Sunday January 3 - Scramble

 

The 4's schedule is posted over there on the right, and this week they're going to Panera Bread at Metrocenter. For the 3's first ride of the New Year, let's try Scramble at 24th St. and Camelback. It's a big place, and they also have the outside patio if it's not too cold out. Remember to bring your mask. 

I've been killing a lot of time on Youtube lately as you may have already guessed. This week's selection is one of my favorite skits from the old Monty Python show. Enjoy. 

Sunday December 27 - Wildflower Bread Co.

 

On Tuesday I finally got in for my root canal- two solid hours of playing "How many hands and tools can we fit in Mike's mouth?" Feeling much better now. 

So on Sunday, let's make our way to Wildflower Bread Co. in Scottsdale via the Indian Bend wash canal path. They were pretty empty the last time we went, plus they do have the outside as well. 

Monday Morning

 Rock on...

Sunday December 20 - Snooze Tempe

 

I've been dealing with a crown gone bad, and have a root canal scheduled for Monday. So unless I feel better than I do today, Eugene might be leading you to Snooze in Tempe. I'm hoping the amoxicillin and ibuprofen work their magic, though.

Sir Paul McCartney was on Sirius radio this week, talking about his new record "McCartney 3", the third time he's done every instrument and vocal on every track. 

I just looked back and see I used the word "record". Well, its on sale now wherever you get music these days. 

 

Sunday December 13

 

The forecast today shows this Sunday will be a bit warmer than last week, so how about we do the Dreamy Draw and up over Mummy Mountain. We can try hitting The Henry, and if its too crowded AJ's is right across the street. 

Here's a blast from the past, my all-time favorite Christmas song. Enjoy, and see you Sunday!

Sunday December 6

The 4's group have their schedule posted, this week they are going to  Moon Valley Cafe.  I've been scratching my head for a destination inside since winter seems to be settling in and making outside destinations uncomfortable. So this week, I propose hitting NY Bagels & Bialys, unless there are objections in the morning. 

Here's yet another "They Might Be Giants" video, just for the hell of it...

Sunday November 29

 

Yes, there will be a ride Sunday morning, but I am up in the air about a destination. I'll arrive with a couple ideas, and we'll see what the quorum decides. 

At least it looks like a nice sunny day Sunday. Hey, that's a segue into this week's Youtube treasure!

Sunday November 22

I had promised Eugene I'd get something posted here earlier in the week, but... yeah work. 

 I will be at Granada in the morning, with a plan (I think). Was thinking about the Camino Sin Nombre route up and down the hills of PV, then do a loop around Arcadia, stopping at AJs again. 

So last night my friend Dan sent me a link to the funniest thing ever on the David Letterman show years ago- Tom Hanks and his early career as a bellhop at a Vegas casino..

Sunday November 15 - 5th Ave Cafe

Next weekend is the Jaguar Club's BEAR Run, so I won't be able to lead. However, Eugene will be leading one of his Magical Mystery Tours to the 5th Avenue Cafe (surprisingly, it's on 5th Ave.).  

I hope you have as much fun as these people... I know we will!

Tired Of Looking At The Electoral Map?

 

Here is a map of the legality of owning a Kangaroo by state! 

Sunday November 8

Eugene suggested this weeks ride- West on the canal path, then north to Moon Valley, and back over Paradise and down to 32 Shea. 

See you Sunday! 

Sunday November 1

The November schedule is posted, first up for the 4's is New York Bagels 'n Bialys in Scottsdale, while the 3's will do Mummy Mountain from north to south, and end up at AJ's at 44th and Camelback for a coffee and nosh. 

I should be able to lead the rest of the month as well, with the exception of the 15th (participating in the annual BEAR Run with the local Jaguar club). 

See you on Sunday! 

Sunday October 25 - Ranch House Grill

Just received from Eugene, who will be substituting as ride leader (please don't abuse him like every substitute teacher I ever had):

We will ride the canal thru Biltmore, Stanford/Lafayette out to 68th St. We’ll go down to Osborn & over the Crosscut Canal, wiggle thru some back streets to 56th & Thomas, where we’ll stop at the Ranch House Grille for coffee/comestibles. You can look up the menu here.

Sunday Oct 18 - Sunnyslope/AJ's on Central

 

I do have Sunday off now, as last weekend we were 100% successful with our testing. So I've mapped out a route through Sunnyslope, then down to the Grand Canal path, then north on Central to the AJ's at Central and Camelback for a coffee and nosh outside. 

