Latest Club News & Info

Speedtrap Ride Tuesday September 26^th recap

          The Speedtrap Ride brought thirty-two cyclists to the final official edition  of the 2023 season. Although skies were cloudy with a potential for rain, all enjoyed dry conditions.

          Scott Lang led the Ghost Pepper Riders with an average of 23.7 mph.

Those normally in the Cayenne Pepper Group and the Habanero Group rode with the Ghost Pepper Riders.

          Todd Pollock led ten Jalapeno Riders(five on vintage bikes) and returned with an 18.4 mph average.

          Claude Watkins, Ron Purk,  and I formed the Sweet Pepper Riders. Ron went ahead of Claude and me. No report on an average. However, on a personal note, it was my strongest and most confident ride since my shoulder injury a year ago.

          After the ride, several gathered in the bike shop for the vintage bike contest. Pictured are the winners: Dan Willis, Mike Grillis, Hubert Backes, and John Del Toro. Congratulations winners!

          Also pictured is first-time Speedtrap Rider Jeff Lutz. Welcome to the Speedtrap Ride!

          Thank you Todd Pollock for the photo of some Jalapeno Riders on the road!

Thank you to all  the 2023 ride leaders: Scott Lang, Bob Kayden, Doug Kilpatrick, Tony Mazurek, Ken South, and Todd Pollock, and all who substituted.  The Speedtrap Ride wouldn’t exist without you! And thank you to all the riders. I hope you had a good time riding the best Tuesday night ride out of Ottawa County!

          Special Kudos to Tony Mazurek and Nicole Reece, who greatly improved their riding speed and skills during the 2023 season.(Yes, I know there are many others.)

          The official Speedtrap Ride, one of America’s great Tuesday night rides,  will resume on May 7, 2024. I hope to see you then!

          It appears that there will be two unofficial Speedtrap Rides yet this year, October 3^rd and October 10^th. Details to follow next week.

Chuck Nicewonder

For this week's Spicy Adventure Ride, we head north through the fields of southeast Lenawee County (with a tiny bit of Monroe thrown in) to the metropolis of Blissfield, and back along a stretch of the River Rasin. The weather looks great with the ride starting at a balmy 55 rising to 70, and low N - ENE winds of 4-5 mph. We leave from Secor with a snack stop in Blissfield at the 20 mile point. Kris Jensen will be handling the leader duties this weekend. Rolling speeds of 18-22, depending on group and conditions. For the  last time this season, starting time is 8:00. See you there!

https://ridewithgps.comf/routes/40106616

The last official 5'fer for 2023 - 9/28/2023

START TIME IS 1800 (6PM).  Lights are VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for this ride.

Please be prompt in your arrival.  We have some announcements and they will begin at 1750 (550pm). 

I will be collecting donations for the Right Direction's BIKEtoberFEST.  We are attempting to cover the cost of two bikes for two deserving kids.  See Dave Barret's FB post here for all the pertinent details: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1815214662283217/permalink/1833717283766288/

The weather is not looking to promising right now. 52% chance of rain. 64 to start with winds out of the ENE at 8mph gusting to 9.  This is the last ride.  It will take a lot of rain to call it, so plan on riding and dress accordingly.  If I do cancel, it will happen at 1700 (5pm).  Check the TAB website (https://www.toledoareabicyclists.org/), TAB FB (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1815214662283217) and I'll send an email.

There is a rumor that Jodie Petcoff will be making an appearance tomorrow!!  It has been a long time.  Rumor has it she may even lead out the Spicy group.  Dave Barret Says, "If Jodie shows up, I'll donate even more money to the BIKEtoberFEST."  C'mon Jodie!!! Dave really wants to have a good reason to donate more money!!! 

Because of the early sunset, Group 7 (GLR) led by John Galdeen will be departing first.  Their route will start on the bike path to give the faster groups time to pass without any bike traffic issues.

