Cyclerides.com Weekly Update
1/26/05
 
Greetings Riders,
 
We had a few days of beautiful riding weather in Arizona, I hope you all got out and enjoyed a little of it before the rains hit. Whatever happens here, it beats what I saw on the news that was happening back East. I'm sure riding a motorcycle is not even in the top ten of possible things to do right now. In last week's newsletter I did a story on the increase in women riders. If you missed it, Click Here. I asked women to email me a picture of them with their bikes. Several have submitted their pictures and you can now view them. Click Here. If you are a women rider and have a shot of you by your bike, email it to me at info@cyclerides.com to be included in the gallery.
 
I mentioned last week that I was working on a new event for March. Things are progressing on the plans and I would like to give you the overview of it now. We are all inundated with news reports of the war in Iraq and all of the hardships our soldiers encounter over there. I'm sure you have seen the conditions that our guys have to live in on a daily basis. Needless to say, the amenities that we take for granted here every day, are not available to them at all. I have often wondered how I could do something from here that would make even a little impact on helping our Soldiers that have to spend a year in a sand pit like Iraq. These guys have to leave their families for as much as 18 months at a time. I can't imagine how hard that must be. I haven't found any way to thank them for their sacrifice of being away from their families, getting injured or even losing their lives. But now I have found a way, and I hope a lot of you will participate too.
 
About 3 weeks ago, David Whitten from Packages From Home came to me with this story about Kathy Lewis from right here in Glendale that started a non profit 501 (c)3 organization called Packages from Home. He arranged a meeting with myself and Kathy Lewis, the founder of PFH, so that I could hear first hand what she was doing. I was so interested in this project that the meeting ended up being 2 hours as I wanted to hear every little detail about how she jumped in to help our troops. Here is the short version of how she got started in her own words.
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"Packages From Home began as a desire to aid my son Christian, who is proudly serving overseas with the United States Army at a place called Bashi located in the northern part of Iraq. To my dismay I found that my son and other soldiers were sleeping in a morgue, having only MRE's (Meal, Ready-to-Eat) for rations and no entertainment to pass the time. Christian was lacking the basics we take for granted such as laundry detergent, personal hygiene items, sheets and extra food and drink. Furthermore, there was no access to obtain any of these items on his own.
 
I sent a package to my son that included a few luxuries. While my son got his care package from Mom, many young men (this is a combat unit and has no female soldiers) had no family, or had come from backgrounds that were financially unable to help. It was extremely hard for me to think of my son having some of the luxuries of home while the soldier in the next bunk had nothing; as many have said my heart is bigger than my brain, I felt I had to do something.
 
I began to collect items these soldiers were asking for and received a great response. The problem I failed to see was cost of shipping. Shipping is expensive, about $1.25 per pound. Without some financial assistance I would be unable to continue. So I started Packages From Home, (PFH) is a 501(c)3 non-Profit organization to aid our Service Men & Women serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and Korea; allowing those serving without the means for “Life’s Little Luxuries” to obtain a little Piece of Home.”
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It was heart warming listening to the passion of a Mother wanting to do everything that she possibly could for her son that was 10,000 miles away living in a morgue in Iraq. Her passion was not only for her son, but for every other man and woman that are there risking their lives to protect us. It definitely touched me and at that point I knew I had found my way to help those men and women in ways that I didn't know that I could. At that point, we started planning the "Hearts To Heroes Ride" as a way to raise money for the postage to send needed and comfort items to our troops.
 
I don't have the details finalized on the end location at this time, but we will start the ride at CCV in the West Valley. This is a huge facility that can handle parking for several thousand motorcycles and cars. CCV will provide water and continental breakfast for all riders at the sign in. We will have static displays of military hardware that will lead us to our end location. CCV is also offering professional video services for a 5 minute video about Packages From Home with interviews from the troops, video of "packing parties"  and general information about PFH. This will be shown on two 20 foot screens inside. I would like to make this like a Toy Ride in that I will publish a list of items that you can bring that would be welcomed by the troops. There will also be a $10 donation that will be used for postage to send these items.
 
