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Greetings Riders,

As I look to the date above, it is hard to believe that we are already into the last month of 2008. It is amazing how time flies as you get older. Now if we could just figure out a way to get the odometer on our motorcycles to spin that fast, we would all be happier. And speaking of time going by, last month marked the beginning of the 10th year for Cyclerides.com. With that in mind, I decided to come out with a fresh new T-Shirt design to kick off the 10th year. Click Here to View the new design. In the Summer of 2009 I will introduce the 10th Anniversary T-Shirt with a cool Southwest riding landscape design on the back along with a huge party to commemorate 10 years of Cyclerides.com promoting the positive side and the joy of motorcycle riding in the Southwest and beyond. The new shirts will be available next week. If you would like to reserve your shirt prior to them going in the online store, email me if you would like Long Sleeve or Short, and what size. I will then make sure to get those sizes printed. Send to info@cyclerides.com
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While we are adding things up, this is the 6th year for the Cyclerides.com Toys To Kids ride. As I look back, this event has literally been all over the Valley. The first 2 years started in Fountain Hills and went to Rawhide. For those of you that went to the second one, I'm sure you will remember how cold it was and that we were greeted with rain for the ride home. Year 3 went to Murphy Park in Glendale with year 4 going from Steele Indian School Park with nearly 1500 riders making our way down I-10 to Santa's Theme Park at Firebird Raceway. Last year was to be at Westgate in events plaza, but due to heavy rains, we had to move it to the parking garage of the Renaissance Hotel where over 300 riders still showed up to make sure that their were plenty of gifts. I was humbled by the loyalty and support and will never forget that one.

As you can see, we have been all across the Valley with this event, but the one constant has been the kids. The theme of this ride from the start was to be able to bring the riders and the kids together to show them what a giving group of people we are, and to make a day for them that they will always remember. Every year, I hear from the teachers that this is one event that the kids always look forward to. In fact, the school is actually using this to promote good behavior from the students. There are 100 children that will be attending this year's event and they were chosen by the teachers based upon their Attitude, Attendance and Grades.

There has always been change with this event and this year will be a little different too. To keep the event no charge for everyone to attend, I decided to make it a Toy Ride-In. We just ask for one toy per person donation. Westgate City Center has made available the Events Plaza next to the fountains for us to park the bikes, have the entertainment, stack the toys and accommodate the kids. This makes it possible to be less of a financial burden on everyone and give all available resources to the kids. Here is how the day will look:

Starting at 9am you and your groups can start arriving to park in the events plaza on both sides of the street until the area is full, then parking will be in the lot just East of the fountains. Saddle Ranch Chop House Restaurant will have a buffet available that will include a complete breakfast than includes orange juice and coffee for a total of $8.99 per person. Saddle Ranch is located right next to where we will be having the event and has a huge patio where you can dine and enjoy the music and fountains.

At 10:45am the 100 underprivileged and homeless children from the Children's First Academy will arrive and assemble in front of the stage and toys to our thunderous applause as the walk in. This should be a great moment for all of these kids to feel appreciated so much in a time when moments like that do not come around that often. Most of you have heard about the closure of the Pappas Schools last spring and were wondering where all of those kids would go to school. A new charter school was started called Children's First Academy and those kids were taken in by them. Most of the staff from Pappas transferred as well to continue taking care of these kids that have no where else to go. I personally went to visit the new school a couple of weeks ago and was extremely impressed with what they were doing with the new location a couple of blocks away from the former location. It looks as though they are making this a comfortable situation for all involved. Click Here to learn about Children's First Academy.

At 11:00am the program and entertainment will begin. I have a children's choir from Litchfield Park that do performances all over the valley. They are EXCELLENT! We have a Circus type entertainer who juggles, rides a unicycle and is entertainment for children and adults alike. And the star of the show and what has become a Toys to Kids tradition, Bret Kaiser as ELVIS will rock us and the kids to close out the show. The kids will then be allowed to pick out their toys from the stacks of toys in front of the stage. Click Here for toys to bring. THIS JUST IN!. The Children from Children's First Academy have asked if they could do a song to thank you for what you are doing.