This is the last official Thursday ride for 2023.  It is not too early to start thinking about 2024.  We will need a ride captain for this event.  If you're interested, please let me or Chuck Nicewonder know of your interest.  Our contact information is:

• Joe Peltier
• • Email: jpeltier823@gmail.com or 419-376-8347
• Chuck
• • Email: cyclistchuck@toast.net

Be safe, have fun.

Online sign up:  https://toledo-area-bicyclists.ticketleap.com/2023-thursday-5fer/

Tonight's rides and ride leaders:

Group 1 (Hot1) - Avg: 24+ mph, 26 mi:    Ben Groves

Group 2 (Hot2) - Avg: 22-23+ mph 26 mi:   ?  Need a leader

Group 3 (Xtra Spicy/Hot 3) - Avg: 19-21+ mph, 26 mi:  Kris Jensen

Group 4 (Bold Picante) - Avg: 19-21 mph, 26 mi: Traci Bash

Group 5 (Spicy Plus) - Avg: 18-19.5 mph, 26 mi:  Keith

Group 6 (Spicy) - Avg: 16-18 mph, 24 mi:  Dave/Mark

Group 7 (GLR) - Avg: 14-16 mph, 20 mi:  John Galdeen

The Meanderer's will roll out of Whitehouse (across from CycleWerks) this Saturday, Sept 30th for our final 8am start of the 2023 TAB cycling season!! We have a 31-mile route that will take us out to MacQueen's (DONUTS & CIDER) and bring us back to Whitehouse so we can gather for a bite at a local restaurant (BACON-crisp) since it is also the end of the month!!  Be sure to bring hydration, snacks are suggested but definately not mandatory considering the possible purchased indulgences that would be available. There are only 4 more Meandering Rides for 2023. We hope you'll come out to join us!!

Speedtrap Ride Tuesday September 26^th

          The Speedtrap Ride, the best Tuesday night ride out of Ottawa County, will have its final official ride for the 2023 season tomorrow, Tuesday, September 26^th, from Spoke Life Cycles in Elmore, Ohio. Ride time will be 6:05 pm.

Scott Lang will once again lead the Ghost Pepper Riders. His group will likely average 23 to 24 mph! Are you up to the challenge??!!

The Cayenne Pepper Riders will likely average 21 to 22+ mph. A substitute leader will be needed for this group.

Tony Mazurek and Ken South are co-leaders for the Habanero Group, and they will likely average 20+ mph.

Todd Pollock will be back to lead the Jalapeno Riders, averaging 17 to 19 mph.

I plan to ride out with the Sweet Pepper Riders, averaging anywhere from 15 to 17+ mph.

For ride time the temperature is predicted to be 70 degrees, with cloudy skies, a 15% chance of precipitation, and an east wind of 11 mph. Sunset will be at 7:24 pm, so front are rear lights are necessary.

It will also be vintage bike night! There will be four categories:

Period Correct(Original)

Retro Mod

Best in Show

People’s Choice

The winner in each category will  receive a $25 voucher from Spoke Life Cycles.

Pictured are last year’s vintage bikes, and the winners!

So come on out to Elmore! This is your last chance to ride the quiet country roads with great people! Sign-in begins at 5:35 pm in front of the bike shop. I hope to see you then!

Chuck Nicewonder

To all TAB members,

I wanted to let you know about an exciting opportunity, and we need your help!

As many of you know, The Right Direction Youth Development Program will be hosting their annual BikeToberFest next Sunday, October 1^st, 2023 (from 10:00 am – Until Complete) at the: Heavy Wheelhouse (3520 Waterville Swanton RD, Swanton, OH 43558). This is their biggest fundraiser of the year and the monies raised help them fund their many youth enrichment programs, including many cycling events. PLEASE PLAN ON ATTENDING THIS fun activity! From their Facebook event page ( https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Right-Direction-Youth-Development-Program-100064353022468/):

Were hosting our 6th Annual TRD Fundraiser...If you like the following things: Bikes, Beer, BBQ, Tunes, Raffles, Silent Auctions.... then your gonna LOVE “BIKETOBERFEST!!”

