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December 26 Saturday Cycling Report

Clear Blue Skies for Foothills Training Ride

Added January 2, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

A brisk, steady wind led to clear blue skies, clean air, and plenty of extra effort for the 34 cyclists doing a multidirectional climbing route that seemed into the wind about 90% of the time. Though we were missing some of our regulars on the holiday weekend, we did have a few vacationing visitors join us to help keep the pack at critical mass. They seem to think we have it pretty good here in the winter.

Coming up...

Saturday, 01/02/16 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Marco Polo
Marco Polo stretches us to the eastern limits of our range. The 26-mile standard route goes east on Guadalupe for 12 miles, then loops back on Elliot. The 41-mile long route keeps going east all the way to Ellsworth, then heads a little further south before joining the Elliot return path. Breakfast at Paradise Bakery on Guadalupe and McClintock. Sunrise: 7:33

Saturday, 01/09/16 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Chandler/Gilbert Bronze
Gilbert and Chandler are both Bronze level bicycle friendly communities. We'll ride through the heart of each town with route options of 25 or 35 miles. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co. at the SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 7:33

Saturday, 01/16/16 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Mummy Mountain
A 40-mile loop with lots of climbing, or 31 miles with a couple of moderate climbs, takes us north into Scottsdale and around Mummy Mountain. Breakfast stop at Paradise Bakery at McClintock and Guadalupe. Sunrise: 7:32 and dropping

Tid Bits...

We still need a SAG driver and some rest stop volunteers for the Casa Grande Century, which is less than 2 weeks away.

Hope Santa brought you lots of new bicycle bling.

See you in the New Happy Year!

Events

Casa Grande Century – January 10. The board is promising nice weather.
Here is a link for CGC volunteer sign-up: http://cgcvolunteer.eventbrite.comWE STILL NEED SAG DRIVERS AND REST STOP VOLUNTEERS!!
Tour de Palm Springs on 01/23/15.
J & P Tucson Tour Weekend of 02/13/16.
Mining Country Century is 03/19/16. We still need a Ride Leader for this event!
Tour de Mesa is coming up 04/02/16.
MS Ride is 04/15-16/16.
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic is 05/28/16.

Have fun and ride safely.

December 24 Saturday Cycling Report

No Santa Claus on Christmas Eve Tour de Sue

Added December 31, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Once again, the dire weather forecast for Saturday morning turned out to be untrue, yet it reduced the size of our pack to 27 cyclists on the morning of Christmas Eve. Worst of all, even Santa canceled out. That's right: there was NO SANTA CLAUS at Saturday Cycling this year. One of us must have been very naughty. And it turned out to be an ideal morning for riding the flatlands in a big fur coat; all the nasty wind and rain rolled in after the ride was over. I guess if I had to choose between the two, I'd prefer being favored by the weather gods over Santa Claus. Today the forecasters are calling for rain again next weekend. Let's wait and see before we make any alternate plans.

Coming up...

Saturday, 12/31/16 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. MidSummer Ride
This route was designed to seek out maximum shade on summer mornings when the sun is farthest north and most brutal. In the winter, it's just another route, much like the others. It includes options of 28 miles with one short climb, or 38 miles with a couple of bonus climbs. Breakfast at Panera Bread at Guadalupe Rd and McClintock Dr. Sunrise: 7:32

Sunday, 01/01/17 8:00 a.m., Apache Junction, Trekking to Tortilla Flats
This traditional New Year's Day ride to Tortilla Flats includes the great "end of the road" climb and the following descent, with scenic vistas. The total ride is 42 miles with the climb, or 30 miles going just to the Flats and back. It all starts at 300 Apache Trail; it's the Old Bashas location, now the home of Patterns of the Antique Mall located at Apache Trail and the Old West Highway. Exit Idaho Road north off the 60 and left at the Old West Highway. Many usually meet for eats at BJ's south of Superstition Springs for post-ride. It would be appreciated if you would email ride leader Neal Thomas if you are up for the challenge to overcome your hangover!

Saturday, 01/07/17 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. South Mountain
Route options of 24 miles with a bit of gentle climbing, 38 miles with moderate climbing, or 39 miles with the longest steady climb within 20 miles of Kiwanis Park. Breakfast is at AZ Bread, southeast of Elliot & Kyrene. Sunrise: 7:33

Saturday, 01/14/17 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Research to Oak
The Research to Oak route takes us on a clockwise loop around town, with 31 miles and no hills, or 38 miles with some moderate climbing. Breakfast is at Panera Bread. Sunrise: 7:33

Tid Bits...

Tempe is getting ready to host another big New Year's Eve bash on Mill Ave Sunday. Luckily for us, they aren't starting to close streets until 8pm Saturday night, so we should be able to sail on through on our ride that morning.

The South Mountain Freeway work, however, is about to affect us. The latest update I have from ADOT says they will be closing Pecos from 24th St to 17th Ave all weekend sometime in "early 2017". I don't know if that means just one weekend, or all of them. We are scheduled to ride that stretch on Jan 21. It might be time already for the …or Give me Hills route to be either modified or dropped. Our Ahwafooty route is the only other one that uses Pecos; we're due to use it again 4 or 5 weeks later.

Volunteers Needed!!

CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER! On the Casa Grande Century

Events

Casa Grande Century – January 8

Have fun and ride safely.

December 17 Saturday Cycling Report

Well-behaved Tailwind on Marco Polo Route and Election Results

Added December 23, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

The howling winds at wake-up time probably motivated a number of our group to roll back to sleep. The 30 cyclists who did show up at the start were rewarded with a well-behaved tailwind as we rode east followed by gentle resistance on the return route that got even softer by the time the meeting ended. Our first time using Fibber Magees as a club meeting venue seemed to go pretty well, with 70+ members in attendance. What they lacked in acoustics and visibility they made up for with a great PA system and roaming wireless mic. I haven't heard any food reviews yet, but want to say "sorry about that" to the long-route riders for their limited selection as two of the main hot food options were devoured before the last of the pack arrived.

Christmas is this Sunday, so the regular Spin Cycle will be your holiday morning ride option. However, a week later, on New Year's Day there will be a special Tortilla Flats ride. I have to imagine that many people have the Monday after these two Sunday holidays off from work, but no one has yet come up with a ride for those days. Let me know if you have ideas.

Coming up...

Wednesday, 12/21/15 7:00 p.m., Zipps Sports Grill. Christmas Lights Ride
Spread the Holiday cheer! It is time to see the holiday lights. We'll meet in the parking lot of Zipps Sports Bar on the NE corner of Ray and McClintock. The ride distance will be in the 15-20 mile range and all flat. Santa says he'll be setting a slow, sightseeing pace, so be sure to dress warmly. Elves will be serving hot chocolate and cookies somewhere along the route. Stay, if you like, after the ride as the festivities move inside Zipps for some liquid Christmas cheer. RSVP to Neal Thomas, and please specify if you are bringing any children along.

Saturday, 12/24/16 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Tour de Sue
It's Christmas Eve, so we can expect Santa Claus to join the ride. Tour de Sue is a flat loop to the south, with route options of 25 or 35 miles. Both routes include a good long stretch with no traffic lights. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co (SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot). Sunrise: 7:30

Tid Bits...

Along with the routine business of the quarterly membership meeting, we also elected our four club officers for the coming year. This time, we will retain two of the same dedicated leaders, while the others have graciously allowed room for two fresh faces in the inner sanctum of the club's governance. Our 2017 officers will be:

New President – Janet Nash
Returning VP – Steve Miller
New Treasurer – Kris Fletcher
Returning Secretary – Denise Thienpont

We all owe a big thank you to outgoing (in every sense) President Armando Charvet, who skillfully led us for the past four years. And to the hard-working Kevin Peffley, who served as treasurer for two years and VP for three years before that.

Volunteers Needed!!

CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER! On the Casa Grande Century

Events

Casa Grande Century – January 8

Have fun and ride safely.

December 3 Saturday Cycling Report

Sunshine and Fun on Length of Lindsay Route

Added December 3, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

The last time we did the Length of Lindsay route that wasn't for a quarterly meeting was March 2013. Seventy cyclists signed-in that time; it must have been a beautiful day. This time we had 46 cyclists, cool temperatures, sunshine and fun.

Geno's free ride is this week. There will be no ride from Kiwanis Park on Dec 10.

Coming up...

Saturday, 12/10/16 8:30 a.m., Pioneer Park, Mesa. Geno's Free Ride
Three route options: 25 miles, 40 miles, and 60 miles. All routes will start and end at Pioneer Park in Mesa, and head to the northeast, with plenty of hill climbing for those opting to ride the longer routes. Food and drinks will be provided along the way and a catered hot lunch will be at the end of the ride. Best of all, this fully-supported ride is FREE to PMBC members ($10 for non-members)! Please Register (Geno's Free Ride) so that enough food and drinks will be available. This will replace Saturday Cycling; there will be no ride from Kiwanis Park on Dec 10. Sunrise: 7:22

Saturday, 12/17/16 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Marco Polo
It's time for another Quarterly Membership Meeting! We'll be trying a new venue this time and using the Marco Polo route to get us there. The 26-mile standard route goes east on Guadalupe for 12 miles, then loops back on Elliot. The 41-mile long route keeps going east all the way to Ellsworth, then heads a little further south before rejoining the Elliot return path. Sign-in will begin at 10am, and the meeting should start around 10:45. Breakfast at Fibber Magees, 1989 W. Elliot Road in Chandler; just east of Dobson. Sunrise: 7:27

Wednesday, 12/21/15 7:00 p.m., Zipps Sports Grill. Christmas Lights Ride
Spread the Holiday cheer! It is time to see the holiday lights. We'll meet in the parking lot of Zipps Sports Bar on the NE corner of Ray and McClintock. The ride distance will be in the 15-20 mile range and all flat. Santa says he'll be setting a slow, sightseeing pace, so be sure to dress warmly. Elves will be serving hot chocolate and cookies somewhere along the route. Stay, if you like, after the ride as the festivities move inside Zipps for some liquid Christmas cheer. RSVP to Neal Thomas, and please specify if you are bringing any children along.

Tid Bits...

We are fortunate in the East Valley to have several quality bicycle shops to choose from. I'd like to mention two now: Gobal Bikes and Cactus Bike. Both shops have made early commitments to provide sag support on the Casa Grande Century. Round Trip Cycles of Casa Grande will again contribute a mechanic at the lunch stop as well. I personally thank them all for donating their services, and hope we find many opportunities to support them right back.

The registration deadline for the Holiday Party was extended through today, Thursday 12/8. Not for lack of sign-ups though; it's because a few people said they still want in on the better-late-than-never plan. Today is also the Free Ride registration deadline.

Volunteers Needed!!

CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER! On Geno's Free Ride
CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER! On the Casa Grande Century

Events

12th Annual Geno's Free Ride – Saturday December 10
PMBC Holiday Party – Sunday December 11
PMBC Quarterly Membership Meeting – Saturday, December 17
Casa Grande Century – January 8

Have fun and ride safely.

November 26 Saturday Cycling Report

A Great Weekend for Cycling

Added November 30, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

It was a great weekend for cycling. We had 24 people do the Tour de Lehi on Thanksgiving Day, 20 more showed for the the Black Friday ride, and 43 riders were at the regular Saturday Cycling event. Add another ten cyclists on the Saturday Sun Lakes ride. I missed the Friday ride, but did squeeze in a short roll with two of my granddaughters that afternoon, until the younger one wiped out and the two of us walked the last few blocks home. I'm sure it was a learning experience.

We can expect heavy holiday shopping traffic every Saturday morning from now until Christmas Eve. This coming Saturday, the big Mill Avenue Arts Festival will prevent us from doing the Midsummer ride as planned, so I've changed the route to the Length of Lindsay. No…that does not mean we're stopping at Jason's Deli for free breakfast; the quarterly membership meeting is a couple weeks later and at a different location.

=== Start Time Moves to 8:30 a.m. for December and January ==

Coming up...

Saturday, 12/03/16 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Length of Lindsay.
The Length of Lindsay takes us to the east, with route options of 29 miles or 39 miles, no climbing. Breakfast at Panera Bread on the SE corner of Guadalupe and McClintock. Sunrise: 7:17

Saturday, 12/10/16 8:30 a.m., Pioneer Park, Mesa. Geno's Free Ride
Three route options: 25 miles, 40 miles, and 60 miles. All routes will start and end at Pioneer Park in Mesa, and head to the northeast, with plenty of hill climbing for those opting to ride the longer routes. Food and drinks will be provided along the way and a catered hot lunch will be at the end of the ride. Best of all, this fully-supported ride is FREE to PMBC members ($10 for non-members)! Please Register (Geno's Free Ride) so that enough food and drinks will be available. This will replace Saturday Cycling; there will be no ride from Kiwanis Park on Dec 10. Sunrise: 7:22

Tid Bits...

I forgot to mention two things in last week's ride report for the Tour de Mesa:

One blue full-fingered glove was found at the regroup. I have it in the van for whoever needs to reunite it with its partner.
While waiting at a light in Mesa, a few of us watched a man ride by on a unicycle. I think he was carrying a small bag, as though he was on his way home from a quick trip to the store. I'd call that a unique way to get around town under pedal power.

Yes, there will be a Christmas Lights Ride this year. It will start from Zipps Sports Grill (McClintock and Ray) at 7pm on Wednesday, December 21. Santa Neal, who will again be leading this ride, also has a New Year's Day ride planned at Tortilla Flats. More details to come.

Volunteers Needed!!

There is now a convenient, on-line way to volunteer to help with Geno's Free Ride. The link is below. This event is only 2 weeks away. Please help if you can.

CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER! On Geno's Free Ride
CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER! On the Casa Grande Century

Events

12th Annual Geno's Free Ride – Saturday December 10
PMBC Holiday Party – Sunday December 11
PMBC Quarterly Membership Meeting – Saturday, December 17
Casa Grande Century – January 8

Have fun and ride safely.

November 19 Saturday Cycling Report

Cliff Bar Treats on Tour de Mesa Rewound

Added November 25, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Those who were in Tucson for El Tour missed out on treats at the Saturday ride. It seems one of our members has connections with the Cliff Bar rep who was in town for Tempe's Ironman race. He arrived with three boxes of promotional samples to share with the pack. There were leftovers, so you'll have another chance to grab a freebie at Thursday morning's pre-feast calorie burn.

Forty-one was the number of cyclists in attendance.

Coming up...

Thursday 11/24/16 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Tour de Lehi
Join us for our annual pre-feast Thanksgiving Day ride out to the quiet streets of Lehi. Route options of 27 miles or 35 miles, with no climbing. Breakfast at Einstein Bagels, NW corner of McClintock and Guadalupe (yes, they are open on Thanksgiving Day). Sunrise: 7:09

Friday 11/25/16 8:00 a.m., Paradise Bakery at Ray and Coronado. Black Friday Ride
The annual "Just Say No To Shopping" ride will start and end at the Paradise Bakery on the SW corner of Ray and Coronado in Chandler (just East of the 101). Route options of 27 and 37 miles explore some roads in the far SE corner of Phoenix Metro. Sunrise: 7:10

Saturday, 11/26/16 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Foothills Training Ride
Ride with us on a loop through the Ahwatukee Foothills with options of 25 miles with a couple of gentle climbs, or 38 miles that will take you up 5 bigger hills. If you follow the spaghetti-bowl long-route map, you will have gone up and down all 5 approaches with no repeats and no U-turns. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co. on the SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 7:10

Saturday, 12/03/16 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. MidSummer Ride
This route was designed to seek out maximum shade on summer mornings when the sun is farthest north and most brutal. It includes options of 28 miles with one short climb, or 38 miles with a couple of bonus climbs. Breakfast at Panera Bread at Guadalupe Rd and McClintock Dr. Sunrise: 7:17

Tid Bits...

