Riders Survive Leader's Lack of Focus.

Chandler, AZ - Since I tend to search for events each Sunday to expand and exaggerate, you would think I would really make every effort to avoid being the focus of my own scrutiny. WRONG! After working 2 1/2 hours on a computer generated map (see attached document), I grabbed last week's file and showed up for the ride with the wrong map and only one blank sign in sheet. Everyone was very understanding and politely smiled and said "that's ok." Since I was so proud of my work and inflicted my wife with it last night, I should have been better prepared when I re-entered my house to "did you forget something this morning?" I left it sitting on the kitchen counter, in plain sight, for her to find.

26 riders headed north and all arrived at the first regroup in great shape. After a brief description how we were going to continue east on Curry, I immediately missed the turn (right out of the regroup parking lot) leading everybody north on College which was actually our return route. Is it possible for me to screw up more? Sure! The lead group compensated and turned east on Oak heading for Pima. Leading from the rear is one of my strong points so I proceeded to move the Lanterne Rouge right past Oak to Thomas when I realized I had made my third mistake in less than an hour. Fortunately, the lead group was following a slightly less direct route so we reached the Pima/Thomas intersection ahead of them. Ok, now we're on track, and fortunately, my final mistake of the day was over.

Sue (Magellan) Fassett was now up for the wandering award. She "zoned" in on the REALLY nice stretch up Pima and blasted right past the left turn on Indian Bend. After seeing the Via Linda sign and doing a quick mental check of local geography, she deduced that she had just led a sub-group a few pedal strokes closer to Fountain Hills. Matt (sprint man) Bolan did the seek and rescue work and herded the lost lambs back to the flock.

Meanwhile, back in the Lanterne Rouge, Kathleen was discovering why you don't want to make significant changes in your bike geometry and immediately ride 75 miles in a single weekend. This is, indeed, a wonderful way to discover and explore muscles you didn't realize were being used while you ride a bike. In fact, this discovery and exploration will undoubtedly be enjoyed for the next few days, as well. Kathleen, we've all been there; way to hang in even when your lower back is screaming!

Finally, order was restored at the second re-group, back at Papago Park, once again, and the group threaded its way through ASU and south on College to flood The Wildflower Bread Company where the Cinnamon Raison Nut French Toast was a HUGE hit.

I'm not certain, but I believe Glen was new to the group today (at least new to this list). I welcome you, hope you enjoyed the camaraderie and riding, and plan to be a regular with the Spin Cycle.

From the "classified section," Dave (trackstand) Grant is looking for a bike case to pack his wheels along on his next business trip. If anyone has one they might be willing to sell, or know anyone that might has one they'd be willing to part with, Dave's a buyer. Contact him at Dwoof2@yahoo.com.

Next week, Tremendous Tom Culp steps up to lead the group to the northeast as the Tour Series continues with Tour de Lehi. The route threads around clockwise with the breakfast stop at one of our favorites, Neighbor's Cafe. We'll reserve the banquet room and guarantee they'll treat us well. Glenn, Owen, and I are off to do GABA Tucson's Blue Loop ride. Sunday morning we'll be starting in Alpine and ending 90 miles later back in Morenci. Something about that just sounds like "riding downhill", both literally and metaphorically.

I'm having a great time with the Spin-Cycle, and I hope you are too. I'll see you all in a couple of weeks. Have a great week, and remember, it is you that makes the Spin-Cycle.

Chandler Group Swarms Mesa

Desert Breeze Pk., Chandler, AZ - Sixteen riders hit the road this morning as the Spin Cycle moved to the east and north on the Tour de Mesa loop. After the 5 second first regroup, a very well ordered paceline sliced through the gentle headwind coming out of the east as all sixteen riders braved the "Heavy-duty cycle" route going east to Higley. The group picked up a rogue rider, Peter, along the way who rode with us for about 15 miles and another rider coming out of ASU who rode along for a mile or two.

