Hi All!

Since the majority of you did not ride with us today we will assume that you all had a wonderful adventure on the Mining Country climb/wind challenge! Of course, this also means that the 23 souls who did head to South Mountain can make up all sorts of stories about our adventures for SatCycling and you'll never know the difference! The more sedate part of the pack this morning checked out the Hyline pathway from 40th St to Central while the rest of the gang took the Baseline express route. In the South Mountain area we encountered a TV reporter and camera man looking to film some footage for the "Weekend Warrior" show and some of our group got in on the action. They say it is for broadcast tomorrow (Sunday 3/17) evening on channel 15. Ah, burning up those 15 minutes of fame! Our return pack splintered up in all different directions and we ended up with only 7 riders around the breakfast table (holding it down in the wind!) on the patio at 5&Diner.

Coming up...

Saturday 3/23/02 7:30am Kiwanis Park. Our favorite "rats in a maze" ride takes us to the foothills of Ahwatukee. Someday we should create one map that shows all the different routes people select when we go over there! As always, various mileage and climbing options available. Breakfast is Perkins, northeast corner Chandler Blvd & 54th St.

Saturday 3/30/02 7:30am Kiwanis Park. We loop over to Lehi with options of 27 miles or 35 miles, no climbing. Jacques has promised to come along and re-inact his dramatic fall from our previous trip to Lehi for the benefit of those who missed it last time. (Just kidding Jacques-- hope those scars have healed up nicely!) Breakfast is Bruegger's Bagels, northwest corner of Mill & 11th St.

Saturday 4/6/02 7:00am Kiwanis Park. NOTE THE TIME CHANGE!! Start time in April and May is 7:00am. On this Saturday the pack will ride somewhere and then eat. The details will follow once we have sorted out the minor issue of needing a pack leader for the day. If you are not headed to Tour de Phoenix or the Tucson Bicycling Classic, how about telling the pack where to go for a day? We will supply maps, complaint-repellent riding vest, etc. Contact Sue suefassett@worldnet.att.net

Tid bits...

The cyclist's version of an Irish Blessing:

May the road rise to meet you. (Ack! Road rash!)
May the wind be always at your back. (Sweet! Tailwind!)
May the sun shine warm up your face, (Argh! Forgot my shades!)
The rain fall soft upon your fields, (Ick! Road gack on my bike!)
and until we meet again (Next Saturday? Always!)
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand. (God watches over fools and cyclists.)

Ride safe.

Hi All!

What an absolutely gorgeous day for a pedal! We had 36 riders turn out to test our theory of the turbo tailwind on McKellips and after fighting a head wind to GET there, we did indeed have a rip snortin' ride back across McKellips. Even the moderate riders were up haulin' hinny (hey, this is "G" rated report!) with the fast pack express line. Two riders got delayed when the long arm of the indian reservation law decided to stop them and inform them it is not legal to ride a bike on that road more than single file. Anybody know what kind of roadway McKellips is? County? If so, isn't no more than two abreast kosher? Guess we will have to check into that.

Coming up...

Saturday 3/16/02 7:30am Kiwanis Park. If you are not headed out on the Mining Country Challenge, come join us for our mini-version of it. While they are doing 6,000ft of climbing we'll go do 1,800ft or whatever the heck is to the Towers at South Mountain. Three routes options ranging from 28 to 42 miles, varying climbing. Breakfast is 5&Diner on Priest, northwest of Baseline.

Sunday 3/17/02 7:30am Desert Breeze Park. Aye and Begora lads and lassies! Tis time for the wearin' o' the green. Slip on your ugliest green cycling gear and join us for the association's quarterly ride and breakfast. Free eats for members. If you have not joined up yet, you can do so Saturday or Sunday morning. We are headed on a loop to the north with mileage options of 26 miles or 38 miles. On the outbound trip we'll be havin' a "tossin' of the green" as we cruise through the town of Guadalupe, so be sure and wear a jersey with pockets. Breakfast is at Yesterday's Grill, 204 E. 1st Avenue, northwest corner 1st Ave & Hibbert in Mesa.

Saturday 3/23/02 7:30am Kiwanis Park. Off to the Foothills of Ahwatukee we head, with the usual wide selection of mileage and climbing options. Breakfast is Perkins, northeast corner of Chandler Blvd & 54th.

Saturday 3/30/02 7:30am Kiwanis Park. A loop to the northeast takes us through Lehi. Mileage options 27 miles or 35 miles, no climbing. Breakfast is Bruegger's Bagels, northwest of Mill & 11th St.

Tid bits...

Thanks to all the volunteers that have stepped up to make the Mining Country Challenge next weekend a success!

And speaking of volunteers... we need some hardy sole who is NOT doing Tour de Phoenix on Saturday 4/6/02 and who is NOT doing the Tucson Bicycling Classic on that same day to step as leader of the pack for Saturday Cycling. Applications being taken (and bribes being tendered) by Sue Fassett.

Ride safe.

Hi All!

Yesterday the draw of the Le Grande Tour reduced our mega pack to 32 riders. Some selected the long route, some selected the standard route, and Chris Fletcher and Pat Ware made a bee-line straight for the Hog Trough. (Just how many plates did they eat BEFORE the pack got there, hmm?) Thanks to Buddy for the assist in sweeping up the stragglers.

Coming up...

