Interesting

http://www.bikepro.com.au/bike-fit-myth-debunking

http://www.bikepro.com.au/diy-bike-fitting

Interesting article

http://triathlete-europe.competitor.com/2013/11/29/how-pain-tolerance-affects-performance

12/01/2013 Sunday Ride

Let's meet at 08:00 AM at Panera Bread in Wilmette. We can do some variation of St. Mary or Panera to Panera.

Let me know if you are coming so I can look for you.

Felix

Saturday 11/30/2013 Ride

Let's meet at Panera Bread in Wilmette and be ready to ride at 09:00 AM. We can do the St. Mary loop or a variation of it. It will be much warmer that the last several days, so do not miss an opportunity for a nice ride outside.

Felix

Black Friday Ride

Let's meet at Panera in Wilmette and be ready to hit the road at 09:00 AM tomorrow.

If you are driving to the starting point, keep in mind that the usual parking is not free on the weekdays. Look for some street parking, I would say west from the Metra tracks.

If you are planning on joining me, let me know so I can look for you.

Felix

Ride for Sunday 11/24/2013

Let's meet at Panera Bread in Wilmette and be ready to hit the road at 13:30 PM. We can go to lake Bluff or something like it. No stops, or very short bathroom stop if needed. Back before it is dark. If you are planning on coming, let me know so I can look for you.
Felix

Another Interesting Blog

http://ukcyclelaws.blogspot.com/p/the-laws-according-to-highway-code.html

Saturday 11/16/2013 Ride

The forecast predicts rain after 11 AM on Saturday. I will be at Panera in Wilmette ready to ride at 08:00 AM (on the road at 08:10 AM). The plan is to do a non-stop or a quick stop for bathroom ride and be back before 11 AM. If you are planning to join send me an email so I can look for you.

The forecast for Sunday looks rainy. Depending on how it looks on Saturday I will post something.

Felix

Interesting Article

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/10/opinion/sunday/is-it-ok-to-kill-cyclists.html?_r=0

Weekend Rides 11/9 & 11/10/2014

We will do the usual St. Mary loop or a variation of it.

You guys decide what to do on Saturday. If no one posts anything it will be 8 AM Show & Go from Panera as it is listed like that on the ride schedule.

Felix

Amazing Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWCDEAYn8rQ&feature=youtu.be

Rides for the Weekend 11/2 & 11/3/2013

Let's meet at 08:00 AM on both Saturday and Sunday at Panera in Wilmette and be ready to hit the road at 08:10 AM.

We can do the St. Mary Loop on Saturday and Panera to Panera on Sunday. Plan for no stop or short bathroom stop. We will stop at the end at Panera in Wilmette for breakfast/snacks/coffee.

Let me know if you are coming so I can look for you.

Keep in mind that the Daylight Saving time ends this weekend and the Sunday will be withthe new time (8 will be the old 9).

Felix

Interesting Blog

http://yourbikehatesyou.blogspot.ca/2013/10/grey-is-new-black.html

Interesting Video

http://bikejerks.com/blog/2013/10/29/cycling-still-the-greatest/

Winter is (almost) here

http://www.velominati.com/tradition/winter-training/

After work ride for tomorrow Tuesday 10/29/2013 NEW START TIME

We are going to start at 16:45 SHARP from the Ice Rink in Wilmette. Back before 6 PM. Bring at least a blinky for the back of the bike.

If you are planning on coming let me know so I can look for you.

Felix

Rides for this Weekend 10/26 & 10/27/2013

From the responses I got it seems like it will be Saturday at 8 AM from Panera and Sunday at 9 AM from Panera.

Felix

Ride for Sunday 10/20/2013

Due to popular demand and cooler temps in the early morning, let's meet at Panera at 9 AM tomorrow.

