Hi All!

Day one of our three day cycling weekend was a grand adventure for the 54 riders who headed out of the park this morning. Enroute to the airport the standard pack passed the Sun Lakes gang headed the other direction on Queen Creek, and they seemed to be having almost as much fun as we were! The expanded Hangar Cafe provided enough seating even for our gang and offered up some great chow for el cheapo. (Hey, we're cyclists, we get excited about cheap breakfasts!)

Coming up...

NOTE TIME CHANGE!! All rides start at 7:00am in September and October.

Sunday 9/1/02 7:00am Desert Breeze Park. Ya know how we said Spin Cycle was going to take us to Mummy Mountain this date? Well... that was last week! Good sports that they are, Spin Cycle offers up a slightly twisted version of that ride, The Mummyback Loop. Mileage options 35 miles or 40 miles, both with some moderate climbing. Note, this ride can easily be shortened, so come on down to the park even if you don't have 35 miles in those legs. Breakfast is Pete's 19th Tee, Rolling Hills Golf Course, northwest of Mill & Curry. Spin Cycle's start point is by the train station at the north end of Desert Breeze Park, which is between Ray, McClintock, Rural, and Chandler Blvd.

Monday 9/2/02 7:00am Kiwanis Park. If Jimmy Buffet held a bike ride, this would be it! Hop on your boat anchor-- mountain bikes, hybrids, single speeds, and come join us for a bike way cruise up into Scottsdale. The route is paved, about 28 miles, no climbing. Goofing off and lolly-gagging will be highly encouraged. Breakfast on the way back at Bruegger's Bagels, northwest corner of Mill & 11th St in Tempe.

Saturday 9/14/02 7:00am Kiwanis Park. We get back to "serious" (?) riding with a trek to South Mountain. Mileage options of 28 miles with gentle climbing, 40 miles with moderate climbing, or 42 miles with you've-got-to-be-kidding climbing. Breakfast at the Raven Golf Course, north side of Baseline between 32nd St & 40th St.

Saturday 9/21/02 7:00am Kiwanis Park. Saturday Cycling hosts our third quarter association ride/breakfast/meeting. Breakfast will be served starting at 9:15am in the park following this ride and is free to all PMBC/GABA members. Our association meeting will start at 9:30am. Non-members can join us for eats for $4. The ride route will be north bound on a loop into Scottsdale, 27 miles or 34 miles, both with some moderate climbing.

Tid Bits...

Saturday Cycling rides under the banner of PMBC/GABA. This lovely acronym stands for Phoenix Metro Bicycle Club / Greater Arizona Bicycle Association. Annual membership is $15 and for that you get a monthly newsletter, 4 free breakfasts a year, discounts on the ride fees for many of the large organized rides held the state, and insurance. If you have not become a member, pick up an application any Saturday morning or get one here.

Ride Safe.

We had 26 riders join us today for that "cool" morning air (at least for a few minutes). Gary even mentioned going back to his car and getting his arm warmers. I would also like to welcome Zack, Aleyanyra, and Siep to our Sunday group, hope you enjoyed the ride.

Nothing too memorable with today's ride, maybe because Carter didn't show up. I didn't see Paco either, must have had too much fun on his birthday the night before, Happy Birthday you old man......We all made it around Mummy Mountain in one fashion or another. The road construction on the route made for an interesting aversion with everyone carrying their bikes over the dirt and rocks. Reminds me of Tour de Tucson. No one fell in the huge pit, so it must have been a success. At the end of the hills, we regrouped at the church parking lot as usual and received our daily sermon from the Pastor as he was heading in. God knows some of us really need it.

Breakfast at Pete's was excellent, what else can I say. Starting next week, our ride starts at 7:00.

Upcoming Phoenix Metro Bicycle Club Membership Meeting: Date, September 21st, 2002. Time 9:30AM after the Saturday Cycling Ride. Place, Kiwanis Park, Fiesta Picnic Area (located across from the entrance to the parking lot used for Saturday rides) Ramada's E, F and G. This will be a general membership meeting. Food and refreshments will be served to those attending (membership required).

