We had 14 riders take off on this Leap Year ride, getting in an extra day of riding for February. It was a tad chilly this morning, and the whining started first thing. It's cold...Then it was, we don't have to go fast today, do we? Then it was, I don't think I'll go up South Mountain, I'm just going to San Juan. I offered cheese with this whining, but he whined about that to. See what happens when you harass the ride leader. Ok, you can send me an email and guess who this is. What do you get, your name in lights for next weeks report.

Overall, a good day of riding, with almost everyone making it to the top except for Gene who had a date and Tom, who has to get ready for his wedding date. Stacey was the first women to the top (she was also the only one, but we won't let a little detail get in the way of a good story). Larry and Roger paced up to the top together (actually, Larry pulled Roger the whole way, just enjoying the scenery).

The ride down was the usual, bummmmmppppppyyyyyy! We also found a new route up to South Mountain not having to go on Baseline except to cross it at a stop light on 16th street, definitely a new route going forward. We ended up eating at Einstein Bagels, and the person mentioned above whined about that (it wasn't on the map, we didn't take the same route as the map, blah blah blah)....

Ok, everyone have a great week.

Ride Schedule

3/7 - 7:30 AM start time - NOTICE TIME CHANGE - Let's do McKellips loop, mileage options of 35, 45 or 50 with breakfast at Neighbors.

Saturday 3/13/04 7:30am Kiwanis Park. FREE FOOD!! That gets 'em every time. Our quarterly membership ride/meeting offers you a journey to the Ahwatukee Foothills and then free eats back at Kiwanis Park after the ride. Mileage options 24 miles with no climbing or 34 miles with moderate climbing. Breakfast is FREE for all PMBC/GABA members, $4 for non-members. If you are not a member and want to join by that date, pick up an application any Saturday morning or click here.

3/14 - 7:30 AM Start time - Ride around the mountain - South Mountain that is. One route, about 50 miles, with a couple of regroups. Breakfast at Bagel Nosh on 48th St and Warner Rd.

3/21 - 7:30 AM Start time - Germannalupe - Down to Guadalupe and back on Germann. Mileage options of 33 or 42 flat miles. Breakfast at Ruby's Diner.

3/28 - 7:30 AM Start time - Ride to Sacaton - Ride to the thriving metropolis of Sacaton, mileage options of 37, 52, or 60 miles with a hill for the 60 mile crew. Breakfast at Wildflower - Chandler Mall.

PMBC Stuff

If your interested in having one of the club jerseys or a club vest or arm warmers, check out our web site for ordering information.

The Mining Country Challenge is a couple of weeks away, do you have your climbing legs in shape?

And lastly, are you interested in getting away to a cool this summer? We'll, what better way to than being the ride leader for our White Mountain Tour on July 10-11th. If you have the inclination, send yours truly an email. Help support your club!

Hi All!

The chilly temp and chance of showers reduced us to 44 riders this morning. If you didn't come out, you missed a grand day to be out on a bike. Our loop to the southeast was interupted by one slightly exploded tire... and a bit of construction chaos on Lindsay... but other than that it was all good. Breakfasters on the patio at Wildflower lingered, soaking up the sun and the caffeine.

Coming up...

Saturday 3/6/04 7:30am Kiwanis Park. NOTE THE TIME CHANGE!! We start the month off with the Mummyback Loop. A scenic loop to the north with mileage options of 28 miles or 35 miles, both with a couple of moderate climbs... and one extra silly steep optional climb on the long route. Breakfast at Bruegger's Bagels, northwest corner Mill and 11th.

Saturday 3/13/04 7:30am Kiwanis Park. FREE FOOD!! Our quarterly membership ride/meeting offers a pedal to the Ahwatukee Foothills and then free eats back at Kiwanis Park after the ride. Mileage options 24 miles with no climbing or 34 miles with moderate climbing. Breakfast is FREE for all PMBC/GABA members, $4 for non-members. If you are not a member and want to join by that date, pick up an application any Saturday morning or click here. If you will be popping in just for the breakfast/meeting, we'll start serving about 9:30am, location Ramada 6 & 7 at the east end of Kiwanis Lake.

Saturday 3/20/04 7:30am Kiwanis Park. Tour de Sue takes us to the south (hopefully not in the rain this time!) with route options of 25 miles or 35 miles, no climbing. Breakfast at Village Inn, northwest corner Hardy & Elliot.

Tid bits...

