Hi All!

Our 69 riders rolled out of the parking lot this morning and managed to get just over a mile out onto the route before making a wrong turn. Reflective of our lemming DNA, if one cyclist selects a scenic path, the rest of the crew follows right along. This had the advantage of inverting the pack, putting the rear guard on the lead for a couple of blocks, but their glory was short lived as the express train shortly came honking by. The romp up 40th St was the traditional gritty adventure, highlighted by the cruise across University with its eye catching dance club signs. On arrival at IHOP, we did attempt to recreate their Tour de French toast commercial, but for some reason they didn't want us biking right in the doors. Various versions of the French toasts were sampled, and Mr. Iverson correctly noted that the volume of the crowd cranked up as the caffiene and carbs sank in. We ride to eat, eat to live, live to ride.

Coming up...

Saturday 5/3/08 7:00am Kiwanis Park. The Tour de Mesa heads to the northeast, with options of 29 miles or 39 miles, no climbing. Breakfast at Einstein's, northwest corner Guadalupe and McClintock.

Saturday 5/10/08 7:00am Kiwanis Park. AhwaFooty takes us into the Foothills of Ahwatukee, with route options of 24 miles with one gentle climb or 35 miles with moderate climbing. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co, southeast corner Kyrene and Elliot.

Saturday 5/17/08 7:00am Kiwanis Park. The St. Francis Loop follows a figure 8 up thru town, with route options of 26 miles or 36 miles, moderate climbing on both. Breakfast at IHOP, southwest corner of Apache and College.

Tid bits

With our large spring and summer crowds, we often do a temporary split start from the park. This reduces the size of the group rolling out at one time and also, just like in grade school, shakes up the social circles a bit so you rub elbows for a few minutes with riders you might not otherwise meet. Some times the gals ride first, sometimes the senior riders, etc. In the past, members have occasionally made suggestions for creative splits for the start, though we never did get around to Buddy's suggestion that riders who are either blind in one eye or have an artificial body part go first. (Considering how many new knees are appearing in the group, that last one just might work pretty soon!) Usually the splits are a spur of the moment announcement, but we are going to give you a heads up for next Saturday's lead out riders. At the request of our president (that would be Waller, not Dubya), we'll celebrate our first Saturday in May with all PMBC club jerseys rolling out as the front group next weekend. Don your club colors and get to the park.

Ride safe

Hi All!

We had 75 riders appear under overcast skies this morning for our romp to South Mountain. The sight of the jacaranda tree in the parking lot being in beautiful bloom reminded us to enjoy the cool start, knowing that the summer heat usually descends along with those purple petals. The tailwind assisted roll across Baseline was a hoot, we're all such good riders going downhill with the wind at our backs! Various and assorted route options were selected in the park and the ride back in across Baseline in the heavier traffic helped us ramp up our heart rates. Breakfast chatter ranged from pondering if chocolate syrup and maple syrup mixed together on pancakes could induce a coma to wondering if Zack has a career as an Olympic hurdler. Considering Zack only weighs about 15 pounds and is covered in fur, doubtful.

Coming up...

Saturday 4/26/08 7:00am Kiwanis Park. The Roundabout Route, takes us around town with options of 25 miles with no climbing or 35 miles with a couple of moderate climbs. Breakfast at IHOP, southwest corner Apache & College.

Saturday 5/3/08 7:00am Kiwanis Park. The Tour de Mesa takes us to the northeast, with options of 29 miles or 39 miles, no climbing. Breakfast at Einstein's, northwest corner Guadalupe & McClintock.

Saturday 5/10/08 7:00am Kiwanis Park. AhwaFooty takes us into the Foothills of Ahwatukee, with route options of 24 miles with one gentle climb or 35 miles with moderate climbing. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co, southeast corner Kyrene and Elliot.

Tid bits

Cycling in close proximity to cars, and feeling at ease while doing it, requires knowledge of traffic law and good bike handling skills. Some of those skills are obvious, such as being able to ride in a straight line, being predictable, being able to check over your shoulder without swerving, etc. But some of the skills needed to survive in the asphalt jungle are less apparent. This morning we talked about Zen math, that anger plus anger never equals peace. Anger plus anger only results in escalated anger. If a car driver becomes impatient with cyclists or drives in such a way to put us in danger, extending anger towards them will not difuse the situation, it will only ramp it up. Road rage is a very real risk on our streets and while riding with other cyclists your concern should always be the safety and well being of the group you are with. Pity the poor souls who are trapped in their cars, unaware of the life they could be leading on the seat of bike. And they probably never eat chocolate syrup with maple syrup on pancakes.

Ride safe

Hi All!

The draw of the Desert Classic reduced our home team to 46 riders this morning. Prof Bob set the tone for the morning, by getting a flat as he rolled out of the parking lot with us. The rear guard for the group proceeded to get three flats within the first 2 miles of the course, but they easily accomodated this by then riding straight across the middle of the mapped route, popping into the midst of the pack at the second regroup. (If you can't ride fast, ride sneaky.) Numerous flats and a head wind tossed into the mix didn't curtail the enjoyment of an absolutely beautiful day to be out. At breakfast we welcomed the appearance of Jack, a few days post knee surgery, already feeling better than before the procedure, though under the watchful eye of his Jan, keeping him from hopping on one of our steeds and going for a test spin. (This is why marriage works well for some people... at least one of you makes wise choices in any given scenario.)