Seems like we are getting slower about registering for events. Geno's Free Ride sign-ups are light, which makes no sense since it's FREE and FUN. You can take this link directly to Eventbrite to add another head to the catering count for lunch: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/genos-pmbc-free-ride-registration-28516056292?ref=ebtn.

And here's the direct link to the Holiday Party ticket sales, while we're at it: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2016-pmbc-holiday-party-registration-29254914236?ref=ebtn.

I've already registered myself for the Casa Grande Century too.

Speaking of the CGC and Geno's Free Ride, both events need more volunteers. For the Free Ride, please contact Glen Fletcher directly. The CGC has setup an Eventbrite page where volunteers can chose how they'd like to help: CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER!

Events

12th Annual Geno's Free Ride – Saturday December 10
PMBC Holiday Party – Sunday December 11
PMBC Quarterly Membership Meeting – Saturday, December 17
Casa Grande Century – January 8

Have fun and ride safely.

November 12 Saturday Cycling Report

45 Cyclist, Including Several First-Timers, Show for Chandler/Gilbert Bronze

Added November 17, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

There were another five or six first-timers among the 45 cyclists who signed-in last Saturday. Two of the curious newcomers had bikes a little less sporty than most. One veteran club member noticed and stayed back to show them a good short cut and a real fun time, as the rest of the pack disappeared down Guadalupe. For that, I thank her.

Our Mesa Rewound route should keep us of clear of Tempe's road closures for the Ironman event this coming weekend.

Yes! We will have our traditional holiday rides on Thanksgiving weekend. I'll be there for Tour de Lehi on Thursday, and Scott will lead the Black Friday route. Details below. If Jerry can find someone to lead next Wednesday's ride there will five days straight of autumn morning club rides.

Coming up...

Saturday, 11/19/16 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Tour de Mesa Rewound
Distance options of 32 miles with no climbing, or 44 miles with a gentle climb. Breakfast at Panera Bread at McClintock and Guadalupe. Sunrise: 7:04

Tid Bits...

This recent mild weather brings motivation to spend more time on the bike. One practice that can help increase your cycling hours is a willingness to ride in street clothes. Sometimes biking short trips seems like too much hassle if you need to change your clothes and then need to launder another bike kit. But for trips of less than say, five miles, when you're not in a big hurry and can keep the pace easy, there's no reason why you can't just ride in the same clothes you'll want be wearing at your destination. You obviously want to wear reasonably loose fitting pants, a relatively snug shirt, and have a way to keep them all out of your bike's moving parts. I have another tip that I consider the real secret to comfortably riding in plain clothes. However, ladies, this one is just for the men; you females should skip down to the bottom, or just hit delete now. Thank you.

Okay guys…now that the girls are gone, here are my two words of advice: boxer briefs. They don't have seams at your saddle contact points like standard briefs, yet they're supportive in ways that boxers aren't. Leave the car and the padded shorts at home someday and see if you agree.

Events

El Tour de Tucson – Saturday, November 19
12th Annual Geno's Free Ride – Saturday December 10
PMBC Holiday Party – Sunday December 11
PMBC Quarterly Membership Meeting – Saturday, December 17
Casa Grande Century – January 8

Have fun and ride safely.

November 5 Saturday Cycling Report

Tandems Headed for the Hills on Mummy Mountain Route

Added November 11, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

It would have been a good day for a long, flat route with a headwind since 18% of the pack were riding tandems; we had six two-person teams out of 66 total riders. Instead we headed for the hills, where tandems could generally be spotted circumventing the steepest sections. I was also pleased to see a healthy number of newcomers, and some members from years back who popped in for a visit. Tis the season for both visitors and excellent riding conditions.

Coming up...

Saturday, 11/12/16 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Chandler/Gilbert Bronze
Gilbert and Chandler are both Bronze level bicycle friendly communities. We'll ride through both communities with route options of 25 or 35 miles. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co. at the SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 6:58

Saturday, 11/26/16 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Foothills Training Ride
Ride with us on a loop through the Ahwatukee Foothills with options of 25 miles with a couple of gentle climbs, or 38 miles that will take you up 5 bigger hills. If you follow the spaghetti-bowl long-route map, you will have gone up and down all 5 approaches with no repeats and no U-turns. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co on the SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 7:10

Tid Bits...

Last week I suggested that you block your calendars on Dec 17 for the PMBC Holiday Party. Ooops! Wrong date. The real time is 5pm, Sunday Dec 11th; that's the slot to reserve. It will be a new venue this year: Stone & Vine Urban Italian, 1035 W. Queen Creek Rd. in Chandler. The sign-up details will be on the web site soon.

Now you can free up the evening of Saturday, Dec 17 for other fun. But…reserve the morning of that day for the election of our new club officers at the winter edition of our quarterly meetings. We're too late in the morning for our usual spot, so we'll be trying out Fibber Magees's at the SE corner of Dobson & Elliot. Our Marco Polo route will take us right to it.

The Tempe City Council seems to have taken a compromise approach regarding the controversial new bike lanes on McClintock. They have committed to keeping bike lanes on that stretch of road, but also to make changes that "improve traffic flow", which could mean they will no longer be extra-safe, buffered bike lanes. City Engineers will work up new proposals for future public comment.

Events

El Tour de Tucson – Saturday, November 19
12th Annual Geno's Free Ride – Saturday December 10
PMBC Holiday Party – Sunday December 11
Casa Grande Century – January 8

Have fun and ride safely.

October 29 Saturday Cycling Report

Rabbit Impersonations on Lucky 7's Route

Added November 4, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Out of 58 people kicking off their Halloween weekend with a bike ride together, at least somebunny wore a costume. Two somebunnies. The next time I plan something that silly, I'll announce it ahead of time so the rest of you can play along too. The journey and breakfast destination were both fun, as usual. It's surprising how many different rabbit characters you can impersonate on a 37-mile ride.

==== ALERT: November Start Time is 8:00 ====
(a couple of extra Mummy Mountain maps will be left on our windshield in case someone forgets)

Coming up...

Saturday, 11/05/16 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Mummy Mountain
A 40-mile loop with lots of climbing, or 31 miles with a couple of moderate climbs, takes us north into Scottsdale and around Mummy Mountain. Breakfast stop at Panera Bread at McClintock and Guadalupe. Sunrise: 6:51

Tid Bits...

Tomorrow, November 3, is the big meeting in Tempe to decide the fate of the McClintock Drive bike lanes. Meeting details can be found here.

Our new merchandise master, Bob, has been busy making arrangements for club logo insulated water bottles to be available for sale at our Dec 17 quarterly membership meeting. They'll be available to us at or near cost, so bring a little extra cash; $12 ought to be enough.

The busy holiday social season is approaching. You may want to mark your calendar now to reserve the evening of Sunday Dec 11 (probably 4:00-7:00) for the annual PMBC Holiday Party. [Previously reported dates for the party are incorrect. Dec 11 is the most likely date.] Details and sign-up will be available soon on the web site.

That reminds me...I still need to sign up for Geno's Free Ride and the Casa Grande Century!

Events

Heart of Arizona – Saturday, November 05
El Tour de Tucson – Saturday, November 19
12th Annual Geno's Free Ride – Saturday December 10
Casa Grande Century – January 8

Have fun and ride safely.

October 22 Saturday Cycling Report

Short Patches of Construction on McKellips Loop

Added October 27, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

We were very paper efficient on Saturday by filling in all 12 signature lines on four sign-in sheets for a total of 48 cyclists doing the McKellip's Loop. The warnings of long lane restrictions on Guadalupe were exaggerated; there were just a couple of short patches of construction. No cause for concern, other than the usual dangers while making the left turn off Guadalupe into the breakfast stop. Traffic is always thickest toward the end of the ride when we're the most worn out. I always try to look back twice before leaving the bike lane, just to be doubly sure.

Coming up...

Saturday, 10/29/16 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Lucky 7's
The Lucky 7's route loops clockwise to the south and takes advantage of some of the new roads over by the Wild Horse Pass casino/resort area. The name plays off the mileage options of 27, 37 and 47 miles, plus the 2 casinos along the way. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 6:45

Tid Bits...

One more reminder that the Tempe City Council would like to hear from you by tomorrow (10/26) about how you appreciate the McClintock bike lanes. Email them at Tempe City Council.

I've added two more cycling events to the list below; they are the two that are coming up the soonest.

Events

Breast Cancer Awareness Ride – Saturday, October 29 9:00am

At every Performance Bicycle shop
No cost; donations to American Cancer Society are encouraged

Heart of Arizona – Saturday, November 05
El Tour de Tucson – Saturday, November 19
12th Annual Geno's Free Ride – December 10
Casa Grande Century – January 8

Have fun and ride safely.

October 15 Saturday Cycling Report

Forty-Five Cyclists Attack South Mountain with Gusto

Added October 20, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Only few of the 45 cyclists who signed in were surprised by the route change to South Mountain. That didn't seem to deter anyone from attacking it with gusto. AZ Bread Co wasn't surprised at all to see us two weeks in a row, because they always read the ride reports.

The PMBC Annual Chili Cook-Off is coming up this very next Saturday afternoon! And the RSVP deadline is this very next TOMORROW! See below for details. I plan to make a spicy hot pumpkin-pot of chili. Hope to see you there.

Coming up...

Saturday, 10/22/16 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. McKellips Loop
This 28- or 37-mile loop will take you north through Tempe and then east through Mesa on McKellips Road, returning to Panera Bread for breakfast. Sunrise: 6:39

Saturday, 10/22/16 2-5 p.m., 2016 PMBC Annual Chili Cook-Off
Come join the PMBC at our 5th annual Chili Cook Off Saturday, October 22nd from 2-5pm. Please RSVP by Oct 18, if you will be attending and especially if you are competing in the chili cook-off by contacting Armando Charvet. Armando will provide directions to his house.

Tid Bits...

At the November 3rd Tempe City Council Issue Review Session, city staff will provide an update on the McClintock bike lane project, including data on use of the bike lanes, traffic volumes and safety (crashes), as well as public feedback. A group called Bike McClintock is concerned that some negative feedback from non-cycling residents could result in the removal of the bike lanes. They suggest these ideas for getting your voice heard:

Email Tempe City Council by October 26th and tell them why the McClintock bike lanes (and others like them) are important to you.
Attend the City Council Issue Review Session on Thursday November 3rd at 4:00 at City Hall to show your support and speak in favor of the bike lanes.
Follow www.facebook.com/bikemcclintock #bikemcclintock

Did you know there are over 50 charitable organizations that you can support when you participate in El Tour de Tucson? One of them, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, was recently brought to my attention by one of our Saturday cyclists as his cause of choice. Seems they're having a fund-raiser from 8-noon next Saturday at a Tempe fitness center. Click here for more information, or visit http://bit.ly/iride4sarah for Rick's personal story.

Events

Scenic Arizona Bicycle Classic near Globe, AZ, on Saturday, October 22, 2016
El Tour de Tucson – Saturday, November 19
Geno's Free Ride – December 10
Casa Grande Century – January 8

Have fun and ride safely.

October 8 Saturday Cycling Report

Fifty-Nine Cyclists Headed West on Pecos

Added October 14, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Route Change Alert! I'm moving the South Mountain route to this week. The city of Tempe notified me about a half Ironman that will close Rio Salado Pkwy for the weekend. We'll just skip Research to Oak in this quarter's rotation. The ASU home game on the 22nd has been scheduled for 7pm, so we shouldn't have any trouble going down Mill Avenue that day.

Fifty-nine cyclists headed west on Pecos last Saturday. I had a lot of fun doing most of the long route; hope you enjoyed it too. We'll be lucky to get two or three more rotations with this map before Pecos is rendered unusable.

Coming up...

Saturday, 10/15/16 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. South Mountain
Route options of 24 miles with a bit of gentle climbing, 38 miles with moderate climbing, or 39 miles with the longest steady climb within 20 miles of Kiwanis Park. Breakfast is at AZ Bread, southeast of Elliot & Kyrene. Sunrise: 6:33

Tid Bits...

The Casa Grande Century registration is live!

And so is our need for volunteers! Normally we have several people step up to help as the day draws near, which is really great! But there is an immediate need now to make arrangements for facilities and use permits. It's mostly just telephone time. Please reach out to Casa Grande Century Organizers if you would like to help. We've stepped up the advertising campaign this year, so we expect more participants.

I imagine that the Free Ride, on December 10, needs a few volunteers too. Please contact Glen Fletcher to be a part of the team.

On the topic of losing Pecos... Pecos Action Group (PAG) is asking for help from the cycling community in their efforts to mitigate the loss of Pecos Rd. They would like you to complete a simple one question survey: PECOS ROAD BIKE LANE REPLACEMENT SURVEY to help them communicate the desire for bicycle facilities equivalent to those that will be lost. They are specifically calling for two dedicated 10' wide bike lanes where ADOT currently plans to build a low-speed, multiuse path adjacent to the new freeway.

Events

Scenic Arizona Bicycle Classic near Globe, AZ, on Saturday, October 22, 2016
Geno's Free Ride – December 10
Casa Grande Century – January 8

Have fun and ride safely.

October 1 Saturday Cycling Report

St. Francis Loop on Tempe's Tour de Fat Day

Added October 5, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Fifty-seven rode the St. Francis Loop on Tempe's Tour de Fat day. The standard route got a preview of the new Guadalupe blacktop on the way to Hardy. The long route riders successfully detoured around the clutter on the westbound side. They seem to be making rapid progress. There was a steady stream of creative and costumed fat tire bikes rolling down Mill Ave, as expected. Even if you didn't stop and linger, there was plenty to see coming towards us along College on the way back to the park.

Neal reports 59 signed in for the membership meeting ride the week before.

Coming up...

Saturday, 10/08/16 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Ahwafooty
We'll circle around to approach the Ahwatukee-Foothills from the south with 24- and 35-mile options and moderate climbing on the longer route. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 6:28

Saturday, 10/15/16 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Research to Oak
The Research to Oak route takes us on a clockwise loop around town, with 31 miles and no hills, or 38 miles with some moderate climbing. Breakfast is at Panera Bread. Sunrise: 6:33

Saturday, 10/22/16 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. South Mountain
Route options of 24 miles with a bit of gentle climbing, 38 miles with moderate climbing, or 39 miles with the longest steady climb within 20 miles of Kiwanis Park. Breakfast is at AZ Bread, southeast of Elliot & Kyrene. Sunrise: 6:39

Tid Bits...