Ride Schedule:

If you are home for the three day weekend, why not get some miles in. Sue Fassett will be hosting three days of riding. John and I will be out, but I'm sure you will continue to talk about us while we are gone.

Saturday 8/31/02 6:30am Kiwanis Park. Day one of our 3 day cycling extravaganza! We're gonna wing it to the Chandler Airport to take a look at some spiffy aircraft, and go in search what is possibly the best breakfast burrito around. Route options 31 miles or 39 miles, no climbing. Breakfast is the Hangar Cafe, southeast of Airport Blvd & Ryan.

Sunday 9/1/02 7:00am Desert Breeze Park. NOTE THE TIME CHANGE!! Spin Cycle hosts day two of the weekend with The Return of Mummy Mountain. Yes, we are doing it again, but this will be the new version. Mileage options of 40 miles with some moderate climbing or 50 with some more climbing, or, this is an easy route to cut down, so if you don't have 40 miles in those legs, turn out anyway. Breakfast is Pete's 19th Tee at the Rolling Hills Golf Course, on Mill north of Curry.

Monday 9/2/02 7:00am Kiwanis Park. Off work? In town? Well, sleep in an extra 30 minutes and then head to the park for day three, but leave that zippy bike at home! Got a clunker gathering dust? This is your day to flaunt it. Air up those cruisers, hybrids, single speeds, mountain bikes or a "lazy-boy on wheels" recumbents and come play with us. Or come on your regular turbo blaster type road bike, but leave the skin suit at home. We'll be heading northbound by way of the Greenbelt path and return on the Cross Cut, with a breakfast stop at Bruegger's Bagels, northwest corner of Mill & 11th in Tempe.

Sunday 9/8/02 7:00am Desert Breeze Park. Gary will lead the pack this day. He said he will be creating a new map and route to Ahwatukee (so everyone can get real lost). He has named the route GaryTukee. So, there will be some miles and breakfast, and knowing Gary, some hills for those that want them and some hills for those that don't want them. I'm sure he'll add breakfast somewhere to.

Hi All!

What happens when we mix 15 tandems in with the pack? Can you say ZOOOOM? The singles out of our 62 riders this morning reveled in the sweet spots created by every third bike or so in the line being a tandem. We welcomed lots of visitors from ABC's tandem division, plus a few interesting match ups from within our regular pack. Thanks to all who loaned bikes or offered up empty stoker seats for our adventure today. Did you notice that cool air when we first started? In August? Sweet!!

Coming up...

Saturday 8/31/02 6:30am Kiwanis Park. Day one of our 3 day cycling extravaganza! We're gonna wing it to the Chandler Airport to take a look at some spiffy aircraft, and go in search what is possibly the best breakfast burrito around. Route options 31 miles or 39 miles, no climbing. Breakfast is the Hangar Cafe, southeast of Airport Blvd & Ryan.

Sunday 9/1/02 7:00am Desert Breeze Park. NOTE THE TIME CHANGE!! Spin Cycle hosts day two of the weekend with The Return of Mummy Mountain. Yes, the "Original, Jeff Mohr" Mummy Mountain route. Mileage options of 40 miles with some moderate climbing or 50 with some more climbing, or, this is an easy route to cut down, so if you don't have 40 miles in those legs, turn out anyway. Breakfast is Pete's 19th Tee at the Rolling Hills Golf Course, on Mill north of Curry. If you need directions to Spin Cycle's start point, ask!

Monday 9/2/02 7:00am Kiwanis Park. Off work? In town? Well, sleep in an extra 30 minutes and then head to the park for day three, but leave that zippy bike at home! Got a clunker gathering dust? This is your day to flaunt it. Air up those cruisers, hybrids, single speeds, mountain bikes or a "lazy-boy on wheels" recumbents and come play with us. Or come on your regular turbo blaster type road bike, but leave the skin suit at home. We'll be heading northbound by way of the Greenbelt path and return on the Cross Cut, with a breakfast stop at Bruegger's Bagels, northwest corner of Mill & 11th in Tempe.

