Roark's Plans Fri Aug 14 th - Sat Aug 15 - Sun Aug 16

I see we have a bunch of plans for the coming weekend. So I thought I would through mine up.

Friday Aug 14th (Assuming I am not in Houston), I have a day off, and plan to ride. I beleive its Charlie's 83rd birthday, so if thats corrent, I will shoot out with John to join him for a celebratory ride.

Saturday Aug 15th I am going to ride from my house and do some of the Hills of Kirkwood. If its really hot I will depart at 7 am or if its cooler 8 am. If I am motivated the ride will loop back via the Chain of Rocks Bridge and Chambers Road for 65 miles. Otherwise I will cut it to about 50 miles.

Sunday Aug 16th I am open to either Trailnet if I can find a ride to the ride, or I will do my 50 miles to New Town and back ride.

Update to rides August 10 - 16

Hello all,

So it looks like Ron is out for the soccer fields on Monday. I'm still planning on being out there, but it will depend on work.

Tuesday I think I'll do the Trailnet ride that atarts at Alpine shop.

It turns out I can not ride this Wednesday due to baseball tickets.

Might try the Thursday trailnet ride out of Carondolet instead.

Friday - off

Saturday - ride a downtown - towards West county thing, hopefully with Tom

Sunday - looking at the trailnet ride out of Edwardsville

Mike

Student director, 17, to release second full-length feature film

Student director, 17, to release second full-length feature film

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Rides this weekend (August 8 and 9)

So who's riding this weekend? I'm starting to feel like it is Tom and me and no one else. :)

Saturday I'd like to ride the Dog Prairie Century. Anyone else? Greg? Ron? I think Tom is up for it too. If Tom and I don't hear from anyone else though, we might just do a longish ride from downtown instead. Maybe from downtown to Six flags and back. We could easily be talked into this option if others are more inclined to do this. We could roll from downtown and swing by Roarks. Then work our way to Mark's, or to Kaldi's in the valley. Then to Six Flags, and then start working our way home. Any takers? Sort of a modified version of the 100 miles of hills (which by the way I think we need to get on the calendar before the year is over).

Sunday I'm still hoping to do the Trailnet ride - the ride of the little hills in Saint Charles. Any takers on this? I'm likely to do that ride even if I don't hear from anyone on the blog. Just let me know so we can meet up.

Take care,

Mike

Revenge is Mine!

Lead the lead group up the hill to Delmar (coming up Midland), so I score that as a victory. The other 6 in the lead group passed me in the last 100 feet, and then I bailed to ride home. All and all a good night.

I'm planning on riding the Wednesday night ride again next week.

Mike

Spawn Hits The Post Dispatch

Folks,

As you know, this Sunday at 7 pm is Joseph's new film premeir. Let me know if you need tickets, I am treating. Today in the Post Dispatch his Joseph had an article.

Here is the link: http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/education/story/88C8BA35991A5E98862576080079C7B4?OpenDocument

Roark

Rides this week and next (August 3 - about 16)

Hello all,

Great ride this past Sunday! My legs were fried by the time I got home! But I enjoyed the whole day and it was good to push a bit harder than I have most of the year.

These next two weeks here are my plans / thoughts:

August 3 - I'm planning on making it out to the soccer fields again tonight.

Wed, August 5 - planning on doing the trailnet ride again. Rode to / from it last week and then did the ride. Got dropped from first group in the last 5 miles, so not too bad. This week I'm planning my revenge - to hang with the lead group until my split home when the route comes back to the loop.

Thursday, Aug 6 - might do the Trailnet ride that starts at Carondolet park. It's a city / Grants Trail kind of ride. I think only about 25 miles. I'm looking at it being a good recovery ride. Might just take the night off.

Saturday, Aug 8 - I'm leaning towards doing the Dog Prairie Century. don't think I have done this one before, but I know the area and it is usually a pretty good area. I think Greg is looking at doing this too? Anyone else? Don't want to go by myself, so if there are no takers, I'll probably come up with a city ride or something with Tom and Dave T.

August 9 - would like to do the Trailnet ride in Saint Charles - Ride of the little hills - the 61 mile option.

August 10 - maybe the soccer fields again

August 12 - Trailnet ride again

August 15 - Not sure. Anyone have any ideas? 100 Miles of Hills?

August 16 - the Trailnet ride is in Edwardsville this day. The long route is only 43, which I why I was looking at a longer day on the 15th.

Let me know your plans. I'm obviously trying to ramp up my riding. I want to ride a bit more August - October than I have been lately, so carry a good base into the winter. My plan is to get back to the brevets in early 2010, and I think ramping up now is a pretty good plan.

Take care,

Mike

Rides Saturday and Sunday (August 1 and 2)

Hello all,

OK, so here is the plan. It looks like Mark is up for a longish ride on Sunday and he is offering to cook us a fabulous breakfast - so let's go with that for Sunday. I think he said something in another blog about meeting at his house at 8:00 on Sunday. Mark can you confirm? I'd say we meet at his house and then hit the Babler / Saint Albans area, and then wrap up.

I know Tom and I are thinking of riding from downtown to Mark's so if we get in about 50 with the group, we will get in a total of about 90 for the day with the commute to and from Mark's, so that is what we are looking at. Tom and I can leave downtown at 6:30 and make Mark's by 8:00.

That leaves Saturday still to plan. I don't think I have seen any other posts / thoughts on Saturday. I think Tom and I will just wing something together downtown, probably in the 30 - 50 mile range, probably with Forest Park or Kirkwood in mind. If anyone wants to throw out ideas for Saturday there is still time to plan and make changes. Tom and I will probably roll from our own house at 7:00 or 7:30. We could hit Roark's or Kirkwood Kaldi's, or other an hour later and then go from there, just kind of winging it depending on who responds.

Looking ahead to next week, I am still looking to hit the soccer fields again on Monday night. Last week was a lot of fun. I'm also planning on hitting the Wednesday night trailnet ride again too. Last night I did that ride and had a blast. Got dropped from the lead group at about 4 miles to go, so not too bad. I had not ridden that route in over two years and the new route (over to Westport and back) is GREAT. I might be up for a Thursday city ride next week too - maybe something shorter, like Forest Park, or South City, maybe with Lynda.

Mike
314-605-9745

New Flash: Joe Weil in the News!

I hope you are all enjoying a week of me away to visit Obama.

In the mean time, just in case you have not gotten your latest issue of the Suburban Journal, here is a link to the article published about Joseph and Psycho Films.

http://suburbanjournals.stltoday.com/articles/2009/07/29/west/education/0729mid-psycho0.txt

Remember I am paying for tickets for any of my friends who want to make the premier on August 9th at 7:00 pm.

Roark

Rides this week, or weekend, or next week?

Hello all,

Anyone planning any rides these next couple of weeks?

I'm looking at this schedule:

Wednesday, July 29 - I'm hoping to do the Wednesday night Trailnet ride for the first time in forever! (Ron, I told you I couldn't do this ride this week, but I've changed my schedule and I think I can be there).

Thursday, July 30 - Not sure. Might need the night off. Might could be talked into a city ride of some sorts.

Satuday, August 1st - I'm off all weekend. Saturday morning I'd love to get in a longish ride - maybe 50 - 75 miles. Maybe ride to Roark's and then do whatever he might have in mind?

Sunday, August 2nd - maybe a city ride? Or a longish ride if the long Saturday didn't come together. Maybe ride with Lynda if the longish ride did come together.

Monday, August 3rd - Hoping to go do the Soccer Fields ride again. Tonight was a lot of fun. Maybe we can go faster next week?

Wednesday, August 6th - hoping to do the Trailnet ride again.

Thursday, August 7th - not sure. Maybe a city ride in the evening?


Let me know your thoughts and plans too and we'll go from there.

Mike
314-605-9745

Rides Thursday (July 16), and this weekend, and Monday

Hello all,

I am planning a ride Thursday afternoon / early evening if anyone is interested. I'll probably roll from my house around 5:30 (6:00 at the latest). I'm pretty sure Tom will join me too. We'll probably roll west thru Forest Park and out towards Roark's and the Kirkwood area. We will wing it from there. Round trip from my house will be about 30 - 35 miles. If anyone wants to join us during the route, let me know. We can meet folks at FP, or Roark's, or wherever.

Saturday and Sunday I have to work both days, but Tom and I are looking to be out early for similar types of rides. Maybe roll around 6:30am Saturday and 7:00am on Sunday (or something like that). Just kind of winging some of this so I get some miles in on a work weekend.

Ron - not sure how things turned out for you this past Monday and the plans for riding out at the soccer fields. If it didn't pan out, or if you're up for this coming Monday I could certainly be talked into that this coming Monday. It's been forever sense I rode out there and I'd be willing to go out to run the big gears and the flats.

Talk to you all soon,

Mike
314-605-9745

Below is a note from the Lt Gov. of Missouri. Please take a few minutes to let Jay Nixon know your opinion regarding the race at 573-751-3222.