Felix

Another Interesting Training Article

http://triathlon.competitor.com/2013/07/training/checking-your-intensity_59521

Interesting Blog

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2011/09/the-lost-art-of-the-group-ride-2/

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2009/06/group-ride-etiquette/

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2009/10/when-the-paceline-stalls/

Columbus Day Ride

We are going to meet at Panera Bread in Wilmette at 09:00 AM instead of 08:00 AM tomorrow.

Rides for the weekend (+Columbus day)

Tomorrow the forecast predicts 50% chance of rain after 10:30. Let's meet at Panera in Wilmette and do either Panera to Panera (~40 miles) or St. Mary Loop (~50 miles) depending on how the weather looks in the morning.

Sunday and Monday look much better with very low chance of rain. Unless anybody has an idea for a specific ride we can do Show & Go at 8 AM from Panera in Wilmette.

Let me know if you are interested and if you can do a Monday ride.Felix

Tuesday and Thursday VF+ Start time change

The days are getting shorter. In order to make it back before it is dark we will start at 17:00 SHARP from the Ice Rink in Wilmette. This will probably buy us another week. After that we will have to cut the ride a bit shorter.

Felix

Rides for this Weekend 10/5 & 10/6/2013

Let's meet at 8AM at Panera Bread in Wilmette and do Show & Go. The weather forecast is showing possibility of rain, so check your emails at 7 AM for possible cancellation.
Felix

Tuesday and Thursday after work rides NEW START TIME

Starting tomorrow we will start at 17:15 SHARP from the Ice Rink in Wilmette. If you are planning to join send me an email so I can look for you.

Felix

Rides for this weekend 9/28 & 9/29/2013

Since it does not look like anybody is interested in going to the Apple Cider Century, let's plan to meet at Panera at 08:00 on both days and do Show & Go.

Felix

Fed Response to Lance's Motion to Dismiss

Here is a link to the legal brief the Fed's filed in response to Lance's motion to dismiss.

While it certainly includes lots of legal-eze, the introduction is in plain English

http://www.scribd.com/doc/170500866/Fed-Response-to-Lance

Barrington Hills Remote Start Saturday 9/21/2013

We will start at 8 AM SHARP from Ryerson Woods, 21850 N. Riverwoods Rd., Deerfield  IL  60015.  

Take the Edens Spur to Deerfield Rd., West to Sanders/Riverwoods Rd.  Turn right, and keep left at the fork to go North on Riverwoods Rd. for about 2 miles to the preserve entrance, on the west side of the street.

The plan is to 65-80 miles deeper into the Barrington/Barrington Hills area and do few more hills. There will be a food stop in the middle or 2/3 into the ride. Bring pocket food.

If you need a ride to the start point or if you have room for another rider/bike let me know and we can try to organize a carpool.

Let me know if you are planning on joining so I can look for you.

Felix

After Work Rides for Tuesday 9/17 & 9/19/2013

For the next week we are still planning to do the Tuesday and Thursday after work rides starting at 5:30 PM SHARP from the Ice Rink in Wilmette so we can be back before it gets dark. If you are planning to join one of those rides, let me know so I can look for you. If the weather is going to be bad, I will post a cancellation by 3:00 PM on the day of the ride.
Felix

Barrington Hills Remote Start Saturday 9/14/2013

We will start at 8 AM SHARP from Ryerson Woods, 21850 N. Riverwoods Rd., Deerfield  IL  60015.  Take the Edens Spur to Deerfield Rd., West to Sanders/Riverwoods Rd.  Turn right, and keep left at the fork to go North on Riverwoods Rd. for about 2 miles to the preserve entrance, on the west side of the street.
The plan is to 65-80 miles deeper into the Barrington/Barrington Hills area and do few more hills. There will be a food stop in the middle or 2/3 into the ride. Bring pocket food.
If you need a ride to the start point or if you have room for another rider/bike let me know and we can try to organize a carpool.
Let me know if you are planning on joining so I can look for you.
Felix

After Work Rides for this week (9/10 & 9/12)

Let's try to do two after work rides this week one on Tuesday and one on Thursday. We will meet at 17:30 at the Wilmette Ice Rink and go to Ft. Sheridan. We will try to do a steady, fast paceline.

