Big thanks to Doug Metzger for leading the group from Tecumseh Brewing a couple weeks back. The humidity was high, the route was hilly, but everyone made it back for good food and beer.

The gravel ride this Saturday is leaving from Chelsea for some rolling hills. This is an out and back type of route, sending us across the bottom of the Waterloo G&G route (you know, where all the hills are), and back across the same hills going the other direction. There are some additional hills thrown in for extra credit.

The full route is 49.5 miles, regrouping as needed with average speeds between 12 and 14 mph. Bring fuel and extra water as the only store on the route is at mile 28.5.

Departure time: 9am

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28989360

Start point: 1101 S Main St, Chelsea, MI 48118

Since it’s Labor Day weekend, I thought I’d make you work hard this Saturday! We’re going to be heading for hills – the hills of NW Ohio. There are hills in good ole flat NWO? You betcha. This ride is an oldie but goodie from Janet Smith. North of US 20 on CR 15 are some sweet rollers that are a lot of fun. If you rode the Freedom Ride on July 4th you got a little bit of an exposure to them. This time we’ll ride them all. Twice! And we’ll also have a pretty trip to ride them. 

The route is one of our longer ones – 52.1 miles according to Ride With GPS. We’ll be starting from the Parkview Dr. parking lot at Swanton Memorial Park in Swanton. For you GPSer’s the address is Parkview Dr., Swanton, OH 43558. It’s just opposite of Mom’s Diner There are bathrooms onsite in the park too (important for us old guys!). After hitting the hills, we’ll take a snack stop in Morenci at the mid-point. Then we’ll turn around and ride them again! And since we’re out that way, we will of course ride past the flowers on 8-1 again on our way back to Swanton.

We’ll leave at 8:00 a.m. sharp – our last 8:00 start of the season. Pace will be out usual 17-18 mph. Weather looks fall-like cool and breezy, so dress appropriately. I’ll see you all at Swanton Memorial Park in Swanton.

GPS track is available at  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30977460

Speedtrap Ride Tuesday, August 27th recap

The Speedtrap Ride drew thirty-three cyclists to Elmore last night to ride the Peggy Avers route in almost perfect riding weather!

          Two years ago, Peggy Avers, owner of the ice cream shop next to Spoke Life Cycles/Elmore, fell sixteen feet  from a ladder to concrete getting Christmas decorations out of storage. The Flatlanders organized a special ride in conjunction with other events to raise money for Peggy Avers. We rode the 25-mile route last night. Several riders said it was a nice route!

        There was a slight headwind for the first half of the ride, but not bad, and a very nice tailwind for the return to Elmore portion. The sun was shining in mostly clear skies after rain earlier in the day.

          Scott Lang led the Ghost Pepper Riders and reported a 23.2 mph average. *Some e-bike riders reported a slightly higher number.*

          Bob Kayden led a total of nine Cayenne Pepper Riders at a 21.0 mph average.

          Tony Mazurek led the Habanero Riders and reported an 18.8 mph average.

          I rode out with seven other riders for a combined Jalapeno-Sweet Pepper group. The eight of us stayed together for the entire ride! My Garmin said 16.1 mph when we arrived back in Elmore. Kudos to Marnie Arndt who said it was her first 16+ mph of the season!

          Pictured are several riders enjoying food, drink, and good conversation after the ride at the Portage Inn in Elmore.

          Next Tuesday, September 3^rd, we will all ride as one group at a relaxed pace following the route(or close to it) of Flatlanders’ Thursday night fun ride. Doug Metzger is organizing the ride and will provide music from his rock-and-roll playlist…Something different! Hopefully it will be an enjoyable change of pace for everyone. Thank you, Doug!

          Come on out to Elmore next Tuesday for the Speedtrap Fun Ride! Ride some quiet country roads and ride with some great people, too! Sign-in begins at 6:00 and we ride at 6:30 pm! I hope to see you then!

Chuck Nicewonder

         

For one day only, Windsday is moving to Central Trail School, just a half mile up Mitchaw Rd from our usual Timberstone start. Why? It’s Open House at Timberstone, that’s why! We’ll more than make up for it with a classic Windsday though - strong winds out of the west will make the ride out work, but the ride heck of a lot of fun! Be sure to bring headlights though, daylight is fading fast right now. We’ll leave at 6:30 sharp from Central Trail School, 4321 Mitchaw Rd.

As for last week, it was a “mullet ride” as I promised with 9 mph winds from the west. After some great teamwork battling the wind as we headed west, we experienced a fast and fun return trip on the way back. My Reasonable & Reliable group rolled in at 18.4 mph, Jen’s Reasonably Fast team had a nice 20.3 and Edgar’s Fast & Furious speedsters rolled in at 23.3. An impressive performance on a beautiful night.

Speedtrap Ride Tuesday August 27

          The Speedtrap Ride’s next chapter will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, August 27^th. For something different, we will ride the 25-mile Peggy Avers route. Peggy Avers 25-mile Ride. Cue sheets will be provided.

