For November, look forward to another special night at the Kilt. There will be Raffles, Vendors, Bike Competition, Portable Dyno Competition. Watch next week for weekly event specials. Bike night hosted at the Tilted Kilt in Tempe located at 660 W. Warner Rd.

Thursday Night

Chester's Harley-Davidson Hooters & Harleys Thursday Bike Night. Join Chester's Harley-Davidson as they start their new Bike Night at Mesa Hooters located at 6730 E. Superstition Springs Blvd. Just South of U.S. 60 on Superstition Springs Dr. Specials, 1/2 off appetizers. Raffles and Games. Biker Punch Cards. Ride from the dealerships at 5:30pm. Chester's HD is located at 922 S. Country Club in Mesa. For more information call 480-894-0404.

The Bike Night At The Billet Bar. 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.

Every Saturday and Sunday

Western Trails Ranch to Re-Open January 4th for Bike Weekends with live music on Saturday's and Sunday's. More details to follow.

Harold's Cave Creek Corral Bike Weekends. This is the patio that we have all been waiting for in Cave Creek. The new 4000 Sq. Ft. patio at Harold's is finally finished complete with misters, TV's and an outdoor bar. There is plenty of room to put some tables together and hang out with your riding group for breakfast, lunch or the cold beverage of your choice.
Saturday: Every Saturday Patio Party 12-5. 50% off appetizers (under $10). Drink Specials, $2.00 Bud / Bud light Bottles, $3.00 16oz Bud / Bud Light Aluminum Bottles & Widmer Hefeweizen Pints. $3.00 Margaritas, Sunrise, etc.. (new cuervo flavors; lime, orange, & pineapple)
Sunday: Every Sunday. All you can eat Breakfast Buffet $8.99 (from 8am - Noon). Live Music from 2-6.
Sunday's are SERVICE INDUSTRY DAY (from 8am to close). Are you in the Service Industry. Golf, Hotel, Restaurant, etc. Show us your check stub & receive 20% off your entire bill because we appreciate all that you do.
(not valid on already discounted items)
You can also choose from their full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu every day of the week. Plenty of new motorcycle parking right in front of the patio. A great destination patio for your weekend rides. Harold's is located at 6895 E. Cave Creek Rd., in Cave Creek. 480-488-1906. There are still no tickets being given for DB violations. Just continue to keep the noise down as much as possible when riding through Carefree.

Every Sunday

The Popular Sugar Daddy's Sunday Biker Brunch. Voted Best Brunch in Phoenix New Times 2006. Sugar Daddy's is under new ownership and is undergoing a half million dollar makeover. The outdoor patio is being completely upgraded with new granite table tops and will be available for the new $9.00 all you can eat brunch. Sundays from 10am - 4pm. Live Music from 10am - 2pm.
Enjoy the patio with $2 mimosa's, $4 Skye Bloody Mary's.
Buffet includes: French Toast, Fruit, Eggs Benedict, Potatoes, Rice Veggies, Salad, Pasta Salad, Chicken Marsala, Biscuits and Gravy and much more. Sugar Daddy's is located at 3102 N. Scottsdale Rd. in Scottsdale. 480-970-6556.

There is one gift idea that I didn't have in last week's letter. The 2007 Hearts To Heroes DVD. This is a 90 minute professionally edited video of the entire day including the 60 minute program inside CCV and the ride around PIR. The cost is only $12 which includes shipping and a ride pin or 2 for $22 including shipping and a ride pin. If you have a loved one in the service, send them one to show them how we support them here in Arizona. Will Ship Same Day You Order!
Click Here to Order.

Some of these you might have seen before, but they are still funny. It is four commercial clips edited together. Very amusing. Click Here to View.

For those of us that still like to call Christmas, Christmas. You will get a kick out of this. Click Here to View.

I guess the new craze in extreme sky diving is the Wing Suit. This video gives you and up close look at this new craze. It will keep you glued to the screen for 2 minutes. Click Here to View.

If you want a laugh, this is a good place to start. Especially if you like dry English humor. I think this guy is playing the part of a cross between an attorney and a politician, which is scary. He is explaining why the front of a an oil tankers front fell off. Satire at its finest. Click Here to View.

I'm not sure what kind of flying contraption this is. But it is different. Click Here to View.