Let me know if you are planning on coming so I can look for you.

Labor Day Ride

Tomorrow Monday 9/2/2013 we are going to do a remote start ride in Wisconsin just north of the Illinois border.

We are going to start the ride from:

Bristol Woods County Park
Take I-94 North. A few miles past the Wisconsin border, take Exit #347 Hwy 165/Cty Q. 
Turn left (west) at the end of the exit ramp and go west 2.5 miles on Cty Q. 
Turn right (north) at Cty MB and go 0.8 miles. 
Turn left into the park entrance. Park at the Pringle Nature Center - follow the park road about 1/4 mile past the picnic shelter at the top of the hill.

The ride will start at 08:15 AM. Plan for about an hour drive to the start location. Few of us will meet at Panera Bread in Wilmette at 07:00 AM and will travel together, maybe carpool, depending on who comes with what car.

If you are planning to join us, let me know if you are coming to Panera first or going straight to Wisconsin.

The ride will go to the town of Lyons and back (around 70 mile total). There will be a food stop somewhere in the middle of the ride, but just in case everything is closed for the holiday bring enough pocket food.

Saturday 8/10 Butter Burger Century 7am

Time for the century has been set at 7am due to length of ride. See post below for a few more details.

Century Ride for Saturday 8/10

I would like to do a century ride on Saturday – thinking of the Butter Burger, which turns around at mile 55 at the Culver’s in Pleasant Prairie.  The weather should be very nice.

The ride starts on the typical St Mary’s ride so if some just want to do St Mary’s others can continue on.

 

8 am from Panera would work or can do 7 am or 7:30 am if preferred.

Let me know if anyone is interested and favored start time

847-431-8228 

Saturday, 7/27 Barrington Hills remote start

Let’s meet Saturday, 7/27 ready to ride at 8:00 a.m. from Ryerson Woods, 21850 N. Riverwoods Rd., Deerfield  IL  60015.  Take the Edens Spur to Deerfield Rd., West to Sanders/Riverwoods Rd.  Turn right, and keep left at the fork to go North on Riverwoods Rd. for about 2 miles to the preserve entrance, on the west side of the street.

We’ll ride to Barrington Hills, taking the longest loop wherever possible.  Total mileage will be about 60-65.  Bring food to eat on the bike.  Stops only to refill water and use the bathroom, 10 min. max.

It looks to be an excellent day for cycling.  Hope you can make it.

Herb Schwab

773-205-2627

Rides For The Weekend of 7/20-21

Saturday

We’re meeting at Old School Forest Preserve at 08:00 am and riding to Bull Valley. We'll be paralleling another EBC group.  Mileage will be around 80 for the remote start. 

Sunday

We'll do a Show and Go ride from Panera Bread in Wilmette. Ride start time is 8:00 am 7:00 a.m

Thursday after work ride 7/18/2013

I am planning on doing the usual Thursday evening ride starting at 18:00 from the Wilmette Ice Rink. The plan is to do 25-30 miles total going north (Ft. Sheridan).

If you are planning to join send me an email so I can look for you.

If the weather is not good for riding I will post a cancellation by 5 PM tomorrow.

Thursday 7/11/2013 After Work Ride

Let's meet at 18:00 at the Wilmette Ice Rink/Centennial Park (2300 Old Glenview Rd, Wilmette). We will do ~30 miles going north.

If you are planning on joining send me an email so I can look for you.

I will be riding tomorrow 7/10/2013 after work (any time after 5 PM). If you are interested let me know.

Felix

Rides For The Weekend of 7/13-14/13

Saturday

We will start at Panera Bread in Wilmette at 8:00 am and head for the rollers on N. River Road (on the north side of Libertyville). It's basically the cemetery loop ride, but we'll keep going straight on N. River Road instead of turning east on Guerin, and take till the T intersection with Belvidere (Rt..120)

We'll make a mid-ride stop at Panera in Lake Bluff and then ride east to Fort Sheridan, and then head homeward.  

