Bicyling Saturday and Sunday April 12 and 13

On Saturday let's meet at my house for breakfast around 8:30 - 9:00 - and then we will ride out to Babler State Park to do some hill work. Breakfast may consist of oatmeal and eggs. I you plan to come for breakfast let me know. If it is raining and snowing on Saturday morning come for breakfast anyway.

Sunday - Trailnet Prairie Pedal Hamel, IL - Meet at registration around 9:30 and be on the road by 10:00. We need to be back by 3:00 in time to see the last round of the Masters.

Health Workshops...

All,
Here's some information about a couple of different workshops. I know the woman doing the "Beating the Sugar Blues" ones, but I'm not sure who's doing the "Nutrition and Energy Strategies for Cycling" one. She's got some good ideas, but I haven't been to this specific workshop. I'm not able to go to the sugar blues one but would be interested to hear about it if you go. We've gotten our free initial eval. If you go and decide to get an eval, let her know I sent you.

Please be our guest at the next AvivaWholeHealth FREE workshop. "Beating the Sugar Blues" is an interactive workshop that will help you enjoy a sweet life while reducing sugar, or artificial sweeteners. We will explore the harmful effects of sugar on the body and together discover wonderful, natural sweeteners that can enhance flavor and help to create a joyful and healthful life. Great for anyone from the complete sugarholic, to the certified health-nut!
See you there!

Sincerely,
Aviva Solomon
AvivaWholeHealth is dedicated to improving people's lives through healthful nutrition and lifestyle choices.
Call 917-687-6781 for a complimentary consultation!
Please check out our website for more information at www.avivawholeheatlh.com

Beating the Sugar Blues
Where: Studio Rue 7905 Big Bend Blvd
Webster Groves, MO 63119
When: Thursday, April 10th 6:30 PM

Where: Sante (the new fitness and wellness center at the Chase Park Plaza located at Kingshighway and Lindel Blvd)
When: Monday, April 14th 6:00 pm


Here's one at REI. This sounds like a good one too. I'm going to try to go to this one.

Nutrition and Energy Strategies for Cycling
4/17/2008 6:30 PM
Riding can take a lot out of you, we'll give you some info on what to put back in. We'll cover the when and why of eating and hydrating before, while, and after training, competing, or just going out for a nice long ride.
Location: St. Louis REI
Contact: Bike Shop 314-918-1004
Cost: Free
Registration Required? Yes. Bike Shop 314-918-1004

Thanks.
Cheri

Sunday Riding at Babler State Park - A run for the hills

I suggest we ride out to Babler from my house on Sunday morning. Let's plan to be on our bikes at 9:00 AM.

If anyone wants to come a bit early I will have coffee and oatmeal for those who pre-order it. Please let me know if you are coming for breakfast and then we will ride at 9:00.

My address is 15243 Kempwood Dr. Chesterfield, MO 63017 - Baxter Rd and Country Ridge - google it.

Mark

REI clinic calendar

Hey Everyone,

Just an fyi. I didn't know if you all got these REI calendars each month. Take a look at some of the stuff they have. Some of it is pretty good. I went to one of the nutrition ones last month and it was really good. I don't know if the links for each clinic below will work. If not, you can just go to this link to see more about all of these events.

http://www.rei.com/stores/store_events.jsp?cm_cat=rm&cm_ite=01_30_rm&cm_ven=email&cm_pla=na&store=73

Thanks.

Cheri

4/8/2008 6:30 PM
Hands On Fix a Flat
Free
One of our genius bike techs will teach you how to fix a flat tire. Read more about this event.

4/9/2008 6:00 PM
Rock Climbing Basics
$
REI is offering an introductory climbing class taught by a certified REI climbing expert. Read more about this event.

4/12/2008 8:00 AM
Confluence Clean Up (with Trailnet)
Free
Lend Trailnet a hand by participating in this clean up event that will also include doing some planting to improve the landscape. 8am - noon Read more about this event.

4/13/2008 8:30 AM
Prairie Pedal Bicycle Ride
$
First Bicycle Fun Club ride of the season!! Registration & Start: 8:30 - 10:00 AM Stop by REI for your $3 off coupons! (while supplies last) Read more about this event.

4/14/2008 6:30 PM
Preparing for your first Century Ride (with Tour De Cure)
Free
If you have never done a century before, starting your training program can be a daunting task. Let us demystify the process for you and help get you started! Read more about this event.

4/16/2008 6:30 PM
Paddling the Boundary Waters
Free
This presentation will cover the basics of a trip to the Boundary Waters, including gear, planning, and permit requirements, and answer any questions to help you decide if this trip is right for you. Read more about this event.

4/17/2008 6:30 PM
Nutrition and Energy Strategies for Cycling
Free
Riding can take a lot out of you, we'll give you some info on what to put back in. Read more about this event.

4/21/2008 7:00 PM
Team in Training Info. Meeting
Free
Discover the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training, the world’s largest endurance sports training program. Read more about this event.

4/22/2008 6:30 PM
Hands On: Women's Open Shop
Free
It's ladies night in our shop! Come and learn some of the more advanced bike maintenance and repair skills. Read more about this event.

4/23/2008 6:00 PM
Triathlons 103: Setting Goals and Training Programs
Free
Training Bible Coaches will talk about setting realistic goals for your upcoming race season and future seasons. Read more about this event.

4/24/2008 6:00 PM
Mountain Biking Skills
Free
Learn riding skills from the experts and get repair advice specifically for off road cycling. Read more about this event.

4/26/2008 10:00 AM
Wings of Spring Confluence Birding Festival
Free
Celebrate the arrival of spring at the 3rd Annual Wings of Spring Birding Festival! Read more about this event.

Horsey Hundred Registration

Horsey Hundred

Who is going? Leave Friday afternoon and return Sunday night

2008 - Experience Kentucky’s Bluegrass on a BICYCLE!
The 31st running of the Horsey Hundred is taking place May 23-25 2008, in Georgetown, Kentucky. Grab your bike and join us won't you?
We challenge you to the full Horsey Hundred - our century route on Saturday that will take you over a wide range of terrain typical of the Bluegrass. On Sunday, you have the option of riding the streets of Paris… Kentucky! So saddle up bike riders and join us on the Horsey! Spring is a beautiful time to ride in the Bluegrass.
Saturday routes are all new, with distances of approximately 35, 55, a hilly 3/4 Century, a flatter 3/4 Century, and the Horsey Hundred. All lunches Saturday will be at historic and beautiful Keeneland Race Course. Sunday’s routes will take you in a different direction for 37, 52 and through Paris on the 70-mile loop. All routes loop back to the start each day. Recommended starting times, between 8 and 10 a.m. are listed on the route maps. The Horsey Hundred is not a race.
The Horsey is tandem friendly with its rolling hills and well maintained roads.
Registration price includes maps, rest stop snacks, lunches, road support and the ice cream social with a great prize giveaway. Limit is 2,000 riders. Riders under 18 years of age must be accompanied by parent or guardian who must sign the minor’s registration form. Payment MUST be sent in with the Registration Form(s) if registering by mail. Use credit cards at our fast, secure online registration site.
On-Line Registration Fees
Register online now
$45.00 per person. Online entries CLOSE MAY 9, 2008. Children under 5 are free!
Mailed Registration Fees (MUST BE POSTMARKED BEFORE MAY 1 PLEASE!!)

Saturday April 5th - First Team Ride

Folks,

Yes, once again I am leading DRS team rides. This one starts from the Orlando Gardens Trailhead of Grant's Trail at 10:30 am. We ride to Kaldis, eat, and then back to the start. Its a very easy 20 miles.

So to make it interesting I plan to ride out to the ride, and back afterwards. Zavisa has offered to lead the after group over to Reavis Barracks. I am looking for company to actually get some work for my legs. Let me know if you want to join me. You can also invite who you want for the easy ride too.

Roark

Saturday and Sunday March 29-30th Rides

Folks,

I don't know how many of you are still riding. Guess we will find out how trained everyone is when the Blue Ridge Roll's Around.

Saturday I will hit the hils. At this point I think I will join John for the ride described below that he sent me:

Leaving at 9 AM with a choice of two rides.
DEFIANCE to AUGUSTA which is a pleasant, scenic, and hilly 39 mile ride.Rolling Hills
2 - Great Downhills - 3 Good Climbs (2,200 vertical feet). Cuesheet attached. ORJust ride
on the Katy Trail if you don't want hills. Hopefully the recent floodsdidn't damage the
Trail.For either ride park in the Katy Trail Parking Lot along Highway 94 in Defiance.

I can send the cue sheet if anyone wants it. Its better to just all ride together.

