February 2019
February 23 Saturday Cycling Report
  Snowcapped Peaks Against a Bright Blue Sky. By Ken St.John
February 16 Saturday Cycling Report
  A Flat but Breezy Ride East on Length of Lindsay. By Ken St.John
February 9 Saturday Cycling Report
  Creative Return Routes on a Sunny Mummy Mountain Ride. By Ken St.John
February 2 Saturday Cycling Report
  Sporadic Rain Missed Cyclists on Marco Polo Route. By Ken St.John
January 26 Saturday Cycling Report
  Last Saturday of January Marked end of Leisurely 8:30 Start Times. By Ken St.John

February 23 Saturday Cycling Report
Snowcapped Peaks Against a Bright Blue Sky
Added February 28, 2019
written by Ken St.John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

There was a heavy frost on the ballfields in Kiwanis Park when 22 cyclists showed up to ride. My phone said it was 35 degrees as we gathered, and 47 when I got back to my van. It was another great day to ride, with awesome views of the snowcapped Sierra Estrella mountains against a bright blue sky. I noticed a lot of the all-year residents decided to pass and many of those who rode complained of the cold, while the part-time winter residents among us all showed up and enjoyed themselves. They came from places like Quebec, Wisconsin and Boston, but I think their comfort level had more to do with owning good cold weather gear, rather than been hardened by their northern homes. I own a pair of warm gloves that I only wear about twice a year and was glad to have them this time.

======== MARCH START TIME IS 7:30AM ===============

Coming up...

Saturday, 03/02/19 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Chandler-Pecos East
We're returning to the Hungry Monk for our Quarterly Membership Meeting, and a small change to this route will get us there. Breakfast is free for members; two free breakfasts are included in a family membership. Sign-in starts at 9:00 and the meeting begins around 9:45. Distance options are 28, 34 and 42 miles. The extra-long route sails east on Chandler Blvd all the way from Rural to Power, returning by way of Pecos. The shorter routes simply head over to Pecos a little earlier. Breakfast at The Hungry Monk on the north side of Chandler Blvd, just east of Dobson. Sunrise: 6:56
Standard Route
Long Route
Extra Long Route

Saturday, 03/09/19 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Midsummer Ride
This route was designed to seek out maximum shade on summer mornings when the sun is farthest north and most brutal. In the winter and spring, it's just another route, much like the others. It includes options of 28 miles with one short climb, or 38 miles with a couple of bonus climbs. Breakfast at Panera Bread at Guadalupe Rd and McClintock Dr. Sunrise: 6:47
Standard Route
Long Route

Saturday, 03/16/19 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Lucky 7's
The Lucky 7's route loops clockwise to the south, through the Wild Horse Pass casino/resort area and parts of Ahwatukee. The name plays off the mileage options of 27, 37 and 47 miles, plus the 2 casinos along the way. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co at Kyrene and Elliot. Sunrise: 6:48

Tid Bits...

There are a couple more map modifications for the upcoming rides. This Saturday will be the 7th time that we'll be holding our quarterly membership meeting at the Hungry Monk using the Chandler-Pecos East route to get there. I had been penciling in the change of breakfast stop on the printed maps but had neglected to revise the return route to be Dobson to Guadalupe, which is how most of us have been going. Spence has incorporated this in RWPGS version, and the printed ones this week will be the newer version as well. I'm going to leave the pdf version on the web site as an AZ bread route since it's out there for any-day use by anyone.

The following week, The Midsummer Ride will be revised to use AZ Bread as the breakfast stop. RWGPS and the web site have both been updated with this change.

The information I provided last week about accessing maps on RWGPS was out of date. The simplified procedure is to visit RWGPS Club Page where it will tell you what to do. Turns out you don't even need to have a personal account on RWGPS to access the basic features.

El Tour de Mesa has been added to the events list.

Events...

• Mining Country Challenge – Sat March 16
  • Register here
• Bike MS Arizona – March 30-31
• Spring Classic Poker Ride – March 31st
• AZ Bicycling Summit – April 5
• El Tour de Mesa - Saturday April 6
• Arizona Bicycle Classic – Saturday April 13
• ABC's Desert Classic Century – Saturday, April 27
• Flagstaff Tour – June 21-23

Have fun and ride safely.

February 16 Saturday Cycling Report
A Flat but Breezy Ride East on Length of Lindsay
Added February 24, 2019
written by Ken St.John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

We had 42 cyclists for a flat but breezy ride east, as we continue to alternate between flat and hilly routes. I did a quick tally and found that 8 of our 14 routes are the flat variety. I need to map out some more climbing rides if I want to keep this pattern flowing in a regular rotation.

Although I announced a President's Day ride for Monday of this week, it was canceled due to weather at the ride leader's discretion.

Coming up...