Sunday

We'll meet at Panera Bread in Wilmette at 8:00 am. Distance and destination to be decided by the group that shows up

Rides for the weekend 7/6 & 7/7/2013

Since i received only one response for a remote start ride, let's meet at Panera at 08:00 AM both days. Destination/distance/route will be decided on the spot - all suggestions welcome.

If the weather is bad for riding I will post a cancellation at least an hour before the ride start.

Tour de France Explained

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=h7wPa1Hl5ZA#at=395

4th of July Ride

Few of us have confirmed to ride on the 4th. If you are planning to join send me an email so I can look for you. We will start at 08:00 from Panera in Wilmette.

Let me know your preference for distance/time and I will try to figure out something a little different than the usual St. Mary Loop. We can still do it if that is the group preference.

Potential options:

~60 miles Cuba Road or Gurnee

~70 miles Lake Zurich

~80 miles Wisconsin Border, Barrington or Wauconda

~90 miles Barrington Hills extended

>110 Bull Valley

Interesting

Biking around Chicago

Rides for this Weekend 6/29 & 6/30/2013

Let's hope for no rain on Saturday and meet at 07:00 AM at Panera Bread in Wilmette. We will do 40-70 miles depending on the weather.

On Sunday we can meet at the same time and place and do a shorter or longer ride depending on what we did on Saturday. The weather is more likely to be dry on Sunday.

If the weather changes for the worse I will post a cancellation an hour before the starting time.

After Work ride for tomorrow Thursday 6/27/2013

Let's meet and be ready to ride at 18:00 at the Ice Rink in Wilmette. The plan is to go to Ft. Sheridan and back (25-30 miles).

If the weather is bad I will post a cancellation by 5 PM tomorrow.

If you are coming send me an email so I can look for you. There is plenty of free parking if you come driving.

Ride for Sunday 6/16/2013

According to the latest forecast, the rain is supposed to stop by 7 AM tomorrow. Let's meet at 08:00 AM at Panera in Wilmette and do 50-80 miles.

If the weather does not look good for riding I will post a cancellation by 07:00 AM tomorrow.

The Ride around Lake Geneva is cancelled

The forecast for tomorrow for the Lake Geneva area shows high likelihood for rain and thunderstorms. It looks like we will have a window of opportunity for riding between 8 AM and Noon tomorrow locally. Let's meet at 08:00 AM at Panera in Wilmette and do either the St. Mary Loop, or Panera to Panera. If the weather changes for the worst I will post a cancellation by 7 AM tomorrow.

Rides for the rest of the week

Tomorrow (Thursday 6/13/2013) we are going to do Hill Intervals in the Fort Sheridan area. Let's meet at 18:00 at the parking area next to the big circle drive inside the fort. We will warm up for 20-30 minutes doing laps around the circle and then we will to the long lake access ravine road 10 times. Cool down for 10-15 minutes and we should be done before 19:30. I am planning to drive there. If you are going to ride to the fort, plan for the ride home (it is still daylight until 20:30).

On Saturday 6/15/2013 we are planning to ride around Lake Geneva, WI. Two loops around the lake (46 miles) with some hills. Big Bob will provide a grill for a barbecue after the ride, we just need to bring food to grill, drinks, fruit, etc. If you are planning to join, let me know and I will keep you informed about the travel arrangements. Few wives/significant others are also going to go and meet us after the ride for lunch. My wife will have room for few more in her car.

On Sunday 6/16/2013 we can do the usual St. Mary Loop or Panera to Panera. Let's meet at 08:00 AM at Panera in Wilmette.