Sunday I am planning to join with the Meetup St. Louis for their Pizza ride. The link to the ride description is http://bike.meetup.com/289/calendar/7606590/ The meet info is below:
If it looks like bad weather wise I am bailing for spinning at the J

When
Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 9:00 AM
Where
Fortells - West
15483 Clayton Rd Ballwin ,
MO 63011636-386-7199

Well thats my plans, unless I get a better offer.

Roark

3S3M update

All,

We have a family conflict the same weekend as 3s3m, so our family will not be going this year. I still have 6 rooms held for folks to reserve if they want. They have to be reserved by 4/10/08 or else they will be released. If interested, let me know and I'll give you the details.

I'm still looking forward to eventually conquering Lookout Mountain, but it just won't be this year.

Cheri

Ride Sunday March 23

All,
Last Sunday, I seemed to have pulled my back a bit. The chiro says nothing too too strenuous for a couple of weeks and I should be as good as before (no comments). So....I'd like to ride this Sunday, but nothing too strenuous. If strenuous, will have to just slack in the back....but I'm used to that.
Also, depending on weather forecast, can either spin beforehand or not.
Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks.
Cheri

Weekend Rides March 15th & 16th

Folks,

Here is the weekends weather forecast:

Saturday: A steady rain in the morning. Showers continuing in the afternoon. High around 45F. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%.

Sunday: Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 40s and lows in the low 40s.

Saturday doesn't look all that good, and I have to been in Synogogue anyways for a Bat Mitvah. I do plan to spin schedule permitting at the J at 8:30 am.

That leaves Sunday for getting some hill training outside. I can think of two options enhancing Mike's and My Kirkwood loop. The other option starting out from Kaldis in the valley and
hitting some of the hills out there. Either way starting after 10 am works good for me. If your interested let me know which is your preference.

Roark

Wednesday Night Bike Ride

Folks,

We have been bad, and haven't ridden much on Wednesday night since the first week in January. So with this weather report for Wednesday night:

Wednesday: Sunny skies. High near 65F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph

So lets start out Daylight Savings Time with style, and get back in the habbit this Wednesday night. We leave from my house at 6:15 pm, and lets go back to road bikes.

Roark

Remodeled Head's Store

Just for a matter of information for those of you who get out to the Head's Store now and then. John J and I were out there today (loved those crazy hills and headwinds, and 65 fun miles), and found since last fall a bit of remodeling has been going on. There is new area in the back of the store with tables to sit down and enjoy food purchased from the counter. We were told eventually there will be table service. The bathroom has been moved inside and is not a delight to use (read clean and modern). I suppose on the nostalgic down side is other then the exterior look, its not the same place as years ago .

Roark

Weekend Rides 3/1 & 3/2

Folks,

Looks like the gods are with us for riding this weekend. I still plan to spin Saturday & Sunday Morning. So I am available to ride earliest 10:30 am. We can hook onto one of the Meetup St. Louis Biking Group Rides.

Another option is start from my house around 10:30 am, and do Mike's and My Kaldis - Marshal Hill - Grants Trail Ride. That would be 40 - 50 miles with some hills.

I am open for suggestions

Roark

Blue Ridge Cue Sheets Now Available

Folks,

I just finished posting onto the blogger links to the Blue Ridge Cue Sheets. You will find the links to the daily cue sheets in the upper right hand corner of the blogger. Each sheet contains the sights and highlights referenced against the mile markers on the Blue Ridge. You will find additional links on the cue sheets taking you to more information on the different sights along the way. If you want to be familiar with what to be looking for along the way, here is a good place to start.

At the bottom of the cue sheets is the elevation profile for the day. I am sure I will tweak the cue sheets a bit before the ride, but expect these to pretty well cover the information provided each day.

For ease of use the links are also below. Note: Day 5 is a non-riding day.

Roark

http://www.geocities.com/rdweil@sbcglobal.net/BlueRidge/BlueRidgeDay1.html
http://www.geocities.com/rdweil@sbcglobal.net/BlueRidge/BlueRidgeDay2.htm
http://www.geocities.com/rdweil@sbcglobal.net/BlueRidge/BlueRidgeDay3.htm
http://www.geocities.com/rdweil@sbcglobal.net/BlueRidge/BlueRidgeDay4.htm
http://www.geocities.com/rdweil@sbcglobal.net/BlueRidge/BlueRidgeDay6.htm
http://www.geocities.com/rdweil@sbcglobal.net/BlueRidge/BlueRidgeDay7.htm

Weekend Riding 2/16 and 2/17

This Weekends Weather Forecast:

Tomorrow: A mix of clouds and sun early, then becoming cloudy later in the day. High 44F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.

Tomorrow night: Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers late. Low 37F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall may reach one inch.

Sunday: Rain showers early mixing with snow showers later in the day. High near 45F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of precip 60%

Looks like Saturday will be our most ridable day. I plan to spin first at the J from 8:30 to 9:30.

1. So the options are a ride from my house starting lets say about 10:30 maybe with a slow grind up Marshal thrown in.
2. We join the Meet up St. Louis Group Starting at 10:00 am from the Starbucks on Manchester. A link this new group is now on our blogger page. This link will take you to the ride info once you have joined the group, http://bike.meetup.com/289/calendar/7300731/

Let me know your thoughts tonight.

Roark

Ride Sunday Feb 10?

I don't think we are going to get a ride in on the 10th - it looks pretty cold. Roark and I talked about riding over to Kayak's from our houses. It's about 6 miles one way for each of us, so we figure how bad can it be, and then we'd be inside drinking coffee.

I'm still game, but I'm thinking maybe in the afternoon - like 3:00 or something, but I'm game for about anything. I'm also game for nothing.

Anyone, feel free to call me and see what I might be doing. 314-239-6229. I have homework and chores to do, so I'll be doing that, and then maybe at any given time I may go for a crazy short ride like the one above. So call me and we'll see what's what.

Mike

Blue Ridge Update

Blue Ridge Participants:

First with the van rental here is the new budget per person for the Blue Ridge before we add any additional riders.

A couple of upfront notes:

We will still be taking the Lopatin's car with trailer on the daily route. The non-riding Lopatin and kids will have the rental van during the day. So if we all need to sag it will be done in shifts. The only drivers for the rental van will be the Lopatins and myself because it's $50 per extra driver who is not a spouse of the primary renter. I will let Brian or Cheri be the primary renter, and I will be the add on.

In the past with a much smaller group, and with less variety of expenses we just all payed a portion along the way and evened up at the end. I am not sure that will work for a number of reasons with this large a group, and with new participants I don't know well personally.

I am mulling over ways that we can work out the expenses and distribution, so that no one has to put out $3000 by the end of the trip and worry about reimbursements.

My initial thought is that a few designated (could be one) individuals cover different expenses. Every partipant would pay up-front their estimated expenses, with a small adjustment made at the end for actuals.

Here is another option. I am making room assignments, and they are mostly fixed for the entire trip. Without room assigments it would be caos each night we check into a new hotel. It could be up to the individual sharing a room to figure out how to even up each night. The van & trailer rental could be payed up front, with gas evened up at the end. In order for this to work, one individual in each room must be an AARP or AAA member, those are the rates I have gotten.

Let me know if you have another option that would work, or your comments on these options.

Once we have some consensus I will let everyone know how we are going to do this. Remember I am not a professional tour operator, and am sharing my portion of expenses like everyone else.

On that note: Please send me $100 to cover the deposits being made for rooms ect at your earliest convenience.

Weekend Weather & Ride Plans Feb 9-10

Ok you non-tri folks here iss the weather forecast for this upcoming weekend.

Saturday: Windy with a mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 40s and lows in the mid teens.

Sunday: Sunny. Highs in the low 30s and lows in the low 20s.

If there is anyone up to the 40s I was thinking of riding on Saturday. Sunday might be too cold. I will be spinning if I can get a spinning bike at the J due to the indoor triathelon on Saturday at 8:15 am and Sunday at 8:30 am as my backup regardless if I ride outside.

Saturday I could be convinced to go for a ride outside starting between 10 am and 11 am.

Sunday will take more convincing, and definately a coffee city ride if its in the 30s.

Let me know your thoughts as always.

BTW: Keep Training the Blue Ride is Coming!

Van Rental Option

Blue Ridge Tour Folks;

I found information about renting a twelve passenger van with unlimited miles and states for our Blue Ridge Trip. The cost would be about $1020 for the week. Dividing this by nine riders ( Lopatins are bringing their car so are not included in van cost) it would be an additional $113 per cyclist.

The good points to this option:

1. No one needs to supply a van.
2. We open up the option to adding up to 4 additional cyclists (which brings the van and possibly hotel costs down a bit)

I need your feedback soon if you know of a different option then renting a van, or know of additional friends who would be willing to commit to join us to bring down the van cost a bit.

