Group Ride? Yes, please.

I had been looking forward to spring break - the month of April is going to be extremely busy, and I thought that I would get a lot of relaxing and riding in - I really wanted to get a lot of miles in as I won't be able to make any of the Wednesday evening group rides in April due to work.

The weather and schedule dictated otherwise. I did get a nice 40 mile ride out through Bennett and the Roca Rollers last Saturday. Weather, rehearsals, and gigs kept me from riding for most of the rest of the week. The weather did break a little Wednesday, so I headed out with great anticipation for the second teamFIRE ride of the season - only to sit by myself at the bench, wondering why I didn't ride earlier in the day if I was going to end up doing a solo ride.

Fortunately, just as I was ready to get up and take off, Nicol showed up. We headed south, where we picked up Megan (IHG) and headed out for a nice ride, We were joined by a flock of turkeys and (electronically) by Loupy-G, who phoned Nicol to find out where she hid his skittles.

JRJO

One of the best musical projects I have been involved with lately involved recording and performing with the Jeff Richmond Jazz Orchestra last fall. Jeff is a doctoral student in music composition at UN-L, this band is one he put together to record his music and to play for his dissertation recital. We did one rehearsal, and then played the concert the next weekend. Jeff had it professionally recorded and released on his web site. The compositions are cutting edge - and the band is one of the best I have played in, with ringers brought in from Kansas City and Tampa, and many of the best players in Omaha and Lincoln. My son, Paul, has a couple of nice solos on the recording. Check it out:

Jeff Richmond Jazz Orchestra

Saturday gig, Sunday ride...

On Saturday, the weather was perfect for ride, but I was stuck inside doing my other job. One of the best things about being a freelance musician is the opportunity to do different kinds of gigs. This one was a show playing in the horn section for the Four Tops. It was a fun but grueling day, as we rehearsed from 2-4, did a sound check until 5, then had to wait around until 9:30 for the show. Great band to play with, the rhythm section guys all travel with them on tour, and then they hire local horn players to fill out the band. The rhythm section we played with and the arrangements we played are the same as on this video.

To get in the stage door, we had to go around behind the museum, which is where they store the planes they are restoring. Definitely a unique parking lot.

This was a pretty big-time show technically - one of the stage hands told me that it was an 8 hour load-in.


The only bad part about the gig other than the wait between the sound check and the show were the stools the brass players had to use. They were exactly the right height to be supremely uncomfortable.

On Sunday, despite the showers that came right before we were to meet, six of us went for a nice 35-40 mile ride out out to Princeton. The weather improved as we rode, and I'm glad everybody showed - thanks to Loup Garou, Kew, David R., Todd, and Kelly B. for coming out. I think that we should just make that a regular meeting time and place (1:00 on Sunday afternoons at the bench) for anybody who wants to do a Sunday ride and can't go in the morning.

Let's try again...

How does JoyRide bicycles at 1:00 p.m. sound for a leisurely ride for a couple of hours Sunday afternoon?

Edit - let's start at the bench on hwy 2 instead - that way we can head more different directions if desired.

Group ride tonight

Sidney B is initiating the JoyRide Bicycles Monday night group ride tonight at 5:45 if anybody is interested. I most likely won't be there, just passing word along.

Oops.

I am afraid I have to bail out on today's ride - my daughter's dance rehearsal got moved to earlier in the day, giving us an opportunity to go visit my mom (who is recovering for surgery) after the dance rehearsal.

Sorry - I feel bad about not showing up for a ride that I suggested.

Ride Sunday

Anybody want to head out for a leisurely ride Sunday afternoon around 1 pm? Temps are upposed to be in the upper 50's. I was thinking maybe around 30 miles or so - maybe out to Bluestem or Princeton and back depending on the wind.

More Shameless Self-Promotion

I am playing with and directing the Monday Night Big Band down at Brewsky's in the Haymarket tonight from 7:30-10 p.m.  Come on down and have some fun!