Rides for the weekend 6/8 & 6/9/2013

On Saturday let's meet at 7AM Sharp at Panera. The plan is to do 60-80 miles with one stop for water/bathroom and a food stop either in the middle or at the end of the ride. Bring enough food to eat on the bike. The destination is to be decided. Cons is working on several options. I will send an email with the details when ready.

On Sunday if it does not rain you guys can do a show and go at 07:00 AM from Panera, or somebody can volunteer and post a specific ride.

Interesting Information

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2011/02/the-geometry-of-bike-handling/

http://www.bikecad.ca/quickapplet

After Work Ride Thursday 5/23/2013

Let's meet at the parking lot of the Wilmette's Ice Rink and be ready to hit the road at 18:00. Plan for 25-30 miles.

If the weather is bad I will post a cancellation by 17:00.

If you are planning to come send me an email so I can look for you.

Interesting Blog

http://le-grimpeur.net/blog/archives/943

http://le-grimpeur.net/blog/archives/303

http://le-grimpeur.net/blog/archives/598

Rides for Saturday 5/18 & Sunday 5/19/2013

On Saturday let's meet at 08:00 AM at Panera Bread in Wilmette and do the usual St. Mary loop (~50 miles).

On Sunday we are doing the Arlington 500 (69 miles). Let's plan to meet at the starting point at 07:45AM so we can register ($15) and be on the road at 08:00-08:15AM. If there is interest in carpooling we can talk about it on Saturday. If you are planning to join us, let me know so we can look for each other at the parking lot. Here is the address:

Barrington High School 

West Parking Lot 

616 W. Main Street 

Barrington, IL

If the forecast changes for the worse I will post a cancellation at least an hour before the start time.

After work ride for tomorrow Thursday 5/16/2013

We are going to start at 18:00 PM SHARP from the Ice Rink in Wilmette. We are going to go to Ft. Sheridan and back. Total distance around 25 miles. Let me know if you are coming so I can look for you.

Rides for this Weekend 5/11 & 5/12

Let's meet at 08:00 AM at Panera in Wilmette on both days. Saturday will be a little warmer, but with small chance of light rain around 10-12 in the morning. We can play it by ear and decide to do Panera to Panera or the usual loop around the cemetery. Sunday will be a little cooler, but with virtually no chance of rain. We can do 50-60 miles in a direction of choice.

If the weather changes I will post a cancellation at least an hour before the start time.

After Work Ride for Tuesday 5/7/2013

Let's meet at the parking lot of the Wilmette Ice Rink tomorrow and be ready to ride at 18:00 SHARP. We can go to Ft. Sheridan and back or something like it. If you are planning to join, send me an email so I can look for you. If the weather changes I will send a cancellation email before 5PM tomorrow.

Rides for this weekend 5/4 & 5/5

Let's meet at Panera in Wilmette at 08:00 AM and do 50-70 miles on Saturday and 50 on Sunday. If the weather is not good we can make it shorter. If it rains I will post a cancellation before 07:00 AM on the day of the ride.

Felix

After work ride Wednesday 5/1/2013

Let's meet at the parking lot of the Wilmette Ice Rink and be ready to ride at 18:00. Free parking, but the building is closed. There is a port-a-potty behind it (North-west corner). If the weather changes I will post a cancellation by 17:00. If you are planning to come, send me an email, so I can look for you.

Felix

Ride for Saturday 4/20/2013

We are going to meet at Panera in Wilmette at  09:00AM and do the usual St. Mary Road ride with a loop around the cemetery. Brief stop at Panera on Rt. 176 on the way back. Total distance around 50 miles.

If the weather is bad I will post a cancellation by 08:00 AM on the day of the ride.

Ride to Lake Geneva Sunday 4/21/2013

Next Sunday we are planning on doing a ride to Lake Geneva. We are going to join the Sub-5 group. It will start from Union, IL at 08:00 AM SHARP. Here are the details:

Start/End: Old West Steakhouse in Union Illinois

8512 S Union Rd  Union, IL 60180

Dist: 69 milesRoute: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/197097954 Pace: 18-20 mph, no-drop rideLeader: Rene' BoerDescription: 2nd Annual ride to Lake Geneva and back. Stops in Woodstock and Lake Geneva (15 min refuel) and no-stop return to Union. Malted beverages and late lunch upon return to OWS. "No-drop" means that we will wait for stragglers at key intersections.