Roark

Blue Ridge Trip Expense Update

Folks,

Directly above you will see the estimated expenses for our Blue Ridge Trip this summer. You will notice in the last column the allocated expenses and that everyone expenses are not identical. This of course reflects the number of individual assigned to specific hotel rooms.

All gas expenses for both cars are allocated to the cyclists. Trailer rental is also allocated on a per cyclist basis. I hope I have made everything as fair as possible. Bottom line is we are at about $400 per cyclist for non-food expenses. This again is an estimate from the information I have to date.

On another note, one lodge on the Blue Ridge has required an up front deposit for the five hotel rooms. I will have to pay this on my next charge bill so I would appreciate a $100 per rider to help begin covering deposits that need to be made. At this early state all deposits are refundable.

Thanks,
Roark

Ride Sunday Feb 3 - maybe?

Hello all,

I am still hoping to ride Sunday. But it does look a little iffy. I'm not too worried about the temp, or the slushy roads, just not too sure about the wet, or even the chance of rain in the afternoon. I'm thinking it will be a bit messy, but not too dangerous if we try what I've outlined below. I am dying to ride, so I'm going to get out. I don't think the route Roark and I rode last week will work though. Probably a bit too busy / messy / wet.

Anyone want to try this:

I'm thinking if we do want to get a ride in we might want to center it around Forest Park. I'm sure the streets in the park are pretty clear, and there is usually not too much traffic in the park, so it should be a bit safer. We can use the roads or the trails for some of the ride if the trails are clear. I don't know for sure, but I'm betting they sweep the trails in the Park, or maybe today's sun cleaned them up. Anyway, I'm thinking maybe we could try and meet at Kayak's coffee (on the Northwest corner of the park) and then wing it riding around the park. We could then see if we want to venture East into the city and see what comes of it. I'm thinking we can get some riding in. The streets in my neighborhood are "clear" in the main lane (the whole lane, not just the tire swips), just slushy on the very edge, and of course wet and puddly. I'm going to go ahead and give it a shot. With a little luck we can get in 10-15 miles in the park, and maybe another 10-15 around the city, maybe on the Riverfront trail, or south down Broadway, whatever. Worst case we run around the park for awhile. The park does have at least a few hills if we work them in a few times it would still be a good workout.

Meet at Kayak's at 10:30 - rolling at 10:45. If you want to nurse coffee or have breakfast, you need to arrive earlier. I figure a little later start may be good for the temp, and maybe a bit more melting of snow.

I'm planning on riding to Kayak's from my house. And probably even go back with the group, and then work my way back to my house for hopefully a decent amount of riding.

If things look like total crap at 9:00 when I'm more or less getting out the door, I'll post an update to the blog. No update - then I'm out there riding to Kayak's.

Mike
314-239-6229

Road ID Group Order

Folks,

I have contacted Road ID about putting in a group order. Road ID are Id bands that one wears while cycling in case of a mishap. One cant be sure that each time they hit a dog, they wont go down! I beleive this is a good idea to have when we get to Blue Ridge, and of course when we ride here.

Take a look at the different styles at https://www.roadid.com .

Don't order because we will be doing that with a group and at a discount. Just take a look and let me know if your interested.

Roark

Ride Sunday Jan 27, and Sunday Feb 3

Hello all,

You all missed a pretty good ride today. Roark and I were the only takers, but it turned out to be quite a good day, and I thought a great ride. We wound up with about 50 miles each, and a great mix of some wind, some hills, some flat, some cool, and mostly "just right". My compliments to Roark on the route which included Marshall hill, Adams, Lindeman, and Warson, and a few smaller obsticals as well. Saw my heart rate hit 196 as I hammered Marshall, which made me feel like I was 39 again. Kind of nice! I'm sure as the season goes on Roark will add in many more hills, but it was a good challenge for this early in the season.

Sunday Jan 27 ride:

Meet at Mike's house between 9:00 and 9:15. We need to be rolling by 9:30. We will head over to the Arch and meet another group (we need to be there by 10:00) who is heading over to the bike swap over in Collinsville, IL. I'm guessing about a 40 mile round trip. I need to be back to my house by 2:00, so Iwon't be out all day either way. I probably won't do too much at the bike swap, maybe poke my head in or go to the restroom, but I don't have need or time to stay too long.

Sunday Feb 3: I propose we do the exact ride Roark and I did today. I'll probably ride from my house. The route will eventually work it's way near my house later in the day. I'd propose meeting at Roark's at 10:00 and maybe rolling by 10:15 so we can all get home in time for the Super Bowl.

Saturday Feb 2 I am a no-go, so the Sunday route is my only chance.

Talk to you all soon,

Mike

Tri Planning

The best way to complete a triathlon is to commit to doing one now. The St. Peters Rec Plex triathlon (500 meter swim, 21 mile bike, and 5 mi run) is June 15, 2008. This will be a great warm up for the August 2, 2008 Innsbrook Resort Who Tri's Harder Quartermax (.6 mile swim, 28 mile bike, and 6.5 mile run) triathlon. Remember how much accomplishment you felt when you finished your first century bike ride? You will feel that way again when you finish your first triathlon!

Brian

Rides Saturday Jan 26 & Sunday Jan 27

Here is this weekends weather forecast as of 8 pm Thursday night:

Saturday: Mainly sunny. High 49F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph.
Sunday: More sun than clouds. Highs in the low 50s and lows in the mid 30s.

Enough said anyone up to a ride?

Roark

RAINSTORM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just for Mike, RAIN gets better. I just couldn't pass this up. A week of century+ rides ending with RAIN!


Monday Century: Richmond to Brown County State Park. (130 miles) Overnight and dinner buffet at Abe Martin Lodge.

Tuesday Century: Brown County State Park to Clifty Falls State Park (100 miles). Breakfast buffet at Abe Martin Lodge. Dinner buffet and overnight at Clifty Inn.

Wednesday Century: Clifty Falls State Park to Spring Mill State Park. (100 miles) Breakfast buffet at Clifty Inn; overnight and dinner buffet at Spring Mill Inn.

Thursday Century: Spring Mill State Park to Bloomington. (100 miles) Breakfast buffet at Spring Mill Inn; overnight at Courtyard Marriott in Bloomington, with dinner on your own.

Friday Century: Bloomington to Terre Haute. (100 miles) Breakfast buffet at Courtyard Marriott; overnight at Drury Inn in Terre Haute, with dinner on your own.

Saturday (160 miles): RAIN™ Ride: Terre Haute to Richmond. Breakfast at Drury Inn.

Want more info?

Science Fair Project

Potential Subjects (everyone reading this!),

Amanda (age 10) is conducting a research project for the Science Fair this year and she is currently enrolling participants. She will determine which food (chocolate bar, banana, or peas) is superior for fueling a 20 minute stationary cycling effort.

There are three stationary bikes at the J. All subjects will do the same program at the same level for the same amount of time (20 minutes) and wear a heart rate monitor. Subjects will need to participate on three different days. Subjects will consume 100 calories of the provided test food (chocolate bar, banana, peas) 15 minutes before the effort. Heart rate needs to be recorded before beginning and after 20 minutes the max and average heart rate will be recorded. The data will be analyzed and conclusions will result.

Free passes for the J will be obtained for non members! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and space is limited so be sure to register right away! Just post your willingness to participate to the blog (or send email to cheri/brian if you like).

Thanks,
Brian

JakeTheSnake

Hi!
I've joined the group! Hope you had a good ride yesturday. I hope to ride with you more in the future.

David Tevebaugh

It's All About Da Coffee!!!!!!!!!!!

A Photographic Ode to Coffee (lifted from the Sauce Magazines daily newsletter)


When you order a double – no, make that a triple – shot of espresso from your barista of choice, or when you reach bleary-eyed for a cup of coffee in the comfort of your own home, you're probably thinking more about that day's to-do list than where your morning joe came from.

But, as it turns out, the story behind coffee is pretty darn captivating, and the cast of characters who come into contact with the beloved bean along the way are ever-so interesting, too.

You can find out more at the Missouri Botanical Garden, where photographs and accompanying text from The Birth of Coffee project are on display. You won't want to miss this brewful adventure, which allows you to delve into black-and-white evidence of a five-continent, eight-country journey taken by a husband-and-wife team as they investigated what exactly what happens between planting the caffeinated crop and pouring cream into a freshly brewed mug.

