We had 19 riders on Sunday enjoy a very nice smooth paced ride to Mesa - well done. No flats to report either. Larry gets the king of the mountain points up McDowell, while Wen and myself get sprint points, even though no one contested our efforts. That's ok, a win is a win, right Wen? Only other interesting events was the dead guy at the last regroup (just kidding, he started moving once the police officers started talking to him). Oh least I forget. I didn't have a ride report from last week, but I guess the highlight was Carter getting a flat in front of Le Girls gentlemen's club. According to Carter, going in dressed in Lycra can be good and bad!

Ok, remember, starting next week (MARCH) we start at 7:30 AM.

3/5 - 7:30 AM NEW START Time for March - Tour de Lindsay - with miles of 40 or 54 miles, all flat. Breakfast at Bogies - Ken McDonald Golf Course.

3/12 - 7:30 AM - The Original Mummy Mountain - Mileage options of 35 or 45 miles. Breakfast at Einstein Bagels - McClintock & Guadalupe.

3/19 - 7:30 AM - Tour de Scottsdale - Mileage options of 40 or 44 miles, all flat. Breakfast at US Egg - Mill & Baseline.

3/26 - 7:30 AM - To South Mountain - up to the towers, san juan, or the Ramada. Mileage options of 50, 48, or 42, with a lot of hills on the 50, some good hills on 48, and just enough to get your blood pumping on 42. Breakfast at Atlanta Bread company - Elliot & Priest.

Hi All!

We had 62 riders appear at the park this morning, with many flaunting that interesting level of attire seen at this time of year... bare legs and ear warmers. Our Pennsyvania division grew by two with the return of the Rocklands, for their annual visit to cycling paradise. The journey around Mummy was the usual mix of trying to stay on the route while gawking at the beautiful views. Jerry D. decided riders from another group looked more fun to ride with and trailed off behind them... eventually finding his way back to our pack at the food stop. Breakfast conversation ranged from a heated discussion regarding cream cheese vs peanut butter to contemplation of why Rochelle never removes her helmet. Answers on both issues are still pending.

Coming up...

Saturday 3/4/06 7:30am Kiwanis Park. NOTE THE TIME CHANGE! The St. Francis Loop takes us on a figure eight romp up through town, with mileage options of 26 miles or 36 miles, both with moderate climbing. Breakfast at Bruegger's Bagels, northwest corner Mill & 11th.

Saturday 3/11/06 7:30am Kiwanis Park. Research to Oak, a loop around town with route options of 31 miles with no climbing or 38 miles with a couple of climbs. Breakfast at Einstein's, northwest corner Guadalupe & McClintock.

Saturday 3/18/06 7:30am Kiwanis Park. McKellips Loop for a bit of wind training. Route options 28 miles or 37 miles, one gentle climb on each. Breakfast at Neighbor's, northwest corner Alma School & Guadalupe.

Tid bits

Each week when you turn out for our Saturday adventure you pick up a map. On the flip side of that map are noted our pack guidelines. Less than a dozen items, far fewer than most organized rides, all of them common sense issues to help make your romp safe and fun. Your job is to review them, decide if you want to comply with all, and then roll out of the parking lot. If you should decide that any of them are not within the realm of something you can or want to comply with, when you roll out, please head in the opposite direction of the pack. You have free will to choose to wear headsets, ride hands free, ride thru red lights, talk on your cellphone, etc. You just can not do those things in conjunction with participating in our pack rides. We wish you well in life, however short it might be for you.

Ride safe.

Hi All!

The cloudy day yesterday gave way to a chilly morning today, but that didn't deter the 55 riders who appeared at the park for our weekly adventure. The open roads in the first half of the ride rapidly gave way to a series of traffic light sprints as we rolled through what used to be farm country, but has now sprouted subdivisions and stores. Who knew we would some day miss the smell of silage? (And if you don't know what "silage" is... you might NOT be a redneck.) Breakfast chatter ranged from pondering Roger's fashion sense (or lack there of) to figuring out who in the crowd qualified (by age or merely appearance) for the senior Olympics, which are upon us next weekend.

Coming up...

Monday 2/20/06 8:00am Kiwanis Park. A holiday adventure! If you have the day free, head to Ahwafooty with us. Route options 25 miles with one gentle climb or 35 miles with moderate climbing. Breakfast Atlanta Bread Co, southeast corner Priest & Elliot.

Saturday 2/25/06 8:00am Kiwanis Park. Mummy Mountain, original route. Options of 27 miles with some moderate climbing or 40 miles with a few extra bonus climbs. Breakfast at Bruegger's Bagels, northwest corner Mill & 11th.

Saturday 3/4/06 7:30am Kiwanis Park. NOTE THE TIME CHANGE! For those of you who have been struggling to make the 8:00am start time, we're going to make it a bit more of a challenge for you as we start our shift back to spring hours. The St. Francis Loop takes us on a figure eight romp up through town, with mileage options of 26 miles or 36 miles, both with moderate climbing. Breakfast at Bruegger's Bagels, northwest corner Mill & 11th.

Tid bits

Though our sign-in sheets showed a head count of 55 riders present this morning... a cattle count at the start revealed a greater herd. Just a reminder, all riders, every week, must sign-in for our pack rides. If you are a member of PMBC/GABA, signing in to the ride provides you with liability and minor medical insurance while participating on our romp. If you are not a member of PMBC/GABA, you are signing a waiver stating you will not sue the bike shorts off us should you get injured.

