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The Hub Archive - 2014

December 21 Sunday Kickoff

PMBC Sunday Kickoff's Private Air Show

Added December 28, 2014

written by Scott Barvian

On Dec. 21 the Sunday Kickoff ride visited Gateway Airport and was treated to some departing F-18 jets.

PMBC Sunday Kickoff Group Photo at Gateway Airport

The video below shows F-18 taking off. (Adobe Flash Player required.)

December 20 Saturday Cycling Report

Santa Claus Signed-in for the Popular Mummy Mountain Ride

Added December 21, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Forty-eight cyclists and one Santa Claus signed-in for the popular Mummy Mountain ride under bright winter sunshine. Eight of them rode top-quality demo road bikes from Specialized's 2015 collection. Wouldn't it be great if all the major manufactures followed suit and used Saturday Cycling to showcase their products to us perfectly targeted bicycle consumers?

Rumor is that the reopening of the roads in South Mountain Park has been delayed to January, so I've pushed out our return to the top for a later date.

Coming up...

Tuesday, 12/23/14 7:00 p.m., Christmas Lights ride
Santa Neal will be leading his annual Christmas Lights ride. We will gather at 7pm near Curbside Cyclery on the SE corner of 48th Street and Warner in Ahwatukee. The route will be about 15 miles and the pace is intended to be slow to enjoy the outdoor holiday decor. A hot-cocoa and cookie stop will be located along the route, and the merriment will continue after at a yet-to-be-named pub. Please RSVP to Neal and provide the total number in your party, including children. Be appropriately dressed and have at least a white light in front and a red light on the backside of your bike. Sunset: 5:26pm

Saturday, 12/27/14 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Lucky 7's
For the last Saturday of the year, we will enjoy the Lucky 7's route which 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 and 47 miles, plus the two casinos along the way. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 7:31

Saturday, 01/03/15 8:30a.m., Kiwanis Park. Foothills Training Ride
The Foothills Training Ride takes 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. at Kyrene and Elliot. President Armando will be your substitute ride leader this week. Sunrise: 7:33

Saturday, 01/10/15 8:30 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: 7:33

Tid Bits...

The 2014 4th Quarterly Membership Meeting Minutes are posted on the club web site. The big news was the election of our officers for 2015:

President – Armando Charvet (reelected)
Vice President – Steve Miller (new)
Treasurer - Kevin Peffley (previously VP)
Secretary – Denise Thienpont (reelected)

Please use this link to sign-up to volunteer on the Casa Grande Century: 2015 PMBC CGC Volunteer

Registration for the 13th annual J&P Tucson Tour, Feb 13-17 is live. Much more info is available on the web site.

Have fun and ride safely

December 13 Saturday Cycling Report

Eighteen Hearty Cyclists Braved the Gloomy Skies

Added December 14, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Twelve signed in on-time, and 6 more joined shortly after the start for a total of 18 hearty cyclists who braved the gloomy skies. Sharp contrast to the 153 who enjoyed last weekend's sunny Free Ride. We were rewarded for our bravery with scarcely a drippy drop of rain, though the streets were still damp, and unless you stayed in the front or behind one if the three bikes with real fenders (Roger's custom job doesn't count), you likely got some road muck in your face for that tough-guy look.

Most of the streets on this route are above-average bicycle friendly, especially Lindsay with it's favorable lights and wide bike lane. But that mid morning, holiday shopping traffic was sure thick. Remember, the bike lanes are there for us; don't be shy about using them. Defaulting to a position that occupies the 1st regular traffic lane is not always the safest practice, and is often discourteous to the faster vehicles.

In December and January, the breakfast stop for all rides will be AZ Bread Co, due to our later start time causing many to miss the breakfast service cut-off at Paradise Bakery.

Coming up...

Saturday, 12/20/14 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Mummy Mountain
We'll head north for this year's winter solstice ride for a 40-mile loop with lots of climbing, or 31 miles with a couple of moderate climbs around Mummy Mountain. Breakfast stop is changed to AZ Bread Co. at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 7:24

Saturday, 01/03/14 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. South Mountain
I'm hopeful that the road repairs from the big flood of 2014 will be completed, but until I have confirmation, this is subject to change. 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

Tid Bits...

Here's a fun surprise for next Saturday: Andrew Tierney, a Field Marketing Rep for Specialized Bicycles has a trailer full of their 2015 road bikes that he'd like to bring to Kiwanis Park at the start of our ride. Not only can you gawk, drool and touch, Andrew is offering to let you take one on the full Mummy Mountain route! Here is a list of the bikes and sizes available (one of each):
Sworks Tarmac Disc DI2: 52, 54, 56, 58, 61
Pro Race Tarmac: 52, 54, 56, 58, 61
Pro Race Disc Roubaix Ui2: 52, 54, 56, 58, 61
Venge Pro Race: 52, 54, 56, 58, 61
Sworks Amira: 44, 48, 51, 54
Ruby Pro Race Ui2; 44, 48, 51, 54

Andrew asks that you use this link to reserve one ahead of time:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/specialized-road-bike-demo-with-pmbc-tickets-14930873645
He also asks that you show up as much as an hour before the ride start so there will be time to get everyone fitted and fixed-up. You will need to bring a credit card, photo ID, your own pedals, shoes and helmet. You might want to have your old trusty bike with you too, as back-up.

More fun for us: Performance Bicycle, at Ray and Kyrene, is hosting a PMBC members appreciation sale event from 6-8pm on Thursday December 18, complete with complimentary refreshments and a jolly good time.

Please use this link to sign-up to volunteer on the Casa Grande Century:
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-pmbc-cgc-volunteer-registration-14878789861?aff=eac2

Don't forget the Christmas Lights ride at 7pm Tuesday, December 23rd, at the SE corner of 48th street and Warner. Please RSVP to Neal and provide the total number in your party, including children.

Registration for the 13th annual J&P Tucson Tour, Feb 13-17 is live.

Have fun and ride safely

November 29 Saturday Cycling Report

Thursday Holiday Ride and Saturday's St. Francis Loop.

Added December 7, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

I was thankful for the 40 cyclists who showed up for our Thursday holiday ride. We groused about the cold at the start, but by the time we reached the patio at Einstein's it was clear that our November weather is truly a blessing. A couple of out-of-state holiday guests also helped us to remember how good we have it.

On Saturday, we had 51 sign-in for another beautiful day to climb hills on the St. Francis Loop. Just these two rides were enough to counter the weight gain I would have seen from all the feasting I did over the weekend. Imagine how much more I could have stuffed myself if I'd ridden with the club all 4 days.

Note: The ride start time moves to 8:30 in December and stays there through January!

Coming up...

Saturday, 12/06/14 8:30 a.m., Pioneer Park, Mesa. Free Ride
Phoenix Metro Bicycle Club says thanks to their members for another great year of cycling and welcomes all riders to join in an adventure celebrating cycling. Three ride options will be offered: 25 miles, 40 miles, and 60 miles. All rides 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 40- or 60-mile routes. Food and drinks will be provided along the way and a catered lunch will be at the end of the ride. But best of all, this ride is FREE! Though we do ask that you Please Register (Free Ride) in order that the necessary food and drinks will be available. This will replace Saturday Cycling; there will be no ride from Kiwanis Park on Dec 6. Sunrise: 7:19

Saturday, 12/13/14 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Length of Lindsay
Time for another Quarterly Membership Meeting! As always, that means free breakfast for club members. This time, we return to Serrano's at 141 S. Arizona Ave in Chandler, a block north of Frye Road. You can get there by joining us for the Length of Lindsay route with options of 27 or 39 miles and no climbing, or be at Serrano's for sign-in starting at 10:15 a.m. The meeting should begin around 10:30 a.m. Sunrise: 7:21

Saturday, 12/20/14 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Mummy Mountain
We'll head north for this year's winter solstice ride for a 40-mile loop with lots of climbing, or 31 miles with a couple of moderate climbs around Mummy Mountain. Breakfast stop at Paradise Bakery at McClintock and Guadalupe. Sunrise: 7:24

Tid Bits...

Santa Neal will be leading his annual Christmas Lights ride on the evening of Tuesday, December 23rd. We will gather at 7pm near Curbside Cyclery on the SE corner of 48th street and Warner in Ahwatukee. The route will be about 15 miles and the pace is intended to be slow to enjoy the outdoor holiday décor. A hot-cocoa and cookie stop will be located along the route, and the merriment will continue after at a yet-to-be-named pub. Please RSVP to Neal and provide the total number in your party, including children.

Sign-up for the annual Holiday Party has been extended to noon Friday 12/5. PMBC Members Holiday Party. It will be held on Saturday, December 6th from 4pm-7pm at Pesto's in Chandler and will include a buffet dinner. $20/person.

Have fun and ride safely

November 22 Saturday Cycling Report

Ahwafooty with a Chill in the Air.

Added November 29, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Unless I lost a sign-in sheet somewhere, just 37 cyclists signed in for Saturday's Ahwafooty ride. I know several people were participating in El Tour de Tucson, which is an excused absence. If it was the chill in the air that kept you at home, that is not a valid excuse. People in the rest of the US were really suffering with cold. We had it easy!

There is a small change in Thursday's holiday ride plan. We will be using the Captain's version of the Tour de Lehi. It goes in the reverse direction compared to the classic version, which takes us back past a bagel shop that is still in business.

Coming up...

Thursday 11/27/14 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Captain's Tour de Lehi
Whet your appetite on 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: 7:11

Friday 11/28/12 8:00am, 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 newly improved roads in the far SE corner of the Phoenix Metro area. Thank you to Scott for volunteering to lead. Sunrise: 7:12

Saturday, 11/29/14 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 after, at Paradise Bakery on McClintock and Guadalupe. Sunrise: 7:13

Saturday, 12/06/14 8:30 a.m., Pioneer Park, Mesa. Free Ride
Phoenix Metro Bicycle Club says thanks to their members for another great year of cycling and welcomes all riders to join us in an adventure celebrating cycling. Three ride options will be offered: 25 miles, 40 miles, and 60 miles. All rides 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 40 or 60 mile routes. Food and drinks will be provided along the way and a catered lunch will be at the end of the ride. But best of all, this ride is FREE! Though we do ask that you Please Register in order that the necessary food and drinks will be available. This will replace Saturday Cycling; there will be no ride from Kiwanis Park on Dec 6. Sunrise: 7:19

Tid Bits...

There's good news for those of you who don't like the cold of our early winter mornings. The new Sunday Kickoff Ride is changing it's start time to 10am effective this coming Sunday, November 30 and continuing through December and January. No change for Saturday Cycling or Sunday's Spin Cycle. Also note, there will not be a Sunday Kickoff ride on Sunday Jan. 11, the day of the Casa Grande Century.

Time to sign-up for the annual Holiday Party at: PMBC Members Christmas Party. It will be held on Saturday, December 6th from 4pm-7pm at Pestos in Chandler and will include a buffet dinner. $20/person. RSVP required by 12/01/14. Those who were there last year are sure to want to return, and the rest of you are getting a 2nd chance to join in the fun!

Have fun and ride safely

Mesa's new Desert Trails Mountain Bike Park

Bob Gives the Park an "A+".

Added November 23, 2014

written by Bob Beane

What an awesome Saturday morning Wayne Churchman and I had participating in the grand opening of Mesa's new Desert Trails mountain bike park! The link below has a number of photos and videos that will give you and others a feel for what has been created.

There are trails and tracks for all levels of riders, and I challenge anyone to visit and not come home happy and exhausted. The park rides much bigger than you might think from looking at a map, and the variety of challenges created is amazing within that space. This project gets an "A+" in my opinion.

Please spread the word and check it out for yourself.

Photos/Videos
YouTube Videos

Bob Beane
CAzB/PMBC

Phoenix named a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community^SM by the League of American Bicyclists

A League of American Bicyclists Press Release.

Added November 22, 2014

Today, the League of American Bicyclists recognized Phoenix with a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community (BFB^SM) award, joining more than 325 visionary communities from across the country.

With the announcement of 55 new and renewing BFBs today, Phoenix joins a leading group of communities, in all 50 states, that are transforming our neighborhoods.