Living our cushy lives on U.S. soil, we don't realize how difficult it is to be a soldier, living in a tent on foreign soil, thousands of miles from home, while being a target for crazy extremists every day. I would like to give all of us the opportunity to hear the stories from those that have been there. At the end location we will have some men and women soldiers that have been in Iraq that will give us a first hand account of what is going on in Iraq, what it is like to be on the front line, and how we can make their lives a little better. I would even like to take some questions from the crowd. I am also working on a couple of Congressmen that have been to Iraq to give their account from a political point of view. There will also be a band that will entertain us with some patriotic music.
 
I am really excited to be organizing the "Hearts To Heroes Ride" and think this will be an incredibly rewarding time for all who attend. It will be an opportunity to help make the stay of our men and women in the armed forces a little easier and also help us understand the sacrifice that they are going through by hearing it first hand from those that have served. I would like to have everyone that rides in this event to have a flag attached to their bike to show their support for our Country. More information will follow in next week's letter with details on locations, date and times. It is penciled in to be on Saturday, March 5th, but that could change. I hope all of you can attend.
 
And Finally, here is a letter from one of the troops that has received a package from PFH. For more letters and information on PFH go to www.packagesfromhome.org .
 
"My name is Mark (Spc. Thomas) and I really just wanted to thank you SOOOOO MUCH for going out of your way and sending me and all my comrades TONS AND TONS of morale boosters! I can't even imagine how many thousands of dollars this all must have cost and we're all really just blown away. Food and showers are the main things that really contribute to our morale here, and if a group has low morale while being in a combat zone, I couldn't even imagine them making it through a whole year...It's already seemed like decades...Anyway what you have done has really given us strength and encouragement to endure, and we are really happy to do whatever our country asks of us. Thank you again for showing us how much our country is supporting us, it really changes that whole way we see things out here.
From our hearts to yours, Mark..."

In This Issue:
 
Check the Extras Column below for some information and funny videos.
Friday, January 28th. Bourgets of Arizona Grand Opening Party
Saturday, January 29th
Superstition Harley-Davidson's 2nd Annual Customer Appreciation Night
Sunday, January 30th - Arizona Freedom Rally
Sunday, January 30th - Tsunami Relief Benefit, 5 Bands...One Cause!
 

 
This Week's Events 
 
Wednesday
 
New!!!
Hooters at 1-17 and Bell Rd. Wednesday Bike Night. Starting on Wednesday, January 19th, from 6pm - 9pm, Hooters at I-17 and Bell will be hosting a new Bike Night. They will feature a "Ride In" Bike Show with weekly prizes for 1st - 3rd. And then, the third Wednesday of every month we will crown the Bike of the Month with a Grand Prize and will also be featured on Cyclerides.com as the "Bike of the Week". We will have $2 Bud, Bud Light, and Mich Ultra bottles. There will be 20% off of all food and merchandise when you ride in on your bike. Stop by the first night for loads of Raffle Prizes. There will be VIP Motorcycle Parking and you will be greeted at the front door by a Hooter's Girl waiting to give you your raffle ticket. Hooter's is located in the Bell Canyon Shopping Center at 2834 W. Bell Rd., West of I-17 on Bell Rd. 602-375-0000.  

Thursday Night

Thursday Night features 4 Bike Nights all over the Valley.

New!! For those of you in the far West Valley!!
You have been asking for it and now it is here.
Starting Thursday, February 3rd, Drivers Sports Grill will be hosting a new Thursday Bike Night. Drivers is located in Litchfield Park on the S.W. Corner of Indian School and Litchfield Rd. They feature a huge outdoor patio that holds 150 people as well as an indoor dining area with multiple TV's and a HUGE menu to choose from. You can park on the sidewalk or in coned off areas out front. There will be food and drink specials on Bike Night. Drivers is easily accessible from I-10 at the Litchfield Rd. exit. Stop by the first night, February 3rd from 6-10 PM for tons of giveaways and a display of the 2005 Saxon Motorcycles.  

