We had 24 riders last Sunday - Thanks to Neal for leading the group. I heard the group stayed together for the most part. However, I heard Ron entertained the group during breakfast, that Mike was left out in the wind, and Neal won a sprint. Now, 2 out of 3 I can believe, but some things just don't make any sense..

Ok, back to normalcy, or as normal as this group ever gets. Our ride times start at 7:00AM starting this Sunday -

4/1 - 7:00 AM - Note time change - April Fools ride - We will be fools and ride around South Mountain. All flat miles of 50, breakfast at Bagel Nosh - 48th Street & Warner.

4/8 - 7:00AM - We'll try Tour de Mesa again - mileage options of 35 flat or 45 somewhat hilly miles. Breakfast at Pleaissant Croissants on Rural & Elliot.

4/15 - 7:00AM - We haven't been to Sacaton in a while, mileage options of 37, 52, 58, or 60 miles - mostly flat. Breakfast at Wildflower in the Chandler Mall.

4/22 - 7:00 AM - Tour de Lindsay - all flat miles with options of 40 or 54 miles. Breakfast at Bogies Clubhouse - Ken McDonald Golf Course - Guadalupe & Rural.

4/29 - 7:00 AM - Original Mummy Mountain - mileage options of 35 flat or 45 hilly miles. Breakfast at Einstein Bagels on McClintock & Guadalupe.

Hi All!

We had 60 riders boldy disregard the black threatening skies and turn out for our romp to Mesa this morning. Apprently the group generated enough hot air that the up draft kept the storm front at bay and the route was completed without catching a drip (except for a few splats off the road). We carefully dodged the convenience store that banished us on this route on our last go 'round, and spent our snackie bucks where they were more appreciated (or at least tolerated). The recent rains resulted in a number of flats, some of them more conveniently timed that others... like 50 feet into the start as opposed to as we rolled into the breakfast stop. (If you are going to have a flat, timing is everything!)

Coming up...

Satuday 3/31/07 7:30am Kiwanis Park. The AhwaFooty route, with options of 24 miles with one gentle climb or 35 miles with moderate climbing. Breakfast at Kasha's (previously known as Atlanta Bread Co), southwest corner Elliot & Priest.

Saturday 4/7/07 7:00am Kiwanis Park. NOTE THE TIME CHANGE! St. Francis Loop, with options of 26 miles or 36 miles, both with moderate climbing. Breakfast at Brueggers, northwest corner Mill & 11th.

Saturday 4/14/07 7:00am Kiwanis Park. One of our few remaining open road rides, the Tour de Sue takes us down south to either Queen Creek (25 miles) or Riggs Road (35 mile), no climbing. Breakfast at Kasha's, southeast corner 56th St & Elliot.

Tid bits

Smooth operater. Great song... and a grand compliment if somebody extends it your way when you are on your bike. In recreational riding groups, smooth riders stand out from the crowd, unfortunately because they are in the minority. They make your ride leader's heart zing, cuz a smooth rider is a safe rider, and they make the space around them safe for other cyclists. When pedaling around others, hold your line, which means to ride straight forward, without side to side movements. Keep your pace consistent, try not to coast or brake hard. If you get too close to the riders in front of you, instead of coasting, try "soft" pedaling, which means to let your feet continue to go 'round, but not put any pressure into your stroke. If you need to brake, just lightly feather them. Any rapid movements you make, side to side or jumpy accelaration or braking, will be echoed and compounded further back in the line behind you. Be smoooth, baby.

Ride safe

Hi All!

A double header ride report:

Thanks to Ron Waller who stepped up to lead the herd of 84 riders last Saturday. Most managed to follow their appetites to the free food at the club breakfast.

This morning the draw of the Gran Prix bike race in Scottsdale and the not so racy Mining Country ride reduced the home team to 57 riders. After most of the group located the relocated sign-in spot down the road aways, we were off. The roll over to S Mountain was enhanced by a gentle tailwind making for a rollicking romp. The enthusiam continued when we reached the StoneHouse, with part of the group commiting to the whole enchilada, cranking it out not only up the Towers road but then also doing the jaunt out to San Juan and back. Our arrival at breakfast was greeted with the stunning discovery that the Atlanta Bread Co is no more, we apparently ate them right out of business. The new biz is called Kasha's and at the moment seemed the same, but we were advised changes are under way. Maybe they'll add valet bike parking? Complimentary bike wash? Eh, maybe not.

