Entries Tagged ''Sat. Morning Ride'' ↓

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, 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!

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

***

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

***

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

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

A Fan You May not Always Recognize…

It’s Tour de France time. Naturally you would expect nearly every riding enthusiast who stops by a bike shop during the race to share who their favorite rider is, or to ask a question about tactics or equipment.

Increasingly though, we meet up people who are not the classic riding enthusiast but have become a fan of the Tour de France. They may casually ride a bike. They may not ride a bike at all, but they love the 3 week long French production which is the Tour de France. It has become a ritual for them and they love it as much as a cyclist who rides 150 miles or more each week. And their conversations are interesting. They’ll share a story like having been stationed in France with the US Army, or marveling over the lush French countryside, or mimicking Brit Phil Liggett’s unique stylings of the days’ events. For many it is their ‘Arm Chair’ vacation!

***

So, So Talented; Fionn Regan…

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=13833092

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Mocanaqua
In 1778, a young Frances Slocum was kidnapped by Delaware Indians from her home near Forty Fort. Raised with the customs and language of the Delaware, Slocum was renamed “Mocanaqua,” meaning “little bear,” and later married a chief of the Miami tribe. For 59 years her brothers searched for her, only to find her in 1837. By that time she was so accustomed to the Indian way of life she found her brothers’ way of life odd.

***

Nothing New Just Tried and True…

Here are the Directions for This Week’s SMR…

The Saturday Morning Ride is headed south this week. Join us as both courses wind their way down the W. Kirmar Parkway to Vandermark St.
The shorter ride will continue through Newport, and into Nanticoke. We’ll cross the river, head north on Rt.11, and return to the city.

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/430129424

Shorter Ride; 26.37 miles

The longer option will continue down lower Middle Rd. through Glen Lyon, Glen Lea, Mocanaqua, cross river @ Shickshinny, and return to city on Rt. 11

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/954538117819

Long Ride; 38.18 miles

Who Made the Grade? Cobra’s strike on Super-Besse…
Italy’s Riccardo Ricco (nicknamed Cobra) made good on his Pre-Tour promise of a stage win on Thursday as the TdF (Tour de France) wound its’ way through the Massif Centrale to a mountain top finish at Super-Besse.
The stage was very spirited as teams attempt to control the front while individual riders try to slip-off to gain time and glory for themselves.
A couple of things have stood out thus far in this year’s edition of the TdF…

• The rivalry among the French-based teams is fierce this year. Sylvain Chavenel and Thomas Voekeler in particular have pushed the KOM (King of the Mountains) point’s competition and apply a certain pressure, (team sponsors television exposure) to other rival French squads.

• The beautiful countryside of Brittany. Brittany is the home of Tour de France king, Bernard Hinault who I am sure had a hand in selecting this year’s route that passes through the small villages and hamlets between the Seine and Loire rivers.

• Kim Kirchen may be a new Grand Tour threat. Team Columbia’s Kirchen has had a good season and his star is rising. We’ll see what happens when the race gets to the more major climbing stages

• All things American. Team Garmin-Slipstream, Team Columbia-High Road, Christian Vandevelde, George Hincapie, Bob Roll, Felt Bikes, and Cannondale bikes show that the Americans remain in the mix of today’s peloton. How about a stage win team America?
• Lots of spills in the feed zone and other. That should calm down heading into next week.

Stay tuned in for more. The Tour de France never dissappoints.

***

Here are the directions for this week’s Week SMR…

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/287607126608

OK, we’re headed back to a route everyone seemed to enjoy last year. The group will first head over the Carey Ave Bridge, through Plymouth, to Rt 29. We’ll turn off Rt. 29 @ Chase Rd. to Chase Corners, across Dallas, then finally down 8th Street heading back to the city.

Distance will be a little more than 35 miles. 7:30 start time.

Sorry about not posting today. I know some of you look forward to the rant.

Nice ride up along Coxton today. A small group split and continued their ride on some beutiful roads to add extra mileage.

Speaking of Coxton, did you know?…

• Charles Lindbergh made an emergency landing at the Coxton Rail Yards in 1928.

• Legend also has it that a man named Campbell escaped capture and torture from Native Indians by leaping off the ledge to his death. We ride past past Campbell’s Ledge on our Coxton loop. Campbell’s Ledge is near the confluence of the Lackawanna and Susquehanna rivers.

Let’s see, in the past month man opens bike shop, man falls head over heels in love (again) with an Almost Famous blonde, (again) and according to a reliable source plans to spend this summer in a swank California coastal community.

The new bike shop owner is Lance Armstrong, who opened Mellow Johnny (Lance’s twang term for the Maillot Juane, the Tour Day France’s yellow leader’s jersey) last month in Austin, TX.

Goldie Hawn’s daughter Kate Hudson is the new blonde in Lance’s life. The pair have been spotted lately in public. Will a Trek Madone be in Kate’s future?

The swank California community where Lance is rumored to be spending this summer is Santa Barbara California. -source; James Bond of Cycling

Add to that…

Do you feel that some of the press Lance recieves in his personal life trivializes his accomplishments in cycling and the war on cancer with the Livestrong Foundation? Read more in this recent NY Times article…

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/fashion/22lance.html?ex=1214884800&en=f83785219a75f506&ei=5070&emc=eta1

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Saw Them, Thought You Might Like Them!…

That was the Sim Redmond Duo, composed of Sim Redmond and Jen Middaugh, who opened for friend and spring’s ‘Bike Social’ musician Charles Havira, last week at River Street Jazz Cafe. Great harmonies!…

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=75737795

***

Here are the directions for this week’s SMR…(special request from the peanut gallery)…

The Saturday Morning Ride is headed south this week. Join us as both courses wind their way down the W. Kirmar Parkway to Vandermark St.
The shorter ride will continue through Newport, and into Nanticoke. We’ll cross the river, head north on Rt.11, and return to the city.

