Bike details by Gary and Ron - thanks guys for leading the pack...

I'll be out next week as well, but looks like Gary and Ron will take care of you.

Ride Schedule

Sunday 5/4 7:00 AM Ohcotukeeloop - Route to Ocotillo and then to Ahwatukee. Route options of 35-45 miles with light to a lot of hills. Breakfast at Good Egg.

Sunday 5/11 7:00 AM - Mothers Day - Don't forgot your Mom - Let's do the Milk Run - or better known as "options". Route options of 36, 38, 40, or 44 miles, all flat. Breakfast at Wildflower at the Chandler Mall.

For the two dozen or so of you who wanted to buy one of the club purchased ones, they are gone. We already have enough riders wanting to buy that we will be placing another order in May. If you want a jersey, pick up an order form on Sunday morning or click here.

Hi All!

We had 59 riders head out on our loop this morning, enjoying the last bit of spring's cool mornings. Did you see the Jacaranda trees just starting to show those gorgeous purple flowers? Ya know what that means? It's gonna get warm... ok, hot... soon. Our pack split up into several bunches, with some of the advanced riders opting to take a more gentle version of the route today in preparation for the Tour of the Tucson Mountains tomorrow. Breakfast on the patio at the Wildflower was laid back, with most in no rush to get back on their trusty steeds for the pedal back to the park. Such a rough life we lead.

Coming up...

Saturday 5/3/03 7:00am Kiwanis Park. The Tour de Sue takes us on a loop to the south, with options on either Queen Creek or Riggs Road, 25 miles or 35 miles, no climbing. Our mysterious breakfast stop has been reduced to heading to the traditional Perkins, northeast corner Chandler Blvd & 54th St.

Saturday 5/10/03 7:00am Kiwanis Park. We head to the northwest on the McKellips Loop. Mileage options 28 miles or 37 miles, a gentle climb on each. Breakfast is Neighbors Cafe, northwest of Alma School & Guadalupe.

Saturday 5/17/03. Road trip! The Tour de Payson offers up pine trees, great views, food, and fun. Pick up a registration form any Saturday morning. We'll be lining up some carpools, so anybody that wants to head up north with us for the day, get yourself signed up. If you just can't make the journey, a ride will be offered up from Kiwanis Park, to Lehi. (But wouldn't you rather go visit the pine trees?)

Tid bits...

Lotsa bits this week-- so here we go:

Kathy Hendricks is in need of a couple of bodies to help her work the Salt River Tour on May 10th and 11th. This one is a heck of a deal for the workers because of the perks-- you get all of your meals provided, a hotel room, and gas mileage paid. Plus you earn GABA bucks for GABA Tucson. If you aren't familiar with GABA bucks, Kathy can tell you all about 'em when you contact her to volunteer!

We welcome to the world the newest, youngest member of our club. Paul "Papa" Krasner announces that Samantha Bethany joined us last Sunday 4/20/03 at 10:09 PM. She weighed in at 6 lb. 6 oz, 18.25 inches. Big feet (for the pedals). Mom and baby are doing fine, and Paul is back in the saddle trying to work off those darn pregnancy pounds.

We have discussed in the past that when we ride, we leave no trace. Beverage bottles, sport bar wrappers, dead tubes--- they all go in a pocket when we are out on the road until you can find an appropriate spot to dispose of them. This might seem like a silly point to have to bring up, but the Kiwanis Park officials have noted that we need to work a bit on this concept at our start point. After you chug that morning Starbucks... or that post ride Gatorade... slam dunk the debris into one of the barrels in the parking lot. Note, slam dunking the items into the back of your ride leader's pick-up truck will result in penalty points.

Cool lookin' jerseys, huh? Just wanted to drop a special thanks to our prior prez, Mike Morross, for the original design idea. The closing date for our next order of jerseys is 5/20. If you need an order form, send a note to yours truly with your mailing address and we'll snail mail one to you.

And... you have registered for the Payson ride, right??

Ride safe.

Happy Easter everyone!!!!

Sixteen riders showed up to see what the Easter Bunny was wearing today. Too bad you weren't there, he was wearing his biking shorts....It's funny with the tail in the back, but he did have extra padding.....

Ok, enough of that stuff, let's see. Carter did his usual, letting me know, and I let everyone else know, that he was a little hung over and suffering from lack of sleep (and probably liquids). We were all very sorry to hear this, so we took it easy on him, yea right! Gary pushed it up to 28 for a while into the wind. How are you feeling now Carter?????