Coming up...

Saturday 3/24/07 7:30am Kiwanis Park. Off to the northeast on the Tour de Mesa, route options of 29 miles with no climbing or 39 miles with a gentle climb. Breakfast at Einsteins, northwest corner Guadalupe & McClintock.

Satuday 3/31/07 7:30am Kiwanis Park. For those not headed to the Tour de Phx, we'll do our own version of Tour de Phx's Backyard. The AhwaFooty route takes us over in to the Ahwatukee Foothills area. Options of 24 miles with one gentle climb or 35 miles with moderate climbing. Breakfast at Kasha's (previously known as Atlanta Bread Co), southwest corner Elliot & Priest.

Saturday 4/7/07 7:00am Kiwanis Park. NOTE THE TIME CHANGE! Summer is cranking up and we'll head to the cool (?) hills of north Tempe (or Scottsdale or whatever city they are in) on the St. Francis Loop. Options of 26 miles or 36 miles, both with moderate climbing. Breakfast at Brueggers, northwest corner Mill & 11th.

Tid bits

Our prez Jay Stewart is looking for warm bodies to volunteer to assist at the Tour De Cure ride, but needs a quick response as the event is next Saturday March 24th. The ride starts/ends at I-17 and Happy Valley Road. If you could help out, zip a note to Jay Stewart.

Ladies, a training weekend just for you:

March 24-25, 2007. Road One for Women. Endorsed by the AZ Dept of Transportation Bicycle and Pedestrian Program, taught by instructors certified by the League of American Bicyclists. Road One is recomended for newer as well as veteran bicyclists. $35. Fill out the registration form, and email it to Radar Matt. Electronic registration must be recieved two business days prior to the class. All Road One classes begin at 7:00am

For more info, contact the CAzB Education Line at 480.893.3159, or Radar Matt.

Just a reminder, PMBC will reimburse the cost to any club member who completes a Road One course!

Ride safe

We had 27 riders last Sunday, on a perfect day of riding. Several new bikes arrived at the park, but they may need to be taken back since they got flat tires. We also had a pretty speedy ride, with most of the group averaging over 20mph for the entire ride, not bad with all of those stop lights.

This weekend there are two Major Events. On Saturday, March 17, PMBC hosts the 15th Annual Mining Country Challenge and on Sunday, March 18th, GABA West Valley hosts their Around the Tanks ride. The Mining Country Challenge at 66 and 96 miles is a very hilly and challenging ride. While Around the Tanks at 50 and 70 miles is almost as flat as a pancake.

Below is information on the benefit concert at Rawhide, 4-10pm, Saturday, 3/24. This was the couple hit while on their bikes by a driver who didn't stop at the red light at I-10 and Chandler Blvd. Visit http://www.gagetotaltraining.com/concert/.

Ride Schedule

3/18 - 7:30 AM - Tour Around Mummy - and the infamous king of the hill route - mileage options of 35 or 45 miles, with some hills on the longer route. Breakfast at Pete's Grill at Ken McDonald Golf Course.

3/25 - 7:30 AM - Tour de Mesa - Go to the ends of Mesa - mileage options of 35 or 45 miles with some hills on the longer route. Breakfast at Pleaissant Croissants - Rural & Elliot.

Hi All!

A beautiful moonset this morning beckoned 61 riders outa their warm beds and into a chilly ride start. The roll up into Scottsdale was grand, until somebody broke a chain. A Campy chain. The search was on for a Campy chain tool. Being a quality recreational club, an incredible array of tools and assorted paraphenalia appeared from pockets and seat bags... everything but the needed gizmo. After working for some time at an attempted road side repair, the decision was made to call for a tow service. No AAA for us, we only go with the best... S&J Towing. A newly formed service, but creative and enthusiastic. We shortly had, huh... "Scooter" under tow, riding hand in hand and hand to butt (now you know why names have been changed to protect the not so innocent), rolling that way all the way back into town and in Domenic's door. Thanks to the towing team, and to the follow vehicles for comic relief (like it was really needed at that point?). Every Saturday is an adventure.

Coming up...