What: The Birth of Coffee
When: Daily thru March 15 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis
Cost: Included with regular garden admission: $8 for adults and free for children 12 and under; St. Louis City and County residents: $4 for adults
Info: 314.577.9400, http://www.mobot.org/ or
www.birthofcoffee.com

Saturday Jan 12th and Sunday Jan 13th Rides

Folks,

First, let me say a lot of you missed our first Wednesday night ride for 2008. The weather was good, and the Old Spaghetti Factory on Lacledes Landing wasn't bad either. More importantly John got to rub it in the faces of the Youth Hosteling Group that we rode and they drove.

Now lets turn to thoughts of this coming weekend.

Sunday (with Cheri's request in mind from Wednesday night ride) I plan to do some hills, starting from my house at say 10:00 am. This loop will get in the big climb on South Warson, Marshall, Adams, and my new favorite bonus climb Lindeman. We rest at Kirkwood Kaldis before looping to Grants Farm and Laurmier.

Saturday I will be up for some type of Coffee Laced City ride. A ride over to Crooked Tree in St. Charles would work as well.

Let me know your thoughts.

Roark

Weekend Rides Jan 5th and 6th

Folks,

It looks like the weather is going to be beautifull this weekend with temps in the 50s and 60s for Saturday & Sunday. The only downside is its going to be windy with winds at 15 - 25 mph.

Sunday I plan to do the ride Mark has been pushing thats starts from the Taco Bell Shelther at Creve Coeur Lake at 10:00 am. Depending on what I hear, I will either start from my house, the Lopatin's or Creve Coeur Lake.

Saturday is still open. I would like to start from my house. An 11:00 am start time would work giving me time to attend a bit of synogogue in the early part of the morning. I would be willing to move the start up to 10:00 am. I was thinking of doing one of the routes that passes through Kirkwood.

Hope to hear your thoughts.

Roark

Ride January 1, 2008

All,

I am feeling motivated after a successful ride to Crooked Tree today. Anyone want to ride tomorrow?? Blog your ride ideas!

Brian

Monday Dec 31st Ride at 10:00 am

Folks,

Just talked to Ron, we have agreed on a ride tommorow (Monday) starting at 10:00 am from my house. We will be riding to the Crooked Tree in St. Charles and back. It's about 40 miles round trip.

Hope to see you there.

Roark

Hardest ride of the month / Next ride?

Well, Roark and I both agreed that today's 25-mile ride was the hardest ride of the month for both of us. We tried to keep it easy, but temptation got the better of us, and even though we sought out all the flattest parts of the city I know for a fact we logged well over 10,000 verticle inches of climbing, which wiped us both out. Just to show off Roark did in on a rear tire only half inflated. What a stud.

The good news is we are both re-charged, and looking forward to getting our acts (asses) in gear again. The whole group (except for maybe Dr. Dan) seems to be in a funk of time off, and too busy, etc. So I'm vowing here and now to start the new year off right. Who's with me? (picture John Belushi in Animal House - as he motivates the frat to retaliate against the Dean).

Mondy I have to at least act like I'm working and probably can not get out in the morning, plus the morning weather looks a little doubtful. I could probably pull of a short ride in the afternoon - maybe around 2:00 or 2:30 and maybe something like Forest Park, or the Riverfront trail, or maybe to Roark's house and back.

Jan 1 looks pretty tough for riding. But as Mark says you only have to ride 3 miles for it to count as a ride. I'll probably do nothing, but just for kicks I might try the "tour de Russell" as a bit of a joke / at least get the year started with a ride. That's riding from my house to Broadway, and maybe to Busch stadium or the Arch and back, or maybe just to Broadway and back, depending on just how bad the temps are. I actually think I'll do it! If I hit 10 miles I'd be pretty happy. If anyone is game let me know.

Roark and I also talked about organizing a ride to Eagle Days, which I think is coming up in January. Don't know the exact time - I'm sure it's on the Trailnet web site, so stay tuned.

January 5th looks like a good maybe day for a ride. Might be a tad wet, but the early forecast says over 50 for the high.

Let me know what ya'll might be doing for rides, and I'll see if I can really get my butt in gear. I just need a little motivation and push - so ya'll help me out. I'll get by with a little help from my friends.

Mike

Dumb Indoor Trainer Question

As stated in the heading, I have a dumb indoor trainer question maybe Mike can answer. I presume most trainers are somewhat similar in design with a cradle in which the rear wheel is held in contact with a resistance roller that is adjusted to contact the tire. My question is how much is the right amount of tension against the tire? I adjusted mine just enough that it contacts the tire and doesn't slip when pedaling. Is this correct or should it be tighter?

Like I said, probably a dumb question but an inquiring mind wants to know.

Dec 8 and Dec 9 - rides? brunch?

I told a few folks I'd post a blog about this weekend's riding. So obviously I'm running a bit late, but only because I've been watching the weather, and it just doesn't look too good.

Today, Saturday, looks fairly dry so far, but I think it is a hair cold for me. The wind chill is still suposed to be sub-30 till noon, and then at 30 for most of the day, and a 30% chance of rain most of the day. I can sometimes ride down to 30, but prefer to do so with the sun out, and that is no going to happen today. So I'm out today.

Sunday looks a bit warmer, but also a bit wetter. I'm willing to play it by ear, and maybe see if something shapes up for maybe a 10am ride, or an afternoon ride, but I really don't want to get wet in cool weather. If anyone wants to call me, feel free 314-239-6229.

If anyone happens to be planning Sunday breakfast or brunch, let me know. I'd be up for that with or without bikes.

It looks like I'll be racing the trainer most of the weekend!

Mike

3S3M Hotel Block of Rooms

All,
I went ahead and got a block of 6 rooms at the Hampton Inn for $79/night, but you each need to call to make your own reservations. They are all non-smoking rooms with 2 queen beds. Just tell them that it is under the convention block named lopatin. If there are any problems, ask to speak with Bob. After April 10, they will release the rooms if reservations have not been made. This hotel is about 0.59 miles from the starting line.

Hampton Inn Chattanooga-Downtown/Lookout Mountain
2420 Williams St
Chattanooga, TN 37408
Phone: 1-423-265-0077

Thanks.
Cheri

Weekend Riding & MS 150 News Flash

Folks,

First lets talk about riding this weekend. Here is the weather forecast.


Dec 1 Saturday
Light rain and freezing rain in the morning. Rain showers possible late. Windy at times. High around 50F. Winds SE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of precip 60%.
Dec 1 Saturday night
Showers in the evening then continued cloudy and windy overnight. Thunder possible. Low 47F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Dec 2 Sunday
More clouds than sun, windy. Highs in the mid 50s and lows in the upper 20s.


So Saturday is iffy, but Sunday looks good. If anyone is interested Sunday we could do breakfast in the valley at the newly opened Original House of Pankcakes (this is not IHOP). Say breakfast at 8:30 am, the ride starting at 10 am. Think amazing apple pancakes!

If the weather turns nice Saturday and your interested in a short easy ride, give me a call in the morning. Otherwise I will just be attending Yoga at 2pm.

Now for that MS 150 News Flash. As far as I know, no team has every won the Best Jersey more then once, untill now. The DRS team will be receiving the Best Jersey award this coming Tuesday!

Weekend Rides

Folks,

I hope you all had a lovely day of shoving turkey down your pie holes. Oh yea, pie also.

It turns out I did not go to the Dells for the weekend. Samantha is a bit under the weather.

Hence I was wondering if anyone is up for a City Ride Saturday, and maybe Sunday. I am thinking something moving from one warm coffee spot to the next. Start time around 10 am.

Roark

City ride Friday after Thanksgiving, maybe Thursday too

Hello all,

Mark and I (and maybe others) are planning a ride for the Friday after Thanksgiving. Probably a city ride, maybe starting from Roark's house if he is riding, or maybe someplace else if he is not. It will probably be a bit nippy, so maybe a 10:00 start? I'm thinking 30-40 miles give or take.

I might be up for a short ride Thanksgiving day. I'll be kind of on a tight window, so I might only be able to do a partial ride if a group heads towards the city. Lynda and I are in the Thanksgiving Day parade that morning, and the parade does not end until around 11:00 am. And then after that I need to be home by 1:15 at the latest. So only a 2 hour window for me. Lynda and I are helping the March of Dimes with their "Big Baby" balloon. It should be a lot of fun.

I'll be out of town the Saturday and Sunday, so no riding for me those days. I've been out of town a lot the past couple of months, which is why I have not been around. But I'm getting back into the swing of things ASAP so my legs don't fall off.

Talk to you all soon,

Mike

City Ride Saturday 10/10 & Long Ride Sunday 10/11

Folks,

My plans for the weekend, with hope of someone to join me.

Samantha will be home alone Saturday so I want to ride a shorter City Loop so I am not gone all day. There will be coffee stops, and 10 am from my house sounds like a good start time.

