Whoa! I guess it's time to let you all in on the haps in KC area biking and mountain biking. The first thing I want to point out is:

KC BIKE WEEK, MAY 12-16. Yes, that's next week. There is a ton of events going on throughout the week, and a full calendar of them at http://kcbike.info/bikeweek/calendar.php. May I point you to the FRIZ game we're leading at Mill Creek Park Monday at 6 pm and the mountain bike ride we're leading at Shawnee Mission Park Thursday at 6 pm. Come out to either, both, or any of the many, many Bike Week events. And as part of Bike Week, don't forget:

CAR-FREE CHALLENGE: http://kcbike.info/bikeweek/ Formerly the "Bicycle Commuter Challenge," the CFC encourages you to replace every "car" mile you can for one week (May 12-16. next week) with biking, walking, or the bus. The EarthRiders are fielding a team again this year, and last year's SECOND PLACE finish in total miles gives us incentive to recruit as many people as we can. I'll be posting information and encouragement to participants throughout the week, so take the challenge, join the EarthRiders team, and be a part of the CAR-FREE CHALLENGE. Hit the link above to sign up, and don't forget to invite all your friends! Added incentive: the CFC celebration after-party at the Boulevard Brewery tasting room on Sunday afternoon, May 18. JOIN US!

OTHER EVENTS

EARTHGIRLS RIDE this Saturday, May 10th, at Smithville Lake Trails, 10:30 am. This is a great, non-aggressive introduction to the sport for women. More information is available at http://forums.earthriders.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5763, or contact me or Kat.

EARTHRIDERS MAY MEETING, Tuesday, May 20th, at Blue River Park Trails. We're invading Taco Tuesday! We'll hook up around 6 pm in the parking lot of the SandTrap at 130th and Holmes and find out what this TT thing is all about. Afterward, we'll inundate the SandTrap with so many riders they'll need professional fumigators to get rid of the post-ride smell!

DEVIL'S DEN, ARKANSAS, Memorial Day Weekend - a riding weekend and memorial event for our sorely-missed friend, Scott Allen (Ska-T). Plans are still firming up for this, more information at http://forums.earthriders.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=5674.

JUNE MEETING - FAMILY DAY at Smithville Lake. Watch this space for updates, we're nailing down the details as I type!

Also in June: Mountain Bike 101 Skills Class, tentatively scheduled for Saturday, June 14th. Watch this space.

OTHER NEWS

The new DOWNHILL LINE at Landahl Park is under construction! Many hands make faster trails, so come on out and help construct a new experience in Kansas City trails. There's a workday THIS SATURDAY morning. More information and directions at http://forums.earthriders.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=5759&p=57827#p57827

EVEN MORE EVENTS

The Acme Bikes Swap Meet and the Tour de Cowtown Alley Kat Race are Saturday, May 17th. Always a good time. http://www.acmebicyclecompany.com/tourdecowtown.htm

The Heartland Mountain Bike Race, Robidoux Roundup, at St. Joseph (NEW COURSE) is Sunday, May 18th. Then, the Kansas City Cup at Landahl Park goes down June 8th. Info on both at http://www.heartlandrace.com/

The Midwest Fat Tire Series Race, Rhett's Run, in Columbia is Sunday, June 1st. More info: http://www.midwestfattireseries.com/

And don't forget our regular, weekly events:

FRIZ Mondays, Mill Creek Park on the Plaza, 6 pm.

Taco Tuesdays, Blue River Park Trails, 6 pm.

Hump Day (original), Shawnee Mission Park or Kill Creek Park, 6 pm.

Hump Day (Northland edition), Smithville Lake Trails, 6 pm.

Check the calendar at the top of the EarthRiders forums at forums.earthriders.com for weather updates and specific locations.

Rain, rain, go away!