Saturday, 02/23/19 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. 8th Street Ail
The extended-distance option includes an out-and-back that goes as far west as the road will take us, plus several steep hills including northbound 8th Street from Chandler Blvd to Desert Foothills Parkway. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co. Sunrise: 7:04
Standard Route
Long Route
Extra Long Route

Saturday, 03/02/19 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Chandler-Pecos East
We're returning to the Hungry Monk for our Quarterly Membership Meeting, and a small change to this route will get us there. Breakfast is free for members; two free breakfasts are included in a family membership. Sign-in starts at 9:00 and the meeting begins around 9:45. Distance options are 28, 34 and 42 miles. The extra-long route sails east on Chandler Blvd all the way from Rural to Power, returning by way of Pecos. The shorter routes simply head over to Pecos a little earlier. Breakfast at The Hungry Monk on the north side of Chandler Blvd, just east of Dobson. Sunrise: 6:56
Standard Route
Long Route
Extra Long Route

Saturday, 03/09/19 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Midsummer Ride
This route was designed to seek out maximum shade on summer mornings when the sun is farthest north and most brutal. In the winter and spring, it's just another route, much like the others. It includes options of 28 miles with one short climb, or 38 miles with a couple of bonus climbs. Breakfast at Panera Bread at Guadalupe Rd and McClintock Dr. Sunrise: 6:47

Tid Bits...

If you are having trouble accessing the Ride With GPS maps, here is the procedure to follow as I understand it.

1. You need your own (free) Ride With GPS account
2. Use this link to request access to the PMBC Club account:
   https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Club/3053/dIJ3y0r09H8EK6Vy
3. Use this link to get to the full list of PMBC maps:
   https://ridewithgps.com/organizations/3053-phoenix-metro-bicycle-club/routes

That should do it. There are other ways to accomplish step 2, but they require a person's approval and will take longer.

It's time to save-the-date on June 21-23 for our annual Flagstaff Tour. Details and a registration link will be provided as we get closer.

Events...

• Mining Country Challenge – Sat March 16
  • Register here
• Bike MS Arizona – March 30-31
• Spring Classic Poker Ride – March 31st
• AZ Bicycling Summit – April 5
• Arizona Bicycle Classic – Saturday April 13
• ABC's Desert Classic Century – Saturday, April 27
• Flagstaff Tour – June 21-23

Have fun and ride safely.

February 9 Saturday Cycling Report
Creative Return Routes on a Sunny Mummy Mountain Ride
Added February 13, 2019
written by Ken St.John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

I counted 28 signed in on Saturday. That's a pretty low number for Mummy Mountain on a sunny day. I hear some of our regulars were touring in Palm Springs over the weekend; I hope that went well. We were warned about construction on Apache Blvd which was manageable but did not anticipate the unpassable closure of 68th street at the canal by Indian School. That corner definitely needed work, I just wish we could have at least walked our way around. Instead we backtracked to 56th and used a variety of creative return routes.

Coming up...

Saturday, 02/16/19 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Length of Lindsay
The Length of Lindsay takes us to the east, with route options of 29 miles or 39 miles, no climbing. Breakfast at Panera Bread on the SE corner of Guadalupe and McClintock. Sunrise: 7:11
Standard Route
Long Route

Saturday, 02/23/19 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. 8th Street Ail
The extended-distance option includes an out-and-back that goes as far west as the road will take us, plus several steep hills including northbound 8th Street from Chandler Blvd to Desert Foothills Parkway. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co. Sunrise: 7:04

Saturday, 03/02/19 7:30 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Chandler-Pecos East
We're returning to the Hungry Monk for our Quarterly Membership Meeting, and a small change to this route will get us there. Breakfast is free for members; two free breakfasts are included in a family membership. The extra-long route sails east on Chandler Blvd all the way from Rural to Power, returning by way of Pecos. Distance options are 28, 34 and 42 miles; the shorter routes simply head over to Pecos a little earlier. Breakfast at The Hungry Monk on the north side of Chandler Blvd, just east of Dobson. Sunrise: 6:56

Tid Bits...

On Friday April 5th from 9-3 it will be time to gather together leaders, educators, planners, public health professionals, event promoters, and cyclists of all kinds to discuss current issues related to bicycling in Arizona at the annual Arizona Bicycling Summit. I've attended the past 3 years representing PMBC, but now I have a new grandson who takes up my Fridays. You're all invited. You can get details including the tentative agenda at: http://www.cazbike.org/summit2019/.

As I was running errands by bike on Monday, I noticed that Warner road in west Chandler has some bold green paint at various places in the existing bike lanes. Even though it doesn't change the cyclist's physical safety (they were already regulation-size marked bike lanes) there was something mysteriously comforting about it to me. I think it reinforces the assertion that bicycles really do belong, but in a nice, happy, colorful way.

Events...

• Mining Country Challenge – Sat March 16
  • Register here
• Bike MS Arizona – March 30-31
• Spring Classic Poker Ride – March 31st
• AZ Bicycling Summit – April 5
• Arizona Bicycle Classic – Saturday April 13
• ABC's Desert Classic Century – Saturday, April 27

Have fun and ride safely.

February 2 Saturday Cycling Report
Sporadic Rain Missed Cyclists on Marco Polo Route
Added February 6, 2019
written by Ken St.John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

We had 40 cyclists on the Marco Polo route. The sporadic weekend rain was kind enough to leave us alone all Saturday morning. It was a typically pleasant and uneventful ride, which is always a joy.