Sunday I would like to do something a little more difficult to keep a bit of hill climbing legs through the fall and winter. This could be one of my winding city hill routes (ask Ron & Mark if you dont think I know some hills in the city). Another option is to repeat the Babbler Loop of last weekend.

Respond early and sway me to your opinion.

Roark

Ride Sunday Nov 4th

Anyone up for a Sunday ride? Since I have bee a slug all week on bussiness I was thinking of doing something out Wildhourse Creek way. Since its cool in the morning we could meet for coffee at Kaldis in Chesterfield Valley at Say 9:00 am. We could be riding by 10:00 am.

I am open to other thoughts (bicycle thoughts that is_

Roark

Day 7 - The Finish of the Blue Ridge

( The Final Days Elevation Profile! - Click on it to zoom )

Blue Ridge Folks,

This is it, the final day of the Blue Ridge. We will have ridden all 470 miles when we reach Cherokee 86 miles of riding from Ashville. We will be staying at the Comfort Suites.

You better have paced yourself because this day will be the hardest of them all! You will need lights mounted to your bike as well! Today will be a day full of 17 tunnels! There will be plenty of climbing as well. In the first fifty miles we will climb from 2000 ft up to 6047 ft, the highest point actually on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Here are some of the sights that you will have seen on this day, and others as you conquered the Blue Ridge.

Click to Download PDF of Blue Ridge Map!

Weekend Riding 10/27-10//28

Folks,

I plan to ride this weekend. I can ride long Saturday. Sunday I have to be back at a reasonable time since I am flying out to Atlanta Sunday night for the week.

My thoughts is our group is burned out from too many hard rides, so lets get out there, do some non-hammer miles, with some coffee stops! Saturday would be a good day to ride from My house out to St. Charles and the Crooked Tree! Sunday can be a city ride!

Let me know your thoughts, and if you can ride!

Roark

Latest on Rooms

Blue Ridge Folks,

With the latest adjustments in couples for the Blue Ridge Tour; here is how I see the room and car situation.

Right Now I am looking at the following blocking of rooms for the Blue Ridge Tour.

You will all recall, I am willing to share a bed and spoon, but I dont sleep on the floor or a sleeper couch.

If we pick another rider we will go back to three bachelors per room most nights. I have at least five rooms reserved each night at this point.

If the group wants only two per room, that can be arranged at additional cost, I am basically cheap but willing to go with the flow. If you want cheap, and still have problems spooning, you are welcome to bring a sleeping bag.

1 Room - Brian & Cheri & The Girls
1 Room - Roark, Mike, Dan S, Mark
1 Room - Dan B, Ken, Rick, Ron

(some nights we will divide into 2 per room, some nights the rooms can sleep up to six)

We can move around who is where in the bachelor group.

Automobile Groupings

SUV with Trailer For Bikes (used to SAG) - Brian, Cheri, The Girls, Roark, Mark

Seven Passnger Van (given to Girls with Parent during days) - Mike, Dan S, Dan B, Ken, Rick, Ron

I beleive unless we pick up an additional car, we have room for only one more.

Day 6 Back On The Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge Folks,



Yes its time for another days post on this summer's Blue Ridge Tour. We leave Pineola after a day off and head to Ashville where we will be staying in a fancy Motel 6. The good news is double queen beds in each room. You will want these beds because between Pineola and Ashville is the climb up the Blue Ridge to the turn off for Mt Mitchell. You can take the option of detouring for a few extra miles to ride to the top of tallest peak in the east of the Mississippi. Back on the Blue Ridge you next pass through Craggy Gardens before the reward almost 20 miles of pure down hill all the way to Ashville.



The elevation profile for this 73 miles day is shown below (don't forget to click to zoom).

Blue Ridge Day 4 & 5

Blue Ridge Folks,



So here we are up to Day 4, when we will ride 66 miles from Laural Springs to Pineola. We will be staying for two nights at the Pineola Motel & Inn. That's right this is where we will have our day off. To get to this location we will have to ride near the picturesque town of Blowing Rock, and the Lincove Viaduct at Grandfather Mountain. There will be many choices on our day off, such as Linville Falls, and if your really gutsy ( this is for Mike ) you can try to climb Beech Mountain where Lance trained for his comeback. The word Lance is still painted accross the top if you make it!

You can browse Day 4 elevation profiles below (click on it to zoom!)

Blue Ridge Day 3

Blue Ridge Folks,

The third day will take us 83 miles from Tuggles Gap to Laural Springs. We will be overnighting at the Station's Inn. Here we will both sleep and dine, and share some stories with the Motor Cycle crowd the Inn caters too.

The elevation profile is shown below, and of course you can zoom by clicking on the image.

Day 2 Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge Folks,

Just in case you didn't get a bit motivated to keep those hill climbing legs intact from our first day on the Blue Ridge here is the scoop on Day 2. We leave the Peaks of Otter Lodge and do some up and down climbing for an 80 miles day. We will be dinning and staying at the Tuggles Gap Restaurant and Motel. Its a small hotel, we are currently booking 8 of the 9 rooms. At this hotel its two per room, except for those with youngins.

I wont go into how much climbing, not as much as day one, but we will go way down to 1000 ft and back up to 3000 ft. You can see the our climbing grades below and click on it to zoom in!

Day 1 on The Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge Folks,

I am fast at work getting things planned for the Blue Ridge. We will have a mix of both rustic and spartan modern hotels along the route. The night before we get started (Saturday) we will be staying in Staunton Virginia at Howard Johnson's. We depart Rockfish Gap Virginia on the Blue Ridge and End at the Peaks of Otter, and will be staying in the Peaks of Otter Lodge. Our first day will be 86 miles and there will be some long 6% climbs (10 miles). The elevation profile is shown below.

Ride Saturday, 10/20/07

Is anyone interested in a city ride Sat 10/20? I'd like to meet Brian and the girls at the City Museum....around 12p or 12:30p. If we do a city ride, I would just end at the City Museum at 12p or 12:30p and anyone else could continue to ride/ride back/etc.

Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks.
Cheri

Rooms Groups For Blue Ridge

Folks,

Right Now I am looking at the following blocking of rooms for the Blue Ridge Tour.

1 Room - Brian & Cheri & The Girls

1 Room - Roark, Mike, Dan S, Mark

1 Room - Dan B, Ken, Rick, John (if he joins us)

1 Room - Ron & Suzzette

We can move around who is where in the bachelor group.

Automobile Groupings

SUV with Trailer For Bikes (used to SAG) - Brian, Cheri, The Girls, Roark, John J

Seven Passnger Van (given to Girls with Parent during days) - Mike, Dan S, Dan B, Ken, Rick, Mark

Five Passenger Car - Ron, Suzzette (Suzzette has car for touring while group is riding)

All bicycle riders will take their turn driving the SAG Vehicle.


We need three vehicles. My hope is group members can supply the vehicles, so no renting is needed. I still need to work out a fair way of splitting the costs of the vehicles.

As you can see the logistics as our group is growing has grown as well. To make planning easier on myself, since adding rooms later may be difficult, its time to commit now.

This will not be an easy ride, I will let Mark comment on what he has read in the Book I lent him "Riding the Blue Ridge". You need to be able to climb for miles and hours at a time, unless you plan to spend most of your day driving our SAG.

Blue Ridge Date & Budget

If there are no major objections the dates for the Blue Ridge Bike Ride will be

Saturday July 12 to Sunday July 20th

Note: We will leave after work on July 11th to get some of the driving out of the way.

Current Participants:
Mark ( Nancy )
Mike
Brian & Cheri ( Melina & Amanda)
Roark
Dan
Ken (Dan's Friend)
Rick
Ron ( Suzzette ? )

My assumption is that for those not bringing companions or kids we will be sharing rooms. I am budgeting $100 per night per room. If you are interested in going stag, then the choice is either two or four per room. If we choose four per room (spooning involved) its $25 per night.

Using Last Years Budget as a Basis (divide by number of participants)
Trailer Rental $350
Misc Expenses $200
Gasoline $400 (1 SUV Type Vehicle)

Of course actual amounts will depend on how many actually commit to going.

Assuming eight riders going stag.... the cost will be $500 not including meals.

Important!
In order to be able to get rooms at some of the lodges along the parkway, reservations need to be made ASAP. There is no guarantee that once we have our rooms, we will be able to add more later. So if your planning on joining the group this summer, you need to commit soon.

Roark

Blue Ridge Mountains Bike Tour

The dates Cheri listed look fine for me. Either week will work.

Mark

Blue Ridge This Summer News

It looks like the interest is in riding the Blue Ridge Parkway from End to End.

I have done some preliminary work showing its 12 hours of driving to get to the Rockfish Gap Virginia. Its about 8 hours of driving to get back from Gatlinberg.

So here is the tentative schedule to happen some week in July.