With motorists enclosed in their capsules behind tinted windows and sun visors, it is not always easy to make eye contact, to comprehend hand gestures, or to lip-read verbal messages. But we cyclists are out in the open air; all of our arms, hands, legs and facial expressions should be clearly visible. Perhaps the best resolution for the silly little deadlocks that happen at intersections when the motorist with the right-of-way isn't going, is for the cyclist to be the traffic cop. We can clearly point to the car who should be going, gesture to the green light they are ignoring or the stop-sign being honored. It might help. Just remember: when you want to pantomime a 'thank-you' to a courteous motorist, be sure that your tongue is forward and visible at the beginning. If instead, your top teeth are prominent against your lower lip, it could send an entirely different message.

Wouldn't it be handy to have a phone app that allowed you to take a picture of a road hazard and email it to the city with location data so that they can put it on their todo list? It looks like the city of Mesa is offering something like that, or an option to just submit your issues on-line. Here's the link: https://citylink.mesaaz.gov/

Events

Tour de Scottsdale, Sunday October 9
Scenic Arizona Bicycle Classic near Globe, AZ, on Saturday, October 22, 2016

Have fun and ride safely.

September 17 Saturday Cycling Report

Felt Like Autumn Morning on Chandler-Pecos Ride

Added September 23, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Forty riders signed in last Saturday. That would suggest that 10-15 were at the Amtrak Century, which sounds about right. It already felt like autumn that morning, and this coming Saturday it really will be. A week after that it will be October and our start time will move to 7:30.

If you haven't joined PMBC as a member yet, or your membership is up for renewal, this week would be a good time to go on-line and do it. It may help keep the line moving at the breakfast sign-in. Someone will have to eat my breakfast for me; I'll be away and Neal will be your ride leader.

Coming up...

Saturday, 09/24/16 7:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Length of Lindsay
It's time for another Quarterly Membership Meeting. We will use the Length of Lindsay route to get us from Kiwanis to Jason's Deli on Frye behind the Chandler Mall. Sign-in will begin at 8:30am and the meeting should start around 9:15. Sunrise: 6:18

Saturday, 10/01/16 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. St. Francis Loop
Both the 25-mile and 36-mile options include three moderate hills, taking you north through Papago Park, around the St. Francis Cemetery, and returning to Tempe via south Scottsdale. Breakfast at Panera Bread on McClintock and Guadalupe. Alternative breakfast at Ncounter on Mill Ave in Tempe to watch the parade of fat tire bikes gathering for Tour de Fat. Sunrise: 6:23

Tid Bits...

Good news for retirees, vacationing visitors, and staycation locals: Jerry is back in the saddle and he is bringing the weekly Wednesday morning no-drop ride back with him. Just in time to work up to top form for when our migratory wintertime friends return. Be sure to contact Jerry if you plan to ride with him, the start time and location sometimes varies.

Are you a diverse transportation system user? The Maricopa Association of Governments is conducting an unusual survey that you may find interesting. As far as I can tell, they want to pay you $10 to download an app that will allow them to track how you get around. Or something like that. Visit http://www.magtravelsurvey.org to see for yourself.

Events

PMBC Quarterly Membership Meeting on Saturday, September 24. Details TBD
Man Vs Machine, Saturday September 24

https://grandcanyonracing.redpodium.com/man-vs-machine-2016
Use discount code PMBCAZ for a 10% discount

Tour de Scottsdale, Sunday October 9
Scenic Arizona Bicycle Classic near Globe, AZ, on Saturday, October 22, 2016

Have fun and ride safely.

September 10 Saturday Cycling Report

Welcome Stretches of Shade Found on MidSummer Ride

Added September 17, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

We had fifty-seven cyclists sign in for the MidSummer Ride. Even though we are far from the summer solstice, and autumn is just around the corner, the stretches of shade were still welcome. It's hard to remember when shade wasn't desirable.

Dorothy reports from last week that there were 40 riders total and two flat tires. All was well.

Back in August I received this email alert from the City of Tempe:

Guadalupe Road between I-10 and Loop 101 will be restricted to one lane in each direction periodically from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 24 to Oct. 31 for repaving of the street.

Although we didn't use Guadalupe much on the last ride, I noticed the barricades were in place way before 8:30. Next Saturday we can avoid Guad altogether by taking the canal path back from AZ bread. But the following Saturday's route goes east on Guadalupe on the way to the Quarterly Breakfast Meeting. That may be a challenge, but I consider it Neal's problem because he is covering the ride-lead role that day. Sadly, I'll be missing the meeting. At least we will have smooth, new blacktop to look forward to by November.

Coming up...

Saturday, 09/17/16 7:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Chandler-Pecos East
The extra-long route sails east on Chandler Blvd all the way from Rural to Power, returning by way of Pecos. Distance options are 28, 34 and 42 miles; the shorter routes simply head over to Pecos a little earlier. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co (SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot). Sunrise: 6:13

Tid Bits...

New Belgium Brewing's annual Tour de Fat in Tempe will happen Saturday October 1st. I've selected a route for that day that will bring us back down Mill Ave so I can do my breakfast stop at Ncounter on Mill while watching the colorful parade of costumed people on mostly fat tire bikes, head down to Tempe Beach Park where the real parade starts. If you'd like to participate in Tour de Fat, ride registration starts at 10am; our October 7:30 start time should get you and your bike there on time. If not, consider joining me on the patio at Ncounter to be amused. They tend to be crowded, but there are other options nearby if you feel squeezed out.

Another way to participate in Tour de Fat is to volunteer! Tempe Bicycle Action Group sent out this request:

We need the most help on second shifts for box office, id & tokens, merchandise, water team and what might be considered the third shift - teardown and clean up. Sign up here.

Looks like this is a bad week to choose Pecos Rd. in Ahwatukee for your training or pleasure rides. More preparatory work is being done for the big Loop 202 project; lots of lane closures planned all week long.

To those of you doing the Amtrak Century this coming Saturday: Have fun and ride safely! And don't worry; I consider it an excused absence.

Events

AMTRAK Century, Irvine CA on September 17

Registration begins 7am Sunday, June 26

Skull Valley Loop, Prescott on September 18
PMBC Quarterly Membership Meeting on Saturday, September 24. Details TBD
Man Vs Machine, Saturday September 24

https://grandcanyonracing.redpodium.com/man-vs-machine-2016
Use discount code PMBCAZ for a 10% discount

Tour de Scottsdale, Sunday October 9
Scenic Arizona Bicycle Classic near Globe, AZ, on Saturday, October 22, 2016

Have fun and ride safely.

August 27 Saturday Cycling Report

Crosswinds are Okay on Marco Polo Ride

Added September 4, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Last Saturday started out cloudy and windless again for the 56 cyclists who took to the east; but around midway a crosswind kicked up from the north. Crosswinds are okay; they help with cooling.

We hit a milestone last week: it had been 104 weeks, two full years, since the last injury accident for Saturday Cycling. But alas, the streak ended then as a fall was reported on the last ride which unexpectedly ended one person's ride that morning (no ambulance, but it counts). Still, two years is a good streak; this, I hope, will be first week of a new record.

Please remember that it is September, and the new start time for this month is 7:00 am. And be nice to Dorothy, who will handle the lead role for me this week while I entertain out-of-town visitors at home.

See below for details of the Monday, Labor Day ride, which I will probably also have to miss.

Coming up...

Saturday, 09/03/16 7:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. ...or Give me Hills
We will approach the Ahwatukee Foothills from the east on Chandler Blvd., then cut south to Pecos before hitting the hills. The 30-mile standard route loops back on Liberty Lane. The extended route adds a couple more hills before returning east on Chandler. Both routes head back to Tempe through Equestrian Trails. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co on the SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 6:04

September 5 (Mon) Labor Day Casual Bike Path Ride
Meet at 7:00 a.m. in the north parking lot at Desert Breeze Park in Chandler (located between McClintock and Rural, Chandler Blvd. and Ray along Desert Breeze Blvd). This is a new ride intended to explore paths rarely used by the recreational cyclists. IT IS NOT A RACE ROUTE. A bike path/lane ride of about 44 miles, with about 20 miles on multi-use paths. Enjoy the Paseo, Heritage and Sun Circle Consolidated Trails in the East Valley, a trip through the Town of Gilbert, Indian Bend Wash and Crosscut Canal from Scottsdale to Tempe. The finish is down Mill, by ASU across Apache and down the now infamous new McClintock Bike Lane which should be used whenever possible. You can view the map at Map My Ride. Contact Neal Thomas for questions..

Saturday, 09/10/16 7:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. MidSummer Ride
This route was designed to seek out maximum shade on summer mornings when the sun is farthest north and most brutal. It includes options of 28 miles with one short climb, or 38 miles with a couple of bonus climbs. Breakfast at Panera Bread at Guadalupe Rd and McClintock Dr. Sunrise: 6:09

Saturday, 09/17/16 7:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Chandler-Pecos Loop
The extra-long route sails east on Chandler Blvd all the way from Rural to Power, returning by way of Pecos. Distance options are 28, 34 and 42 miles; the shorter routes simply head over to Pecos a little earlier. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co (SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot). Sunrise: 6:13

Tid Bits...

When relating a story over breakfast of multiple mysterious flats on a seemingly haunted rear wheel, I was reminded that two out of three cyclists have strong opinions about how we should store our rubber-like spare parts. They insist that they should be stored inside your comfortable home; never in your garage, where you could slow cook a brisket after parking two hot cars inside. In fact, best case, you should have climate controlled indoor parking for your entire fleet of bikes and inventory of parts. A corollary to this is: do not trust tubes that have been sitting in your wedge pack for 6 months or more; especially if you stored your bike in the garage! I don't have any personal experience with ill consequences from my shoddy spare-parts handling, and can't really say if that was the cause of our friend's recurring flat mystery that day. I can say that I've seen tire sidewalls crack and crumble long before the tread has worn thin here in the AZ heat, so there probably is some merit to what they say.

Events

AMTRAK Century, Irvine CA on September 17

Registration begins 7am Sunday, June 26

Skull Valley Loop, Prescott on September 18
PMBC Quarterly Membership Meeting on Saturday, September 24. Details TBD
Man Vs Machine, Saturday September 24

https://grandcanyonracing.redpodium.com/man-vs-machine-2016
Use discount code PMBCAZ for a 10% discount

Tour de Scottsdale, Sunday October 9
Scenic Arizona Bicycle Classic near Globe, AZ, on Saturday, October 22, 2016

Have fun and ride safely.

August 20 Saturday Cycling Report

Cloudy and Windless Morning for Tour de Sue

Added August 28, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

I have been hampered by computer problems all week. I can get to my email now, but not to my spreadsheets, and I don't remember what ride is scheduled for September 10. Hope to be fully recovered by next week.

We did ride the Tour de Sue last week. As I recall it was a mostly cloudy and virtually windless morning. I hear there were a few flat tires on the long route; the Queen Creek loop didn't experience any trouble. Our sign-in count was 50 again for the 2nd week in a row.

Coming up...

Saturday, 08/27/16 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Marco Polo
Marco Polo stretches us to the eastern limits of our range. The 26-mile standard route goes east on Guadalupe for 12 miles, then loops back on Elliot. The 41-mile long route keeps going east all the way to Ellsworth, then heads a little further south before joining the Elliot return path. Breakfast at Panera Bread at Guadalupe and McClintock. Sunrise: 5:59

Saturday, 09/10/16 7:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. TBA
Breakfast at Panera Bread at Guadalupe and McClintock. Sunrise: 6:09

Tid Bits...

The Town of Paradise Valley would like you to help shape the Town's Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. The next stakeholder event is scheduled for Wednesday, September 7, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at Town Hall located at 6401 E Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley, AZ. This event will provide an opportunity to review existing data collected, review the online opinion survey results, start to formulate a vision, goals and/or policies for the plan, and begin to evaluate project prioritization. To RSVP for this event go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z7ZVL6G.

Here's a short marketing blurb I recently received:

One of the most scenic cycling events in Arizona is coming. The Scenic Arizona Bicycle Classicnear Globe, AZ, is on Saturday, October 22, 2016. Discover the beauty of Arizona on your bicycle.

I checked their web site, and they mention that this is the inaugural year for this "classic" event. The organization putting it on appears to be a couple of enterprising people who enjoy road cycling. You should have a look; it may not be a classic yet, but wo knows?

Events

AMTRAK Century, Irvine CA on September 17

Registration begins 7am Sunday, June 26

Skull Valley Loop, Prescott on September 18
PMBC Quarterly Membership Meeting on Saturday, September 24. Details TBD
Man Vs Machine, Saturday September 24

https://grandcanyonracing.redpodium.com/man-vs-machine-2016
Use discount code PMBCAZ for a 10% discount

Tour de Scottsdale, Sunday October 9
Scenic Arizona Bicycle Classic near Globe, AZ, on Saturday, October 22, 2016

Have fun and ride safely.

Aug 14 Nominate Tempe's Next Bicycle Hero

Tempe Transportation Commission Accepting Nominations for 2017 Tempe Bike Hero Award

Added August 14, 2016

written by Sue Taaffe

Nominate Tempe's next bicycle hero

A Tempe Bike Hero can be a Clark Kent or a Superman when it comes to promoting the bicycling way. What matters is making life better for Tempe's two-wheeled community. So, whether it's done in a low-key manner or with public applause, Tempe wants to honor a person or organization that makes biking better in the city.

The Tempe Transportation Commission is accepting nominations for its 2017 Tempe Bike Hero Award through Nov. 30. Nominated individuals must live or work in Tempe, and nominated organizations must be located in Tempe. Past Bike Hero Award winners include:

2016 - Catherine Brubaker and one to Bike Saviours
Erick and Rochelle Geryol
Ryan and Jennifer Guzy
2013 – Maja Wessels
2012 – Patricia Berning
2011 - Eric Iwersen
2010 - Bicycle Cellar
2009 - Sue Fassett
2008 - Tempe Bicycle Action Group

For more information or to obtain a Tempe Bike Hero Award nomination form, visit www.tempe.gov/bikehero or call (480) 350-8663.

Sue Taaffe
City of Tempe
Public Works Supervisor
200 E Fifth Street, 2nd floor
Tempe, AZ 85281
Email: Sue Taaffe
480-350-8663

August 13 Saturday Cycling Report

Coping with Flats on Tour de Mesa

Added August 19, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

I counted an even fifty cyclists for this past Saturday's tour through Mesa. Apparently it was a good day for flat tires, but everyone seemed to cope with them just fine. Only two more Saturday's at the 6:30 start time. Maybe we'll see an end to the triple digit temps by then too, but I doubt it.

Coming up...

Saturday, 08/20/16 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Tour de Sue
Tour de Sue is a flat loop to the south, with route options of 25 or 35 miles. Both routes include a good long stretch with no traffic lights. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co (SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot). Sunrise: 5:55

Tid Bits...

Tempe is preparing to add 3.5 miles of paved, multiuse path along the Highline Canal. This segment will run north-south from just south of Baseline to a little north of Ray. Their web site says that the Town of Guadalupe will also be improving their section of the canal. It wasn't clear to me if it will extend west under I-10 to connect to the part of the canal trail on the other side along Baseline; that could be useful. They are holding a public meeting on August 31, or you can provide input online. Visit City of Tempe for more information.