Hooters at Arrowhead Bike Night. Every Third Thursday of the month Hooters is giving away a gift certificate for $1000 towards a custom paint job. Continues Giveaways and Raffles. Ride by and join in on the fun! Hooters will host a Bike Night every Thursday at the Hooters at Arrowhead located just 1 block S. of Bell on 83rd Ave. Stop by for some great food and Hooters Hospitality. There will be 20% off menu items (25% off with Cyclerides.com V.I.P. Card). $2.00 Corona Thursdays and plenty of parking next to the outdoor patio. Stop by for some giveaways and raffles from Hooters and Arrowhead Harley as well as great wings and fun at Hooters. Click Here to see Pictures and all the detailed information.

Casey Jones Grill Bike Night  Are You A Poker Player?? Make plans to play in National Pub Poker League "Texas Hold'em Tournament at Casey Jones. Tournaments at 7:00 and 10:00pm. Sign in starts at 6:00pm Thursday Nights. Ride in for what I call the Best Cheesesteak Sandwich in town. This thing melts in your mouth.  They have 3 new pool tables, darts and foosball. Located in the Mervyns Shopping Center on the SE corner of 43rd Ave. and Thunderbird Rd. Casey Jones is a great place for a bike night featuring a large outdoor seating and over 150 people inside. And for those of you that want to watch a sporting event they have 50 TV's scattered throughout the restaurant connected to satellite to get any game you can think of. They have a full menu for lunch, dinner and a Happy Hour from 11:00AM - 7:00PM and a reverse happy hour from 10:00PM - 12:00 Midnight. $1.75 domestic bottles and $2.00 Jacks. There are always a lot of bikes showing up for bike night at Casey Jones Thursday night. Join them for open mic night on Wednesdays. Sunday. You can always count on lots of bikes here.

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 right next to Genesis Custom Cycles 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 

New!!
Wild Willy's Weekend Bike Days in Cave Creek. Stop by for Live Music this weekend and every Saturday and Sunday from 2-5pm. This is the best place in Cave Creek for Food, Fun and Entertainment. Happy Hour every day from 11:00am -7:00pm featuring $2.00 domestics, $3.00 well drinks and $13.00 bucket of crabs. You can also choose from  Wild Willy's Extensive Menu with Appetizers, Salads, Sandwiches and Dinner Entrees. You will find Great Food, Great Service, Tasty Appetizers and Drinks at Wild Willy's. This is the best food menu I have seen in Cave Creek. Wild Willy's is formerly Fandango and is under new ownership. It has been remodeled and features a new bar with a giant TV screen, plenty of outdoor seating on the upper and lower patios, seating on the top deck for a great view of the mountains and the bikes riding by. The parking lot has been improved for easy navigation and sealed. Wild Willy's is located at 6032 E. Cave Creek Rd. in Cave Creek. More information at 480-355-6150.

