Paris Redux

Spontaneous Ride Opportunity!

Hey You!, Wanna go ride your bike around for lunch tomorrow? There will be an impromptu meeting of the RCCS departing from the Lithocraft Plant in New Albany tomorrow at about 11:45. Short notice?!? Yeah, I know…cut work if you must.

Here is the map, it is a Lunch-time Epic of 21 miles including the daunting Moser Knob Road followed by some fine rural road traveling behind Floyd’s Knobs.

Hope to see you there.

Tour de Cure Update

The organizers of the Tour de Cure Diabetes benefit have sent me a notice indicating that there is a discount available of $10.00 off of the $25.00 registration fee. Simply enter the code “GOCARDS” when registering. This only works today – March 27, 2009.

Click here to join

If anyone has any questions please let me know.

Thanks!
Dale

Tour de Cure – Diabetes Ride

Title: Tour de Cure – Diabetes Ride
Location: Norton Commons
Link out: Click here
Description: Come ride as a group in this event to benefit Diabetes Research.
Start Time: 8:00
Date: 2009-05-16

Hello Everyone. I have established a team to ride in the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure scheduled for May 16th. I am planning to ride the 62 mile version although there are routes planned at 40 & 20 miles as well. I have recruited 2 gentlemen that I work with to go along as well. This is a good opportunity for us to get our name out as well as help a great cause. The fund raising requirement is more attainable than the the very worthy Norton Ride to Cure Cancer which should make it more feasible for many.

To register follow this link and choose “Join a Group”. The group is called “River City Cycling Society”, you may have to perform a search to get to it.

If you have any questions please just let me know.

Thanks!
Dale

Clark State and a Slice

Click Here to Download a PDF version if you would like for distribution or storage in your hope chest, etc.

Grass Hopper Adventure Series

I found this linked to on the Mash SF page. Be sure to watch the totally awesome video on the home page.

I post this here because I think they have a lot of the same ideas in mind that we are talking about (and a kick-ass poster). This is an evolved, organized set of ideas that yielded 200…yes, 200 riders for the day. More NorCal excitement…enough to make you want to sell it all and move out west.

Belated Recap of the Brew2 Ride

Cross-posted from my Riding Lunch blog

It was with great excitement that I planned a route for last Saturday to encompass my favorite coffee shop, and the three local breweries. It was the second ride of the RCCS

I had a work “wellness” program to attend in the morning so I dropped the kiddos of at my folks the night before. I knocked out a little office work and then headed home. Left in the rare situation of having no one home and nothing pressing I ignored the chores I could have done and set out early to pad my mileage for the day. Knowing where I was trying to end up I headed off to Cherokee park to make a loop and then head toward the Bluegrass Trail. The day was overcast and a little windy. I was hoping the weather would hold but alas, it did not. I passed two older fellows on MtB’s who were spinning the third ring up Cochran Hill on bikes that were just caked with mud. They probably rolled their eyes at me passing them standing and cranking the big ring as I passed and nodded hello. As I came into Germantown headed towards U of L the wind had cranked it up and the first few drops fell. I stopped into Sunergos for a coffee and a copy of Dirtrag Magazine courtesy of On Your Left with 12 miles for the day.

After a few minutes the usual suspects arrived and we were joined by a new guy – Rick. By now it was pretty clear that it was gonna be a wet one. We gave it a few minutes, decided the rain had scared the people away and set off. The first leg of the journey marked something new for me – transit across the 2nd Street bridge on the roadway. I generally wimp out and use the sidewalk for safety reasons. Since it was Saturday and we were in a group with an experienced crosser I gave it a go. Here is a picture right before we crossed:

We traced our way through Southern Indiana into New Albany on the roads I know so well. We stopped so I could adjust my soaked cue sheet and took two quick pictures:

Our arrival at Rich-O’s was a welcome stop and we were pretty well soaked through. The service was as expected very nice but on the slow side. I had IPA 1 of 3, Tex had a sampler, Dave and Rick had a stout – all made by the NABC. A kind, dapper chap took a picture of us before we left:

As we left to return to Louisville the rain kept it coming. We were completely wet and I was especially cold in the hands and feet. They were to remain cold for the rest of the ride. Outside of that wonderful wool undergarments kept me warm. Our arrival at the BBC coincided with the last 6 minutes of the U of L game which they won handily and made me happy to see. We choose this stop to eat and we were ready. Some food and drink had us ready to get back on the road. I had an IPA and a bowl of chili which I think may be the perfect meal for bicycle riding in freezing rain, snow, and driving winds. I had stopped taking pictures at this point as everything was completely wet and I sequestered my camera in a dry bag inside one of Tim’s panniers.

A short trip up Broadway and through Cherokee Park put us into the Highlands and our last beer stop – Cumberland Brews. The pub was pretty crowded but we secured a table right in the front corner of the room which let us avoid locking down the bikes. Dave shared some habanaro salsa and we had another round of beers. We had decided to abandon the return to Sunergos as no one really needed to go back and our houses/drop off points were on the way. We had been out for a pretty good amount of time and were pretty much ready to hang it up.

One of the most interesting things to me was seeing once again that people gather at local pubs for leisurely times and hanging out. My current family situation does not lend easily to do so. I miss it for sure, although these days if given the time and opportunity I would probably ride my bike instead!

Although I missed the first RCCS ride I would think of this one as a success. We rode as planned regardless of the weather. We stayed together for the ride and had numerous stops and libations to boot. I really enjoyed riding with these gentlemen and look forward to doing so again.

Cue Sheet Now Available

I have the route slip available for download here if you would like.

I spent my lunch ride today reconnoitering the Grant Line Road parallel route and verifying the route. Looks good for tomorrow. Weather be damned.