Events

AMTRAK Century, Irvine CA on September 17

Registration begins 7am Sunday, June 26

Skull Valley Loop, Prescott on September 18
PMBC Quarterly Membership Meeting on Saturday, September 24. Details TBD
Man Vs Machine, Saturday September 24

https://grandcanyonracing.redpodium.com/man-vs-machine-2016
Use discount code PMBCAZ for a 10% discount

Tour de Scottsdale, Sunday October 9

Have fun and ride safely.

August 6 Saturday Cycling Report

Foothills Training Ride: Climbing Hills in the Summer Heat

Added August 11, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Fifty-four cyclists signed up to climb hills in the summer heat. It was plenty of fun, but my favorite part was the breakfast. This time we ate inside for the air-conditioned comfort. Actually, my favorite part was the number of returning friends who we haven't seen for a while due to injuries, extended bike travel, or no good reason at all. It was like a little homecoming reunion.

Coming up...

Saturday, 08/13/16 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Tour de Mesa Rewound
This is a revision to the original Tour de Mesa that reverses the direction of the standard route. Distance options of 32 miles with no climbing, or 44 miles with a gentle climb. Breakfast at Panera Bread at McClintock and Guadalupe. Sunrise: 5:50

Saturday, 08/27/16 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Marco Polo
Marco Polo stretches us to the eastern limits of our range. The 26-mile standard route goes east on Guadalupe for 12 miles, then loops back on Elliot. The 41-mile long route keeps going east all the way to Ellsworth, then heads a little further south before joining the Elliot return path. Breakfast at Paradise Bakery on Guadalupe and McClintock. Sunrise: 5:59

Tid Bits...

I recently discovered that Brandee, owner of Global Bikes and PMBC member, established a non-profit called Trips for Kids Phoenix to promote fun and fitness for youth by way of mountain biking (apparently way back in 2013; where have I been?). They are currently looking for donations of bikes, components or time. If you're interested in supporting the cause, get the details here: https://tripsforkidsphoenix.com/.

If you're planning to travel anywhere by bicycle, here's a route map resource that could be useful to you. It includes all 11,000 miles currently designated U.S. Bicycle Routes, plus Europe and the world! http://opencyclemap.org/.

Events

AMTRAK Century, Irvine CA on September 17

Registration begins 7am Sunday, June 26

Skull Valley Loop, Prescott on September 18
PMBC Quarterly Membership Meeting on Saturday, September 24. Details TBD
Man Vs Machine, Saturday September 24

https://grandcanyonracing.redpodium.com/man-vs-machine-2016
Use discount code PMBCAZ for a 10% discount

Tour de Scottsdale, Sunday October 9

Have fun and ride safely.

July 30 Saturday Cycling Report

Mummy Mountain in the Hot, Humid Aftermath of Friday's Storms

Added August 5, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Thirty-six cyclists took on the hills of Mummy Mountain in the hot, humid aftermath of Friday's storms. On the standard route, we discovered where one microburst popped. About three blocks of Exeter had an unusual number of large branches and whole trees on the ground, and the street was strewn with sticks and leaves. Exeter is always a popular road for sightseeing; this made it even more interesting.

Coming up...

Saturday, 08/06/16 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Foothills Training Ride
Ride with us on a loop through the Ahwatukee Foothills with options of 25 miles with a couple of gentle climbs, or 38 miles that will take you up 5 bigger hills. If you follow the spaghetti-bowl long-route map, you will have gone up and down all 5 approaches with no repeats and no U-turns. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co on the SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 5:45

Tid Bits...

Our web site is showing Saturday, September 24 as the day of our next quarterly membership meeting! It says that the time and place are TBD, but I'm reasonably sure it will be Jason's Deli by the Chandler Mall. Sign-in starts about 1.5 hours after the ride start time, which translates to 8:30 a.m. for September, and the meeting will begin around 9:15 when the long route riders arrive. Breakfast is free to club members; two free breakfasts can be had with a family membership.

Events

AMTRAK Century, Irvine CA on September 17

Registration begins 7am Sunday, June 26

Skull Valley Loop, Prescott on September 18
PMBC Quarterly Membership Meeting on Saturday, September 24. Details TBD
Man Vs Machine, Saturday September 24

https://grandcanyonracing.redpodium.com/man-vs-machine-2016
Use discount code PMBCAZ for a 10% discount

Tour de Scottsdale, Sunday October 9

Have fun and ride safely.

July 23 Saturday Cycling Report

Strange Haze on Chandler/Gilbert Bronze

Added July 31, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Forty-one cyclists rode to the southeast under a strange haze that limited visibility to less than a mile. I missed those distant mountain views, and still have no idea of what we were breathing, or what caused it. As far as I know, everyone survived.

Coming up...

Saturday, 07/30/16 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Mummy Mountain
A 40-mile loop with lots of climbing, or 31 miles with a couple of moderate climbs, takes us north into Scottsdale and around Mummy Mountain. Breakfast stop at Panera Bread at McClintock and Guadalupe. Sunrise: 5:40

Tid Bits...

Weather forecasts are calling for monsoon action starting this Saturday. My policy is that as long as the roads are open, I will be at Kiwanis Park with my all-weather bike ready to ride. If at least one other person shows up to ride, it's on! If no one else shows up I'll drive home and crawl back to bed. I can remember two times where just Roger and I rode in the pouring rain, and can't remember anytime that Saturday Cycling didn't happen. Luckly for me Roger is away for the summer.

Events

AMTRAK Century, Irvine CA on September 17

Registration begins 7am Sunday, June 26

Skull Valley Loop, Prescott on September 18
Man Vs Machine, Saturday September 24

https://grandcanyonracing.redpodium.com/man-vs-machine-2016
Use discount code PMBCAZ for a 10% discount

Tour de Scottsdale, Sunday October 9

Have fun and ride safely.

July 16 Saturday Cycling Report

Construction Detours on McKellips Loop

Added July 21, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

After a couple of construction detours, forty-nine cyclists managed to complete some variation on the three McKellips Loop route options. It turned out to be a beautiful summer day for patio dining.

It looks as though the broadcast schedule has thwarted our final chance for a PMBC sponsored Tour de France viewing party. If I'm wrong, club members will receive an email from VP Steve very soon. May we have better luck next year.

Coming up...

Saturday, 07/23/16 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Chandler/Gilbert Bronze
Gilbert and Chandler are both Bronze level bicycle friendly communities. We'll ride through both communities with route options of 25 or 35 miles. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co. at the SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 5:35

Saturday, 07/30/16 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Mummy Mountain
A 40-mile loop with lots of climbing, or 31 miles with a couple of moderate climbs, takes us north into Scottsdale and around Mummy Mountain. Breakfast stop at Paradise Bakery at McClintock and Guadalupe. Sunrise: 5:40

Tid Bits...

The Sunday Spin Cycle gang are planning to attack Mount Lemmon on their next up-coming ride. To join in this challenging good time you can meet at Desert Breeze park at 5:30am to car pool, or take yourself to the Tucson start location, Mcdonald Park on Harrison north of the E Catalina Highway, in time for the 8:00 a.m. ride start. You should contact Neal Thomas to let him know if you're going.

PMBC has registered as a team in the October 9, Tour de Scottsdale. If you want the $85 team discount rate, please contact Steve Kirkland before you register; he'll provide you with a discount code.

Events

AMTRAK Century, Irvine CA on September 17

Registration begins 7am Sunday, June 26

Skull Valley Loop, Prescott on September 18
Man Vs Machine, Saturday September 24

https://grandcanyonracing.redpodium.com/man-vs-machine-2016
Use discount code PMBCAZ for a 10% discount

Tour de Scottsdale, Sunday October 9

Have fun and ride safely.

July 9 Saturday Cycling Report

HHHHHHHOTTTTTTTT

Added July 15, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Here is Armando's report for last Saturday:

HHHHHHHOTTTTTTTT.
35 cyclists, one new rider (Michelle).
All finished safely. No significant issues other than the usual few flats.

Another 20+ were enjoying the Tour of Flagstaff.

No PMBC Tour de France viewing party again this weekend. An effort is being made to organize one for the weekend of the 23rd.

Coming up...

Saturday, 07/16/16 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. McKellips Loop
This 28- or 37-mile loop will take you north through Tempe and then east through Mesa on McKellips Road, returning to Panera Bread for breakfast. Sunrise: 5:30

Saturday, 07/30/16 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Mummy Mountain
A 40-mile loop with lots of climbing, or 31 miles with a couple of moderate climbs, takes us north into Scottsdale and around Mummy Mountain. Breakfast stop at Paradise Bakery at McClintock and Guadalupe. Sunrise: 5:40.

Tid Bits...

Do you have coaching skills to go along with your cycling talent? Paul at Wenzel Coaching sent the club a help-wanted email. Seems there is demand in the area for a cycling coach and they'd like to make it happen. Contact Paul through his website if you're interested.

PMBC members are riding across America. I got a note from our friend Rick last week in Jackson, Montana; he's well on his way to completing the Trans America route from east to west. It seems that on July 4, he had the random good fortune to meet up with our friend Roger in one of Yellowstone National Park's campgrounds. Roger is doing the same route from the opposite direction. What are the odds?

College Ave will be closed north of University this weekend, which does interfere with our McKellips Loop route. After riding through campus, we'll detour left on University to get to Mill Ave.

Events

AMTRAK Century, Irvine CA on September 17

Registration begins 7am Sunday, June 26

Skull Valley Loop, Prescott on September 18
Man Vs Machine, Saturday September 24

https://grandcanyonracing.redpodium.com/man-vs-machine-2016
Use discount code PMBCAZ for a 10% discount

Tour de Scottsdale, Sunday October 9

Have fun and ride safely.

July 2 Saturday Cycling Report

Research to Oak turns Hot and Windy

Added July 8, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Forty-one cyclists rode off on a morning that started mild but soon became hot and windy. From what I hear, the two Monday Holidays rides saw 20-some participants each; over 40 for a bonus ride is pretty good!

This coming Saturday will be my July weekend off. President Armando will lead the ride from Kiwanis for those who aren't up at the Tour of Flagstaff.

Coming up...

Saturday, 07/09/16 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Lucky 7's
The Lucky 7's route loops clockwise to the south and takes advantage of some of the new roads over by the Wild Horse Pass casino/resort area. The name plays off the mileage options of 27, 37 and 47 miles, plus the 2 casinos along the way. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 5:26

Tid Bits...

An uncooperative broadcast schedule has thwarted our Tour de France viewing plans for this coming weekend. Hoping for better luck next time. We're reasonably sure it will be at Uncle Bears in Ahwatukee, and are hoping for a good stage on a Saturday around lunchtime. Now you can enjoy the Flagstaff Tour without feeling as if you're missing out on more fun.

Events

PMBC Tour de Flagstaff, July 8-10
AMTRAK Century, Irvine CA on September 17

Registration begins 7am Sunday, June 26

Skull Valley Loop, Prescott on September 18
Man Vs Machine, Saturday September 24

https://grandcanyonracing.redpodium.com/man-vs-machine-2016
Use discount code PMBCAZ for a 10% discount

Tour de Scottsdale, Sunday October 9

Have fun and ride safely.

June 25 Saturday Cycling Report

Climbing in the Foothills in the Summer Heat

Added June 30, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Wendell tells me there were 39 signed in last Saturday to climb the foothills in the summer heat, and some of them wanted to know if we have a 4th of July ride scheduled for Monday. Yes we do. The Sunday Kickoff Ride is doing the honors this year with a route that starts and ends at Joe's Farm Grill in Gilbert. As always, the Kickoff group is no-drop, but I don't think that prohibits a pack of experienced cyclists from going off the front at a brisker pace.

Coming up...

Saturday, 07/02/16 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Research to Oak
The Research to Oak route takes us on a clockwise loop around town, with 31 miles and no hills, or 38 miles with some moderate climbing. Breakfast is at Panera Bread. Sunrise: 5:23

July 4 (Mon) 6:30 a.m., Fourth of July Ride
The Sunday Kickoff Ride will host a no-drop ride on Monday, July 4th at 6:30 a.m. from Joe's Farm Grill, 3000 E. Ray Rd. in Gilbert. Distance: about 30 miles. Speed: 17 mph on the flats; overall average speed around 15 mph. Breakfast after the ride. Sunrise: 5:24

Saturday, 07/09/16 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Lucky 7's
The Lucky 7's route loops clockwise to the south and takes advantage of some of the new roads over by the Wild Horse Pass casino/resort area. The name plays off the mileage options of 27, 37 and 47 miles, plus the two casinos along the way. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 5:26

Tid Bits...

Wherever you decide to ride on the 4th of July, I suggest you stay away from Tempe. There are traditionally day-long road closures for their big celebration.

A couple of our weekly club rides that tend to attract mostly retirees have seen a drop in participation due to the loss of winter visitors and some injuries in the leadership ranks. If you ever have the chance to participate with the Sun Lakes group or the Wednesday morning no-drop ride, be sure to contact the ride leader before, to confirm that it's on, and what the start time and location are. They sometimes improvise to meet evolving needs. There is an email link for each of the ride leaders in the Ride Schedule page of the web site.

Events

PMBC Tour de Flagstaff, July 8-10
AMTRAK Century, Irvine CA on September 17

Registration begins 7am Sunday, June 26

Skull Valley Loop, Prescott on September 18
Man Vs Machine, Saturday September 24

https://grandcanyonracing.redpodium.com/man-vs-machine-2016
Use discount code PMBCAZ for a 10% discount

Tour de Scottsdale, Sunday October 9

Have fun and ride safely.

June 18 Saturday Cycling Report

Usual Camaraderie and Simple Joy of Cycling on St. Francis Loop

Added June 25, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

I counted an even fifty cyclists' names on the sign-in sheets for the St. Francis Loop. It was blissfully uneventful as I recall; just the usual camaraderie, and the simple joy of cycling. We did have a photographer set up on Guadalupe to catch us turning into the morning sun; that's unusual. He didn't say why or what for, but we helped him choose his vantage point. As it happened, an unusually large number of us turned right instead, to take the shorter route on a hot hilly day. Maybe that way he was able to catch my good side.

I have my June Saturday off coming up this weekend. Wendell will be leading the Ahwafooty ride in my place.

Coming up...

Saturday, 06/25/16 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Ahwafooty
We'll circle around to approach the Ahwatukee-Foothills from the south with 24- and 35-mile options and moderate climbing on the longer route. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 5:20 (going up)

Saturday, 07/09/16 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Lucky 7's
The Lucky 7's route loops clockwise to the south and takes advantage of some of the new roads over by the Wild Horse Pass casino/resort area. The name plays off the mileage options of 27, 37 and 47 miles, plus the two casinos along the way. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 5:26

Tid Bits...

Regarding last week's AM/PM rant, the Length of Lindsay map is updated (including the part about Panera Bread), my comments were sent to Arco but have yet to be acknowledged, and a few people gave me some helpful feedback. Two wanted everyone to know that it is illegal in Arizona for any public establishment to deny drinking water to anyone for any reason. That's why I was so confident in my indignation at the time. Two also gently reminded me of the importance of being courteous. I may have done better to inform the attendant about AZ law in a polite tone. I guess I was more intent on asserting our rights rather than constructive problem solving. We should always try to say thank-you with a smile and a wave for the water that we have freely received; right after cleaning up any mess we've made.

