So going with the whole fourth Saturday of the month thing, I am throwing down Saturday November 24 since November Fest is on the 10th.

Where do we want to ride? Should we take up the challenge that Greg posted about in October's thread (SFA state park)?

-Nate

Is that the weekend of Thanksgiving? Will anyone be out of town? (I won't, but I may be going pretty slow due to carrying around about 8 pounds of turkey).

So with Novemberfest riding through Stephen F. Austin State Park, we should probably choose another route for this ride. I'm looking through my book here, and there's a few rides in the Northwest - Brenham, Chappell Hill, Magnolia... these are more likely to have hills and curvy roads, but are also pretty far away and it may be cold up there in late November. There's a few out west... "Cat Springs," which is north of I-10 on the way to Columbus, one from Columbus through Frelsburg and back, and one in Fayetteville.

Those are the ideas I have, but if anyone has any others I'm all ears. We still haven't done the south side of town.

I'm game for pretty much anywhere... hills would be fun :D I'd prefer closer rather than farther... just to keep fuel bills down... I already pay my share for gas during the week :)

Mileage isn't a concern for me... but over 40 or 50ish and the speed goes down ;)

I won't be out of town for thanksgiving... dunno about others.

I'll be around. 24th sounds good to me.

Teeleton

Greg expressed interest at the ramble about Will and I's route from Katy to River Oaks, Univeristy of St. Thomas, Hermann Park/Zoo, Texas Medical Center, Wet U, Bellaire, Galleria, and back to Katy route. I was going to tweek it a bit, but how does something similar sound? It is about 44 miles.

-Nate

Deal.

I'm in.

Here is the starting location for the Free Agent Ride:

17525 Katy Freeway
Houston, Texas 77094
http://www.pct3.hctx.net/PSport/

This park is actually right next door to Precinct 5 Constable's Station, so it should be safe. It also allows us direct access to a key trail in Bush Park that we will need.

Please keep in mind that the trail isn't on Google Maps, so that is why it is showing us riding down I-10 feeder road. We will not be on the feeder road, we will be on an asphalt trail through Bush Park.

Map Part 1 (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=7718081238414378728,29.781570,-95.644746%3B5276126947116353448,29.755394,-95.626779%3B2913838303099027793,29.746277,-95.533502%3B17498381792757931263,29.750265,-95.462220%3B13406022476920749968,29.749051,-95.411330%3B5506346002306828310,29.749198,-95.401414%3B17237405369960459119,29.743450,-95.394762%3B5177384824086232818,29.741727,-95.393782%3B4668108869486536715,29.736125,-95.393131%3B12727652459245524212,29.715980,-95.388151%3B18149179614409237588,29.715978,-95.393418%3B11282731604757778180,29.713080,-95.393647%3B4550368685943177813,29.709760,-95.398160%3B7868624599343005293,29.706347,-95.401458%3B292605016511498919,29.713742,-95.407711%3B12594038003261567042,29.714874,-95.435316%3B15749174576834231942,29.705871,-95.460894%3B926129102366564882,29.721974,-95.468128%3B14364214285641432171,29.757898,-95.467513%3B15911484474151683756,29.770153,-95.455639%3B16339645056541643017,29.799496,-95.457249&time=&date=&ttype=&saddr=17525+Katy+Freeway&daddr=TX-6+%4029.781570,+-95.644746+to:Briar+Forest+Dr+%4029.755394,+-95.626779+to:Briar+Forest+Dr+%4029.746277,+-95.533502+to:San+Felipe+St+%4029.750265,+-95.462220+to:San+Felipe+St+%4029.749051,+-95.411330+to:Vermont+St+%4029.749198,+-95.401414+to:Lovett+Blvd+%4029.743450,+-95.394762+to:Mt+Vernon+St+%4029.741727,+-95.393782+to:W+Main+St+%4029.736125,+-95.393131+to:Golf+Course+Dr+%4029.715980,+-95.388151+to:Zoo+Circle+Dr+%4029.715978,+-95.393418+to:N+MacGregor+Dr+%4029.713080,+-95.393647+to:Bertner+Ave+%4029.709760,+-95.398160+to:Holcombe+Blvd+%4029.706347,+-95.401458+to:University+Blvd+%4029.713742,+-95.407711+to:University+Blvd+%4029.714874,+-95.435316+to:Bellaire+Blvd+%4029.705871,+-95.460894+to:S+Rice+Ave+%4029.721974,+-95.468128+to:Sage+Rd+%4029.757898,+-95.467513+to:W+Loop+Fwy+N+%4029.770153,+-95.455639+to:Hempstead+Rd+%4029.799496,+-95.457249+to:29.832752,-95.510416&mra=mi&mrcr=14&mrsp=22&sz=15&via=6,7,11,13,15,19,20&sll=29.828322,-95.500546&sspn=0.018503,0.040169&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=29.826646,-95.570755&spn=0.074014,0.160675&z=13)
Map Part 2 (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=1517133046515116450,29.813320,-95.630490%3B12649057281640500493,29.812130,-95.674520%3B5621778935290721311,29.832785,-95.510416&time=&date=&ttype=&saddr=Clay+Rd+%4029.832785,+-95.510416&daddr=Patterson+Rd+%4029.813320,+-95.630490+to:Groeschke+Rd+%4029.812130,+-95.674520+to:17525+Katy+Freeway&mra=ps&mrcr=0,2&sll=29.80844,-95.59881&sspn=0.148055,0.32135&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1)