We will cover 470 miles. You must have lights in the tunnels.

Day 0: Friday - After work we leave say 5 pm and ride four hours out.
Day 1: Saturday - We complete the drive to Rockfish Gap
Day 2: Sunday - 86 miles from Rockfish Gap to Peaks of Otter Lodge( on parkway)
Day 3: Monday - 80 miles from Peaks of Otter Lodge to Tuggle Gap ( lodging tba )
Day 4: Tuesday - 77 miles from Tuggle Gap to Laural Springs ( Bluff's Lodge )
Day 5: Wednesday a Day Off Drive into Boone or Blowing Rock etc.
Day 6: Thursday - 65 miles from Laural Sprints to Linville ( lodging tba )
Day 7: Friday - 77 miles Linville to Ashville ( lodging tba ) Can climb Mt Mitchell as addition
Day 8: Saturday - 86 miles Ashville to Cherokee (finish)
Day 9: Sunday Drive Home

Sunday's Sept 30th Tour De Wildwood

It's time to plan for the weekend. I plan to ride the Tour De Wildwood on Sunday. It's a good chance to get some hills in before the Hilly Hundred. Let coordinate plans, I am up for the 48 mile route. There is of course the option to ride to, and from the start. Lets hope to stay dry this year!

Sandy Creek Century

Everyone,

Saturday October 6 is the Sandy Creek Century. I have decided against the St. Peters fall Triathlon (on Sunday October 7) and will try the Sandy Creek Century for the first time instead. Cheri is planning to do the TrailNet Ride The Rivers Century Sunday October 7.

I am looking to see who else is considering the Sandy Creek ride.

Brian

Weekend of October 6-7

Folks,

I am trying to get ahead of the game with so many ride options coming up the weekend of October 6-7.

First the Best of Missouri Market takes place that weekend at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Its a fun event, so I plan to meet my family at the Garden on Saturday October 6th to enjoy the festivial. I will be doing a city ride over to the Garden. There will be coffee stops before and after the visiting the Best of Missouri. This of course gets me out of the Sandy Creek Century one more year! See the link below for info on the Best of Missouri Market.

http://www.mobot.org/events/BOMM/BOMM.asp


Second, I plan on riding Trailnet's Ride the Rivers Century on Sunday October 7th. I am hoping Mike or Ron plans to ride from downtown, because then they can register me, and I can just start at my house (where the ride loops past on the Olivette Bike Trail) like last year. Trailnet's info for the Century is below.

http://www.trailnet.org/m_latest.php

Of course I am hoping for company both days, hence the advance notice. Let me know if your interested in joining me.

Roark

Save the Date / When is Hanukkah?

Hello all,

Lynda and I are planning on making last year's Holiday get together at our house an annual event. But before we get too far in the process, we wanted to double check dates around Hanukkah. We know Hanukkah is on December 5th, but knowing that this is (we think) an 8 day holiday, we wern't sure what weekend dates in December were also part of Hanukkah, or other Jewish Holiday's. If someone could let us know, that would be great. We are actually planning on more than one night or parties. We have a diverse group of friends, that we like to see, and hope to introcuce to each other. But we are planning to have one night be a primarily "the biking group" night.

Talk to you all soon,

Mike and Lynda

Dog Prairie Century Saturday September 22

Are there any Gentiles interested in the Hosteling century this Saturday in St. Paul, Mo? They claim the roads are "smooth, scenic and rolling hills".

Sunday September 23rd Ride

Folks,

This Saturday is Yom Kippur; so the Hebrew members of the troup will be out fasting all day. That leaves Sunday for riding and eating. The Fun Club has the Foot High Pie Ride. I am up for that ride, or a local alternative.

Let me know your plans.

Roark

Next Year's Big Week Long Bike Trip

Folks,

With my season winding down, no more Bat Mitvahs, MS Team Planning, and this years week long trip behind behind; thoughts turn to what the hell are we going to do next year!

So lets start throwing ideas around, I of course have my own

• Blue RidgeParkway End to End
• Repeat of Main
• Nova Scotia Tour
• Something Else Canadian

Some caveats for the selection pool

• Hotel Rooms Available ( no camping for me)
• Heat & Humidity Reasonable (no death rides for me)
• Cost & Logistics Reasonable (if I could sell unreasonable I would be doing a month long tour of Ireland)

If its an area I have some modest familiarity with, I am willing to plan again. If its someplace I have no clue about, then its either needs to be a ride organized by some other group, or someone else with familiarity needs to plan.

Lets also toss out dates, because I do have to work around my family vacation. That means for me, that anything in August becomes iffy. If I have enough notice I might be able to swap the family vacation from August to July.

Roark

Ride Sunday Sept 16

Does anyone have a ride planned for tomorrow (Sun, 9/16)? Is anyone planning to ride?

The Tour of Missouri is doing their circuit in downtown/forest park from 1p til about 4p. It would be cool to see some of that.

I need to be home as close to 2p-2:30p as possible because, if all goes well with her spaying, I think we're going to drive to Springfield and pick up our new dog.

In order to see more of it, I could 'sag' the way home and get picked up from wherever we're watching it.

Let me know.
Thanks.
Cheri

Sat, Sept 8 dinner at MS Bike Ride

All,
I'm making dinner reservations at the Pasta Factory for Sat, Sept 8 at 6pm. It's Amanda's birthday. Please let me know if you'd like to join us so that I can have a number for the reservation.
Thanks.
Cheri

Saturday August 25th Ride

Mark being the nice guy we all know, was planning an easy team ride for me this Saturday. He was placating his good friend Kathy. Of course Kathy turned him down as did the rest of my vaunted team.

This leaves Saturday open for a real ride! Mark still gets to lead, but from Kaldis in Chesterfield Valley. Unless there are objections lets plan to depart about 9:00 am. Breakfast starting at 8:15 am.

Weather Prediction
Saturday: Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. High 88F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.

Last update

Hello everyone,

The good news is I made it to Paris fine. The bad news is that it is rainy, miserable and I'm writing this e-mail.

I know we have all been tracking Mike and we are all so proud of him. Unfortunately, Mike was forced to abandon the race due to a knee issue outside of Tinteniac today.

I asked him if he wanted me to send out an e-mail but he said he would do it when he arrived back at the hotel. Unfortunately, it looks like it will be tomorrow before he returns because of logistics and I just couldn't keep everybody wondering any longer. Besides if he knew how we have all been glued to the computer screen he'd understand as well. So, I hope he will understand me writing this e-mail and I know you will await his official e-mail later.

He is safe and dry which is so important and he truly gave it his best shot. Others are trickling into the hotel-some completing it and some abandoning as well. One man said he rode 54 out of 62 miles in the rain and he heard this is the worst weather since 1963. I haven't seen Tom's e-mail pictures yet but believe me when I say they are all returning weathered and beat up from the ride.

Just wanted to say thanks for all your support and it's been fun tracking him together.

Thanks again, and with a new respect for Mike and all PBP riders,

Lynda Brady

No word from Mike yet

Hello Everyone,

Well, I haven't heard from Mike yet and the site shows him finishing Stage 5 at 1:49am Paris time (6:49pm STL time) so I bet he is exhausted and hopefully catching some quality sleep. I'll let you know if I hear anything from him before I leave tomorrow.

I'm flying out tomorrow and should arrive in Paris around 7:40 am Thursday and staying in a hotel in St. Quentin fairly close to the start/finish line. The "Plan" is for Mike to call me when he is a couple hours out and let me know so I can wait for him at the finish line. If all goes well I will log on at the hotel and send out an e-mail to alert you he is getting close to the finish!! I'll try to test the hotel internet before that point to make sure it will go through as planned. It will probably be short since my says the French keyboard is harder to type on.



Just a couple of items to pass on:



European dates are reverse of ours so August 20th is 20/08 in Europe
Their time is listed in military time using the 24hour clock so 12h is noon and 24h is midnight
"passe" means: past, after, beyond
"Carrefour" means intersection


Please keep Mike in your thoughts and prayers along with the other cyclists (especially the 80+ year old man who is riding again this year).



Thanks,

Lynda b.

First tracking of Mike

Yeah!!! A new message for him just popped up on the screen and it looks like he ended up departing at 10:30 instead of 9:30 or 10:00. This explains a lot. I'm hoping the numbers turn to green as he passes through them and before he gets to the actual checkpoint. This is really, really exciting!!!! Yeah!!! Gosh, maybe we should all be at Kaldi's having a tracking party!!! My adrenaline is pretty high right now as you can tell.

Thanks,
Lynda b.