Anyone interested in the Amtrak Century in CA needs to know that it has been rescheduled to September 17, and registration begins at 7am this Sunday, June 26.

Events

PMBC Tour de Flagstaff, July 8-10
AMTRAK Century, Irvine CA on September 17

Registration begins 7am Sunday, June 26

Skull Valley Loop, Prescott on September 18
Man Vs Machine, Saturday September 24

https://grandcanyonracing.redpodium.com/man-vs-machine-2016
Use discount code PMBCAZ for a 10% discount

Tour de Scottsdale, Sunday October 9

Have fun and ride safely.

June 11 Saturday Cycling Report

Sixty-Four Cyclists Sign-In to Ride to the Quarterly Membership Meeting

Added June 15, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

We had sixty-four cyclists sign-in to ride to the quarterly membership meeting. That's our biggest number since March of last year! And it was a hot one; I used a lot of water on my head, neck and wrists for the evaporative cooling. At the meeting I learned that the treasury is intact, the membership numbers are a little lower but still strong, and that Jan is one year older than Ann. Neither one of these strong-riding role models are octo's yet, but we'll have to check again at the next meeting. For a little balance, we have at least two new 20-something members, who are equally welcome and appreciated.

Please be prepared for even hotter temperatures on the St. Francis Loop this coming Saturday. As an added inconvenience there is some very difficult to navigate road construction on Rio Salado just east of Alma School. After the regroup at the QT on Extension and University, I'm going to recommend that those on the long route proceed west on University for one mile, then turn south on Longmore to get to Rio Salado.

Coming up...

Saturday, 06/18/16 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. St. Francis Loop
Both the 25-mile and 36-mile options include three moderate hills, taking you north through Papago Park, around the St. Francis Cemetery, and returning to Tempe via south Scottsdale. Breakfast at Panera Bread on McClintock and Guadalupe. Sunrise: 5:18

Tid Bits...

While riding at the tail end of the B group on the long route I had the kind of experience that often goes viral on YouTube. When I rolled into the AM/PM at Lindsay and University to regroup, I was told by those ahead of me that we were not being allowed to enter the store. I needed to refill my water bottle, so I boldly stepped inside and was greeted by these words in a loud voice from behind the counter: "Hey! Biker! GET OUT!!" I responded in a similar volume that I needed water, I'm going in to get that water, and that telling me 'no' is not an option. More yelling ensued.

After me came Wendell. He took the more grown-up, good-cop approach and calmly asked her why. She claimed that the group just ahead of us had made a big mess at the soda fountain and she had to clean it all up. After speaking to some of the fast pack, it sounds like they got a hostile reception too, even before they had a chance to make the mess they were accused of leaving. Regardless, there's just no way that a business should be able to deny service, let alone water on a hot summer day, based on the kind of horse we rode in on. These are the actions I intend to take as follow-up:

Revise the Length of Lindsay map to move the long-route regroup to the Quick Trip on University at extension; the same one we will use this week on the St. Francis Loop. The AM/PM will probably consider this a win-win.
Cut and paste what I'm writing here and share it with someone responsible for the offending store, and to Arco-AM/PM's corporate complaint department, if I can find one.
Check all of our other route maps and eliminate AM/PM as a regroup location wherever possible.
Avoid buying gasoline or anything else from any Arco AM/PM store. But that's just me; it's not a movement or anything.
Try to not leave a mess when I use any of the facilities at the regroups.

QT's have consistently been the most customer friendly convenience stores I've visited. They seem to know that cleaning up is part of doing business. Typically they are too busy serving customers to even notice whether all you did was use their restroom and take some water, or if you were there to buy doughnuts and rolling tube meats. The newer Circle-K's look just like all the QT's, but a lot of the older ones don't have public restrooms, and haven't always been very happy to see us either. Our new Chandler-Pecos East route uses two Chevron stations, and they checked out fine on the test ride. In a free market, it's important to have choices.

Events

PMBC Tour de Flagstaff, July 8-10
Skull Valley Loop, Prescott on September 18
Man Vs Machine, Saturday September 24

https://grandcanyonracing.redpodium.com/man-vs-machine-2016
Use discount code PMBCAZ for a 10% discount

Tour de Scottsdale, Sunday October 9

Have fun and ride safely.

June 4 Saturday Cycling Report

Record Breaking Heat Wave

Added June 9, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

In answer to the question, "What do you do when there is a record breaking heat wave in the desert?", fifty-five cyclists can say "We get out and ride, just like any other Saturday morning." As far as I know, all went well.

Please let me know if you have any comments regarding the new Chandler-Pecos Loop route. The only map error I know of is not relabeling Chandler Blvd. as Williams Field Rd. east of Gilbert. I'm still not happy with the name. Besides being dull, it can cause confusion with the Ahwatukee-Foothills version of those two streets. I think I'll rename it Chandler-Pecos East unless I hear a better suggestion.

Coming up...

Saturday, 06/11/16 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Length of Lindsay
It's time for another Quarterly Membership Meeting. We will use the Length of Lindsay route to get us from Kiwanis to Jason's Deli on Frye behind the Chandler Mall. Sign-in will begin at 8:00am and the meeting should start around 8:45. Sunrise: 5:18

Tid Bits...

As of last check we had more people arranging accommodations near Mormon lake than we have registered for the Tour de Flagstaff. Please go on-line and sign-up! We expect more of a crowd this year, and Bob needs to know how much pasta to buy.

This past week ended my 4th year as Saturday Cycling's ride leader. I think I'll mark the occasion with a finger waggle.

To supplement the State of Arizona's traffic laws, PMBC adds two rules for participating in our events:

Helmets are required
Ear phones are forbidden

I've never heard of any push-back on the helmet rule, but more and more I'm seeing little wires going from jersey to helmet. It's never a good idea to impair your hearing when you're riding in traffic; especially when you are also clustered among other cyclists who are depending on you to be alert and attentive. We want everyone focused on riding, not enjoying an opera, hearing a good book, or learning to speak French.

Events

PMBC Tour de Flagstaff, July 8-10
Skull Valley Loop, Prescott on September 18
Man Vs Machine, Saturday September 24

https://grandcanyonracing.redpodium.com/man-vs-machine-2016
Use discount code PMBCAZ for a 10% discount

Tour de Scottsdale, Sunday October 9

Have fun and ride safely.

May 28 Saturday Cycling Report

Beautiful Spring Morning for Climbing

Added June 5, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Thirty-seven cyclists were treated to another beautiful spring morning for climbing. I hope the participants in the Iron Horse Classic had it as good. I miss May already. Our real number must have been above 40; I counted at least 4 who rolled up to the breakfast but hadn't started with us at the park.

Coming up...

Saturday, 06/04/16 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Chandler-Pecos Loop
The extra-long route sails east on Chandler Blvd all the way from Rural to Power, returning by way of Pecos. Distance options are 28, 34 and 42 miles; the shorter routes simply head over to Pecos a little earlier. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co (SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot). Sunrise: 5:19

Saturday, 06/11/16 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Length of Lindsay
It's time for another Quarterly Membership Meeting. We will use the Length of Lindsay route to get us from Kiwanis to Jason's Deli on Frye behind the Chandler Mall. Sign-in will begin at 8:00 a.m. and the meeting should start around 8:45. Sunrise: 5:18

Tid Bits...

Remember: anytime Saturday map that says breakfast is at Paradise Bakery really means Panera Bread now. The location is the same, the patio still has plenty of seating, and the menu is familiar but not identical. It would be rash to judge it based on one visit. I'll need to try it a couple of times before I decide if I approve of the change.

If you skipped reading the ride descriptions above, you will have missed the notification of the upcoming Quarterly Membership Meeting where PMBC members are treated to free breakfast (two free breakfasts for a family membership), plus the Armando show! You can start with us at Kiwanis Park and ride to the meeting, or show up at Jason's between 8:00 and 8:30 to enjoy this always-festive event.

Events

PMBC Quarterly Membership Meeting, Saturday June 11.
PMBC Tour de Flagstaff, July 8-10.
Man Vs Machine, Saturday September 24

https://grandcanyonracing.redpodium.com/man-vs-machine-2016
Use discount code PMBCAZ for a 10% discount

Tour de Scottsdale, Sunday October 9

Have fun and ride safely.

May 21 Saturday Cycling Report

I Wasn't There

Added May 28, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

I wasn't there last Saturday, so I don't know what happened. Nothing newsworthy I guess. Still, I wanted to get the ride report out because another Monday Holiday is sneaking up on us this weekend and Neal has volunteered to lead a ride! He'll be using one of the standard Spin Cycle routes which starts at Desert Breeze Park in Chandler at 7:00 Monday morning.

Coming up...

Saturday, 05/28/16 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. MidSummer Ride
This route was designed to seek out maximum shade on summer mornings when the sun is farthest north and most brutal. It includes options of 28 miles with one short climb, or 38 miles with a couple of bonus climbs. Breakfast at Paradise Bakery at Guadalupe Rd and McClintock Dr. Sunrise: 5:21

Monday, 05/30/16 7:00 a.m., Desert Breeze Park. Tour de Queen Creek
This route goes SE from Desert Breeze Park as far as Hunt Hwy and Ellsworth. Five distance options are provided, ranging from 35 to 50 miles. Breakfast will probably be at Paradise Bakery on Ray Road east of the 101. Back-up plan is Wildflower Bakery in the Chandler mall. Sunrise: 5:20

Tid Bits...

The next opportunity to race the train from the south rim of the Grand Canyon to Williams is September 24. The Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel are providing valuable prizes for the top three men and women. See below for the link and a discount code.

Events

Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, Saturday May 28.
PMBC Tour de Flagstaff, July 8-10.
Man Vs Machine, Saturday September 24

https://grandcanyonracing.redpodium.com/man-vs-machine-2016
Use discount code PMBCAZ for a 10% discount

Tour de Scottsdale, Sunday October 9

Have fun and ride safely.

May 14 Saturday Cycling Report

Marco Polo - Our Youngest Route

Added May 21, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

It was a lovely mid-May morning for the 41 cyclists who headed east on the Marco Polo route. At three years old, this is still our youngest map of the 15 that we rotate between, but not for long! See below for details on the new route that will premiere on the first Saturday of June. I've been retired for 7 months now; it's about time I produced something useful.

Mike 'Diesel' Kirk will be leading the upcoming Saturday ride. Janet and I have another commitment that day.

Coming up...

Saturday, 05/21/16 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Tour de Sue
Tour de Sue is a flat loop to the south, with route options of 25 or 35 miles. Both routes include a good long stretch with no traffic lights. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co (SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot). Sunrise: 5:24

Tid Bits...

While scouting for a new SE Saturday Cycling route that incorporates bike-friendly Pecos Road, I discovered that Chandler Blvd. now has continuous bike lanes from the western edge of Chandler near I-10 to the eastern border of Gilbert at Power; 15.5 total miles. Our new Chandler-Pecos Loop route (not a very imaginative title, but descriptive enough) will use the Rural to Power segment of that stretch, then return westbound on Pecos, which also has striped bike lanes all the way back to Dobson (you can't say the same about the east-to-west direction. Yet.) Guadalupe's stretch of bikeway is still longer than Chandler Blvd's by 5 miles, but if we ever see ADOT stripe the bridge over I-10, and once the City of Phoenix upgrades their part of Chandler Blvd and extends it to 24th Ave, it will likely be the longest uninterrupted bike lane in the whole valley at 26 miles. That's something to look forward to.

Looping this new route around to AZ Bread Co for the breakfast stop brings it to parity with Paradise Bakery at eight each. The map should be posted on the web site very soon.

A couple of local bicycle advocates meet last week with Google to discuss cyclist's concerns with their self-driving vehicles which are being tested on the streets of Chandler. Google is interested in your comments or questions, which you can submit via their web site: www.google.com/selfdrivingcar/ using the "Contact Us" menu option.

Tour de Flagstaff registration has gone live!

Events

May 18, Green Valley Ride of Silence
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, Saturday May 28.
PMBC Tour de Flagstaff, July 8-10.
Tour de Scottsdale, Sunday October 9

Have fun and ride safely.

May 7 Saturday Cycling Report

Forecast For Rain Gave Way to Perfect Weather

Added May 14, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

The forecast for rain gave way to perfect weather for the 29 cyclists who showed up at the new 6:30 start time. The wind and rain of the previous 24 hours also gave us remarkably clean air. I'm sure a couple of people reached the start late, since three of the five maps we left on the windshield were taken. The good news is that we won't change the start time again until the first Saturday in September. It will be 6:30am all summer long.

Wendell says that fifty cyclists signed in last week, and that he DID SO announce the impending start-time change.

Coming up...

Saturday, 05/14/16 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Marco Polo
Marco Polo stretches us to the eastern limits of our range. The 26-mile standard route goes east on Guadalupe for 12 miles, then loops back on Elliot. The 41-mile long route keeps going east all the way to Ellsworth, then heads a little further south before joining the Elliot return path. Breakfast at Paradise Bakery on Guadalupe and McClintock. Sunrise: 5:28

Saturday, 05/28/16 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. MidSummer Ride
Route options 28 miles with one climb or 38 miles with a couple of bonus climbs. Breakfast at Paradise Bakery at Guadalupe Rd and McClintock Dr. Sunrise: 5:21

Tid Bits...

I claimed, as a board member, to be representing PMBC when I sat in on the 2nd of a series of meetings that included people in Phoenix, Tempe, and Chandler governments who care about providing safe roads for cyclists, and a few of us actual cyclists. They focused on transition points between Phoenix on the west of I-10, and Tempe and Chandler on the east, including the notorious Baseline Road. Cycling facilities for the loop 202, when it takes over the Pecos easement, has also been a hot topic. They all impressed me as good people who want to do the right thing, and progress is being made. Or at least it's being planned for.

I don't know who the Sun Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization is, but they have provided a new online tool where members of the public can identify (pin) areas where they feel unsafe walking, biking and/or driving. It appears to be focused on northern Pinal county and it looks like a fun, easy user interface.

I imagine that if I existed on Facebook, you would have a convenient button to flood my wall, or my feed, with your sincere wishes for happiness on my birthday today. I'm way too private for that. 58.

Events

May 18, Green Valley Ride of Silence
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, Saturday May 28.
Tour de Flagstaff, July 8-10.
Tour de Scottsdale, Sunday October 9

Have fun and ride safely.

April 23 Saturday Cycling Report

Climbing Skills Practice

Added April 28, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Forty-eight signed up to practice their climbing skills in the Ahwatukee Foothills. This training ride provides lots of opportunities to customize the route. Some even did it on purpose. Most eventually ended up at AZ Bread Co. for great food and conversation out on the patio where we also saw several of Pat's runners refueling after their morning activity.

Janet and I will not be on the upcoming Saturday Cycling ride. Our friend Wendell will be at Kiwanis in our place to greet you, collect your autographs, and send you rolling out to Mesa.

Coming up...