"Visionary community leaders are recognizing the real-time and long term impact that a culture of bicycling can create," said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists. "We applaud this new round of communities for investing in a more sustainable future for the country and a healthier future for their residents and beyond."

The BFC program is revolutionizing the way communities evaluate their quality of life, sustainability and transportation networks, while allowing them to benchmark their progress toward improving their bicycle-friendliness. With this impressive round, there are now 326 BFCs in all 50 states. The Bronze BFC award recognizes Phoenix's commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies.

The BFC program provides a roadmap to building a Bicycle Friendly Community and the application itself has become a rigorous and an educational tool in itself. Since its inception, more than 800 distinct communities have applied and the five levels of the award – diamond, platinum, gold, silver and bronze – provide a clear incentive for communities to continuously improve.

To apply or learn more about the BFC program, visit bikeleague.org/community.

About the Bicycle Friendly America^SM Program

The Bicycle Friendly Community^SM, Bicycle Friendly State^SM, Bicycle Friendly Business and Bicycle Friendly University^SM programs are generously supported by program partner Trek Bicycle. To learn more about building a Bicycle Friendly America, visit www.bikeleague.org/BFA.

The League of American Bicyclists is leading the movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. As leaders, our commitment is to listen and learn, define standards and share best practices to engage diverse communities and build a powerful, unified voice for change.

November 15 Saturday Cycling Report

Snowbird Population has Returned to Roost.

Added November 16, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

It looks like Mesa's snowbird population has returned to roost. More like they returned to drive their motor vehicles on Saturday morning, as the traffic was relentless. But we had good bike lanes, and north bound Lindsay was in fact clear of construction, so it all worked out.

The 55 cyclists who rode the Tour de Mesa route today probably noticed some false advertising on the mileage spec (which I think was whispered in my ear years ago, but fell out the other side). We found the 39-mile long route to be over 44 miles long. And since the long route actually adds 12 miles over the standard vs. the 10 that is claimed, that would make the standard route around 32 miles rather than 29. It was also noted that no one likes making the left turn on Lindsay to get to the regroup on the wrong side of the road. We found a circle-K on the right side of the street a few miles further on. This map is going to get a refresh.

If you were watching for it as we passed Recker Rd. on McDowell, you would have seen a crowd of people standing atop a natural desert hill on the north side of the street. They were there for the dedication ceremony of the brand new Mesa Mountain Bike Park. Looks like a fun place to hone your off-road skills.

Coming up...

Saturday, 11/22/14 8:00 a.m., 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: 7:06

Thursday 11/27/14 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Tour de Lehi
Whet your appetite on 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: 7:11

Friday 11/28/12 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 newly improved roads in the far SE corner of Phoenix Metro. Thank you to Scott for volunteering to lead. Sunrise: 7:12

Tid Bits...

Sadly, another ghost bike will be going up on Pecos road near 17th Ave where cyclist Dwayne "Highly" Falkner was struck by a motorist and killed this past Wednesday while traveling westbound through the re-striped intersection. Team Vitesse is hosting a Memorial Ride of Silence on Sunday, Nov. 16th at Corpus Christi Church (36th St. & Knox) that will leave at 7:30 a.m. The ride will go from the church to the accident scene. If you can make it, they ask that you be equipped with blinky lights.

Registration is now open for the United Blood Service's Tour de Hero fundraiser on Saturday January 24, with 100K and 50K route options. The start/finish is at their Scottsdale headquarters along our Mummy Mountain route on Oak St. Go to ArizonaHero.com/TourDeHero to learn more and register. (This would count as an excused absence from our own Saturday Cycling ride.)

Have fun and ride safely

November 8 Saturday Cycling Report

Obstacle Course of Road Closures Through Gilbert and Chandler.

Added November 16, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

54 cyclists signed in for what became an obstacle course of road closures through Gilbert and Chandler. It was the wrong route for that weekend. Nevertheless, all managed to find their way, and had some fun doing it.

Yes, we will have holiday rides over the Thanksgiving weekend! See below for details.

Coming up...

Saturday, 11/15/14 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Tour de Mesa
The construction on Lindsay is scheduled to complete on 10/18 11/14. I hope it does. The Tour de Mesa takes us to the northeast, with route options of 29 miles with no climbing or 39 miles with a gentle climb. Breakfast is at Paradise Bakery at Guadalupe & McClintock. Sunrise: 7:00

Friday 11/28/12 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 I-101). Route options of 27 and 37 miles explore some newly improved roads in the far SE corner of Phoenix Metro. Thank you top Scott for volunteering to lead. Sunrise: 7:12

Tid Bits...

PMBC lost a friend last week when Aaron Schediwy, who provided us friendly and efficient service at the counter of AZ Bread Co., passed away unexpectedly in the comfort of his home. His colleagues at AZ Bread are clearly mourning their loss. They provided us an opportunity to contribute some short-term relief for his family with cash donations at the restaurant. A memorial service is planned for the Saturday after Thanksgiving (11/29). I will let you know when I have more details.

Here are some other upcoming dates to remember:
December 6: 10th Annual PMBC Free Ride
December 6: The PMBC Holiday Party (watch the web site for details)
December 13: Quarterly Membership Meeting (watch the web site for details)
January 11: 2015 Casa Grande Century

Have fun and ride safely

November 1 Saturday Cycling Report

Avoiding Politics on McKellips Loop.

Added November 6, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Forty-nine cyclists signed in for Saturday's ride; that's up one from the week before. It was another great day to relax on the patio and linger over breakfast while avoiding talking politics. Now that the elections are over, visibility at the major intersections should be steadily improving when the signs finally come down.

Coming up...

Saturday, 11/08/14 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Chandler/Gilbert Bronze
Let's ride the flatlands of Gilbert and Chandler (both Bronze level Bicycle Friendly Communities) with route options of 25 or 35 miles. It will give us another opportunity to breakfast at AZ Bread Co. at the SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 6:53

Tid Bits...

Registration for the January 11, 2015 Casa Grande Century has begun! I'm in.

A question came up about our shifting start times. The goal is to have the ride start about 45 minutes after sunrise to ensure that those who cycle to the park have plenty of daylight. Here is a graph showing our start time compared to sunrise. While we could go another 1/2 hour earlier in June, Janet and I don't want to have to get up that early.

Start time compared to sunrise

Have fun and ride safely

October 25 Saturday Cycling Report

48 Enjoy Perfect Cycling Weather.

Added October 29, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

We didn't waste much paper this week, completely filling up four 12-line sign-in sheets for an even 48 participants. I hope everyone who was not with us, was still out enjoying the perfect cycling weather somewhere else. Soon we'll be needing jackets and leg warmers.

It turns out I was wrong about the construction on Lindsay being completed by Oct 18. The new date on the web site is Nov 14. So I've slipped the Tour de Mesa out to 11/15 and replaced it with McKellips Loop next week. Saturday, Nov 1st is also the ASU homecoming. There is a parade at 4 and the game at 8. I expect we'll be okay going through downtown in the morning, unlike the annual all-day closure of Mill ave. for 4th of July's evening fireworks display.

Last Saturday I said I had 4 announcements, but only gave 3. Here's the 4th one I meant to mention:

===== Note that the start time changes to 8:00am for all of November =====

Coming up...

Saturday, 11/01/14 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. McKellips Loop
This 28-mile 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: 6:47

Tid Bits...

Here's another January ride to mark on your calendar: The United Blood Service's Tour de Hero fund raiser on Saturday January 24, with 100k and 50k route options. The start/finish will be at their Scottsdale headquarters along our Mummy Mountain route on Oak St. UBS has requested a strong PMBC presence, which they apparently hope will add to their 'road cred'. They plan to reciprocate with liberal use of our logo and links to our web site. More details will be provided when available.

Don't forget about the Chili Cook Off this Sunday, Nov. 2nd!

Free Ride is Dec. 6. Please do sign-up on EventBrite for this no-cost event so that we can get an accurate count for lunch. There will be no Saturday Cycling at Kiwanis park that day.

Have fun and ride safely

October 11 & 18 Saturday Cycling Report

Tour de Sue and Mummy Mountain.

Added October 19, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Sixty-two cyclists managed to weave through the road construction on Hardy to ride some variation on the Mummy Mountain route. We were lucky to have free-flowing traffic through downtown Tempe, where you could feel the football fans about to descend. I fear we may have dropped someone early on today's ride, and that he may have been new. If that's right and you're reading this: sorry about that. We try not to leave anyone alone off the back, but it does happen occasionally.

Last week 59 cyclists took on the Tour de Sue. We got a chance to give a newbie the pro-racer treatment when his rear wheel suffered severe tire damage close to our home. We just hobbled over to the garage, did a wheel swap, and then finished the ride. Much easier than roadside repair, and more reliable than a boot. AZ Bread Co was in the midst of their 10 year anniversary weekend celebration. We were treated to face painting and balloon sculptures out on the patio.

A couple of people noticed that there was no ride report last week, which I appreciate. It's more fun to talk when you know someone is listening. I'm going to use the old "my father passed away on October 07" excuse this time. It's a once in a lifetime excuse, and I'm using it while I can. The same excuse got me out of 5.5 days of work, but I made sure I was home for my weekend responsibilities. Maybe that prioritization is a sign I should consider retirement. Thank you to those who already knew and offered their condolences; it does help.

Coming up...

Saturday, 10/25/14 7:30 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 in Tempe, at the SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 6:41

Saturday, 11/01/14 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Tour de Mesa
The construction on Lindsay is scheduled to complete on 10/18. I hope it does. The Tour de Mesa takes us to the northeast, with route options of 29 miles with no climbing or 39 miles with a gentle climb. Breakfast is at Paradise Bakery at Guadalupe & McClintock. Sunrise: 6:47

Saturday, 11/08/14 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Chandler/Gilbert Bronze
Let's ride the flatlands of Gilbert and Chandler (both Bronze level bicycle friendly communities) with route options of 25 or 35 miles. It will give us another opportunity to breakfast at AZ Bread Co. at the SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 6:53

Tid Bits...

The 3rd Annual PMBC Chili Cook Off is scheduled for 2:00 on Sunday, November 2nd. See the web site for details and to RSVP by October 29th; especially if you are entering the competition.

Registration for the 10th annual PMBC Free Ride on Dec. 6 has gone live! Please do sign-up on EventBrite for this no-cost event so that we can get an accurate count for lunch. There will be no Saturday Cycling at Kiwanis park that day.

If you'd like to help SUNY School of Public Health have fun with data, you might want to complete their survey on your road cycling habits and recent accident history. I hope it's a chance to show that cycling is not as scary as many people think. I'd say I'm over 40,000 miles accident-free myself, and that last one was a wheel-touch fall-down where the only damage was some scuff marks on my bike. Chandler's network of bike lanes provides the safest cycling-in-traffic environment I've experienced in 36 years of bicycle commuting that included Boulder, CO and Corvallis, OR. Here is the link to the survey; I took it and it looks legit to me.

Have fun and ride safely

October 4 Saturday Cycling Report

65 cyclists Enjoy the Perfect Cycling Weather.

Added October 4, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Suddenly it's autumn, and 65 cyclists signed in to enjoy the perfect cycling weather. Some even came extra early, since our start time changed just as suddenly from 7 to 7:30. What was less than perfect were the road conditions. The hard closure of northbound Hardy sent us on a detour to Priest, only to find that it was also closed to all northbound traffic at Broadway. A little sidewalk riding and some weaving around barriers got us back on track eventually.

As expected, the streets of Tempe were crawling with helmet-less, slow moving, fat-tire cyclists heading to the Tour de Fat festivities at the town lake. Always good to see more bicyclists, even the whimsical ones.

Coming up...

Saturday, 10/11/14 7:30 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: 6:30

Saturday, 10/18/14 7:30 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: 6:35

Tid Bits...

The Hardy road closure and the loss of South Mountain all season long due to construction will be balanced somewhat by the completion of the long-suffered Lindsay Road closures in Mesa. According to the city's web site, Lindsay will be clear sailing after Oct 18. Watch for the return of the Tour de Mesa route which has been on hiatus since March!

