News and opinion from your bike guys

Best Pie Recipe…

We somehow got on the topic of pies on the long climb and return from Bald Mountain last week. Janet asked me what my favorite pie was. Without question or hesitation I listed, “a three-berry pie, or butterscotch, and that my all-time favorite is Lemon Sponge pie!”

Here is my great grandmother Nellie’s (actual) recipe notebook. My grandmother, (94) learned baking from her and guess that she probably tweaked Nellie’s recipe many years ago. It’s unusually good!

Nellie’s Lemon Sponge Pie…
• 1 tablespoon Butter
• 1 cup Sugar
• ? cup or 2 heaping tablespoon’s Flour
• 1 Lemon; grated rind and juice
• 1 ½ cups of Whole Milk
• 3 eggs separated

• Cream butter and sugar, add flour. Beat egg yolks together with milk, then add Lemon juice and grated rind.

• Beat egg whites stiff and add to the above.

• Put ingredients into an unbaked pie shell. Bake in a glass pie dish @ 400 degrees for 15 mins. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for 30 additional minutes.

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A Prairie Home Companion favorite, The Wailin’ Jennys will be performing again at the Mauch Chunk Opera House this Saturday night. It’s been about a year since they played locally;8:30 pm in Jim Thorpe.

http://www.thewailinjennys.com/listen2.html

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08/30/2008; This week’s ‘Saturday Morning Ride’…

Request ride will be this week. Please refer back to last week’s list of rides, and either email me, tom@atownbikes.com , or review the list with your suggestion for this week’s ride.

Start time is 7:30am.

Last official ride for this season will be next week, Saturday September 6th. Ride will have a special stop. Don’t miss next week’s ride!

Your bike guys,

Lee, Rich & Tom

The Final Banshee ride for this season will be this Sunday, August 24th @ 10:00am.
Riders will have a choice of returns from Carbondale, Forest City, or the up and back to the Stillwater Dam. Ride to Stillwater Dam with return is 53 mi.

In addition to the Banshee ride, a festival celebrating alternative transportation and green thinking will be set up on Penn Avenue that same day. Bikes, Scooters, COLTS, Rail Trail council members, some local artists and music will fill the block of Penn Avenue between Mulberry and Linden from 2:00-6:00pm.

Banshee Ride
Begins in front of Banshee Bar & Restaurant
322 Penn Avenue Scranton
10:00am
30-53 miles

Here’s the festival music lineup…
2:00-3:00 Charles Havira and Friends
3:00-3:30- Records by D.J. Conor McGuigan
3:30-4:30- The Bog Swing Band
4:30-6:00 Records by DJ Conor McGuigan

Read this article about the festival and Banshee ride in the Scranton Times…

http://www.scrantontimes.com/articles/2008/08/21/lifestyles/sc_times_trib.20080821.c.pg1.tt21bikefest_s1.1891571_fea1.txt

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You have just encountered the wind-down, the rapid deceleration of summer. It’s suddenly a time to adjust to a different routine that awaits as we cross over to fall.
Thoughts for me at this time are usually gearing up for next season;(2009 models already in stock), trying to get in the ride or two that I escaped from me earlier in the season, some mountain biking, catching up on projects, and hopefully taking some time off.

We’re also approaching the end of the ‘Saturday Morning Ride’ season. The last scheduled ride for the season will be Saturday September 6th.
I would certainly encourage you all to continue rides from downtown Wilkes-Barre as a year-round meeting point for a ride. The downtown is a great place to begin and end your ride. Take my word for it that your riding activity has been noticed. Wilkes-Barre thanks you!

That all being said, how about we, SMR rider’s start the buildup for the only 100K (62mi) event in our area!?

The Seasons Change Flaming Foliage Bike Ride will be held Saturday, October 11th in and around Hazleton. Riders will also have a choice of a 20K (12.4mi) and 50K (31mi.) route.

http://www.seasonschange.us/index.php/events/flaming-foliage-ride

Your bike guys will be attending. Try to support this local event!

Stage 20; (08/23/2008) This week’s SMR…

We’ve given you many new routes this year along with the classics from our area. Now it’s up to you to decide which routes you want to choose for the last two rides of this season.

Nanticoke Bike Ride Wilkes-barre, PA 26.37 mi.