Saturday, 04/30/16 7:00am, Kiwanis Park. Tour de Mesa Rewound
This is a revision to the original Tour de Mesa that reverses the direction of the standard route. Distance options of 32 miles with no climbing, or 44 miles with a gentle climb will stretch us to our NE limits. Breakfast will be at Paradise Bakery on the SE corner of McClintock and Guadalupe. Sunrise: 5:40

Saturday, 05/07/16 6:30am, Kiwanis Park. ...or Give me Hills
We will approach the Ahwatukee Foothills from the east on Chandler Blvd., then cut south to Pecos before hitting the hills. The 30-mile standard route loops back on Liberty Lane. The extended route adds a couple more hills before returning east on Chandler. Both routes head back to Tempe through Equestrian Trails. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co on the SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 5:34

Saturday, 05/14/16 6:30am, Kiwanis Park. Marco Polo
Marco Polo stretches us to the eastern limits of our range. The 26-mile standard route goes east on Guadalupe for 12 miles, then loops back on Elliot. The 41-mile long route keeps going east all the way to Ellsworth, then heads a little further south before joining the Elliot return path. Breakfast at Paradise Bakery on Guadalupe and McClintock. Sunrise: 5:28

Tid Bits...

PMBC's Tour de Flagstaff is scheduled for July 8-10. Registration will start in early May, but you may want to book your accommodations now if you plan to attend. More details will be posted on the web site soon.

Registration has gone live for the 13th annual Tour de Scottsdale to benefit the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. The ride is Sunday October 9, but registration is capped at 2,000 so they recommend you get your name in now. Register at TourdeScottsdale.net.

Some of you may have met Dan Zimmerman from Spokes Fighting Strokes at one of our Saturday breakfast stops, and you've probably been wondering how you can help Dan to raise awareness of adaptive cycling for stroke survivors. Now he's made it easier by selling t-shirts and jerseys at his fund raising site spokesfightingstrokes.org, to support his teams' cross-country cycling campaign.

Events

May 7, South Mountain Time Trial
May 18, Green Valley Ride of Silence
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic on 05/28/16.
Tour de Flagstaff, July 8-10.

Have fun and ride safely.

April 16 Saturday Cycling Report

Remarkably Clear Air on Mummy Mountain Route

Added April 24, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Besides the perfect temperature for climbing, the air was remarkably clear on Saturday morning. Any of the 45 cyclists who took a look around at the crest of the hills were treated to bright, clear views of downtown Phoenix on one side, and the iconic Four Peaks looming over the McDowells on the other. I'm not going to say it was the departure of the part-time residents that reduced the air pollution; I'm sure it was the heavy winds that let up just in time for our start. However, I did notice that there was no line at the Starbucks at 6:30. It was eerie.

Here is Jack's report from the Saturday Sun Lakes ride:

We had eight riders start from Sun Lakes this morning and we rode to Ahwatukee to pick up Walt P. Rode from his house to Burrito Company on the SE corner of Elliot and 48th (highly recommended: big portions, $5 entrees, super-fast service, outside seating, and very friendly management). Then we rode south under the I-10 freeway and back to SL via Queen Creek. We'll miss one or two of our snowbird riders soon and hope to have them back next year.

Coming up...

Saturday, 04/23/16 7:00am, Kiwanis Park. Foothills Training Ride
We'll avoid Pat's Run in Tempe by taking a loop through the Ahwatukee Foothills with options of 25 miles with a couple of gentle climbs, or 38 miles that will take you up 5 bigger hills. If you follow the spaghetti-bowl long-route map, you will have gone up and down all 5 approaches with no repeats and no U-turns. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co on the SE corner of Kyrene and Eliot. Sunrise: 5:48

Tid Bits...

Triston, lead mechanic with Velofix, surprised us with sag support on Saturday! He tells us their mobile bike-shop is new in the area and they want to get involved with the cycling community. Their stylin' red truck is equipped with nutrition as well as all tools and components for any bike repairs. Besides event support, they also do house-calls and will come to you for your maintenance needs. Tristin said he intends to be with us again on Saturday whenever his schedule allows, though not next Saturday since he has a gig in Prescott. I think this dials up our street-cred a notch. http://www.velofix.com/.

Wednesday, May 18 is the date for the international Ride of Silence in honor of those cyclists who have been injured or killed on our roads and highways. So far there is only one AZ ride scheduled and it's in Green Valley. They will meet at the Green Valley Recreation East Social Center at 5:30 PM for their eleventh local observance of the Ride of Silence. It's not too late to organize one in your own neighborhood; contact Chuck Hill if you want to help make it happen. This is their web site: http://www.rideofsilence.org/main.php.

Events

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED for the White Mountain Tour. Please contact any board member.

April 23-24, Javelina Chase in Duncan, AZ.
May 7, South Mountain Time Trial
May 18, Green Valley Ride of Silence
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic on 05/28/16.

Have fun and ride safely.

April 9 Saturday Cycling Report

Tour Through Chandler and Gilbert

Added April 17, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

An even forty cyclists signed in last Saturday to tour through Chandler and Gilbert during AZ Bike Month. The transit Services Coordinator for the City of Chandler sent me a note to thank the PMBC volunteers who participated in their family fun ride, because she didn't get everyone's names or contact info, and neither did I. So thank you to all of you who helped – you know who you are. It's one of the easiest volunteer gigs out there, but she always seems to appreciate the effort.

It looks like we've said our final adieus to the Canadian winter visitors who've ridden with us the past few months. I can name five couples, but I think there were more. I wish them all bon voyage until next fall when the cold winds blow them back into town.

Coming up...

Saturday, 04/16/16 7:00am, Kiwanis Park. Mummy Mountain
A 40-mile loop with lots of climbing, or 31 miles with a couple of moderate climbs, takes us north into Scottsdale and around Mummy Mountain. Breakfast stop at Paradise Bakery at McClintock and Guadalupe. Sunrise: 5:56

Saturday, 04/23/16 7:00am, Kiwanis Park. Foothills Training Ride
Ride with us on a loop through the Ahwatukee Foothills with options of 25 miles with a couple of gentle climbs, or 38 miles that will take you up 5 bigger hills. If you follow the spaghetti-bowl long-route map, you will have gone up and down all 5 approaches with no repeats and no U-turns. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co on the SE corner of Kyrene and Eliot. Sunrise: 5:48

Tid Bits...

When I first moved to the end of the Ray-Chandler loop in 1991, Chandler Blvd was all farms west of I-10, had a two-lane bridge over the interstate, a 50mph speed limit and no marked bike lanes. On my daily bike commute I started counting how many cars passed me, and how many of them cut me too close for comfort. Then I made some assumptions about how many close calls will result in contact, how many contacts would result in injury, and how many injury accidents would be fatal. The result was a 7-year life expectancy with 2-3 non-fatal accidents before being finished off. But as the years went by, things noticeably improved. I saw a great graphic representation of this in the recent AZ bike summit when the Transportation Improvement Program Manager from Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) flashed slides showing the progression of the MAG Metro Phoenix Bike Ways map. The first edition in 1992, had just a few, short, scattered green lines, which gradually grew to the 2015 version with its dense tapestry of colorful lines woven across the valley. I hurried to thank her after the presentation for the great, tangible improvements they made, and the fact that 25 years later, I'm still alive, sustaining only two minor-injury vehicle contact incidents; zero since about 2006. To paraphrase Dr. MLK: The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward safe cycling.

The South Mountain Time Trial on May 7th honors Highly Falkner who was killed on Pecos road November 2014. The Vitesse Cycling Club is looking for more participants.

I received sketchy information about a Phoenix bike registration event at a place called Sophomore Square from 10am to noon on Wednesday April 20. If interested you should email Maggie.McGraw.

Events

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED for the White Mountain Tour. Please contact any board member.

MS Ride April 16-17
April 23-24, Javelina Chase in Duncan, AZ.
May 7, South Mountain Time Trial
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic on 05/28/16.

Have fun and ride safely.

April 2 Saturday Cycling Report

Route Change Surprise

Added April 7, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Most of the forty-four who signed-in on Saturday seemed surprised about the route change. I guess Thursday is a little late in the week to realize that I had scheduled us to be pirates on the El Tour de Mesa route. Others paid big money for the privilege of competing on a controlled course. We did the South Mountain route instead; at least one couple took it to the towers for the first time. I've swizzled around some of the other upcoming rides to pull in Mummy Mountain and get back to alternating between the two breakfast stops.

I only know of three PMBC members who are going to be helping at the Chandler Family Fun Ride next Saturday; it would be nice to have a few more. Please let me know at the sign-up next week if you want in. Best to preregister at www.chandleraz.gov/transit.

Coming up...

Saturday, 04/09/16 7:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Chandler/Gilbert Bronze
Gilbert and Chandler are both Bronze level bicycle friendly communities. We'll ride through both communities with route options of 25 or 35 miles. Volunteers for the Chandler Family Fun Ride can branch off form the standard route re-group to the nearby Tumbleweed park. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co. at the SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 6:05

Saturday, 04/16/16 7:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Mummy Mountain
A 40-mile loop with lots of climbing, or 31 miles with a couple of moderate climbs, takes us north into Scottsdale and around Mummy Mountain. Breakfast stop at Paradise Bakery at McClintock and Guadalupe. Sunrise: 5:56

Saturday, 04/23/16 7:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Foothills Training Ride
Ride with us on a loop through the Ahwatukee Foothills with options of 25 miles with a couple of gentle climbs, or 38 miles that will take you up 5 bigger hills. If you follow the spaghetti-bowl long-route map, you will have gone up and down all 5 approaches with no repeats and no U-turns. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co on the SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 5:48

Tid Bits...

Into my sixth month of retirement, I finally joined the PMBC Wednesday morning ride. Jerry lured 30 of us way down to the Ak-Chin Casino for a guided tour of the farm and desert landscape outside the town of Maricopa. I saw my first saguaro blossoms of the season, a Hindu temple, dwarf cars, and more head of cattle in one spot than I've seen cumulatively over my vast lifetime. The immense feedlot had Red River in its name and a storied connection to John Wayne. The herd seemed very proud about it; especially the snooty, free-roaming, grass-fed section.

April is Arizona Bike Month. Here's a list from the AZ Republic about local celebrations. They report that the number of events is up from last year's eighteen to twenty-five, and more cities are getting into the act. A few of them already happened last weekend.

Events

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED for the White Mountain Tour. Please contact any board member.

April 9: Chandler Family Fun ride.
MS Ride April 16-17
April 23-24, Javelina Chase in Duncan, AZ.
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic on 05/28/16.

Have fun and ride safely.

March 26 Saturday Cycling Report

Spring is in the Air

Added March 27, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Ah Spring! Perfect cycling weather, plus it seemed like every tree and shrub shorter than a palm was in bloom. The ocotillo tips have been on fire previous weeks; now the prickly pears are starting to show some color. Fifty-eight cyclists started out with us from Kiwanis Park, but extra bonus people always show up at the breakfast stop.

We had at least 3 out-of-town visitors in the pack today, as well as a couple of returning regulars. We also said goodbye to one of our winter visitors who is returning north of the border this week. By the end of next month, all the Canadians will have flown back to their homeland. But I think we can look forward to all of them returning in the southern migration in the fall. One of today's guests from San Diego asked us, "What do you do in the summer months?" We told him we start early and sweat a lot, but we keep on riding.

Next Saturday there will be another charity walk/run in Kiwanis Park, with our same (new 7:00am) start time. I contacted the organizer and she tells me they will be using the big south parking lot near the rec center, so we should be okay.

========== APRIL START TIME IS 7:00AM ====================

Coming up...

Saturday, 04/02/16 7:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Tour de Mesa Rewound
This is a revision to the original Tour de Mesa that reverses the direction of the standard route. Distance options of 32 miles with no climbing, or 44 miles with a gentle climb will stretch us to our NE limits. Breakfast will be at Paradise Bakery on the SE corner of McClintock and Guadalupe. Sunrise: 6:14

Saturday, 04/16/16 7:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. South Mountain
Let's climb the mountain again, while it's still early spring. Route options of 24 miles with a bit of gentle climbing, 38 miles with moderate climbing, or 39 miles with the longest steady climb within 20 miles of Kiwanis Park. Breakfast is at AZ Bread, southeast of Elliot & Kyrene. Sunrise: 5:56

Tid Bits...

If you missed the magazine page on display at the sign-in table, you can go to Phoenix Magazine on-line and see the photo and bio of our own Ann Chadwick, Senior Olympian! She is one to be admired.

Best wishes for speedy recovery go out to two of our members who had joint replacement surgeries last week. We're looking forward to seeing them both up and among us again soon.

The folks at "Not Your Mom" Bike Tours came up with a fun idea. They devised a six-day bicycle tour that stops overnight at five of Maricopa County's nine county parks. With a central Tempe start and finish, the daily riding distances range from 22 to 50 miles (from your house, the mileage may vary). This would be a great way to try out bike-camping, either supported or lugging everything on your bike, while still being within an hour's drive from home in case you need a rescue. It's also a way to just get away from the city lights of night, and spend more quality time exploring our own local park system. Maps and photos are included in this blog.

Events

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED for the White Mountain Tour. Please contact any board member.

ARIZONA BICYCLING SUMMIT 2016 on Friday, April 1
Tour de Mesa is 04/02/16.
April 9: Chandler Family Fun ride. Still need a few volunteers.
MS Ride 04/15-16/16.
April 23-24th, Javelina Chase in Duncan, AZ.
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic on 05/28/16.

Have fun and ride safely.

March 19 Saturday Cycling Report

The Last Winter Saturday of the Year

Added March 27, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

The last winter Saturday of the year gave us another beautiful morning for a ride. I imagine a lot of people were enjoying the same sunshine on the Mining Country Challenge, since our helmet count at Kiwanis was reduced to thirty-one.

Coming up...

Saturday, 03/26/16 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Lucky 7's
The Lucky 7's route loops clockwise to the south and takes advantage of some of the new roads over by the Wild Horse Pass casino/resort area. The name plays off the mileage options of 27, 37 and 47 miles, plus the two casinos along the way. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 6:23

Saturday, 04/02/16 7:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Tour de Mesa Rewound
This is a revision to the original Tour de Mesa that reverses the direction of the standard route. Route options of 32 miles with no climbing, or 44 miles with a gentle climb will stretch us to our NE limits. Breakfast will be at Paradise Bakery on the SE corner of McClintock and Guadalupe. Sunrise: 6:14

Tid Bits...

The Chandler Family Bike Ride event was pulled in a few weeks this year to April 9. As in years past, PMBC has agreed to provide volunteers. It's a very simple task; you just participate in the ride and role model having fun safely. I've scheduled a route for that day that allows volunteers to ride with the club from Kiwanis to the regroup, and then move on to the Park&Ride at Germann and Hamilton for the event. Please let me know if you plan to participate. Be sure to wear your club colors, and please pre-register at www.chandleraz.gov/transit.

The city of Tempe, after reviewing the report on the new McClintock bike lanes, has decided to continue to study it for another 6 months and then provide a more detailed analysis. Sounds like this little controversy is still alive. Though I haven't read it myself, but here is a link to the report: www.tempe.gov/mcclintockdrive.

Events

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED for the White Mountain Tour. Please contact any board member.

ARIZONA BICYCLING SUMMIT 2016 on Friday, April 1
Tour de Mesa is 04/02/16.
MS Ride 04/15-16/16.
April 23-24th, Javelina Chase in Duncan, AZ.
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic on 05/28/16.