At 12:30pm, Westgate is sponsoring a "Big Air Freestyle Motocross" show. This will be a 20 minute show of motorcycles doing tricks high in the air from ramp to ramp including the now famous flips in mid air. These guys are a lot of fun to watch. This performance will be taking place right next to where the Toy Ride event will be. Just walk over and enjoy the free show. So ride your bike, have the rest of the family drive the car and make it a family day at the Cyclerides.com Toys to Kids Ride-In.

I really think this is going to be a great event and just as exciting as the rest of them. I would encourage you to get your riding chapters together, meet and a pre determined location and ride to Westgate together. Enjoy breakfast or just walk around Westgate City Center and enjoy the Christmas decorations and festive atmosphere that will be there that day. I would encourage everyone to invite their families that are not riding to drive to Westgate to participate in the event. It is great for your own kids to see. Then stay and watch the FMX Supercross show immediately after.

All logistics and preparation for the event have now taken care of and Saturday is supposed to be a beautiful warm day. Thanks to all who have donated their time and money to help make this happen.
I look forward to seeing you there.

CLICK HERE FOR FLYER
When: Saturday, December 6th
Where: Westgate City Center Events Plaza located on S.E. Corner of the Loop 101 and Glendale Ave.
Time: Breakfast starting at 9am at Saddle Ranch located next to event stage.
Kids Arrive at 10:45 am. Show starts at 11am. Freestyle Motocross starts at 12:30pm.
Cost: One Toy and Optional bag of hygiene products.

Bike Nights This Week
Wednesday Night

NEW!!

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

NEW!!
Dirty Doggs Thursday Bike Night presented by Renegade Classics. This Thursday night is the big drawing!! 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. To kick it off; Renegade Classics will raffle off a $200 Gift Certificate on Thursday December 4th. 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.

This Week

Saturday, December 6th
Cyclerides.com Toys To Kids Ride-In. Plan to attend the always popular Cyclerides.com Toys To Kids Event. This year the event will be a Ride In. Get your Riding Groups, Clubs and Chapters together, pick a location to meet, strap a toy to your bike and ride to Westgate City Center Events Plaza in Glendale where we will have 100 underprivileged and homeless kids bussed in to receive your gifts and enjoy some good Christmas entertainment. Here is how the morning will look:

The toys that Children First are looking at would include: Bead sets, Art Sets, Sports equipment, Remote Control Car, Easy bake ovens, Play dough sets, Portable CD players, Color Wonder play sets, Kinex, Legos, Please no dolls or bratz dolls. If you are looking for more than giving the kids one toy. We would like a new book for each child, hygiene items and a sweatshirt."

CLICK HERE FOR FLYER

When: Saturday, December 6th
Where: Westgate City Center Events Plaza located on S.E. Corner of the Loop 101 and Glendale Ave.

Time: Breakfast starting at 9am at Saddle Ranch located next to event stage.

Kids Arrive at 10:45 am. Show starts at 11am. Freestyle Motocross starts at 12:30pm.
Cost: One Toy and Optional bag of hygiene products.

December 5-7
Tour the WW2 B-17G Flying Fortress "Aluminum Overcast". Anyone out there fans of the old WW2 Warbirds?. If so, this is your chance to take a tour of the beautifully restored B-17G Flying Fortress “Aluminum Overcast.” This aircraft is an example of the American heavy bomber that helped turn the tide of battle in World War II. If you really want the full experience, EAA is offering historic flight experiences in its beautifully restored B-17G. Fly a mission back in time and feel the might of this magnificent aircraft, just as those brave young men did more than 50 years ago. Tour the B-17 for $5 per person or $15 for the whole family. Or take that once in a lifetime ride for as low as $399 with pre registration. $425 day of event. You can even stretch out the payments over 4 months. This will all take place at Deer Valley Airport located at 702 W. Deer Valley Rd. in Phoenix. Plane will be parked near terminal. Click Here for more information. Click Here to schedule a flight.

Sunday, December 7th
36th Annual 2008 Kicks 4 Kids Toy Run. Phoenix's Longest Running Christmas Charity Toy Event is back for 2008, Sunday December 7th , the 36th 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 escorted by Phoenix P.D. & Arizona DPS 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, Music and Complimentary Lunch supplied by the Elks. 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 7th, at 8am for the 36th Annual 2008 Kicks 4 Kids Toy Run and let's make 2008 our biggest year yet. For more info please contact David Perkins at 480-446-0306 or email at djphatt@cox.net.