Shorter Ride; 26.37 miles

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/430129424

The longer option will continue down lower Middle Rd. through Glen Lyon, Glen Lea, Mocanaqua, cross river @ Shickshinny, and return to city on Rt. 11
Long Ride; 38.18 miles

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/954538117819

***

Team High Road to be ‘One Tough Mother’s’ in This Year’s Tour…

Team High Road announced this week that it has signed a 3 year sponsorship deal with Columbia Sportwear of Portland, Oregon. Team Columbia as they will be known, will make their inaugural appearance July 3rd at the Tour De France. The deal includes sponsorship of both men’s and woman’s teams.

Imagine the fun that a marketer could have, (as they have using Columbia’s Chairman ‘One Tough Mother’ Gert Boyle in past ad campaigns) with the cycling team? Tough as nails sprinter Mark Cavendish would get my vote as a poster boy for a joint ad campaign!-tj

Add to that…

Team Slipstream just signed on GARMIN and Saab as corporate sponsors. Riis Racing will also be hoisting new corporate sponsorship with the introduction of Saxo Bank.

Are the dark days of Pro Cycling starting to pass? Interestingly, Team High Road, Slipstream, and Riis Racing have been at the forefront of the new athlete doping controls and testing. Seems like a change may be coming-tj

Did you happen to catch the photographs of Barack Obama riding with wife Michelle and their children this past week?
Last night (June 12th), an impromptu fundraiser was held at the home of a bicycle industry executive attended by suppliers, advocates, cycling personalities, and some retailers.
According to Stan Day of SRAM (Grip Shift, Rock Shox, Avid, Truvativ, Zipp, and their own SRAM-branded components) who organized the evening, a fundraiser had been proposed by Day to the Obama campaign committee several months ago. The Obama camp contacted Day last week to see if he could organize the meeting on less than one week’s notice. The Obama’s were taking in some down-time at home in Illinois. SRAM’s corporate headquarters are based in Chicago.
The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee pledged support for increased funding of cycling and pedestrian projects, and that he would also endorse the Safe Routes to School programs.***

I found a supposed earlier biking pose of Obama. Going by his age, (46) his wheels appear to be period correct!

SMR Stage 10: (06/14/2008);Blue Bikes for US Soon?

This week the Saturday Morning Ride will incorporate two loops. First, we’ll do the usual by riding up along the river to West Pittston, over the Ft. Jenkins Bridge, turn onto Parsonage, left at Stevenson, another left onto Rt.11. The longer ride will be making a right off Rt.11 and continue to ride toward Coxton, then wind our way back to the city.

Here are the directions for this week’s SMR…

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/764755545481

Length of ride approx. 37.52 miles. Shorter and longer options too.

The Time is Now 10 o’clock. Do You Know Where Your Bicycle is?

Kryptonite, who pioneered better bike security with its U-lock, has compiled a list of the worst US cities for bicycle theft. Leading this list according to Kryptonite is Philadelphia.

1. Philadelphia, PA
2. Chicago, IL
3. New York City, NY
4. San Francisco, CA
5. Tucson, AZ (tie)
Portland, OR (tie)
7. Denver, CO
8. New Haven, CT
9. Cambridge, MA
10. Austin, TX

“When we did the compilation, there wasn’t even a city close to Philly,” stated Donna Tocci, Kryptonite’s marketing manager,“Not even close.”

According to Tocci Kryptonite compiles the information from various sources. In addition to police statistics, the company uses information from college campuses, visits to bike shops, and data from their own customer service department.

Looking 20 Years Back; Hampsten Sleighs the Gavia…
The 1980’s were the coming of age for American cycling. Greg Lemond, impressive victories at the 1984 Summer Olympics in LA, and the American-based 7-Eleven team brought US cycling respect that it had lacked from the Europeans.

On June 5th 1988, 7-Eleven’s Andy Hampsten pulled off a stunning ride on Stage 17 of the Giro d’Italia to what many consider the toughest day in the history of the Grand Tours. Hampsten rode onto the narrow dirt covered mountain passes of the Dolomites and then left his nearest competitors on a treacherous snow-covered descent into the tiny Italian village of Santa Caterina.

Hampsten credits the preparation of his team manager, (7-11 had purchased ski wear that morning to keep their cyclists warm) and the hard work of his fellow riders for the eventual win.

His victory of the Giro d’Italia is considered one the finest achievements in US cycling history.
Today, Andy is a much sought out speaker on his recollections of that most memorable day in 1988.

SMR Stage 8: 05/31/2008; 7:30AM Start Time this Week!…
Note; Rain cancels ride!

This week the Saturday Morning Ride will incorporate two loops. First, we’ll do the usual by riding up along the river to West Pittston, over the Ft. Jenkins Bridge, turn onto Parsonage, left at Stevenson, another left onto Rt.11. The longer ride will be making a right off Rt.11 and continue to ride toward Coxton, then wind our way back to the city.

Here are the directions for this week’s SMR…
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/764755545481
Length of ride approx. 37.52 miles. Shorter and longer options too.