The truly amazing event in this ride was all sixteen riders going for the "heavy-duty" cycle and doing all 47 miles despite the rather warm morning. What a tough group. Not only that, but the lead group was reportedly grabbing some 26 mph! Of course I was riding the "Lanterne rouge" so I only heard about Connie dropping back down the paceline as Gary kicked the pace from 23 up to 26 causing her to go anaerobic while trying to catch back on after over shooting the last rider. Don't ya just hate it when that happens!

Walt accused Dave of an assassination attempt when his tire blew out. After checking for blood, Walt was relieved that the damage was purely vulcanized and no flesh was involved in the event. Dave's handy stick-on "boots" repaired the damaged tire and we were back on the road in no time at all.

Gary won the polka dot socks (we're low budget, can't afford jerseys) for his sprint to the top of mighty Le'Alpe deLakeshore just south of Baseline. Gary and Ron sprinted it out to the Guadalupe light but the winner was just too close to call. (Being a quarter mile back didn't help our perspective much, either.)

We also suffered our first Spin-Cycle "rider down." Tom's front wheel got clipped as riders scattered a bit due to broken glass. No damage was done and he was quick to say that his wife would NEVER find out he went down or he'd be on a short ride leash for a while. Geez, I hope she doesn't read his email, sorry about that, Tom.

Only six stayed through breakfast but several learned the joys of the Siberian citrus at the Coffee Plantation (line was too long at The Good Egg).

This Sunday is Le Tour de Scottsdale. A spin north along old Pima Rd. This is a flat one, but a real nice little run.

I committed to doing the Labor Day weekend Blue Loop ride put on by GABA Tucson. Consequently, I need a volunteer or two to lead Sunday Sept. 2nd. The ride route will be a clockwise loop out and through Lehi with a return back on Guadalupe. I'll build the map, we just need someone to hand them out and lead the hungry masses back to Neighbor's. We'll get back to Ray using the "Carriage Ln. / Bullmoose" passage. PLEASE, someone step forward for us!

As always, its you that makes the Desert Breeze Spin-Cycle. See you, again, this Sunday.

Chandler, AZ - Another edition of the Desert Breeze Spin Cycle has come and gone with yet another attendance record of 23 riders. There were many familiar faces in the group but we had several first timers for the Spin Cycle and one pure rookie to the GABA groups. Ken, we welcome you and look forward to having you as a regular member of our weekend groups. Paul now elevates to a second week veteran but still didn't seem to earn any more respect. You know, it just isn't fair!

The Sun Lakes Milk Run went south to Riggs along 56th and Maricopa then east through Sun Lakes. Rest stop one was at the Akimal Smoke Shop on Riggs just in case anyone felt the need to take up smoking. I understand Dave thought about it but decided to stay with the performance enhancing drugs that cost him that professional race career.

The heavy-duty cycle braved the canine warnings and fought the dog wars eastbound on Chandler Heights from Gilbert. This group has a very noble motto in these situations, "the slow one gets bit." Mary took the a new approach and wedged Mike and a couple of other riders between her and and approaching set of teeth. Good strategy; let's face it, what dog is going after Jeff? I mean really ... look at the size of the guy! The dogs had no stomach for it and opted to watch everyone move on down the road.

The sprinkler system signalled not only the end of our second regroup but also incurred the wrath of ... I believe Craig. The sprinkler popped up right beneath his bike leaving behind an unsightly clean spot possibly forcing him to clean the rest of it. Life's just not fair, sometimes.

We spun through the Pennington Neighborhood Pass on our way back to Bruegger's where we filled half the restaurant and munched on our 10% group discounted breakfast. All said and done, it was a pretty good morning.

Next week I'm out of town on business, but the Spin Cycle has the fortune to be guided by The Master, Bob Prochaska. He'll map a course to the north up and around Mummy Mountain. Pete's 19th Tee is the inevitable breakfast stop when venturing this way. I know you'll all have a great time while I'm sweltering in 90 degree and 90% humidity in east/central Florida (I'll take pictures if there's any string bikinis and we'll do a slide show the following week!)

As always, it is you that makes the Spin Cycle. Have a great week!