Cycle and Shabbat Service

Due to technologic advancement, it is no longer nesessary to choose the bike or the bible. Now you can have both at the same time. Listen to Shabbat Services by calling 314-421-0305 and enter code 2356292#. Roark, I know that you are especially glad to have this conflict resolved!

Brian

Travel Coordination to 3S3M

It's time to coordinate our travel arrangements to Three State Three Mountain. I talked with Allan today, and he would like to caravan again out to Chattanooga. He also needs to be in town early enough to go to Friday night services at the local reform congregation. The good news is that Mark informs me, they have a hot line to the local rib joint for after service Friday night dinner. My routing software says its a seven hour drive. So if we allow eight hours to include lunch and coffee stops, we should be leaving at 7 am to get to Chattanooga by 4 pm. (Remember there is a time change of one hour).

I also need to be back to St. Louis on Sunday to Bnai Amoona Congregation by 2:30 pm for my daughters Mitvah project for Locks For Love. Samantha has organized a group hair cutting to provide wigs for children undergoing cancer treatment. I will need to be leaving Chattanooga at 8:30 am. (Remember we gain an hours on the return) Mark will be driving me directly to the event, and of course all are welcome to come and enjoy the gathering and refreshments.

Sunday April 29 (and Saturday the 28th sort of)

Hello all,

I was wondering what you all might be planning for Sunday the 29th? Next Saturday I'm helping the March of Dimes with WalkAmerica, and afterwards going to the Cardinals game, so no riding for me that day.

With that in mind I was hoping to petition the group so that the "big day" of riding next weekend could be planned for the 29th. I'd love to get some real hill work and distance in that day. I was think the West County / Six Flags / Many Hills of Dan route. Roark and Brian were even talking of adding the hills south of I-44 by Six Flags as an added bonus. I'm very much in for this route. It would be a good final tune-up before going to 3S3M.

This new week (April 23 - April 27) I am hoping to go for some late afternoon / early evening rides on Tuesday and Friday. Probably City ride / Forest Park type stuff. If anyone is interested let me know. 314-239-6229

I know I'm not the chief planner for the group, and of course know I've been missing in action much of the spring, so please don't feel like you have to plan around me. If anyone is interested in the above idea or something like it let me know.

Mike

Saturday April 21st and Sunday April 22nd

One more try for Saturday and doing the 50 miles of hills we have missed for the last two week due to the cold.

I would like to start from Kaldis in Chesterfield Valley about 9:00 am to loop out to St. Albans (the hard way), Six Flags for Allenton Hill, and Woods Road. Once again 50 miles or so of riding.

Let me know if your interested.

Sunday is another of my team rides. The team ride will be starting at 10 am from the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center near Hartford, Illinois. The ride is to Alton and Back. We will have lunch at “My Just Deserts” in Alton; plan on some great pie.

My thoughts are of course to make this a real ride by riding to the Confluence center from my house starting at 7:45 am. Round trip we will get in about 75 miles. We will come back via Bellfontaine Neighborhood and Chambers Rd to get some hills in to the mix at the end of the ride.

Let me know your plans.

Roark

Saturday Ride April 14th. & Sunday April 15th.

Saturday I am thinking of doing the 50 miles of hills we missed last week due to the cold.

I would like to start from Kaldis in Chesterfield Valley about 9:00 am to loop out to St. Albans (the hard way), Six Flags for Allenton Hill, and Woods Road. Once again 50 miles or so of riding.

Let me know if your interested.

Sunday I plan to be riding to the Flat as a Floodplain Ride. Since Cheri has posted that she is doing the same, and her house is six miles closer to the start, I am going to be starting from the Lopatin's (guess they just found out). Its 25 miles each way to and from the start of the Flat as a Floodplain Ride (from the Lopatin's) so I might only do a portion of the Flat as a Floodplain Ride.

Let me know your plans.

Roark

Trailnet Flat as a Floodplain Ride - Sun 4/15

I have 8 extra $3 off coupons for this ride. If anyone wants some, let me know. I can either try to get them to you before Sun or see you at the ride. Brian will be riding with the girls at the ride and I'll be riding to the ride.

Cheri

Rides Saturday 4/7 & Sunday 4/8

My thoughts for weekend rides are to move out of Babler, to mix some miles with those hills.

Saturday I plan to leave my house about 9:00 am to do a loop of 50 miles that will take in the Climbs into Creve Coeur Park, Hog Hollow, Marshall Hill, West Adams.


Sunday I would like to start from Kaldis in Chesterfield Valley about 9:00 am to loop out to St. Albans (the hardway), Six Flags for Allenton Hill, and Woods Road. Once again 50 miles or so of riding.

Roark

Weekend Rides Saturday 3/31 & Sunday 4/1

Folks,

Here are my thoughts for this weekend's rides.