See you Sunday! 

Phoenix Parks Begin Re-opening

Following a vote during Wednesday’s Phoenix City Council meeting, all amenities in city parks will begin reopening effective Thursday, October 8 at 5:30 a.m. Reopening of some amenities will require additional time for Parks and Recreation Department staff to make available. Use of select park amenities has been restricted following a series of City Council orders dating to March and April. 

Phoenix’s public parks, trails and golf courses have remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but outdoor recreational amenities that present high-touch surfaces or an area that made physical distancing difficult have been temporarily closed as city staff and City Council worked together to monitor positive case metrics.  

Community members using the city’s outdoor recreational amenities should continue to follow these guidelines related to responsible physical distancing. 

• Do not use public recreational amenities if you are exhibiting symptoms of illness 
  
• Wear a mask or face covering 
  
• Bring your own wipes and hand sanitizer 
  
• Keep a safe distance of six feet or more from others 

Detailed information about the city's outdoor recreational options and free virtual recreation programs is available at Phoenix.gov/Parks.

October 4 - Road to Nowhere

First of all, please NOTE THAT OUR START TIME CHANGES TO 7:30 THIS SUNDAY!

October schedule posted for the 4's, first up this Sunday is the International House of Pancakes (be sure to bring your passport!). 

It look like I can only lead the 3's this Sunday- the rest of October is unpossible with work. 

I have no routes in mind, so if you have an idea, sends those cards and letters today! 

September 20 - Mummy Mountain / AJ's

I had previously stated that I would be unable to lead for the rest of September. However, just like 2020, everything seems to be going sideways these days at work. Our planned disaster testing has been postponed, leaving me with a free weekend. 

So, how about we do Mummy Mountain, and swing by AJ's at 44th and Camelback to enjoy a cup of coffee and a pastry outside on their patio (it is always pretty empty at that time of day). Of course, bring a mask for going in to get said coffee. 

Hope to see someone at the park Sunday. Here's some photos from the South Dakota trip last weekend, click the photo to embiggen.

September Ride Schedule Posted

The schedule is posted for the 4's group, first up is Country Boys at 32nd St, and Greenway.

The only day I can ride in September is this Sunday Sept 6. The next four Sundays after that I will be unavailable, due to disaster testing at work and the annual cycling vacation in South Dakota. There is no plan yet for the Sunday ride, but I am open to suggestions. 

Also, remember that September is the last month of the summer 6:30 start schedule. In October, we switch to 7:30 start. Finally, we may be able to say goodbye to the 110+ temps.

PMBC Board Announcement - Sanctioned Club Rides Now Approved

The PMBC sent the following to ride leaders: 

The board has met and determined that it is okay to continue leading rides beginning August 29, 2020. We have come up with some recommendations on things that you may wish to consider doing differently.

• One option we’d have you strongly consider is giving your riders the option to sign up and sign the waiver electronically. We have updated the waiver to include verbiage about the possibility of virus/bacterial spread when out cycling with others. Instructions for this are attached.
• We plan to send out more information shortly, to members, on how to register ahead of time for a ride but didn’t want to wait in letting you know that it’s okay to start up rides again, with insurance coverage. Please let us know if you have trouble using the new guide to give riders the option of contactless signing of the waiver.
• NOTE: Ride Leaders should brief all riders of the safety policies and procedures prior to each ride. Please use the attached COVID-19 Safety Checklist as a guide.
• Please use the 2020.08.15 Group Ride Waiver – 10 names (also attached) for sign-in for those who prefer to sign a paper waiver rather than signing it electronically.
• Should you have the wonderful opportunity to lead a major event, please use 2020.08.23 PMBC Major Event Waiver. A link is included below.

All of these documents can be found in the Document Library > Ride Leadership Folder on the website.

That said, I will return this Sunday August 30 to lead anyone who wishes to participate. I still do not plan on stopping at a restaurant, and will be happy to take suggestions for routes. This week, I am partial to doing Mummy Mountain. 

Hoping to see one or two of you this Sunday! 

A Message from the PMBC Board

I received this email yesterday (as most of you probably did) regarding club ride activities. I will not be leading any rides of the "3's" group for the forseeable future, following the Governor's orders. 

Actually, I felt a bit uneasy last Sunday, with the ICUs and emergency rooms filling, and the chance of a riding mishap sending someone into that mess. So I will continue to ride by myself. 