If the weather is bad I will post a cancellation by 06:00 on the day of the ride. It takes over an hour to get to the start point from Wilmette, so plan accordingly. We are going to try and carpool. 

If you are planning to join, send me an email.

Felix

vikfel@yahoo.com

Ride for Sunday 4/14/2013

Let's meet at Panera at 08:00 AM tomorrow and based on how many show up we are going to do our own ride or join Turin.

Let me know if you are coming so i can look for you.

Ride for Saturday 4/13/2013

We are going to start at 09:00AM from Panera Bread in Wilmette and do the usual ride on St. Mary with a loop around the cemetery. Bring a snack to eat on the bike. Short stop on the way back at Panera on Rt. 176.

If the weather is bad I will post a cancellation by 08:00AM.

Ride for Sunday 4/7/2013

Tomorrow looks like a good day for biking. Much less wind than today and no rain.

Let's meet at Panera at 08:00 AM. We can either do our usual ride around the cemetery or join the Turin Sunday ride.

Felix

Ride for Saturday 4/6/2013

We will start from Panera Bread in Wilmette at 09:00 AM and do the usual St. Mary Road with a loop around the cemetery. Total distance around 50 miles, one snack/restroom stop at Panera in Lake Bluff.
If it rains I will post a cancellation before 08:00 AM tomorrow.

Ride for Saturday 3-30-13

The general consensus is to meet at Panera in Wilmette at 10:00AM and ride 40-50 miles. We could do Panera to Panera, Bluffington's or the loop around the cemetery.  

Heidi

Ride Re-Cap 3/23/2013

We started a little later than usual - 10:30 AM from Panera in Wilmette. It was just above freezing, but sunny and with minimal wind. We had 6 riders show up - Heidi, Dave, Herb, Martin, Randy P. and I. Everybody seemed to be happy to be out on the road after a long winter with a lot of indoor miles. Martin was in a hurry to pick a family member from the airport, so he took of shortly after the start. Randy had a flat tire within a mile from the start and since he had things to do and was not planning to ride with the us for the whole ride, he told us not to wait for him. Heidi, Herb, Dave and I continued on the usual route to Lake Bluff via Skokie Valley Bike path. The path was mostly dry, with few places of remaining snow on the sides and very few wet areas. We were maintaining a decent pace for the first official ride of the spring. The wind slowly picked up, but was not a big factor. The underpass at the end of the path was kind of icy and we had to really slow down for a bit, but the rest was nice and dry. We made it to Bluffington's and had snacks. On the way back we took Robert McClory Trail to Fort Sheridan and then St. John to Green Bay. The ride back to Panera was even better with more sun and the wind from the side. We met Trish and Cliff Z. at Panera and spend some time with them. Cliff missed the ride for few minutes, but rode by himself to Ft. Sheridan.
Total distance ~37 miles, average speed 18.7 mph.
Let's hope for good weather and even more riders.

The Bicycle Parking in front of Bluffington's

Ride for Saturday 3/23/2013

The general consensus is to meet at Panera in Wilmette at 10:30AM and do 40-50 mile ride. We could do Panera to Panera, Bluffington's or the loop around the cemetery.

If the weather changes for worse, I will post a cancellation by 9AM on Saturday.

Felix

Game Day Decision -- But We May Ride Outdoors This Weekend

In an article on Weather.com about cities with 60 degree temperature drops on the first day of spring this year, Chicago is the first city on the list.