Tom 

"By now, some of you may have heard rumors regarding Gov. Nixon freezing state funds for the 2009 Tour of Missouri. I would like to share with you the details that we currently have:

On Wednesday, at the close of business, I was informed by the Division of Tourism that the money set aside for the Tour of Missouri was frozen by Gov. Nixon's administration. The state's commitment for the 2009 Tour of Missouri was $1.5 million. Without these funds, which are available and approved by the Tourism Commission, the Tour of Missouri will cease to exist.

At this time, I have requested a special meeting of the Missouri Tourism Commission to evaluate our options and decide what our next step should be.

As you know, we are very close to putting the final touches on the race this year. Our sponsors have invested and we are on track with our fundraising goals. Teams from across the world, the same teams now racing in the Tour de France, have been invited to our state, and communities across Missouri are making great preparations for the race. Contracts have been signed by the state, cities, sponsors and vendors and cutting this funding will leave the state susceptible to wasteful litigation.

Right now, I am urging cycling fans across our great state, and around the world to contact Gov. Jay Nixon at 573-751-3222 and tell him to release the funding for the largest sporting event ever held in our state."

Saturday Ride

Folks,

Its back to warm and muggy weather. So to celebrate I will be riding from my house at 8:00 am on Saturday morning. I will be doing 40-50 miles. The route choice will either be out to New Town and back, or the Hills of Kirkwood.

Roark

Rec Plex Triathlon

On Father's Day another amazing Rec Plex Triathlon took place. While Mark was unable to attend two new people (Cheri and Jason) did the Tri and Bill was a spectator.

I was happy with my results. 9:32 on the 500m swim (12th place in the 35 to 39 age group) and 1:12:13 on the 20.5M bike and 56:00 on the 4.4M run. As far as I can tell, these are my fastest times to date on the swim and bike and a match for my fastest run.

Cheri did a great job on her first (real) Tri. 13:14 swim, 1:14:41 bike, 1:00:04 run.

Jason is a triathlete (even though he denies it) and finished 16th in his age group (35 to 39). Swim 11:13, bike 1:04:23 (16th place), run 35:21 (10th place).

Now is the time to set your goal of doing the Fall Rec Plex Tri. You have plenty of time to learn how to swim. No excuses. "Just Do It"!

Brian

Father's Day Ride

For anyone not tied up in the morning with being a father on Father's Day.

I plan to ride from my house at 7:30 am tommorow morning (Sunday). I hope to be back by noon. I am thinking to beat the heavy part of the heat, yet still get in 40-50 miles.

Roark

Calhoun County Century Ride

The Calhoun County Century Ride is on for this Saturday. There are 4 committed to do the ride, Roark, John, Ron and myself. If anyone else is interested please post. Does an 8:00 start time sound good to everyone? We will start at the usual start place in St. Peters at the commuter parking lot at I-70 and Mid Rivers Mall Drive. Remember to bring cash for lunch, the ferry and snacks.
Greg

Sunday ride (June 14)

Hello all,

So here is the newest info on the ride for Sunday. Brian, Tom and I are all going to shoot for a 30 - 40 mile ride pretty early on Sunday (so I can get to work). The plan is for each of us to leave our respective houses at 7:00 am (by bike) to meet at Starbuck's in the U-city loop around 7:30 - 7:45. We're not stoping for coffee, just meeting there as it is pretty central to our homes. From there we wing-it. Probably something like parts of the Wed night Fun Club ride / Forest Park, or maybe even downtown / riverfront.

So if you are interested in a morning ride of about 40 miles, be at Starbucks no later than 7:45. I'll have to bail from where ever we are to be home by 10:00 or 10:30 at the latest. Others (maybe Tom) might stay out a little longer.

Mike
314-605-9745

Saint Louis Cycling Club

I am happy to report that I completed a ride with the Saint Louis Cycling club this morning. It was a 37 mile bike ride that left from Babler Park and envolved the usual roads plus a loop in Eureka by Hidden Valley ski lodge that you get to by going under highway 44 at Six Flags and turning left and taking the Legends Parkway. The ride was 38 miles and I had an average speed of 16.2. I believe there were 3 racers in the group, one who was retired and 60 or so years old (Jim). Jim happened to break his chain on one of the climbs (thank god) and nothing else went wrong other than trying to keep up going up hill. They are all Mike Brady fast going up hill. I have been invited back so I must have done OK. Hope everyone had a good time on the Route 66 ride.

Brian

Les Miserables - June 25, 26, 27

Hi Everyone,

I just thought I would let you know about a production that you (and/or others) might be interested in seeing. Amanda is going to a theatrical camp and they are putting on Les Miserables on Thurs June 25, Fri June 26, and Sat June 27. It’s for grades 7-12, so it’s amateur, but I think it might be pretty good. And, of course, it’s Les Miserables!!

Tickets are $5 for children and $8 for adults. Since Amanda goes there every day, I’ll be glad to be the messenger person and deliver your money and get your tickets for you. You can either give me cash, make the check out to me and I will write one big check, or you can make your check out to St. Louis Summer Players. Just let me know how many tickets you want and what day you’ll be going. You can also buy tickets at the door.

The play is at Missouri Baptist University, Pillsbury Chapel and Dale Williams Fine Art Center, One College Park Dr., St. L., 63141. The house opens at 7pm and the show begins at 7:30pm each night.

We’ll be going all three nights, so if you go, we’ll be sure to see you there.

Thanks.
Cheri

Other (short) rides this weekend

Hello all,

I'm hoping to get out this weekend, both Saturday and Sunday for shortish rides that leave from my house early, or I could meet others in Forest Park too. My new job requires that I work one Saturday and one Sunday a month, and I've decided to knock out both this coming weekend. But the good news is that I don't have to be anywhere until more like 11:00 or 11:30 on the weekends, so I'm still planning on doing a 90 - 120 minute ride each day before work.

Anyone who may be interested let me know. I'll probably leave my house around 8:00 each day and head towards Forest Park, or even towards Roark's. Then I'll just loop south or west, or whatever and work my way back to my house by 10:00 or 10:30.

I'd love to have some company for part of, or all of the ride, so let me know.

Mike

Calhoun County Century Ride

Anyone interested in doing our Calhoun County Century Ride? I was thinking we could do it Saturday June 20. Or we could do it this Sunday June 14, but for those doing the Route 66 ride on Saturday, maybe 100 miles the next day is too much.
Greg

BFC Route 66 Ride Saturday June 13

Anyone interested in doing the BFC Route 66 ride this Saturday?

Door County & Green Bay Riders

Folks,

As your ride coordinator; you are officially informed you must register for the Menominee River Century Ride on June 28th. http://www.mrcride.com/index.html

I have no clue how many and who are still coming. BTW: I still dont know my own accomodations either.

Roark

Hosteling Five-Star Century Ride Sat May 16

Anyone interested in doing the Hosteling Five-Star Century Ride this Saturday? It starts in Portage-des-Sioux in St. Charles county.
http://www.moonlightramble.org/events/5star.aspx

Bicycle Rides Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17

Sunday, May 17 is the Strawberry Ride in St. Jacobs. IL - I am sure most of us will be doing it. Let's plan to car pool over. I can take myself and 2 more bicycles.

Saturday, May 16 - since Sunday is a flat ride let's do some hills. I suggest we do West County to St. Albans, Six Flags, Rockwood Reservation and back to my house. We can meet at my house on Saturday morning at 7:30 and roll by 8:00 - we can stop at Lone Wolf Cafe at Clayton and Kehrs Mills for breakfast. 10 minutes from my house- and then we take Kehrs Mill to Strucker.

My Mom said get outside and ride

Hello all,

So, I was moping around the house today while it was raining and my mom said get outside and ride your bike. I said I didn't want to get wet, so she said, OK, so long as your ride Saturday and Sunday.

I don't hve any definite ideas, but I'd like to ride both Saturday and Sunday. Anyone have any ideas? Lynda is up for a city ride on Sunday, so I'll put that down.

I'd love to do a longish / hardish ride on Saturday. I'm very flexible. If I don't hear from anyone it will probably turn in to a city / Forest Park ride.

Sunday I can see riding 15 - 20 with Lynda, but I'd still be up for more, so let me know.

Mike

New phone - 314-605-9745

Ride Saturday?

Hello all,

I'm not sure if a ride Saturday is going to come together, but I'm still kind of looking at it. Lynda and I will probably do a city / Forest Park type of ride, maybe 15 - 20 miles. Not sure when either - just kind of watching the weather. We'll probably just wing it and get out if we think we see a 2-hour window of mostly dry.

Feel free to give me a call and we'll see from there. We're pretty open about time of day - it's more about staying dry.

Mike and Lynda
314-239-6229

Danny MacAskill (or how to control your bike really well)

This is just so incredible impressive ... had to post it. Make sure you watch all the way till the end.

Riding Sunday May 3 West County

I am doing volunteer work on Saturday in the city so will not be riding. Let do some hills on Sunday in west county. We can start at Lone Wolf Coffee House for breakfast and start riding at 9:00 am. The coffee house is at Clayton and Kehrs Mill Rd. We will ride from there out to Babler and St. Albans and Six Flags.

Let me know if you will be joining us.

Mark

Sunday's Ride 4/26

Folks,

I am starting to plan my weekend rides.

Saturday - First I will be riding to Tillis Park to walk a mile for Huntingtons Disease. I hope you plan to walk for this cause. Afterwards I will get back on my bike for more miles, if your interested in the walk/ride let me know.

