Cyclerides.com Weekly Update

Well, 2009 is finally coming to an end. For some, '09 has been a good year, but for a lot of people, it will go down as one of the more challenging years we have seen in a very long time. I for one am more the happy to watch the ball drop on this one, turn the page on the calendar, start a new decade with a fresh attitude, believe that we have seen the worst and things HAVE to get better. Let's hope so.

As I was sitting down today to write the last Cyclerides.com Newsletter of 2009 and leave you with something profound, I looked at my closing comments from a couple of years ago, and found that they still hold true today. Even though I tried to freshen it up, I found that I really couldn't add much. Enjoy.

Isn't it amazing how the change of a calendar page can have such a significance? Every year I have these great ideas of how things are going to be different or how I am going to do things different simply because the calendar has turned to another year. It can sometimes be a good demarcation to set a timetable to do things differently or reset goals, but it really comes down to the fact that it is just 24 hours removed from the day before in 2009. Nothing has really materially changed. You still have the same job you might not care for, the same boss you would rather not see again, the same extra 20 pounds that won't seem to go away and maybe even the same spouse that could use a tune up.

What I have found over the last 50 years is that it is not the rolling over of the calendar that is going to make a difference. It is the changing of our own mindset and attitude that will ultimately make things better. I read someplace that we have 2 choices when we wake up in the morning. We can decide that it is going to be a good day, have a positive attitude and make the best of it that we can. Or we can decide that it is going to be a bad day, begin with a negative attitude that will set that course of action for the day. If you start the day with the glass half full, instead of half empty, your boss might even seem nicer, that 20 pounds might only seem like 10, or your spouse might even start responding kinder. No matter how hard it might seem, take control of your own day by sowing some kindness to those who might not expect or necessarily deserve it and see what happens. Give it at try.

Being an avid rider and one that enjoys seeing our country from the seat of a motorcycle, a good mental health moment for me is just to stop and take a few minutes for daydreaming. One of my favorite things is to browse a map to see places that we haven't been, to look at old ride photos on the site, or when I'm sitting in traffic, start planning that next big journey in my mind and imagine how it might be. I love this quote by Albert Einstein, "Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions." I would encourage everyone who has been thinking about getting on that motorcycle for a good long trip on the open road to start imagining that today, and don't miss the opportunity to finally make it happen. Click Here for plenty of ideas to get you going.

January 1st can also act as a line in the sand that can wipe the slate of the last year clean in our minds, it gives us the opportunity to finally let go of our mistakes by labeling them as learning experiences and motivate us to regroup, refresh, and use those lessons to get the new year off to a good start.

And finally, I would sincerely like to thank everyone who uses Cyclerides.com as your primary resource for motorcycling rides and events. Your incredible loyalty and support of the site and our events is extremely humbling and is greatly appreciated. I look forward to bringing you many fun events and great riding experiences over the next year. I wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year, Safe Riding and Blessings for a great 2010. May you make many new deposits into your memory bank of life as you ride this year.

Stay tuned to the newsletter for some new and exciting events that I am working on for the first part of this new year. If you know someone that would like to take the newsletter, tell them to go to THIS LINK to sign up.

Can't ride and looking for something to do to kill some time over the weekend? Check out the All Ride Photos on Cyclerides.com or the New Photos Page on SmugMug that I am adding new photos and video to all the time. Want to read past newsletter? Go to the Archives Page for newsletters back to 2002.

Recommended Viewing.

I took a flight up to Sedona on December 22nd, the day after they got 4 inches of snow and was able to get some great photos of the area with fresh snow covering on the Red Rocks. For the best viewing, go to the following link and then click the Slideshow button in the upper right and when you get to that page click on Fast in the upper left and let the slideshow begin. This shows the photos full screen. These are spectacular photos of Sedona from the air. Click Here to View.

I also have one photo that I have singled out that I am now using as the desktop photo for Windows. Click the following link. When the picture loads, right mouse click on it and the click "Set As Background" to make it your desktop background. It is a large photo so it should work well for any monitor. Click Here to View.

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.

Bike Night Thursday at McDuffy's in Peoria. Ride by the newest Bike Night on the West side.

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. 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

Jan 1st - New Years Day - Celebrate New Years with the "Heymakers" 3pm to 7pm "Rockabilly" 3pm should give you enough time to get over your hangover.

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.

No Events this week.

Saturday, January 9th, 2010

Chester's Harley-Davidson Dyno Day. Have you ever wondered how much horsepower you have when you are fully loaded and trying to pass those cars on a slow 2 lane road? It seems like never enough! But now you can find out how much you have and where you need to be to get around those cars in plenty of time. Stop by Chester's HD on Saturday, January 9th for a FREE Baseline Run on our Dyno and let us tell you how much Torque and Horsepower your motor is producing. While you are there, enjoy FREE Food and Live Music at the "Party on the Patio". You can also take advantage of 10% off on Performance Parts purchased during the event with service scheduled. For the entire month of January you can get your new tires for the season with the Chester's Metzler Tire Blowout. Tires starting as low as $90.00. Stop by Chester's Harley-Davidson from 10am - 3pm on Saturday, January 9th for all of the fun. Chester's HD is located at 922 S. Country Club Dr. in Mesa, AZ. 480-894-0404.

Saturday, January, 9th

Crashing sucks! Benifit for Marcus Vincent. This is a benefit poker run for a local injured rider. Marcus Vincent, father and Husband injured in a MC accident in Phx. Runs starts at Curly's custom's located at 12030 N. 111th ave Youngtown Az. Sign in at 8:00am on Sat. Jan. 9th. There will be a total of 5 stops ending at The Loft Again, 15015 N. Cave creek rd. in Phx. Cost is $10 entry fee. Extra card available for $5 Prizes include High hand, Kramer Electric guitar Autographed by David Lee Roth! Low hand = $100 gift certificate to Curly's customs. There will be door prizes, 50/50 raffle. Food and drink will be available at The Loft Again.

Extras

Post your ride photos on the front page of the Cyclerides.com Facebook.

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 1450 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.

The new issue of the Biker Information Guide is now out.

Stop by your local motorcycle shop to pick one up and check out my recent Day Ride article.

There are a lot of creative people in this world. See how these people ski without a boat, or a lake for that matter.

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. There is 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.

This is an amazing jet boat race video. I don't know how he makes these turns this fast and keeps the boat in the water.

Click Here to View

Video of the Week

In light of recent breaches to National Security, I thought I would end the year with the Video of the Week this classic of Robert DeNiro on SNL. It is and absolutely hilarious LOL skit. Click Here to View. Click on the Video of the Week graphic on the page.

Until Next Week,
Blessings and Safe Riding To All,

Barry Caraway
"The Road Is Yours - Take The Ride"
www.cyclerides.com
info@cyclerides.com