Is there really any such thing as a free ride? Since 2006 PMBC has offered the Free Ride every December, to show our appreciation to our members and friends, and in recognition of the fine job our boards of directors have consistently done to keep us in good financial health. It's a fully supported ride with NO RIDE FEE, and even a free lunch at the finish! But while it is free to participants, it is not free to the club. In particular, it still requires the donated time of a team of volunteers. Ride leader Glen tells me he has zero volunteers so far to pull off the 2014 edition on Dec 6th. If you've been enjoying the benefits of the Free Ride any of the previous 8 years, you might consider taking a turn at working the ride instead. Please contact Glen Fletcher and sign up to help!

Have fun and ride safely

ABC15's and Earnhardt Auto Centers Recycle Your Bicycle Campaign

PMBC Donates two Bicycles and Matching Helmets.

Added October 3, 2014

submitted by Glen Fletcher

Phoenix Metro Bicycle Club donated two bicycles with matching helmets to ABC15's and Earnhardt Auto Centers "Recycle Your Bicycle" Campaign. The Arizona Association for Foster & Adoptive Parents will distribute donated bicycles to children in foster care during the holiday season.

Visit the Recycle Your Bicycle website for more information.

Kris Preston (right) stands with two bicycles and matching helmets donated by PMBC to "Recycle Your Bicycle".

Recycle Your Bicycle Brochure

September 27 Saturday Cycling Report

"You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows".

Added October 3, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Bob Dylan once wrote: "you don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows". Thirty-nine cyclists ignored the forecasters dire predictions and enjoyed a gorgeous morning on the first Saturday of the new autumn season. There were a few puddles on the route, and tales of an early downpour farther east, but the conditions were perfect for climbing in the Ahwatukee Foothills. Until the mid afternoon, when the dire predictions came true and another monster storm hit! I hope you were all safely home by then.

Please note the change in start time to 7:30 a.m. for all of October.

Coming up...

Saturday, 10/04/14 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. MidSummer Ride
We'll hunt for shade with a route that favors east-to-west and north-south travel. Includes options of 28 miles with one short climb, or 38 miles with a couple of bonus hills. Breakfast at Paradise Bakery, SE corner of Guadalupe and McClintock. Sunrise: 6:25

Saturday,10/18/14 7:30 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: 6:35

Tid Bits...

I just discovered that Tempe's Tour de Fat is this Saturday, October 04. By sheer luck, we are doing a route that brings us home via Mill Ave. in downtown Tempe. I suggest NCounter on Mill Ave at 3rd St. as an alternative breakfast stop on Tour de Fat days, where you can sit on the patio and watch the more eccentric cyclists roll towards Tempe Town Lake for the big parade. You'll see many more colorful, cushy two-wheelers coming towards you on College as you travel back to Kiwanis.

I spoke with Ranger Liz at South Mountain Park and she tells me the roads to both San Juan Point and the Towers will be closed until mid December. Seems they were rendered "unstable" in the really big storm, and will require some significant improvements. We'll just have to keep our South Mountain route on the shelf until then.

Ride Leader Scott asked me to let you know that the new Sunday Kickoff ride has changed its start location to the new Panera Bread at the NE corner of Arizona Ave. and Ocotillo. See the Ride Schedule for details.

Have fun and ride safely

September 20 Saturday Cycling Report

Length of Lindsay Leads to Quarterly Membership Meeting.

Added September 27, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Fifty-eight cyclists signed in for the journey to free breakfast at the quarterly membership meeting. The ride itself was relatively uneventful, but the meeting is always a party!

Please note the change in route for this coming Saturday. The roads in South Mountain Park are still closed from the damage they sustained in the recent deluge. There is hope it will be cleared up in October so we can reschedule our return to the mountain soon.

Coming up...

Saturday, 09/27/14 7:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Foothills Training Ride
The Foothills Training Ride takes 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. at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 6:20

Tid Bits...

At the membership meeting, President Armando announced the addition of another weekly ride. The "Sunday Kickoff" targets the advanced beginner and intermediate riders for a moderately paced no-drop ride that should get you home in time to see your favorite football team practice their sport too. It starts and ends at the Einstein Bagels on the NE corner of Alma School and Queen Creek. The day following the announcement, they had 13 people signed in; that number will likely go up as word gets out.

On October 11 our breakfast location, AZ Bread Co, will be a festival of face-painting family fun as they celebrate their 10th anniversary all weekend long. You can also attend a BYOB party there the night before with live folk music, but you'll need to RSVP. And on Sunday the 12th, a jazz trio is scheduled to play. Find out more from the source when we meet there after the ride this Saturday.

The city of Tempe was recently named 2014's 17th most bicycle friendly city in the nation by Bicycling Magazine. They didn't mention PMBC or Saturday Cycling specifically, but we know we helped. Speaking of Tempe, they are now soliciting nominations for their Bike Hero of the year award. Nominees must live or work in Tempe and of course be worthy of such a prestigious distinction (Our own Sue McFadden is one of the previous year's winners). For more information visit www.tempe.gov/bike.

Have fun and ride safely

September 13 Saturday Cycling Report

A Fast, Flat Trip on the Marco Polo Ride.

Added September 18, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Sixty cyclists enjoyed a fast, flat trip to the east and back on the Marco Polo ride. It was a great day to do the extended 42-mile long route, with a gentle tailwind on the return leg. The board tested a new breakfast restaurant – the Bisbee Breakfast Club, at Dobson and Guadalupe. Good food, but this full-service operation is not the right format for a big group after a ride. Plus the place was packed. We'll stick with our current favorites for now.

Coming up...

Saturday, 09/20/14 7:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Length of Lindsay
Time for another Quarterly Membership Meeting! As always, that means free breakfast for club members. This time, at Jason's Deli on Frye Road south of the Chandler Mall. You can get there by joining us for the Length of Lindsay route - options of 27 miles or 39 miles, no climbing - or be at Jason's for sign-in starting at 8:30 a.m. The meeting should begin around 9:15a.m. Sunrise: 6:15

Saturday, 09/27/14 7:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. South Mountain
It's time to return to the 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: 6:20

Tid Bits...

Don't forget to renew your club membership before this week's quarterly meeting. You can pay on-line now at the web site, or with check or cash at the meeting and then enjoy breakfast on us!

Two charity events have been brought to our attention. This Saturday, September 20th, Big Brothers & Big Sisters will have a truck at Kiwanis Park at the start of our ride to collect donated clothing. The truck will also be at Jason's Deli in time for the start of the membership meeting. Club members and friends are encouraged to bring gently used clothing donations (all kinds, not just cycling garb) to support this worthy cause.

The second is a project called Recycle Your Bicycle, run by Channel-15 in partnership with Earnhardt, to provide new and/or used bicycles for kids in foster care. Visit www.abc15.com/bike to learn how you can contribute.

President Armando is asking for ideas on a title for the now annual Flagstaff summer weekend event. Please email your suggestions directly to Armando. The Very Grand Prize for the winning suggestion is 1 year of free membership in PMBC! (I think "Flagstaff Summer Weekend Event" just became my entry. You know you can beat that.)

Have fun and ride safely

USA Pro Cycling Challenge

A Few Photos from the Colorado Stage Race

Added September 18, 2014

written by Bob Beane

Here are a couple of "sample" photos from our (Linda and Bob) trip to the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado last month.

#72 – Jens Voigt preparing for his final time trial as a pro (retiring after this race, at age 42...). The best Jens memories we have from this race were him saying that he would have won stage 5 (Colorado Springs, where he went on a solo break well before the finish) if he was only 37 instead of 42…and, a fan sign that said "Shut Up Retirement" (an homage to his famous saying that sometimes he has to tell his legs "shut up legs" when he is on one of his classic solo breakaways and the pain is talking).

#89 – The podium after the time trial stage, including Tejay Van Garderen, overall leader (center), Ben Jacques-Mayne (KOM, to his left) and Ben King (most aggressive, to BJM's left).

I have many more (about 60). If you had a favorite rider in the race, if you give me team and rider name I will look and send you any I can find.

Any photos are provided free of charge for personal enjoyment, web posting and may be reproduced for personal use (not for sale)...

Bob Beane

September 6 Saturday Cycling Report

Monsoon Returns for Lucky 7's.

Added September 7, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

I may have been a little premature in declaring the end of the monsoon season last week. The 54 cyclists on Saturday morning's ride can tell you: that was not a dry heat. We got to welcome Neal back into the pack after his long summer adventure, but lost Lenore this week to the Amtrak century. Was that a fair exchange? It was good to have Mike join us for the breakfast.

Note the schedule change below. South Mountain was the wrong route for the next quarterly meeting on 9/20, so it's pushed out to 9/27 and Length of Lindsay will take us to Jason's Deli in it's place.

Coming up...

Saturday, 09/13/14 7:00 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: 6:10

Tid Bits...

Do you enjoy spontaneous foreign travel? Someone had to cancel, so there is an opportunity for one or two people to join with a few other PMBC members on a Bike and Barge trip in France October 11-18. You can contact Bill if you are interested. Here is a link with the trip details: http://www.bicycleadventureclub.org/html/rides/?action=ride&rideid=742.

Have fun and ride safely

August 30 Saturday Cycling and Labor Day Ride Report

Goodbye to August with Research to Oak. Hello to September with Paseo de Cesar Chavez

Added September 3, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Goodbye Monsoon! Welcome back dry heat. Sixty-one cyclists rode under the relentless sunshine of a cloudless sky on Saturday. It wasn't a good beginning for two late starters who followed the ride leader into two wrong turns and one missed turn; well… it's been at least three years since we did this route. It was nice wandering through some of south Tempe's fancy neighborhoods, but I curse those gosh-awful railroad tracks at Kyrene and Elliot. They remain a serious bike hazard.

Two days later, and 2 degrees cooler, 26 cyclists made the trip west on the journey to (or at least toward) Cesar Chavez Park for our Labor Day holiday ride. The traffic was light before all the furniture and appliance stores opened and shoppers flooded the roads. We noticed strange pockets of cool air on Baseline west of 7th Ave; it was as welcome as shade itself.

Coming up...

Saturday, 09/06/14 7:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Lucky 7's
For the first Saturday in September, we will enjoy the Lucky 7's route which 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 and 47 miles, plus the two casinos along the way. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 6:06

Saturday, 09/20/14 7:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. South Mountain
It's time to return to the 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: 6:15

Tid Bits...

Our friend Carol at AZ Bread Co has provided an entry form for her Post-Ride Breakfast contest (WORD .docx file). The grand prize is an authentic cycling kit from the West Point class of 1979 reunion (men's large). You should be able to find a picture of it posted at the cafe. Please email your entry directly to Carol, Or just drop it off next time you're there.

There's a new weekly PMBC ride brewing on Sunday mornings. It's a no-drop ride for advanced beginners and intermediate riders with a target range of 25 miles. Three members have volunteered to share the ride leader role. They initially plan to use the Einstein Bagels, at the NE corner of Alma School and Queen Creek as the start, finish and breakfast stop. Watch for the 'kick-off' of this new Sunday ride option on the web site for more details.

A group of PMBC riders are looking for three more people to complete a team to ride in the 2014 Tour De Scottsdale on October 12th. If you are interested in participating and saving some money, ride with our team. For more info contact Dorothy.

President Armando forwarded me this link to the Fall Fondo charity ride in Tucson on November 16. It will raise funds to support youth cycling. http://www.elgrupocycling.org/fall-fondo-fundraiser/.

Now I need to go take advantage of some of the big Labor Day sales. I got super-deal emails from both Performance and Global. Summer has worn out my helmet and gloves. Maybe we'll shop at both; they are both good friends to PMBC.

Have fun and ride safely

August 23 Saturday Cycling Report

60 Cyclists Head for the Ahwatukee Foothills

Added August 28, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

August mornings don't get any better than last Saturday's, when 60 cyclists headed for the Ahwatukee Foothills. There were a lot more than the 60 of us enjoying the day, as we wove among other small and large groups of hill lovers. AZ Bread Co. owner Carol told us we will be getting another chance to recommend an end-of-ride breakfast item for her menu. This time she's offering a special prize to the winning suggestion. More details to come.

Coming up...