Saturday I am doing my MS 150 team ride starting at Orlando Gardens Trailhead of Grants Trail starting at 10:30 am. We will be riding to and from Kaldis, about 20 easy miles. I plan to ride to and from the team ride, leaving my house at 9:00 am. If you want to join me, we can get some real riding in, before and after the team ride.

Sunday I would like to repeat last weeks 3S3M training ride hitting the Hills of Babler (each and every one). I suffered last week, and figure to suffer again this week. We can start from Kaldis in Chesterfield Valley at 9:00 am.

Let me know your thoughts.

Roark

Saturday Ride March 24th

Folks,

I have not been able to ride in at least a week due to a bout first with kidney stones; then to Florida to make nice to mom; and finally to babysit a faulty generator set in Conneticut for work.

So with only about six weeks left till Three State Three Mountain I say hit the hills this Saturday. My thought is to start from Kaldis in Chesterfield Valley about 9:30 am. This gives plenty of time for breakfast, and if Dan & Group wander by we can join them. I definately want to loop Babler, and do a few other climbs.

I would like to be back to Kaldis at 1:00 pm.

Let me know your thoughts.

Roark

Ride March 25 - City Ride?

Hello all,

Anyone up for a ride on the 25th? I'll be looking for a flatish / city / recovery ride. On the 24th I'll be doing a brevet, but I do want to ride on the 25th as well. Maybe something like the Roark's house / South city coffe shop / Wash ave. loop?

Just wanted to throw this out there now so everyone can plan accordingly. I'm thinking maybe you all hit it hard on the 24th, and then we all take it a bit easier on the 25th. The long range forcast for both days looks pretty good.

We can confirm route and time later.

Mike

Great weather ride part 2 - March 18

OK gang,

Let's try this again. Anyone up for a ride on Sunday the 18th? It's supposed to be around 43 by 11:00 am, and then around 50-51 in the afternoon. I'm thinking we can sleep in a little, and then shoot for a late morning start that goes to about 3:00?

Any idea on where to start? I'm game for about anything, but I'd like to get some good miles in. Anyone up for another stab at the West County hills? We could meet at Kaldi's again, but a little later, say rolling by 11:00. If we do this I'd probably be up for meeting at 10:15 for a late breakfast. We could probably get quite a few miles in by 3:00. Maybe the 10 hills of Dan route if we can handle that many hills? If we can't (I'm not saying I can either) we can always cut it short either in Babler or coming home.

The above ride would be my preference. I'd settle for a ride that started at Roark's and maybe worked in some of the hills on Ladue or Conway, and maybe some of the hills over in Kirkwood (Like Sugar Creek, Spoede (sp?), or some of the stuff from the Wednesday night fun club ride.)

We are 6 weeks away from 3S3M so I'm wanting to feature some hills, even if I (we) have to cut them short at the end of the ride. I'm also looking to hit the 50 mile ride mark as often as possbile, and certainly tomorrow.

Mike

Bike March 17 2006

It looks like the weather is going to cooperate for a West County ride tomorrow. Lets meet at Kaldi's in the Chesterfield Valley around 9:30 AM and be ready to roll by 10:30 AM.

Tuesday Night - Free Beer & H'dourves

Folks,

This may be short notice, but I have extra invites if anyone is interested in Shafely's Tuesday night for the MS get together. Let me know if your interested. The info is below.


Host:
Heather Gaehle
Location:
Schlafly Bottleworks7260 Southwest Ave., Maplewood, MO View Map
When:
Tuesday, March 13, 6:00pm
Phone:
1-800-FIGHT MS (1-800-344-4867)
Enjoy appetizers and beverages with us! Meet us and other participants from different events at the Meet & Greet on March 13. This is a great opportunity to reach new potentials by discussing recruiting tactics and fund-raising ideas. The Gateway Area Chapter will provide the first round of appetizers and drinks. Don't miss this opportunity to meet fellow participants. Please RSVP by March 9. We hope to see you there!

Saturday Ride 3/10 Ending With Yoga

Folks,

Take a look at Saturdays forecast. Spring has arrived. My thought at this short notice is an easy going get your legs back city ride starting in the 9am to 10 am time frame. We start from my house and we end in time to make it to Yoga at the J at 2 pm. If your interested let me know.

Did you hear Mike gave up cycling?

Hello all,

It's your long lost bud Mike. As most of you know by now I've given up cycling. As a matter of fact I've pretty much given up any form of physical activity. I do still shower, but it takes a lot out of me. I'm not sure yet what I'm going to do with the brand new Scott CR-1 that I've still never riden, or the 40 jersey's I own, or the thousands of dollars of bike parts and bikes that are strewn all over the basement. Maybe after Cheri sells her tag along, she can help me eBay all that crap too.

OK - maybe I haven't given up cycling. But I sure feel like I have. I've not been outside on a bike since Thanksgiving! And I've only been on the trainer 5 times in 2007, and one of them was last night. But I should get on the trainer again today, so that will be two days in a row! School and extra work at work have been the real culprits. But both are finally easing up this week and soon, so I think more free time will be here soon.