Join us on Sunday October 1st at The Heavy Wheelhouse. We will have some great local food and brews from our good friends over at Sworden's Smoke BBQ! HEAVY Beer Co. Earnest Brew Works. Juniper and more!

We will also be hosting a CYCLING EXPO AND SO MUCH MORE!!!

All proceeds go towards our 501(c)(3) Non-profit Youth Development Program. This is our BIGGEST Fundraiser of the year!!

If you’re not familiar with what The Right Direction YDP does, I encourage you to visit their webpage and click on the “ABOUT US” tab. They’re a great organization that engages with local youth in numerous activities, many of which include cycling.

TAB will be sponsoring TWO kids this year by providing them with new bikes! TAB has supported The Right Direction previously and donated $350 per bike, and so will be donating $700 this year, BUT… after messaging with Don B., (Co-Founder of The Right Direction, and many of you know him from the Spoke Life – Perrysburg location), due to rising costs, the actual cost of these bikes is closer to $600 apiece.

This is where TAB needs the support of its members… we would really like to raise the additional funds to cover the costs of these bike, so we need another $500 to push over the finish-line. If we don’t, The Right Direction “eats” those costs, so let’s help them out.

I received the following information from Don. He picked two deserving kids, here’s what he said:

So, one of the kids, is Cole, he’s the second oldest of 5 kids. He is active with lots of things, including climbing, Legos, youth group. He started mountain biking 3 years ago when he joined the Black Swamp Riders in 2020 when they created the team. Over the last 3 years, he has had many complications with his bike, (it seems like every practice)! But has learned a lot from trying to fix his bike on his own. He has earned money to help pay for the things that needed repaired by doing yard work, helping his grandma with her chickens, as well as working at the local ice cream shop. Cole is kind, honest, hard-working and so very deserving.

The other child who also needs a bike for scholastic racing is a foster kid, so I’m not allowed to share his info, but he really deserves a bike and we want to help him out too.

Both need MTBs that are higher end for racing, and cost $500-$600 at our end, these are the two we really would like your help with. Both these kids are part of the local community.

Here’s where all of you come in. Our Ride Captains, Chuck Nicewonder & Joe Peltier will be accepting donations at their remaining Club rides. Chuck at the Tuesday Speedtrap, and Joe at the Thursday 5fer. I will be accepting donations at next Saturday’s Meandering ride. You can give either cash or checks, (please make checks out to The Right Direction Youth Program).

Here’s other electronic options, you can send donations via Ca$happ, Venmo, or Zelle to me, and I will consolidate that and get it over to Don:

Ca$happ: $BarretDJ

Venmo: @David-Barret-2

Zelle:  (419) 351-2968

For credit card transactions, you can go directly to The Right Direction’s webpage, (https://the-right-direction-org-103840.square.site/)  and click the “DONATE” button. If there’s an option to add a note, please mention TAB and shoot me an email or text letting me know you donated directly via the website.

Any money raised OVER the $500, will go towards our two kids in the form of Spoke Life gift-cards for cycling gear and other needed supplies in relation to their participation with The Right Direction.

THANKS everyone! And I hope to see you at BikeToberFest!

On Behalf of the TAB Executive Board,

David J. Barret
barretdj@aol.com
(419) 351-2968

For this Saturday’s Spicy Adventure Ride, I’ve gotten a bit... adventurous. First, a different starting point – Farnsworth Metropark, the first parking lot (look for my silver VW station wagon). We’ll go south and west down to Grand Rapids. Then we’ll cross the river and head to Texas and back into the wilds of Henry County before we navigate back to River Road and Farnsworth. We’ll be trying a few different route ideas along the way, so expect the unexpected. Cool but not cold temps at the start (around 53-55 degrees) but an increasing NNE wind (7-11 mph with gusts), if the weather forecast is to be believed. Rest stop is in Providence Metropark, so bring snacks. Dan Riley will be handling the leader duties again this weekend. Rolling speeds 18-22, depending on group and conditions. Starting time 8:00. See you there!