All, in one way or another, made our way back to Guadalupe and Extension, where we were met by Sue. Hey Sue, guess what, the rides start at 7:00. A few of us went to breakfast at Ripe Tomato and watched in awe as Gary took on the Big Burrito!!!

That's all for now (at least what I can print). Have a good week.

Ride Schedule

Sunday 4/27 7:00 AM Tour Around Mummy - Route to the Southeast and around Mummy Mountain. Mileage of 35- or 45 with moderate to one big honker of a hill. Breakfast at Pete's Grill.

Sunday 5/4 7:00 AM Ohcotukeeloop - Route to Ocotillo and then to Ahwatukee. Route options of 35-45 miles with light to a lot of hills. Breakfast at Good Egg.

Sunday 5/11 7:00 AM - Mother's Day - Don't forgot your Mom - Let's do the Milk Run - or better known as options. Route options of 36, 38, 40, or 44 miles, all flat. Breakfast at Wildflower at the Chandler Mall.

For the two dozen or so of you who wanted to buy one of the club purchased ones, they are gone. We already have enough riders wanting to buy that we will be placing another order in May. If you want a jersey, pick up an order form on Sunday morning or send your mailing address to yours truly and we'll pop a form in the snail mail to you.

Yes, Sue fed quite a few hungry cyclists at our quarterly meeting...84?

Hi All!

69 riders decided the place to be was out riding with us this morning. Bit of an eclectic gathering, with ages ranging from 15 yrs to early 70s and with skill levels from state champions down to... well, those who are champions in their own minds. A route new to most in the group resulted in a little creative wandering aboot in Scottsdale, with the entire advanced pack running amuck off the course, but they eventually managed to find their way. Our ranks swelled even more at the second regroup when we had an ABC (the other riding group here in the valley) group of riders appear at the same location for their regroup. Thanks bunches to Leo Rogers for playing the lantern rouge and assisting with the tail end of the group.

Coming up...

Saturday 4/26/03 7:00am Kiwanis Park. A loop to the southeast, by way of either McQueen or Val Vista. Mileage options 25 miles or 36 miles, no climbing. Breakfast at the Wildflower, northwest of Price and Frye (in the Chandler Mall).

Saturday 5/3/03 7:00am Kiwanis Park. The Tour de Sue takes us on a loop to the south, with options on either Queen Creek or Riggs Road, 25 miles or 35 miles, no climbing. The food stop for this adventures is still being discussed. Assume that we will stop somewhere on the way back and eat.

Saturday 5/10/03 7:00am Kiwanis Park. The McKellips Loop takes us out for our wind training. (Why DOES the wind always blow on that road??) Mileage options 28 miles or 37 miles, a gentle climb on each. Breakfast is Neighbors Cafe, northwest of Alma School & Guadalupe.

Saturday 5/17/03. Road trip! The Tour de Payson offers up pine trees, great views, food, and fun. Pick up a registration form any Saturday morning. We'll be lining up some carpools, so anybody that wants to head up north with us for the day, get yourself signed up. If you just can't make the journey, a ride will be offered up from Kiwanis Park, to Lehi. (But wouldn't you rather go visit the pine trees?)

Tid bits...

The riders who had on their new club jerseys this morning rode so much faster! For the two dozen or so of you who wanted to buy one of the club purchased ones, they are gone. Hmm... maybe you should have... ORDERED ONE?!! Ah, but you are in luck, we already have enough riders wanting to buy that we will be placing another order in May. Pick up an order form any Saturday morning or send your mailing address to your's truly and we'll pop a form in the snail mail to you.

Ride safe.

Twenty riders made it out for a nice ride to the Town of Lehi. Even today, some of the group had never seen Lehi, I'm so glad we can provide not only exercise, entertaining discussion and sometimes a little harassment, but a little geography lessons here and there. Let's see, the group was pretty mild mannered, they must have gotten it all out of their systems last week (either that or the absence of Sue and Carter - huumm!!!). After ringing the alarm for Ron, we were on our way. Zach get's flat head of the week honors with two, followed closely by Tom Culp - what an excuse to get out of the sprint hill on Horne!!

After the first flat, we had a couple of rabbits take off. While the group thought all of the rabbits took the short route, one decided to take the long route. While the rest of the group was jocking for position for the first sprint, good ol Rick leisurely ascended the top of the hill. How do I know this, he sent me an email, which I have attached in quotes. "What happen to you guys? I looked back you guys were about a mile behind me on Horne after that not to be seen? I hope you noticed that I was the first up the hill on Horne and feel I should get the honors king of the hill." So, I guess Gary gets second and me third - I wish I knew that ahead of time, otherwise I wouldn't have went anerobic. Thanks Ron for kicking it up early on the hill too.