Saturday 9/7/02 7:00am Kiwanis Park. September is your time to train if you are looking to do some of the big rides in October and November. We'll start it off right with our favorite wind training ride, the McKellips Loops. Mileage options 28 miles or 37 miles, a little climbing on each and probably a head wind! Breakfast is Neighbors Cafe, northwest of Guadalupe & Alma School.

Tid bits..

Speaking of big rides, there are so many to choose from! Many do the big name rides every year-- Tour de Farm, Tour de Tucson, etc. But some of the lesser known rides provide some great times. Our association, Phoenix Metro Bicycle Club, is hosting the Memorial Ride For Safety on Saturday October 12, 2002. This is gorgeous tour of the north part of our valley, with a most excellent lunch served after! We'll have flyers next Saturday morning or check out the Memorial Ride For Safety page and then click on Registration Form to sign up. The proceeds from this event go to create a safer riding environment for us all!

Ride Safe

If I only knew what a little Lube would do to my chain.

Hello riders, we had 22 show up for today's ride. So, to get this out of the way early, the first quote and Carter showing was made by Lori, asking Carter in the parking lot if he was "Hung Over AGAIN". Surprisingly he was not, saying he got it out of his system while on vacation. Ok, on with the story....We made it to the first regroup without incident, except that Ron was a little late. While he shared with us why he was late, I'm not sure that everyone needs to know (and if you do, ask him yourself...).

On the way we went, heading over Curry and down McKellips. The group broke into two groups, with everyone eagerly wanting to take their turn pulling up the wind tunnel (yea, and I have some cheap Tech stocks to sell you). The "sane group" as John calls it, hosted a good half dozen riders pacing along at a "mature" 18-19 mph pace. We did have one "derailing" as Jeff learned that bunny hopping medians isn't a good recreational road bike activity. Lori, the "Rock Doc", was quickly on the scene to make certain all the parts were still in the right place. After she checked Jeff's bike she even made certain he was ok, too! If we learn a little from each other's incidents, we'll find we ride better, and safer, each week. ALWAYS wear your helmet and be careful on all turns swinging wide to to the right on left turns and staying in tight for right turns.

Peter and Phil continued the route to McKellips, while Jeff, Lori, and John took a more direct route using Rio Salado Parkway. Lori and Jeff headed back to the park with John, never missing a meal, made his way solo to Crackers. The "In-sane group" pumped up the speed, and made it to the second regroup at the same time as the standard riders (wow, what planning or was that pure luck). Breakfast at Crackers was its usual great food, with John getting the proper label of "Parfait Boy" (can you guess what John had for breakfast).

So on the way back, John steps hard on his pedals and "clunk, clunk, clink, clink", you get the picture, his chain slips, start again, slips, as it whines in despair. On the first slipping of the chain, I said nothing, on the second, I looked back, with John clearly expecting some wise crack, but I again refrained. On the third time, I explained the great art of lubricants and what they can and can't do for a bike and especially a CHAIN. In all seriousness, if anyone is interested in learning how to do some minor maintenance on their bikes, let me know and I'll see if we can get our local bike mechanic Tom to hold a clinic on one Sunday.

Next weeks ride is the Return of Mummy Mountain. We will do the "Original" Mummy Mountain, which will include some hills (yes, they are still there). Mileage options of 40-50, and breakfast at Pete's Grill at the Rolling Hills Golf Course.

As they used to say on Hill Street Blues, "Hey ... Let's be careful out there!"

glen

Hi All!

