RIDES - and how to join us

Since someone just asked, it's probably a good time to let folks know how to get with one of the many rides each week. Here is a rough idea of what goes on, whom to contact, etc.
There is a very regular group that rides Tues, Thurs, and Sat. The Tues/Thurs rides are religiously at 5am - we're back at TAS by 6:30am - and we leave from TAS (just about every ride meets at TAS). Sat. am has been at 5am - but there is a group of us now starting the 6am rides as well. Bill Bryson will add you to his sms emails - he texts us his intentions(rain-out, out of town, etc. - but most of the time he just says, "see you there, I'm riding"). This is nice because we all then know at least one other person will be there. If you'd like him to add you to his sms list, email him at webryson@jonesday.com.
There are other rides as well - and things change. The best thing to do is send me an email and I'll add you to my "regular riders" list - whenever a small group of us is thinking of riding, I try to send that out to everyone - along with other misc emails about race dates and such. Most of the rides are arranged with a few emails. My name is Dave and my email is wittry@hotmail.com.
There are other groups that ride - the rides I've been talking about so far are roadies with racing/road bikes. If you're more interested in riding the paths here in N. Taiwan, I would talk with Brenda at mailto:huffb@tas.edu.tw- she rides with folks both on the paths and up into the mtns. There is another group of "ladies only" - they don't require you're female - but if you want to ride with them, let me know and I'll connect you to them - they often ride some flats and then finish with some climbing about half way up YangMingShan mtn - where there happens to be a Starbucks!

In short, there is a lot of riding that goes on. I haven't listed everything here. Start by contacting me - join for a ride or two - ask a few folks and before you know it you'll find what suits you. You'll also find that some of us are triathletes - if that's your thing.

Sat. 6am - TAS to WanLi (60km one way)

The long, flat rides began last weekend - everyone enjoyed. We're doing it again! Join in if you can for 120km. It might be in WanLi that we first stop - be prepared.

Sat. 6:30am Ride - TAS

Simon and Dave headed out the coast 6:30am from TAS - now you have 2 choices since I'm assuming the regular "Bryson" ride is headed out at 5am
happy riding whenever/wherever you can squeeze one in...

Gadget Heads - Garmin releases new Forerunner 405

Well, thanks to Victor, I became aware of the Forerunner 405 being demoed at the big CES in Las Vegas this week. Articles are hitting the web - you can search and see or just start with this one.

For those who might have known that I tried to order the 305 just before x-mas and have a friend bring it back to Taiwan - well, that fell through and my attempt to order online never worked(computer glitch? who knows). Things happen for a reason, however. Now I can go after the 405 instead! Do you think my wife will be happy with the approximately $300 price tag? Why do you think I bought her the '08 T-Mobile Alliance (for 10,000NT, right guys - sorry if you're not in on that reference) just before X-Mas. Ah, yes - my evil master plan - keep her happy, so I can keep buying a big boy-toy every now and again...

1/1/2008 - The New Year Has Begun

The new year started off right. Six riders wearing from 3 to 5 layers of clothing started off the '08 riding season the right way at 6am this morning with an 80km ride out to JinShan and up to the saddle. We hit the saddle at about 10am where the temperature was a cool 8 degrees celcius. Since Victor the photographer wasn't with us, no pics. Carl, Bill B, Curt, Markus, Ron, and Dave stopped at the usual Starbucks before heading home.

Start up those journals - it can be fun to look back on the year and see that you've ridden a few thousand km. Bikejournal.com is one such free service.