Sunday - I plan to get some of those Hills of Kirkwood onto my legs. Depending on who comes along and how we are doing we will continue to add hills out to Grants Trail and beyond. On the loop back home I am planning on stopping at the Muny for the Green Day Festival. It was a nice event last year. I plan to leave my house at 9:00 am.

Roark

Direct Link to that cute lil video of the Lopatins

Folks,

I am helping the Lopatin's out so you don't have to go anyplace but the blog to vote. Vote early, vote daily.

Roark

Video

All,

Amanda entered a contest through Upromise to win $10,000 for college. Please go to the following link and vote for her video. You can vote once every 24 hours under each email address (if you have multiple email addresses).

http://www.tuition-tales.com/video-contest-entry-profile.asp?vid=4AC95161D8674766A533CC0578D6B8C7#

Thanks so much!
Cheri

Babler Forest

One time going up this hill on my mountain bike I said to Dan Baur ...."I would get off my bike and walk but I am going so slow that I will probably fall over before I can unclip!"

Sunday April 19th - First Team Ride Under New Management

Folks,

The DRS team will be riding this Sunday down Grants Trail to Kaldis in Kirkwood and back. Its an easy 20 miles that starts from the trail head at 10:30 am. As you all know, Zavisa is now the captain and I want to support him. I will be riding from my house at 9:00 am to get the the ride start at 10:30 am. Afterwards I might loop through Jefferson Barracks, since its been a year since I looped the park. If you plan to join me on the to/from ride, let me know.

Roark

Pesach/Easter Riding, Saturday/Sunday 4/11-4/12

Folks or those of you who still ride,

Here is the weekend forecast:

• Saturday: Sunshine. Highs in the low 60s and lows in the upper 30s.
• Sunday: Few showers. Highs in the upper 50s and lows in the mid 40s.

My plans are:

• Ride Saturday from my house starting about 10:30 am, doing more of those Hills of Kirkwood followed by Laurmier Park, Eddie & Park Rollers. then if the legs till hold Grants Farm Hills, toasted legs back onto Grants Trail to head home, 45-50 miles.

• Ride Sunday from my house starting about 10:30 am. This time going for some flats. Either looping the city and over to Holly Hills, or out to St. Charles and Crooked Tree.

I am open to suggestions. Regardless I will be out there getting some revolutions onto my legs.

Roark

Riding Saturday and Sunday

Saturday sounds like it may be the best day of the weekend. Let's do a west county ride. We can head to Babler and then ride toward Wildhorse Creek and out to St. Albans and Six Flags, etc. Let's meet at 8:00 am and be ready to ride by 8:30 at Lone Wolf coffee shop at Clayton and Kehrs Mill Rd. It is new and a great place to ride from. The owner is a cyclist. It is good to support him.

Sunday if the weather is good will probably do the BFC ride in St. Charles.

Mark

Sunday ride - March 29 - part two

OK - the votes are in, but the weather looks pretty iffy (as in SH#%Y).

How about we meet (with bikes) at Lone Wolfe in Chesterfield at noon? We can have brunch / nurse some coffee for a bit and see how it goes. I'd say we roll by 1:00. If the roads are too wet, we just drink coffee. We can work our way to Fox and the Hound on or off bikes later in the day.

With a little luck we roll at 1:00 and get in 30 miles, and still catch some basketball around 3:00.

Lone Wolfe coffee in Chesterfield - Clayton and Kehrs Mill - west of Baxter Rd and on the south side of Clayton Rd.

If noon is too late, let me know - I'm still flexible. But I think we may need an extra hour to see if the streets will dry off.

Mike
314-239-6229

Ride Sunday, March 29?

Anyone up for a ride Sunday? The weather looks like it will clear off Sunday morning, but it will be a bit cool until around noon. I'd be up for about anything. If you don't like my suggestions below, throw out another idea - I'm pretty flexible, I just want to get out.

Maybe some hill work in the valley? We could meet at Kaldi's in the valley at 11:00-ish for a late brunch - then roll at noon. It might be a bit brisk right at noon, but it will be in the 40's, so not too bad. I'm thinking maybe about a 30-40 miles ride.

For any NCAA basketball fans, I was also thinking we could finish the ride with a stop at the Fox and the Hound for post-ride carbs and catching the last of the Elite Eight games.

If you don't like the above idea, I'd be happy with a city / Forest Park type ride, or a start at Roark's / Kirkwood type ride too. I'll do anything!

Let me know, or call,

Mike
314-239-6229

Sunday Ride

Its not much notice, but I spoke with John, and he and I are up for a ride tommorow morning. Its going to be a short one, because my spawn just got back in tonight from Florida, and he flies out Monday morning to Coloardo. Ah the life of a seventeen year old.

The plan we ride from my house at 10:15. I will of course be spinning early morning. We can play where we are going when we leave. I would like to be back about 2:00 pm so I can spend some time with the spawn.

Roar

March 14-15 Rides

Looks like the weather this weekend will be cooler, yet less windy. I plan to ride both Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday I am thinking 10:30 am from my house over to do the Hills of Kirkwood. Ron and I added Timberlake backwards from Marshall Hill's Base Last Weekend. Its a heck of a climb.
Figure 45 miles.

Sunday, once again starting at 10:30 am, I am going to attemp the Crooked Tree Loop. Figure 40 miles.

Here is the current weather forecast:
Saturday: Mostly cloudy skies with a few showers later in the day. High 54F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Sunday: Showers possible in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 50s and lows in the mid 30s.

Thanks,
Roark

March 7-8th Rides

Folks,

I am sitting here in my hotel room in San Antonio. It hit 80 today so I am thinking about riding, before I head over to the River Walk.

So I checked our local weather and Saturday and Sunday might have rain, but the temperatures will be in the high sixties.

I haven't posted a ride from my house in a long time, so that's about to change.

Saturday I plan to leave my house at 10:30 am to hit the Hills of Kirkwood, followed by a run up Grants Trail into the City. If you want to join let me know.

Sunday I am thinking of riding from my house over to Crooked Tree In St. Charles.

Figure 40-50 miles each day.

Roark

Everything you could want - Feb 28 ride & March 1

Hello all,

Wind, snow, wind-chill temps in the teens - It's looking like Saturday will provide everything you could possibly want in a "Spin at home day", so I'm thinking no outside ride for me on Saturday. So I'm planning on coffee at home and a 1-hour session with Coach Troy (of Spinervals fame).

I'm not sure what Lynda and I will be doing otherwise - maybe catching a movie. We saw Slumdog (fantastic) and Doubt (good) last weekend - this week we are thinking about Milk on Saturday evening. If anyone wants to join in let us know. Probably a 7:00ish show at Frontenac, or we could be talked into an earlier show and a 7:00ish dinner.

Sunday is not looking that much better for outside riding. I can handle the cold - it will depend on if the streets are wet. Is anyone else this crazy? The wind chills are looking like the mid to upper 20's in the afternoon - so it would probably have to be a short ride at best. I'm thinking maybe to Kirkwoood Kaldi's and back at most. Either that, or another date with Troy. If no go on Sunday biking, Lynda and I may still plan a brunch, and that could still be Kirkwood Kaldi's.

Take care, and spin like hell!

Mike and Lynda
314-239-6229

Ride Saturday Feb 28 and / or March 1?

Hello all,

Anyone interested in riding Saturday the 28th, or Sunday the first? Long range forecast looks tolerable on at least one day. I'm thinking if we're lucky the forecast will work out for the better on both days.

No need to make definite route plans just yet. Let's post some interest, and firm it up later in the week.

About the only suggestion I'd make is at least one day we do the hill work like we did a couple of weekends back, and maybe the other day - we shoot for "medium hard" and do work like Forest Park, Kirkwood, etc. - again kind of like a couple of weekends back.

If I were pressed to name a time and a place I'd say valley Kaldi's at 10:30 (roll time) on one day, and Kirkwood Kaldi's at 10:30 (roll time) the other day.

Talk to you all soon,

Mike
314-239-6229

It's a surprise - Melina's next gymnastics meet

Hello all,

I thought I send out a post about Melina's next gymnastics meet. Lynda and I are both planning on attending. Word on the street is that she likes to have friends attend - but she doesn't want to know ahead of time as it makes her nervous. So we're all being very secretive about this - so Shhhh!!

Her next Saint Louis meet is at America's center, downtown Saint Louis. She'll be competing in the evening on Sun Mar 8. Open stretch begins at 5pm. Competition starts at 5:30p. It usually runs for about 4 hours, but you can see as little or as much as you want.

Admission price is $10/adult.

I think Tom and Sarah are looking to attend as well. I was thinking we might be able to make a group activity out of it.

We have no real plans right now other than planning on going to the meet. Maybe we could all meet at a restaurant or coffee house or something before the meet, and then go over? Maybe someplace like Crepe's In The City, or something on Washington Ave.? Not sure if Crepes is open that late on a Sunday, but I'm sure we can find something that works. Just kind of winging it here.