Richard sent me his schedule for the "4's"earlier in the week, and I have posted them. I will leave to him to decide what they will be doing. 

Dear PMBC Members,

Following Governor Ducey’s June 29, COVID-19 shutdown, the PMBC Board discussed the closure and have again decided to follow his lead shut down club rides for the duration of the mandate, effective immediately. We apologize for the late notice, as we realize there are probably rides already scheduled for the weekend. Please stay tuned for more information.

Sincerely,

PMBC Board

Sunday June 28 - Mountain View Park

The park restrooms are open in Scottsdale (well, at least they were last week), so let's head up the Dreamy Draw and wend our way over to Mountain View Park on Sunday. Don't forget to bring a mask and a snack for our stop at the park. And plenty of water, it's going to be another scorcher.

Sunday June 21 - Tempe Town Lake

Sorry this is so late, but I had the week from hell at work. Pulled two all-nighters. Not fun.

So anyway, I am sorely lacking in miles, and since there are bathrooms and sinks for washing, seems as good a place as any. Route will be the one I was trying to do last Sunday, which evaded my work-fogged brain.

Route will be up the Dreamy Draw, then across on Doubletree to Mockingbird and Invergordon, meeting Gary on Indian Bend. He's got a route to show us.

Remember to bring a mask, and a snack for our stop at the lake if you are so inclined. As long as work doesn't explode tonight...

Sunday June 14 - On The Road To Nowhere

As the pandemic in Arizona seems to be making an unwelcome comeback, I've been rethinking the Sunday ride thing. I am not prepared to die for a cup of coffee. 

There will be no destination this week, or for the near future until the infection rate decreases. I should be there at the usual time, but we'll figure out a route at the park. 

Please bring a mask with you, in case of flat tires, jammed chains or heaven forbid an accident.

Sunday June 7 - Dreamy Draw/Mummy Mountain/AJ's

See the schedule on the right, I have destinations for both the 3's and 4's now.

How about the 3's do a ride up the Dreamy Draw, and take the usual 54th St. route over Mummy Mountain. Then a stop at AJ's at Camelback and 44th St., as they have a bathroom, coffee bar, and an area outside to chat (in order of importance!). Be sure to bring a mask with you if you plan on entering the store.

I rode down to Granada this morning before work, to check out the water line construction. Looks like they started trenching in 20th St. recently, but the park is still open. We should probably discuss where and when to move our meeting spot if necessary as construction progresses.

See ya Sunday!

Sunday May 31 Club Ride

Richard and the 4's intend on going to Oink Cafe this Sunday. And as I stated earlier, I am busy yet again with work this weekend, so if any 3's show up you'll be on your own.

Now for the good news: it looks like all of June I will be available to lead on Sundays, but July it's back to work every weekend. So any suggestions for places to ride to in June, and may have a chance to have an open bathroom nearby, let me know.

The Phoenix Parks and Recreation department online says that while all city park bathrooms are closed, those at trailheads are still open, so I will try to construct routes accordingly.

See ya June 7th!

May 24 - Tempe Town Lake Ride

This weekend, the PMBC board sent out this communique (which most of you should have received):

Following the COVID-19 shutdown, the PMBC Board met on May 16, 2020 to discuss Governor Ducey’s decision to reopen Arizona's restaurants and other public facilities to decide what this means for PMBC. We have decided to follow his directives with regard to what our Club offers to its members and guests.

We encourage everyone to educate themselves on the risks involved by reading an article that we found to be very helpful, The Risks - Know Them - Avoid Them. Following this, we are leaving it up to our Ride Leaders to decide whether they would like to lead group rides. Ride Leaders may or may not choose to include the option of dining at a restaurant and they may or may not choose to join in the dining fun, should it be offered.

No one should feel pressured to do anything that they don't feel is safe to do. The Club is not endorsing, nor is it discouraging, any policy with regard to the use of any public facilities by anyone. If your fellow riders choose of their own free will to have lunch inside a restaurant, that's OK. If you choose not to join them, that's your choice, which is also OK. You are responsible for your own safety when participating in Club activities.

The 4's group will be resuming their normal rides with a restaurant visit.  As the leader of the 3's,  I do not feel comfortable sitting down and spending any length of time in an enclosed indoor space. So this Sunday May 24th, I'll be leading a ride to Tempe Town Lake. Bring your favorite snack with you for when we take a break somewhere safe. 

I would ask all of you to bring a face covering with you- not necessarily for the ride (but if you want to, by all means!), but mostly in case of flat tires or roadside repairs where you might have to get closer to someone. 

