Hi All!

The chance to pedal under cloudy skies this morning brought out 74 riders for our trek to the southeast. The pack managed to make it across the diagonal tracks at Kyrene & Elliott intact (well done!) and then our course offered up a bit of everything-- some construction, some nice straight aways, some construction, some waterfalls, some construction... you get the picture. A few of the riders who normally take the standard route decided to go all out and conquer the challenge of the long route-- you guys are becoming such mileage dogs! The Hog Trough welcomed the sweaty masses with plenty of seating room, cool drinks and best of all, air-conditioning.

Coming up...

Saturday 6/7/03 6:30am Kiwanis Park. NOTE THE TIME CHANGE!! We shift to 6:30am for the months of June/July/August. We head to Mummy Mountain on the original route. Options of 27 miles with some moderate climbing or 40 miles with some additional climbs. Breakfast is Brugger's Bagels, northwest corner Mill & 11th.

Saturday 6/14/03 6:30am Kiwanis Park. Off to the Foothills of Ahwatukee we head. Route options 24 miles with no climbing or 34 miles with some moderate climbing. Breakfast at Perkins, northeast corner Chandler Blvd & 54th St.

Saturday 6/21/03 6:30am Kiwanis Park. Ah, the summer solstice, now summer is official! To celebrate we'll ride ourselves silly on some of the local climbs with the St. Francis Loop. Come get lost with everybody else as we continue to try and learn this new route. Mileage options 26 miles or 36 miles, both with climbing (or you can bypass them if ya want). Breakfast is JB's, northeast of Southern & Dorsey.

Tid bits...

The pack this morning came upon the scene of a bike vs car incident. The rider was not with our group, but is a local cyclist that some might know. This was a "classic" that we see so often. The cyclist was northbound, hugging his designated spot tight to the right side of the road. A northbound vehicle passed him, and then made an immediate right turn across his path, resulting in the cyclist plowing into the rear section of the car before he could even touch his brakes. The car driver was overheard telling the police at the scene that the accident was the fault of the cyclist, because he rode into her car! We, of course, had to hang around and see how this would sort out. Our boys in blue knew their stuff though, and very thoroughly explained to the driver she must gave safe distance when passing a cyclist and must yield to cyclists when making turns. As we rolled out, she was being cited for passing a cyclist too close (woo hoo for the new law!) and for making an unsafe turn. The cyclist ended up with a sore back (but the bike seemed OK) and says maybe he'll come check out our pack. We take new members anyway we can get 'em!

Ride safe.

We had 26 riders join us today for a little sun. Yes it is getting hot out there. Also welcome some new riders, Ken, Ron, Gil, and Jason. Our route to Mummy was interesting today, with things coming in twos. First, we had two water bottles dropped today, (from two different people), and then we had two flats (two different people). However, Ron decided to change his twice - so he gets flat head of the week award. Then to top it all off, Randy got two lumps on his left leg and can now be affectionately called "Lumpy".

Carter got two King of the Mountain points today - although the sprint through ASU doesn't count - I DQ'ed him for forcing me out of my line (you and Robbie McEwen - he that is two). Ron and Gary were the last two at breakfast. Carter was the official button pusher for all of the stop lights - being called the intimidator or is that imitator?

Ride Schedule

Monday 5/26/03 7:00am. It's a holiday! We are going to re-enact the great Quest to Sacaton ride. Back we go, to search out the Ira Hayes memorial, in beautiful downtown Sacaton. Route options are "something for everybody"-- 58 miles, 52 miles, 37 miles, or 23 miles, no climbing. Breakfast is Wildflower, northwest of Frye & Price.

Sunday 6/1/03 ---- 6:30AM ---- YES, THAT IS RIGHT, JUNE WE START AT 6:30. To kick off the summer, let's do a new route. I'm going to call it Tempe Mountains. Not exactly sure of the miles, but probably in the 40-45 mile range, with a little to a few hills in there. I'm thinking of trying a new place for breakfast - but that will be a surprise as well.

Hi All!

We had 66 riders take on the heat for our ride to South Mountain this morning. Our passage through Guadalupe was greeted with waves from the day workers lining the street (pre-work day parade of people dressed in goofy clothes, from their perspective). We had several riders take on the challenge of the Towers who hadn't tried it before (congrats to Tom O'Leary for conquering the climb!) Part of the group took the alternate route to San Juan Point and on the return had a very Arizona-ish experience in the form of a large (5' to 6') snake crossing the road. A snake that size takes up a bit of the road, so there was a little skirmish while they sorted out where bikes tires would go and where the snake would go, but they managed to cross paths with all staying intact. On to the 5&Diner where a number of riders cooled off with giant milkshakes. Our pack motto? "We ride to eat."

