2009 Get Ready Guide

The drill for the newsletter is the same as last year:

Instead of getting a newsletter in the mail, you can view the 2009 Border Raiders Get Ready Guide online right here! You can read it online, or download and print it out -- whatever you prefer. Either way, this guide will answer any last minute questions you may have -- but as always, feel free to holler at us anytime!

Click on the link below to flip through and view a readable version of the guide.

Open publication

Please Note: We will update you should any of this information change.

2009 Border Raiders Jersey

As you'll read in the get ready guide I'm about to post, we're trying something new with the jerseys this year. Typically we like to place the order and have them for you at registration. However, we always end up needing to re-order a few, but because we have to place a minimum order of at least ten, re-ordering can be a sticky situation that ends up taking considerably longer than we'd prefer. What this means is that if you've already ordered and paid for a jersey, you won't get it the week of the ride. Bummer, I know. But, the silver lining is that now you'll get a great, unexpected package reminding you of all the fun you had on Border Raiders some time after the ride. There's nothing wrong with surprises in the mail is there?

We made to make a few adjustments, but the overall design is shown below. You can click on the image to view a larger version of the design.

2009 Border Raiders Jersey (front)

2009 Border Raiders Jersey (back)

2009 Border Raiders + Long Riders T-shirts

Hey guys! Mary (a.k.a. Her Majesty the Queen of Awesomeness) here. I've been slaving away for the boys designing the gear for this year and can finally post it for you all to check out. Below are the T-shirt designs for both the tour as well as the Long Riders Century. You can click on each image to view a larger version.

Border Raiders Shirt (front) // Grass Green T-shirt

Border Raiders Shirt (back) // Grass Green T-shirt

Long Riders Shirt // Army Brown T-shirt

One new thing about the shirts: I'm really excited to let you guys know that this year the designs will be printed on T-shirts by American Apparel. For those who aren't familiar, AA shirts are super soft, breathable, American-made and overall about the nicest T-shirt you'll ever wear. OK, I may be a little bias, but all joking aside, they're great, and I really hope you enjoy them.

Saturday May 23, 2009

Hello Raiders that are flying in to Lawrence, check our transportation & services page on the website for info about Airport Shuttles and such. Two Airport Shuttle companies are listed, GTI and KC Roadrunner. In the past riders have sent their bicycles directly to Paul early so they are here ready to go when they arrive. Contact Paul by email or call to make this happen.

Touchwork of Weston (great massage therapists Kirk and Julie) will again be taking care of tired aching muscles and will have great coffee for sale first thing in the morning.... AND the Banquet in Weston is a direct result of their efforts,
PLUS this year an added benefit is the Cemetery Walk option with local actors performing as characters that once lived in Weston.
Raid Riders get a discount to this event, so take a nap after you get in that day and be ready to explore all that Weston has to offer.

If you want, check out the demographics for the Raid.... You will see I did not lie, we have a group of experienced cyclists many with lifetime BS degrees on board each year and no knuckleheads allowed except for the organizers.... My own personal nurse and medical advisor, Webster will again be with us. We have known each other forever and his medical knowledge continues to amaze me...... because neither one of us knew jack---- in High School.

Sadly, last year the day the Raid ended also ended the life of Lt. David Dillon while he rode his bicycle near Eudora which is outside Lawrence. Many of you may remember one of our bike mechanics, Larry H. from last year. He and David were related and a memorial for Lt. Dillon has been planned for this year in his memory the same week as the Border Raid. So Larry will not be with us this year.

Border Raid registration is still open and getting hits every day...... thank you thank you thank you This is crunch time and we are working feverishly to pull everything together to be ready for you to have a great time this year..... I personally have been working on the weather for this year, NO MONSOONS the week before the ride....

I hope you and your bicycle are all tuned up and ready to go ride in the best parts of 4 states in the bright sunshine while the birds are singing and the flowers are blooming and the hills seem to lay down in front of you as you fly over them......
See, I have my own BS degree, too. Keep the rubber side down.
Jim

May 2, 2009 Happy Day after May Day

Yes, we still have room for you on the Raid this year. I do not know the exact number of folks signed up, but it is so exciting to see the names of those folks that I know are coming back this summer.....
Sue from Oregon, Skip from LA sent in the paperwork this week.... It will be great to catch up with both of them about what they have been up to since last summer...

One face not with us this year is our loyal truck driver Gaylen and my good friend. Some of his own family members decided to organize a family reunion the same week as the Border Raid. Boy, the nerve of some relatives. Sadly he chose "family" over "friends." That old blood is thicker thing..... He will be greatly missed, but only for one year, he assured me he was going to straighten out his kin folks......