Let us know,

Mike and Lynda
314-239-6229

Ride Sunday, Feb 15 - final update

Hello all,

OK - so we are more or less back to our original plan for Sunday's ride. I'm no longer planning on meeting Dessa's group - they are rolling just a little too early for me. I just checked Sunday's weather forecast, and I think the best riding time is going to be from about 11:00 - 3:00 for some sun, and a bit of warmth. Tom and I rode today (Sat) and with a wind chill in the 20's it was pretty cold. Tomorrow it is supposed to be WC in the low 30's from around noon to 3:00 - and maybe some sun too.

So here is what I propose: We meet at Kaldi's in Chesterfield - roll by 11:30. I'd like to get a late breakfast, so I'm planning on being there maybe around 10:45. Lynda may come out too - for late breakfast.

I'm pretty sure Roark is in for Sunday - I think Mark too. Tom is on the fense. Dr. Dan is thinking about riding with his brother - but he has our plan too.

Ron? Rick? Anyone named Lopatin?

Talk to you all soon,

Mike
314-239-6229

Ride Sat Feb 14th, Sunday 15th, Friday too?

Hello all,

If anyone wants to ride this weekend, let me know. I'm planning on riding both Saturday and Sunday. It may be a little brisk (low 40's for a high)- but it is supposed to be sunny and dry - only a 10% chance of rain in the long range forecast now.

I'd propose about what we did last weekend - only maybe a slightly later start time, but not much. Let's try this:

Saturday - we do some sort of city / Forest Park / Kirkwood / Olivette type ride. I'll be rolling from my house - but I can plan to meet others somewhere along the way. Or if anyone wants to start at my house that is fine too. We can meet at a central location - maybe Roark's? Maybe Kaldi's in Kirkwood? I'd say we meet at one of those locations by 12:00 or 12:30. I'll roll from my house at about 11:00 either way - and meet where ever others are going to be. I'll look to ride in that location for about 10-15 miles, and then work my way home. We can meet at the Forest Park visitor's center too if that is good. I'm looking for about a 40 - 50 mile day total.

Sunday - I'd say we do exactly what we did this past Sunday. Meet at Kaldi's in the valley and take the usual routes to Bablar and back - but the shortish version. Last week we did the most direct route we could and it worked out to 34 miles or so. I'd say we do that again, and if we're feeling up for it we can always add miles along the way. Since it may be a touch cool - I'd say we plan to roll by 11:00.

Friday ? - I'm thinking / hoping to knock off work around 3:00 or 3:30. Last week Tom and I got in about a 15-20 mile ride in and around Forest Park from like 3:30 to 5:00 - worked out great. If that can happen again this week, that would be great.

Talk to you all soon,

Mike
314-239-6229

Ride Saturday? Sunday? maybe Friday?

Hello all,

I'm having a pretty crummy week - so I think the cure is to get out on my bike ASAP.

Tom and I are thinking about getting an afternoon ride in on Friday. Maybe 3:30 or 4:00 until dark. I'm not real interested in riding in the dark - but I think we can get a couple of hours in, or ride in the dark a bit. This would probably be some version of a downtown / Forrest Park type of ride.

Mark and I are kind of talking about a ride Saturday too - but we are watching the weather. I'd be up for about anything - morning or afternoon, maybe both. I think Mark is more available for afternoon. I'll be watching the weather. I'll probably use the "I don't want to start in the rain, but willing to start and get wet rule". If the weather is looking up, I'd LOVE to hit some hills - either in the Wild Horse Creek area, or at least the Kirkwood / Marshall / Adams area. If we rain out, Mark and I are also thinking about just catching a late lunch / coffee.

Sunday is probably about the same as Saturday for me.

Let me know,

Mike
314-239-6229

Cliff Bar Recall

---Product recall: Clif Bar is recalling 14 products sold in the U.S. and 4 in Canada because they contain peanut butter from the Peanut Corporation of America. PCA is being investigated as the source of a recent salmonella outbreak.>>>SOS

Economy

This Years Rids

How about we start putting together the list of dates, and who might be interested in this years rides.

May 2nd - Three State Three Mountain

May 22-24 - Horsey Hundred

June 20th - Horribly Hilly Hundred

Sept 12-13 MS 150

Oct 4 - PUMPKIN PIE RIDE - Ottawa IL

Oct 23-25 - Hilly Hundred

Add to the list, give your interest. Since its going to be iffy to ride for the time bing, I can use some thoughts of warmer things to come.

Roark

More Rides For the New Year

Folks,

Dan, Mark and I got in 19 miles with free beignets to start out the new year. A bit more then the originally promised miles, but the french pastry made up for it.

Since the weather seems to be holding, and my winter gear actually had me sweating with todays temperature I was thinking about some more rides. The forecast for the next two days is:

• Tomorrow: Partly cloudy skies. High 49F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
• 
  Tomorrow night: Mostly clear skies early will become overcast later during the night. Low 34F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
• 
  Saturday: Cloudy skies with a few showers later in the day. High 48F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.

With that in mind I am up for some more short rides starting in the late morning, early afternoon (so I can continue those crack of dawn spin and workout sessions).

I am open to suggestions for rides the next two days (obviously I am off of work)

Roark

New Years Day Ride

Folks,

I am thinking of starting off the New Years with a bike ride, short sweet, but meeting minimum ride qualifications (.5 miles if you fall, 6 miles otherwise ).

The weather prediction for is:

Tomorrow: Sunshine and some clouds. High near 45F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.

My thoughts are late morning or a noon departure time. Let me know if your interested otherwise I am off to the J to spin.

Roark

Christmakkah ride - Dec 25

Hello all,

It's looking like God is going to bless Jews and Gentiles alike this year with warm(ish) weather December 25th. Anyone up for a ride? We could stop for some Chinese food, Beignets (pronounced BEN-JAY's) and Coffee to make it a really multi-cultural experience. If the BEN-JAY shop is closed - maybe we just have coffee and baby doughnuts at Mike's house.

The long range forecast has highs in the low 50's. I think some of the Christians may have family activities to attend to in the AM, but if anyone is interested I'm kind of looking at noon or afternoon, for a city type ride. Maybe start at Kirkwood Kaldi's and see what we can come up with? Or maybe start at Roark's, and see if we can hit Forest Park and the city?

I'm up for about anything. My legs are turning to jell-o, so it will need to be a bit on the mild side.

I'll firm up some details as the day gets closer and I see the responses.

Mike

Saturday Ride

Folks,

It looks like the weather will be cooperative this coming Saturday, Dec 13th.

Saturday: Cloudy. High 46F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph.

With that in mind, I say lets go for a ride. I am in my usual winter routine just in case so I will be at spinning from 8:30 am to 9:30 am.

The ride from my house starts at 10:30 am. We can loop some hills of Kirkwood, then warm up at Kaldis. We can play it be ear for how many more miles after Kaldis.

Let me know your plans.

Roark

Kelly Sleeper Rides Into Water At Castlewood Last Weekend!

Leftover Day (Friday) ride, also Sunday?

Hello all,

Tom and I are planning a shortish ride on Friday. Probably a noon start to let it warm up. Probably about 20-25 miles. We are looking at Forest Park stuff to stay out of traffic. We think noon - 2:00 or so. I'm thinking I will leave my house around 11:30 to meet Tom some place around noon - maybe the Forest Park visitor's center. We'll probably just tool around the park from there, and maybe downtown just a bit as we work our way home. I might see if Tom wants to stop at Cafe Ventana (the coffee shop on West Pine and Vaneventure) for some free beignets.

Ron and all - I can't get out Saturday as I'll be out of town.

Sunday the weather looks pretty iffy, but I might be up for an afternoon ride (like 2:00 or so), but it does look iffy. Post ideas and I'll see depending on the weather. But I might have too many things to do at the house too.

Mike

Turkey Ride, and Wednesday ride?

Hello all,

Mark and I are planing a ride for Turkey morning, but we don't have all the details yet. I thought I'd throw something out, just to see who might be interested.

We're looking at a shortish ride (25 - 30 miles) that maybe starts around 10:00 or 10:30 and maybe goes for about 2-2.5 hours. We have not nailed down the start place or time yet. I have to be home by 12:30, so I'm looking at a start time of around 10:00 or 10:30 - but the weather is supposed to be pretty fair, so I don't think 10:00 is too early.

Mark, I was wondering if starting at Kaldi's in Kirkwood might be a good start? Maybe we roll from there at 10:30? Or maybe even 10:00? If this is not a good start I'm game for starting at Forest Park. I could be talked into starting in the Valley too - all though that would be my least favorite idea. I'd like to try and think of a place I can ride to. If we go with Kirkwood Kaldi's I'd probably put on the cold weather gear and ride to Kaldi's early enough to get coffee and oatmeal at 9:30 or so (if they are open), and then ride with you for a couple of hours, but then bail on home. I need to be home by 12:30 to get ready for plans with the family.

If we hook-up at Kaldi's we might be able to work some of the Kirkwood hills, and maybe Grant's trail, and just see how things work out.

If anyone is up for an afternoon ride on Wednesday I'm kind of looking at that too. I might be able to knock off around 3:00 - it would be a short ride near my house. Dave? Tom?

