Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
12/31/08
 

Greetings Riders,
 
I don't know about you, but I am glad to be turning the page to 2009. Not necessarily because it was a terrible year personally, but because it was a bad year for the country as a whole. The mental torture of 2008 was the likes that I haven't seen for a long time. Seems like this entire year we were constantly getting pounded with negativity. It started with the presidential election banter between Obama, Clinton and McCain, then plummeting housing values, bank collapses, stock market crash, depression talk, auto makers failure, massive layoffs, Wall Street corruption, 50 billion dollar ponzi schemes, terrorist strikes in India and of course the shocking announcement that Clay Aiken is gay! That last one wasn't exactly breaking news. But just when you thought you had heard the worst, something else seemed to trump that to be even more unthinkable or bizarre. Who would have ever thought that the stock for XM/Sirius radio, the largest satellite radio provider in the world, would be selling for 12 cents per share? The only real good news to close out the year is that gas prices have fallen from $4.20 to $1.39 per gallon dropping the fill up on my Road Glide from $21 to $7.
 
Even at my age, 2008 still taught me a few things. For Example, when your wife shows you what she got  your Mother-In-Law for Christmas, don't respond with How Much? Maybe go with something a little less intrusive like; "If I were on Let's Make a Deal and wanted the most expensive gift, would I take the Refrigerator/Freezer behind door #1 or your Mother's gift behind door #2? That still gets the point across, but not like a 2x4 across the head. Another little nugget of Christmas shopping is if you found that great deal on a tennis bracelet, don't procrastinate. It could very easily turn into a tennis racket when someone else buys it.
 
What I have found over the last 50 years is that rolling over of the calendar is a good line in the sand to start a new line of thinking, but that one event is not going to make the 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 and 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 extra pounds might only seem like 10, or your spouse might even start responding kinder. 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.
 
So with all of the negative press and events that seemed to be joy killers throughout the last year, let's take this opportunity with our first day of a new year to replace this negative news with a positive thought of where your big riding trip will be this year, put the old news behind us and swing for the fences in 2009.
 
There are several ideas I have for the site, but I would like to hear from you! I would like to hear from you as to what you would like to see on the site, what subjects you might like me to write about, new sections on the site, poll subject ideas or whatever constructive feedback you would like to give me. There are no right or wrong suggestions, I would just like to get an idea of ways to improve the site and accommodate more of your interests. Let me hear from you. Email your comments to info@cyclerides.com and they will be taken into consideration. If you don't currently get the Cyclerides.com Weekly Newsletter at your own email address and would like to sign up, Click Here. 

WISHING YOU A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!
Thank YOU for your support of Cyclerides.com


  

Bike Nights This Week
 
Wednesday Night 

Sandbar Mexican Grill Wednesday Bike Night. Ride by the Sandbar Mexican Grill this Wednesday night where the patio instantly sweeps you away to a tropical island paradise as thatch and tin roofs cover the bar. Sit on one of the many high topped tables on the sandy beach or sit at the palapa bar outside and watch TV while listening to music. Or go inside to the dining area featuring a huge bar with 30 HDTV's to choose from around the room all decorated in an island beach theme. Sandbar has a great menu of Mexican food and will be featuring build your own burrito's for $5.00. Choose any ingredients you want off the menu, pack them into your burrito all for $5.00. There will also be $2.00 off ALL Drinks which makes domestic bottles $2.00 and Margarita's $4.00. Ride by this Wednesday night to check out the Sandbar Wednesday Bike Night. Motorcycle Parking Only will be blocked off in front of the restaurant. Click Here to see Photos and details.  Click Here for Sandbar Web Site. 

Thursday Night 

Dirty Doggs Thursday Bike Night presented by Renegade Classics. The Dirty Dogg Saloon and Renegade Classics of Phoenix announce the start of a Thursday Night Bike Night called Holiday Happy Hour’s for the month of December.  Each week a lucky winner will receive a Renegade Classics Gift Certificate along with door prizes, drink specials and of course the Dirty Dog Girls.  The hours are 8-10; the Dirty Dog is located on the Southeast Corner of Shea and Scottsdale Road –480-368-8095.  Renegade Classics is located at 3102 East Cactus Road in Phoenix and more information can be seen at www.renegadephoenix.com.
 
Chester's Harley-Davidson Bike Night at Dos Gringos Mesa. Ride by the New Dos Gringos Mesa located on the northwest corner of Greenfield and Baseline in Mesa.  Dos is sure to make an impact and add some flare to the east valley. Enormous patio, complete with its own outdoor bar and separate dining areas on each side. Dos is a casual neighborhood hangout with great food and cold cervezas. Feel free to dine at one of our four tops, relax at one of the booths lining the edge or just belly up to the bar. Click Here to View. There will be drink and food specials and Raffles and Fun from Chester's Harley-Davidson. Ride with Chester's from the dealership at 5:30pm every Thursday located at 922 S. Country Club Dr. in Mesa. 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. 

Next Week 

Saturday, January 10th
Chester's Harley-Davidson Military Days. Please join us Saturday, January 10th as we ride to raise awareness and funds for the corporal Mays Memorial Fund. It is the mission of the Buffalo Soldiers MC Club and the Cpl. Mays Memorial Fund to build a memorial at the State Capital, and to get the burial place of this amazing hero changed to Arlington Cemetery in Washington, D.C. His remains presently lay near trash dumpsters, alone in an area located behind a hospital parking lot, locked behind a chain link fence. Join the fight to get Isaiah Mays's remains moved to its rightful place in Arlington Cemetery. Cpl Isaiah Mays was a Buffalo Soldier and the Recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Nations Highest Military Award.
 
Staging is at 10AM at Chester's Harley-Davidson located at 922 S. Country Club Dr. in Mesa, AZ. Ride to AZ State Hospital Cemetery leaves at 10:30am. Celebration luncheon at Chester's from Noon - 2pm. Live Music with Karl Huff and the Insight Band. $5 donation appreciated. For more information call Chester's HD at 480-894-0404 or visit www.buffalosoldiersaz.com .
 
Sunday, January 11th
Benefit for Tony "T-Bone" Mei. Tony was involved in a MC accident when a van pulled out in front of him at 40 mph.The guy who hit him has no insurance.Tony has suffered severe facial lacerations, with broken bones in his face, collar bone, and feet. Tony is now being forced to pay the majority of the cost because the other guy had no insurance and it was not Tony's fault. Any help will be much appreciated. Live Auction starts at Noon at Ramjet Racing 13207 N. Cave Creek rd Phx, AZ. They will have Free Food, Free Raffles and a DJ. For more call the shop at 602-788-0364. 

Extras 

This guy named Uncle Jay has a very humorous look at 2008 using Christmas carol tunes to explain the past year. A good watch. Click Here to View.
 
If you have forgotten why you moved to Arizona from back East, or are contemplating the move. This video will remind you why. Click Here to View. 

Need a little something to spice up your life? Some of you may have seen parts of this before. But this is an extended version that still leaves me amazed at what these guys are doing with these wing suits. This is one that you will probably watch more than once. Click Here to View. 

This is one of those videos that are so stupid it is funny. About 2/3 of the way through it you will be wondering why you are watching it, but you can't shut it off. Click Here to View.
 

Until Next Week,
Blessings and Safe Riding To All,
 
Barry Caraway
"The Road Is Yours - Take The Ride"
www.cyclerides.com
info@cyclerides.com

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