Cyclerides.com
Weekly Update
12/2/09
Greetings Riders,
Well, here we are into the home
stretch of 2009. Hard to believe this year has only 29 days left before we enter
the second decade of the new millennium. Amazing to me how fast the
days go by as you get older. Doesn't seem like that long ago we were all talking
about Y2K and how our computers were going to vaporize in front of our eyes. Now
with all of the social networking, internet, email and text messaging, we
can't keep our eyes off of the computer screens. No wonder the time goes so
fast. You can set down in front of the computer, surf for a while, and next
thing you know an hour is gone. As I write this, I'm starting to see that I am
actually contributing to the problem. So if you need to exit from the real world
for a while and into a virtual ride, go to www.cyclerides.com and click on
All Ride Photos, where you will find over 10,000 ride photos, dozens of
videos and 10 years worth of Archived newsletters to get you through the winter.
Since I have mentioned the social
networking, I would like to invite everyone that uses facebook to
become a "Fan" of the Cyclerides.com Facebook and post a picture of you 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 1375 other motorcycle
enthusiasts. Go to the Cyclerides.com Facebook at http://budurl.com/CycleridesFB.
Even if you don't have a facebook account, you can still go view the photos and
video on the page.
NOTE: If you were on vacation and missed last
week's newsletter about the upcoming Cyclerides.com Toys To Kids Event
on Sunday, December 13th, PLEASE Click Here to read. I
am really excited to be able to put this on again this year. The kids from the
Children First Academy need it more than ever, and I'm sure we could all use an
opportunity to give a little of what we have to make a child's day a little
better. I just came across this video report done last week by TV 12 about
Children First Academy, the homeless school that will be bringing the kids. This
really lets you see who you are helping with this event. Click Here to
View. Rawhide is opening up
special for us this day. And there will also be the big Rawhide
Rumble Classic and Hot Rod Car Show going on at Rawhide the same
day. Load up the car and bring the whole family. Grandma, Grandpa, kids,
Everybody. The more the merrier. Bikes will be parked on the Main Street in
Rawhide. See you there. Click Here for Flyer. See
details below.
I went on the Arizona Republic web site this
week to read the article about the possibility of dropping the requirement for
motorcycles to go through emissions. The Arizona Department of
Environmental Quality asked federal authorities this month to exempt motorcycles
from the emissions testing program in the Phoenix area, the only big city where
bikes must meet smog limits. The Legislature passed a bill in 2008 to let
the state drop motorcycle emissions tests if the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency approved the request by July 1, 2010. This appears to be a good thing for
motorcyclists, and does no damage to the environment. All good, right? Not if
you read the discussion board just below the article.
I thought I got out on the motorcycle a lot, but
I guess I have not been paying attention to the folks. According to
some of these comments, motorcycle riders, ALL of us, rank right below
scum of the earth. I was really shocked how an article on dropping motorcycle
emission tests could degrade so fast to motorcycle hate. This is the
primary reason I don't have a message board on Cyclerides.com. You can regulate
who gets to post by a login and password, but you can't regulate intelligence. I
will link to the article all posts below, but here are a few of the quotes from
the message board.
"Just give them a decibel test. There are
too many insecure little boys riding around on them who think the only way they
can attract attention (other than with their tattoos) is with motor
noise."
"Everyday I see some scurvy looking dude
fiddling with his bike while he's at an intersection because the thing is so out
of tune that they can barely Idle."
"I hate being woken up by a guy who
lives down the street from me who is trying to compensate for "down there" who
has nothing better to do than to rev his engine all day long. I'll ok the emissions test bypass if they make it a
requirement that if you own a motorcycle, you have to be a registered Organ
donor."
"You can thank most of the wannabe bad as
s HD riders for our lousy image. At least they only ride on the weekends, is it
really necessary to hear your bike from a mile away?"
Believe me, there are bad apples in every group
or fabric of society. I've seen members of church that I wouldn't
trust with my wallet, but that doesn't make the whole congregation bad. Same
with motorcycles. There are a few that have set the tone for the whole rider
world, but that doesn't make ALL motorcycle riders bad. But in the eyes of the
general public, even though we are probably the biggest giving group there
is, it appears we have some PR work to do.
And this one is my favorite quotes of the bunch.
No "grey area" for this girl.
"Any bad image is collective from ALL who
represent themselves as riders of motorcycles, who (also) act
without regard for other members of society. Includes those idiots riding
wheelies in traffic, riding in and out of traffic, as well as the outlaw groups
which flaunt lawbreaking as their preferred activity (which helped generate THE
phrase, some 50 yrs ago)."