Coming up...

Saturday 4/19/08 7:00am Kiwanis Park. South Mountain, with route options of 27 miles with a bit of gentle climbing, 40 miles with moderate climbing, or 42 miles with lotsa climbing. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co, southeast corner Elliot & Kyrene.

Saturday 4/26/08 7:00am Kiwanis Park. The Roundabout Route, takes us around town with options of 25 miles with no climbing or 35 miles with couple of moderate climbs. Breakfast at IHOP, southwest corner Apache & College.

Saturday 5/3/08 7:00am Kiwanis Park. The Tour de Mesa takes us to the northeast, with options of 29 miles or 39 miles, no climbing. Breakfast at Einstein's, northwest corner Guadalupe & McClintock.

Tid bits

This Wednesday April 16th is Bike To Work/School Day here in the valley. Leave your gas guzzler at home and hit the pedals. In Tempe we have a number of locations where you can collect free swag, including t-shirts and breakfast snacks (free fuel!) just by appearing there on a bicycle between 6:00am and 8:00am. Those spots are:
Whole Foods, northwest corner Rural & Baseline.
Wildflower, southwest corner McClintock & Guadalupe
Berning's Jewelry, southwest corner McClintock & Warner
6th St Park, southwest side of City Hall on 6th St, east of Mill
IKEA, northwest corner Warner & Priest

If you can work the timing of this into your day, join PMBC and Mayor Hugh Hallman along with members of the Tempe City Council and Transportation Commission for a ride through Tempe. Meet us and the mayor at Whole Foods at 7:00a.m. and bike to Sixth Street Park in downtown Tempe. This is a most excellent excuse to tell your boss that you will be in to work a bit late on this date.

Ride safe

Hi All!

Thanks to president Waller for leading the home team last Saturday morning from Kiwanis Park. His extensive feedback post ride consisted of "41 riders; 3 flats; no issues!" Apparently a successful romp. To all who competed in the Tour de Phoenix, well done, you're all platinum in our eyes.

Coming up...

Saturday 4/12/08 7:00am Kiwanis Park. The McKellips Loop, with route options of 28 miles or 37 miles, one gentle climb. Breakfast at Einsteins, northwest corner Guadalupe & McClintock.

Saturday 4/19/08 7:00am Kiwanis Park. Before it gets too dang hot to go there, we'll head to South Mountain. Route options 27 miles with a bit of gentle climbing, 40 miles with moderate climbing, or 42 miles with lotsa climbing. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co, southeast corner Elliot & Kyrene

Saturday 4/26/08 7:00am Kiwanis Park. The Roundabout Route, takes us around town with options of 25 miles with no climbing or 35 miles with couple of moderate climbs. Breakfast at IHOP, southwest corner Apache & College.

Tid bits

We are in the midst of the spring cycling season, with so many event rides on the calendar, it's hard to keep track. There is a hidden benefit to committing to a few of those events each year. Yes, some percentage of the money you pay usually goes to a good cause. The events are fun and adventurous, you get to see roads we don't often travel, and even get traffic clearance on some of them. But there is a plus there that we often don't think about, and that is motivation. If you know at the beginning of the year that you are going to compete in the Tour de Whatever in the spring, isn't that often in the back of your noggin'? Maybe skip that second helping at dinner? Maybe push a little harder when riding, building that base strength you know you will need later? Then, as soon as you finish that spring event, you're already thinking ahead to Tour de Fall, the next event you've signed up for, how you want to improve before then. Always having a goal set on the horizon leads us along the path of a lifetime of fitness. Stay the course, grasshoppers.

Ride safe

We had 32 riders show up this morning for the first ride of April. Everyone took the change in route due to construction in Chandler and Gilbert without a complaint (ok, so there was a little bit of whining). Our changed route to Sacaton tested everyone, with a strong head wind going out and a cross wind going up the hill. However, we were treated to a wonderful tail wind on the way back. Bill gets flat head award of the century, with the biggest slice I've ever seen in a tire. Good thing Roger had half a tire to boot it. Due to the change in route today, I've modified the rides for the upcoming weeks since we had planned to do Sacaton in two weeks.

Ride Schedule

4/13 - 7:00 AM - Tour de Lindsay - Mileage options of 40 or 54 miles - flat. Breakfast at Bogies Clubhouse at Ken McDonald Golf Course - Rural & Guadalupe.

4/20 - 7:00AM - Milk Run, we'll try this again and see what kind of road construction we can find. All flat miles with options of 30, 32, 38, 42, & 48 miles. Breakfast at Paradise Bakery - Ray & Price.

4/27 - 7:00 AM - Germann/Hunt Loop - An old flat route. Mileage options of 33 or 42 miles, breakfast at Wildflower @ Chandler Mall.

Lastly - If you have not yet sent in your club clothing order, Monday the 7th is the last day to mail in order forms at the discounted cost.

We may not be buying extras, so if you want a new jersey or shorts/vest, etc., order now!