Saturday, 08/30/14 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Research to Oak
By special request, we are bringing back another route that had been shelved a few years ago. 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. The map was update this week to show Paradise Bakery as the breakfast stop instead of Einstein's – that's how long it's been since we used it. Sunrise: 6:01

Monday (Labor Day), 09/01/13 7:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Paseo de Cesar Chavez
Join us for our 2nd annual tribute to Cesar Chavez in recognition of Labor Day. The 34.5-mile version is our western-most excursion going park-to-park from Kiwanis in Tempe to Cesar Chavez in Phoenix, and back. The standard route turns back at 7th Ave for a 25.5 mile loop. Both routes are mostly flat. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 6:02

Tid Bits...

I've been having a feeling that our summer ridership numbers are lower this year. I checked and the average signed-in for May-August has dropped the past two years in a row.
2012 summer average was 82 riders/week
2013 it dropped to 71
2014 so far is 60

Looking more closely at the year-round numbers; we seem to have taken a step down in November of 2012 and another in June of 2014, staying fairly level otherwise. It looks like it's time for another Saturday Cycling survey, to see what we can do to keep our legacy as the valley's premier weekly ride (that I know of anyway).

In the mean time, if you have stopped riding with us for cause, or know someone else who we've lost, or just have ideas on how we can be more appealing to recreational cyclists, please send me a confidential note to help with the improvement process.

Maybe it's just a national trend. Road cycling in the US exploded during Lance Armstrong's heyday. Discovering that his pants were on fire may have had the reverse affect.

More ride data: we have been free of injury accidents for the past 14 weeks.

A group of PMBC riders are looking for three more people to complete a team to ride in the 2014 Tour de Scottsdale on October 12th. If you are interested in participating and saving some money, ride with our team! For more info contact Dorothy.

Have fun and ride safely

August 16 Saturday Cycling Report

Maximum Heat on St. Francis Loop

Added August 16, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

OmyG it was hot! Being in the last pack on the long route is the way to experience maximum heat. A total of 56 cyclists started out at Kiwanis Park, and I only know of one who abandoned midway. Thank you to the group who waited with us for the rescue spouse, and then pulled me along the rest of the route with them. Our mission for the rest of the day is: hydrate!

Coming up...

Saturday, 08/23/14 6:30 a.m., 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: 5:56

Saturday, 08/30/14 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Research to Oak
By special request, we are bringing back another route that had been shelved a few years ago. 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. The map was updated this week to show Paradise Bakery as the breakfast stop instead of Einstein's – that's how long it's been since we used it. Sunrise: 6:01

Monday (Labor Day), 09/01/14 7:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Paseo de Cesar Chavez
Join us for our 2nd annual tribute to Cesar Chavez in recognition of Labor Day. The 34.5-mile version is our western-most excursion going park-to-park from Kiwanis in Tempe to Cesar Chavez in Phoenix, and back. The standard route turns back at 7th Ave for a 25.5 mile loop. Both routes are mostly flat. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 6:02

Tid Bits...

This past week Janet and I watched a movie titled 'I Am' which I can't recommend to everyone, especially if you have any libertarian leanings. It's the story of wealthy movie director who had a personal epiphany. He then made this documentary that criticizes many of the pillars of our society like consumerism, capitalism, and competitiveness. By the end of the movie, he has divested himself of fast cars and opulent homes, climaxing in a scene that shows him leaving his new trailer-park dwelling, riding his bicycle (expensive carbon-frame Trek) to work. I enjoyed seeing the bicycle depicted as the ultimate symbol of saving the world, one conspicuous consumer at a time.

Speaking of saving the world with bicycles… Rick, owner of Giant Scottsdale bike shop, is hosting a Global Solidarity Ride at 6am on Saturday, August 30th to show support for women cyclists in Afghanistan. Apparently every ride the Afghan National Women's Cycling Team attempts is an uphill battle. More info at: http://www.giantscottsdale.com/en-us/localevents/event/global.solidarity.ride/2017/.

And for saving cyclists one-by-one, there is the 2nd Annual 3 Feet for Pete Safety Ride in Las Vegas, NV Saturday, September 6, 2014. All proceeds will go towards raising awareness for Nevada's 3 ft. passing law, and educating riders and drivers about bicycling safety. See http://www.threefeetforpete.org/ for more information.

This tip is from board member Wayne's wife Kris: don't let a bee fly into your mouth while cycling. That may sound funny, but it put Wayne in the ICU for 2.5 days earlier this week.

Have fun and ride safely

August 2, 9 Saturday Cycling Report

Captain's Tour de Lehi, Chandler/Gilbert Bronze, Flagstaff Roundup

Added August 10, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Fifty-two cyclists signed in to ride the flat lands of Chandler and Gilbert. There was plenty of sunshine, but it was still below 90 degrees by the time we got home to shower. Only three more 6:30 start times remain this summer; then we can start imagining that autumn is just around the corner!

For last Saturday, ride leader Scott provided this report:

49 cyclists signed in on a cloudy and swampy first Saturday of August. The first run of the updated Captain's Tour de Lehi was a ride leader's fantasy... no incidents or flats or problems of any kind. Maybe the Captain was looking out for us.

As for the Flagstaff tour last weekend, there were at least 20 participants who discovered that, like last year, 2 out of 3 rides did not get rained out. Saturday morning was a beautiful day for a long hilly ride. One thing I learned is that when you go on a 3-day tour, it's a good idea to bring along a spare tire. We had planned to bail out on the Sunday morning ride due to a peel-away tread, but it ended up being canceled due to rain anyway.

Coming up...

Saturday, 08/16/14 6:30 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 after, at Paradise Bakery on McClintock and Guadalupe. Sunrise: 5:51

Saturday, 08/23/14 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Ahwafooty
We'll circle around to approach the Ahwatukee-Foothills from the south. 24-mile or 35-mile options with moderate climbing on the longer route. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 5:56

Saturday, 08/30/14 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Research to Oak
By special request, we are bringing back another route that had been shelved a few years ago. The Research to Oak route takes us on a clockwise loop around town, with 31 miles and no climbing, or 38 miles with some moderate climbing. Breakfast after, at Paradise Bakery on McClintock and Guadalupe. Sunrise: 6:01

Tid Bits...

I got this information in an email from Amanda Nelson

The city of Tempe is testing an innovative bike lane design using road striping and "candlestick" markers to provide a more comfortable environment for bicyclists travelling in the city. The half-mile on Priest Drive from Washington to Van Buren streets uses surface paint to create a buffer, or distance, between the bike and car lanes, and marks strategic locations with raised plastic bollards, known as candlesticks, to restrict vehicles from crossing into the bike lane.

I expect this will at least help cyclists feel safer, which may encourage more to give it a try. Looks like next Saturday we'll see how well it works for a big group when we climb Galvin Parkway on our way to St. Francis.

Two Arizona high-country ride opportunities were also brought to my attention this week. The first is a charity ride for Northland Pioneer College scholarships called Pedal the Petrified in Holbrook on September 20. They offer 36- and 60-mile route options. NPC has campuses all around our White Mountain Tour territory, so there's that tie-in with us. Visit here for more info: http://www.npc.edu/pedal4scholarships.

Second is the annual Skull Valley Loop Challenge on September 21 in Prescott. They bill it as a "Fun & Challenging 54-mile Road Ride with super support." I hear it has some great climbing. Get all the details here: http://www.prescottbikeped.org/prescottcycling/loopchallenge/index.html.

You should visit both these web sites just to see the cool graphics they created for their rides. Looks like you could make a weekend of it: Holbrook on Saturday and Prescott on the way home Sunday.

Have fun and ride safely

July 26 Saturday Cycling Report

McKellips Loop Fun in the Sun

Added July 27, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Other than Independence Day, our July numbers have been relatively low. This week 54 brave cyclists came out for fun in the sun. It was the last day of RAGBRAI, and I know we have several regulars there. Hope everyone else is having a great summer too!

Coming up...

Saturday, 08/02/14 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Captain's Tour de Lehi
Note: The map was recently updated on the web site. This 27 or 32 mile ride starting from Kiwanis Park in Tempe will take you on a loop to the northeast through the community of Lehi and returning back to Kiwanis Park with a breakfast stop at Paradise Bakery at McClintock and Guadalupe Rds. This was Leon "Captain America" Smith's favorite route. PMBC Merchandise Master Scott will lead the ride while Janet and I take part in the Flagstaff tour. Sunrise: 5:42

Saturday, 08/09/14 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Chandler/Gilbert Bronze
Let's ride the flatlands of Gilbert and Chandler (both Bronze level bicycle friendly communities) with route options of 25 or 35 miles. It will gives us another opportunity to breakfast at AZ Bread Co. at the SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 5:47

Tid Bits...

This year's Tour de France is all over now except for the ceremonial sprint finish in Paris and final cheers for the champions. If you haven't been following, here's my synopsis:

Only 3 entrants had ever won the tour before, and they all crashed out before the major battles raged. That left all the other contenders who dreamed of a 3rd place finish, to duke it out for the win. Only it turned out that one of them was well prepared to contend for yellow in any event. Vincenzo Nibali soared to victory, ceding the yellow only to a Frenchman for Bastille Day and increased his lead from that day on, winning by 7:52. It would have been more fun to see a closer race, but it is a tough tour. Fast isn't enough; you have to survive too.

The fight for the remaining top-5 spots was much tighter. The 2nd and 3rd place winners made a lot of people proud to be French today. #3 also won the white jersey as best young rider – he's got a bright future. A strong Spaniard tragically slid from 2nd to 4th through the last couple mountain stages and today's time trial. And American Tejay Van Garderen snagged 5th. Though disappointed, the racer in sixth, along with #2, played an important part in getting himself and his cohorts on the podium for the best team award. And he's another young Frenchman, so Vive!

Peter Sagan masterfully dominated the green jersey completion without ever having to win a stage (there's always tomorrow). By contrast, the polka dot jersey was promiscuous. It seemed to be passed around among the racers 2 or 3 times a week, until a young Polish rider made a heroic effort on the last mountain climb to prevent the overall winner, Nibali, from hoarding that honor too.

I'm looking forward to next July, as always!

Have fun and ride safely

July 19 Saturday Cycling Report

Tour de Sue and Tour de France

Added July 27, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Fifty-seven cyclists showed up for a hot summer ride under mercifully cloudy skies. It was a bad day for flat tires with 2 riders who each flatted on both of their wheels, plus one other rear wheel flat that I know of.

Another fun time was had by all who showed up for the lunch-time Tour de France party. Next Saturday is the tour's only time trial and the 2nd to last stage of the race where the winner will surely be decided. Once again, the only rebroadcast time I see is 5pm, and this time I'm looking in the right place. Keep watching the web site for details on the final viewing party – assuming we're having one.

Coming up...

Saturday, 07/26/14 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. McKellips Loop
This 28-mile 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: 5:37

Saturday, 08/02/14 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Captain's Tour de Lehi
This 27 or 32 mile ride starting from Kiwanis Park in Tempe will take you on a loop to the northeast through the community of Lehi and returning back to Kiwanis Park with a breakfast stop for bagels at Einstein's Bagels at McClintock and Guadalupe Rds. This was Leon "Captain America" Smith's favorite route. PMBC Merchandise Master Scott will lead the ride while Janet and I take part in the Flagstaff tour. Sunrise: 5:42

Saturday, 08/09/14 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Chandler/Gilbert Bronze
Let's ride the flatlands of Gilbert and Chandler (both Bronze level bicycle friendly communities) with route options of 25 or 35 miles. It will give us another opportunity to breakfast at AZ Bread Co. at the SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 5:47

Tid Bits...

When is it okay to roll through a red light? On our most recent Saturday club ride, I made a decision, after stopping and evaluating the situation, to run a red light. In front of several witnesses who may have good reason to question the legitimacy of my move. But I have 2 scenarios where I allow myself to proceed through a red light.

The first is at the top of a 'T' intersection, where there is a cross street to your left, but solid curb to your right – no cross-street, no crosswalk, no driveway. It's usually safe and often reasonable in that case to slowly roll on through. Especially if you are in a marked bike lane, whose solid white line is continuous through the intersection. Be sure to check first for left-turning vehicles from the cross street who will be joining you in your direction of travel. Even if you have your own bike lane, it's never a good idea to surprise or confuse the motorists. And if it is a fellow cyclist coming toward you, they have the right of way into your bike lane. Let them clear the intersection first, then proceed with confidence.