Paris-Brest-Paris Tracking

Lynda....You must not be set up so that your blogs get emailed to everyone so I am re-posting for you.
Cheri

On Aug 18, Lynda Brady wrote:

Hello,
This is my first time blogging (you just never know what you'll do when your husband is out of the country:) ) so please excuse any faux pas I may make in posting this.

I know Mike has included many of you in his e-mails but I did want to post the following items for you.

I think I found the site where you can track him:

www.paris-brest-paris.org You can change the language to English by clicking on the British flag.

Select "The Ride" then "Rider Follow-up"Enter his number in "Track the Frame number" and hit search. In my best French the message states:

John Brady
The participant is registered but not yet left.

It also shows in the upper left hand corner: "D-1 before" which I am assuming is "one day before race day". Must be pretty exciting there. Sorry I didn't get to my e-mail earlier to pass on this info.

Also, he sent a link to www.parisbrestparis.tv which looks like it will have some live coverage of the event. Right now there is a little short clip with some interviews of a past PBP ride. It is in the bottom left-hand corner of the page and has some audio to it as well.

I actually spoke to Mike today and he seems to be enjoying himself. He was worried before he left about being bored but he said he isn't at all and is concentrating on adjusting to the French sleep schedule. He has met a couple of people and plans to start the ride with Bob who oversees the Brevet series in Kansas City. He's confident that he'll do well and I know we all are as well.

On a personal note thanks to all of you who have supported him along with this dream and many others. I really appreciate what great friends all of you are to him and I know he does too. Thanks Roark for including me on the blog and thanks Cheri for your earlier posting.

Hope everyone has a great weekend,

Lynda Brady

Paris-Brest-Paris Tracking

Hello,

This is my first time blogging (you just never know what you'll do when your husband is out of the country:) ) so please excuse any faux pas I may make in posting this.

I know Mike has included many of you in his e-mails but I did want to post the following items for you.

I think I found the site where you can track him:

www.paris-brest-paris.org You can change the language to English by clicking on the British flag.

Select "The Ride" then "Rider Follow-up"
Enter his number in "Track the Frame number" and hit search.

In my best French the message states:

John Brady
The participant is registered but not yet left.

It also shows in the upper left hand corner: "D-1 before" which I am assuming is "one day before race day". Must be pretty exciting there. Sorry I didn't get to my e-mail earlier to pass on this info.

Also, he sent a link to www.parisbrestparis.tv which looks like it will have some live coverage of the event. Right now there is a little short clip with some interviews of a past PBP ride. It is in the bottom left-hand corner of the page and has some audio to it as well.

I actually spoke to Mike today and he seems to be enjoying himself. He was worried before he left about being bored but he said he isn't at all and is concentrating on adjusting to the French sleep schedule. He has met a couple of people and plans to start the ride with Bob who oversees the Brevet series in Kansas City. He's confident that he'll do well and I know we all are as well.

On a personal note thanks to all of you who have supported him along with this dream and many others. I really appreciate what great friends all of you are to him and I know he does too. Thanks Roark for including me on the blog and thanks Cheri for your earlier posting.

Hope everyone has a great weekend,
Lynda Brady

Ride From Kaldis 8:00 am Sunday

Mark, Roark, & Bill will be riding from Kaldis in Chesterfield Valley at 8:00 am.

Figure 30-40 miles.

Paris-Brest-Paris News

8/17/07 Mike Brady wrote:

Maybe someone can post this to the blog for me.

I'll be doing a light spin from my hotel over to Paris and back - about a 35 mile round trip - no big deal.

I made it to Paris safe and sound. I put the bike together and all the lights and junk on it too. It looks like an overloaded semi. Didn't get to ride today, but didn't want to just yet. A nice spin tommorow and Sunday will be great though. The weather is mostly cloudy and a bit cool, but not too bad - and dry so far. The weather for the four days is looking pretty favorable.

I'll try and keep you all posted up to the start. Then after thqt maybe Lynda can post some news. She comes over on the 23 to meet me at the finish.

Things are going well,

Mike

Bicycle Fun Club Ride August 19

Anyone doing the bicycle fun club ride this Sunday?
Greg Hobson

Last Day For Room At The Inn!

Guys,

If you want a room from my MS 150 team's hotel block (Midway Budget), then you need to act before tommorow August 15th. At that point all the non taken rooms will be released back to the motel. Remember I have rooms at the base of the start.

You can reserve a room by calling: 573-445-9565

Roark

2008 Bike Trip

As you may know, we recently got back from Israel. While there, we thought about what it would be like to ride a bike there. What beautiful scenery! What climbs! What history!

A friend sent me information about the rides for 2008 in Israel. The email said....

We are pleased to announce that we will be holding two Israel Rides in 2008,
May 20-27, 2008 and November, 2008. Registration for both rides will open on Nov 1, 2007. Sign up (http://hazon.org/go.php?q=/misc/signup.html) for our mailing list to be notified of Ride details.

Here's the link to the rides....http://hazon.org/go.php?q=/rides/2007IL/aboutTheRide.html

The November one might be interesting since it will be winter here then. We can still get in some good riding half way around the world.

The fundraising is pretty steep, but thought I would throw it out there to see if there was any interest.

Let me know what you think.

Cheri

Saturday's Ride

Folks,

Lets get this blogger blogging again!

Regarding the Beer & Brat 5 Star Century Ride

I am putting together my thoughts for this Saturday's ride. I am not sure I want to ride in this heat 100 miles, but don't let that stop anyone else. I am willing to go along for the first 62 mile loop. Hopefully we can get an early start, say 7 am so at least for the first 62 miles we beat a bit of the heat. If the group prefers to ride another loop I am up for that as well.

Just let me know.

Roark

Bicycle Fun Club Ride August 5

Is anyone doing the Bicycle Fun Club Ride tomorrow, Sunday August 5?
Greg

Roark's Team Ride Saturday July 7th.

I am doing one of my team rides this Saturday starting from the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge at 9:00 am. I will be riding to the start from my house leaving at 7:00 am. Its about 25 miles to the start location. The ride is from the Chain of Rocks to Soulard Coffee Garden and back. If your interested in joining me, let me know.

Roark

Saturday July 7th ride

I'm also looking for a good ride for Saturday July 7. I have two ideas.

One would be the AYH Firecracker 100 in Greenville, Il. I'm up for that if anyone wants to give it a shot.

My other idea would be to go up to the Alton / Grafton, IL area and do powerline drive and the backroads and the river road. Depending on where we start we can make this a 40 - 60+ mile ride with some good hill work and some good flat (speed) work.

If anyone has a third idea let me know. If I don't hear from anyone I may wind up just doing something near my house.

Mike

100 (or less) miles of hills Sunday July 8

Hello all,

I spoke with Roark and Ron and we are planning on doing some version of the 100 miles of hills ride on Sunday, July 8. Start at Kaldis in the valley. I propose arrive at 7:30 (or earlier if you do breakfast), rolling at 8:00. 100 miles or even 80 is quite a bit, so rolling at 8:00 will be a good idea.

I might actually start at my house, wo we'll see if I can get up that early. Or maybe I start at Roark's house, or maybe I come by Roark's after starting at my house???

Roark, do you ride from your house to get the 100 miles in? Or do you just start at Kaldis?

If you're not up for this ride, you can do the fun club ride over in Collinsville. But for me I need / want the hill work. If anyone is going to the BFC ride I have 1 or two coupons left for it. I have 4, but I think Brian has claimed 2 or 3 of them. I'll try and get them to Brian or Cheri on a ride Saturday? (See post about ride Saturday July 7).

Mike

Sunday July 1 Bike Ride

We can meet at Kaldi's in the valley at 7:30 and roll by 8:00. Depending upon who shows, we can visit Babler, Rockwoods and/or Six Flags loop. Roark, you can meet up with us when your airport job is over. See you there!

Brian

Saturday June 30 Bike Ride

Is Anyone planning to ride Saturday? I need to take advantage of this weekend because I have both days. I will not be able to ride on Saturday, July 7. I am up for doing the 80 - 100 miles Saturday and a shorter ride Sunday and we can meet up with Roark. Mark

Michigan itenerary?

Roark,

Do you have a day-by-day itnerary for the Michigan trip? I saw the link from the blog, but it is a bit confusing, and I think it has changed. I'd love to see a simple breakdown of the dates, the rides, and the milage. And maybe what city we are sleeping in each night.

Do I (we) owe any money at this point?

Also, have we worked out the driving arangements? I'm still more than happy to bring my car, and actually thinking about doing so either way. It will add no cost to the trip as it is a company car and company gas. I'm thinking of bringing it so I don't have to pack my bike in a case. Plus just easier on the packing and such. There'd be room in the car for another too, so we can spread out more.

Mike

Concerts at the Arch

Hello all,

Can we post other cool Saint Louis stuff here?

