The Arizona Flats road bicycling group
Grant Hachmann
The Arizona Flats road bicycling group completed its eighth annual Century Ride (100 miles) on March 26. Twenty-five hearty souls started the ride at the Tuscany Falls Fitness Center at 6:30 a.m. and 100 miles later pulled into Sunrise Park to reminisce the day and enjoy some libations that were certainly well deserved. Cycling venue war stories were rampant. The route took the riders through the cities of Avondale, Glendale, El Mirage, Peoria, Sun City West, Surprise, Buckeye and finally back into Goodyear. The weather was great until the group turned southwest toward Buckeye and encountered a challenging headwind. However, the return route northeast back to PebbleCreek was great with the wind at our tail. Outstanding support along the route was provided by Tri Chicks Mary Simmons, Mary Lacy, Susie Nee, Lynn Plesha, Gilda Westgarth, Gretchen Simons, Jackie Armstrong as well as Reg Westgarth, Bill Plesha, Jeff Gillen, Donna Gillen, Gay Pappas, Bob Prest, Joy Bole, Marlene Dobrin and Debbie Clinkinbeard.
Riders completing the 100 miles were Cliff Pappas, Grant Hachmann, Jean Hachmann, Walt Heitz, Bill Simmons, Julie Walmsley, Vicki Carter, Diana Bidwell, Ruth Bindler, Laura Leno, Bill Walker, Roberta Diles, Don Clinkinbeard, Susanne Vander Hayden, Howard Brodbeck, Ernie Coudert, Judy Sondag, Mike Strong and Nate Ball. Completing the Metric Century (62 miles) were Bernie Dobrin, Ken Goos, Joe Carter, Steve Lookabough, Fred Carlson and Andre Kaluna. Joining the group for the last 30 miles were Mary Simmons, Gilda Westgarth and Reg Westgarth. Cliff, Grant and Jean have completed all eight Centuries with several others completing two or more. Howard, Ernie, Judy, Mike and Nate completed their first and are looking forward to bagging many more.
The Arizona Flats Group invites other riders to join them. The group rides five days a week, weather permitting. Different days accommodate different types of riders. The Sunday morning ride accommodates riders of all abilities and is a good place to find out if road cycling is for you. If you are interested in joining the group please call its leader Cliff Pappas at 623-535-5674 or email him at [email protected]. Bicycling is a great way to get and stay in physical shape.