Texas - Houston Free Agent Rides 2008: January

Well, the Houston Free Agent Cycling Association is almost into its second calendar year! It's high time we started thinking about January, since it's only a few days away, so I'm going to start things off by throwing a date out there: Saturday, January 19th.

Let's hear if this date works for you, if it doesn't, if you've got something better in mind. I don't have any location in mind just yet, so if you have an idea, throw it out there.

For those not in the know or new to the Texas forum: the Houston Free Agent Ride is a monthly get-together of Houstonian Bike-Forum members. We try to choose a different location each month, giving everyone opportunities to see parts of the Houston area they haven't seen on a bike before. So far we've ridden in Katy, Cypress, Humble and from George Bush Park to the Medical Center and back.
The rides have been between 40 and 55 miles, and we usually have a rest stop or two on each route. All are welcome, as always.

Is that the fourth Saturday of the month? Ride location suggestions? We haven't ridden North, South West, South, South East, or East yet.

-Nate

Would it be cheating to nominate some of the upcoming charity rides? If not, the Gator Ride would be probably the better ways to ride in this neck of the woods. But that is not til March anyways.

What about the Frostbite? It's in my neck of the woods. I saw a post about it recently, but I have not looked into it yet.

Frostbike is Sunday, January 27th, and info can be found here. (http://www.jvgolddusters.com/frostbike.asp) That looks like a happy alternative to me. It's 25 dollars for pre-registrants, and they have a 55 mile route.

Also, if we do the Frostbike ride, I'd still be riding on the 19th up here in Humble if anyone wants to ride up here. We have a local group ride that starts at 7:30 ever Saturday morning from the QLS gym on West Lake Houston Parkway, and the ride is about 50 miles. Let me know if you're interested.

Frostbike is already on my list.... as for other rides.... just playing it by ear. I've ridden a couple times recently and am tired of being a popsicle.

I'm not sure where the QLS gym is on W.L.H.P. I've already signed up for the Frostbike, but would like to some miles in on the 19th.

Here's the address, if you want to googlemap it: 20515 W Lake Houston Pkwy, Humble, TX 77346. If you're on 1960, get to WLHP and head north towards Kingwood, it will be on your left before you get to the light at Upper Lake Road. There's usually about 20-30 people there, if the weather is good, and we take a nice route around most of Lake Houston, mostly on empty farm roads. Let me know if you're going on the 19th and I'll be sure to meet you there.

I just signed up for the Frostbike ride.

Again, I do want to ride on the 19th as well, so if anyone else is interested and has a location idea, shout it out. Otherwise I'll be riding here in Humble.

I'll make it up to Humble on the 19th.

I'm down for riding, but 7:30 is a bit early.

I'm just flipping through my book of Houston area rides thinking if there's something else we could do... I'm looking at the Chappell Hill ride in here, it's 40 miles, from Chappell Hill to Washington-on-the-Brazos and back. Hilly but not too long, it would probably be a good training ride for the MS. We could start later in the morning (but not too late), since it's a bit of a drive.

Any other ideas? And is everyone in for the Frostbike? I've registered.

I haven't been on a bike in nearly a month, I'm thinking flat Humble sounds nice; maybe Chappell Hill first week in Feb.

-Nate

Alright, then how's this sound... get there to ride at 7:30 and you don't have to pull as much, since we'll be with a big group;)

Just registered for the frostbike... wish I wasn't so lazy yesterday... price went up today :(
Someone who's done it before, or has a better idea wanna throw out a meet spot for us? Or maybe we'll just designate one of our vehicles as base camp, and tell everyone else to ride the lot and find us?

I might be in for the 19th... kinda far to drive solo for a ride.... maybe if Nate goes I'll try out his new bike rack :D Then again, he may be working the night before (that's the problem with some morning rides for him).

Yeah, starting next week I'm going to a fixed schedule (Tuesday/Friday and every third Sunday) until I get promoted (then its weekends free for good and no more nights).

-Nate

I figure I'll just ride my bike over there, since it's only about 5 miles for me. :)

Teeleton

Hey Chinotex - Are the QLS group rides for anyone, or do you have to be a member of a gym? I've been cycling in Humble for a year and do the Humble/Crosby ride every weekend right from my apartment off of 1960... I'm about to get my first REAL roadbike and was thinking of joining that group, if it was possible. I've never done a group ride before but I'm doing 30-40 miles and averaging about 15-16 mph on a trek hybrid.. (7.3fx) we'll see how I do when my specialized allez elite comes in next week.

they are for anyone, but the speed is a little bit faster than you've been doing on your hybrid. usually around 19-20 for the slow group (shouldn't be a problem on a road bike for you).

Just to clarify, is that 19-20 pace speed, or is that 19-20 avg on your computer when you're done?

Still in the air for the 19th. Maybe if Will wants to ride, then again, we both have plans for that afternoon... so I dunno.

pace speed. The ride is generally over by 10:30, 11 oclock.