The second example is the malfunctioning traffic light. When your light is stuck on red, the law does not require you to spend the rest of your life waiting. The most common malfunction is a sensor based light from a minor street to a major arterial. If the sensor fails to detect your presence, and no larger vehicles are there to help get its attention, it will never turn green for you. [Note: at the Phoenix Bike Summit a couple of years ago, a representative from the police department insisted that a light which fails to sense your presence is not malfunctioning at all. He recommended we cope by doing a "horseshoe turn" where you turn right, make an immediate u-turn and the turn right again. I disagreed with him then, and still do.]

A malfunctioning traffic light should be treated like a stop sign. Wait until it is safe to proceed and then go. My situation on Saturday was a variation on the sensor failure. We were on a major arterial and had come to a red light at a minor cross street, where there was no traffic coming from either direction. The sensor had been tricked by some construction equipment. One side of the road was blocked by the construction, so cross traffic was not possible from there, and the other side was empty for as far as we could see. So we rolled on through. As it turns out, we only would have had to wait another 5 seconds to do it by the book, so maybe I was a little hasty in my judgment. It was safe enough, but still questionable.

Have fun and ride safely

July 12 Saturday Cycling Report

Mummy Mountain and Tour de France Party

Added July 13, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Fifty-seven of us took on the hills around Mummy Mountain today. Many then scampered over to Ahwatukee for the Tour de France party. Uncle Bear's opened early and provided a breakfast buffet in their sporty bar just for us! Word is that we will be at the same location next week for stage 14 at a to-be-determined, later-in-the-day start time.

I had forgotten to mention that Social Director Kris had co-hosts Bob and Linda for the well attended Tour party. Along with the fun prizes that Kris and Glen raffled off, we were also bemused by Bob Bean baffling us with a few rounds of Le Trivia de France.

Coming up...

Saturday, 07/19/14 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: 5:32

Saturday, 07/19/14 time TBD, Uncle Bear's in Ahwatukee, Le Tour de France stage
We will again meet at Uncle Bear's at 4921 E. Ray Rd, near the AMC theater complex. This time the live broadcast starts at 4am, so we'll be choosing a rebroadcast later in the day. And it looks like the afternoon on NBCSP is cluttered with live auto racing, but they will show our race again at 5pm. So unless an earlier episode opens up, we may be ordering from the dinner menu. Ahwatukee's Uncle Bear's is a brew pub too! Watch the web site for updates.

Tid Bits...

We have 19 route maps posted on our web site that are suitable for Saturday Cycling from Kiwanis Park. We regularly rotate through 14 of them. Some of the others are pulled out once a year for a holiday special, and a few have been all but forgotten. So I'm glad Scott chose the Captain's Tour de Lehi for you on Aug 2nd. It was originally created for the Sunday Kokopedalli group. I know people put some time into making those maps, so it's good to see them all get used.

I occasionally get some very good suggestions for new routes. One member emailed me a detailed description of a terrific route that heads east and then fans north-south before returning. And just this morning I heard some very good ideas for a variation on the popular Mummy Mountain ride.

Someday, when I find time, I may be able to create a couple of new maps from your ideas. Or...if you want to make it happen now (or perhaps ever), you could generate the map yourselves! You just need to ensure that it fits our general mileage guidelines (~25 std, ~35 long, sometimes longer on flat routes), includes at least one regroup location (ideally 10-12 miles from the start, on the right side of the street, at a place that lets us use their restrooms), and brings us back to a breakfast spot reasonably near Kiwanis.

Have fun and ride safely

July 4, 5 Saturday Cycling Report

Hello Monsoon Season

Added July 10, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

And hello monsoon season! Sixty-eight cyclists celebrated Independence Day by dodging tree debris in Gilbert and Mesa. The heavy cloud cover sure helped keep it pleasant. Yes, the line was long at Liberty Market, but we still had a big group that filled up the spacious patio.

The regular Saturday ride the next day had light attendance at 47 cyclists. Still plenty of humidity and a lot more sunshine made the climbing just a little tougher. Having the Tour de France underway helps keep our spirits high in spite of the monsoon.

Speaking of the Tour... we have our first viewing party planned for this coming Saturday. It's a rare opportunity for us to view a LIVE broadcast starting at 9am. It's a big mountain stage that you won't want to miss. See below for details.

Coming up...

Saturday, 07/12/14 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Mummy Mountain
Let's not let a little heat keep us from climbing our favorite hills. 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: 5:28

Saturday, 07/12/14 9:00 a.m., Uncle Bear's in Ahwaukee, Le Tour de France stage 8
Uncle Bear's newest location at 4921 E. Ray Rd, near the AMC theater complex, is going to open early and offer a special breakfast menu just for us! And in an unusual twist, it will be a live broadcast. Now no one can spoil the ending for you. If you ride the Mummy Mountain route with us, you should still have time to get over to Ahwatukee in time. If you want to go home and shower first, you might consider riding the shorter route. It's a no-host event, but Event Organizer Chris will have goodies and prizes for our commercial break amusement.

Tid Bits...

Besides Le Tour de France, there is one other thing about July that I look forward to as a cyclist: seedpod popping. Every year for a few weeks around this time, many desert trees litter the bike lanes with a variety of seedpods. Most cyclists treat them like any other clutter and swerve around, pointing them out as a hazard to the riders behind. But I like to crash right through the middle so I can hear and feel the popping action under my wheels (with sturdy commuter tires).

I think it's the acacia trees that put out the most brittle and loudest seedpods. There are grayish-black ones and little reddish ones that are the very best. The green mesquite pods are comparatively disappointing; they just grind down to a powder and are too soft to make much noise. It's yet another, quirky perhaps, sensory experience that is unique to cycling. I'll take any excuse to lighten the misery of another July.

Have fun and ride safely

June 21, 28 Saturday Cycling Report

Lucky 7's, Mid Summer, and White Mountain Tour

Added July 4, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Sure it was hot, but not too hot for the 54 cyclists who signed in for the mid-summers ride. With the exception of one broken spoke incident, I believe everyone finished the full route; including the three or four newcomers who chose the last weekend in June to give PMBC a try. I think we'll see some of them again.

For those who opted to escape the heat, Wayne and his team of volunteers did a fantastic job keeping the White Mountain Tour afloat with a forest fire raging right in the center of the route map. A GO decision was broadcast early Friday morning to the participants, and the route was modified at the last minute to keep everyone upwind of the fire for "a great ride, in great weather, with no accidents". Nicely done!

President Armando reports 64 well behaved cyclists on the Lucky 7's route last weekend.

Coming up...

Friday, 07/04/13 6:30 a.m., Downtown Gilbert. Give Me Liberty...
Put on your red, white, and blue for an Independence Day holiday ride! We will start from the downtown Gilbert park & ride next to the big water tower off Gilbert Road just north of Elliot. It's a flat, mostly north-south 25-mile loop through Mesa and Gilbert, with an extra journey west to Dobson for the 35.5 mile extended route. You'll find the map on the miscellaneous routes section of the web site. Breakfast is at Liberty Market near the start location. Sunrise: 5:23

Saturday, 07/05/14 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. ...or Give me Hills
I changed to this route so that it can follow the previous day's ride, as they were meant to be. We will approach the Ahwatukee Foothills from the east on Chandler Blvd., then cuts 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 in Tempe, at the SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 5:24

Tid Bits...

At the debut of the Give Me Liberty Independence Day ride last year, many of the long-route riders found the waiting line at the popular Liberty Market too long to tolerate. So this year I'll be adding an optional breakfast stop on the long route, about 4 miles from the finish, for hungry cyclists who don't want to wait. It's Bruegger's Bagels on Guadalupe at AZ Ave, right next door to the award winning AZ Wilderness Brew Pub.

In addition, the route will be slightly modified this year to avoid the construction on Lindsay and Brown. We will instead take McKellips East to Val Vista and follow it all the way to Pecos. It will be about 1 mile longer than last year's route. Revised maps will be available at the start location.

Late Sunday night I was flipping through the TV channels and happened to find a PBS program called Pedal America that was featuring Sedona AZ. I did a little research. They have 7 episodes about cycling in the USA, but channel 8 is only airing that one, and only that one night. You can find it, and the other 6 shows at this web site: http://www.iradavidspedalamerica.com/joomla/index.php/episodes. They really made cycling in Sedona look awesome. I can't remember when I've been more proud to be an Arizonan.

Speaking of cycling on TV, it's time to program your DVR for Le Tour de France starting this Saturday, 7/5. You can hope to get an accurate broadcast schedule here: http://affiliate.zap2it.com/tvlistings/ZCGrid.do?aid=nbcsports.

Have fun and ride safely

June 14 Saturday Cycling Report

Seventy-seven Show for Quarterly Membership Meeting

Added June 18, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Seventy-seven cyclists started out from Kiwanis Park on the way to our quarterly membership meeting at Jason's Deli. President Armando put on a fine show and the food and drinks were plentiful.

Janet and I have a sudden need to be gone this coming weekend. President Armando will be leading the Saturday Cycling ride for us.

Coming up...

Saturday, 06/21/14 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Lucky 7's
For the summer solstice, President Armando will lead you on the Lucky 7's route which 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 and 47 miles, plus the two casinos along the way. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 5:19 (going up)

Saturday, 06/28/14 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. MidSummer Ride
Just one week after the summer solstice, with the sun near its northern apex, we'll hunt for shade with a route that favors east-to-west and north-south travel. Includes options of 28 miles with one climb, or 38 miles with a couple of bonus hills. Breakfast at Paradise Bakery, SE corner of Guadalupe and McClintock. Sunrise: 5:21

Saturday, 07/05/14 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...

The quarterly meeting was pretty routine. There's still money in the till, and membership is slightly down around 450ish. Tour de France viewing parties are being planned, more details to follow.

One notable item was the announcement of our first ever European Sister Cycling Club!
Armando recently received this unusual email request:

“Hellor there!

We are a small bicycle riders group from Romania, and we were in search for a logo! In our search for power, force and courage, we have found your logo, and we gave it a new name! We have poste it on FB just to ask our friends that is so representativ for them.

Question: can we use it for our logos on our FB Gruoup ? Do we have your aggrement to use this logo , with a different name?

Valentin G.
Timisoara”

The board was tickled to give our consent and to extend the offer of sisterhood. So the next time you are in Romania, be sure to visit the city of Timisoara and enjoy a ride with Valentin and friends!

We also heard from Wayne that the June 28-29 White Mountain Tour is fully staffed with volunteers and ready to roll. All we need now are more participants! Go ahead and escape the heat up in the high country while having yourself some fun in the saddle.

Another PMBC member is embarking on a cross-country tour. Dave will be ridding with the Spokes Fighting Strokes bike tour on a diagonal route from Anacortes, WA to Key West, FL. You can get more info from the website www.spokesfightingstrokes.org, and you can follow Dave's adventure at www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/sfstour.

Have fun and ride safely

June 7 Saturday Cycling Report

Climbing the Hills of Ahwatukee

Added June 8, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

We had 58 sign in to climb the hills of Ahwatukee. It's always a pleasure to welcome newcomers to the pack. Yesterday I noticed two in particular showing fine riding and group etiquette skills. I hope they make a habit of riding with us on Saturdays.

Coming up...

Saturday, 06/14/14 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Length of Lindsay
Time for another Quarterly Membership Meeting! As always, that means free breakfast for club members. This time, at Jason's Deli on Frye Road south of the Chandler Mall. You can get there by joining us for the Length of Lindsay route - options of 27 miles or 39 miles, no climbing - or be at Jason's for sign-in starting at 8:00 a.m. The meeting should begin around 8:45 a.m. Sunrise: 5:18

Saturday, 06/21/14 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Lucky 7's
For the summer solstice, we will enjoy the Lucky 7's route which 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 and 47 miles, plus the two casinos along the way. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 5:19 (going up)

Saturday, 06/28/14 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. MidSummer Ride
Just one week after the summer solstice, with the sun near its northern apex, we'll hunt for shade with a route that favors east to west and south to north travel. Includes options of 28 miles with one climb, or 38 miles with a couple of bonus hills. Breakfast at Paradise Bakery, SE corner of Guadalupe and McClintock. Sunrise: 5:21

Tid Bits...