Let's go ride,

Michael Gier
EarthRiders president
mgier@earthriders.com

Hello EarthRiders,

Seems like we just got together... oh yeah, we did! It was a great ride at SMP, and the late drizzle only made the rocks that much more challenging and fun. Thanks to all that came out. Now let's talk about what's in store -- how about what's in the store...

THIS SATURDAY, April 5th
EarthRiders MOVIE NIGHT and SPECIALIZED DEMO DAYS at Epic Bike and Sport.
Epic Bike & Sport is having DEMO DAYS with Specialized April 3-6. The Specialized trailer will be there with all kinds of bikes to try out, and folks there to answer any questions. Epic is hosting a special event for the EarthRiders on Saturday night. The Demo event will be available until 6 p.m. After that, the shop is ours to meet, mingle, and have a good time. We'll bring a few snacks, and you're welcome to bring your own beverage. Around 7 p.m., we'll raise the curtain and present one of two MOVIES for your viewing pleasure: If the disc is pressed and shipped by then, we'll show the brand-new "Seasons" by The Collective (they tell us it's shipping this week). Otherwise, we'll show Klunkerz, a doc on the early days of mountain biking (Mike Sinyard, Gary Fisher, Mt. Tam, etc.). And don't worry if you're a KU fan (or even a KU hater), we'll have the game on. I wouldn't miss a minute -- of either show! Bring a chair. I'm planning to get there about 4 p.m. to try out some new Specialized bikes.

The details: Epic Bike and Sport is located in the Tuileries Plaza on NW 64th Street, a few blocks West of I-29. Take I-29 to 64th Street West, go past McDonald's and Hen House, and look for the vertical flags on the South side of the street. Or just look here:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=6000+NW+64th+St,+Kansas+City,+MO
http://www.epicbikeandsport.com/
Or you can call Epic anytime at (816) 382-3100. THANK YOU to Scott and Epic for sponsoring this event!

We'd like to have some idea how many to expect, so if you're hoping to come to movie night, either say "yeah!" on the forums at
http://forums.earthriders.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5485 or E-mail me here. Thanks.

If you're looking for EarthRiders MERCHANDISE, like shirts, hats, socks, can koozies, coming to movie night would be a good way to get what you seek. Otherwise, contact Ryan Turner, our merchandise coordinator, and he'll get you decked out.
http://www.earthriders.com/contact/

Other stuff you should mark on your calendar right now:

*ER "regular" April ride meeting, Wednesday, April 16th, Landahl Park, Argo Trailhead *KCMO Mixed-Use Trail Open House Meeting, Thursday evening, Shoal Creek Patrol Station;
http://forums.earthriders.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5355
*EarnYourDirt workday at Shawnee Mission Park this Saturday morning, 9 am, Marina Parking Lot;
http://forums.earthriders.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=5468
*Women-only "EarthGirls" ride, this Saturday morning, 10 am Landahl Park, Argo Trailhead;
http://forums.earthriders.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5457
*2008 Midwest Mountain Bike Festival in Peoria, IL, May 2-4;
http://forums.earthriders.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5373
*Friz on Mondays at Mill Creek Park;
http://forums.earthriders.com/viewforum.php?f=2
*Taco Tuesdays at Blue River Park;
http://forums.earthriders.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5465
*Hump Day Rides at Kill Creek or SMP, Wednesdays, led by OlatheJoe;
http://forums.earthriders.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5478
*Northland Hump Day Rides at Smithville, Wednesdays, led by John Harter/Ben Bolin;
http://forums.earthriders.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5482
*MWFTS Race # 3: April 20 - Le Tour De Tick - Neosho, MO;
http://www.midwestfattireseries.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=40&Itemid=47
*HMBCS #3 Crocodile Rock - Perry Lake State Park, April 27, 2008;
http://www.heartlandrace.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=33

And don't forget, Bike Week and the "Car-Free Challenge" are coming up May 12-16. I'll be contacting you soon to join our team!

It's beginning to look a lot like riding season.

Let's go ride,

Michael Gier
EarthRiders president