So according to this brain surgeon, if you ride
a motorcycle, you are guilty by association. Hmmmm. . . Wonder if she knows that
the guy that signs her paycheck every week rides a motorcycle? This
is why I don't have a message board. The conversation started out as emission
testing and ended up as loud pipes and bad citizens. And as they always do, I'm
sure it will end up with talking about Obama and illegal's. Click Here for
Complete article and Comments.
On the November 4th episode of Southpark, they
did the whole show on motorcycle riders. As usual, it was on the
edge, not politically correct at all, and especially harsh on Harley
riders. In fact, they even wanted to change a derogatory name from one group and
give it to us. But if you have a sense of humor, it had some funny parts.
Consider the source. Here is one clip from that show we have all experienced on
either side of the fence at one time or other. Pretty funny actually. This 1
minute clip is called "Getting Away From It All". Click Here to
View. Click Here for the entire
episode.
Highlights This Week
Tuesday, December 1st - Saturday,
December 12th
You will find 15% off
from December 1st to December 12th on selected items.
Saturday, December 5th
Christmas
shopping done early while taking advantage of HUGE Store
Discounts
including
up to 40% OFF on selected items around the store. Event time 9am - 5pm.
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! RAFFLES! For
September Arrowhead Harley will be raffling off a set of "Games Riders Play".
Harley-Davidson Folding Domino's table, a Harley Gammon Board, a Poker Chip Set
and "Harleyopoly" Game set. Winner will be selected the last Bike Night in
September. Octobers raffle will be a complete "Harley Cooler" set. 2010 Models
will be on display.
Every
Weekend
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 thru 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, Buy 1
Mesquite Grilled Burger and Get One Free! Happy Hour all day, all Long
Necks including Imports $2.50. Plus Drink Specials.
Tuesdays, SOA
Bike Night! 6pm – 10pm come watch Sons of Anarchy on the big screen TV’s
in The New Ice House and enjoy other bikers. 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
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, December
5th, Live Entertainment 3pm to 7pm - “REWIND ROCKS” The Ranch. $4 off any Steak Dinner.
Sundays, Soft
Tacos, $2. choice of chicken, pork or beef.
This Week
Tuesday, December 1st - Saturday, December
12th
12 Days of
Christmas Sale. Arrowhead HD and Chandler HD present the 12 Days of
Christmas Sale. You will find 15% off from December 1st to December
12th on selected items. Each day will feature two categories of either
Motorclothes or Parts & Accessories for you to save big money on. These
items include Jewelry, Boots, Windshields, Helmets, All Leather, Jeans, Home
Decor Items, Screaming Eagle Products, Pet Products and MUCH MORE! This sale
takes place at both Chandler HD located at 6895 W. Chandler Blvd. and Arrowhead
HD located at 16130 N. Arrowhead Ftn. Ctr. Dr. in Peoria, AZ. See flyer for
details on when you can save on your favorite item. Click Here to View.
Saturday, December 5th
Toys For
Tots. Come out early and join in the
fun Saturday, Dec. 5th, 2009, 9am - 3pm. The MARINES and THE TEQUILA'S RIDERS
WILL BE BACK AT FUZZY'S SOUTHWEST SPORTS GRILL COLLECTING Donations!! Make A
Difference In A Child's Life This Year, Bring A Toy!! If you cannot make
the December 5th, day of fun, please bring your toys donations to fuzzy's
now! They have their donation box set up and they also have "TOYS FOR
TOTS" Trains you can buy for a buck. ALL PROCEEDS GO TO TOYS FOR TOTS!!!
Fuzzy's is located at the SW corner of Grand Ave. & Reems Rd. in Surprise,
AZ.
Saturday, December 5th
Arrowhead
Harley-Davidson and Chandler
Harley-Davidson Open House. Get your Christmas
shopping done early while taking advantage of HUGE Store Discounts including up
to 40% OFF on selected items around the store. Event time 9am - 5pm. FREE
Gift Wrap with any purchase. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at Arrowhead
Harley-Davidson from 10-12 and Chandler Harley-Davidson from 1:30-3:30. Please
bring your cameras with you if you'd like to take pictures. Santa and Mrs. Claus
will have candy canes and they look forward to seeing all the kids that have
been coming in to see them for the past 5 years. Chandler HD located at 6895 W.
