Zeke's Great Smokies 2-Wheeled Adventures!: New Rides Released, Miscellaneous Thoughts…

Many of you know that the Ride Across America started this past week. This event is quite the ultra-cycle endeavor for those of you unfamiliar with it. My first time following it was last year. There are multiple categories of racers. It is truly a marvel to watch. My friend, Jim, at Cycling Experiences is doing a good job of keeping his blog updated with the latest from RAAM. Also, at Jim’s blog, you will find a very interesting Tour of Discovery that he is following. Two events of cyclists crossing America on 2 wheels and you can follow all of it thanks to the latest and greatest in technology. If you’ve ever wondered about SPOT (no – not the dog!), check out Mr. G’s Tour of Discovery as he is making great use of that GPS locating technology.

For cyclists and non-cyclists alike, Alan on Eco-Velo has a very nice post (June 17th) regarding using bikes for transportation/commuting. He taps back into some of those good old feelings we all used to get when riding as kids. Check it out HERE!

Please send some good energy to our west coast friend Kent Peterson as he participates this Sunday in the Seattle LiveStrong event. Kent will be riding sans hair as he pledged to ride with a shaved head if his supporters raised sufficient funds. Well, $1100.00 was sufficient. So, hairs off to Kent!

Now about those rides…

Thanks to Michelle post sharing this listing!

