There's nothing like "sunny and 70'' in the forecast to draw out cyclists for Arizona's first big ride of the year, the Casa Grande Century.

Some 173 riders -- a record turnout, at least in recent memory -- came from around Arizona and as far away as Ohio to enjoy the ride from the southeastern edge of Chandler to Dave White Regional Park in Casa Grande. Folks taking the full 108-mile route got to see the sights and the Gallopin' Goose of downtown Coolidge, while those taking the metric century route got to savor reaching the top of that gradual but long hill over Interstate 10. Those whose century ambitions were thwarted by the abundance of sandwich fixings, salad and snacks at the park got to combine both routes into an 85-mile loop.

Prize drawings for everything from bike tools to "historic'' socks from previous PMBC rides gave riders another reason to linger at the park and add some more weight for the trip back.

The Casa Grande volunteers had a great time, too. Thanks to Mike Morross, Mike Litecky, Bob Beane and Jan Peterson at the darn-it's-still-cold-at-8:30 registration; Sue Fassett and Bob Brown at sunny Sag One; Tom Sullivan and Paul Nichols at here-comes-another-fast-pack Sag Two; Val Horton, Ray Almada, Suzie Culver, Leon Smith and Roger Simmons at the carboload-and-compare-notes lunch; and the Pat's Schwinn Pattersons, Mike L., Suzie and Leon for their maybe-I-do-need-a-hand route-sweeping expertise. - Jane Larson

The Kitchens, Tim and me did the GABA Tucson Picacho Peak Century last Sunday. We picked the 100KM option, from Marana Airport to Picacho Peak and return.

The route is out and back through Avra Valley, then follows the I-10 frontage road. The road surface is very good, and there is very little traffic (although it is fast). We left Scottsdale at 6:30am, and arrived at Marana Airport at 8:30am. We started riding at 9am, and had great weather.

The ride was well organized and supported with maps at the sign-in, and a couple rest stops along the way stocked with good fruit and snacks. A sandwich lunch was provided at the Marana turn-around, with chips and sodas and an ice cream treat from the Picacho Dairy Queen. The ride souvenir was a bandana. We averaged over 15mph for the 63 miles, not bad considering I only had 60 mile knees that day, and Tim had a toothache.

Other recumbents: A Tucson rider had a recumbent trike from RC, his wife on a BikeE. The Kitchens had matching white TE's (or GRRs) with fairings. Of course I didn't realize it was them until after the ride!

Had a long talk with one Tucson wedgie rider who'd had enough pain and was very interested in 'bents. He and his wife would pass us at the rest stops, then we would pass them on the road. I referred him to Ajo Bikes. I'll bet we made a convert.

At Picacho we met a German couple who were bike touring across the USA to Canada. They had fully laden front and back panniers and racks, and were pulling a BOB. You can visit their web site and follow their adventure at http://www.toomuchtime.de. Their advice: "The most important thing is to have waterproof panniers, a good tent and a warm sleeping bag."

I highly recommend this ride. Be sure to sign up for it next year when it comes around again.

Tom Adams

Hi All!

We had 54 riders brave the cold this morning, but they were rewarded with balmy temps for the ride back after breakfast. Due to a little miss-reading of the map (like that's never happened before!!) we had a few riders who planned on taking the gentle version of the route end up making their way up the climb on MacDonald-- but they managed to conquer the challenge in style. Rumor has it we had a couple of riders tangle up as we exited the park (maybe Lance and Janet?). If you had a close encounter with the pavement this morning, make like ET and phone home (actually, email will suffice) and let us know that all is OK. Cycling is such an adventure.

Coming up...

Saturday 2/2/02 8:00am Kiwanis Park. We head to the north east for a loop by way of McKellips with mileage options of 28 miles or 37 miles, a little gentle climbing on each. Breakfast is Neighbor's Cafe, NW of Alma School & Guadalupe, where the staff advises they will be prepared to serve large amounts of sausage in honor of the holiday (get it? Ground Hog Day? woo hoo!!)

Saturday 2/9/02 8:00am Kiwanis Park. Mike Litecky takes the pack to the southeast on loop with a couple of mileage options, no climbing. Breakfast is Bill Johnson's, NW of Elliot & Arizona Ave.

Sunday 2/10/02. Just a reminder-- 2/10/02 is the date of the Laveen Country Challenge which is a grand ride to do, or if you are not headed that way, or after the ride on your way home, go check out Honeywell's Hungry Dog Crit race which is being held on 51st Street just north of Elliot. The pro riders will be doing their thing at about 2:30pm, so you could do Laveen and swing by the race after.

Tid bits...

The Mining Country Challenge is coming up on Saturday 3/16/02 and ride leader Rob McClure advises he is in need of some warm bodies to help run the ride. The start/finish for the ride is in Superior. If you are available to volunteer to assist that day, contact Rob McClure.

Ride Safe.

... But Its a Dry Cold!

A weekend of rather brisk temperatures greeted those that sought the coveted MLK Trilogy award by riding all three days this long holiday weekend. Fifteen riders rode the Temesandler (that would be Tempe, Mesa, Chandler) Loop on Sunday and twelve road the Ohcotukee Figure Eight on Monday. Several riders, including this writer, commented on the difficulty in shifting when one's fingers have gone completely numb or when sharp pain has set in. Ann had the definitive gloves with her thinsulites. At less than five bucks at Big Lots, I'm going there this week! Gary and I both rethought the start time and wondered if maybe one of these afternoons we should try a ride and call it the PM Pedalers. If you haven't noticed, it was flat out perfect both afternoons.