Have fun and ride safely.

March 12 Saturday Cycling Report

Three Flats and Two Derailleur Mishaps on Ahwafooty

Added March 16, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Three flat tires and two derailleur mishaps shortened the ride for a few of us, but I hope the rest of the 51 cyclists enjoyed their hill climbs.

I've written before about some debatable practices like rolling stops, and treating a red light at the top of a 'T' intersection as more of a yield sign. Last Saturday the fast pack learned that at least one police officer doesn't agree about the T-intersection practice. Especially when the top of the T is a driveway into a parking lot. No one was ticketed, but I'm sure it was a valuable learning experience. For the record: all participants on PMBC rides are expected to obey the traffic laws. You assume your own risk for any creative interpretations.

Coming up...

Saturday, 03/19/16 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. McKellips Loop
This 28- or 37-mile loop will take you north through Tempe and then east through Mesa on McKellips Road, returning to Paradise Bakery for breakfast. Sunrise: 6:33

Tid Bits...

This week, some state-level items of interest to cyclists:

A coalition of organizations in Arizona has initiated a state-wide program called Drive Smart Arizona that is aimed at educating the public about the dangers of distracted driving. On Thursday, March 17th at 9:00am they will unveil their billboard campaign at Indian School and Central Ave. It might be good if concerned cyclists showed up to help give the event a little more splash. I've often thought that if PMBC ever did a public service announcement, it should be to say: "Please put down the smart phone and single-task when you drive. Our lives depend on it." I'd always imagined it as a radio spot. There might be some irony in using a billboard to educate motorists on the danger of distracted driving. In any event, I'm glad someone is doing something.

A couple of enterprising cyclists in Tucson, concerned about making bicycling safer, have created a SafeBicyclingData website where you can input information on near-miss incidents or unreported accidents that would otherwise go unnoticed. The idea is to address the near misses before the same situation becomes a real accident. They are now ready to expand to the state and national levels. I took a quick look; it ask for lots of demographic and incident details, but it's mostly multiple choice and looks easy enough. It's basically anonymous, though they do request your email address at your option. The web site has lots more information about the effort.

Events

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED for the White Mountain Tour. Please contact any board member.

Mining Country Challenge is 03/19/16. Pre-registration ends Thursday 3/17.

Register at: https://miningcountrychallenge.eventbrite.com Early-bird registration ends this coming Friday, March 4!
Volunteer at: https://mccvolunteer.eventbrite.com

ARIZONA BICYCLING SUMMIT 2016 on Friday, April 1
Tour de Mesa is 04/02/16.
MS Ride 04/15-16/16.
April 23-24th, Javelina Chase in Duncan, AZ.
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic on 05/28/16.

Have fun and ride safely.

March 5 Saturday Cycling Report

58 Cyclist Converge for Quarterly Membership Meeting

Added March 11, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

We had 48 cyclists start out from Kiwanis Park, and another 10 or more who started from Sun Lakes, all converging at the quarterly membership meeting. It was a pretty routine meeting with one big highlight: the final plea for Mining Country Challenge volunteers prompted several people to step forward and commit to keeping this great ride going. There's no century option this year due to road construction, but the event is still alive thanks to the dedication of President Armando and all the others who raised their hands. More would still be better; see Events section below.

Coming up...

Saturday, 03/12/16 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Ahwafooty
We'll circle around to approach the Ahwatukee-Foothills from the south with 24- and 35-mile options and moderate climbing on the longer route. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 6:42

Tid Bits...

The topic of the new McClintock Road bike lanes seems to be heating up in advance of the March 17 Issue Review Session with the Tempe City Council (4 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 31 E. Fifth Street). I'm hearing that they've received a lot of negative feedback and are considering removing those nice wide bike lanes. Apparently, the motorists want their third lane back. If you use and care about this bicycle safety improvement, you should consider being at the meeting on Thursday of next week. Another easy thing you can do is send a quick email to the Tempe City Council to let them know what you think about the bike lanes.

Tempe has also sent out notice that they are planning a bike share program. They are holding an open house March 21 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Tempe Transportation Center, 200 E. Fifth Street, in the Don Cassano community room to introduce bike share to the community and get feedback on proposed station locations.

The city of Phoenix has published a schedule for 2016 Bicycle Safety Events for children where they will distribute helmets and teach bike safety. Maybe you know someone who could benefit.

There are two updates regarding preparation for the loss of Pecos road in Ahwatukee. The City of Phoenix is moving forward with the extension of Chandler Blvd. from 19th to 27th Ave, which will include 6-foot bike lanes. Here is the link to the project page with pictures: https://www.phoenix.gov/streetssite/Pages/Chandler.aspx.

And ADOT has committed to constructing a 15 foot wide multi-use path in the right-of-way of the planned Pecos/202 freeway between 40th St and 17th Avenue. Essentially this is to make amends for taking Pecos road away from recreational cyclists. Efforts continue to secure safe bicycle access all the way around the mountain to 51st Ave.

Events

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED for the White Mountain Tour. Please contact any board member.

Mining Country Challenge is 03/19/16. (Registration is now live!)

Register at: https://miningcountrychallenge.eventbrite.com Early-bird registration ends this coming Friday, March 4!
Volunteer at: https://mccvolunteer.eventbrite.com

ARIZONA BICYCLING SUMMIT 2016 on Friday, April 1
Tour de Mesa is 04/02/16.
MS Ride 04/15-16/16.
April 23-24th, Javelina Chase in Duncan, AZ.
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic on 05/28/16.

Have fun and ride safely.

Bob Beane Comments on ADOT South Mountain Freeway Agreement

ADOT Commits to Multi-use Pathway Along Pecos Freeway

Added February 28, 2016

written by Bob Beane

CAzB Leadership,

The following has some good news, now publicly announced/committed, but also possibly portends some bad news.

The good news (see highlighted sentence below) is that ADOT has agreed to construct a 15 foot wide "multi-use path" in the right-of-way of the Pecos/202 freeway between 40th St and 17th Avenue. This is significant, because this is the first true right-of-way pathway that ADOT has ever done (I'm not counting the bikeable sidewalks along Hwy 179 in Sedona). Essentially this is to make amends for taking away Pecos road, a prime venue for recreational cyclists. How they deal with on/off ramps and intersections will be interesting to see, and will have a lot to say about how usable this path will really be.

The bad news is that this may be all they are going to do, and that we still won't get a connection around South Mountain to 51st Avenue (though cars and trucks will).

Stay tuned.

Bob B

For Immediate Release: Feb. 26, 2016
Contact: ADOT Public Information Office
ADOT news -or- 1.800.949.8057

South Mountain Freeway agreement delivers lower cost, shorter timeline Construction to start this summer on largest highway project in state history

PHOENIX - The Arizona Department of Transportation will deliver the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway three years sooner and at a cost savings topping $100 million by taking an innovative approach to selecting the team to design, build and maintain the highway.

"This is another example of government working at the speed of business to save taxpayer money and improve the lives of Arizonans," said Governor Doug Ducey. "Thanks to hard work and collaboration, the South Mountain Freeway will be completed under budget and faster than expected."

The Department of Transportation finalized a public-private partnership Friday with the project team - Connect 202 Partners - that will serve in all three roles.

"This first-of-its-kind highway contract in Arizona has not only reduced the overall cost but allowed ADOT to accelerate the entire project, meaning motorists will be able to benefit from this critical freeway sooner," ADOT Director John Halikowski said. "That's especially important in light of transportation needs today and into the future."

The 22-mile freeway, expected to open by late 2019, will provide a long-planned direct link between the East Valley and West Valley and a much-needed alternative to Interstate 10 through downtown Phoenix. Approved twice by Maricopa County voters, the South Mountain Freeway will complete the Loop 202 and Loop 101 freeway system.

Connect 202 Partners will design and build the freeway corridor and provide maintenance for 30 years after construction. The team consists of Fluor Enterprises Inc., Granite Construction Co. and Ames Construction Inc., with Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc. as the lead designer.

The fixed $916 million contract for design and construction makes this the largest highway project in state history.

The amount required for the overall project is approximately $122 million less than anticipated because of innovative approaches Connect 202 Partners proposed for construction and engineering, as well as reducing the amount of property that must be acquired for the freeway.

While the phrase public-private partnership may evoke visions of a toll road, that isn't the case with the South Mountain Freeway. Instead, this agreement, ADOT's first for a highway project, provides the advantages of lower cost and shorter timeline that come from having one team not only design and build the freeway, but maintain it afterward.

The original plan called for construction of the freeway as nine individual projects. But after receiving an unsolicited proposal for a public-private partnership in 2013, ADOT decided to seek proposals using that approach.

Connect 202 Partners was selected as the "best value" developer in December 2015 following an extensive review that led to a final list of three prospective developer teams in March 2015. ADOT encouraged these teams to propose innovative concepts that would save time and money while adhering to all environmental commitments.

Innovations proposed by Connect 202 Partners include optimizing the design of the freeway to reduce the amount of right-of-way needed and improving efficiency by reducing the amount of earth needing to be hauled by trucks. The project will include construction of a 15-foot-wide multi-use trail along the existing Pecos Road alignment from 40th Street to 17th Avenue.

Even with the lower cost made possible by a public-private partnership agreement, motorists will enjoy the same modern amenities they have been accustomed to for decades, including a high-capacity freeway with four lanes of traffic in each direction including HOV lanes, rubberized asphalt, access-controlled interchanges and aesthetics that reflect the nearby communities.

The South Mountain Freeway, which will be paid for with state, federal and voter-approved regional transportation funding, has been a critical part of the region's transportation plans since voters approved the Maricopa Association of Governments' Regional Freeway Program in 1985. It also was part of the Regional Transportation Plan that Maricopa County voters approved in 2004.

"The award provides cost certainty on the largest transportation project in the Regional Transportation Plan," said Scottsdale Mayor W.J. "Jim" Lane, chair of the Maricopa Association of Governments. "We now know the range of savings we can put toward the rest of the freeway program."

Halikowski said support from the Maricopa Association of Governments, city of Phoenix and Federal Highway Administration has been essential to advancing the South Mountain Freeway.

Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2016. Pre-construction activities, including geotechnical and utility work and property acquisition and preparation, have been underway since spring 2015 after ADOT received final federal clearance to move forward.

For more information, visit azdot.gov/SouthMountainFreeway.

# # #

February 27 Saturday Cycling Report

A Ramble Around the Research to Oak Route

Added March 4, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

We had 58 cyclists ramble around the Research to Oak route. I don't know what the long-route group experienced, but I noticed both the American and Arizona flags fluttering enthusiastically towards us as we plowed eastward on Rio Salado. Then for the return leg west on Guadalupe, they were hanging limp. That doesn't seem fair. I blame global warming.

========== March start time is 7:30 am ====================

Coming up...

Saturday, 03/05/16 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Length of Lindsay
It's time for another Quarterly Membership Meeting. We will use the Length of Lindsay route to get us from Kiwanis to Jason's Deli on Frye behind the Chandler Mall. Sign-in will begin at 9:00am and the meeting should start around 9:45. Sunrise: 6:51

Saturday, 03/12/16 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Ahwafooty
We'll circle around to approach the Ahwatukee-Foothills from the south with 24- and 35-mile options and moderate climbing on the longer route. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 6:42

Saturday, 03/19/16 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. McKellips Loop
This 28- or 37-mile loop will take you north through Tempe and then east through Mesa on McKellips Road, returning to Paradise Bakery for breakfast. Sunrise: 6:33

Tid Bits...

Here are some interesting rides to consider over the next few months:

Saturday, March 5th at 6:45 a.m., Global Bikes in Ahwatukee will be hosting the Lost Dutchman Century. This is a fully supported ride with a burrito at the finish, all for only $10.

Saturday, March 19, at 7:00 a.m. is the Mining Country Challenge hosted by your very own PMBC. It begins in Superior, AZ; see link below for sign-up.

April 16-17 for Bike MS: Arizona. The starting point is in the McDowell Mountain Regional Park north of Fountain Hills. www.BikeMSArizona.org

April 23-24th, the Javelina Chase will be held in Duncan, along the AZ-NM border east of Globe; see http://www.javelinachase.com/. They say that if it is a good poppy year, you will "ride amongst fields of white, purple, and orange wildflowers and be in awe of your surroundings."

From May 31 to September 10, Dan Zimmerman of Spokes Fighting Strokes invites you to join him on his "Sea to Sea Tour" for a big fundraising adventure. http://spokesfightingstrokes.org/

Events

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to lead the White Mountain Tour. Please contact any board member.

Mining Country Challenge is 03/19/16. (Registration is now live!)

Register at: https://miningcountrychallenge.eventbrite.com Early-bird registration ends this coming Friday, March 4!
Volunteer at: https://mccvolunteer.eventbrite.com

ARIZONA BICYCLING SUMMIT 2016 on Friday, April 1
Tour de Mesa is 04/02/16.
MS Ride 04/15-16/16.
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic on 05/28/16.

Have fun and ride safely.

February 27 Saturday Sun Lakes Report

Photos at Brenner Pass in the San Tan Mountains

Added February 28, 2016

written by Scott Barvian

The Saturday Sun Lakes group at Brenner Pass in the San Tan mountains on Saturday, Feb. 27.

(photo credit: Kathy Thomas)

Sun Lakes group at Brenner Pass Photo 1

Sun Lakes group at Brenner Pass Photo 2

February 20 Saturday Cycling Report

Tour de Sue Draws Biggest Group Since Halloween

Added February 28, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

A solid 63 cyclists crowded the parking lot on Saturday; the biggest group since Halloween, which was also for Tour de Sue. This early spring is a good excuse to ride more.

Jack, who leads the Sun Lakes ride Saturday's in south Chandler, reports that they had 14 riders out of Cottonwood for a 38-mile round trip to the cafe at the Phoenix/Mesa Airport. Returned with all 14 intact. Excellent course designed by Jan Peterson. For you late risers: their start time this past Saturday was 9:00.

Expect a crowd in the park when we finish our ride this coming Saturday. Tempe is hosting a free Play Day for kids, which thankfully doesn't start until 10am.

Coming up...

Saturday, 02/27/16 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Research to Oak
The Research to Oak route takes us on a clockwise loop around town, with 31 miles and no hills, or 38 miles with some moderate climbing. Breakfast at Paradise Bakery. Sunrise: 7:00 straight-up

Saturday, 03/05/16 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Length of Lindsay
Time for another Quarterly Membership Meeting. We will use the Length of Lindsay route to get us from Kiwanis to Jason's Deli on Frye behind the Chandler Mall. Sign-in will begin at 9:00am and the meeting should start around 9:45. Sunrise: 6:51

Saturday, 03/12/16 7:30., Kiwanis Park. Ahwafooty
We'll circle around to approach the Ahwatukee-Foothills from the south. 24-mile and 35-mile options with moderate climbing on the longer route. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 6:42

Tid Bits...

