**RESCHEDULED**
The meeting has been rescheduled, due to rain, for Wednesday, June 18th.

Hi. The June ER meeting is this Wednesday, June 11th, pending confirmation of some dry trail after the frog strangling rain we've had recently.

What: EarthRiders monthly meeting/group ride
Where: Smithville Lake - Sailboat Cove
When: June 11th from 6pm. to 9pm
What will I eat?: The epitome of epicurian delight (hamburgers-n-such) will be provided by In-A-Tub.
What will I drink?: There may be some drinks provided but you are always better off to bring something of your choosing
What should I wear?: Those SMV guys have a penchant for man-skirts but the rest of us will be wearing something sensible that combines the spirit of old Mexico with a little big city panache, like an urban sombrero.

Come on out and ride, eat, socialize, then go home a better person.

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