Coming up...

Monday 5/26/03 7:00am Desert Breeze Park. Memorial Day ride! We go in search of the Ira Hayes memorial, in beautiful downtown Sacaton. Note this ride will be starting from Spin Cycle's start point at Desert Breeze Park. Route options are 58 miles, 52 miles, 37 miles, or 23 miles, no climbing. Breakfast is Wildflower, northwest of Frye & Price.

Saturday 5/31/03 7:00am Kiwanis Park. A loop to the south east, by way of Riggs. Route options 25 miles or 35 miles, no climbing. Breakfast is Home Town Buffet, northwest of Warner & Evergreen.

Saturday 6/7/03 6:30am Kiwanis Park. NOTE THE TIME CHANGE!! We shift to 6:30am for the months of June/July/August. To celebrate our first early morning ride of the season, we head to Mummy Mountain on the original route. Options of 27 miles with some moderate climbing or 40 miles with some additional climbs. Breakfast is Brugger's Bagels, northwest corner Mill & 11th.

Saturday 6/14/03 6:30am Kiwanis Park. We haven't gotten lost in the Foothills lately, so we head to Ahwatukee for another adventure there. Route options 24 miles with no climbing, 34 miles with some moderate climbing, or the "go where ever you want to option" with mileage and climbing up to you. Breakfast at Perkins, northeast corner Chandler Blvd & 54th St.

Tid bits...

We have picked up a lot of new riders this spring, and need to review some basic guidelines that our group operates under. "Rules" seems a bit harsh a term, but breaking one of the following will result in a chat with your pack leader:

When you are in motion, have your helmet on your head with straps buckled. This means when you are rolling around the parking lot before or after the ride, your brain bucket must securely be in place. The most severe injury one of our riders sustained took place in a parking lot at walking speed. The asphalt in the parking lot is just as hard as out on the street.

No headsets. Why? First because it is against city code in several of the cities that we ride through for you to wear a headset when riding a bike on the road. Second because it is a safety issue-- you need your hearing when you ride in traffic and amid other cyclists-- you need to hear verbal ride signals, cars braking near you, bike tires going flat, etc. And third? We're a social group, be nice. Talk to people, let them talk to you. If you don't want to interact with people, why come out to ride with 60 other people?

And speaking of riding solo, when you ride in the pack, ride on the area of the road you would select if you were riding solo. If you were riding solo down Guadalupe Road, which has a nice wide bike lane, would you ride out in the middle of the traffic lane? Let's assume not. (If so, you need a bit more basic training!!) When the pack rides out each morning, we are a large group. Please make some attempt to squash yourselves down into a double line, holding tight to the right.

Ride safe.

Hi All!

A dual ride report this weekend, since the pack split between Kiwanis and Payson:

Thanks to Val Horton for volunteering to keep the home fires stoked by hosting our Lehi ride from Kiwanis Park yesterday. She had 23 riders just say no to the pine tree adventure and take an enjoyable ramble to the northeast and back. Jack, Buddy, and Lance made up for the lack of riders at the breakfast table by providing plenty of conversation.

While they were busy doing that, cool morning air welcomed the 80 riders in our second Tour de Payson. Bob Beane offered up a tour around the town with an out and back ride on the beautiful Houston Mesa Road. A good view was had of the airshow at the airport (which for some reason also included vintage cars and motorcycles). The cowboys and rodeo fans in town seemed suitably impressed by the sight of our pack decked out in goofy clothes riding by... or least they stared at us as we cruised thru town early in the morning. Road biking has not found its way to Payson yet, but we're hoping to change that! Bananas were consumed, thin air was sucked desperately into lungs on the climbs, smiles made faces ache on the delicious downhills, and the post ride chairs at the lunch afterwards seemed very cushy to some. Thanks to all who put time and energy into planning and putting on this adventure for the pack!

Coming up...

Saturday 5/24/03 7:00am Kiwanis Park. South Mountain Park is beautiful at this time of year, we are headed over to check it out. Route options 28 miles with gentle climbing, 40 miles with moderate climbing, or 42 miles with lotsa climbing. Breakfast at 5&Diner, on Priest northwest of Baseline.