After following Pet on a shortcut through Sun Lakes to Riggs, bypassing the regroup, I was in the unfamiliar position of off-the-front. This is opposite of where the ride-lead normally sits. The fast pack soon overtook me, but I was able to hang on with them for a few miles and was really impressed with those guys. There were about 15 of us in a remarkably steady, efficient paceline. Even at the very back, there was minimal accordion effect. And since it really is still winter and the sun was riding low on our left, we had a parallel stream of shadows for monitoring what's going on further up.

I enjoy watching our shadow selves in action just for the artistic value, but as the ride-lead I like to monitor stuff too. The shadows of the first 4-5 leaders were like a picket fence; very uniform. Down the line, everyone's legs churned constantly, as they should. I didn't see any hiccups or nervousness. They must have ramped the speed above 25mph eventually. That's the point when I drift off the back, and watch the group fade away up the road. I had fun while it lasted, and felt safe doing it. Thanks for that.

Events

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to lead the White Mountain Tour. Please contact any board member.

Mining Country Challenge is 03/19/16. (Registration is now live!)

Register at: https://miningcountrychallenge.eventbrite.com
Volunteer at: https://mccvolunteer.eventbrite.com

ARIZONA BICYCLING SUMMIT 2016 on Friday, April 1
Tour de Mesa is 04/02/16.
MS Ride 04/15-16/16.
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic on 05/28/16.

Have fun and ride safely.

February 13 Saturday Cycling Report

Forty-Nine Cyclists Signed in for St. Francis Loop

Added February 18, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

It was another beautiful morning for the forty-nine cyclists who signed in for the St. Francis Loop, or a modified version that resembled it. I've subscribed to email alerts from the city of Tempe on their road closure updates and I receive plenty. But I don't remember being told about the southbound Mill Ave bridge being closed for a run/walk event on Saturday. By the time I got there, they were packing up the starting gate furniture so I just rolled through anyway without any trouble. Not sure how everyone else dealt with it, I was between packs at the time.

Coming up...

Saturday, 02/20/16 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Tour de Sue
Tour de Sue is a flat loop to the south, with route options of 25 or 35 miles. Both routes include a good long stretch with no traffic lights. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co (SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot). Sunrise: 7:08

Saturday, 03/05/16 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Length of Lindsay
Time for another Quarterly Membership Meeting. We will use the Length of Lindsay route to get us from Kiwanis to Jason's Deli on Frye behind the Chandler Mall. Sign-in will begin at 9:00am and the meeting should start around 9:45. Sunrise: 6:51

Tid Bits...

How do you like the bicycle friendly improvements the city of Tempe made to McClintock Drive? If you are a Tempe resident, you may want to tell your city council what you think when the topic comes up at their March 17 Issue Review Session (4 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 31 E. Fifth Street). City staff have been monitoring and collecting data, including pre- and post-project bicycle and vehicle counts, travel times, crash statistics and carbon footprint analysis. Staff will present the data, as well as a comprehensive record and analysis of public feedback. The Tempe City Council welcomes public comment during the Call to the Audience portion of the program.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to lead the White Mountain Tour. Please contact any board member.

Events

Mining Country Challenge is 03/19/16. (Registration is now live!)

Register at: https://miningcountrychallenge.eventbrite.com
Volunteer at: https://mccvolunteer.eventbrite.com

ARIZONA BICYCLING SUMMIT 2016 on Friday, April 1
Tour de Mesa is 04/02/16.
MS Ride 04/15-16/16.
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic on 05/28/16.

Have fun and ride safely.

February 14 Sunday Kickoff Report

New Record Number of Riders for Sunday Kickoff

Added February 14, 2016

written by Scott Barvian

The Sunday Kickoff ride set another record with 26 riders today on Arizona Statehood Day.

February 6 Saturday Cycling Report

Return to South Mountain

Added February 13, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Forty-two cyclists signed in for the return to South Mountain. A brisk breeze from the east kept it exciting all the way to the finish. I had not realized that the San Juan road is open to motor vehicles on the 1st weekend of every month. I'll have to keep that in mind as we head back up sometime in April. The motorists were friendly enough; I just like it better without their exhaust pipes. Come back next Saturday (tomorrow) for more climbing.

Coming up...

Saturday, 02/13/16 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. St. Francis Loop
Both the 25-mile or 36-mile options include three moderate hills, taking you north through Papago Park, around the St. Francis Cemetery, and returning to Tempe via south Scottsdale. Breakfast at Paradise Bakery on McClintock and Guadalupe. Sunrise: 7:15

Tid Bits...

I'm not a facebook poster; I seldom ever even use the camera feature on my telephone. I've taken a lifetime total of two selfies, and only one of them was on purpose. But on Friday of last week, while riding westbound on Chandler Blvd at Dobson Rd, I had to pull over and snap a picture of the bus stop advertisement. It is a large, bright orange and yellow poster with the image of a bicyclist next to a car, and the bold message: SHARE THE ROAD CHANDLER. It was a sign, literally. Also a sign that the city of Chandler believes that bicyclists' safety matters. Until we have wide-spread agreement that bicyclists' safety matters, we can't accurately claim that everyone's safety matters.

The 4th annual Pedal the Petrified metric century ride will be September 17, 2016 in Holbrook. This is a scholarship fund-raiser for Northern Pioneer Community College which serves the Apache and Navaho counties of AZ. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

CAzB alerts us that the City of Phoenix is working on plans to extend Chandler Boulevard from 19th Avenue to 27th Avenue. This may open up new route opportunities for our weekly rides in the post-Pecos Foothills era. There will be a public information meeting from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at Desert Vista High School's Cafeteria. To get more information, send an email to Chandler Blvd Extension.

Events

2016 J & P Tucson Tour Weekend of 02/13/16.
Mining Country Challenge is 03/19/16. (Registration is now live!)

Register at: https://miningcountrychallenge.eventbrite.com
Volunteer at: https://mccvolunteer.eventbrite.com

ARIZONA BICYCLING SUMMIT 2016 on Friday, April 1
Tour de Mesa is 04/02/16.
MS Ride 04/15-16/16.
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic on 05/28/16.

Have fun and ride safely.

January 30 Saturday Cycling Report

Mid Summer Ride on a Sunny Mid-Winter Day

Added February 5, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

An even 50 cyclists took on the Mid Summer ride on a sunny mid-winter day. Sorry if you missed some of us at the breakfast; a pack of six of us made a spontaneous decision to dine in downtown Tempe for a change of pace.

Thank you Bob L. for substituting for Pres. Armando who was substituting for me last week.

Coming up...

Saturday, 02/06/16 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. South Mountain
We'll return to the mountain top for the first time since April of last year. Route options of 24 miles with a bit of gentle climbing, 38 miles with moderate climbing, or 39 miles with the longest steady climb within 20 miles of Kiwanis Park. Breakfast is at AZ Bread, southeast of Elliot & Kyrene. Sunrise: 7:21

Tid Bits...

Would you like to jump into the exciting world of Bicycle Advocacy? Or perhaps you'd just like to learn more about what's going on in Arizona that concerns cyclists and cycling safety. If so, you should plan to attend the ARIZONA BICYCLING SUMMIT 2016 at the Mesa Convention Center on Friday, April 1. It is hosted by the City of Mesa and the Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists, and has been scheduled to coincide with Perimeter Bicycling's popular Tour de Mesa. There is a small registration fee that includes lunch.

President Armando has extended his service to the club by stepping up to lead the Mining Country Challenge. This is contingent on his getting a sufficient number of volunteers to help him make it happen. If you aren't going to ride it, please consider visiting https://mccvolunteer.eventbrite.com to claim a volunteer spot.

Events

Sun Devil Criterium, Sunday February 7th,
2016 J & P Tucson Tour Weekend of 02/13/16. (The registration site is now live!)
Mining Country Challenge is 03/19/16. (Registration is now live!)

Register at: https://miningcountrychallenge.eventbrite.com
Volunteer at: https://mccvolunteer.eventbrite.com

ARIZONA BICYCLING SUMMIT 2016 on Friday, April 1
Tour de Mesa is 04/02/16.
MS Ride 04/15-16/16.
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic on 05/28/16.

Have fun and ride safely.

January 16 Saturday Cycling Report

Tires, Chains, and Derailleurs, Oh My.

Added January 20, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Forty-five cyclists signed in for the always-popular Mummy Mountain route. Seemed like there were an unusual number of mechanical problems this week involving tires, chains, and derailleurs; thankfully no one was hurt. We have now been injury free for 72 weeks!

Coming up...

Saturday, 01/23/16 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. ...or Give me Hills
President Armando will be your substitute ride leader as you approach the Ahwatukee Foothills from the east on Chandler Blvd., then cut south to Pecos before hitting the hills. The 30-mile standard route loops back on Liberty Lane. The extended route adds a couple more hills before returning east on Chandler. Both routes head back to Tempe through Equestrian Trails. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co on the SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 7:30

Saturday, 01/30/16 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. MidSummer Ride
Route options 28 miles with one climb or 38 miles with a couple of bonus climbs. Breakfast at Paradise Bakery at Guadalupe Rd and McClintock Dr. Sunrise: 7:26

Tid Bits...

I'm hearing that the repairs to Tower Road in South Mountain Park are complete and we are once again free to climb to the top. That's just in time for Silent Sunday on January 24 when the roads are open only to non-motorized users. Saturday Cycling will take us there for our first ride in February when the start time moves back to 8:00.

I trust there was a good showing for the MLK day ride on Monday. Thank you to Bob, of Tour of Flagstaff fame, who volunteered to lead using a new route of his own creation. If anyone has President's Day free on February 15, it's not too early to start planning a holiday club ride for 8am that day too. Please let me know if you would like to take it on and I'll help you get it arranged.

Events

Tour de Palm Springs on 01/23/15.
Sun Devil Criterium, Sunday February 7th,
2016 J & P Tucson Tour Weekend of 02/13/16. (The registration site is now live!)
Mining Country Century is 03/19/16. We still need a Ride Leader for this event!
Tour de Mesa is 04/02/16.
MS Ride 04/15-16/16.
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic on 05/28/16.

Have fun and ride safely.

Arizona Bicycling Summit 2016

Presented by Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists and the City of Mesa

Added January 15, 2016

submitted by Bob Beane

ARIZONA BICYCLING SUMMIT 2016

Presented by: Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists and the City of Mesa

With Support from: Perimeter Bicycling Association of America

Other Participants: IMBA, ADOT Bike/Ped, GABA, CASA, MAG, City of Tucson, Flagstaff Biking Organization, Valley Metro and more...

Save the Date: Friday, April 1, 2016 Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Location: Mesa Convention Center, 263 North Center St., Mesa, AZ 85201

Topics Addressed by Expert Speakers and Panels Include:

Bicycling Safety for the Road, and Rider Education Resources
Mountain Biking in Arizona: New Parks, Trail Access and more
Sources of, and Access to, Infrastructure Funding
ADOT: Policy, Bicyclist Resources and US Bicycle Route System
Law Enforcement: New Training Program and Enforcement Priorities
Keys to Successful Bicycling Advocacy with Examples from Yuma, Verde Valley, Prescott, Tucson, Flagstaff, Mesa, Phoenix and more...

Look for Registration Information in Mid-January at:

www.cazbike.org and the Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists FB page...

Meet with AZ Bicycling Advocates and Key Public/Industry Representatives

Be there...be informed...be involved!!!

Pinnacle Peak Pedalers 27th Annual New Year's Day Potluck

A Group Photo

Added January 13, 2016

By Scott Barvian. Photo by Walt Paciorek

The 27th annual New Year's Day Potluck was held at Usery Mountain Regional Park. This event has been organized over the years by the "Pinnacle Peak Pedalers" under the leadership of the late Gurnelle Jones and Bob Prochaska and then by the "Desert Muffins". For the last several years, the picnic has been masterminded by Roseann Wagner.

In keeping with the alternating hot-cold pattern of recent years, last year's 37-degree shiver-fest was replaced by a beautiful warm and sunny day.

Pinnacle Peak Pedalers 27th annual New Year's Day Potluck

January 9 Saturday Cycling Report

Chandler/Gilbert Bronze Route

Added January 14, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

We had 37 cyclists start out at the park with us on Saturday; several more joined in along the route and a few plain-clothed members showed up at the breakfast. Since the C-G Bronze map includes two extra loops for the long route, there are actually four mileage options to choose from. We took an in-between distance that allowed the fast pack to catch us a few miles before the finish, so we hopped our tandem in line with them and imagined we'd been there all along. The burst of speed was fun.

Sunday's Casa Grande Century ride was a big success. Not the biggest crowd we've ever had, but one of the most fun nonetheless. Early feedback points to the quality of our volunteer staff, and crisp organization of the event that keeps people coming back.

Coming up...

Saturday, 01/23/16 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. ...or Give me Hills
We will approach the Ahwatukee Foothills from the east on Chandler Blvd., then cut south to Pecos before hitting the hills. The 30-mile standard route loops back on Liberty Lane. The extended route adds a couple more hills before returning east on Chandler. Both routes head back to Tempe through Equestrian Trails. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co on the SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 7:30

Tid Bits...

I was recently contacted by a member of the Tempe Sister Cities organization that is teaming with the ASU Cycling Club to put on the Sun Devil Criterium around Gamage Auditorium on the ASU campus. The date of the event is Sunday February 7th from 7am to 6pm. There are 15 race categories starting with juniors and finishing up with the Women and Men's pros. You can still register to compete if you like, or attending as a spectator sounds like fun too. There will be a fitness expo and food trucks on site as well. More information is available at http://asucycling.org/sun-devil-crit, or on facebook.

Events

Tour de Palm Springs on 01/23/15.
Sun Devil Criterium, Sunday February 7th,
2016 J & P Tucson Tour Weekend of 02/13/16. (The registration site is now live!)
Mining Country Century is 03/19/16. We still need a Ride Leader for this event!
Tour de Mesa is coming up 04/02/16.
MS Ride 04/15-16/16.
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic is 05/28/16.

Have fun and ride safely.

January 2 Saturday Cycling Report

Another Beautiful Day for Marco Polo Route

Added January 5, 2016

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Thirty-one cyclists enjoyed another beautiful day.

Coming up...

Tid Bits...

There's a forecast for a chance of rain on the Casa Grande Century this Sunday, but I don't care. Especially when it's this wimpy winter rain like today's. Just a reasonably waterproof jacket should be enough; as long as I keep my feet, head and hands warm too. Take care of the Tips and Torso; that's what Sue always said.

Same goes for the J&P Tour. Bring on el Nino, I enjoy riding in the rain.

Performance Bicycle, on the corner of Power and Southern in Mesa, is hosting a PMBC VIP Night this Thursday, January 7, from 5:30-7:00. There will be free refreshments, raffle prizes and discount pricing on the merchandise for PMBC members.

Events

Casa Grande Century – January 10. The board is promising nice weather.
Here is a link for CGC volunteer sign-up: http://cgcvolunteer.eventbrite.comWE STILL NEED SAG DRIVERS AND REST STOP VOLUNTEERS!!
Tour de Palm Springs on 01/23/15.
2016 J & P Tucson Tour Weekend of 02/13/16. (Registration details will be posted soon)
Mining Country Century is 03/19/16. We still need a Ride Leader for this event!
Tour de Mesa is coming up 04/02/16.
MS Ride 04/15-16/16.
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic is 05/28/16.

Have fun and ride safely.