The second hill points, which I'm sure where won by "I'm in the lead Rick" were highly contested for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Zach took an early sprint out, with Gary and I in tow. Gary and I each took a side around Zach, but Gary won it in the end. Now that I haven't ridden in two weeks, I could really feel the pain, so on the final sprint, I didn't do anything but coast and watch the breeze go by.

Good ride everyone....

Ride Schedule

Sunday 4/20 7:00 AM Germanalupe - Down Germann to Lindsey or Higley, breakfast at Ripe Tomatoes. Mileage of 32 or 40 miles all flat.

Sunday 4/27 7:00 AM Tour Around Mummy - Route to the Southeast and around Mummy mountain. Mileage of 35- or 45 with moderate to one big honker of a hill. Breakfast at Pete's Grill.

Hi All!

The draw of the big ride (Tour de Phoenix) reduced us to 43 cyclists and one skater this morning. (Hey, we'll take pack fodder any way we can get it on a slow day.) But the group made up for lack of numbers with enthusiasm. We welcomed the next generation of club members with Glen and Chris bringing along their two little Fletchlings, Jessica and Nicolas. Both did an excellent job of tackling the course on junior size bikes, which take a heck of a lot of pedal strokes to get you where you are going! Rich "Buns of Steel" Heffern found out just how important one little bolt can be, when the seat bolt on front of the Heffern express sheared off. Veneranda says they enjoyed the togetherness of the walk to a not so nearby bike store. The rest of the gang enjoyed the Greenbelt with great views of water birds, lush green landscape, and the usual eclectic cross section of the community found along the path.

Coming up...

Saturday 4/19/03 7:00am Kiwanis Park. We head northbound on the MummyBack Loop, taking us by both Camelback and Mummy Mountain. Route options 29 miles or 34 miles, both with some moderate climbing. Breakfast is Pete's 19th Tee, Rolling Hills Golf Course, on Mill north of Curry.

Saturday 4/26/03 7:00am Kiwanis Park. A loop to the southeast, by way of either McQueen or Val Vista. Mileage options 25 miles or 36 miles, no climbing. Breakfast at the Wildflower, northwest of Price and Frye (in the Chandler Mall).

Saturday 5/3/03 7:00am Kiwanis Park. Now this is a first. We actually have a new eats place asking us to come there to eat! Details are still being worked out, so we'll leave the food stop a mystery for now, but our route will be the Tour de Sue, loop options to the south on either Queen Creek or Riggs Road, 25 miles or 35 miles, no climbing.

Tid bits...

They're here!! They're here! Our long awaited new club jerseys have arrived-- and they are grand looking. If you ordered a jersey you can pick it up next Saturday morning, or if you are in Spin Cycle we'll try to have them at Desert Breeze either this Sunday or next. If we don't hook up with you to get the jersey to you in the next couple of weeks, we mail out any that are left. Now, for all of you doofs that didn't order a jersey, and now that you see how stunning they are, you want one-- too bad!! (just kidding.) We have a couple of extras the club ordered, available to first cash offered up, or we will make another order shortly.

To all who participated this week in bike week events, thanks for showing support for cycling in our valley!!

Ride safe.

Hello everyone, here is the belated spin cycle report from last week. I took pieces from Ron and Carter, but to tell you the truth, I had to do a lot of editing to make it presentable, and that is saying a lot for me...

Hey, man, it was cold!! My thermometer read 45. Skater said his read 42. I made some announcements about Bike Week, and how I planned to be at the Wildflowers on McClintock and Guadalupe around 6:30 for the free stuff. Then there's another one at Wholefoods at Rural and Southern, where there will not only be free stuff, but with a ride with the Tempe Mayer to beautiful down town Tempe. Oh ya; that's gotta be fun! Also the $70, Tour de Phoenix, and the $15, 2nd annual, Tour de Payson. It should be better than the 1st annual, without the fire.