Monday 5/26/03 7:00am Desert Breeze Park. Memorial Day ride! We go in search of the Ira Hayes memorial, in beautiful downtown Sacaton. Note this ride will be starting from Spin Cycle's start point at Desert Breeze Park. Route options are 58 miles, 52 miles, 37 miles, or 23 miles, no climbing. Breakfast is Wildflower, northwest of Frye & Price.

Saturday 5/31/03 7:00am Kiwanis Park. Loop to the south east, by way of Riggs. Route options 25 miles or 35 miles, no climbing. Breakfast is Home Town Buffet, northwest of Warner & Evergreen.

Saturday 6/7/03 6:30am Kiwanis Park. NOTE THE TIME CHANGE!! We shift to 6:30am for the months of June/July/August. To celebrate our first early morning ride of the season, we head to Mummy Mountain on the original route. Options of 27 miles with some moderate climbing or 40 miles with some additional climbs. Breakfast is Brugger's Bagels, northwest corner Mill & 11th.

Tid bits...

OK, we dodged one toasty Saturday by zipping up to Payson, and you can skip another heat soaked day by heading to the White Mountain Tour in July-- but how about the other 20 or so Saturdays you will be pedaling between now and when the temp comes back down? Do you remember how to do this thing in the heat? Some basics:

1. Start drinking water heavily during the day on Friday morning if you will be riding with us on Saturday. When you get up Saturday morning, drink a glass of water before you head out the door... your body has not had a drink in 8 hours or so.

2. Though we are a "breakfast" club, eat before you come to ride with us. Your body needs fuel and nutrients to process all that water you are chugging. Preferably something other than the pizza sitting on your coffee table from the night before. A little protein and some complex carbs: whole grain cereal with fruit and skim milk, non-fat yogurt and whole grain toast, peanut butter on apple slices... whatever floats your boat.

3. Put a barrier between your skin and direct heat of the sun. Some riders wear long sleeve shirts in the summer... it make look silly, but it really does keep your skin cooler, which keeps your body temp down. On any exposed skin, heavily apply sunscreen or sunblock. It will not only keep your skin peachy, it again works to reflect the heat.

4. Give your body a chance to acclimatize. If you spend 6 days a week going from your air-conditioned house to your a/c'd car to your a/c'd office to your a/c'd gym... then you come out to ride with us on Saturday morning-- you are going to have a core melt down. Get yourself outdoors a couple of times during the week. (The perfect solution is of course to bike commute to and from work daily!)

Ride safe and stay cool!

We had 22 riders take off this morning. We were welcomed by the nice brisk morning - wow - isn't it just great this spring....Our group made our way around the Milk run, but I think it needs to be renamed to the construction options. We have several options on this route, and as with the first, had many construction options that really challenged our direction. Brenda and Henry even decided to ride all the way to Power (not by choice).

Roger get's flat head of the week honors, and I have to say, that is the first flat I have witnessed Roger ever having in 2 years of cycling. Welcome Mike and Nancy to the group. Other than that, a pretty quite day riding. I would also like to thank Ron and Gary for leading the group the past two weeks.

Last week - we didn't have a report, but Ron did say it was a good group of 20, who pretty much stayed together and had a good conversation at the Good Egg. (oh boy!!!)

Ride Schedule

5/18 - 7:00 am Mckellips Loop - Mileage options of 34 or 39 miles, mostly flat, but enjoying the wind tunnel on McKellips. Breakfast at Neighbors Cafe.

5/25 - 7:00 am Mummy Mountain - the original. Mileage options of 35-45 with some minor to challenging hills. Breakfast at Pete's 19th hole.

Monday 5/26/03 7:00am. It's a holiday! We are going to re-inact the great Quest to Sacaton ride. Back we go, to search out the Ira Hayes memorial, in beautiful downtown Sacaton. Route options are "something for everybody"-- 58 miles, 52 miles, 37 miles, or 23 miles, no climbing. Breakfast is Wildflower, northwest of Frye & Price.

Other Information

Payson Information - If you are traveling to Payson this coming Saturday - here is some quick information. Have fun and enjoy.....

Check-in begins at 7:00 at Manzanita Cyclery, next to Safeway on the south side of Hwy 260, about 1/4 mile East of the Beeline/Hwy 260, intersection. Please be there by 7:30, latest.

Please use the outer and/or western parking spaces at Safeway, which is what their management has requested. Also, since we are "parading" down Main, it would be great for our riders with PMBC jerseys to wear them next Saturday.

Hi All!