Chandler Blvd. and Arrowhead HD located at 16130 N. Arrowhead Ftn. Ctr. Dr. in
Peoria, AZ.
Saturday, December 5th
13th Annual
Sunshine Acres Toy Run. Sponsored by The Salt River District MMA. All
proceeds benefit Sunshine Acres Children's Home. Registration from
7am - 9am at The Fraternal Order of Eagles located at 6209 E. Main St. in Mesa,
AZ. Pre-Registration $20/$30 couples. All groups and riders that would just like
to ride to Sunshine Acres meet at Toby Keith's Bar & Grill, 1065 Dobson Rd.
between 10:30am to Noon. Price includes Ride Pin and T-Shirts to the first 500
to register. Please bring an unwrapped toy for the kids.
Saturday, December 5th
Toys for
Tots Charity Run Presented by American Legion Riders - Post 35. Registration
is from 8:00am - 10:00am. Sign in at Skunk Motorsports, Inc.
202 W. Main Street in Mesa. Cost for Riders is $20.00 without a toy
and $15.00 with a toy. Passengers: $15.00 without a toy and
$10.00 with a toy. Ride pins for the first 100 participants. Paid
Ride includes: Ride lunch, Raffle Prizes and Music. More
information contact Jesse "Smog" Hendix hendrixjessee@cox.net or call
602-717-7545.
Sunday, December 6th
37th Annual
Kicks 4 Kids Toy Run. Phoenix's Longest Running Christmas Charity Toy Event is
back for 2009, Sunday December 6th , the 37th
Annual Kicks 4 Kids Toy Run will hit the streets to gather up new toys for
Greater Phoenix Toys for Tots. Star Riding and Touring Phoenix Chapter
#113 in conjunction with The Army Reserve NCO Council will be hosting. The event
begins at Phoenix F.O.P. Lodge #2 located at Sweetwater & 19th Ave with
sign-ups from 8am to 10am, Hot Beverages, Donuts and Breakfast Buffet will be
offered for purchase by the F.O.P. and a performance by the Arizona Precision
Motorcycle Drill Team. The ride will leave promptly at 10am down 19th to Cactus,
Cactus to I17, south on I17 to Grant Ave., east on Grant to 7th St., south on
7th to Elks Lodge #447. At the Elks the day's festivities will continue with the
Toy Collection and presentation. Donation is one Unwrapped Toy $5.00 minimum
value and Star Chapter #113 will be giving awards for Largest Club or
Organization, Best Decorated Bike, Trike & Sidecar Rig and of course Most
New Toys donated. So mark your calendars Sunday December 6th, at 8am for the
37th Annual 2009 Kicks 4 Kids Toy Run and let's make 2009 our biggest year yet.
For more info please contact Sarge at 602-576-0109.
Sunday, December 6th
Rusty Spur Saloon
7th Annual Charity Poker Run. All proceeds benefiting the Tim & Willy
Kid's FUN-Dation. Registration from 9:30am - 11:30am at the Rusty
Spur Saloon located at 7245 E. Main St. in Scottsdale, AZ. All cards in @ 6pm.
Drawings commence at 6:30pm. $25 Single/$35 Couple. Best hand wins $50, Worst
Hand $50. 50/50 Drawing, Raffles and more.
Sunday, December 6th
Cochise County
Choppers Toy Run. Registration starts 10:00am at
Cochise County Choppers 963 S. Highway 92 Bisbee, Az. Bikes leave at 12:00
noon, in parade formation for a nice ride through Bisbee, and then down to Naco,
Az. for a HUGE after party, with drinks, food, & we will be unveiling 2
bikes, that are being built right now. Call us if you need any more info.
(520)234-6402. ALL PROCEEDS GO DIRECTLY TO THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF
BISBEE!
Next Week
Saturday, December 12th
Rise From The
Ashes Poker Run. An event to help Kelly Rogers and Jason Sarratt of Hellcat
Customs recover from the losses sustained during a tragic fire.
Starts and ends at Roadrunner Saloon, 47801 N. Black Canyon Hwy. in New River.
$10 per person. Check in 7:30am - 9:00am. Kickstands up at 9am. Prizes for High
and Low hands. Roadrunner will have lunch special and breakfast available to
purchase. More information: smooooth@gmail.com .
Sunday, December 13th
Cyclerides.com Toys To Kids Event.