Journey To DARK REGIONS Bike Ride Wilkes-Barre, PA 40.70 mi.

Boat Launch Rt 92 And Return Bike Ride Wilkes-barre, PA 29.35 mi.

Official Coopers Ride Bike Ride Pittston, PA 44.92 mi.

Rt 29 To Chase/Dallas 8th Street Bike Ride Wilkes-Barre, PA 35.13 mi.

Oberdorfer,Nail, Bodle, LEWIS, 8th, Bunker Hill Bike Ride Wilkes-barre, PA 31.01 mi.

Oberdorfer,nail,bodle,schoolhouse, Coon, Green Bike Ride Wilkes-barre, PA 30.79 mi.

Wyoming, Chase Nanticoke Bike Ride Wilkes-barre, PA 34.25 mi.

Oberdorfer,Nail, Bodle, Schoolhouse, 8th, Bunker Hill Bike Ride Plains, PA 28.73 mi.

Duryea Coxton Loop Bike Ride Wilkes-barre, PA 37.52 mi.

Maq-a-naw-qua Loop Bike Ride Wilkes-barre, PA 38.18 mi.

Saturday Morning Ride Coxton Loop Bike Ride Plains, PA 34.99 mi.

Coxton With Extra Loop Bike Ride Plains, PA 49.66 mi.

Lance Armstrong Foundation Ride 5-10-08 Bike Ride Wilkes-Barre, PA 29.52 mi.

5-3-08 Atown Bike To Boat Launch Rt 92 Bike Ride Wilkes-barre, PA 29.35 mi.

Hartman - White Oak â?? Mizdall Rd Ride

I would like to thank Scott S. for being our Cartographer for the SMR routes on www.mapmyride.com. He’s done a great job of mapping out our rides this year. It’s time consuming but very appreciated. Great job Scott!

From the New York Times…
By JAMES C. McKINLEY JR
Published: August 15, 2008

HOUSTON - Lance Armstrong is one of the favorite sons of Texas and a model citizen known as much for his social conscience as his cycling. So it came as a surprise when it was revealed this week that he is one of the biggest individual users of water in Austin, where he lives.

Say it ain’t so, Lance.
In July, Mr. Armstrong, who won the Tour de France seven times, used a whopping 330,000 gallons of water at his lush Spanish-colonial home, with an acre of gardens and a swimming pool, city water authority officials said.
This tremendous flow of H2O, which is 38 times what the average household in the city uses in the summer, comes as Texas is going through a dry spell and officials are asking people to cut back on watering their lawns. “We are definitely short on rain,” Lisa Rhodes, a spokeswoman for the authority, said with a sigh.
Mr. Armstrong declined to be interviewed. He has been in Colorado and California all summer and only noticed the surge in water use when he saw his bills go up, his spokesman, Mark Higgins, said in an e-mail message. (The bill for July was $2,460.) “Lance and all the folks involved are looking into it and will for sure get it under control,” Mr. Higgins wrote.
The Austin American-Statesman, which broke the story on Friday, quoted Mr. Armstrong as saying he was unaware his water use was so high. “I’m a little shocked,” he told The Statesman. “There’s no justification for that much water.” He added, “I need to fix this.”
But city water records suggested that his home has long been a guzzler of water, using an average of 158,000 gallons a month since January 2007. Then, in June, the cyclist shot ahead of the pack, topping the city’s list of residential water users for the first time, officials said. That month his house and garden drank up 222,900 gallons.
Daryl Slusher, an assistant director of the Austin City Water Authority in charge of conservation, said the city had ruled out a leak. Mr. Slusher offered to scrutinize Mr. Armstrong’s irrigation system and perhaps recommend native species that require less water.
Getting Mr. Armstrong on board with water conservation would be a public-relations boon, Mr. Slusher said, although it was a disappointment that Mr. Armstrong had ended up on the top of the city’s water-gluttons list.
“I was surprised he was No. 1,” Mr. Slusher said. “But his response is very encouraging.”