Chicago
Actual High on March 20, 2012: 85 Degrees
Forecast High for March 20, 2013: 25 Degrees
Difference: -60 Degrees

http://www.weather.com/family-kids/countdown-spring/spring-2012-versus-2013-20130319?pageno=2

It is colder here than in the above the Arctic Circle town of Ilulissat, Greenland, which is predicted to reach  39 degrees today

However, we are considering getting off the trainers and riding outside this weekend. Check back later in the week for more information. Start time may be as late as 10:00 am if we do ride outside.

Winter riding

Not that we did a lot of winter riding outdoors this year, but still interesting:

http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/03/bikes-and-tech/technical-faq/technical-faq-why-is-riding-in-the-cold-so-hard_277626

Tucson Cyclemania II Day 9

We woke up early and started packing the bikes while we were doing the laundry and cleaning the house. We were done with time to spare. After 7 days of riding, we had a total of 491 miles with over 21000 feet of elevation gain. Only one flat tire, one sidewall cut, one slow speed fall with no injuries, one missed corner at speed with nobody hitting the ground or a cactus. Phil helped us get the bikes to the airport and retrieve a forgotten helmet in the rental car. At the Tucson airport they did not let us watch as they were inspecting the bike cases. The flight was on time and fully packed. We arrived on time. We were again unpleasantly surprised to see that the TSA did not close the bike cases well and three of them came partially open. We will have to find out if there is anything missing or damaged when we get them from Herb.

Tucson Cyclemania II Day 8

Our last ride for the trip was doing the official El Tour de Tucson course. The weather was nice - starting in the high 40s and quickly getting to the low 60s with abundant sunshine. The actual ride starts from downtown Tucson, but since it eventually goes through the area we were staying we started the ride from home. This helped with saving time and not going with the hassle of driving to the start point, but instead of finishing with the easiest portion of the course, we ended with the hardest. The ride goes literally all the way around Tucson. We did not have the privilege of having the roads closed for traffic and having course marshals at the big intersections. Some of the roads were in somewhat poor shape even for our Chicago standards. We also managed to skip one of the washes that are part of the course, but did the other. Riding a road bike through sand, a small creek and then more sand is not what I would personally recommend. Luckily on the other side we were able to spot a faucet with a hose and were able to rinse down the sand from the wheels and the drive-trains. It took us over 6 hours to do the 110 miles and the 4000 feet of elevation gain. We were all happy when we made it home. After a quick shower we went to Dave and Corina's house for dinner. They had a delicious meal and good company. Unfortunately we were all very tired and went home early.

Tucson Cyclemania II Day 7

Today we started a little later than usual, so we can get few less layers in the morning. The weather cooled down significantly after the snow storm on Wednesday. We started in the low 40s and finished in the low 50s. We rode to Sabino Canyon going over some familiar roads from previous rides and adding a loop over a new territory  We made a snack stop at AJ's market again and went back home. Total distance 57 miles, total elevation gain 3100 feet. Getting ready for the big ride tomorrow. We are doing the El Tour de Tucson on the last day. 109 miles with 3200 feet of climbing. The weather is going to be a little warmer than today.

Tucson Cyclemania II Day 6

After the big snow storm on Wednesday we were anxious to see how the weather is going to be on the next day. we woke up with still a lot of snow on the ground. We had dense fog in the early morning, but by mid-morning the sun was peaking out and the snow mostly melted. The big streets looked dry. Phil took us for a ride towards downtown Tucson. We started at 12:30 PM. For the first part of the ride the sun was shining, but in the early afternoon the clouds started covering the sky again. after a food stop at the Rincon Market, we all decided to head back home in order to avoid the rain that was coming in the early evening. We all made it safe and sound before the rain. Total distance 50 miles, total elevation gain 2100 feet. The plan for tomorrow is a ride to Sabino Canyon. So far with over a foot of fresh snow on Mt. Lemmon it looks like on Saturday we will ride the El Tour de Tucson instead.

Tucson Cyclemania II Day 5

The forecast for snow was correct ;-(
It was snowing for the most of the day. Zero miles total and zero feet of elevation gain.