Gary had the only flat across the two days. The interesting thing was that several other riders heard the air come out and we all had to do a tire check. Gary was the last to notice he was the one with the flat. Owen and Peggy's mighty tandem developed a shifter problem from a lost screw (was that Mike Litecky with that screw last weekend?) and finished with one gear in the back and two up front and the cassette shifter held together by duc-tape. You guys are cyclo-studs! Glen had his own set of problems this morning, however, short stopping back at his house then making another 911 dash as soon as we got to the restaurant.

I want to welcome Dan and Paula to the group. Keep riding, Paula, it gets easier and even gets more fun with practice.

I believe Sunday's Hoosiers on Warner wins the cafe competition. They treated us VERY good and even got two spuds up from Peggy for their potatoes.

Ron and Gary, you guys were great making certain no one got left behind. This is truly the club spirit of these group rides. You both get the yellow cap for showing what leadership is all about.

Next Sunday, the Spin Cycle heads to the southeast on Tour de Queen Creek. This should be a little less than 50 miles so y'all need to have your legs in shape. The route map is attached showing breakfast at The Hanger Cafe in the Chandler Municipal Airport. This is a cute place if we have twenty riders or less. With a larger group, we'll reroute to a larger cafe, maybe Brunchies in downtown Chandler!

Have a great week everyone. You know, it is you that makes the Spin Cycle. See you next weekend.

Wookie Gets Snakebit.

Twenty-one riders took to Alpe de South Mountain on this surprisingly brisk morning. After yesterday's WONDERFUL afternoon, the rather cold air seemed to cut right through the group for the first hour, or so, of the journey. Gary explained it in terms we could all understand, "its a wet cold." Oh, ... that clears it up!

I want to welcome Jean, Joni, and Judy, out with the group. You were all EXCELLENT additions to the mix. Let's face it, its the new personalities that keep the group alive. I hope you had a good time and join us again on any Sunday.

After a 15 minute delayed start to begin with, Paul suffered a flat about a half mile out after running over some apparently sharp fecal matter. At least that was my conclusion when he rather forcefully called out the offending road hazzard, "SH-T!" Of course, perhaps it wasn't fecal material at fault and it was just the New York boy that we know and love, surfacing once again. Owen and Glen rolled back to help him out with the repairs while the rest of us searched for any early morning sunshine. After ten minutes or so, I rolled back to inquire if they thought the repairs would be completed anytime this side of lunch. None of Paul's response is suitable for this family publication, but, I do feel obligated to point out that his request was anatomically impossible no matter how flexible I might, or might not, be.

The remainder of our spin to the Circle K regroup was relatively uneventful. Nearly everyone headed toward the summit. Owen and Peggy were on the tandem and made their way out to San Juan Point, as did Jim recovering from his back injury. Just being the caring kind of guy I am (and 10 pounds heavier than I want to be) I went out with them to make certain they were ok. Unfortunately, Paul suffered a second flat on his ascent to the towers. No one was entirely certain what caused this one, but I'd bet the ranch Paul's narration and description at the moment was titanically graphic.

At the summit, Gary, reportedly, sprinted on the final incline, redefining oxygen debt, and finished as the King of the Mountain for the group. Attaboy! The polka-dot hat is yours again! Everyone passed Paul, still climbing, on their way back down. We all enjoyed swapping stories as we waited patiently at the ramada for Paul to descend. He returned to a genuine applause (it was not, it was sarcastic), only to make some further anatomically impossible requests of us. Its just a New York state of mind!

We wound our way back to the Bagel Nosh where the group boiled down to only eight munchers. We were coincidentally caught a screwed Mike Litecky coming out of the Ace Hardware. Well, ... he had bought a screw on his trip to the hardware store; doesn't that make him screwed? Oh well, semantics.

Everyone seemed to have our usual good time on Sunday mornings. Next weekend is a three day stage event celebrating the Martin Luther King weekend. Saturday Cycling from Kiwanas Park kicks it off with another run up South Mountain with breakfast at The Raven. Sunday, the Spin Cycle from Desert Breeze heads toward Tempe, out through Mesa and back up to Chandler with breakfast at the Warner Hoosier's Cafe. Monday, we finish off from Desert Breeze with the Ohcotukee Loop (that would be Ocotillo and Ahwatukee, of course), and trying out the new Hoosier's Cafe on west Chandler Blvd. Its just a Hoosiers kind of weekend.

Ron, you're missed. I hope you were doing as much work for us, as possible, in your conversations with the Big Guy. Somebody asked about Vito, too. Where you been? Several others were on the S.I.T.B. list, as well. (That would be, "Snug In Their Beds"). We are keeping attendance, and I didn't get a note from anybody's mother! I wonder if Sue and I could figure out the rider that attends the most PMBC/GABA group rides for 2002? That would be cool! Just a thought.

Have a great week everyone. Always remember, and never forget, it is you that makes the Spin Cycle. See ya next weekend.