Total distance is 55 miles. I had to do the map in two sections because Google Maps kept reaching some point where it won't let me add any more points. I figured that since we are doing 62 miles this Saturday, and we are building up for longer rides, we might as well look at 40 to 50 miles.

I can shorten it if needed.

-Nate

55 sounds good to me. Also, the first part of the map didn't pull up for me, it says "400 Bad Request"

Aww damn. We start at that park and ride the trail to Highway 6. We will head South on Highway 6 to Briar Forest and take that (which turns into a few other streets) until we get to Montrose. We will ride that through the Museum District, then through Hermann Park, the Texas Medical Center, and onto West U. We will cut through Bellaire to the Galleria. Then it is off to Hempstead Highway (wide shoulders) to Clay Road. Clay Road through Spring Branch to Bear Creek Park. We will ride through Bear Creek Park, past a small airport, and onto Barker Cypress. From there we will head back to the park.

I'll have to redraw the map.

-Nate

Bump

Anyone have any thoughts or restraints on start time?

the earlier the better, as far as I'm concerned. I don't mind getting up early, and I have to drive the farthest.

7:30 Am?

Sounds good to me.

never been on this "ride" before... what is the average speed? how many stops? I'm interested in going along with you... sounds like fun...

Stops every 20miles-ish at a place for drinks (gas station/walgreens etc), and probably a stop between those just to rest a second/stretch/spray water in the helmet... all dependent on how we're feeling, what the wind is doing, and how long since we've ridden.

We really plan the route.. then just kinda wing it.
Pace of about 20 isn't uncommon... but we don't always ride that hard... and this IS after Thanksgiving :o
We all ride different paces, so it's usually a compromise of whoever can do what on that given day. Once I get home, I'll check what our actual averages and times were for the past rides.

I've stayed out of this discussion because I didn't think I would be in town but now it looks like I might be able to make it. I have not ridden much since the Cypress ride but I think I can probably still hang with you guys if you are not pushing too hard. This sound like a fun ride. Definately not one I would usually go on by myself. I won't know until the 22nd if I will be there. (Fingers crossed)

Sounds good, more the merrier.

As far as speeds... wow, I'm impressed. My two fastest avg ever were both free agent rides. :D
The ride in Cypress was 2h 31m over a distance of 46miles.... 18.2 avg.
The ride in Humble around lake Houston was 2h 21m over a distance of 43miles.... 18.2 avg.

Other rides with this group...
first ride was 15.8 avg over 35m (first ride, towards town (stoplights))
Novemberfest was 15.8 avg over 57m (hills, wind, crappy roads)

So I guess on this ride we need to shoot for either a 18.2 or 15.8 average just to stay consistant. :D

good to hear it, Steve... and I think even if you sat on your butt for three months you could still ride circles around us.

and Colt 45, all are welcome, so definitely show up if you can. The idea behind the "Free Agent" ride is for a bunch of folks from all over town to ride together in different parts of the area, giving us a chance to see places and routes we wouldn't otherwise really get to see. We've done Katy, Cypress and Humble so far, we usually go ~45 miles or so (this ride in november is a bit longer) and we try to keep it at a good pace, pushing a bit but trying not to drop anyone (Cypress was the only time we've dropped someone, and I think it's fair to say we would have waited for him, but he told us to keep going)

ha, let's shoot for 18.2 or better! I don't want anything to do with anything related to Novemberfest.

Since we will be 100% in the city; this ride will probably have a lower average speed with the coasting to lights; but when we are actually spinning I think that 18 won't be a bit of a problem. This will be a good way to put some distance under your belt and work your legs differently since we could face lots of stops and starts with the red lights.

Which reminds me, I need to fix the broken map tomorrow at work since the link is no good.

[QUOTE=chinotex;5640885]good to hear it, Steve... and I think even if you sat on your butt for three months you could still ride circles around us.

Don't bet on it. I did sit on my but for a while and my weight went up quite a bit so I have been on my semi-annual pilgrimage to get below 200 lbs. I'd lost about 20 lbs in the last 6 weeks but not ridden much due to the low calorie diet. I just increased my calories and started riding again but so far the energy has been slow to return. Hopefully with turkey day and all I will be feeling a little better on the bike.