Ride safe.

We had 18 riders take off on the chilly morning, but it warmed up, at least at the first sprint. Juan gets the green jersey from the overpass. Thanks to Gene for leading the group the rest of the way..The rest of the report is from Gene - Small group (only 6) for breakfast as we went to Bruegger's due to long wait at Waffle House. Roger yelled at me again for not keeping up with the tandem (Jackie and Larry) on the 5th Ave hill--but they had a head start due to my not keeping up on 17th Ave hill. I had a flat on Riggs right after we saw you heading for the barn. Had a good ride west on Pecos with a tailwind. Not much else to report other than great weather but a little breezy.

Change of plans for next Sunday. Since it is the Valley of the Sun stage race, we'll had to downtown Phoenix and watch the crit races downtown for a little bit before heading back

Ride Schedule

2/19 - 8:00AM - Downtown Phoenix, we'll figure a way down there through the construction. You're on your own getting back (just kidding). Mileage options of 35 or 45 miles, with the longer route having a few hills. Breakfast stop Einstein Bagels on Rural & Ray.

Sunday - 2/26 - 8:00 - Tour de Mesa - Mileage options of 35 or 45 miles, with one hill on the 45 mile route. Breakfast at Einstein Bagels on Guadalupe & McClintock.

Hi All!

We had 60 riders turn out for our climbing and wind training ride this morning. The suhweet tailwind on the ride over to S. Mountain park held steady through the morning, resulting in a bit of a struggle on the way back... but we're in it for the calorie burn anyway, right? There is some dispute regarding who made it to the towers first on the climb, but honorable mention goes out to Ken St. John who was spied trailing the big dog pack, so he could escort four of the female riders up. A man with his priorities straight. A rider who shall remain nameless, but who will for a long time be subjected to the ribbing of his peers, demonstrated a new method of rear cassette cleaning. An improperly stowed jacket gradually worked its way outa his rear pocket on the rampage down the mountain... and it ended up being sucked into his rear cassette, bringing him to an immediate stop. He does get extra points for a swift and skilled dismount that left him on his feet instead of sprawled on the unkind road surface.

Coming up...

Saturday 2/18/06 8:00am Kiwanis Park. Tour de Sue takes us on a loop to the south, with route options of 25 miles or 35 miles, no climbing. Breakfast at Einstein's, northwest corner Guadalupe and McClintock.

Monday 2/20/06 8:00am Kiwanis Park. A holiday adventure! If you have the day free, head to Ahwafooty with us. Route options 25 miles with one gentle climb or 35 miles with moderate climbing. Breakfast Atlanta Bread Co, southeast corner Priest & Elliot.

Saturday 2/25/06 8:00am Kiwanis Park. Mummy Mountain, original route. Options of 27 miles with some moderate climbing or 40 miles with a few extra bonus climbs. Breakfast at Bruegger's Bagels, northwest corner Mill & 11th.

Tid bits

Our lost and found pile gained a pair of black riding tights this morning... left in a plastic bag in the bed of a truck at sign-in. Donation? Want them back? Contact Sue Fassett.

Did you ride the 2006 Casa Grande Century and not get this year's red commemorative socks? Good news, our sock re-order has arrived! Email your name to ride leader Jane Larson for her records, and we will have your socks at an upcoming Saturday Cycling or Spin Cycle ride.

Ride safe.

Hi All!

Our romp to Lehi last week drew a large crowd for this time of year, 82 riders, which tells us spring is near and we can soon start to welcome back the wussie riders that we haven't seen since the fall. Our weather record of 108 days without rain stunned some of our out of town guests, while breakfast conversation ranged from the advantage of single speed bikes (uh... you don't have to remember to shift?) to the spring event rides that are rapidly approaching on the calendar. Thanks to Prez Jay Stewart for stepping up to lead the herd.

Coming up...

Saturday 2/11/06 8:00am Kiwanis Park. South Mountain with route options of 27 miles with gentle climbing, 40 miles with moderate climbing, or 42 miles with oodles of climbing. Breakfast at Atlanta Bread Co, southeast corner Priest & Elliot.

Saturday 2/11/06 5:30pm PMBC Social at the Demassa's. Last call for RSVPs! Cindy and Gerry DeMassa invite all to their abode in Ahwatukee for a club party. Time is 5:30pm till whenever, they will provide the eats, you bring your favorite beverage. To RSVP and receive directions, contact Sue Fassett.

Saturday 2/18/06 8:00am Kiwanis Park. Tour de Sue takes us on a loop to the south, with route options of 25 miles or 35 miles, no climbing. Breakfast at Einstein's, northwest corner Guadalupe and McClintock.

Monday 2/20/06 8:00am Kiwanis Park. A holiday adventure! If you have the day free, head to Ahwafooty with us. Route options 25 miles with one gentle climb or 35 miles with moderate climbing. Breakfast Atlanta Bread Co, southeast corner Priest & Elliot.

Tid bits

On our Saturday morning adventures the pack often travels through the intersection of Guadalupe Road and the Price 101 freeway. This is a looong intersection, with mutiple traffic directional flow. As a cyclist, take care entering this type of intersection on yellow. This is an all or nothing crossing... once you pass the first crosswalk line to enter the intersection... you are committed to heading all the way through. No matter what the lights over your head do, keep riding. Never stop in the middle of a muti-flow patterned intersection like that one, unless your quest in life involves becoming a hood ornament.

Ride safe.