Talk to you all soon,

Mike

Ride Sunday, Nov 23 - Turkey Ride too

Hello all,

Anyone up for a ride Sunday? The weather looks pretty darn good, and not too windy either. It should warm up to tolerable around 10:30, and for certain by 11:00. After noon it will be on into the low to mid 50's.

So how about a Forrest Park / City type of ride? If David T.. jumps in, we may wind up with some south city / towards Grant's Trail type of riding too.

I'm game for about anything except going solo, so I'd like to find a friend. I'm looking to roll from my house around 10:30, and I can head to Forrest Park to meet others there. Maybe we can call it Meet at Forest Park Tourist Info center at 11:00. That sound good? We can wing the route from there. Last weekend David, Dr. Dan, Tom and some others and I started there and had a pretty interesting ride down south from there that was pretty fun. I'm looking for something in the 30-40 miles range. I've done a few too many 25 mile rides, and want to stretch it just a touch.

Turkey Day is looking pretty good too. Maybe a light ride before we set the table? I'd love to get in about 25 miles or so maybe around 11:00. Anyone game? Probably about the same ride description as above. Maybe just stick to Forest Park and the City and keep it simple.

Let me know,

Mike
314-239-6229

Top of the Door Tour

Folks,

I am going to wet your appetitie by stating to post our summer rides. At this point what I post will not be a final form, but you will get the general idea. So I am going to start at the Top, the Top of Door County!

Door County's tranquil "top of the thumb" area is a world apart from the bustling villages farther south on the Penninsula. This water is never far away on the first part of the ride which takes in both the Lake Michigan and Green Bay Shores and the turbulent chanel known as Death's Door.

The tour begins in Ellison Bay, which contains the Pioneer Store built in 1900, and the Victorian Hotel Disgarden bed and breakfast. In town in the Viking Restaurant, home of Door County's oldest Fish Boil. If our timing is right we will back to all have dinner after the days ride.

Leaving town we travel to The Clearing -- beautiful views of the water and the setting sun, historic stone and log buildings and hiking trails that wind through the property's 130 acres of forest and meadow - combine to create one of Door County's great cultural and natural treasures.

Next we pass orchard stores selling apples, ciders, and homemade preserves on our way to Newport State Park, Wisconsin's only formally designated wilderness park. The park was a logging village in the 1800s. Only remnants remain today, and beautifull rustic sandy beaches.

After enjoying the parks views we head off to Northport to catch the Ferry to Washingonton Island.

Just a few miles off the tip of the Door County peninsula lies Washington Island. A friendly year-round home to 700 people, the island is also an enchanting destination for thousands of visitors each year. The Washington Island Ferry Line is the vital transportation link across storied Death's Door passage.

Once on Washingon Island we will tour by bicycles its remote sites. We might be hungry when we get here so consider a stop at Nelson's Hall, Bitter's Pub and Restaurant. We will be sure to stop at the Stavkirke church patterned after the Borgund, Norway church built in 1150 A.D.

Other sights will include the Arts & Nature Center, Jacobsen Museum, Farm Museum, and Jackson Harbor. Then its back to the ferry to return to the main land.

After returning we will head over to the town of Gills Rock. At the very tip of the Door County peninsula lies Gills Rock, where a strong tradition of commercial fishing continues today. Gills Rock offers divers the opportunity to explore the many shipwrecks in and around Death's Door. The local maritime museum houses many artifacts from these wrecks and chronicles the fishing industry .

Click Here For The Routes Cue Sheet

Saint Louis Film Festival - Nov 13 - Nov 23

Hello all,

So what does the film festival have to do with cycling? Not much, but it does have something to do with coffee - before, during and after the show, so I felt it was an appropriate topic for the blog.

Lynda and I are planning on seeing as many shows at this year's festival that we can pack in to our schedule and we thought we'd see if anyone wanted to join us for any of the shows we are planning. This year's festival has over 100 films, many of which are international and usually fantastic, plus some very good documentaries, and quite a few shows have a Saint Louis connection, either being shot here, or actors and directors from here - or all three.

So, below are films Lynda and I are looking at. I don't know if we'll make it to all of them, it is a pretty ambitious list, but we're going to try and catch as many of them as we can. Plus, we'd probably be up for some before or after show coffee's or light meals - so let us know. If you want more info on the SLFF, including descriptions of all the shows, check out the following web site: www.cinemastlouis.org

Thursday, Nov 13 - Tivoli - Humboldt County - 7:00 PM (Mike only, so I'm looking for a date)

Sunday, Nov 16 - Tivoli - Katrina's Children - 2:45, and Fuel (best Doc at Sundance) at 7pm

Monday, Nov 17 - Frontenac - Fashion Victims - 9:00pm

Tuesday, Nov 18 - Tivoli - War Eagle, Arkansas - 7:00pm - Mike only

Wednesday, Nov 19 - Tivoli - The Pope's Toilet (a comedy) at 7:00pm and Stranded at 9:00. Stranded is a documentary that is getting strong reviews about the 1972 plane crash in the Andes with the Rugby team. I'm sure you've seen Alive! - but this is supposed to be better, with interviews from the survivors and re-creations in film from their true accounts.

Thursday, Nov 20 (maybe, and only Mike) - Tivoli - Say Goodnight - 9:45 - a local movie with local scenes, actors, directors, etc - looks pretty good.

Friday, Nov 21 - Tivoli - The Thacker Case (a murder mystery) at 7:15, and Advertising for the Mob (a comedy) at 9:15. We might need to check that these don't overlap. If we only go to one, it would probably be the second one. Waves of Freedom (a documentary about some of the first settlers of Israel) is also playing that night at 7:15 - which will not be an overlap with the Mob movie - and I'm interested in that too.

Saturday, Nov 22 - Tivoli - The Trap (a thriller) at 1:15. Also, at 7:15 we're planning on seeing the Brother's Bloom ( a comedy with Adrien Brody). That same day at 6:30 at Frontenac - The Class is playing (best film at Cannes). We'd like to see the Class too - but will go with the Adrien Brody film.

Sunday, Nov 23 - Frontenac - Waltz with Bashir ( a Documentary in animation about the middle east - maybe Israel and or Palestine - I can't remember for sure - it's getting a lot of critical acclaim) at 3:15, and I've loved you so Long ( with Kristin Scott Thomas) at 6:15.


So lots of great movies - probably too many! But what the heck. There are also another 10-15 or so that look really great, you just can't see them all. But we are noting them down, and will watch for them to come to Frontenac or other places in the upcoming months.

So let us know if you're interested..... and we'll see you at the movies!

Mike and Lynda

End Of Dubbya Ride (Saturday)

Folks,

You may have voted for the Obama or even MCain. One thing is for sure we all wanted Dubbya GONE! So I am going to have a celebratory ride that he will be gone in a couple of months. It starts from my house at 10:15 am on Saturday. Just like Dubbya I dont have a well thought out plan yet. So we will just head into the fray, and we will wing it. Hopefully we will have better luck without a plan then Dubbya did.

Roark

Friends and Family at Crown Vision

Crown Vision is having a friends and family "sale" November 16th to 22nd. They are offering 35% off eyewear, 10% off contacts, 20% off non-prescription sunglasses and $200 off LASIK.

The event is by invitation only. I have 5 invitations to hand out. Let me know if you are interested and I will get an invitation to you.

Brian

Ride with a destination - Nov 1

Hello all,

Lynda and I are planning a ride for Saturday Nov 1st. We want to see if the group would be interested in a city / Forest Park type of ride that has a stop at some point at Compton Hill Water Tower. This is one of the old city water towers that has an interesting history. It is at Grand and Russell, about a mile from our house. You can see the tower from I-44, and have probably driven by it many times. The tower is open the first Saturday of every month from April - Nov. It cost $5.00 to go up, and you may need to have a backpack or something for tennis shoes to climb in, but I think most of us can figure that part out.

Lynda and I have been up it, and it is pretty neat. It is not a bad climb at all - it is not THAT tall. Neat view, and some history, plus on Nov 1st, the colors and leaves may be about right.

We can bike before or after or both, and we can probably fit in a coffee or brunch stop somewhere too.

We can probably launch this ride from our house or Forest Park, or a group could leave from someplace else (like Roark's) and meet us too.

Let us know if you're interested,

Mike and Lynda
314-239-6229 (Mike)
314-772-7229 (house)

Ride Sunday Oct 25?

Hello all,

This will be kind of brief. Roark and I chatted for a few minutes today about possible rides this weekend. I think we are both looking at Sunday as we are each kind of tied up for Saturday. Right now we have no definite plans, but it will probably evolve into a Roark's house / city ride / Mike's house kind of ride. I'd guess starting at something like 10:00 or 10:30.

Let us know if you're interested, or if you have better ideas. I'm guessing we will start at Roark's for many of us. Lynda is interested, which means she and I would probably start at our house, and maybe meet Roark / the group in Forest Park, or the Loop. We can then ride around the city, and / or the riverfront trail, and such, and just kind of wing it. We can work our way back to Roark's too. If anyone wants to meet at our house (Mike and Lynda) or at Forest Park, let us know.

I'll look for ideas and then post something more definite come Saturday afternoon / evening.

Mike (and Roark) (and Lynda)
314-239-6229

Weekend Plans Oct 18-19

Folks,

It's getting about that time for me to post my weekend ride plans.