Sometimes experienced riders use terminology that draws a blank stare from newbies... such as to "boot" a tire. This does not mean to give your flat tire a swift kick. A "boot" is used when there is a hole or tear not only in the tube, but also thru the tire. If you don't cover the opening in the tire, when you insert and inflate the new tube to pressure, the tube will ooze outa the hole in the tire... and go kapow as you continue to bring tube up to pressure. Before you put in the new tube, you put a barrier between the tube and the hole in the tire. The boot needs to be some kind of material that will not tear easily. A dollar bill works perfect. The rider numbers that you pin to your jerseys during the big event rides/races are also excellent material for this... fold one up and carry it in your bike bag. In a pinch, you can use wrappers from energy bars or gel packets (uh... empty them first) or trash from the road. Fix your tire and clean up the environment! Cycling is so good for the world. :-)

Ride safe.

We had 27 riders today take off for Tour de Mesa. Overall a great route, with some good miles with little stop lights and a good hill on McDowell. The rain stayed away until late this afternoon, so no one got caught. A few riders took on some extra hills and did Usery Pass. I was told Roger took most of the sprints from Paul, but even Neal got in the mix and won one. Geez Paul, did you leave everything on McDowell? I also heard that chivalry is not dead, can you elaborate Patty?

The standard group headed back at a great pace, but got hit with two flats on the way back. Oh well, got to keep the flat heads alive, Shige gets the honor even though it didn't go completely flat.

Ride Schedule

2/29 8:00 AM - Up to South Mountain. Ride options of 42 or 50 miles, with some slight hills to a whole lot. Breakfast at Einstein Bagels - Ray & Rural.

3/7 - 7:30 AM start time NOTICE TIME CHANGE - Let's do McKellips loop, mileage options of 35, 45 or 50 with breakfast at Neighbors.

Saturday 3/13/04 7:30am Kiwanis Park. FREE FOOD!! That gets 'em every time. Our quarterly membership ride/meeting offers you a journey to the Ahwatukee Foothills and then free eats back at Kiwanis Park after the ride. Mileage options 24 miles with no climbing or 34 miles with moderate climbing. Breakfast is FREE for all PMBC/GABA members, $4 for non-members. If you are not a member and want to join by that date, pick up an application any Saturday morning or click here.

Tid bits...

PMBC will again be hosting the last sag stop in the Tour de Phoenix this year. We need a few bodies to help staff the stop. The ride is on Saturday April 3rd and volunteers would need to be at the sag stop (Lindsey and McDowell) from about 8am until the last rider comes through. To sign up to help, contact Mike Litecky at either mlitecky@cox.net or (480)206-6616. (Tom Culp is excused from this duty as he happens to be getting married on this date... but the rest of you... sign up.)

Hi All!

The weather gurus were fortunately wrong about this morning... as we had a perfect dry morning to pedal off into. We had 68 riders turn out to show appreciation for the lack of rain. The loop thru Lehi was beautiful as always and the gentle downhill on Rio Salado made for a zippy pedal across town. We checked out the masses doing the Heart walk around the lake in Tempe, then turned towards the buffet at JB's. In the parking lot after eats, Gene "Dancer" Rainey finally earns his pack name by doing a great imitation of a pole dancer, while still astride his trusty steed, much to the entertainment of the rest of the pack. Just another Saturday morning.

Coming up...

Saturday 2/28/04 8:00am Kiwanis Park. The Lindsay Loop takes us on a loop to the southeast. Route options 29 miles or 39 miles, no climbing. Breakfast at The Wildflower, northwest of Frye and Price.

Saturday 3/6/04 7:30am Kiwanis Park. NOTE THE TIME CHANGE!! March brings us longer days and warm breezes. We start the month off with the Mummyback Loop. This is a great scenic loop to the north with mileage options of 28 miles or 35 miles, both with a couple of moderate climbs... and yes, one extra silly steep optional climb on the long route. Breakfast at Bruegger's Bagels, northwest corner Mill and 11th.

Saturday 3/13/04 7:30am Kiwanis Park. FREE FOOD!! That gets 'em every time. Our quarterly membership ride/meeting offers you a journey to the Ahwatukee Foothills and then free eats back at Kiwanis Park after the ride. Mileage options 24 miles with no climbing or 34 miles with moderate climbing. Breakfast is FREE for all PMBC/GABA members, $4 for non-members. If you are not a member and want to join by that date, pick up an application any Saturday morning or click here.

Tid bits...

PMBC will again be hosting the last sag stop in the Tour de Phoenix this year. We need a few bodies to help staff the stop. The ride is on Saturday April 3rd and volunteers would need to be at the sag stop (Lindsey and McDowell) from about 8am until the last rider comes through. To sign up to help, contact Mike Litecky at either mlitecky@cox.net or (480)206-6616. (Tom Culp is excused from this duty as he happens to be getting married on this date... but the rest of you... sign up.)

As we discussed this morning, we have very few rules for our weekly rides, but the helmet requirement is carved in stone. Once you have signed in on any of our PMBC rides, if you are in motion on your bike, your helmet must be on your noggin' and buckled. The asphalt is just as hard in the parking lot as it is out on the street.