Some weren't prepared for the cold and whined their frozen butts off, not to point any fingers at Gene or Carter. We pretty much stayed low key, realizing the wind factor. At the first regroup, the (Glen's edit, $@%$#!!!$@ from Ron) tall clerk reprimanded me, saying that I needed to ask permission to use the (Glen's edit @#$). So I told him that the restroom needed towels. Boy, I showed him! From there, Peaches (a.k.a Sue) took her own route and met the rest of us at the 2nd regroup. With the wind, no one opted for the "insane route". Simon had a 15-minute flat repair, so we didn't tarry at the 2nd regroup. Gary blew by everyone for the first, big overpass sprint, with Zack and I in tow. Tim blew by us for the second, minnie hill sprint, with Roger sucking his wheel. Gary, Zack and I sort of made a hap-hazard attempt.

At Cracker's, (I love that place!) the conversation, was some how directed to Roger's current wheel building experience (Glen's edit - this is the point where the editing stopped and the deleting began. Needless to say, both Ron and Carter need help). Peaches reminded me, before she took her Dobson Rd turn off, that I should not take my usual turn off home, since my car was at the park. Skater reaffirmed that and Roger said good-bye when we came to my turn off for home. It was very confusing for an old codger, lacking some amount of blood to his brain. (I know; Skater says that's normal). The remaining four of us did not even think about a sprint to the Park.

Thanks Ron for leading the group.

Ride Schedule

Sunday 4/13 7:00 AM (NOTE THE TIME CHANGE) - Tour de Lehi - off to the town of Lehi, mileage of 35 or 40 miles, all mostly flat with one slight climb. Breakfast at Neighbors Cafe.

Sunday 4/20 7:00 AM Germanalupe - Down Germann to Lindsey or Higley, breakfast at Ripe Tomatoes. Mileage of 32 or 40 miles all flat.

Sunday 4/27 7:00 AM Tour Around Mummy - Route to the Southeast and around Mummy mountain. Mileage of 35- or 45 with moderate to one big honker of a hill. Breakfast at Pete's Grill.

Hi All!

Our start time moved back to 7:00am today, to get a jump on the morning heat. This of course resulted in the day dawning cool and breezy for the 58 riders who turned out for our jaunt over to South Mountain. The advanced pack who took Baseline over should welcome the news that the City of Phoenix has just approved "upgrading" Baseline from about 40th Street to 7th Avenue. It will (eventually) be widened, bike lane added, and be resurfaced. Now if we could just talk them into fixing the road surfaces in S Mountain Park, we would have it made! After rambling aboot in the park for a bit we made our way to 5&Diner for great conversation and so-so service. (Hey, slow service gives us lots of time to talk!)

Coming up...

Saturday 4/12/03 7:00am Kiwanis Park. For those headed off on the Tour de Phoenix, do us proud! Everybody else come on down to Kiwanis and join us for the Tour de Greenbelt. One route, 29 miles, no climbing, moderate pace. Breakfast at Bruegger's Bagels, Mill & 11th in Tempe.

Saturday 4/19/03 7:00am Kiwanis Park. The MummyBack Loop takes us by both Camelback and Mummy Mountain. Route options 29 miles or 34 miles, both with some moderate climbing. Breakfast at Pete's 19th Tee, Rolling Hills Golf Course, on Mill north of Curry.

Saturday 4/26/03 7:00am Kiwanis Park. Off to the southeast we head, by way of either McQueen or Val Vista. Mileage options 25 miles or 36 miles, no climbing. Breakfast at the Wildflower, northwest of Price and Frye (in the Chandler Mall).

Tid bits...

We talked this morning a bit about Garret Lamire, a young UCLA racer who lost his life the Tucson Bicycling Classic a few weeks ago. The teams involved in the stage race are hosting a memorial ride tomorrow, in Tucson, and all cyclists are welcome to join in. Sunday April 6th, 8:00am, start is at the Pima Community College West Campus and the ride will travel to Gates Pass along Speedway, under police escort. There will be a brief ceremony at the top of the pass and then the ride will return to PCC.

And finally, it's "our" week. April 5th to April 13th is bike week! Are you tired of gas prices? Put that smog belching pile of metal away in the garage for a few days. Break out your backpack, and off you go... to the grocery store, the video store, the post office... to school or work. All those excuses why you don't bike commute? For just a day, one day, on Wednesday 4/9/03, put them aside. You can even pick up free breakfast and a t-shirt at several locations in Tempe that morning, just for being out and about on a bike between 6:30am and 8:30am. Saturday Cyclers are encouraged to turn out in support of the Tempe Mayor's ride. Start point is the Whole Foods Market, northwest corner of Baseline & Rural, start time is 7:30am (but get there early to gather up all the free swag!). We ride with the mayor up in to downtown Tempe. Just a few miles, but lots of good PR!

For more info on stuff going on for bike week, check out:

Ride safe.