Bacon Ride for Mountain Folk, Sunday, June 23

My brother from Tennessee probably thinks that Nebraska is as flat as a week old prairie cow pie.  Well, I'm gonna show him.

Join me and my little brother for an extra hilly edition of the Bacon Ride this Sunday.  We'll be starting early from downtown and might be looking to make a century ride out of it.

What:  Gravel and streets ride to Platte River State Park for breakfast buffet, then back.  71 miles (4,100 feet gain), starting/finishing at Stinson Park in Aksarben Village.  Ride with us from downtown for a larger looping 104 mile ride (5,700 feet gain). 

When:  Sunday, June 23, 2013.  Meet at 6am.  Rollout by 6:15am.

Where: Stinson Park in Aksarben Village, 67th St. and West Center Rd. [ map ]

Pace:  12-18 MPH.  We'll regroup as necessary, or potentially break into smaller groups to accommodate changes in pace preference.

Equipment:  Bring a bike that can handle the rough gravel roads.  Cross bikes work the best, but I've seen it done on road, mountain, and hybrid bikes.  Bring water; it's going to be hot!  Bring flat tire fixing supplies and equipment.  You'll need about $12 (cash or plastic) for breakfast and tip, as well as money for resupply along the way.  Bring $0.50 in case we ride over a toll bridge.

Options:  Meet downtown for a longer ride or Walnut Creek Recreation Area [ map ] for a shorter ride.  Leave comments below to make arrangements for either of these.

Bacon Rides are Back! 60 Mile Mixed Pavement and Gravel Ride, Sunday, June 2

Sunday is the day after the Dirty Kanza 200 gravel race, as well as some MTB races, and if you're back in town looking for some more gravel at a non-competitive pace, join in for an Omaha Bacon Ride.  There are a couple of really good hills where you can shoot for a new Strava PR or KOM.

What: Bacon Ride!  30-ish miles of mixed gravel and blacktop to Platte River State Park for a breakfast buffet, then 30-ish more back to town. 

When: Sunday, June 2, 2013.  Meet at 7:15 am.  Roll off at 7:30 am.

Where: Aksarben Village, near 67th St and W. Center Rd [ map ]

Pace: 12-18 MPH, depending on the will and ability of the group

Notes: Bring a gravel roads capable bike.  Be prepared to fix a flat tire.  Have enough fluids to last for 2-3 hours at a time.  Bring about $15 cash or a credit card to cover your breakfast and a tip.  Due to the Aksarben Village Farmer's Market, if you drive, be sure to park somewhere where you won't get towed.  The free parking garage is always an option.

Bacon Ride, Sunday, July 8

What: Bacon Ride
Where: Meet at Stinson Park in Aksarben Village, 67th St. and Center St.
When: 6:30 am on Sunday, July 8
Pace: 13-ish? mph
Distance: 60 to 80 miles, depending on route, et cetera
Surface: We'll ride paved trails and city streets for a while, until we meet gravel. 'Cross bikes are ideal.
Terrain: Trails, urban, highway shoulder, gravel rollers
Prep: This is a self-supported ride. Please be prepared with flat-repair equipment, water, bail-out options, et cetera.
Cost: Bring $12 for the buffet (this includes the tip)

Here's a link to a suggested route.

Bacon Ride, Sunday, August 28

Bacon Ride Sunday, August 28, 7am, leaving from Jones Bros. Cupcakes in Aksarben Village.  Plan for 65-75 miles of mixed blacktop and gravel.  With Gravel Worlds out of the way, the pace will be relaxed, even for me.  As always, the group is free to break up into faster/slower groups.  Bring about $11 for breakfast buffet at Platte River State Park.



The route will be similar to this: Bacon Ride Route

There are only a few more Bacon Ride opportunities left this year, so be sure to ride one if you haven't yet.

Bacon Ride, Sunday, August 14

Bacon Ride tomorrow.  Sunday, 7am at Jones Bros. Cupcakes in Aksarben Village.  Plan for 65-75 miles of mixed blacktop and gravel.  Chill pace with plenty of regroup opportunities.  Bring about $11 for breakfast buffet at Platte River State Park.

The route will be similar to this: Bacon Ride Route

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

Second Bacon Ride

There will be a second group heading out for the Bacon Ride at 6:30am as well. Meet point will be the same, Jones Bros. Cupcakes at Aksarben village. Be ready to roll at 6:30, come early for a coffee starter to power you to breakfast. The Buffet at the Platte River State Park lodge will run you about $10 including tip, so bring cash or a card.

My disclaimer...Although the ride out will be pretty chill, I plan on doing about an hour of intensity on the way home along the Platte Valley and on Pflugg Rd. to Springfield. After that I'll chill out and wait for everyone to re-group.

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.

Bacon Ride Sunday 6:30 am

It's this time of the year. Dorothy at the lodge has been making bacon whole week, just for us.. Here is the deal meat at Aksarben village 6:30 am roll out to Platte eat some bacon ride home.
Couple of things, please take this under consideration. While the ride is open to everyone it is 70 miles of fairly hilly terrain if you bail you are on your own.
this is NOT no drop ride. We might regroup/we might not there is only one stop that is certain and that is the lodge at Platte.
There is fair number of mechanics/bike shop employees on this ride this doesn't mean they will fix your bike if it's broken down. Be prepared to fix your own bike....
With that being said. I hope to see everyone Platte. Lincoln crew will be giving out free high fives to all who attend... They only good for Sunday