Did everyone sign up for frostbike?

Yep, I'm registered for the "long" route.

Teeleton

I can't make it on the 19th but will be there for the Frostbite. I had my registration filled out online just before the price increase and then lost my internet connection for a while. I forgot to get back on and now I have to pay the big bucks so I might as well wait until the last minute to register in case the weather completly sucks.

Just a reminder for Saturday, the group leaves at 7:30 AM from QLS gym, located at 20515 W Lake Houston Pkwy, Humble, TX 77346.

Just got the word for Saturday, got to work, can't ride

Won't be there on the 19th; I'll be at work.

Won't be there on the 19th; I'll be at work.

Are you in for Frostbike, Nate?

That is next Sunday right...if the weather is good then yes. I still have no clue how far I can ride...I haven't really been riding like I should. I have been loaded down with school and work.

-Nate

Frostbike is one week from today, get your long johns on.

As long as it's dry I will be there. The cold is not too bad but cold and wet sucks.

weather.com forcast for Sunday the 27th: high of 70 degrees, 30% chance of rain.

Not bad. I could probably handle a little rain if it's that warm.

that's 7-days from now, so probably not very accurate... I'll keep an eye on it.

I generally use the rule of thumb that if it's more than 3 days out, it might as well be a shot in the dark. I can't count how many times I've seen thunderstorms in the forecast, only to have it become a perfect day by the time it arrives.

Teeleton

I'm already registered.... I'll ride no matter what. :D
I've done some miserable cold wet rides... and smiled when it was over.

We're now looking at 68 degrees, cloudy, 10 percent chance of rain for Sunday.

Do we want to meet somewhere and drive up together, or meet there and call each other when we arrive? I have a lacrosse game at 2pm at George Bush Park, so I have to be coming back to Katy either way.

I haven't talked to Nate or Will about that yet. Teeleton is riding to the ride.

I'm doing the long ride no matter what... dunno if that effects anyone wanting to carpool with me.

I should show up a little before 7:30. I still have to register and get my goody bag. Since I am registering late I am not guaranteed a t-shirt but I bet I still get one.

I still have Greg and Nate's number if it hasn't changed from the Cypress ride so if I don't see anyone by 7:45 or so I will give one of you a call. I'll probably be wearing my Texas Bike Forum jersey.

The weather is looking pretty good. It sure was nice riding weather today.

Sleep owned me. :-)

Has Duane thawed out yet??

Good ride guys. The lacrosse game went well -- plenty of subs so I didn't get too tired, and we won.

Sleep owned me. :-)

http://www.philter.com/~teeleton/forum_pics/loser.gif



I had fun. Felt really got for about the first two thirds, and then I had to start digging ot keep going. Once the sun came out I started to get a 2nd wind.

Teeleton

Yeah, I thawed out after that last rest stop.
I woulda been fine except for the dew, and being new to shoes that breath. The new clipless let alot more (moist) air to my feet than my old tennis shoes used with clips and straps.

I've ridden in colder with the same shirt/shorts.... but I think the dew and lack of direct sun light killed me.

My feet/ankles/legs were shivering like crazy anytime i stopped pedaling, and I was spinning more in the pace lines to try to keep warm. Not my "best" ride... but definatly had fun.

I think it was greg who said.. "frostbike... definatly not false advertising". I'd agree.

It was colder on my ride this morning but the sun was out so it seemed warmer. The fog and mist on Sunday just made everything seem colder. Chevy- I was cold just looking at you without any covering on your arms. I had two layers on my arms and four layers on my chest and I was still cold in the beginning.

I still think that having the deer ride along with us for 3/4 of a mile or so was pretty cool.

Greg- Good luck in your first race this weekend! Let us know how it goes.

Hey, can anyone recommend a good, safe place to get a ride in on the North or NW side of Houston? I am looking to get 30-50 miles in at least when I visit in a couple of weeks. I don't know anyone there who rides that can help me out. Thanks!

Greg- Good luck in your first race this weekend! Let us know how it goes.

Steve... it was painful, but lots of fun. I finished, and when I crossed the finish line I thought I had finished second to last (I was calling it not-last place). I passed a guy that weighed like 110 pounds on the last lap, and he had to sprint to try to keep up with me coasting on the last few descents. I ended up finishing 35 out of 37 (the original field was 50, so I guess 13 people didn't finish). Overall I'm very happy with how I did, and am looking forward to actually training a bit for my next one (not sure when that will be).

You suffered.
You finished.
You had fun.
You'll be back.

Greg,
Congratulations on finishing your first race. My first race was a crit and I just ran out of gas near the end and was lapped and pulled out of the race.

I bet it was fun passing that lightweight near the end. They have an advantage going up but we just fly downhill.

I might try racing again this year too. I was thinking about the Fayettville races in March but I am not sure about the timing. That's the start of my kids sping break.