September 2006

We just got back from Little Rock Arkansas – home of Orbea USA. The good folks of Orbea mapped some great road rides for us and even led us on a ride on both Saturday and Sunday. Those folks are super friendly and patient enough to ride slowly along with our little non-racer group. We stayed at the famous Peabody Hotel from which we had an incredible view of the capital and the river. Little Rock is a beautiful town. It reminds me of the way Austin was 20 years ago.

We drove about 25 minutes from downtown to Pinnacle Mountain State Park which served as our base of operations for Saturday’s ride. The scenery was beautiful. We crossed Maumel Lake and did some heinous climbs that were more difficult than anything I’ve encountered anywhere in Texas. I had never heard my heart and lungs make more noise than they did on those climbs. Of course the descents were thrilling. Jack, Devon, and I were together motoring those descents like we were riding Devon’s Harley. I was proud of our little group on that ride which also included Judy, Tiffany, Arthur, Carson, Amber (who was on her fourth road ride and hung in there like a champ on a difficult ride). Everybody performed like seasoned hill climbers and we were all pretty close together the duration. While we rode, Shanon hiked up on Mount Pinnacle and Stephanie took her two girls kayaking in Lake Maumel, so everybody had something fun to do outdoors.

On Sunday we rode from the hotel along the river trail in Burn’s Park which is one of the largest metropolitan parks in the U. S. It has 12 miles of mountain bike trails, equestrian trails, a golf course, an r. c. airplane field,every kind of ball field and a great paved trail along the river . Soon they will be opening the largest pedestrian bridge in the country to go from one side of the river to the other. It is built above a dam in the shape of an enormous horseshoe. It is a beautiful site but is still about six weeks from being opened so we didn’t get to ride it.

After our Sunday ride Jack and I kayaked in the river for a couple of hours. We had a lot of great seafood while we were there and had a great dinner at an old hole in the wall steak house called Doe’s which was quite an experience in itself. Judy and I reluctantly left Little Rock Monday morning trying to figure out what type of business we could open there that would allow us to move to that little town.

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Scheduled Mountain bike ride

I am planning to go to Lake Summerville for a ride on Sunday 9-17-2007 as long as the weather cooperates. I plan to leave the store at 7am to drive out there. I hope some people will join me. Please see the ride page for directions to Sommerville and a brief description. The trail there is super easy to ride for beginners. It has a nice lake in which to cool off and it has many miles of trail. Any beginners who are interested in a mini riding skills clinic are encouraged to attend. I’ve been riding mountain bikes for over 20 years and I can possibly give you some useful pointers. Anyone who has a canoe or kayak might want to bring it to paddle around in the lake. I’ll probably bring my kayak for after the ride just to get it wet. It’s a relatively short and pleasant drive out there and we all need to get out in the country from time time to get a break from the concrete antpile that we live in. Do it for your mental and physical health.

Featured Items:

The 2007 Orca wins The New Design Award at Eurobike

Click here for more information

I have several different Orbea Onix and Orbea Orcas in stock that are built with a variety of component groups on sale at prices that are reduced by up to $300. I also have a number of Mitis, Vueltas, Marmoladas and Volatas on sale. Come to the store for a great deal on a killer road bike.

Giant TCR Carbon bikes. I still have one TCR carbon1 size ML and one TCR carbon2 in ML and one in L (see the last newsletter on the website for details). They are a fantastic deal. Come in for the hook up.

Save the dates:

NovemberFest 2006

Metric Century Bike Ride Benefiting THE CENTER Serving Persons with Mental Retardation November 11th start time 9:00am at Willow River Farms

Foundation for the Retarded invites you and your family to participate in the 2006 NovemberFest Metric Century, a scenic bicycle tour winding around Stephen F. Austin State Park and through the countryside. The 10, 27, 44 and 62 mile routes all begin and end at Willow River Farms – allowing you plenty of time to participate in the festivities of NovemberFest 2006. Individual riders, families and bike clubs are encouraged to join the fun. Each rider will receive lunch following the ride and a NovemberFest Metric Century T-shirt. The festival – from 10:00am to 3:00pm – is free. Massage available for a small fee. For more information call: Foundation for the Retarded 713-525-8484. www. novemberfestmetriccentury. org

The Urban Bicycle Gallery is sponsoring our First Annual UBG 3 Ride Fall Series

There will be a ride each month: October, November and December.

Each rider will receive some cool UBG Wear. We will have 2 routes with 2 - 3 rest stops, SAGS, massage and physical therapists at the end ($1 per minute) The rides are limited to 75 riders - you will have GREAT support. If you’d like a registration form or more information please email Judy.

UBG 4th Annual Christmas Light Bike Ride

December 17th. Limited to 200 riders. Ride from The Urban Bicycle Gallery to a nearby neighborhood to enjoy the Holiday Lights, The ride is great for families. Average speed of 10mph for about 10 miles. Bicycles only. Must be at least nine years of age. Registration fee of $8 plus we ask that you bring a new toy, that will be donated to the Salvation Army for their wish tree.

Urban Bicycle Gallery is gearing up for the MS150 2007 registration.

Urban Bicycle Gallery MS150 Team 2007 is here to give you support. All you have to do is raise money and ride for MS; we’ll do the rest. We have our own supported training rides. Classes on pace lines, basic bike mechanics, stretching… Team discount at the Urban Bicycle Gallery until the MS150 2007, and a 2007 Urban Bicycle Gallery team jersey. We limit our team to 75 riders so sign up for the Urban Bicycle Gallery Team as soon as registration opens.

For more information on the First Annual UBG 3 Ride Fall Series, the UBG 4th Annual Christmas Light Bike Ride, or the Urban Bicycle Gallery 2007 MS150 Team please email judy@urbanbicyclegallery. com

Rides

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