We had 67 riders head for the mellow roads through Lehi this morning. On the way we pedaled on 6th Street in Mesa, which has a short section that is covered by a canopy of tree branches overhead. Veneranda commented that if you squinted your eyes, a lot, it kinda looked like Vermont. Hey, we take our green moments anyway we can get 'em. We had one rider, Dave Jr, blow up a tire only a couple of miles into the ride. He and our sweep (thanks Leo!) were starting the "feet do your stuff" stroll back to the park when Dave Sr. appeared and offered to pedal back for a sag truck. Nothing like an aborted bike ride to make for a father son bonding adventure!

Coming up...

Saturday 8/24/02 6:30am Kiwanis Park. TANDEMANIA!! Get out those two headed bikes, line up a partner, and get yourselves to the park! We're gonna see just how many teams we can get on the road at one time. We've got some new pairs trying it out together for the first time, so this should be interesting (challenging?). Our route is to the southeast, no climbing, 29 miles or 36 miles. Breakfast is Ruby's Dinner (great food!) at the Chandler Mall, northwest of Frye and Price.

Ya know what comes next? A 3 day weekend! Don't even think about goin' outa town--

Saturday 8/31/02 6:30am Kiwanis Park. Earlier this year they remodeled the cafe at the Chandler Airport, so they can seat even our mob, so we just gotta go check it out. We head out on a route to the south by way of Queen Creek, mileage options 30 miles or 38 miles. Breakfast is the Hanger Cafe, on Ryan southeast of McQueen and Germann. Even if you don't want to stop to eat, come in to the airport with us, lotsa cool aviation stuff-- helicopters and warbirds and biplanes.

Sunday 9/1/02 7:00am Desert Breeze Park. NOTE THE TIME CHANGE!! Spin Cycle steps up to host day 2 of our weekend. Details on this exciting ride will follow next week, when they have it figured out. Count on pedaling somewhere, then eating.

Monday 9/2/02 7:00am Kiwanis Park. Come celebrate Labor Day by NOT laboring on your bike. Sleep in, cuz you don't have to be to the park till 7am. Then, grab your OTHER bike. If you have a cruiser, a hybrid, a mountain bike, a fixed gear, or neighborhood beater bike-- hop on it and get to the park. Come in street shorts if you want instead of those silly lycra things we usually don. If you have nothing but that light as air racing bike, come on it, but at least leave your heart moniter at home. Why? Cuz we are going for a joy ride. Not a training ride. Not a mileage dog ride. A "riding a bike is a fun thing to do" ride. We'll be heading out bound on the Greenbelt up into Scottsdale (early, before all the other users of that path descend on it!) and will come back by way of the Cross Cut path. The entire route will be paved. Mileage is still being worked out, but something in the range of 25 to 30 miles. Breakfast is Bruegger's Bagels, Mill & 11th in Tempe.

Tid bits...

Tom Culp has taken the giant step of trying to make a living doing what we love, cycling stuff! He has set up a pretty cool website, if you want to check it out, go to: www.arizonacyclingcentral.com.

Ride Safe

Hi All!

Thanks to Val Horton for stepping up to lead our gang of 53 riders last Saturday morning. Though part of the group was off enjoying cool temps in San Diego, the home crowd was padded by the addition of the entire Bicycling Club of Kingman pack (eh, that would be three riders, but hey, a pack is a pack!). Val confirms all had a safe and enjoyable pedal and she only had to use her "don't mess with me" voice a couple of times.

Coming up...

Saturday 8/17/02 6:30am Kiwanis Park. Off to the northeast to Lehi we go. Mileage options 27 miles or 35 miles, no climbing. Breakfast is I-Hop, southwest corner Apache & College.

Saturday 8/24/02 6:30am Kiwanis Park. It's TANDEMANIA!! If you haven't noticed, we have a whole buncha gorgeous double your fun, double your power, tandem bikes in the crowd. We're gonna see just how many of them we can get on the road at one time. Tandem owners, can't find a riding partner? If you can't beg or bribe somebody to hook up with ya, send yours truly a note. If you've always wanted to give tandeming a try, send a note and we'll match up riders and bikes. A nice flat wide open course to the southeast will be our route, mileage options 29 miles or 36 miles. Breakfast is a new spot for us, Ruby's Diner at the Chandler Mall, northwest of Frye & Price. Kinda like 5&Diner, but without the tunes that we can't ever hear over our crowd anyway!