During our absence a couple of weeks ago, Janet and I spent three weekdays lazing around downtown Portland OR. It is true... the place is swarming with cyclists. Here are a few of my observations of the Portland bike scene:

The vast majority wore street clothes and looked like they were just getting from A to B.
A larger than expected percentage was female. Many rode in skirts.
Almost all rode road bikes, and most had drop bars. (I wish I could have fit 'rowed' and 'Rhode' into that sentence.)
About 3 in 5 had fenders
About 3 in 5 had cargo racks or baskets
About 2 in 5 had both
There were still way more cars than bikes, even though it's the least convenient way to get around there.
Seemed like there was a single-loop bike rack next to most curbside car parking spots, and most of those had bikes tied on.
Portland women are required to show some ink.

We didn't have bikes with us, so used the light rail and our feet to get to the brew pubs and unique shopping sites.

On a related note, Portland State University just released a comprehensive study of protected bike lanes. Follow this link I got from Chandler Traffic Engineer Mike to learn more:http://usa.streetsblog.org/2014/06/02/get-ready-for-a-landmark-study-of-americas-protected-bike-lanes/

Noon on Friday the 13th of June is your last chance to get the early registration discount for the June 28-29 White Mountain Tour. A lucky day to commit.

Have fun and ride safely

May 31 Saturday Cycling Report

Five Tandems on Marco Polo Tandemmania

Added May 31, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Four tandem teams were among the 72 cyclists who signed in for our attempt at Tandemania. One more met us at the breakfast making it 5 total; not a record, but well above average. The anticipated headwind was a no-show.

Next week will be our first June ride of the year, but our start time will remain 6:30 throughout the summer months. It already felt like summer today; a reminder to start going heavy on the sun screen and water.

For the record, 64 signed in for last Saturday's Ahwafooty ride. And Monday's Memorial Day ride attracted 37 cyclists. President Armando apparently took advantage of the opportunity to practice his flat tire skills.

Coming up...

Saturday, 06/07/14 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Foothills Training Ride
The Foothills Training Ride takes 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 can 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. at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 5:18

Tid Bits...

Mark your calendar on June 14 for the next quarterly membership meeting which includes free breakfast for all PMBC members (2 breakfasts per family membership). If you're not a member yet, this would be a good time to join.

At least 4 of our regular members have launched on a summer-long bicycle journey across America.

You can follow Rick's solo adventure at http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/LemonadeTour.

Neal, Mike and Roger's exploits are being chronicled at The Terrible Trio's Travels.

Ann would like me to inform you of the Legacy Annual Scenic Utah Bicycle Adventure (LASUBA) this August 28-September 4. According to Ann, PMBC members get a $150.00 group rate discount! Contact Ann if you're interested.

The Maricopa Association of Governments and Valley Metro are jointly conducting a study of the transit system in the Southeast Valley to identify short, mid and long- term recommendations that will advance the transit system throughout the study area. Get more information and a link to take their survey at: http://www.valleymetro.org/projects_and_planning/project_detail/SEVTSS. (I must have already taken it a while back, because it sent me straight to the thank-you for participating message)

Have fun and ride safely

May 17 Saturday Cycling Report

St Francis Loop Romp

Added May 24, 2014

written by Ken St. John and Mike

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Not only did Mike do a great job of leading the ride last week while I was away, he even produced this fine ride report in the standard format. Thanks Mike!

I've only added the upcoming rides. And YES, we do have a Holiday ride for Memorial Day – two in fact!

This week's excuse for a late report: post-vacation catch-up.

Ken

============================

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Sixty-two cyclists signed in for a spirited romp through and around the St Francis Loop today. There was also a great crowd at Paradise Bakery for breakfast with our group pretty much occupying their entire patio. There was a great many conversations and storytelling happening along with the enjoyment of a good cup of java and food.

Coming up...

Saturday, 05/24/14 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Ahwafooty
We'll circle around to approach the Ahwatukee-Foothills from the south. 24-mile or 35-mile options with moderate climbing on the longer route. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co. at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 5:22

Monday, 05/26/14 6:30 a.m., Memorial Day Ride
Start at Einstein's Bagels on the NE corner of Queen Creek and Alma School. President Armando will be leading a Memorial Day ride on Monday, starting and ending on NE corner of Queen Creek and Alma School, so DON"T go to Kiwanis park--unless you want to put in some extra miles! Join us for breakfast there after the ride at Einstein Bagels. Sunrise: 5:22

Monday, 05/26/14 6:30 a.m., Desert Breeze Park. The Other Memorial Day Ride
We had two volunteers simultaneously step up to lead a Memorial Day Ride, and since we are too late to be truly organized, we decided to run with both! Neal will lead the Gateway Ride out and back from Desert Breeze Park in Chandler - around 30 miles. Bonus miles can be added by doing Sunday route up to Main street on Lindsay over to Extension and back as we come back on Ray from the Airport. Sunrise: 5:22

Saturday, 05/31/14 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Marco Polo (Tandemmania!)
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 loops to the south before joining the Elliot return path. Breakfast at Paradise Bakery on Guadalupe and McClintock. Sunrise: 5:20

Tid Bits...

Today, I received a reminder of the importance of checking your saddle bag prior to going on your weekend ride. As the substitute ride leader, I stopped to assist a rider who had suffered a flat. When the rider checked his saddle bag he found he had NO tube, NO air inflator, or tire boot. It could have been a tough situation if no one had stopped to help him. So riders should make it a rule to check your saddle bag for the required spare tube(s), pump or air inflator, tire levers, tire boots, etc. periodically or after getting a flat to ensure you have all the proper equipment to handle a flat or mechanical problem. I like to have my tubes covered with baby power in a plastic baggy which keep them from sticking to the tires under the extreme temperature conditions we get here in Arizona. Tire boots for me are simply cut pieces of old bike tires and come in very handy when you get a deep cut in your tire. I normally carry 2 in my bag plus 2 tubes. A small multi-tool set is also recommended especially if you do not perform routine bike maintenance periodically!

Here's a friendly reminder: Go check your saddle bag today to ensure your tubes are still good and you have all the necessary tools to get you back on the road after a flat or minor mechanical.

Have fun and ride safely

Ken (it was really Mike)

May 10 Saturday Cycling Report

Spirited Ride Through the Ahwatukee Foothills

Added May 11, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Seventy-six cyclists signed in for a spirited ride through the Ahwatukee foothills today. We also had a great crowd at AZ Bread Co. for breakfast near the end, occupying their entire patio. It was a perfect day to dine al fresco.

Coming up...

Saturday, 05/17/14 6:30 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 after, at Paradise Bakery at McClintock and Guadalupe. Mike Kirk will be your substitute ride leader this week. Sunrise: 5:27

Tid Bits...

It was recently suggested that we declare some random Saturday as Tandemmania day, and encourage as many as can to show up on their tandems. Since the laws of nature favor tandems in a headwind, I thought the best route for Tandemmania would be one that has a long eastbound leg. Like Marco Polo. So if you have a tandem, please plan to roll it out on May 31st and see how many solo bikes you can get in a train behind you as we chug east on Guadalupe. It'll be fun. You'll find you get smiled at more when you're on your tandem; apparently many people think it's just adorable.

Here's a friendly reminder: When there is an injury accident, after tending to the injured and seeing to everyone's general safety, someone please call the ride leader to let them know what happened. The ride leader's name and phone number should always be written on the maps distributed at the start. If you prefer to print your own map at home, or know the routes by heart, then please have my cell phone number programmed into your phone just in case.

Have fun and ride safely

May 3 Saturday Cycling Report

Fun in the Sun on MidSummer Ride

Added May 4, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Other than last weekend, we've had a string of great spring weather, including today when 63 cyclists signed on for fun in the sun. It was nice to see several new faces, and at least one old friend back for a visit.

Coming up...

Saturday, 05/10/14 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. ...or Give me Hills
This route approaches the Ahwatukee Foothills from the east on Chandler Blvd., then cuts 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 in Tempe, at the SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 5:32

Tid Bits...

On my daily commute I've noticed lately that motorists with smart phones are a growing menace. If only we could explain how much risk it puts us in. And pedestrians, and other motorists, and themselves. I'm sure then they'd knock it off.

I suggest that we at least be good role models. Please don't operate your mobile digital device while piloting your bicycle! As long as you're rolling, don't look at it's display or talk on it as though it were a telephone. Facebook can wait. Even though we don't present a lethal hazard, we can still cause some damage - mostly to ourselves.

Don't forget to remember the 2014 White Mountain Tour.

And save the dates August 1-3 to join PMBC for a long weekend cycling in the cool pines and lakes around Flagstaff, Arizona on and around Lake Mary Road. More information will be available as the date draws near.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

April 26 Saturday Cycling Report

Saturday Cycling pack was reduced to 30

Added April 30, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Due to Answer to the Challenge, Pat's Run, and a weather forecast of wind and rain, our last Saturday Cycling pack was reduced to 30. The rain never really materialized in the East Valley, though there was plenty of wind out of the west. I hear the Challenge participants were not so lucky.

Last week the ride report never made it out, but we did have 69 show up to enjoy the McKellips Loop route. Since Janet wasn't there to power our tandem, I spent most of the ride tucked in behind one of the two tandems that did show. Sure did help on that long trip down headwind-alley.

Coming up...

===== Note: start time changes to 6:30 in May and stays there through August ====

Saturday, 05/03/14 6:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. MidSummer Ride
Options of 28 miles with one climb, or 38 miles with a couple of bonus hills. Breakfast at Paradise Bakery, SE corner of Guadalupe and McClintock. Sunrise: 5:38

Tid Bits...

At some point last year, one or more club members expressed that it seemed to them that we have had more accidents on our Saturday rides than usual. I asked the former ride leader and she felt it was pretty much the usual amount on average. But how do we really know if we don't keep track? And if we ever implement any changes to improve safety, how will we know if it did any good? So I am now trying to track injury accidents. But this opens up a tangle of semantic issues. What constitutes an accident? When does an owie become an injury?

Here's the guideline I'm using: If a cyclist sustains a bodily injury that prevents them from continuing to ride, that's an injury accident. If you scrape your knee and blood pours down your leg, but you soldier on – not an injury. If you have to be picked up and driven home because your machine is unable to continue even though you are – not an injury. If you suffer heat exhaustion and call someone to pick you up… I'm going to say not an injury. If you suffer heat stroke and get hauled off in an ambulance… okay, I'll call that a ride related injury. It's still going to be a little subjective, but according to my analysis we have now gone 27 weeks without an injury accident (that I know of). I think that's pretty good, all things considered, and I hope it's a streak that keeps on going.

IT'S LIVE! Time to register for the 2014 White Mountain Tour.

Have fun and ride safely

April 12 Saturday Cycling Report

Sixty-five Cyclists Attack South Mountain

Added April 20, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Sixty-five cyclists signed in to attack South Mountain. I never did get close enough to see if the wild flowers were in bloom, since a few of us turned back early on. No harm was done, and we all made it to the breakfast nice and early.

==== Route Change Alert ======

I was notified yesterday by the city of Tempe that northbound Hardy will be closed at Broadway through April 28th. To save us the bother of a detour I have moved the MidSummer Ride to May 3rd and switched this week's ride to the McKellips Loop.

Coming up...

Saturday, 04/19/13 7:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. McKellips Loop
This 28-mile or 37-mile loop from Kiwanis Park will take you north through Tempe and then east through Mesa on McKellips Road, returning to Paradise Bakery for breakfast. Sunrise: 5:53

Saturday, 04/26/14 7:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Chandler/Gilbert Bronze
This is the day of the annual Chandler Family Fun Ride. Those of us who are volunteering to help (we could still use a couple more) will head over from the standard-route regroup. Everyone else, have fun riding the flatlands of Gilbert and Chandler with route options of 25 or 35 miles. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co. at the SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 5:45

Tid Bits...

Our major even coordinator Wayne, would like me to pass along his thanks to all the PMBC members who came out to do El Tour de Mesa (his day job). He tells me "there were over 1600 riders who helped us shatter the old record of 1403 from 2012. 27 riders broke the course record covering the 70 mile course in 2 hours 40 minutes and change. You could feel the wind whistle past you as the peloton crossed the finish line. Amazing!! And a PMBC member was in the front peloton."