Thomas Bettis Casimir LEWISBURG - Thomas Bettis Casimir bravely went forth early Thursday morning, Aug. 7, 2008, at his home in Lewisburg after 47 years on earth.
Tom was an immensely gifted designer whose vision and skill brought grace and functionality to his projects in Japan, Puerto Rico, Texas, and of course Pennsylvania. He was disgusted by those who didn’t pay attention to the potential for beauty in the world.
He was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer 10 days before his death. His liver, however, was in excellent condition.
Tom will be missed by friend and foe.
He is survived by his siblings, Randy, Trey and Edith, many heartbroken friends, and the best dog in the world, Murphy.
Services will be at the convenience of the family.
Donations in Tom’s memory may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements are by the John H. Shaw III Funeral Home, Market and Eighth streets, Lewisburg.

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A group of friends from NEPA who met up with Tom in the earlier days of mountain biking attended a memorial for him on Sunday August 10th in Lewisburg. Tom was talented in more ways than you could imagine and was an intellectual stimulant to all those who knew him. He will be missed…

Look for the Saturday Morning Ride to be featured on television ads being supported by the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce and the City of Wilkes-Barre. The short clip was filmed shortly after our return from a Saturday ride in July. Two of your bike guys then did the voice over “My ride!” to the footage.

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I signed up for a SmartBike DC share pass yesterday. I’ve been looking to get back to Washington DC and toured the city by bike this spring with a group from the League of American Bicyclists and loved it. The Smartbike ride-sharing concept is exploding in Europe. The idea of a US ride share was officially announced during the Bike Summit this spring in the capital city.

To learn more about SmartBike and ride sharing, visit this site…

http://www.clearchannelsmartbike.com/

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Stage 19; (08/16/2008) New Course…

We’re going to explore some new territory this Saturday. We’ll ride the area between Hunlock Creek, Moon Lake Park, with return down Rt. 29, Rt.11, & back to the city. A little over 30 miles.

The ride seems like you’ll be able to work on a few levels of tempo during the ride. It’s a new route and can only recall White Oak and Pavlik Rd before paving. Should be fun!

Thanks Tom W. for the suggestion!

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/506423121498

Hello; (Ni Hao)

It is no coincidence that the Chinese selected 08-08-2008 for the opening of the 29th Modern Olympiad. The number 8 is very significant to Chinese culture.

• There are 8 immortals in Chinese mythology.

• 8 is considered a lucky number in Chinese culture because 8 sounds like the word “prosper” or “wealth”.

• The 8 principles of Yong in Chinese calligraphy.

Another reason why the number 8 could be considered lucky is because it is a perfect symmetrical shape. You can cut the number 8 in half vertically or horizontally, and both halves mirror themselves perfectly. Perfect symmetry lends itself to perfect balance. In Chinese Astrology, perfect balance is considered the ideal.

Here’s a schedule of the Cycling events for the Beijing Olympics…

Road races Start time
Saturday, August 9 - Venue: Road race course -
Men’s road race - 245.19 KM 23:00 EDT August 8th
Sunday, August 10 - Venue: Road race course -
Women’s road race - 126.34 KM 02:00 EDT
Wednesday, August 13 - Venue: Time trial course -
Women’s Individual Time Trial - 23.5 KM 23:30 EDT (August 12)
Men’s Individual Time Trial - 47 KM 01:30 EDT

Track
Day 1 - Friday, August 15 - Venue: Laoshan Velodrome 16:30 - 19:00 local
Men’s Team Sprint Qualifying
Men’s Individual Pursuit Qualifying
Women’s Individual Pursuit Qualifying Round
Men’s Team Sprint Final
Day 2 - Saturday, August 16 - Venue: Laoshan Velodrome 16:30-19:35 local
Men’s Individual Pursuit First Round
Men’s Kerin First Round
Women’s Individual Pursuit Qualifying Round
Men’s Kerin Repechage
Men’s Points Race Final
Men’s Kerin Second Round
Men’s 4000m Individual Pursuit Final
Men’s Keirin Final
Day 3 - Sunday, August 17 - Venue: Laoshan Velodrome 10:00-11:45 local
Men’s Team Pursuit Qualifying Round
Women’s Sprint Qualifying Round (200m)
Men’s Sprint Qualifying Round (200m)
Men’s Sprint 1/16 Final
Women’s 3000m Individual Pursuit Final 16:30-18:45 local
Women’s Sprint 1/8 Final
Men’s Sprint 1/8 Final
Men’s 4000m Team Pursuit First Round
Day 4 - Monday, August 18 - Venue: Laoshan Velodrome 16:30-19:00 local
Women’s Points Race Final
Women’s Sprint Quarterfinals
Men’s Sprint Quarterfinals
Men’s 4000m Team Pursuit Final
Day 5 - Tuesday, August 19 - Venue: Laoshan Velodrome 16:30-19:50 local
Women’s Sprint Semifinal
Men’s Sprint Semifinal
Men’s Madison Final
Women’s Sprint Finals
Men’s Sprint Finals