Tid bits...

A call to arms! Actually, we have need of all your bodily parts. Phoenix Metro Bike Club (PMBC) over the years has been run by a few very hard working people. The faces have changed a few times at the front of the line, but we are seeing the same warm bodies step forward to run major rides, to serve on the board, to be officers of the association. A few giving souls are donating huge amounts of time and energy to keep us in motion. We need some else to take a pull at the front. At the end of this year, our hard working President Mike Morross will be taking a much deserved step down from his office and also his position as ride leader of the White Mountain Tour. Vice President Mike Litecky will be stepping down from his office. Board member Bob Brown will be stepping down from the board. Board member Rob McClure will staying on the board but stepping down from being ride leader for the Mining Country Century. There is potential for our existing treasurer to step up to the presidency if we can locate some one with accounting experience who can come on board as treasurer for us. Our hunt is on for willing members who would like to give a little back to an organization that gives us all a lot of enjoyment. If you have questions, comments, ideas, contact anyone on the officer nominations committee, which consists of:

Sue Fassett
Rob McClure
Mike Litecky
Tom Adams
Tom Culp

And on another note entirely-- for those asking about club jerseys, yes, we will be presenting a new club jersey for the spring of 2003. Orders will be taken starting in about October or November and will again be done on a "pay when you order" basis. We are still fine tuning the final details and let you know when we have it all sorted out.

Ride Safe

Two Dozen Boxed Cyclists.

Even with the rich and famous touring San Diego, twenty-four riders reported in for this week's "Box Ride." With temperatures predicted to reach 110, once again, this 32 mile express route was just what the doctor ordered. Jeff and Dave are new to the Spin Cycle list. I hope you guys enjoyed your ride with us and become one of the regulars.

The group paced out with an 18 mile an hour neutral start pulled by your's truly, John "Hincapie" Arle. Having done my job, pacing the team up the brutal slopes and winds of eastbound Elliott (what on Earth is he talking about?) I fell back to the Lanterne Rouge, launching the sprinters into position for the next segment of the tour. The lead group split in half with the leaders pushing against the slight morning breeze at a solid twenty mph with the middle group hammering along shortly behind. Meanwhile, those of us in the Lanterne Rouge were enjoying our wake up mimosas and savoring shrimp cocktail. (Don't let the front riders know we have catering service in the caboose or everybody is going to hang back for the luxury service!) Once the locomotive turned the wind to their back, they went super sonic leaving a huge sucking vortex in their wake.

One episode of tire fencing resulted in a some road rash. It looked, however, that Camelbaks can serve something of a protective function, too. With everyone back on their feet, or wheels as the case may be, the group moved forward toward the Hanger Cafe.

The restaurant served as the regroup and breakfast stop. The regroup was returning to the road as the Lanterne Rouge pulled in (wiping telltale cocktail sauce from our faces and hoping mimosa breath wouldn't be detected). I'd guess a half dozen, or so, remained for chow. With an Arizona Rattler football game at 12:30, I had to push forward.

Always an educational experience, Chad showed us a bee sitting on his leg and identified it as an e-bola carrier. Connie taught us the appropriate way to shriek when your front wheel narrowly misses a hole. We also generated a new idea. How about a hockey night with a group block of tickets for a Coyote game this season. If there's enough interest, we might even see what a luxury box would cost! The Coyotes make it pretty easy to put a group together, and if we plan this far enough ahead, we can probably get some pretty good seats at a cost everyone could afford. I know the date selected makes a difference to everybody, but let me know if you like the concept and might be interested.

That's it for this edition of the Spin Cycle Report. Fletch, (remember Glen? ... strong rider, buys a new bike every 6 weeks, tours the Rocky Mountains and both American coastlines inside a month, yeah, Glen, that's the guy) returns to the Spin Cycle next week. I'm certain I'll be in the pack and hope you will be too.