I just wanted to let you all know about the free concerts that are coming up at Fair Saint Louis and at Live on the Levee (also on the fairgrounds).

Lynda and I will probably be going to all of these:

July 3rd - Lifehouse, Goo Goo Dolls and fireworks afterwards. Lifehouse takes the stage at 7:00, Goo Goo Dolls at 8:00. There is one other artist at 6:00 that is actually pretty good so Lynda and I will probably be down there around 6:00. Fireworks are around 9:15

July 4th - Cyndi Lauper (Girls Just Wana Have Fun and others) at 8:00 and then fireworks.

July 6th - the fair is over, but this is the first night of Live on the Levee, which is a free summer concert series under the arch. July 6th is Los Lonely Boys which is a pretty good band at 8:00

July 7th - one of my favorite artists is playing. Emmylou Harris is playing at 8:00. Lynda and I are going to have dinner at 6:00 at a little cafe they are setting up down there (Sauce Cafe, hosted by Sauce magazine and featuring a different local restaurant each Saturday). You have to have reservtions, so if anyone is interested, let me know. It's a bit pricy, but a nice restaurant. Check out www.celebratestlouis.org for more details on the food, Fair Saint Louis, or Live on the Levee.

Mike

Rides July 7th and July 8th

Anyone up for a ride on July 7th? I'd love to get some good hill work in as that has been lacking in my training this year. Perhaps we can do the 10 hills of Dr. Dan route? I think that is about a 50-55 mile route or so starting and ending at Kaldis in the valley. We could get rolling around 8:00 so as not to be out too late when it is likely to be pretty warm. But I'm OK with some warm, so I don't want to not do the route just because it is summer. Don't we like summer?

July 8th I'd probably lean towards doing the Fun club ride. It's the Big Bottle ride over in Collinsville. That's the ride Ron and I met on 4 years ago. I have 3 extra $3 off coupons for the ride too. I might be at Maplewood again in the next couple of weeks, so if I get by there I'll try and pick-up more coupons. First ask (here), first serve.

Mike

Alternative Ride for Saturday

Hey,

I know the first choice for the Saturday ride is out past Alton, riding up and down the Hill at Pierre Marquet State Park. Unfortunately or fortunately I have to meet a contractor at my house at 7:15 am. I should be done by 7:45, so if there are any of you who can't make the 8:15 am start out in Alton, let me know if your interested in a ride that starts closer to home and a bit later.

Roark

Reservations Made For Hotels to and From Travis City

I have made hotel reservations for our trip to Travis City for Friday night July 13th and Saturday night July 21st. We are staying in the Days Inn in Portage IN, for both days. We have two rooms with two double beds, at $133 each stay for both rooms. It is nothing fancy but he price is right. Note: There are five of us in two rooms with four beds, you do the math!

Portage IN, is 320 miles from St. Louis; and 300 miles from Travis City.

Note: Holland MI is 175 miles from Travis City and a 3 Hour Drive. We will be getting up very early Saturday Morning July 21st to get to the Holland Hundred Tour.

Jittery Jaunts Custom Jerseys!

Folks,

I have a proposal for the group. We can get custom jerseys for $45 each if we order a minimum of ten. Zavisa will custom design our jersey if we all pitch in and pick up his jersey cost. So if a minimum of nine of us order a jersey, its $50 per jersey. Next time we travel to the Hilly Hundred, etc we all could be dressed in our new custom Jittery Jaunts Jersey!

We need to have 9 jersey commitments to make this work and get Zavisa started.

If your willing to commit to a jersey, let me know.

Roark

Commitments to Date:

1. Roark
2. Mark
3. John
4. Dan
5. Bill
6. Brian
7. Cheri
8. Amanda
9. Melina
10. Rick
11. Mike

The Hillclimber Goes Down Hill!

It"s True: Mike is on the down hill descent of his biking career, turning 40 years old today! No longer the young stud of the group, he turns his attention to endurance rides, those normally reserved for the insane or retired!

Happy 40th Birthday Mike!

Rec-Plex Triathlon

To those of you who are interested,

I started swimming on swim team at approximately age 4 and I was good enough to swim in high school. I never really made it to state, except as a participant in a free relay. I was not good enough for college swimming (or at least I was not interested) and I have continued to swim off and on just for fun. As far as biking goes, I enjoyed riding my mtn bike on trails and paths since 1993 and was happy with that until Roark drafted me for his MS Bike Tour team. Since then (approximatley three years) I have been road biking and doing what I thought was some serious training. I have never been a good runner. Despite that, I managed to finish the New York City Marathon in November of 1998 in just over 6 hours and have participated in two half marathons (none recently) since then.

As far as the triathlon goes, I expected to do ok on the swimming, excell in the biking and do poorly with the run (especially taking into consideration that I tore some ligaments in my right ankle a couple of weeks ago).

My results were a bit surprising to me. In my age group (49 men aged 35 to 39 years), I finished the 500 meter swim (breast stroke) 27th with a time of 10 min and 45 seconds. I finished 45th (out of 49!) (a real surprise!!!!) with a time of 1:14:33 on the 21 mile bike ride despite an average speed of 18.1. The run (there was a lot of walking in there) took me 55:59 (an 11:40 min per mile pace) and put me in 48th palce. In my age group I placed 48 out of 49 and overall 289 out of 373.

I think I will try again in the fall.

Regards,
Brian

Friday Night

Cheri,

Count me in for sure. Linda went to NYC today and will be back Thursday but not sure if she will want to join us. If you get tickets Friday just get the one for me. If Linda does join us I will get her a ticket then. Thankyou. Mark

Wednesday Night

I will not be able to join you on Wednesday. I have t pick my bike up Wednesday evening before 6:00: I was hoping the guy would be able to straighten out my wheel tonight.

I am in for Friday night. What time at Kaldi's?

Saturday Ride June 16th

Folks,

I am doing one of my team rides this Saturday from Creve Coeur Lake to Old St. Charles for a late breakfast at Miss Aimee B's Tea Room. The ride starts from Creve Coeur Lake at 9:00 am. As usual I plan to ride to the team ride, and after the team ride to get some real miles in.

So if you want to join me, and the team, plan of leaving the Lopatin's at 8:15 am. Since I am reserving space at Miss Aimee B's please let me know if your planning on joining the ride.

Roark

Calhoun County Century Ride

Anybody up for the Calhoun County Century Ride in June before it gets too hot. I was thinking Saturday June 23.
Greg

Wired to Win at Omnimax

You may have seen the email about the movie Wired to Win, Surviving the Tour de France at the Omnimax Theater. (Thanks John!)

Is anyone interested in going as a group? I've put in a call to see what the discount is for group rates.

We're available this Friday, June 15 for either the 6p or 8p showing....or we can look at next weekend.

Here's the link to the showtimes: http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=2215

If we don't have a group going, here's the link for a $2 off coupon: http://www.trailnet.org/images/wired_coupon.jpg

Let me know what you think and I'll let you know when I hear something about group rates.

Thanks.
Cheri

Tues 6/12 ride vs Wed 6/13

I'm not able to ride Wed night 6/13, but am available Tues night 6/12. Anyone interested in Tues night ride this week? Let me know.
Thanks.
Cheri

Accelerade/Enderox/Accel Gels

Is anyone interested in placing another bulk order of the Accelerade and/or Endurox and/or Gels?

6 cases of any combination = no shipping. Otherwise it ranges from $11-20/case for shipping.

If you want to get to the free shipping without getting as much, we could get the smaller servings.

Here are the team prices:
Accelerade (fruit punch, orange, lemon lime, blue raspberry, lemonade)
- 30 servings $79.50 for case of 6
- 60 servings $135.00 for case of 6
Endurox (fruit punch, tangy orange, lemon lime, vanilla, chocolate)
- 14 servings $96.00 for case of 6
- 28 servings $162.00 for case of 6
Accel Gel (strawberry kiwi, chocolate, citrus orange, raspberry cream, key lime)
- 24/box $64.60 for case of 4 boxes

Let me know if you have any interest or thoughts on any other product at a reasonable price...or nothing at all
Thanks.
Cheri

Sunday Morning Bike Ride

Who wants to do a bike ride early Sunday morning around 7:00 AM. We could do ride starting from Kaldi's in Chesterfield and headout toward Babler and six flags or we could do a city ride starting in Olivette either at Roark's house or Starbucks on Olive in Olivette.

Mark

Bike Race in O' Fallon June 10

Hey,

Does anyone know anything about this?

Driving home from the Wednesday night ride I saw one of those portable message signs used by the street departments set up on Winghaven avenue. All it said was Bicycle race June 10.

That's practically walking, easy biking distance from my house to where this sign was, near MasterCard's facility.