Coming up...

Saturday, 02/09/19 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Mummy Mountain
A 40-mile loop with lots of climbing, or 31 miles with a couple of moderate climbs, takes us north into Scottsdale and around Mummy Mountain. Breakfast at AZ Bread on Elliot at Kyrene after the ride. Sunrise: 7:18
Standard Route
Long Route
Less-Climbing Long Route

Saturday, 02/16/19 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Length of Lindsay
The Length of Lindsay takes us to the east, with route options of 29 miles or 39 miles, no climbing. Breakfast at Panera Bread on the SE corner of Guadalupe and McClintock. Sunrise: 7:11
Standard Route
Long Route

Saturday, 02/23/19 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. 8th Street Ail
The extended-distance option includes an out-and-back that goes as far west as the road will take us, plus several steep hills including northbound 8th Street from Chandler Blvd to Desert Foothills Parkway. Breakfast is at AZ Bread Co. Sunrise: 7:04

Tid Bits...

The Rob Dollar Foundation has partnered with https://uphillintothewind.org/ to create a Share The Road license plate for Arizona. Part of the process involves a $32,000 fee. They have raised over 15% so far and need our help to meet the goal. You can donate at: https://www.facebook.com/donate/1144640089052258/608015702969071.

For the 38th year in a row, ABC is hosting the Desert Classic Century in the NW corner of the valley on Saturday April 22. We have a reciprocal agreement that gets PMBC members the ABC member discount. Arizona Bicycle Club - ABC.

Events...

• Mining Country Challenge – Sat March 16
  • Register here
• Bike MS Arizona – March 30-31
• Spring Classic Poker Ride – March 31st
• Arizona Bicycle Classic – Saturday April 13
• ABC's Desert Classic Century – Saturday, April 27

Have fun and ride safely.

January 26 Saturday Cycling Report
Last Saturday of January Marked end of Leisurely 8:30 Start Times
Added February 3, 2019
written by Ken St.John

Hello Saturday Cyclists!

Unless I misplaced a sign-in sheet, there were thirty of us on the last Saturday of January, which marked the end of our leisurely 8:30 start times. We on the standard route enjoyed a reasonably leisurely pace as well, but still managed to reach breakfast just a little ahead of the fast pack from the long route.

My phone says there's a 50% chance of rain and not much warmth this Saturday. The ride will still be on, but please chose your cycling outfit wisely.

+++++++++ 8:00 START TIME FOR FEBRUARY ++++++++

Coming up...

Saturday, 02/02/19 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Marco Polo
The 26-mile standard route goes east on Guadalupe for 12 miles, then loops back on Elliot. The 41-mile long route keeps going east all the way to Ellsworth, then heads a little further south before rejoining the Elliot return path. Breakfast at Panera Bread, McClintock and Guadalupe. Sunrise: 7:24
Standard Route
Long Route

Saturday, 02/09/19 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Mummy Mountain
A 40-mile loop with lots of climbing, or 31 miles with a couple of moderate climbs, takes us north into Scottsdale and around Mummy Mountain. Breakfast at AZ Bread on Elliot at Kyrene after the ride. Sunrise: 7:18
Standard Route
Long Route
Less-Climbing Long Route

Saturday, 02/16/19 8:00 a.m., Kiwanis Park. Length of Lindsay
The Length of Lindsay takes us to the east, with route options of 29 miles or 39 miles, no climbing. Breakfast at Panera Bread on the SE corner of Guadalupe and McClintock. Sunrise: 7:11

Tid Bits...

In last years survey, 50% said they like the current system of switching between two cafes for our breakfast stops. Among those who had a preference, there was a 5:1 advantage for AZ Bread. Since then, those who prefer AZ Bread have continued to remind me; especially through the winter months when Panera stops serving breakfast before some of us get there. We rotate between 14 routes with an even 7:7 split of breakfast stops. I plan to change that ratio to 10:4 starting with one of our oldest routes: Mummy Mountain. It and two other maps bring us back from the north on College, essentially passing the start location on the way to Panera. There's no reason why those 3 couldn't just as easily use AZ Bread. We'll still use Panera for most of the routes that head east. The updated Mummy Mountain map should be posted to the web site soon.

Someone pointed out to me that the RWGPS version of the last weeks long route looked just like the short route. I discovered that I had paste the same link for both routes in the ride report. My mistake. Cartographer Spencer has been flawless so far in his effort to convert all our routes into this millennium.

Events...

• Smart Cycling Class – Thurs 2/7 and Sat 2/9
  • Please register at Eventbrite
• Mining Country Challenge – Sat March 16
  • Register here
• Bike MS Arizona – March 30-31
• Spring Classic Poker Ride – March 31st
• Arizona Bicycle Classic – Saturday April 13

Have fun and ride safely.

Members add your spoke to The Hub. Send your Reports, News, Memos, Ride Reviews, Member Profiles, Etc, to Terry Wright.