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