Getting Prepared for the 50+ Annual Pie Ride

We have TWO big 50+ events this year. The first 50+ First Annual Ride (August 31 in Glenwood Springs, CO), and, I believe the 3rd (or is it 4th?) Annual Pie Ride.

Last year we had some folks who did NOT do the pie ride - they claimed they didn't know about it.

So, I am posting this now so folks can get in training, and won't be scared by the difficulties of the ride.

The Annual Pie Ride takes place the 3rd Saturday of Sept. Riders are required to do at least a 15-mile ride with a stop for pie along the way. Recommended pie is blueberry, but any berry pie will do. Otherwise, any pie will do in a pinch.

So, to train for the pie ride, it is necessary to do these things.

1. Ride 15 miles on Saturdays.
2. Locate someplace that serves pies - preferably a traditional cafe'.
3. Learn to eat pie on Saturdays
4. Remember the 3rd Saturday in September is the 19th.
5. Pictures are encourgaed with proper reporting to the forum on the success of your pie ride.

The pie ride goes back a ways to a traditional ride by some 50+'rs in Wisconsin who would always ride to Irma's on Saturdays and have a piece of blueberry pie, and then report to us with pictures, etc.

Aw, shucks. I work on Saturdays.

You can get a permission slip to have an alternate pie ride day. Just ask your boss.

Here is a picture of a successful pie rider

It looks as if our first annual pie ride was in Septmebr, 2006. How time flies!

so, we had a pir ride:

9/2006
9/2007
9/2008
and this (9/2009) will be the 4th annual pie ride.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...light=ride+pie

How often do these annual rides occur?

Biennial and semi-annual, I believe - that would make 3 times per year.

Good job you reminded me. Have lost a bit of training recently and my favourite cafe stopped serving any pie other than apple a few years ago.

I'll just have to get out and investigate the cafe's that serve good pie but due to a lack of blueberry- at that time of year I have to make do with Autumn fruits. Generraly Blackberry and Rhubarb but I dare say with a bit of training- I will be able to find a better location for the pie ride.

And have to admit- I have proudly taken part in each PIE ride since the inauguration and I can tell you that it is not the taking part that matters- It is the training. The PIE ride is only the Culmination of a Years weight gain.

HOORAY, finally a ride that fit's my training program So what's the dates for the BI and SEMI-annual rides, I gota work up to the "big time ride" LOL, too many rides like these and I'll be really happy I'm buying a LBS FAT-tire MTB!!

The BI and SA rides can be scheduled whenever you like - monthly, if you so desire, or even weekly. Some of us need a lot of training in how to eat pie, and need to practice for the Annual ride.

I did a pie ride yesterday (Lemon Meringue) and today (Strawberry-Apple).

Too much interest for a man who has lost interest

Hey, I ride with a couple who have that same windbreaker!

This one is from the Santa Fe Century, 2000

Well,actually one could say that in the reality as us fifty+ say exists,there could be three pie days.One being,if you accept the American way of nomniculture of saying dates rather than the SI way that most of the world uses,the fourteenth of March (3-14)= pi.The third Saturday of September as established by us Fifty+'er's. And as I was taught by my Industrial Arts teacher way back in the early days of yore when I was in school,22/7 is close enough to pi for most rough uses that we could use the Twenty-second of July as the third pie day.Which if we start to establish the 22/7th as a pie day would put a necessary pie ride in what should be more clement weather than in the middle of March for the rest of us rather than what is sometimes a nice day for those of you who reside in the southern climes but for us is a less than fine day.Thus establishind Three Pie Days.What say Ye?

The original pie ride

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...highlight=irma

I'm in training with a special diet. Today I've had 3 sweet rolls and a handful of chocolate. I may have to call Skipper and talk him into a drive up to Irma's this sat. Or better yet into going on a short bike ride as the temps are supposed to hit the 40's!

The ride is 6 days before I officially hit 50 but I'm in anyway. The restaurant we hit last year

has just closed so we will be working hard the next few months searching for an alternate site. It will be hard work but we're really committed (or should be).

Ok, so it's:

BI- March 14th. 2009
Semi-Annual: July 22nd. 2009
Annual: Sept. 19th. 2009

Way Cool, I'm up for this training Now does it have to be a "BERRY" pie to be official?? I'm not a real fan of most berries, sorry but I am a fan of CREAM PIES, can I fudge a little?

Blueberry - preferred, earns a "top" rating for the ride

Other Berry - acceptable, earns a "good" rating for the ride

Other Pie - just barely acceptable, earns an "acceptable" for the ride

Turnovers, mufffins, etc. - What can I say!!

Ice cream a la mode gives an extra 5 points.

Ah,come on now,Sir Fox,Mom's apple pie should rate better than acceptable,especially in America.

Yeah, but now we're talking PIE.

My feeble mind can only contemplate one such event at a time so I'm gearing up for the REAL pi day which is obviously March 14. Here in St Louis Trailnet is hosting a huge party and chili cook off on that evening. There will be pie too. It's not really a ride-your-bike to the party, though so I'll have to squeeze the bike ride in earlier in the day. (Retro's "Mule team Chili" took 2nd place the last time they held judging at the chili party so I have even higher hopes for this year.)

I've been in intense training for the Pie Ride for the last several months. My seat position and fork handling has never been better. My pace is now almost perfected to ensure thorough consumption (too fast and I could choke...too slow and I could feel full before completion). I've developed the proper style to eliminate any crumbs from escaping. It's amazing the improvements that come from diligent, daily practice. I believe I'll be ready in time.

Now if I can just find a bike strong enough to handle the new, better, bigger me.....

That's inspiring! Would you be kind enough to post your training regimen for the rest of us to emulate?