Saturday 3/10/07 7:30am Kiwanis Park. FREE FOOD! Our first quarterly membership breakfast meeting of 2007. Location will be Home Town Buffet at the northwest corner of Warner and Evergreen in Chandler. Ride with us from Kiwanis Park at 7:30am for the Length of Lindsay route first or meet us at the restaurant at 9:30am. Route options 27 miles or 37 miles, no climbing. Breakfast is free for all PMBC members or $7.00 for non-members.

Saturday 3/17/07 7:30am Kiwanis Park. Aye n' begora! For this St. Paddy's Day morning start we are being booted out of our parking lot at Kiwanis and have been asked to relocate to the next parking lot to the south, due to a running event hogging our parking lot. Don your green and head to South Mountain with us, options of 27 miles with gentle climbing, 40 miles with moderate climbing, or 42 miles with earn your Laffy Taffy climbing. (Maybe we should invite the runners to come with us?) Breakfast at Atlanta Bread Co, southeast corner Elliot & Priest.

Saturday 3/24/07 7:30am Kiwanis Park. Off to the northeast on the Tour de Mesa, route options of 29 miles with no climbing or 39 miles with a gentle climb. Breakfast at Einsteins, northwest corner Guadalupe & McClintock.

Tid bits

The spring event rides are coming. You know the ones. Where you spend money to ride your bike which you can do for free anytime? But those bucks can be well spent. Signing up for one of the upcoming adventures can motivate your butt onto your bike now to increase your fitness level, because you know everyone else is going to see your finish time! If you would like to participate but don't want to work that hard at it, all of the event rides need non-riding warm bodies to make them happen. In addition to helping out with our club hosted rides, the line is long for ride organizers looking for volunteers. The PBAA has put out a call for people to assist with this year's Tour de Phoenix. They need help with registration on Friday March 30th and also on ride day, Saturday March 31st. If you want to get involved, contact Sheila Foraker or 602-647-9702 cell phone or 520-745-2033 office.

Ride safe

We had 22 riders on this chilly morning. I'm glad Randy was there to offer his warm truck when I got to the park to unthaw. Our group stayed together for the first half until the hills came. Not sure who won Galvin, but I saw Geno make a clear getaway on McDowell and beat everyone (you just have to move the finish line back a few yards). Breakfast was entertaining as usual, with Sue and Ron joining us.

NOTICE - Start time moves to 7:30 AM starting this Sunday - yahoo

Ride Schedule

3/4 - 7:30 AM - NOTICE START TIME - By request, our pack heads to South Mountain for more climbing Route options of 35 with a few rolling hills, 42 with some more and 50 with a lot. Breakfast at Bagel Nosh on 48th St. & Warner.

3/11 - 7:30 AM - Metro Mania - Hit all of the east valley cities. Mileage options of 36 or 45 miles, mostly flat - breakfast at Einstein's on Ray & Rural.

3/18 - 7:30 AM - Tour Around Mummy - and the infamous king of the hill route - mileage options of 35 or 45 miles, with some hills on the longer route. Breakfast at Pete's Grill at Ken McDonald Golf Course.

3/25 - 7:30 AM - Tour de Mesa - Go to the ends of Mesa - mileage options of 35 or 45 miles with some hills on the longer route. Breakfast at Pleaissant Croissants - Rural & Elliot.

Lastly - Below is copy of what Sue had sent out on her Saturday ride report - I hope everyone can learn from this good information.

We have stressed in the past that you should ride in our large pack romps no differently than you do when you ride solo... keeping tight to the right side of the road, stopping at traffic lights, not impeding car traffic. But that concept is offered up under the idea that you ride safely and legally when out on your own. Maybe the thought needs to be voiced that the guidelines we offer on Saturday mornings should be observed when you are out solo, too. You represent the cycling community just as much on your weekday bike commute or daily fitness ride as you do when in our weekend herd. If you know the rules of the road and choose to ignore them, shame on you (and you also might want to increase your medical and life insurance). If you are unclear about the rules of the road and safe manuevering in traffic, we have a program here, hosted by the bike coalition, to give you that knowledge. Our club believes in it so strongly that we will reimburse the cost to you. Later this year, sometime after April, the bike coalition will be hosting another series of effective cycling classes. The cost is $35, and PMBC will reimburse that cost to any club member who completes the class. See www.cazbike.org for details. Contact Radar Matt and let him know you want to attend and classes will be scheduled. Learn and live to ride another day.