Latest Club News & Info

Greetings to all TAB members and Friends,

      Just a reminder that there will be no official TAB rides this coming Saturday, October 19th.

Why? Because it has been a long-standing policy of TAB to support Maumee Valley Adventurers' invitational rides, and this Saturday is MVA's Tombstone Tour.

        The ride begins at 10:30 am at the Buehner Center in Oak Openings Preserve Metropark. You can register for the ride on line at the cheaper rate until 11:59 pm this Thursday, October 17. Day-of-ride registration will be available.

    I hope to see you on the road!

Chuck Nicewonder

Is anyone interested in an unofficial Speedtrap Ride tomorrow, Tuesday, October 15th ? If so, I will plan to be in Elmore for a 5:30 pm start. The temperature is predicted to be 70 degrees, with partly sunny skies and southerly winds 10 to 20 mph. Please respond by email or on Facebook.

    If we ride, we will form riding groups based on who shows!I hope to see a few riders tomorrow in Elmore!

Chuck Nicewonder

Last year’s Ray Squire ride was cold and windy if I remember right. And guess what? It was the same this year. I think Ray’s spirit is challenging us! 8 riders came out in the 36 degree temps to enjoy the crisp autumn air. As we went out east and south into the wind, we hid in the woods as much as we could. But we still had 4-5 miles straight into the 10-12 mph winds. When we stopped in Metamora after 25 miles, we were at 16.0 mph. But we had smooth sailing all the 15 miles back to Wildwood with ever-increasing tailwinds pushing us at a 20 mph average to arrive with a solid 17.1 for the whole trip. It was great to see Chris Crandall joining us for his return to road cycling after 8 weeks off the bike. He reported he felt good, but a little ibuprofen wouldn’t hurt. Welcome back Chris!

It was this time last year that the Metroparks and the cycling community dedicated a Fix-it Station and bike rack in front of the Visitor’s Center at Wildwood in memory of Ray Squire and his and his wife Pat’s contributions to cycling in Toledo. As part of that ceremony, we dedicated our ride that day to Ray. Deb & I thought it would be a nice idea to repeat that ride again this year and remember Ray. 

The weather looks challenging. With temps in the 40’s, and some blustery winds from the SW and W, we’ll need to break out the cool weather gear. The good news is it should be mostly sunny to keep us warm and I’ve packed the first half of the ride with woods for some protection from the wind. Think of it as a warm up for Winter Warrior, a chance to practice your layering skills.

We’ll be starting at 9:00 from Parking Lot 7 at Wildwood (also known as the “Where The Breakfast Ride Starts” lot) for a 40 mile ride loop out west of town, with a snack stop in Metamora before we head back. Pace is expected to be in the 17 mph range. Be there or be square!

GPS track is at Ride With GPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31284703

This weekend is another gravel doubleheader. The gravel gathering this Saturday morning will be in Morenci, MI at 8am. Get ready to ride a half gravel, half road century with planned stops about every 20 miles.

Date: 09/28/2019

Ride: Morenci Gravel Century

Distance: 100 miles

Start location: Wakefield Park, 555 W Main St, Morenci, MI 49256

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29029625

Sunday is BIKEtoberfest. The gravel ride starts at 8am from the Beach Ridge Wheelhouse in Oak Openings. Details can be found here: https://www.toledoareabicyclists.org/news/7896032

Unofficial Speedtrap Ride Tuesday, October 8^th recap

          An unofficial Speedtrap Ride brought twelve cyclists to Elmore yesterday, Tuesday, October 8^th.

          A combined Ghost Pepper/Cayenne Pepper group consisted of seven riders who rode 25+ miles. Rob Rausch from that group reported an average of 20.8 mph.

          Five riders made up a combined Habanero/Jalapeno/Sweet Pepper group, who rode 20 miles. My Garmin indicated a 15.8 mph average.

          New to the Speedtrap Ride this week was Rob Rausch, who, as mentioned above, rode in the faster group, and who is pictured. Welcome Rob!

          A few riders expressed an interest in another unofficial ride next Tuesday, October 15^th, but earlier. If there is interest and the weather is favorable, I am proposing an unofficial Speedtrap Ride at 5:30 pm on that day.  All are welcome! Perhaps I’ll see you then!

Chuck Nicewonder

Didn't get a count on the number of cyclists that rolled out with Hubert but we created quite a wake. 82 miles for 82 years for a great guy!

Thanks to everyone who came out to ride.

Unofficial Speedtrap Ride Tuesday October 8th ?

Is anyone interested in an unofficial Speedtrap Ride tomorrow, Tuesday, October 8th? If so, I plan to be in Elmore for a ride promptly at 6:00 pm. No sign-in, but I may take your emergency contact number if I didn't get it last week.

   The weather looks to be favorable: sunny, with a high of 70 degrees, and light NE winds. I say we take advantage of conditions while we can. We will form riding groups base on who shows up.

     Remember......darkness is coming early. Please make sure your bike is well equipped with front and rear lights for the last few miles of the ride.

    I hope to see you tomorrow at Spoke Life Cycles in Elmore ready to ride at 6:00 pm!

Chuck Nicewonder

Sunday Breakfast Ride October 6, 2019

Departing Wildwood Preserve at 9:00AM!!!!

 Wildwood Metropark,

5100 W. Central Ave. 

Toledo, OH

Maybe we will catch the odds and dry weather tomorrow.

Here is the new and improved route for tomorrow.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31113996

Hope to see you out there.

Unofficial Speedtrap Ride Tuesday, October 1^st recap

          Mid-July-like temperatures brought twenty-one cyclists to Elmore for an unofficial Speedtrap Ride this past Tuesday, October 1^st.

          Scott Lang led a combined Ghost Pepper/Cayenne Pepper group and reported a riding average of 21 mph.

          There were three Habanero Riders.  Diane Dunbar from the group reported 18.6 mph

          Marnie Arndt, Adam Silbaugh, Jim Darr,  and I formed a combined Jalapeno/Sweet Pepper group. My Garmin said 16.2 mph when we returned to Elmore.

          After the ride, several stayed for a pizza party in front of Spoke Life Cycles in Elmore. The pizza was ordered from the Portage Inn in Elmore, which makes some of the best pizza for miles around!

          Little did I suspect that the pizza party was for me—to celebrate my birthday! Thank you to everyone who helped make it a fun time! And thank you for the Gears and Beers jersey! It is great. I am proud to be associated with such great people!

          Next Tuesday, October 8^th, I am planning another unofficial Speedtrap Ride at 6:00 pm from Spoke Life Cycles in Elmore. I hope to see you then!

Chuck Nicewonder