I'll be riding tomorrow morning with the local weekly "ride 'round Lake Houston" leaving from QLS gym on West Lake Houston Parkway at 7:30 AM, if anyone is looking for something to do tomorrow. About 50 miles, at about 20 mph in the paceline, with a stop at Starbucks in the middle somewhere.

I'm sorry, but that just makes me crack a smile.... a pace line to the starbucks. :D
Seriously though, probably a good place to relax in the patio area, close to the bikes, without feeling like your stinking up the place.

Although, Sonic and their cold drinks sounds better to me.

Just a reminder to everyone, it will be this Saturday that we ride!

I haven't forgotten. Looking forward to it.

Hopefully you guys won't go crazy on the pace... pretty sure I'll be on the fixed gear.
I want to start doing longer rides on it, and I may not get to the maintenance on the roadie.

I haven't really ridden since Novemberfest, so don't worry.

http://www.weather.com/outlook/homeandgarden/home/wxdetail/77084?dayNum=2

Well the weather doesn't look like it is going to be in our favor. 80% chance of rain, so we will have to play it by ear. If something does occur we can always change the route on the fly.

-Nate

Would anyone be interested in drinking beer on Saturday, if the riding is a bust?

Would anyone be interested in drinking beer on Saturday, if the riding is a bust?

In the morning?

Ha! I was thinking more later in the day, but whatever floats your boat.

I updated the map links in the post on the first page. The total miles is right at 55 miles. Remember the ride starts at 0730. For those who wish to go and don't have my cell phone number, just shoot me an email at: nate@klassicthreadz.com and I'll give it you. That way we know to wait up if someone is running late.

-Nate

I'll be there, no matter what the weather is like... if it's too crappy we can do something shorter. But I'll be there rain or shine.

As you guys know, today was not a good day to ride. Way to cold, way to windy, and well the rain didn't help either.

-Nate

I went camping over the holiday and it sucked too. One of our tents didn't quite keep the water out and one of my sons and our dog got pretty wet thursday night. I hate packing up wet tents. Now once it stops raining I have to put the back up to dry out.

Are we going to try this ride again soon? It sounded like a fun route.

How about December 8th? The fourth Saturday is December 22, and it is just a bit to close to Christmas.

-Nate

I went camping over the holiday and it sucked too. One of our tents didn't quite keep the water out and one of my sons and our dog got pretty wet thursday night. I hate packing up wet tents. Now once it stops raining I have to put the back up to dry out.

Are we going to try this ride again soon? It sounded like a fun route.

Reminds me of one of my first camping trips with the Boy Scouts many years ago. Most of the guys were in wall tests supplied by the troop, I had my own dome tent. Huge storm blew through, all but one of the wall tents fell in the wind. I stayed dry all night long. Since then I've learned a few tricks to keep water out of my tents and for the most part they haven't failed me yet.

I'm available the 8th, the 1st as well if that's an option. Sundays, too.

Dec. 8th looks good for me too. I should definately be under 200#s by then too.

I'm out for the 8th. Daughter is turning 3 that weekend. Pretty much all of Dec. is a scrub for me though. If it's not one christmas party, it's another christmas party.

Teeleton

Well I guess I better get back on the bike and putting some miles under me then. I haven't really ridden since Novemberfest.

-Nate

Yep. Time to dust off the rollers again, methinks.

Teeleton

I did 25 minutes today on my 1-week old rollers, my longest ride on them yet. But boy do I want this rain to stop so I can get outside.

I've been thinking about getting a trainer that locks in just the rear wheel. I have nothing but Spanish tile for my floors. Not only would it hurt if I slipped off, but it could crack the tile as well. That is why I'm not looking at rollers.

-Nate

8th or later sounds good to me. That puts it after finals and possible projects at school. Sundays are also possible.

Sorry Greg... hope you didn't drive out there to an empty lot. I figured with the weather I'd be better just staying in bed. I also hadn't even checked the forum.... especially when I got a call from Nate.

I got a little riding in on friday... little over an hour, with a rest stop to work in the middle.... other than that, riding has been a bust. I want to try rollers...cause i think they'd be fun... but in all honesty, I have no intention of using them... there's little weather that I won't ride in, which is a minority in Houston.

As for camping.. that's gotta be the worst weather... I've done colder, and I've done rainier.... but those two together must've been miserable. Oh yeah, tent? Who needs a tent? Hammocks are where it's at ;)

I called Greg when I called the rest of you guys. I didn't want someone to accidentally show up.

-Nate

I rode in colder, but not as rainy last year while training for the BPMS150. We started out in drizzling rain in 38* weather at 8am, and the temperature just went down from there. They were recruiting anyone with a bike rack to shuttle people back from the first rest stop.

Teeleton

Yeah, my first MS150 ride was worse weather... but I had kinda built myself up for it. The longer bigger ride made it worth it.... that's not my ideal weather for an around the town jaunt. :o