Ride safe.

We had 17 riders take off today, even though a few meet us along the route. Overall, a great day for riding, and a chance to see a real bike race downtown. It's amazing how fast those guys go. Overall, a pretty uneventful day of riding, which was good.

Ride Schedule

2/22 8:00 AM - New route - Tour de Mesa. Up Guadalupe to Lindsay, then to McDowell up to Power and back down McKellips. Mileage options of 35 or 50 miles with the 50 mile option with some hills. Breakfast at Neighbors Cafe.

2/29 8:00 AM - Up to South Mountain. Ride options of 42 or 50 miles, with some slight hills to a whole lot. Breakfast at Einstein Bagels - Ray & Rural.

Other Information

We mentioned this before... but people are still asking... so we'll mention it again. A good portion of our club is participating in a national website to track their miles, chat with other cyclists around the country, etc. The site is www.bikejournal.com and our club password there is "PMBC" (Group name of GABA - Phoenix Metro Bike Club). Our club is running second place for mileage behind a group in Houston and if we get a few more members on board... we just might catch them!

Jerseys and other info. If you wanted a jersey, we are taking orders again. Check out the web site for short, long, vests, jackets, or arm warmers. Show off your club colors.... http://www.sportsfun.com/gaba/jerseydesign.html.

Hi All!

We had 55 riders ignore the nip in the air and come out to celebrate Singles Awareness Day (aka Valentines Day) with us this morning. The journey to the Towers was (finally!) successful for Neal, who on previous encounters with this route had resorted to letting his feet do their stuff on the ashpalt intead of his tires for the last steep climb... well done, Neal. Joel learned why you should immediately stop to wrap off a broken rear spoke... and also determined just how far you can coast back down that ride. Mike and Renate enjoyed the day dedicated to couples by getting separated from the start out of the park... with Mike spending the rest of the morning in search of his bride... kind of like an extended version of Where's Waldo? We had numerous Renate sightings through out the morning... hopefully they eventually reunited. (Mike...matching cellphones would make a lovely holiday gift for you two!)

Coming up...

Monday 2/16/04 8:00am Kiwanis Park. Tom O'Leary has designed for us a new route... and it's definitely going to be a winner. Join us for the Piestewa Peak Pedal... a beautiful tour of some areas that our group doesn't normally take in. Route options 38 miles with a bit of climbing or 48 miles with a bit more climbing. Breakfast, IHOP at College and Apache.

Saturday 2/21/04 8:00am Kiwanis Park. Tour de Lehi takes us on a loop to the northeast, with a quick roll back down Rio Salado. Route options 27 miles or 35 miles, no climbing. Breakfast JB's, northeast of Southern & Dorsey.

Saturday 2/28/04 8:00am Kiwanis Park. The Lindsay Loop takes us to the southeast by way of Lindsay. Route options 29 miles or 39 miles, no climbing. Breakfast is the Wildflower, northwest of Frye & Price.

Tid bits...

We mentioned this before... but people are still asking... so we'll mention it again. A good portion of our club is participating in a national website to track their miles, chat with other cyclists around the country, etc. The site is www.bikejournal.com and our club password there is "PMBC". Our club is running second place for mileage behind a group in Houston and if we get a few more members on board... we just might catch them!

So, you pop a rear spoke. What do you do? Stop. Why? Depending on the side the spoke is on and where it headed to when it broke... there is potential for the spoke to grab hold of your rear derailler. If you are in motion when that happens, bad news. Stop and either remove the spoke or wrap it securely around another spoke.

And last... but very appropriate for today... that blinding light that kept sparkling in the crowd this morning? That was the sun glinting off the new diamond on Connie's left hand. Congrats, Connie... and sorry, boys!

Ride safe.

Hi All!

The pack did indeed ride the St. Francis Loop on Saturday. Thanks to Linda Matson for stepping up to lead the motley crew. All made it around the route in reasonable condition, then bagels were consumed, and the breakfast conversation focused on anticipation of the Laveen Country Challenge taking place on Sunday (or at least there was anticipation discussed about the BBQ to be held after that ride!).

Coming up...

Saturday 2/14/04 8:00am Kiwanis Park. Bring your valentine and join us for a pedal to South Mountain. Mileage options 28 miles with a little climbing, 40 miles with moderate climbing, or 42 miles with lotsa climbing. Breakfast 5&Diner, northwest of Baseline & Priest.

Monday 2/16/04 8:00am Kiwanis Park. Another holiday adventure ride. A new route... the Piestewa Peak Pedal! Come join us for a maiden voyage on a quest to see the peak that is in the news so often of late. Route options 35 miles with a bit of climbing or 45 miles with a bit more climbing. Breakfast, IHOP at College and Apache.