Sunday

Sugar Daddy's Blues Biker Sunday Brunch.
Now is the perfect weather to be sitting out on the Sugar Daddy's patio, listening to Live Music while dining from the Brunch Menu. And Sunday Brunch Just Got Better! You now have 3 options to choose from. Option #1: Eggs Benedict – Grilled English muffins, smoked ham, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce.
Served with your chose of fresh fruit or crispy potatoes. ($8) or
Sugar’s Pancakes – You won’t eat pancakes anywhere else. Buttermilk pancakes served with butter and syrup. ($5)
Option #2: Can’t decide what to eat? How about an All-You-Can-Eat buffet for ONLY $12.
Option #3: Order off our regular menu.
Our 5,000 sq. ft. temperature controlled patio has six air conditioning units, misters, and plenty of shade. Sugar Daddy's patio, food and entertainment is becoming a regular Sunday stop. If you haven't tried it yet, give them a try. Complimentary coffee is now served. Make Sugar Daddy's Blues your stop on your ride down Scottsdale Rd. for
Brunch or Lunch from 10am - 4pm. Enjoy live music from 10am - 2pm Or maybe just relax on the patio with your favorite beverage and enjoy the beautiful weather and watch the bikes roll down Scottsdale Rd.  Click here to see the awesome pictures and details of Sugar Daddy's located at 3102 N. Scottsdale Rd. between Indian School and Thomas on the West side of the road. Stop by and check it out. A great place to hang out. Plenty of Bike Parking. If you have suggestions, email them at sugardaddysaz@aol.com . 480-970-6556.

This Week
 
Friday, January 28th
Bourgets of Arizona Grand Opening Party. For those of you that haven't heard, Bourgets of Arizona is Under New Ownership and Management. The new location is at 8355 E. Raintree Dr. in Scottsdale. Just 1/2 mile West of the Loop 101 on Raintree.
Stop by this Friday, January 28th for free appetizers and beverage from 4:00pm - 8:00pm. The Bourget show truck will be on site displaying a huge inventory of the very latest new Bourget Motorcycles.
Roger Bourget will also be there with his "Discovery Bike" signing autographs. Stop by for pictures with Roger and the Discovery bike. There will be daily Prizes and Giveaways at 5:30 pm. Prizes include: Free Bike Rentals, Leather Jacket, T-Shirts and Apparel, Duffle Bags and other items. The Bourget Show Truck will be there all week and the celebration will last through Saturday, February 6th.
Saturday, January 29th, join a ride with the Bourget crew. Meet at 11:30am for appetizers and beverages, ride begins at 1:00pm.
Wednesday, February 2nd. Ride to Mastro's with Roger Bourget. Space is limited, you must RSVP quickly for this event. Everyone is responsible for their own Dinner and Drinks.
For more information on any of these activities call 480-844-9200.
 
Saturday, January 29th
Superstition Harley-Davidson's 2nd Annual Customer Appreciation Night. Stop by Superstition Harley-Davidson in Apache Junction from 6pm to 9pm for our 2nd Annual Customer Appreciation Night! Take advantage of BIG savings on selected Harley-Davidson merchandise. 10-50% off selected MotorClothes Apparel, Leathers, Helmets, Boots, Gifts and Collectibles. All specials are limited to IN STOCK items only, and cannot be combined with any other Superstition offers. Don't forget about spectacular door prizes and spin the prize wheel when you spend a $100 or more in MotorClothes Merchandise - where you are always a winner! And that's not all- enjoy complimentary appetizers and beverages! With savings this good, you'll want to stock up at Superstition Harley-Davidson! Located at 2910 W. Apache Trail in Apache Junction. 480-346-0600.
 
Sunday, January 30th
Arizona Freedom Rally. This is where the motorcycle riders of Arizona put on a very visible show of support for the Right's of ALL Motorcyclists here in Arizona. This event is sponsored by ABATE, MMA and the ACMC. There are always several hundred motorcycles that show support. Sign in 9:00 AM, Parade Lines Up at 10:30 AM. Start at Park Central Mall - Central and Earl, Between Indian School and Thomas on Central in Phoenix. Parade to Wesley Bolin Plaza at 17th ave and Washington. Guest speakers are Senator Linda Aguirre, Doc Reichenbach, NCOM Chairman and Local Representatives From: ABATE-ACMC-MMA. For more information call Ray Huston at 602-402-8026 or Bobbi Hartmann at 602-243-9479. 
 