Saturday is my big day to ride this weekend. I hope to leave my house about 8:30 am for a City type ride. This may include Jefferson Barracks, a bit of Kirkwood, and maybe the Arch grounds in time to catch a bit of Barack! I would love to have a bit of company so let me know if your going to join me.

Sunday I am pretty much out for riding. But you could ride to my house for the 3:00-5:00 pm Sukkah party. There is going to be food, and outdoor fun! I think you all have gotten the flier earlier though most of you didnt RSVP.

Roark

Ride The Rivers Century - Sunday Oct 12th

Folks,

As you know the Rider the Rivers Century goes right by my house. This morning I noticed the Trailnet arrows are pointing in a direction opposite from the last few years. The ride will start in St. Charles and go East back toward St. Louis proper at the start of the ride. My house is about 17 or so miles from the start.

Of course I want to start from my house since the route goes right past. Since I wont be going past the registration point till mile 85, I need someone who is starting from St. Charles to register for me. I will reimburse this person for the registration fee ( and get my ferry tickets and lunch ticket). I will also provide a 17 mile rest stop and indoor potty break.

If your planning to start from St. Charles and wouldnt mind registering me ( and possibly any others who want to start from my house ) could you let me know before Sunday?

Thanks,
Roark

Ride Sunday Oct 5th

Folks,

Here are my plans for Sundays ride. I will be leaving my house at 9:00 am. I will meet Mark at the Boat House Parking lot at Creve Coeur Lake at 10:00 am. We will ride out to New Town and back. There will be a coffee stop in either New Town or Crooked Tree in St. Charles.

Roark

Ride Plans Saturday Oct 4

Folks,

If anyone is up to a nice relaxing 50 mile ride, here is my thought. We start from my house at 9:30 am, late enough so things warm up a bit, and head out the the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. There we will find the Route 66 Festival, to stop and enjoy a bit. Afterward we ride back with the hilly Chambers road option, or the flat backtrack on the Riverfront trail. It about 50 miles round trip.

Let me know if you plan to join me.

Thanks,
Roark

City ride Saturday (9-27) at 11:00 - Mike's house

Hello all,

There will be a city ride this Saturday starting at my house at 11:00. Probably a 2 - 3 hour ride. Maybe a coffee stop too. The route will be make it up as you go along - mostly downtown, Forest Park, Tower Grove, etc. - Bike Saint Louis stuff. Maybe the riverfront trail, but I doubt it. Maybe Carondolett park too. This will be a pretty casual / relaxed ride.

I know that Tom and Sarah Perez will be there, as well as Mark, Nancy, Lynda and of course me.

Talk to you all soon,

Mike

Save the date - sort of

Hello all,

Long time no see / hear / ride! More on that later. For now, Lynda and I were wanting to test the waters on dates for our Winter / Holiday party this year. We are looking to move it up earlier in the year this year, so we are looking at Nov 15 or Nov 22. Right now we are leaning towards Nov 15, but I wanted to see if anyone had a big conflict with one or the other.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone again, but hope to see most of you on the road sooner. Lynda has a new bike (a 9-speed triple with drop bars and all - the real deal!). She is wizzing around the neighborhood telling me I need to work on my drafting (me drafting her) and that my spin needs some work. So once we get a few more miles under our belt we hope to join the group for some weekend sity rides and such. More on that later too.

So let us know if one date or the other is good or bad. Mark and I were thinking we might be able to share pictures of the Blue Ridge trip and of our trip to China / Korea. I think it would be fun. We could set up a power point projector and maybe let the slides run, or something. Maybe a bit corney to all sit and watch slides, but maybe fun too.

Anyway, lots to talk about and share. I hope to be out on the bike this weekend, but I'm not sure if I'll make the Wildwood ride. But hopefully some ride some place.

Thanks all,

Mike and Lynda

100 Miles Of Hills Finally Falls!

Folks,

Yep it true. With cool weather, a few spitz of rain, and clouds blocking the sun it was a perfect day to finally put to rest the entire length of the "100 Miles of Hills Ride". Thats right after eight or so attempts the ride finally got completed.

There was St. Albans the hard way, Osenfort, Reis Road, St Paul Road, Marshal Hill, Adams, bonus climbs, even Midland and Warson. They all got climbed today from start to finish by Brian and myself.

Roark

Saturday Sept 20th and Sunday Sept 21st Rides

Folks,

So here are my final ride plans for this weekend.


Saturday Brian has convinced Mark and myself for one more attempt this season of 100 Miles of Hills. I personally think the ride will go another season without ever having been ridden to completion but I am up for a try at it. The ride will be leaving my house at 8:00 am, and will pick up Mark and anyone else who cares to join at Kaldis in the valley at about 9:15 am. We will not be staying at Kaldis for breakfast to keep things moving. We will pick up some food at our first rest at the Head Store in St. Albans.

Sunday I plan to ride to Trailnet's Flat as a Floodplain Ride that's starts at the Orchard Farm High School. We officially leave from the Lopatin's at 8:00 am. Depending on my son's need to have my car on Sunday I will either be driving or riding over to the Lopatin's. It's 29 miles from the Lopatin's House to the rides official start, so we may miss official registration. We will ride the 15 mile section of Trailnet's Ride, so figure 75 miles. A food stop will occur either in New Town, or St. Charles on our way back home.

Roark

Season End's Riding Plans:

Folks,

It seems with the closing of the season ride coordination is at a end as well. I am going to do my part by posting some of my upcoming plans and rides available. I hope this will motivate you to get on board and on a bike.

Saturday Sept 20th: Hostellings Dog Prairie Century: From St. Paul, on the wall because I have so much respect for this group.

Sunday Sept 21st: Trailnets Flat As A Floodplain: Riding From My House to the Start 50-85 miles depending on routes chosen.

Sunday Sept 28th: Trailnets Tour de Wildwood: Riding From Mark's House 60 miles.

Saturday Oct 4th: Hostellings Sand Creek Century: On the wall because not only do I have so much respect for this group, but I have always avoided this suffer fest.

Sunday Oct 12th: Trailnets Rider The Rivers Century: My house is on the loop, so its 100 miles starting at my house, with registration in St. Charles this year.

Oct 17th - 19th: Hilly Hundred: So far as I know, no hotel rooms have been reserved, and no one has registered.

Saturday Oct 25th: Tour De Bass in Springfield Mo, Rest Stops Every 10-12 miles, 20-100 miles. Inaugeral Ride Sponsored By Bass Pro Shops : If I can find a partner in crime I think I would like to give it a try.

Let hear your thoughts, on this list, on adding to the list and gets some rides going, or I seriously will have to re-acclimate to solo riding.

Roark

Ride Sunday

Folks,

I plan to ride Sunday (tommorow) from my house to the Giro della Montagba bicycle ride of trailnet. Registration goes from 7:30-9:00; so I plan to leave my house at 7:30 am to get to the hill about 8:30. I am looking for company.

Roark

Sunday Ride 8/17

Anyone up for a flat 50-60 mile ride starting from my house on Sunday? It's Mark's idea, so I assume there will be at least two of us. I figure a start time of 8:30 am.

Roark

Weekend Rides July 26 & 27

Anyone interested in doing the Calhoun County Century Ride on Saturday? The Golden Eagle Ferry is back in operation and it should only be about 90 degrees on Saturday.

Anyone interested in doing the Fun Club ride on Sunday? Could start from my house and get about 100 miles in.

Greg

What does grade mean?

Ever since I took up cycling again in 2004 I've been puzzled about something that may been obvious to everyone but me. When referring to the steepness of a hill we describe it as a percentage. Federal highways are graded at 6% or 7% maximum, I can't remember which. But the question always nagged at me. Percent of what? Surely it's not the angle of incline which would be expressed in degrees. Nope.

In studying my ground school materials for my pilot's license I found the answer that's literally been in front of me the whole time. It's simply a statement of the slope expressed as a percentage of 100. You know, rise over run. Duh.

It was discussed in the ground school material in reference to the gradient of runways. So a 7% grade on a hill means for every 100 feet of horizontal distance of the road it increases in height 7 feet. A 15% grade increases 15 feet per 100 horizontal, etc. Yep, obvious and I couldn't see it.

I may very well have been the only one who couldn't figure this out. Now I can sleep with this off my conscience.

Have fun in the Blue Ridge and ride safe.


Blue Skies!

Blue Ridge Major Driving Distances

Folks,

In the sake of honesty here are your car distances.

Friday July 11th 280 miles
Saturday July 12th 462 miles
Sunday July 20th 575 miles

I suggest reading materials, Itunes, and the drowsy version of dramine.

Roark

Blue Ridge Departure Times

Folks,

I hope to have the SUV & Trailer pulling out from my house at 3:00-3:30 pm.

SUV Passengers Include:
Cheri, Amanda, Melina, John, Mark, Ginger

Everyone else needs to be at my house at 4:30 pm. We will depart promptly for the Blue Ridge picking Brian up in route. The SUV has room for one more, so if your interested in getting out of town earlier please let me know.