Saturday 2/21/04 8:00am Kiwanis Park. Tour de Lehi takes us on a loop to the northeast, with a quick roll back down Rio Salado. Route options 27 miles or 35 miles, no climbing. Breakfast JB's, northeast of Southern & Dorsey.

Saturday 2/28/04 8:00am Kiwanis Park. The Lindsay Loop takes us to the southeast by way of, duh, Lindsay. Route options 29 miles or 39 miles, no climbing. Breakfast is the Wildflower, northwest of Frye & Price.

Tid bits...

The Mining Country Challenge Ride is on Saturday, March 20th in Superior. We need volunteers to help out at the rest stops. If you've never helped out at a rest stop, this is a great one to start with... there are nice views to enjoy while chatting it up with all the cyclists needing replenishment between all the challenging climbs! If you can help out, please contact Connie Wong at 602.359.9580 or cmwong@earthlink.net

Ride safe.

We had 9 riders this morning take off this crisp morning. Must have been the allure of Laveen and Palm Springs and the desire to not ride in the cool temps. Oh well, our gang of 9 was strong and steady. We welcomed a new rider today Shige, who did rather well today. We maintained a good pace until we got close to Papago Park, then the speed started to creep up. After the regroup, everyone did "the hill". Bob gets King of the Hill honors while Patty gets Queen of the Hill honors. That after doing a century yesterday. When you get a chance, ask Patty what type of ring she has on her cell phone!

Even with Neal out of state, everyone still heard from him (he called me twice). Quote of the day from Bob after asking if he was ok after the Curry hill, he says without breaking a smile, "I'm a one-hill wonder".

Ride Schedule

2/15 8:00 AM - Downtown Phoenix - Come see downtown, and the Valley of the Sun Crit race. Mileage options of 35 or 45 miles with the 45 mile option with some slight hills. Breakfast at Smoothie King.

2/22 8:00 AM - New route - Tour de Mesa. Up Guadalupe to Lindsay, then to McDowell up to Power and back down McKellips. Mileage options of 35 or 50 miles with the 50 mile option with some hills. Breakfast at Neighbors Cafe.

2/29 8:00 AM - Up to South Mountain. Ride options of 42 or 50 miles, with some slight hills to a whole lot. Breakfast at Einstein Bagels - Ray & Rural.

We had 26 riders today take on the hills of Ahwatukee - and I dare say, we won!!! Ok, they may have gotten a few of us. We had two out of town riders with us today, and didn't even loose them! Carter got the first flat of the day, right in the parking lot before we take off. While in the parking lot, Gene was showing off his heart rate monitor, and even gave Neal a helmet butt to boot!!! Bob got a flat as well during our stretch down Queen Creek. This is a good reminder for everyone, while in a pace line, it is CRUCIAL that everyone along the line to point out debris, not just the people in front. You can probably guess that Bob hit some debris and flatted, but he still gets a place in the flat head honors along with Carter. This is also where we got the quote of the day from Mike when I finally found the hole in Bob's tire, "He's experienced at finding the hole."

The sprinters were all ready to go, but we hit a red light over Queen Creek, so it was stopped before we really got started. The sprint over the I-10 bridge was won by Paul. We all regrouped, and headed toward Ahwatukee. Sue did some reconnaissance riding to make sure the route was safe of joggers for Neal. Up and over Pecos without any issue (except for Carter's grace moves), we started with the hills. There was excitement in the air, as Neal and Joel took off up the first hill. The remainder of the pack kept a steady pace, as they knew more hills were in store. The peleton caught them at the top of the first hill. We then headed towards the second hill. We kept a pretty good pace, with our out of town guest Rob keeping a good pace of 17-18 up the hill until Paul took off. His attacks where countered, and then he took off again, but, yes, I won a king of the hill honor (good thing Gary hasn't been around).

Breakfast at Brueggers was great as well as the company. Have a good week.

Ride Schedule

2/8 8:00 AM - We'll do the Tour around Mummy with the added benefit of the original Mummy Mountain Hills. Yes, we get to go up that big hill. Mileage options of 35 flat, 40 somewhat hilly, and 50 hilly miles. Breakfast at US Egg (Mill & Baseline).

2/15 8:00 AM - Downtown Phoenix - Come see downtown, and the Valley of the Sun Crit race. Mileage options of 35 or 45 miles with the 45 mile option with some slight hills. Breakfast at Smoothie King

2/22 8:00 AM - New route - Tour de Mesa. Up Guadalupe to Lindsay, then to McDowell up to Power and back down McKellips. Mileage options of 35 or 50 miles with the 50 mile option with some hills. Breakfast at Neighbors Cafe.

2/29 8:00 AM - Up to South Mountain. Ride options of 42 or 50 miles, with some slight hills to a whole lot. Breakfast at Einstein Bagels - Ray & Rural.