Sunday, January 30th
Tsunami Relief Benefit, 5 Bands...One Cause! Stop by Flicka's at 2003 N. Scottsdale Rd. from 2:00 - 9:00 pm and enjoy the music of Mogollon, Furious George, T.A.T.E., Uncle Sandwich and The Scones. There will be raffles, door prizes and a free food buffet. Come have fun for a good cause. All proceeds benefit The American Red Cross. For more information call 480-945-3618.
 
Next Week
 
Saturday, February 5th
Chili Lover Cookoff. Chili Cookoff located in Arlington on Old 80, SW of the Valley. Group ride leaves at 11am from 83rd Ave. and McDowell. $5.00 per adult or $2.00 per chili entry. $3.00 for kids. Live Music, Vendors, 50/50 and more. Cash prizes to the Best Chili Entries. To enter your chili contact Terrye at 623-826-5293.
 
Sunday, February 6th
A.B.A.T.E. Superbowl Poker Run. Poker Run sponsored by ABATE of AZ Phoenix Chapter. Sign-In from 9-10:30am at the Hometown Buffet at 2730 W. Bell Rd. in Phoenix. $10 per hand. $2 for extra cards drawn at last stop. 50/50 drawing and Door Prizes. Run Ends at The Branded located at 6411 N. 59th Ave. Last card drawn at 2:00pm. More information at Dwayne at 623-873-3460 or Clyde at 602-285-0366.
 
Extras
 
A lot of you might have heard the news that Harley-Davidson announced 2 mid year models and one 2006 model last week. HD announced a new 15 Year Anniversary Fat Boy, a new Sporster 883R model and a new 2006 VRSCR Street Rod. Click Here to read the full report and then go to Harley-Davidson to get the full multimedia treatment on these bikes.
 
SOME MOTORCYCLES TO BE EXEMPT FROM EMISSIONS TESTING
Last November we reported that a concerted effort by a host of motorcycle enthusiasts and organizations like ABATE, AMA, and other interested parties had raised the possibility that Arizona motorcycles should be exempt from emissions testing in the not too distant future. We are pleased to report a partial victory in that effort. Click Here for the complete story.
 
Video Clips
I have accumulated a few amusing video clips that have made the rounds in email.
How do you get a bear out of a tree? There are several ways. Click Here to find out how this animal control service did it.
See the DUI test that Scotland uses to nab drunk drivers. I'm not sure this would hold up in court on this side of the pond. Click Here to view.
This is one that I had in the letter several months ago. But it has resurfaced and continues to amaze me. It is called loading a bike. Click Here to view.
Last but not least, this is not for those with a weak stomach. It is called "croc teaser". This is what happens when Man pushes a wild animal a little too far. Click Here to see what happens.
 
For those of you who have been to V-Twin Consignments, you already know about the fantastic deals they have on Quality pre-owned parts, as well as new parts. For those of you that have not been there stop by and check out their inventory. You never know what you will find that would be the perfect part for your bike. And if you have some parts setting around the garage, this is your place to sell them. If it is new parts you are looking for, V-Twin is an authorized dealer for Drag Specialties, Custom Chrome, V-twin, Kuryakyn, Rivera, and Barnett. They also have a full service center, with the best shop rates in town, by appointment only, contact them for there oil change specials. They are now offering to all cyclists the opportunity to purchase a warranty, or extended warranty for there new or used motorcycle. There are several different warranties to choose from, and they can even cover your performance parts i.e.: Screamin Eagle ad-on parts that Harley won't cover, contact them for details. Having trouble getting your bike thru emissions, V-Twin has the answer, the most economical solution to get your bike to pass. Stop by and say HI at 1716 W. Bell Rd. Sunday February 13 we will have our 1st Annual Customer Appreciation Day from 11am to 2pm. There will be food , drawings, giveaways, and 15% off of everything in stock, and  all orders placed that day. Get your consigned parts in before that day. For more information about new or used parts and service phone 602-548-5799.
 
As for me this weekend, I am going to check out the Bourgets Grand Opening on Friday night and then the Freedom Rally on Sunday. Hopefully the weather will hold out.
 
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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