          Scott Lang will lead the Ghost Pepper Riders. His group will likely average 22 – 24 mph.  Can you handle the adrenaline?

          Bob Kayden will be back to lead the Cayenne Pepper Riders, and he expects to average 20 – 22 mph. Two week’s ago the group’s average was 21 mph. Can they top that?

          Tony Mazurek will lead the Habanero Riders and will average 18 – 20 mph. Last time it was 19.9. Will they hit 20?

          I will lead the Jalapeno Riders and we hope to average 16  - 18 mph.

          Marnie Arndt will lead the Sweet Pepper Riders over a distance and at a speed comfortable for those in her group.

          There is a 70% chance of scattered thunderstorms tomorrow afternoon. Let’s hope we miss those! Wind may also be an issue at SSW 10 – 20 mph!

          The Speedtrap Ride is a great opportunity to ride with TAB and Flatlanders members. You’ll ride with some great people on lightly traveled country roads. Sign-in begins at 6:00 in front of Spoke Life Cycles in Elmore and we ride at 6:30 pm! I hope to see you then!

Chuck Nicewonder

         

Cue sheet Peggie's 25.pdf

   The Speedtrap Ride, Ottawa County's best Tuesday night ride, was rained out last night. Heavy rains came down all over the area for about two hours. A few hopefuls gathered at Spoke Life Cycles Elmore hoping that the ride would eventually take place. Among those were Scott Lang and daughter Emily. Emily was picking up her new bike and helmet. The Speedtrap Ride was to be her first ride, but unfortunately, it didn't happen. Hopefully she'll get to ride next week. Our best wishes to Emily! Scott and Emily are pictured below!

    We will ride the Peggy Avers route next Tuesday, August 27th. I hope to see you then!

Chuck Nicewonder

With Tuesday being a washout, this is a public service announcement for you disappointed riders. Remember Windsdays at TImberstone! Nice flat route, long straightaways, and very few stops makes for a smooth quick ride. Tomorrow’s winds are predicted to be from the west between 7-9 mph. That means a mullet ride - work at the front, party on the way back. We leave at 6:30 sharp from Timberstone JHS 9000 W Sylvania Ave. Special bonus - Sylvania Avenue is repaved and open from McCord to Centennial for your driving pleasure. Get your tail over here and join us! 

For last weeks Old 24 Ride we had 13 riders for our 28.5 mile loop.  We rolled in with an average speed of 20.8 mph and about a million bugs all over us. 

Tonight we will head out to Old 24 again for the same route and probably come back with the bugs again.  Expect the average speed to be between 20 to 21 mph.  We will roll out from Cycle Werks in Whitehouse at 6:30.

See you on Old 24.

What will be the most fun event this weekend in northwest Ohio? The German American Festival? The big car show? NO! It’s PEDAL AND PADDLE!

Adventurers and Meanderers meet Saturday morning for an 8:00 a.m. start at the boat launch at 8801 S. River Rd. Ride your choice of 35 or 40 miles, and come back for a picnic lunch.

Then rent a kayak for a leisurely paddle on the Maumee River. No previous experience necessary.

Rental fees are $15 single, $20 double, and only CREDIT CARDS are accepted. No cash.

Routes are: 35 miles - ridewithgps.com/routes/30887726 40 miles - ridewithgps.com/routes/30913967

Speedtrap Ride Tuesday August 20^th

          The Speedtrap Ride will roll out once again from Spoke Life Cycles on Elmore tomorrow, Tuesday, August 20^th, at 6:30 pm.

This week’s will be a special one: the Peggy Avers route that the Flatlanders did a couple of years ago. Here is the link to the route on ridewithgps.Peggy Avers 25-mile Ride Also attached is a cue sheet. I will have copies available.

          Scott Lang will lead the Ghost Pepper Riders. Last week his group topped 24 mph. Will they do it again?

          A volunteer is needed for the Cayenne Pepper Riders. Bob Kayden is away. This group plans to average 20 – 22 mph.

          Tony Mazurek will lead the Habanero Riders. He expects to average 18 – 20 mph.

          I will lead the Jalapeno Riders. We hope to average 16 – 18 mph.

          Marnie Arndt will take the Sweet Pepper Riders on a ride at a distance and speed comfortable for those in her group.

          The high temperature is predicted to be 87 degrees, with southerly winds at 5 to 10 mph. There is a 40% chance of scattered thunderstorms, but that means 60% chance of no thunderstorms.

          As always, some riders may gather after the ride at the Portage Inn in Elmore for food, drink, and good conversation. Anyone is welcome to plan or do anything else to make this a special event.

          Come on out to Elmore and ride some quiet country roads. You meet and ride with some great people, too! Sign-in begins at 6:00 in front of the bike shop. I hope to see you then!

Chuck NicewonderPeggy Avers 25-mile Ride.xlsx