Roark

Blue Ridge Countdown Info

Blue Ridge Folks,

Please make sure anyone attached to you and coming on the trip; but not getting the blogger gets a copy of the information that will be flowing in the next few days.

First, the Sag List is Done. It's not perfect, but its an attempt at being fair. You will be getting a copy of sag list before the ride starts. You will need to make sure you pull off close to where indicated if your driving. If your bicycling you must know where you supposed to take your turn. It's your responsibility to take your turn.

Second, we could definately use a cell phone assigned to just the SAG vehicle. If you have a spare cell phone (activated), and can provide the phone, please let me know. It would be great to have just one number to call if you need the SAG vehicle. I would also like someone to volunteer to put together a cell phone list, to be passed out to the group. That way we could all be able to reach each other (except for John who carries no phone). If no one comes up with a cell phone I might rent one for just the week passing the cost along.

Third, please pack in at most two duffels. Think of this as Colorado without the need for a tent. Two bags should be plenty. I also suggest a day pack that you can put into the SAG for quick access to arm warmers, etc. On the Friday we leave this should hopefully be packed with your overnight supplies. At least one of your duffels should be dropped off with your bike Thursday to be packed into the trailer. It will not be available till we reach the Blue Ridge.

Forth, dont forget your bike must be at my house Thursday. I will not wait or repack the trailer if your bike comes with you on Friday. In fact I hope to be able to let the slower trailer and SUV leave ealier if the Lopatins and I can figure something out that works for them. The trailer could be gone, if you show with your bike Friday.

Next, do not expect on returning Sunday to just scoot for home after arrival in St. Louis. I will expect help breaking down the trailer, and returning the Van. If we are early enough even the trailer will be returned. We all will have been gone, and eager to see our loved ones, but no one should have to shoulder the burden of cleaning up from the trip without full participation of the group. PLAN ACCOURDINGLY!

Lastly, if your not working this Friday, I am sure John and I could use your help packing. We start early so let me know your schedules.

Roark

Weekend Rides July 5-6

Folks,

This is it, the last weekend before the fabled Blue Ridge. It's too late to build those hill climbing legs so I just plan to keep mine limber. That said, here my plans

Saturday - Mostly Flat Ride From My House Out to New Town in St. Charles County. Figure about 60 miles round trip. You know the one big climb out from Creve Coeur Lake. Lets be rolling say at 8:30 am.

Sunday - Some Hills, just to keep your legs in hill climbing mode. Fifty miles of the Hills of Kirkwood. If we leave my house at 7:30 am, and we can be back by 1:30 pm. Cheri and I did the loop last week starting at 8:30 and were back by 1:00 pm

Let me know your comments, start times are flexible.

Roark

Blue Ridge Info Needed

Folks,

John J is helping me build the bike transport trailer. He asked me to get you all to respond to this request to hole us out! Please respond ASAP. Relay this on to any of the group who are not hooked into the blogger.

Roark

ASAP ----We need anyone going to take the front wheel off their bike, roll it up to a wall, and measure from the floor to where the fork hits the wall(center of where the scewer would fit)ALSO;: when you bring your bike Thur. A--bring something to put the wheel in(wheel bag, taped flat carton also workes fine) B: With a felt tip marker write your name as large as possible because we are going custom fit front wheel hold-downs on the two sides of the trailerand than tag your your spot. Roark and I picked up the lumber and hardware last nite at H.D. We may work on this tonight(THUR) so your co-operation is appriciated. john jauss

Blue Ridge Thoughts...

Folks,

I am working on the logistics of our friday departure. We have a six hour drive ahead of us. That in mind please let me know how early Friday you can leave town. We most likely will exit in shifts.

Also all bikes must be to my house on Thursday July 10th. The trailer will be outfitted Friday morning, and if you bike isnt there when we work the bolt downs, there is no guarantee there will be room.

Roark

Riding Plans Sat 6-28, Sun 6-29

Folks,

I am not too creative, we need hills. So that said lets just do last weeks rides all over again.

Saturday ride from my house at 8:00 am to hit those now famous hills of Kirkwood, and Jefferson Baracks. Who can now pass up that memorial stretch of Musick to Green Park Road.

Sunday ride from Mark's house, with breakfast served at 7:00 am. We mix up the Hills St. Albans, Six Flags, Wildhorse Creek, etc.

Let me know your thoughts.

Roark

Blue Ridge - Checkup IMPORTANT

Folks,

The Blue Ridge is fast approaching. Now would be a great time to get your bike checked out, and tuned up. If you have a mechanical problem, and its something that we cannot take care of by ourselves ( you better be handy or on good terms with Johh J), figure two days off the bike. The day it breaks down, and the next day to find a bike shop in a town. You will also be inconveniencing either the Lopatins or Sag Wagon Driver. Its fine to cause an inconvenience if something goes wrong that couldn't have been anticipated. Its not so fine to come to the Blue Ridge with a Bike waiting to fail. Make extra sure your cables, chain, and brakes are in good working order. Make sure that you have no cracks developing in your rims. The drive trains will be stressed during our long climbs, and you don't want brakes failing or a wheel failing during one of those long fast descents.

Please have your bike tuned up and checked out in the next two weeks!

Each cyclist with be assigned a 10 mile stint, driving our Sag Wagon (SUV with trailer) every other day. I will hand the order and assignments out on a daily basis. You are free to ride in the SAG at any time, but you are responsible for driving during your assigned slot. I will be picking the order so that the stronger riders SAG in the morning, so that the SAG period gives a break for those not quite so strong. If you have a request for when you would like your slot let me know now, I will try to work with you, but ultimately the time you get is the time you drive.

I will have some spare components for use for our own repairs. The list follows of what I have and think we need, even if all bikes are checked out ahead of time. Anything I have of course is Shimano, and 10 speed. Please let me know if you can bring anything on the needed part of the list. Also let me know if you think we need to add anything to the list. Obviously if you use a component you will need to return it, buy it, or replace it.

Brake Pads - Roark
Front & Rear Brake Calipers - Roark
Brake Cables - Roark
Shifter Cables - Roark
2 Spare 10-Speed Chain - Roark
Spare Seat - Roark
Spare Deraileur Pulleys - Roark
Spare Front Deraileur - Roark
Basic Toolset - Roark
1 Spare Tire - Roark

Front & Rear Wheelset - Ron

Rear 10-Speed Deraileur - Needed
Spare Pedal & Cleatset - Needed

Weekend Plans For Riding 7/21-7/22

Folks,

I am working on putting together plans for riding this weekend. Here are my initial thoughts:

Saturday: I would like to ride my Kirkwood - Laurmeir Park - Jefferson Barracks Hill Route
It is 55-60 miles of Hills. Highlights include, S Warson Road Climb, Lindeman Road Climb, Highland Rd Climb, Marshall Hill Climb, West Adams Climb, Rott Road (Laurmeir Park), Eddie & Park Rd Hills, Reavis Barracks Rd Climb, Kingston Drive Climb to name a few. Depending on interest we can depart my house anywhere from 7:00 - 8:00 am.

Sunday: If you are not doing the Bridge Bash and riding the flood plain ( or swimming it), I was thinking of riding West County for another 55-65 miles. We start at Kaldis in the Vally or Mark's house if he is offering breakfast again. I was thinking we work in some of the long, not necessarily steep climbs. Climbs that never seem to end.

Roark

Riding Saturday June 14 Preparation for the Blue Ridge

From all indication it sounds like we can all still use some work on hill climbing in preparation for the Blue Ridge Mountain Bike Ride. I suggest we meet at my house before 8:00 AM and be on the road riding by 8:30. If anyone wants to show up for breakfast let me know. I will have coffee.

I suggest we ride out toward St. Albans, to Allenton/Six Flags - do the loop on the other side of 44 and then come back up Allenton Hill to Melrose. I will prepare a route map.

Let me know if you are coming for breakfast.

Mark

Unfinished 100 Miles of Hills!

Was it the heat, the humidy, the hills, the lack of training, or all of the above? Bottom line is 100 miles of Hills has yet to be completed. I can say I am not acclimated to heat, let alone hills, and barely made it home with 73 miles under my belt. This year we didnt even make it as far as the Reis Road Climb.

Blue Ridge Rooms

Folks,

I am ramping up for the final plans for the Blue Ridge Tour. We currently have 13 adults who will be riding. At the moments rooms are arranged so that we have the following (not counting Lopatins).

Friday: 3-Adults Per Room ( 2 Double Beds)
Saturday: 3-Adults Per Room (2 Queen Beds)
Sunday: 3-Adults Per Room ( 2 Double Beds)
Monday: 2-Adults Per Room (2 Double Beds)
Tuesday: 2-Adults Per Room (2 Double Beds)
Wednesday: 3-Adults Per Room ( 2 Queen Beds)
Thursday: 3-Adults Per Room ( 2 Queen Beds)
Friday: 3-Adults Per Room ( 2 Queen Beds)
Saturday 3-Adults Per Room ( 2 Queen Beds)

Now is the time if you object to spooning in a bed smaller then a queen to voice your opinion. You can always bring a sleeping bag.

Additionally I have increased our gas budget. The estimated cost < $500 each.