You can read an AZ Republic article about the event here.

Remember that the White Mountain Tour is June 28 & 29. Wayne promises there will be no sprint finish into either Springerville or the Hon-dah Resort...unless you want to.

Another member, Mark, has alerted me to the South Mountain Time Trial May 10th, 2014. He reports that last year's ride was well run, fun and safe on smooth clean roads.

If you're going to help out on the Chandler Family Bike Ride on April 26, you need to preregister at Click here to access the online pre-registration form. And please let me know too. 250 people have signed up for the ride so far, including 4 PMBC volunteers.

Have fun and ride safely

April 5 Saturday Cycling Report

Awesome Spring Day for Mummy Mountain Route

Added April 5, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

It was another awesome spring day for riding, which is probably why so many people enjoyed El Tour de Mesa, the big climax of the CycloMesa weekend. Thirty-five is the number who showed up for the popular Mummy Mountain route. There were a few wild flowers on the Galvin Parkway climb so I'm hoping for some color on South Mountain next weekend.

Coming up...

Saturday, 04/12/14 7:00 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: 6:02

Saturday, 04/19/14 7:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. MidSummer Ride
Options of 28 miles with one climb, or 38 miles with a couple of bonus hills. Breakfast at Paradise Bakery, SE corner of Guadalupe and McClintock. Sunrise: 5:53

Tid Bits...

Remember when you first learned to ride? Once you got going, it was surprisingly easy to roll in a straight line. Eventually you had to stop, but after a couple of tries, it all became simple. Harder to learn was the looking-back-without-swerving skill. New motorists suffer the same problem, and they're big kids.

When you ride in a group, look-back is a very important skill. I always say that in a paceline, the only one who can safely turn and look behind is the lead dog. But this privilege is not a license to alter the pace or trajectory. Any change in speed or direction has got to be signaled first. When you do turn to look back, keep pedaling! Just the act of stopping the pedals, without first making a slowing-signal, can alarm the rider behind you as well as reduce the pace. It's okay to have a little sideways drift, as long as you stay inside the lines; there should be no sudden tweak to the handlebars as if avoiding a pot hole.

This is a skill you can teach yourself by practicing on a traffic free street with plenty of space. Just ride a straight line, then look over your left shoulder long enough to get a good look at the scene behind, then turn back forward and see how you did. Keep trying until it becomes easy. And then stay in practice. If you only ride once a week, give yourself a little space at the start to find your bike legs before you fire up all cylinders on the open road. Practice little things like start/clip, swerve, look-back, unclip and stop. Make sure it's all in working order.

Then...Have fun and ride safely

March 29 Saturday Cycling Report

Tour de Sue Attracts Seventy-three Cycists on Beautiful Day to Ride

Added March 31, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

What a beautiful day to ride! Seventy-three is the number who took advantage of it with us on Saturday. After what seemed like years of construction, that little stretch of Allison Rd is clean and smooth now. Much better. If they would just fix Maricopa Road too.

As long as the spring weather is so great, let's hit some hills over the next few April weekends.

Coming up...

========= NOTE: APRIL START TIME CHANGES TO 7:00AM=====

Saturday, 04/05/14 7:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Mummy Mountain
Back by popular demand: 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: 6:11

Tid Bits...

I just visited www.azcentral.com and saw two PMBC jerseys in the featured photo on the home page. Front and center are Tina and Jim, looking good; a few other familiar 1/2 faces are also in the pack. I hope it's still there when you go to check it out. It brings attention to the "CycloMesa" activities as one of the top 10 events in the valley this week. It's Right up there with the AZ BBQ Festival and the Phoenix Pride Parade. They all sound like a lot of fun. Here's what they say about CycloMesa:

Friday is El Tour Criterium, a high-speed bike race on a roughly 1-mile, figure-eight track. Food vendors, two beer gardens, a block party and a custom-bike-building competition will be held. Saturday is El Tour de Mesa, with 70-, 28- and 4-mile rides, each starting and finishing in downtown Mesa. A block party at the finish line will include a beer garden, food trucks, live music, a kids' area with a zip line, bungee trampolines, a rock wall, BMX Freestyle show and more.

The Coalition of AZ Bicyclists is looking for volunteers to help distribute Bikeway Maps to East Valley bike shops. Sounds like a good excuse to spend a half day riding around town. Contact Peter Mather if you'd like to help.

Have fun and ride safely

March 22 Saturday Cycling Report

78 Hungry Cyclists Ride Length of Lindsay to Quarterly Membership Meeting

Added March 23, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Spring sprang last week and 78 hungry cyclists signed in on Saturday for a quick ride to the quarterly membership meeting. It was our first time at this location and I am all thumbs up for Serrano's food quality, comfort, service and meeting-friendliness. I'm starting to think 10 miles from the park isn't so bad. And the meeting was well run by President Armando, as always. Efficient and informative.

Coming up...

Saturday, 03/29/14 7:30 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: 6:20

Tid Bits...

Since 1956, the League of American Bicyclists has declared May to be National Bike Month "to showcase the many benefits of bicycling — and encourage more folks to giving biking a try." But for obvious reasons, we in the valley like to pull that into April. Here are a few east valley activities for cyclists, and most importantly for wanna-bes, in the coming month.

The 18th annual Tour de Tempe community bike ride is on Sunday, April 6 from 7:30 – 11 a.m. at Kiwanis Park. Free t-shirts will be available for the first 1,000 riders and breakfast foods and coffee will be provided by Wildflower Bread Company, Whole Foods, Back East Bagels and Starbucks. The ride is an easy 10 miles and the whole thing is free! Register on-line here: www.tempe.gov/bikemonth

Tempe's Bike to Work Day on Wednesday April 16, is designed "to encourage people to use bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation." Between 6:30 to 8 a.m., all bicycle riders who stop by one of seven participating Bike to Work Day locations in Tempe will receive a free breakfast, and the first 350 riders will receive free T-shirts. At 7 a.m., join members of the Tempe City Council on a bike ride from Whole Foods Market to NCounter in downtown Tempe. Visit www.tempe.gov/bikemonth for all the details.

The annual Chandler Family Bike Ride will be Saturday, April 26th at 8:30 a.m. The 7.4-mile ride starts and ends at the Chandler Park and Ride (2100 S. Hamilton St.). They have asked us to provide some volunteers in our club colors to serve as "roll-models" for the fun of spirited cycling with a group of friendly people. If you would like to join Janet and I there, please let me know and follow this link to preregister Click here to access the online pre-registration form. We'll start on the regular Saturday Cycling ride from Kiwanis and vector off to the Family ride start location along the way. The first 100 people to pre-register will receive a free T-shirt.

Free food, coffee and t-shirts. They sure know how to motivate cyclists!

Have fun and ride safely

March 15 Saturday Cycling Report

Clear Blue Sky and No Wind on Lucky 7's

Added March 16, 2014

written by Ken St. John

I'm happy that the Mining Country Challenge got such awesome weather this year. Our Kiwanis Park band of 47 didn't do any climbing, but we got in some decent miles under a clear blue sky with zero to light wind.

It was fun seeing a few familiar faces returning after various reasons for absence. I'm watching for more next week at the big meeting.

Coming up...

Saturday, 03/22/14 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Length of Lindsay
Time for another Quarterly Membership Meeting! As always, that means free breakfast for club members. This time, at Serrano's at 141 S. Arizona Ave in Chandler, a block north of Frye Road. You can get there by joining us for the Length of Lindsay route - options of 27 miles or 39 miles, no climbing - or be at Serrano's for sign-in starting at 9:15 a.m. The meeting should begin around 9:45 a.m. Sunrise: 6:29

Tid Bits...

I got a nice thank-you note from an out of state visitor after last week's ride which included this comment: "The best part was when 5-7 riders were cruising at 25 in a very smooth rotating pace line." That's the kind of reputation I love for us to cultivate. Good safe riding you speedsters!

Have a safe and green St. Patrick's weekend! I was going to let it slide by uncelebrated this year until someone reminded me about corned beef and cabbage. I may not have any Irish blood in me, but when it comes to food and drink I am truly multinational. Diversity rules.

Have fun and ride safely

March 8 Saturday Cycling Report

Dire Weather Predictions on Tour de Mesa & Far Reaches of Guadalupe Road on Marco Polo

Added March 9, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Sixty-nine signed in for a trip to the far east reaches of Guadalupe Road. The steady crosswind was an opportunity to practice our echelon skills; I saw several who really do get it.

Thank you Neal for leading the ride last week! Here is the abridged version of his report: There were 7 riders who braved the dire weather predictions. The Serious Seven faced the wind, cold and rain in an epic ride that went south instead of east.(You have to have ridden to know the truth!) Turned into an excellent ride which the throngs missed out on!!!

Coming up...

Saturday, 03/15/14 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 and 47 miles, plus the two casinos along the way. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 6:39

Tid Bits...

Next Saturday PMBC hosts the spectacular Mining Country Challenge for the 22nd time. We will still have Saturday Cycling from Kiwanis Park as usual, but I do encourage you to give the MCC a try. I will consider it an excused absence.

The following Saturday, March 22, will the first quarterly membership meeting of 2014 and we'll be trying out another new venue. This time it will be Mexican breakfast items at Serrano's in downtown Chandler. See the ride description above for all the details.

Have fun and ride safely

February 22 Saturday Cycling Report

Cyclists Swarm on the South Side of South Mountain

Added February 28, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Sixty-nine cyclists signed-in to swarm over the hills on the south side of South Mountain last Saturday. There were four tandems among us, which helped make a good demonstration of bike power as we paraded past the transportation fair on Liberty Lane. As far as I know, there were no flat tires or incidents of any kind, which always makes for better riding.

Janet and I will be on another stay-cation next weekend. This time Neal has agreed to lead Saturday Cycling in our absence. Remember: March begins on Saturday, so our start time rolls back one more 1/2 hour to 7:30. Be listening for route modifications due to road construction. And I hope you don't get rained on!

Coming up...

Saturday, 03/01/14 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Tour de Mesa
The Tour de Mesa takes us to the northeast, with route options of 29 miles with no climbing or 39 miles with a gentle climb. Breakfast is at Paradise Bakery at Guadalupe & McClintock. Sunrise: 6:57

Saturday, 03/08/14 7:30 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 loops to the south before joining the Elliot return path. Breakfast at Paradise Bakery on Guadalupe and McClintock. Sunrise: 6:48

Tid Bits...

The annual Chandler Family Bike Ride will be April 26th at 8:30am. The 7.4-mile ride starts and ends at the Chandler Park and Ride (2100 S. Hamilton St.). I'll be planning a route to the southeast that day so some of us can vector off to serve as volunteers. Let me know if you want to help. Pre-registration is recommended. The first 100 people to pre-register will receive a free T-shirt. Click here to access the online pre-registration form.

If you found an arm warmer last week, I know who lost one.

Jack asked me to remind everyone about "Bike MS: Ride the Vortex" in the Sedona area, it's been scheduled for May 17-18. Register at BikeMSArizona.org. If you'd just like to sponsor a rider, you might talk to Jack.

We've gone 15 Saturdays without an injury accident. Thanks for that.

Have fun and ride safely

February 15 Saturday Cycling Report

62 Cyclists Take on South Mountain

Added February 16, 2014

written by Ken St. John

It was a gorgeous day for 62 cyclists to take on South Mountain. Not too warm to climb, not too cold to zip downhill. Just like springtime.

Only Armando knows how many signed in on Feb 8. Janet and I gave bird watching a try that day for a change of pace.

I need to amend my Feb 1 report since I found a hidden sign-in sheet that missed the count. The real number of participants is up 12, from 44 to 56. Better.

Coming up...

Saturday, 02/22/14 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Foothills Training Ride
The Foothills Training Ride takes 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 can 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. at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 7:05

Saturday,03/01/14 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Tour de Mesa
The Tour de Mesa takes us to the northeast, with route options of 29 miles with no climbing or 39 miles with a gentle climb. Breakfast is at Paradise Bakery at Guadalupe & McClintock. Sunrise: 6:57

Tid Bits...