Weekly Rides and More! June 17-24
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For additional upcoming rides, including non-club major local events,
visit the website calendar: http://plus.calendars.net/blueridgebikes
(Be sure to click on an activity on the calendar
for the details, which will appear inside a popup)
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thur: Mostly sunny morning, afternoon showers and scattered T-storms, 40%.
     Lo: 68
     Hi: 87
Fri: Mostly sunny with slight chance of afternoon scattered T-storms.
     Lo: 69
     Hi: 92
Sat: Partly cloudy with afternoon scattered T-storms, 40%.
     Lo: 66
     Hi: 89
Sun: Mostly sunny.
     Lo: 64
     Hi: 85
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Thursday June 18
ABRC-Biowheels Time Trial Series
Asheville Bicycle Racing Club and Biowheels present their Time Trial Series
on Riverside Drive (Hwy-251). Additional Date: August 27.
All races begin at 6:00pm on Riverside Drive (Hwy-251).
COURSE DESCRIPTION: A flat, scenic 20K out and back on Riverside
Drive along the French Broad River.
DIRECTIONS TO THE START: From Asheville, take US 19/23 North (or I-26 West).
Take the Marshall Exit onto U.S. 25/70. Go 6.5 miles, then turn left onto
Business 25/70 (signs to Marshall).
CONTACT: Brian Schultz at imanbri@yahoo.com
http://www.abrc.net/events/2009tttrainseries.pdf
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Sunday June 21
PAS BENT CREEK BEGINNER Mountain Bike Ride
Lead by Pisgah Area SORBA members
These group rides depart promptly at 11:00am from Rice Pinnacle parking
lot in Bent Creek. These are easy and social rides. Helmets are required.
Contact Rick Schrader at 828-665-0015 or rschrader56@hotmail.com
+++++++++
HEADS UP !!
+++++++++
Saturday June 27: WOW: Hookers Gap
Weekend On Wheels
Departs 9:00am from MAHEC Family Health Center, located on WT Weaver Blvd
(across from UNCA).
A difficult ride (REI 61) of 31.3 miles, total 2857’ climbing.
Cue sheets: http://www.blueridgebicycleclub.org/cue_sheets/buncombe/asheville/hookersgap.pdf
Karen Lally 298-5880 or karen.lally@volvo.com
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WEEKLY RIDES
===============
********* NEWLY ADDED WEEKLY RIDE **********
WEDNESDAY EVENINGS: Biowheels Group Road Rides
Biowheels is a BRBC Business Member: http://www.biowheels.com
These rides begin promptly at 6:00pm from Biowheels, located at 81 Coxe Avenue.
Two Levels: Casual/Intermediate and Advanced. We'll split into 2 groups and
ride about 2 hours. Contact Biowheels at: 828-236-BIKE or asheville@biowheels.com
********* NEWLY ADDED WEEKLY RIDE **********
WEDNESDAY EVENINGS: Youngblood Bent Creek Rides
Youngblood Bicycles is a BRBC Business Member: http://youngbloodbikes.com
Rides depart promptly at 6:30pm from Rice Pinnacle Parking lot in
Bent Creek. Routes and difficulty will depend on who shows up.
Contact 251-4686 or info@youngbloodbikes.com
THURSDAY MORNINGS: Fletcher Blue Sky Road Bike Ride
Meet Thursday mornings and depart promptly at 10:30am
for this road ride. Route and meeting place will vary each
week, so either contact John or watch the listserv for this
week's meeting location and route.
CALL OR EMAIL JOHN IF WEATHER IS QUESTIONABLE.
Ride distances vary from 20 to 35 miles, and the ride pace
will average 12-15 mph.
No one will be left behind.
John Loia 696-0877 or JohnL9@mchsi.com
********* NEWLY ADDED WEEKLY RIDE **********
THURSDAY AFTERNOONS: Sunset Mountain Road Bike Ride
This is a show-n-go ride, meaning it may not have a regular attending
ride leader. Meet 5:00pm in the parking lot behind Asheville Brewing
and Pizza, located on Merrimon Avenue. Ride up Sunset Mountain using
low trafficked streets to Town Mountain Road, then up the Parkway to
the first tunnel. Return using the same route.
Contact Rick Hester at 776-4071 or rhester7@charter.net
********* NEWLY ADDED WEEKLY RIDE **********
THURSDAY EVENINGS: Biowheels Trail Rides in Bent Creek
Biowheels is a BRBC Business Member: http://www.biowheels.com
Begins promptly at 6:30pm from Rice Pinnacle parking area, located in Bent
Creek. We'll lead a "social pace" for Intermediate and Advanced riders,
SS and Cross Bikes welcome! We'll also have a challenging route for Beginners,
but no-one will be dropped.
Visit our website blog: "Places we Pedal"
http://www.biowheels.com/
SATURDAY MORNINGS: Gary Arthur Ledges Park Road Ride (33-35 miles)
Departs at 9:00am from Ledges Park, located on Riverside Drive
6.5 miles off of the UNCA Exit on I-26 (Hwy-19/23).
Ride north beside the French Broad River to Marshall, where
we'll stop for coffee and to regroup. The return route will
include Ivy Hill and subsequent roads.
Jones P. Byrd at jbyrdlaw@charter.net
SUNDAY AFTERNOONS: Folk Art Center Road Ride
Departs sharply at 1:30pm from the Folk Art Center on the
Blue Ridge Pkwy. This is a Show-n-Go ride which means there may not
be a regularly attending leader. Call or email Bill beforehand to check.
The route this year will vary each week, distance will range between
25-35 miles. Pace will be about 12 mph. Some of the routes suggested
are the Town Mountain Sunset route, various routes to Black Mountain,
and the Parkway to Elk Mountain or Ox Creek Road, just to name a few.
Bill Crownover 713-8504 or billcrownover@bellsouth.net
********* NEWLY ADDED WEEKLY RIDE **********
MONDAY EVENINGS: Women Only Road Ride
Youngblood Bicycles is a BRBC Business Member: http://youngbloodbikes.com
Departs promptly at 6:00pm from Youngblood Bicycles, located at
233 Merimon Avenue. Ride about 27 miles, pace 12-15mph, rides are led by
ABRC members. Contact 254-4578 or info@youngbloodbikes.com
**** New Start Time ****
TUESDAY MORNINGS: CASUAL Road Bike Ride
Liberty Bicycles is a BRBC Business Member:
http://libertybikes.com/index.cfm
Begins promptly at 9:15am at Liberty Bicycles.
For folks who want to enjoy the company of others.
Ride about 2 hours, 16-25 miles, no-one gets left behind.
No ride in inclement weather or if under 40 degrees & windy.
CALL FIRST.
** EXCEPTION: On the first Tuesday of each month this ride
meets and leaves from Fletcher Park, same time.
Claudia at 274-2453 claudianix@libertybikes.com