I'd be up for a ride March 10th too (outside, but easy - like a city ride).

The part about still never having riden the new Scott is true. I'm hoping to pick it up from Paul this week. Maybe that May 10 ride will be the inaguaral run. I definitely need to get my act together on training. My first 200k is March 24. I could bail on that one if I had to, but then the first one would be April 7, so either way they are coming up quick. I'm still in for 3S3M (and all the hotels), Tour de Cure, Michigan and PBP. Plus I think I'll get a week long ride in Kansas/MO/NE/Iowa in in June. Lynda and I have pretty much decided we're going to Paris whether I've qualified of not! We're hoping to do the ride, and then hit Paris for 3-4 days after, and Berlin for 3-4 days as well - come back home over Labor Day weekend. If I'm really lucky Alp duez or Mt. Vonteau (sp?) will be in there somewhere.

Thanks all for checking on me last night. I should be back in the saddle soon. The good news is being lazy and eating pooly (as in hardly eating at all) has lead me to drop 8 pounds. I weighed myself this morning and came in at 128. I know you all don't want to hear that. I'm kind of hoping it pays off! Maybe I get my butt back in shape soon, and I'm 5-6 pounds lighter up the hill too. Plus the new bike!

You guys are in trouble if I decide to take up biking again.

Talk to you all soon,

Mike 314-239-6229

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Rhode Gear Insta-Tandem for Sale

All,

We're looking to sell our trailer bike. If you know anyone interested, please pass this information along to them.

Thanks.

FOR SALE:
Rhode Gear Insta-Tandem

· Easily attaches to seat post of adult bike without scratching so that older child (4-9 years) can be towed.
· Child may pedal independently of the towing adult. Child can pedal as much or as little as they like.
· Hinges at the fixing position so as not to impede the normal handling of the adult bike.
· Quick Release System Double Pivot Hitch Chain-guard, Alloy Wheel.
· 7 years old; like new; purchased 9/2000
· Have original sales receipt ($190) and Owner’s Manual
· Asking $100 or best offer

314-692-2344

Sign up for 3 State 3 Mountain

All,
If you have not yet signed up for 3 State 3 Mountain, we could register as a team and pay $35 instead of $40. Please let me know within the next few days (by March 7). I'd like to get signed up as soon as possible. Remember that 3S3M registration ends at 2500 riders or April 23, whichever comes first. To sign up as a team, we have to all register at the same time. I can register everyone and then you can pay me back.
Thanks.
Cheri

Trailnet Chilli Dinner

Anyone planning on attending the Trailnet Chilli dinner Saturday evening? I have signed up. Looking forward to seeing you all there. Mark

Saturday for a Ride?

I am sitting here in Halifax, where its 18 degrees out. I read you all are having great weather in St. Louis. So, does anyone want to do a city ride Saturday. Its been over a month since I have been on my bike. Let me know your thoughts.

Roark

Sleeping Bear Dunes with Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive

Click On The Map for Larger View

Folks,

Its too cold to ride, so a distraction; another of the rides we will be doing in Michigan this summer.

Ride Overview:
The ride starts at The Dunes Climb (off the bike ) of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park. Starting counterclockwise we head to the first off the map stop, 7 miles of Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. This climb was listed in Bicycling Magazine's recent 100 most memorable climbs in the US.

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is 6.9 miles. Located within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, it is recommended by the National Park Service for expert cyclists only, due to the steep terrain, sharp curves, and traffic. Combined with the Glen Arbor area Bike Tour, it can easily fill a day. Pierce Stocking is a microcosm of the entire park. The winding, hilly, one-way road with a dedicated bike lane is designed with twelve stopping points where the highlights and contrasting environments within the park are explained.

The ride continues onward on wobbly legs climbing up to "Inspiration Point" to stop and enjoy the overlook view of the Glen Lakes. Expect rolling hills to continue out to the town of Maple City. At Gabe's local market, there is fresh supply of homemade jerky. Jersey pockets now stuffed with jerky, the ride continues to tour Little Traverse, Lime and School Lakes. Expect some more hills, as this is the home of the Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Resort.

Returning back toward the upper half of Glen Lakes, the ride continues into Glen Arbor. The quaint town Glen Arbor is the home of Cherry Republic. The goal at Cherry Republic is always to eat as much in free samples as purchased to take home. The Cherry Ice Cream is an absolute must! There are numerous restaurants to enjoy lunch in Glen Arbor.

Stuffed from lunch with cherry ice cream, and all other things cherry the ride continues on to the little town of Glen Haven to visit the Maritime Museum. Additional Glen Haven attractions include a working Blacksmith Shop, and ole timey General Store. Once explorations are finished its back through the starting point at the Dunes Climb. If those legs still have energy, expect a half hour climb on foot to just the first ridge of the dunes.

This ride is approximately 60 miles. Lots of climbs, but lots of stops and things to see as well.

Images to wet your fancy, are below: