Bacon/Danish Ride for Jolene, Sunday, August 7

Join us Sunday, August 7, 2011for a Bacon/Danish Ride as we wish Jolene well in her move to Copenhagen.

Meet at 7:00am outside of Jones Bros. Cupcakes at Aksarben Village.

The pace will be relaxed and conversational, but be prepared for bursts of spirited hill climbing among those who enjoy that sort of thing.  This will be a no-drop ride, with plenty of options for regrouping, but you'll have to arrange your own rescue if you can't or don't want to finish the ride.

Plan for 60-70 miles of mixed trail, residential, gravel roads and blacktop highways.  It's still hot out in the afternoon, so be sure to bring plenty of water and nibbles.  There will be opportunities to stop at a convenience store in Springfield on the way out and the way back, if the group desires.

The halfway point features an all-you-can eat breakfast buffet at the Platte River State Park.  Bring about $11 to cover your food and a tip.  Credit cards are accepted.  Here you can load up on bacon, and maybe a danish to celebrate Jolene's upcoming Denmark adventure.  There are vegetarian options, as well.

Routes

• Route One (63 mile option)
• Route Two (67 mile option)

RSVP here, or on the Facebook event page (optional, but helps us plan the event).

This may be your last chance to ride with Jolene for some time, unless you want to visit her in Denmark.

Pre-Dawn Bacon Ride, Sunday, July 10

Who: Anyone who wants to ride a mix of gravel and streets and to gorge on a breakfast buffet

What: A ride to Platte River State Park for a quick breakfast, then back to Omaha.  Plan for about 70-75 miles.  Pace will be 12-18mph (a wild guess).  Maybe slower on the climbs and faster on the descents.  This is intended to be a social ride that moves swiftly enough to get some sweat flowing.  Bring $12 for breakfast and a tip.  Be prepared to pay up to $4 for park entry.  Sometimes they charge, sometimes they don't.

When: Sunday, 5:30am.  We hope to be back by noon, at the latest.

Where: Jones Bros. Cupcakes at Aksarben Village  (Note: Aksarben Village has a farmer's market on Sunday.  Be careful where you park, if you drive out.  I've seen them tow cars to make room for tents.)

Why: Duh.

How:  However you want.  Chris and I will be on gravel bikes.  I've seen awesome dudes do this on road bikes with 18mm tires, as well as beefy mountain bikes requiring twice the effort.  I can loan a set of 25mm treaded Panaracers and a set of 28mm slicks if that will encourage road bike people to come along.

Routes:

• OMA to PRSP (29 miles)
• PRSP to OMA (37 miles)

Please discuss in the comments below.

Image credit: Lines, Legs, and Spokes

Bacon Express Ride, Sunday, June 26

Who: Anyone who wants to ride a mix of gravel and streets and to gorge on a breakfast buffet

What: A ride to Platte River State Park for a quick breakfast, then back to Omaha.  Plan for about 70-75 miles.  Pace will be 12-18mph (a wild guess).  Maybe slower on the climbs and faster on the descents.  This is intended to be a social ride that moves swiftly enough to get some sweat flowing.  Bring $10 for breakfast.

When: Sunday, 6am.  We hope to be back by noon, at the latest.

Where: Wohlner's at Aksarben Village  (Note: Aksarben Village has a farmer's market on Sunday.  Be careful where you park, if you drive out.  I've seen them tow cars to make room for tents.)

Why: Duh.

How:  However you want.  Chris and I will be on gravel bikes.  I've seen awesome dudes do this on road bikes with 18mm tires, as well as beefy mountain bikes requiring twice the effort.

The "Express" refers to the quick breakfast, and not necessarily a prediction of the tempo.  I need to be back in Omaha as early as possible.

Does anyone know if the Platte River pedestrian/bike bridge trail is open or not?

Please discuss in the comments below.

Shenandoah Lunch Ride in June

Mark your calendars for the Shenandoah Lunch Ride, Saturday, June 18, 2011.  This is a one-day 120 mile round trip from Omaha to El Portal in Shenandoah, Iowa.  The pace will be relaxed, but consistent with trying to get 120 miles in a day without it taking forever.

Meet at Turner Park in Midtown Crossing at 6:00 am.  We'll ride through downtown Omaha heading south to the Veterans Memorial Bridge, working our way toward the Wabash Trace.  From there it's about 45 miles of crushed limestone before gorging on tacos, burritos and baskets of chips and salsa.  Oh, and beer.

The way back is pretty much the same, except a little slower.  Who knows, maybe we'll do a celebratory dinner in Omaha.

There's no SAG support, so bring whatever you need to repair your bike.  I'd wager that others can help out if you have a problem, but in the end, you're on your own.

There are some towns along the way where we can stop for snacks and water, but these stops can be 10-15 miles apart, so be prepared with your own nutrition and hydration.

Click here for the route.





Please post your ideas and comments in the space provided below.

Sunday Tweed Ride and Tea Party

Suit up in your Sunday best and join the Ladies and Gentlemen Cycling Club as we ride from downtown Omaha to Memorial Park for a bit of tea and refreshments.

There we will join in with the Omaha Tea Party for a picnic in the park, merriment, and an all around jolly good time with splendid folk.

Meet at Greenstreet Cycles, 13th and Mike Fahey Street, Sunday, April 17 at noon.

Riders of all ages and abilities are welcome, but you are responsible for yourself.

See also:

• The Ladies & Gentlemen's Cycling Club April Ride and The Omaha Tea Party (Facebook event)
• The Omaha Tea Party (Facebook event)

Please note that this is a real tea party, and has nothing at all to do with politics.