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.
****************************
"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.”
****************************
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.
Saturday, January 29th
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.
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"
All information in
this newsletter is
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reserved.