BMX
Wednesday, August 20 - Venue: Laoshan Bicycle Moto Cross (BMX) Venue
Men’s and Women’s BMX Qualifying 09:00 local
Thursday, August 21 - Venue: Laoshan Bicycle Moto Cross (BMX) Venue
Men’s BMX Semi-Finals and Finals 09:00 local
Women’s BMX Semi-Finals and Finals 09:00 local

Mountain biking
Friday, August 22 - Venue: Laoshan Mountain Bike Course
Women’s Cross Country MTB 03:00 EDT

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“Bike wheels spinning on the pawn shop wall,” Iron & Wine-The Shepard’s Dog 2007

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SMR Stage 18: Dark Regions Ride…

(Due to last week’s rainout-washout, we’ll try this again)…
This week we’re going to do a flat ride with a couple of twists We’re going the increasingly popular area between Coxton, Newton, and Ransom to ride through a beautiful, densely wooded road with about 1 ¼ miles of unpaved surface, and then return on some familiar ground.

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/465938173800

Prairie Roots…

I stumbled across Leeroy Stagger, a songwriter from Saskatoon Canada in 2006. He’s great. I also discovered an interesting scene there with other artists like Five Star Homeless, The Deep Dark Woods, and The Cracker Cats to name a few. Their local genre is described as Prairie Roots, a blend of Rockabilly, Honkytonk, Roots, Country, and North Americana.
Here’s a sample, enjoy…

Five Star Homeless-

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=103444665

The Deep Dark Woods-

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=34558309

Cracker Cats-

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=40295886

& LeeRoy Stagger-

http://www.myspace.com/leeroystagger

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If you missed it, check out the last post that was sent to me by a friend. It’s about a community bike shop in North Philly-tj

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Stage 17; 08/02/2008 Dark Regions Ride…

This week we’re going to do a flat ride with a couple of twists We’re going the increasingly popular area between Coxton, Newton, and Ransom to ride through a beautiful, densely wooded road with about 1 ¼ miles of unpaved surface, and then return on some familiar ground.

I know the bridge entering Coxton claims to be out for a month. It’s OK. Checked on it 07/31 and is OK. 40.7 miles. Shorter options on this route too…

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/465938173800

Former WB resident Alejandro sent me this…

http://pdn.philly.com/photo/audio_slides/bikeshop/index.html

A tradition continues this Sunday, July 27th… Join the group of cyclists who will celebrate the conclusion of the 95th Tour de France with a 40+ mile ride through some of the most scenic local roads. Hope you can make it!

When? This Sunday, July 27th

Luzerne/Lackawanna Jaunt; start time is 10:30am New Course through Milwaukee,Falls, and surrounds…

Where? Cooper’s Seafood Waterfront 300 Kennedy Blvd. Pittston 44.92 miles

Here’s a copy of the course. You can print out a cue sheet of the ride from this Webpage…

http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/pa/pittston/1186093394

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Stage 16; Saturday 07/26/2008, 7:30 am Start…

This Week’s Directions for the SMR…

We’re headed for a cruise up along the river on Rt. 92 this week. The main group will go as far as the the boat launch with return. Option to hit hills or ride up to Falls too. 29.35 miles.

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/394033178

Youngest Tour Rider Remounts After Harrowing Fall…

John-Lee Augustyn, the youngest rider of the 2008 Tour de France was the first rider of Stage 16 to reach the teardrop summit of the Col de la Bonette.
Check out his spectacular crash on the descent…

http://www.cycleto.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=412

John-Lee will be looking for a new sponsor since South Africa’s Barloworld (an industrial group representing Caterpillar, Avis and other activities in SA) has decided to withdraw from cycling following the admission of Spaniard Moises Duenas Nevad to doping during the TDF.
Here’s a little Wiki bio on John-Lee Augustyn…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John-Lee_Augustyn