Imagine my surprise when I opened the news update email from the League of American Bicyclists and saw a photo of two of our club members and one of our club jerseys getting national attention. It wasn't clear to me exactly why the League was visiting these Chandler dignitaries, but I'm hoping there is an effort afoot to upgrade our Bronze to Silver in the Bicycle Friendly Communities program. Go to this link to see Mike and Kevin smiling at every League member nationwide.

On next Saturday's return route across Liberty Lane we will once again encounter the Transportation Day festival put on by a local preschool. Sound like small-time I know, but last year they managed to turn Liberty's bike lane into a parking lot for about ź mile in either direction. Please represent bicycle transportation well by watching for pedestrians, strollers and toddlers to be popping out from between cars. Also take the lane. Everyone should be driving our speed or slower, and you need to stay clear of parked-car open-door surprises.

Have fun and ride safely

February 1 Saturday Cycling Report

Scattered Clouds with Intermittent Sunshine on Ahwafooty Route

Added February 1, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Happy Chinese New Year Saturday Cyclists!

Forty-four remembered that the start time changed to 8am and signed-in for the first February ride. The thick scattered clouds with intermittent sunshine made it tricky to pick a temperature and stick with it. Still it was another wonderful day for a ride and to celebrate the start of the year of the horse (see Janet's Facebook for pictures).

The week before, which had no ride report due to laziness, we had 76 cyclists who coped with the route switcharoo. Good thing Mummy Mountain is popular and the weather was so great. No one minded the misdirection. The 4 flat tires we saw were less welcome; we found a 5th while putting away the tandem at home. Good place to flat.

Coming up...

Saturday, 02/08/14 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 after, at Paradise Bakery at McClintock and Guadalupe. President Armando will be your substitute ride leader. Sunrise: 7:19

Saturday, 02/15/14 8:00 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. Bring something warm to wear on the decent. Breakfast is at AZ Bread, southeast of Elliot & Kyrene. Sunrise: 7:12

Tid Bits...

Scott the Merchandise Man would like to remind everyone about the Photo Galleries pages on our web site. There are some fun pics there, but only 3 sets were submitted over the past year. If you have photos from the Casa Grande Century or other recent club event, please consider adding to a pictorial history of PMBC going back almost ten years. Send them to Terry Wright for posting on the web site.

We've set a couple more club dates:

March 22, Next membership meeting, location TBD
April 25-27, Answer to the Challenge

Have fun and ride safely

January 18 Saturday Cycling Report

55 Ride the Flatlands of Gilbert and Chandler

Added January 26, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists,

Fifty-five is the number of cyclists who signed in for this past Saturday's ride. It was the last flat route well be using till March 1st, so be ready for some climbing the next 5 weeks. Watch for wandering dogs at the south end of Kiwanis Park this coming Saturday. They'll be participating in the Spay Pride event which will hopefully not spill all the way into our parking lot.

I had a grande time on the Casa Grande [metric] Century last week; riding most of the way with 4 of my favorite PMBC friends. Thanks to them for pulling me along. You are all great riding companions. And thank you again to all the volunteers who made it happen!

Coming up...

SCHEDULE CHANGE ALERT!! South Mountain Park is closed on 1/25, so I've shuffled things around. Also added a special breakfast stop for the next ride.

Saturday, 01/25/12 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. Rick Marquis has invited us to join him in celebrating the grand opening of his new bike shop, Giant Scottsdale at 68th St. and Thomas. It's right along our return route, so we'll stop there for free bagels and drinks! There's also a coffee shop right next door. Sunrise: 7:29

===== Note: Start time changes to 8:00am in February! ========

Saturday, 02/01/14 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Ahwafooty
We'll circle around to approach the Ahwatukee-Foothills from the south. 24-mile or 35-mile options with moderate climbing on the longer route. Breakfast at AZ Bread Co. at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 7:24

Saturday, 02/15/14 8:00 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. Bring something warm to wear on the descent. Breakfast is at AZ Bread, southeast of Elliot & Kyrene. Sunrise: 7:12

Tid Bits...

The grand opening festivities at Giant Scottsdale continue on till 4pm this Saturday and include lunch, a stunt ride demo and raffle. Then the next day they are hosting a "Ride With The Pros" event. At 7am you can ride the roads with Keith Ketterer; at 9:00 bring your mountain bike to ride with Kelli Emmet and Jeff Lenosky.

Registration is live for the Mining Country Challenge.

A PMBC team has been created for the Ride 2 Recovery Honor Ride. Here is their web site: Ride2Recovery.com. Use this discount code for $10 off the registration cost: 10TEAM2014

If you would like to participate in this year's "Bike MS: Ride the Vortex" in the Sedona area, it's been scheduled for May 17-18. The registration is live at BikeMSArizona.org. Get your training program started by joining us on Saturday Mornings!

And for you theater-going cyclists, Actors Theater is presenting a play titled "4000 Miles" that has bicycle touring in the plot. Though it's not entirely about cycling, I expect they do use the bicycle as a vehicle for plot development. Plus they'll be using some of Janet's and my bike clothes as props and wardrobe, including a couple of PMBC logo pieces. We haven't seen it yet, but the review in the AZ Republic was very positive. This is the last week to catch it with performances Wed-Sun. Go to: actostheaterphx.org

Have fun, and ride safely

January 11 Saturday Cycling Report

Or Give me Hills With a Sense of Loss

Added January 12, 2014
written by Ken St. John

Hello Saturday Cyclists,

I kept thinking I'd lost one of the sign-up sheets, but it looks like 48 really is the sign-in count for today. We've been routinely over 60, and this time last year we had 77. You 20 or 30 absentees – come back! We miss you.

Speaking of loss, we discovered that today's regroup station has closed. One of the many motorists we saw pull in looking for gas told us she was just there yesterday, but today the shelves are empty and doors are locked. It's tough to count the number of our rest stops and restaurants that have gone out of business, while Saturday Cycling lives on.

Coming up...

Saturday, 01/18/14 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Chandler/Gilbert Bronze
Let's ride the flatlands of Gilbert and Chandler with route options of 25 or 35 miles. And it gives us another opportunity to breakfast at AZ Bread Co. at the SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 7:32

Saturday, 01/25/14 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. Bring something warm to wear on the descent. Breakfast is at AZ Bread, southeast of Elliot & Kyrene. Sunrise: 7:29

Saturday, 02/01/14 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. St. Francis Loop
February is climbing month. 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 after, at Paradise Bakery at McClintock and Guadalupe. Sunrise: 7:24

Tid Bits...

If you live, work or ride in the city of Chandler you may be interested in taking their on-line budget survey.

I took it yesterday and my favorite part was where it asked my opinion on several major street improvements that include adding bike lanes. They are mostly in the more recently developed southeast part of the city which could open up more bike friendly route options for us. The deadline to take the survey is January 24.

See you tomorrow at the Casa Grande Century!

Have fun, and ride safely

January 4 Saturday Cycling Report

Socializing and Exercising on Tour de Sue

Added January 5, 2014

written by Ken St. John

Happy New Year Saturday Cyclists!

Sixty-five of us Toured de Sue this week on a cool winter day under a thin cover of clouds. The group I hitched up with had just the right mix of socializing and exercising. Thank you all for another fun time.

The Casa Grande Century is just one week away now. Hope you're all registered.

Coming up...

Saturday, 01/11/14 8:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. ...or Give me Hills
This route approaches the Ahwatukee Foothills from the east on Chandler Blvd., then cuts 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 in Tempe, at the SE corner of Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 7:33 and that's as late as it gets.

Saturday, 01/25/14 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 at AZ Bread, southeast of Elliot & Kyrene. Sunrise: 7:29

Tid Bits...

One of the fun parts of this job is scheduling. This month the route selection was designed to put all the breakfasts at AZ Bread Co. where warm morning foods are still being served. Beginning with February, our start time moves earlier by 30 minutes per month during the spring thaw and we'll return to the weekly restaurant rotation.

After finishing January with the big climb up South Mountain, next month's theme will be hills! St. Francis and Mummy Mtn. will take us to Paradise, while 2 trips to the foothills will bring us back to AZ Bread. Please think about how you will use your wardrobe options to keep cool on the climbs and not shiver on the decent. Especially on South Mountain; there won't be any adoring fans at the top handing you newspapers to stuff down your jersey.

This year's Mining Country Challenge will be March 15. Watch the web site for when the registration goes live.

Have fun, and ride safely

The Hub Archive - 2014

December 21 Sunday Kickoff

PMBC Sunday Kickoff's Private Air Show

December 20 Saturday Cycling Report

Santa Claus Signed-in for the Popular Mummy Mountain Ride

December 13 Saturday Cycling Report

Eighteen Hearty Cyclists Braved the Gloomy Skies

November 29 Saturday Cycling Report

Thursday Holiday Ride and Saturday's St. Francis Loop.

November 22 Saturday Cycling Report

Ahwafooty with a Chill in the Air.

Mesa's new Desert Trails Mountain Bike Park

Bob Gives the Park an "A+".

Phoenix named a Bronze Bicycle Friendly CommunitySM by the League of American Bicyclists

A League of American Bicyclists Press Release.

November 15 Saturday Cycling Report

Snowbird Population has Returned to Roost.

November 8 Saturday Cycling Report

Obstacle Course of Road Closures Through Gilbert and Chandler.

November 1 Saturday Cycling Report

Avoiding Politics on McKellips Loop.

October 25 Saturday Cycling Report

48 Enjoy Perfect Cycling Weather.

October 11 & 18 Saturday Cycling Report

Tour de Sue and Mummy Mountain.

October 4 Saturday Cycling Report

65 cyclists Enjoy the Perfect Cycling Weather.

ABC15's and Earnhardt Auto Centers Recycle Your Bicycle Campaign

PMBC Donates two Bicycles and Matching Helmets.

September 27 Saturday Cycling Report

"You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows".

September 20 Saturday Cycling Report

Length of Lindsay Leads to Quarterly Membership Meeting.

September 13 Saturday Cycling Report

A Fast, Flat Trip on the Marco Polo Ride.

September 6 Saturday Cycling Report

Monsoon Returns for Lucky 7's.

August 30 Saturday Cycling and Labor Day Ride Report

Goodbye to August with Research to Oak. Hello to September with Paseo de Cesar Chavez

August 23 Saturday Cycling Report

60 Cyclists Head for the Ahwatukee Foothills

August 16 Saturday Cycling Report

Maximum Heat on St. Francis Loop

August 2, 9 Saturday Cycling Report

Captain's Tour de Lehi, Chandler/Gilbert Bronze, Flagstaff Roundup

July 26 Saturday Cycling Report

McKellips Loop Fun in the Sun

July 19 Saturday Cycling Report

Tour de Sue and Tour de France

July 12 Saturday Cycling Report

Mummy Mountain and Tour de France Party

July 4, 5 Saturday Cycling Report

Hello Monsoon Season

June 21, 28 Saturday Cycling Report

Lucky 7's, Mid Summer, and White Mountain Tour

June 14 Saturday Cycling Report

Seventy-seven Show for Quarterly Membership Meeting

June 7 Saturday Cycling Report

Climbing the Hills of Ahwatukee

May 31 Saturday Cycling Report

Five Tandems on Marco Polo Tandemmania

May 17 Saturday Cycling Report

St Francis Loop Romp

May 10 Saturday Cycling Report

Spirited Ride Through the Ahwatukee Foothills

May 3 Saturday Cycling Report

Fun in the Sun on MidSummer Ride

April 26 Saturday Cycling Report

Saturday Cycling pack was reduced to 30

April 12 Saturday Cycling Report

Sixty-five Cyclists Attack South Mountain

April 5 Saturday Cycling Report

Awesome Spring Day for Mummy Mountain Route

March 29 Saturday Cycling Report

Tour de Sue Attracts Seventy-three Cycists on Beautiful Day to Ride

March 22 Saturday Cycling Report

78 Hungry Cyclists Ride Length of Lindsay to Quarterly Membership Meeting

March 15 Saturday Cycling Report

Clear Blue Sky and No Wind on Lucky 7's

March 8 Saturday Cycling Report

Phoenix named a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community^SM by the League of American Bicyclists