This was my first endeavor into organized rides and remains one of my favorite
Cyclerides.com events that I organize every year. And this year it
almost didn't happen. But for the kids sake, especially this year because the
needs are so great for these kids, I'm glad it came together. Thanks to Rawhide
for hosting the event this year and picking up the tab for the venue, food for
the kids and entertainment. As usual, this year we will be bussing in 100
children from Phoenix Children First
Academy, the largest homeless kids school in the nation, to
make it "Their Day" of entertainment, food and gifts. It is amazing to see these
kids that literally live day to day, eventually light up when they realize
that the riders came to support them, bring them gifts and show them that
this day is ALL about them. For some of these kids, these will be the only
gifts that they will get. Come share it with them. If you haven't done so
already, I invite you to watch this video from the 2006 Toys to Kids event.
Click
Here.
Here is the itinerary for the day.
9:00am - Gates to
Rawhide open for riders to arrive.
9:00am – Broken Spoke Bar
will be open for service in Wagon Wheel Plaza.
9:00am – 10:30am -
Breakfast will be served in Wagon Wheel Plaza featuring $5 breakfasts. So get
together your riding groups and head out early for
breakfast.
9:45am – 100 children Phoenix Children First
Academy arrive at Rawhide.
9:45am - 10:00am - Rawhide
Roughriders greet the children and take them for a tour of the
town, then entertain them at the Six Gun Theatre for an Old West
show.
10:45am – Kids arrive back at Wagon Wheel for lunch.
They will get their lunch and then sit in front of the stage.
11:00am
– 11:30am - Rawhide Entertainment on the Wagon Wheel
Stage.
11:30am – Kids get their presents.
11:45am - Riders are free to enjoy Rawhide, Eat Lunch and
go to the "Rawhide
Rumble" Car Show to see some of the baddest custom, classic and hot
rod cars in the valley. Admission to the car show, which is located right next
to the Old Town on a grass field is either 2 cans of food, an unwrapped toy or
$5. Automotive vendors will be set up at the show.
Not only will this be a Day to Remember for the
kids, it should also be a great day for all participants. You can
enjoy the town of Rawhide's shops, museum, eat lunch, watch a show at the Six
Gun Theatre and this year the added bonus of the Rawhide Rumble, a major Custom
and Hot Rod car show featuring over 300 cars. It should be a fun and
rewarding day. To learn more about Children First Academy, watch this
excellent short video report by KPNX TV 12 News in Phoenix. This
will really give you a feel for the kids that will be in attendance.
Click
Here to View. Thanks to Paul Yaffe of Paul Yaffe's Bagger
Nation for picking up the cost of the bus
transportation of the kids to Rawhide. If you would like to bring something else
for the kids, here is list of ideas. Click
Here.
Directions to Rawhide: Take
I-10 South to Exit 162. Go West to 48th St., Turn Left and go 2 blocks to you
see the Rawhide sign. Turn right and follow the signs around to the entrance. I
know the ride to Rawhide for some of you will be a long one, but hopefully your
participation in "making a difference" in a child's life, and the destination
will make it worthwhile. Bring the whole family. I want to thank everyone in advance for making this event a
success every year and for giving these kids a day to remember.
Sunday, December 13th
Sunriders Tucson
28th Annual Motorcycle Toy Parade. Come
join us on Sunday, December 13th for our 2009 Toy Parade
starting at Morris Udall Park at 7290 E. Tanque Verde and ending at
Beaudry RV on Irvington. Registration from 8:00 am to 11:30 am at Morris Udall
Park. Parade begins at 12:00 pm sharp. Cost of pre-registration: $10 plus a
toy Day of event: $15 plus a toy Walk in at Beaudry: $10 plus a toy. First 500
entrants get a run pin Raffle tickets $2.00 each. Raffle Prizes: First place is
$1,000, Second place is $500, Third to be announced at event. Run
shirts available day of event for $15.00 a piece.
Extras
Cyclerides.com
Facebook. Post a picture of you 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 1375 other motorcycle enthusiasts. Join 1375 other riders! I am inviting you to "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 go to the page, but
you will not be able to communicate. There will be a link there for you to sign
up for Facebook if you are inclined.
This is an extreme
sport that I have never heard of. This guys looks
like a living transformer. But I was mesmerized by the sport and scenery in this
video. Click Here to View. This road is
Grimselpass in Switzerland. Take a look at this great road from the air. Click
Here.
Video of the Week
Ok, I literally Laughed Out Loud on this one. What a hoot! Don't worry, it
is PG.
Click Here
to View. Click on the
Video of the Week graphic on the
page.