Snow in Tucson (again)

Tucson Cyclemania II Day 4

Today we did the ride to Gates Pass, but this time in reverse. We were a little worried about the winds, but Phil's plan worked perfect. We made it to the top of the Gates Pass just before the winds got stronger and had a nice tail wind for the most of the ride back. the temperature was in the 50s at the beginning of the ride and in the high 70s by the end. Couple of flat tires were the biggest excitement for the day. We ended the day with 65 miles total distance and over 3400 feet of elevation gain. Tomorrow looks like a rest day - rain and snow are hitting the area.

Tucson Cyclemania II Day 3

On Monday we did the new, specially crafted for us ride called Rollie-Pollie. We started as a group of 12 riders. The kicker was that they got us to climb every hill and little mountain along the way, including the "Hell Hill" - the local version of our Walker hill, but 4 times longer. The weather was nice, slightly more overcast than the day before, but still the temperature was in the high 70s by the end of the ride. On one of the fast descends few of us found out that they needed more road to make a turn, but everybody managed to stay up on and off the road. Close to the end of the ride there was a chain breakdown which led to three riders taking the short ride home. For the remaining nine there were few more hills left to negotiate. At the end of the ride we had 63 miles total and 4400 feet of elevation gain. Since the weather for Wednesday is not looking good (rain and snow), the nice hosts are planning to extend the length of the scheduled ride to Gates Pass despite of the 30+ mph winds today. I guess what does not kill you may make you stronger. Time will tell.

Tucson Cyclemania II Day 2

We did the Greater Arizona Bicycle Association (GABA) Picacho Peak Century. We started at 7am while the sun was still behind Mt. Lemmon and the temperature was in the low 40s. Since we anticipated that by the end of the ride it would be in the high 70s, we did not dress too warm. The first hour of the ride was mostly downhill with tail wind, which did not help us get any warmer. When the sun came up, things quickly changed and by 10 am we were down to shorts and short sleeved jerseys. There were no big hills or mountains to climb, but overall we gained around 3000 feet. The last 3rd of the ride was against a strong wind and our legs were feeling it. We ended the ride at Chris' house for cold drinks and pretzels. Total distance for the day 102 miles, total elevation gain 3100 feet. average speed 18.5mph. Not too bad for the first century of the year.
We heard the news that they are changing the riding schedule because of the expected rain and snow on Wednesday. Tomorrow we are doing the Rollie-Pollie ride - 60 miles with 5000 feet of climbing. I guess they consider it a recovery ride.

Tucson Cyclemania II Day 1

First day of riding. We woke up to another lovely day. During the night the temperature went down to the low 40s, but as soon as the sun came up above the Catalina Mountains it became nice again. After a small breakfast we did an hour loop around the Oro Valley with a short visit to the Catalina State Park. By the end of the ride the temperature was in the upper 60s. Phil had planned for us to join the Vistoso Cycling Club's Valentine lunch at the Greek restaurant "It's All Greek to Me". The food was good, the company was better and to top it off there was a belly dancer. Short rest at the house and we went for the official ride for the day to Dove Mountain. The temperatures were already in the high 70s. We were able to make short video of the ride down the mountain with Cliff's Go Pro camera. Back to the house for rest and dinner. Tomorrow we are riding the Picacho Century. Total miles for the day 48, total elevation gain ~2000 feet.

Tucson Cyclemania II Day 0

We left Chicago early Friday morning and arrived in Tucson without incidents in the early afternoon. We went from light snow and sub-freezing temperatures to blues skies and sunny mid-seventy degree weather. Phil met us at the airport and took our bikes in his car and we stopped briefly at the house we were staying to drop them off. Next stop was Phil's house where he had prepared a lovely early dinner with his wife and small group of the Vistoso Cycling Club. Then we went to shop for groceries and drove back to the house. Everybody was anxious to get his bike ready. All the bikes were safe and sound and were quickly put together. We all went to bed early.