Saturday 3/9/02 7:30am Kiwanis Park. A loop to the northeast with return via McKellips. Mileage options of 26 miles or 36 miles. Breakfast is JB's (yes, Jeff, they do have an all you can eat buffet there!) on Southern, just northeast of Dorsey.

Saturday 3/16/02 7:30am Kiwanis Park. We have some new riders in the pack asking where we go to climb round these here parts-- so of course we have to go to South Mountain! Mileage options of 28 to 42 miles, from gentle climbing to stand and mash. Breakfast is 5&Diner on Priest, northwest of Baseline (AZ Mills Mall). Keep your fingers crossed for balmy temps and we'll take over the patio there.

Sunday 3/17/02 7:30am Desert Breeze Park. FREE BREAKFAST!! Yes, the much awaited quarterly association breakfast meeting has finally been sorted out. All members from this neck of the woods will ride from Desert Breeze Park (which is bounded by Ray/McClintock/ChandlerBlvd/Rural roads). Location of the free for all food for all will be Yesterday's Grill, northeast corner of 1st Ave and Hibbert in downtown Mesa. The Spin Cycle gang will head out a loop with that as our destination, mileage details to follow when they have been figured out. Breakfast is free to all members of PMBC/GABA. If you have not yet joined our wondrous organization, applications are available every Saturday morning, annual dues $15.

Saturday 3/23/02 7:30am Kiwanis Park. Showing off another of our favorite climbing places takes us over to the Ahwatukee/Foothills area. Numerous mileage and climbing options. Getting hopelessly lost off the route is also always an option. Breakfast is Perkins, northeast of Chandler Blvd & 54th St.

Tid bits...

The sport of cycling can make your life quality better. You smile more on days when you have been on your bike. It can add years to your life. Members of our Saturday morning group often send messages extolling the wonders that come their way via their biking adventures. But all of that can be dashed to ground, literally, with just a little inattention.

This message is closed every week with the words "Ride Safe". They are not offered up lightly, but as a mantra that should be the heartbeat of our pack.

Ride Safe.

PHOENIX- Valley cities, employers and residents are turning to pedal power for the Clean Air Campaigns 2002 Valley Bike Week (April 13-21). The 5th annual event, which promotes bike safety and bicycling for commuting and recreation, encourages people to set aside at least one day a week to trade in their cars for bicycles and experience a fun, healthy and inexpensive alternative to the everyday commute.

Valley residents can enter to win a prize every day between April 15th and 19th just for cycling during the designated week. The Grand Prize, courtesy of American Airlines, is two round trip airline tickets, valued at $1,000, to fly anywhere in the Continental U.S., including their new West Coast service, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Entry forms are available through Valley employers or by calling Valley Metro RideShare at (602) 262-RIDE (7433) and on-line at http://www.valleymetro.org. If you are looking for a bike buddy logon to http://www.ShareTheRide.com where you can find the perfect match to ride with during Valley Bike Week.

2002 Bike Week Events

Bike Rodeos: Children will try their hand at safe bike handling. Local police officers and firefighters will teach kids the rules of the road. Contact Officer Bob Ward (602) 495-2462 to find a Bike Rodeo near you.

April 13, Bike Swap Meet, 7 a.m. - 2 p.m.: Buy, trade and sell new and used bikes, parts and accessories at the Phoenix Municipal Stadium 5999 E. Van Buren St. (Van Buren & Galvin Parkway). Admission and booth space is free.

April 14, "Go Glendale" Family Bike Ride 7- 9a.m.: Hundreds of riders will mount their bikes at Saguaro Ranch Park, 9802 North 59th Ave (59th Ave. & Mountain View) and coast a 6-mile or 15-mile route. The first 500 riders will receive a free t-shirt, refreshments will be available along the ride and loads of bike information. To find out where to pre-register and for more information call (623) 930-2110.

April 15, Downtown "Bike Mania", 11:30 - 1p.m.: A downtown lunch hour of bike fashion shows, skills clinics and bike safety checks will be held at Patriot's Park, located at 1 W. Washington Street (1st Ave. & Washington). Valley employees will bring a bike and take a lunch break to learn all about the latest in bike riding. For more information call (602) 262-RIDE.

April 17, Bike to Work/School Day: Commuters who ride into work on two wheels will be greeted with food, prizes and applause. Valley cities are gearing-up to recognize their residents and employees who ride their bikes to work. For ideas about organizing an event call Valley Metro RideShare at (602) 262-RIDE.

April 21, Bike to BOB: As part of the Clean Air Campaign, Arizona Diamondbacks' player Tony Womack went to bat for cycling. Tony Womack and his family are featured in a bike safety poster that will be distributed during the April 21 Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies game. Riders of the 5th annual Bike to BOB Family Fun Ride will enjoy food, refreshments and entertainment at Steele Indian School Park, located at 302 E. Indian School Rd. (3rd Street & Indian School). Registration for the ride begins at 9:30a.m. at Steele Indian School Park, and the leisurely 4-mile ride to the Bank One Ballpark starts at 11:30a.m. A $12 per person fee includes food, refreshments, reserved seat game ticket, a T-Shirt, giveaways, and reserved bike parking at the ballpark. Call (602) 262-RIDE (7433) to register.

For more information on Valley Bike Week activities, call Valley Metro RideShare at (602) 262-RIDE (7433) or visit http://www.valleymetro.org.