Have a great week everybody and remember, its you that makes the Spin Cycle. - John

Asphalt Snakes Attack!

Desert Breeze Park, Chandler, AZ - Good weather and great route combined with good people, will always result in a super Spin Cycle morning. The cloud cover kept the Sun off the twenty-six riders as the Spin Cycle made its way nearly due north on the Tour de Scottsdale route. This route has been a favorite due to the low traffic on Pima road and the scenery provided by the "modest" Scottsdale golf courses and housing (mansions). I just don't know how people can live like that!

I want to welcome Patrick to the group. This was his first Spin Cycle Sunday and I hope you enjoyed the ride and the company. The "family Hogue" also showed, in force. Henry, I know you're a returning veteran. I'm not certain if this was Brenda's first voyage, or not. If it was, welcome, too! If it wasn't, well ... welcome back to the continent (She just got back from seeing the final day of the Tour de France. I'll try not to hate her too much. :-)) Ian, I'll personally give you a lesson, the next time you're out, on "sucking wheel." This is a life saving technique when out on these longer rides. I make a living at it every weekend! Remember, its not how hard you sprint during the ride. Its how much you have left in the tank at the end that counts!

Today's tour wasn't without challenges, however. Three flats, capped by Jim's spectacular blowout, kept the group vigilant for those pesky asphalt snakes that were obviously out and biting.

The morning spin was also quite educational. For instance, did you know Gary can roller blade off road? Just envision little knobbies on "skater."

With 12:00 AZ Rattler tickets, I had to forgo the Wildflower Bread Co., but the majority swarmed right in like french toast stalking wolves. A special congratulations to Phil that out-foxed the pack and finished first to the Wildflower! What a cyclo-stud!

Next week, with several regulars touring San Diego, the Spin Cycle will travel through Mesa looping back to the Hanger Cafe at the Chandler Airport. Pancakes and breakfast burritos are, reportedly, at the top of their menu. We'll find out next Sunday.

It is you that makes the Spin Cycle. Have a great week everybody.

- John

Hi All!

Hmm, there seems to be a trend here. No matter how many maps are brought to the park, we pull in just a few more riders than maps. This morning we had 79 riders head out. Patti Fiori brought an entire bevy of babes to join us. As the morning progressed we were treated to glimpses of the express train here and there as they crested various hills in the distance (none of which were on the map, but keep in mind this is a Foothills ride, and tradition must be maintained!) The "new" 5&Diner (OK, it's not that new, we just hadn't been there yet) welcomed our oversized gang with empty tables and an offer of maybe installing a bike rack to encourage hungry cyclists to stop there. See? We can change the world, just by pedaling our bikes.

Coming up...

Saturday 8/10/02 6:30am Kiwanis Park. A loop to the southeast takes the pack out onto open roads on either Queen Creek or Riggs Road. Mileage options 25 miles or 35 miles, no climbing (well, you do have to cross over I-10 a coupla times, not sure what category hill climb those would be ranked in the TdF!) Breakfast is Perkins, northwest of Chandler Blvd & 56th St.

Saturday 8/17/02 6:30am Kiwanis Park. Off to the Land of Lehi we go (which would be loop to the northeast for those not in the know about Lehi). Mileage options 27 miles or 35 miles, no climbing. Breakfast is I-Hop, southwest corner Apache & College.

Tid bits...

This morning we talked a little about how the patience of the citizens in the village of Ahwatukee is wearing thin in regards to cyclists. They complain of loud talking in the wee hours of the morn, trash tossed along roads by riders, and blatant disregard of traffic laws. When you hop on a bike, be it as a casual recreational rider or a competitive racer, whether riding solo or in a pack, keep in mind you represent cyclists as a whole in the public eye. Respect the communities you ride through. Leave nothing but tire tracks. Share the roads by following the rules that keep us alive.

Ride Safe