Mary has been working hard behind the scenes designing, designing, designing and more designing. We still have some more pieces of the Border Raid puzzle to put together, but it is coming together. My son Ben has been updating and revamping our website so even computer dummies like myself can pretend to look like they actually know something about what they are doing.
I am getting better, I think I just passed out of the "I know just enough to make me dangerous" to " I know enough that I am dangerous" in terms of computers.

Mr. Registration, Paul has been busy collecting, confirming and connecting with BR riders.... I understand we have some far western Canadians coming this year..... Starts with an S and ends with wan.... Again this year, we have folks from all over the country coming together for a week of fun exploring history and quiet backroads of four states. We have old friends that come every year and new ones......
So stay dry, ride safely and be careful out there and June 20th will be here soon......
Rubber side stays down.
cheers Jim

Friday April 3, 2009

Okay, pinch me, it is April so where the HECK is Spring....... Last week Hutchinson got a mere 18 inches of snow and our weather guys threatened us with up to 12 inches, but lucky for us they were as accurate as ever and all we got was a smattering of ice that was gone the next day...... I do not mean to sound like I am complaining or unhappy we did not get the white stuff, I am certainly glad that we got missed....

I just want it to get warm and stay warm so my butt can hit the saddle for more than one or two days in a row so I can get it broke in, my butt that is...

This year is shaping up to be a very busy one for us and we are jazzed about all of you that have signed up for Border Raid 2009.
I am so excited because many of my very best buds are going to be on the ride this year, some riding, some helping and some there to keep me in line...... HA, let them try.

I can hardly wait to hear how Bryan is gonna hurt Chris and how Chris thinks he is gonna hurt Bryan.... I keep telling everyone, never ride beside Bryan, ride a little behind and the pace will stay normal, if you don't the pee test is on, baby and it is going to get fast.
The Hays Mafia is back, Bill, Paul and Sharon usually ride off the front just behind Ken. That is how in the morning I find the place I need to be.
Again we have folks from all over the country coming together for this ride. It amazes me to this day how so many BS degree holders we get in one place at one time for one week....

I hope your weather is great and you are getting in a lot of miles..... don't overtrain, remember we have one day where you have 90 downhills in 30 miles of road so it will be a piece of cake that day. You will have more fun than you deserve.
Keep the rubber side down,
cheers,
Jim Turner

March 23, 2009 Note from Padre

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to take a moment to let you know about a NEW RIDER HOSPITALITY SERVICES on The Border Raider’s for 2009!

We are pleased to announce that Padre's Cycle Inn will be providing First Class Tent Accommodations in addition to towel and chair rental, and other hospitality services for our cyclist!

Padre’s, provides a peaceful place of comfort and rest at the end of a long day of cycling. So you can spend more time cycling and less time working on your campsite.

But Padre’s so much more than a tent rental service.
Padre’s provides,

1. Clean, high quality Sierra Design tents.
2. Thick comfortable air mattresses already set-up in each tent.
3. Comfortable chairs to be used around the campsite.
4. Padre’s Post. A shaded canopy gathering area for Padre’s guests to enjoy good times, laughs and relaxation after the ride. While everyone else is working in the sun you will be taking it easy in the shade.
5. Plenty of cold soft drinks and snacks in the afternoon.
6. Plenty of fresh water and Gator Ade in the morning for your bottles or camel backs.
7. Free cell phone charging.
8. Tent customers also receive luggage service to Padre’s Post. Your luggage will be waiting for you in our own camping area. You won’t have to search through all the other bags for yours.
9. On site bike pump, work stand and shop towels for your convenience.

Imagine after a long day of riding uphill in the wind. You come in and your tent is set up ready to go. The air mattress is inflated and waiting and there’s no searching through mounds of bags because your luggage is waiting at Padre’s Post. No roaming around trying to find snacks, or soft drinks in the evening or water in the morning because it’s all waiting for you at Padre’s.

All of these services are included with Padre’s First Class Tent Service so you can spend more time enjoying the ride and less time working to set up camp.

Space is limited and reservations accepted on first come, first served basis, so be sure to sign up early.

As an incentive Padre is offering an EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT until 4-30-09.

Major credit cards are accepted and you can register online at www.PadresCycleInn.com,
or by calling Padre at 573-721-4400.

You cycle inn, Padre does the rest!


Your Friend,
Padre

You cycle inn, Padre does the rest!

For details of Padre's services, to check prices, or to find other rides where I am offering services please go to my website,
www.PadresCycleInn.com or phone 573-721-4400