Roark

Sunday June 8th Ride

Folks,

These last two weeks have certainly given us a jump start on getting those hill climbing legs back for the Blue Ridge. Our weekly miles have increased, our elevations have increased, even our wet time on the bike has increased.

We are in the count down to our trip now!

I am proposing choosing one of two rides for this Sunday:

1.) We ride the Calhoun County Century!

2.) We attemp one more time my 100 miles of hills ride!

Let me know your thoughts so we can put together a starting time and plan.

Roark

Flat as a Pancake Ride

Anybody not going to Washington D.C. this weekend interested in doing the Flat as a Pancake Ride on Saturday. I'm doing it if it doesn't storm.
Greg

Weekend Riding 5/17-5/18

Folks,

We had a great ride Saturday out to the Lewis & Clark Museum at the Confluence. We got in flats and hills, and 65 miles.

Now for next week. I am doing a team ride on short notice from Creve Coeur Lake this Saturday. With our plans for Washington and Horsey Hundred, this really is my only chance for a team ride this month. I am hoping some of you will join me to ride from my house to meet the team at Creve Coeur Lake. We will then ride to lunch at Miss Aimee B's in St. Charles. Once we drop the team off at the start point, its off to Hog Hollow for a fun climb and over to Kirkwood for some more hills. If you interested in joining me, let me know. Figure about 50 miles.

Sunday I plan on the Strawberry ride with Trailnet. I am hoping Joseph will join me, so I plan to be slow on Sunday.

Roark

Saturday May 10th Ride....Extra Miles!

Folks,

This Saturday, Trailnet is doing a 18,35, or 50 mile ride starting from the Lewis & Clark Visitor Center in Hartford Illinois. I have this crazy thought that we could ride from my house, and do at least 18 miles of the Trailnet ride. Our options actually are from my house with the Trailnet miles are 74 miles, 91miles, 106 miles. I am thinking the 74 miles should be enough.

Let me know your thoughts about getting some real miles in Saturday.

Sunday, is Mother's Day so I am at the mercy of my children's mother. I will not be out on any long rides. There might be a ride to Laurmeir Park to meet the family for the Art Festival.

Roark

Saturday and Sunday Rides

On Saturday let's ride from my house out toward Babler and points west. We can meet at my house at 8:00 - 9:00 for breakfast - oatmeal, eggs, toast, coffee, cereal, fruit, etc and then we start riding around 9:00 AM. My address is 15243 Kempwood Dr., Chesterfield, MO 63017 - google it if you need directions.

If you are coming for breakfast please RSVP - so I can be prepared.

Sunday, I am up for a Sunday afternoon ride - after 2:00 PM - We could do a city ride.

Horsey Hotels booked, and travel comment

Hello all,

I booked three rooms in Frankfort, KY for the Horsey Hundred. We have the rooms for two nights, so we will be home basing from there the whole weekend. I booked one room for Mark and Nancy, and two other rooms to split amoung whoever is left. If it turns out we only need one room, I will cancel one.

It should take us about 5 hours drive time to get to Frankfort, plus additional time for stops. Plus, we loose an hour. I can probably only get away around 3:30 on that Friday - I might be able to make it 3:00, but that may be pushing it. So, if we leave (from my house, or wherever) at 3:30 and we have about an hour in stops (I figure two stops, but one may be longer for dinner), we will probably be getting in to Frankfort around 10:30 or 11:00 - but that will be local, Eastern time, so not really that bad.

Then from Frankfort in the morning, we can leave the hotel at 7:00 and be at the ride registration / packet pick-up pretty close to 7:30 and maybe rolling by 8:00 or 8:15.

I do plan on driving. I can take me plus two others. Remember, company car and compnay gas, so it's cheap!

Talk to you all soon,

Mike

Horsey update and dorm room info

I registered for the Horsey last night. It's a great ride - you all will love it. I'm planning on the 100 mile option Saturday and the 70 mile option on Sunday.

It will take 5-6 hours to get there from Saint Louis (maybe 6.5 from W. County). Plus there is an hour time change against you going over.

There are dorm rooms at the college where the ride starts. $22 a night Friday or Saturday. $38 for both nights. 2 people to a room, 2 bikes will fit too. Community showers / bath down the hall. Nothing provided - so you bring your own linens and towels. I did not register for this yet, but would maybe consider.

I'd probably rather go the hotel option. Last year I stayed in Louisville on Friday night. That made it easier to not be driving so late on Friday. East side of Louisville (say about 30 miles past downtown Louisville) to the ride start is less than an hour. I think we can do pretty well with cheap hotels somewhere around there and split them 2 or 3 ways each and do almost as well as the dorms, but more privacy, and a potty right in your room - plus towels and linens right there too. We could do a room East of Louisville Friday night, then a hotel in the Georgetown / Lexington area Saturday night, so we don't have to drive so much after the Saturday ride, or again on Sunday morning. I'll start doing some leg work on hotels in both areas.

Last year on the Saturday I drove over at around 7am, and was registered and on my bike around 8:30 or 8:45. I remember feeling like I was a little late, but not that late. I do think the bulk of the riders get going by 8:00 - so something to consider. But the ride is pretty casual and a very open window for the start, so no big deal if you're off by 30 - 60 minutes.

So I think that is my plan / thoughts. Sunday we should be able to wrap up riding around 1:00 or 2:00. We get the hour back coming home - so the drive back is pretty easy. We should be able to be back in Saint Louis before dark. That will give you plenty of time for some rest, so you can go to the Trailnet Pizza Ride on Monday.

Mike

Sat afternoon ride, Sunday morning, city ride

I forgot that I have the March of Dimes walk to go to / work on Saturday morning. The walk is at Forest Park at 9:00am if anyone wants to come out. It looks like a great day for a walk. 5k walk to support prematurity prevention, research and care.

So... Saturday I am looking for a ride, but probably thinking noon or so. But that may be fine so it warms up a bit. Anyone up for a ride in West County that starts at noon? Maybe at Kaldi's in the valley? If nobody is up for that I'll probably wind up doing something in the city, but I do need to get some hill work in, so West County is the preference.

Sunday looks like a rainy day maybe in the afternoon. There is a Trailnet ride going, but it is way out in Illinios, so I don't think I'm going. Plus I think I'm going to try and go to the baseball game - or at least go to the start. They are giving away replica figures of the old Sportsmans Park stadium to the first 25,000 fans and I want one.

So... I'm planning on a city ride that leaves from my house at 8:30 probably and is finished by 11:00 or 11:30 at the latest. That way I (we) get a ride in, stay dry, don't drive forever to get to the ride, and we still have the afternoon for baseball or other things.

Let me know.

Mike
314-239-6229

Ride Wednesday? Ride April 26 or 27?

Hello all,

I'm trying to get my butt in gear and was wondering if anyone was looking to ride Wednesday, April 23rd? I could start at my house, Paul's house, Roark's house, or wherever. Let me know - just call me at 314-239-6229.

I'm planning on riding Sat and Sun too. Saturday I'm pretty open - but earlier is better so there is more time for other things in the afternoon. I'd be up for about anything, any place.

Sunday I might be going to the baseball game, so I will probably do a city ride of some sorts. Maybe starting at my house, or David T's, but I'm not opposed to other starts, like Roark's or Forest Park, or other. With the game a possibility I'd be looking at an 8:30 or 9:00 start and only about a 3 hour (max) ride. David T has worked out some pretty good city routes if anyone is game. He's got some routes with a few hills, and he does a good job of avoiding too many stops and starts and busy areas, so for city rides his routes are usually pretty good workouts.

By the way, sorry I've been a bit of a stranger. You know the refrain...too much work and school. Both are going well, but they are killing my biking. The good news is that I'm done with school for a bit as of the coming Monday. Work will probably keep me busy (lots of travel this year), but if that's the only thing I think I can get my biking going pretty soon.

I'm looking forward to the Horsey Hundred, the trip to DC and of course the Blue Ridge to name a few. I need to really do some serious training too. Tom P and I are signed up for the Horribly Hilly Hundred in mid-June and as if right now I am going to need to bring my walking shoes or my car to finish the ride, but I think I have barely enough time to get it together if I focus now.

Talk to you all soon,

Mike

Saturday & Sunday April 19th-20th Ride Plans

Folks,

It looks like spring is finally going to arrive. So I thought I would start planning for this weekend. I plan to spin at the J on Saturday to say goodbye to the spinning instructor and will be bringing the bagels. (This also gives me back up in case of rain that I get some exercise.)

I will then be home and ready to ride outside, from my house at 10:30 am. Where do I plan to go with good company along? I am going to combine Mike's and my Hills through Kirkwood loop with the Jefferson Baracks jaunt that Zavisa showed me. It should be a fun 50 miles.

Sunday I am open to starting earlier. Just some long flats with one or two big hills thrown in. I am open to suggestion on where and when.

Let me know your plans.

Roark

Saturday's Forecast for Riding

Friday night: Cloudy and windy. Low 36F. Winds W at 25 to 35 mph.Saturday: Rain and snow showers in the morning changing to mainly rain showers in the afternoon. Cold. High 44F. Winds W at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of precip 40%. It sounds like a great day for riding so plan to show up for breakfast. Even if the weather is such that we do not ride - breakfast will still be served.

Mark