Ok, so the Jacaranda trees are confused. Our 63 riders shivered in the cool this morning, but no complaints were heard-- all know the long days of summer will be with us soon enough. We headed out into the brisk air, only to very shortly pull up for a train crossing. (Since when do trains run through Tempe on Saturday mornings??) Off we set again, making our way to McKellips, and then of course into the traditional head wind. We arrived at Neighbors, to find the Sun Lakes pack there ahead of us. At least they didn't steal our reserved tables this time! It was grand getting to chat up our southern division.

A note of thanks from Leo, to John-- thanks for the assist with the chain lube!

Coming up...

Saturday 5/17/03. The pack relocates to Payson for our annual Tour de Payson. If you haven't registered to attend, see Tour de Payson.

For those unable to make Payson, Saturday Cycling will still offer up a ride from our traditional spot in Kiwanis Park, 7:00am, to Lehi. Route options 26 miles or 35 miles, no climbing. Breakfast at Bruegger's Bagels, Mill & 11th.

Saturday 5/24/03 7:00am Kiwanis Park. South Mountain Park is beautiful at this time of year, we are headed over to check it out. Route options 28 miles with gentle climbing, 40 miles with moderate climbing, or 42 miles with lotsa climbing. Breakfast at 5&Diner, on Priest northwest of Baseline.

Monday 5/26/03 7:00am Desert Breeze Park. It's a holiday! We are going to re-inact the great Quest to Sacaton ride. Back we go, to search out the Ira Hayes memorial, in beautiful downtown Sacaton. Note this ride will be starting from Spin Cycle's start point at Desert Breeze Park. Route options are "something for everybody"-- 58 miles, 52 miles, 37 miles, or 23 miles, no climbing. Breakfast is Wildflower, northwest of Frye & Price.

Tid bits...

See ya in Payson next Saturday!!

Ride safe.

Hi All!

Our 68 riders this morning enjoyed an absolutely gorgeous spring day as we headed out of the park. The wind kicked up a bit as we made our way around the route, reminding us that riding in a gusting cross wind can be as much of a challenge as a head wind! Greg stopped to assist Buddy with a flat, and Buddy returned the favor later in the morning by stopping to assist Greg with flat as we made our way back. Equal opportunity flat repair. We were welcomed with lots of seating and quick service at Perkins, and had a grand time singing Muriel "Happy Birthday" over a cookie with a candle stabbed into it. When in doubt, improvise.

Coming up...

Saturday 5/10/03 7:00am Kiwanis Park. If you didn't get enough wind today, join us for our traditionally gusty jaunt across 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 pack relocates to Payson for our annual Tour de Payson. This ride is building up to be quite an adventure. Beautiful views, perfect weather, a parade, 36' of subsandwich-- oh, yeah, and a bike ride. You just gotta be there. If you haven't registered yet, pop your form in the mail by Monday and you still get the el cheapo pre-registration cost. If you need a form, click here. If you and your bike need a ride up, or if you can offer a spot on the ride up for a rider/bike in your vehicle, zip yours truly a note.

Yes, for those sad riders who will be unable to make the trip, SatCycling will indeed hold a ride from Kiwanis Park also. Start time 7:00am, to Lehi. Route options 26 miles or 35 miles, no climbing. Breakfast at Bruegger's Bagels, Mill & 11th.

Saturday 5/24/03 7:00am Kiwanis Park. We've had a request to make another attack on the Towers road before it gets too toasty, so back to South Mountain we head. Various mileage and climbing options. Breakfast at 5&Diner, on Priest northwest of Baseline.

Monday 5/26/03 7:00am Desert Breeze Park. It's a holiday! Woo hoo! Ya know what that means? An extra day to pedal this week! OK, some of us pedal every day, but pedaling with our friends is our favorite day off activity. We are going to re-inact the great Quest to Sacaton ride. For the gallant few who participated in this ride last year, you will recall that we got wet thru and thru in torrential rain. Back we go, to search out the Ira Hayes memorial, in beautiful downtown Sacaton. If you don't know where that is, come along! Note this ride will be starting from Spin Cycle's start point at Desert Breeze Park. Route options are "something for everybody"-- 58 miles, 52 miles, 37 miles, or 23 miles, no climbing. Breakfast is Wildflower, northwest of Frye & Price.

Tid bits...

Next Saturday (May 10th) at Tempe Bike (northwest of University & Mill in Tempe) is the Bicycle Swap Meet, from 8:00am to noon. No charge to gawk and/or buy, $5 if you want to set up space to sell. If we have anybody in the pack who will be setting up a sales spot, please contact Sue Fassett (who would like to liquidate a coupla bikes).

Ride safe.