It should go without saying, but if you don't feel well, please don't come. And if you have recently been on an airline flying tube of death, perhaps you should be quarantining for 14 days. 

So, there you go. I look forward to seeing any of you who may venture out Sunday. After two months of weekend work, I am seriously jazzed to get out of the house!

Saturday Drive in the Northland

Last Saturday, cabin fever forced Gary and I, the wives and the girlfriends out for the day. We figured it would be safe to stay in our own cars, and go enjoy a beautiful day. Headed up to Payson, through Strawberry, Camp Verde, Cottonwood, Jerome, Prescott and home. 

We stopped at the overlook a mile uphill from Jerome, and enjoyed a picnic lunch in the chilly mountain air. Just as we were finishing up, a Phoenix car club arrived coming the opposite way with a couple million dollars of hardware. We drooled over the cars, and they warned us that once we got over Mingus Mtn, we'd run into some snow(!).

It was a great day until it wasn't. My car sputtered to a stop on the 303, about 25 miles from home. AAA came to rescue us, and they flatbedded the car home. Bad alternator says my mechanic, which makes sense as none of the old receipts show any alternator service. 

Here's a few pics from the day, click the photo to embiggen:

Adam Schlesinger - RIP

One of the premier pop song writers of our times, Adam Schlesinger, passed from COVID-19, age 52.

I got to see them live once, quite a few years ago. An amazing talent. So long, Adam.

A message from PMBC - All rides cancelled

Most have gotten the email already, but if you haven't, see this message from the club- No more club rides for the time being.

If this doesn't piss you off...

Then you must be wearing a MAGA hat.

No one could have known. Except maybe some did.

Sunday March 22 - No Leader, Maybe No Restaurant

It looks like I have to work Sunday morning, so I will not be able to lead. Destination is New York Bagels 'n Bialys, but they might be closed by then. Both my wife and I are now working from home until further notice. So who knows what the future holds?

For those of you riding Sunday, perhaps everyone should bring a snack with them, and maybe stop at a Starbucks for a coffee to go (I understand all locations will be making coffee to go only).

Stay safe, stay home, stay healthy, and will see you on the 29th I hope.

The Toilet Paper Crisis Confirms...

...that we have more assholes than we thought.

March 1 - Chompies at PV Mall

The schedule for March is posted. This week is Chompies, but note we've added a longer ride on March 8 to Tempe, a little extra training prior to Tour de Cure.

Weather looks pretty good for the weekend, get outside and enjoy it. See ya Sunday...

February 2 - Groundhog Day - Panera Bread

As a favor to fellow leader Richard, we're going to somewhere close to his home, as he has a 12:30 flight to MSP. Just one piece of advice, don't get off the plane coughing or shnotting, or you'll end up detained for a medical inspection...

One note about the February 16 ride to Irma's kitchen. The Yelp link shows their OLD location, but they've recently moved to a new location at 1614 W Roosevelt. In fact, they are currently closed until next Monday Feb. 3 for a bit of catch-up construction work.

And in keeping with the spirit of the day...

Sunday January 26 - The Cracked Egg

Hope you all made the journey to Wildflower without incident today, and avoided the Rock & Roll Marathon.  I'm still on house arrest today, but the work project seems to be going according to plan. So Sunday the 26th, we're going to try The Cracked Egg on west Glendale. I should be able to lead again.

Last week was the 30th anniversary of the release of one of my favorite records ever, "Flood" by They Might Be Giants. They're currently touring, playing "Flood" from front to back.  This is a video of the hit single off this record- yes, the Johns (Flansburgh and Linnell) are strange but talented.

Ladies and Gentlemen..... They Might Be Giants!

Sunday January 19 - Wildflower Scottsdale

I have a big work project going on this weekend, which starts hot and heavy at 7 AM this Sunday. So yours truly will be unable to lead the way to Wildflower Bread Co. in Scottsdale.

Might be a good day to ride up the Indian Bend greenbelt from Osborn, as long as the rain stays away. Anyway, I should be able to join back up with you on the 26th.

Hello 2020!

New schedule posted over there, first up is Scramble at 24th and Camelback. Yes we just had the other Scramble this past Sunday, but almost no one showed up because of the cold, so consider this kind of a do-over.

Also note that on January 19th is the Rock and Roll Marathon, so we will be avoiding the "box" and going to Scottsdale then.

See ya Sunday!