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44525697

Speedtrap Ride Tuesday September 19^th recap

          The Speedtrap Ride brought twenty-eight hardy cyclists to Elmore Tuesday to what turned out to bed an enjoyable evening ride. Skies were completely overcast with rather cool temperatures, but there were no complaints.

          Scott Lang led the Ghost Pepper Riders and reported an average of 23.9 mph.

          Bob Kayden and Toney Mazurek joined forces to lead a combined Cayenne Pepper/Habanero Pepper group ride. Bob reported a riding average of 22.2 mph.

          David Barret, substituting for Todd Pollock, rode out with a group of twelve Jalapeno Riders. A group of ten returned with an average of 18.5 mph. Thank you, David, for leading!

          Two riders fell back to the Sweet Pepper group. No report from that group.

          After the ride, several gathered in the bike shop to celebrate Bob Kayden’s birthday, and to wish him and Becky an enjoyable winter vacation. All enjoyed food, drink, and good conversation, This was Bob and Becky’s last appearance at the Speedtrap Ride in 2023. Happy Birthday Bob, and best wishes to both of you!

          Next Tuesday, September 26^th, will be the last official Speedtrap Ride of the 2023 season. Ride time will 6:05 pm, with sign-in beginning at 5:35 pm

.It will also be vintage bike night, with four categories

Period Correct(original)

Retro Mod

Best in Show

People’s Choice

The winner in each category will get a $25 voucher from Spoke Life Cycles.

The weather forecast for next Tuesday calls for a high of 70 degrees, partly cloudy skies, a 24% chance of precipitation, and (unfortunately) an ENE wind of 12 mph.

Come on  out to Elmore and experience the last official ride of the season, I hope to see you then!

Chuck Nicewonder

Thank you Kathy Metzger for two of the photos below!

 

 

         

The ride for 9/21/2023 START TIME IS 1800 (6PM).  Nights are getting exponentially shorter every day now.  Make sure to outfit your stallions with lights.  Be safe and be seen. This evening's weather is looking better than great!!!  No rain! Lots of sun! Start time temperature predicted to be 77. Winds out of the East at 7 mph gusting to 9.  Because of the early sunset, Group 7 (GLR) led by John Galdeen will be departing first.  Their route will start on the bike path to give the faster groups time to pass without any bike traffic issues. This is the last of 2 rides for the 2023 edition of the 5'fer.  It is not too early to start thinking about 2024.  We will need a ride captain for this event.  If you're interested, please let me or Chuck Nicewonder know of your interest.  Our contact information is: Joe Peltier Email: jpeltier823@gmail.com or 419-376-8347 Chuck Email: cyclistchuck@toast.net Be safe, have fun. Online sign up:  https://toledo-area-bicyclists.ticketleap.com/2023-thursday-5fer/ Tonight's rides and ride leaders: Group 1 (Hot1) - Avg: 24+ mph, 26 mi:    Ben Groves Group 2 (Hot2) - Avg: 22-23+ mph 26 mi:   Tim Eckel Group 3 (Xtra Spicy/Hot 3) - Avg: 19-21+ mph, 26 mi:  John Wodarski Group 4 (Bold Picante) - Avg: 19-21 mph, 26 mi: Traci Bash Group 5 (Spicy Plus) - Avg: 18-19.5 mph, 26 mi:  Keith Group 6 (Spicy) - Avg: 16-18 mph, 24 mi:  Dave/Mark Group 7 (GLR) - Avg: 14-16 mph, 20 mi:  John Galdeen

The Meanderer's are rolling out of Perrysburg this Saturday, Sept 23rd at 8a. We will meet up at the Rotary Community Park (Ft. Meigs YMCA back parking lot) for the 45-mile loop that will run us out and down to Pemberville. Bring hydration and a snack for our mid-ride break. Average speed for the whole route will fall somewhere between 13-15mph with a max rolling speed not to exceed the abilities of the group who shows up to go ride bikes. We hope you'll join us for another fun morning exploring NW Ohio!