Doggus
10-15-07, 07:43 AM
Got the opportunity to go to, as THEY termed it, the 'Red River Redneck Roundup - Free Tandem Rally' in Clarksville, Texas this weekend. It was put on by a few select individuals along with the local Chamber of Commerce.
They had a local write up in their paper about us - front page news. They asked the residents to look out for us and be courteous and please safely pass in the oncoming lanes. Oh and be friendly and wave. Several locals agreed to host rest stops and were all too willing to let us into their homes to use the restrooms, pet their cats and longhorn cattle. They also fed us snacks and drinks.
They had the local sheriff providing squad cars to get us into and out of their town (all of just a few miles from city center to the sticks). They provided some of the best SAG support I've ever seen on a rally, granted they only had to account for 17 teams but still it was impressive. They provided cabins on the lake FOR FREE. Other teams paid to stay in town in the B&B. They also provided breakfast for FREE. Did I mention the FREE drinks at the 101 1/2 saloon in town?
It was an awesome rally. Why they go after cyclists is beyond me. One of the hosts mentioned they do get a ton of hunters this time of year from the Dallas area which helps boost the economy, but they don't appreciate the big city Dallas attitudes that they bring with them.
They go after cyclists in the hope of increasing some tourism of their lil corner of Texas. They also host the 'Gateway to Texas Tour', which is geared more towards the regular rally rider types. It's a 4-day multi stage event. You can see details of the 2007 tour here (http://www.red-river.net/Cycle/cycle.htm).
If you want to go cycle somewhere where they actually want you around...go have a cycle in Clarksville and surrounding areas.
They had a local write up in their paper about us - front page news. They asked the residents to look out for us and be courteous and please safely pass in the oncoming lanes. Oh and be friendly and wave. Several locals agreed to host rest stops and were all too willing to let us into their homes to use the restrooms, pet their cats and longhorn cattle. They also fed us snacks and drinks.
They had the local sheriff providing squad cars to get us into and out of their town (all of just a few miles from city center to the sticks). They provided some of the best SAG support I've ever seen on a rally, granted they only had to account for 17 teams but still it was impressive. They provided cabins on the lake FOR FREE. Other teams paid to stay in town in the B&B. They also provided breakfast for FREE. Did I mention the FREE drinks at the 101 1/2 saloon in town?
It was an awesome rally. Why they go after cyclists is beyond me. One of the hosts mentioned they do get a ton of hunters this time of year from the Dallas area which helps boost the economy, but they don't appreciate the big city Dallas attitudes that they bring with them.
They go after cyclists in the hope of increasing some tourism of their lil corner of Texas. They also host the 'Gateway to Texas Tour', which is geared more towards the regular rally rider types. It's a 4-day multi stage event. You can see details of the 2007 tour here (http://www.red-river.net/Cycle/cycle.htm).
If you want to go cycle somewhere where they actually want you around...go have a cycle in Clarksville and surrounding areas.