Road Cycling - Dallas roadie spots?

Hey folks, how's Big D? I lived there for about 15 months and spent a lot of time doing laps around White Rock Lake, but I haven't done any roadie riding that way for a while. Is White Rock still alright for riding (lots of construction last time I was there)? Anyplace that's pretty good around Coppell?

I'm down in Arlington. We start out near Joe Pool Lake, then meander south. I'm sure there are rides up there. The Fort Worth Bicycle Association starts rides north of and west of Ft Worth. Maybe check with the Dallas Bicycle club. Then there are all of the rallies in the spring.

I work in Irving near Coppell and I'll tell you its getting
pretty busy around here. I do see alot of roadies where
I work, I think they are part of the Carrollton Bike club.
I do White rock on occaision, not too much construction
now. I tend to stay on the road around the lake as opposed to the MUP which is full of joggers, skaters, strollers and other obstructions.
I ride mostly out towards the Frisco area, sometimes
go out to the route that the Collin County classic takes.
Richardson Bike Mart has weekly rides, with well established routes. Speaking of RBM, they are opening new store in Frisco, can't wait that means my LBS won't be a 1/2 hour drive away! wooohoo! (sorry just had to
crow about that).
You gonna be in the area?
Marty

I'm gonna be there sometime around Christmastime, but not sure when. I'm from Oklahoma and will be up there for most of the two weeks I'm off, but we have family and friends in Big D so we'll be down for a couple of days sometime.

Where in Ok you gonna be? I going to Ada (whoopie!).

Marty

Norman. Buddy of mine's from Ada. I lived there for a few months growing up. Haven't been back since. You can tell me what I'm missing.

Hey,

I used to live in Coppell, just off of Denton-Tap, when there were only 1,500 people in Coppell. I also lived in Colleyville. One of the rides I used to do was to go West on Bethel School road into Grapevine. Ride on into Grapevine when you end on Bethel School. Ride on down past Elliott's Hardware staying on that road (can't recall the name). There is a lot of decent riding around that area - if its not too built up. I sued to ride around Southlake, Westlake and Flower Mound a lot too. Another place that I found was decent to ride was the are around Las Colinas on the weekends. With most of the businesses closed the roads aren't too bad. There are some areas in Colleyville on the North/West side of Grapevine/Colleyville Blvd that are pretty decent. Hope this helps.

Just re-read my post. I didn't sue to ride around Westlake - is USED to ride around Southlake/Westlake. Sorry.

Well we all kind of figured that.
The whole Grapevine/Lewisville/FlowerMound area
has BOOMED lots of traffic, not a whole lot of room
for bikes and rude drivers. I agree Lost Colinas as well
as business parks are good areas on weekends.
I generally prefer the country roads, but they are not
all that safe either.
Marty

God, I'm glad I got out of there when I did.

If it were'nt for work. . .
but at least I don't have to worry bout sheep
when I'm out on the road :D

Marty

Meh. Sheep stay out of the way. Dogs are trouble wherever you ride.

At least I don't have ignorant asshats trying to run me over anymore!

Meh. Sheep stay out of the way. Dogs are trouble wherever you ride.

At least I don't have ignorant asshats trying to run me over anymore!

Thats because there are only 20 or 30 vehicles in the window rock area :roflmao:
and 3/4 of them are nearly rusted out 1970's pickups! :lol:

Ada area isn't too bad, some of the farm roads outside of town
(towards Tupelo) have little or no traffic, ever!

Dogs guarding sheep are BIG trouble

you know, the dogs guarding the sheep usually just run along side for a while, like they're trying to stretch the legs a little. It's the ones that just hang out all day waiting for something to happen that come after you.

And what's with calling the local traffic "nearly rusted out". They're falling apart. you're being nice.

Ever been out this way? You speak like someone that's seen the locale.

Oh, and I can't imagine that too many roadies would be too concerned about a lack of traffic and good roads. It's paradise. you're just jealous.

Yes I am a bit jealous.
I haven't actually spent any time out there,
read the Kellerman books and got interested in the
local. I have seen similiar areas in terms of lifestyles
and lack of civilization (and that is a good thing).
it's on my list of places to actually visit, just have to
make time to do so and figure out when is the best
season (late spring? early fall?).

Marty

I'm about an hour SE of Dallas in Mabank. I'd love to find some entry-level events (preferably that don't require a "license") in which I could "compete" (meaning just complete them). Maybe not full-on races, but events that give some sense of of accomplishment (and a training goal). Is there a good website/resource that lists all the events in the metroplex?

Thanks.

http://www.bicycletexas.com/

Try this. There a lot of rallies in the area.

Cool. Thanks.

Hey lotek, the best time to come is, without a doubt, not the spring. If you want constand 30 mph winds overnight and gusts of 50 during the day, save some gas on drive to Lubbock. Monsoon season is usually from late August through mid to late September, but it's clear during the day until about 3 when it clouds up, rains and clears off again by the time the stars are out. This is usually a pretty good time of year; highs in the 40's and 50's, cold at night but good during the day. Fall is good. Summer's nice. Highs just get into the 90's and it's still a desert dry heat. And in the 90's, a dry heat actually doesn't feel all that bad. Let me know if you come out; I'll hook you up on the nickel riding tour. Just bring some climbing legs and altitude lungs.

If it still matters to you, try the Southlake/Keller/Westlake/Trophy Club areas. There are a lot of good country roads. Start with Westlake off 114 or 377 in Keller and go North. I rode those areas a lot up until a couple of months ago until moving away. Bicycles Inc. in Keller has some organized rides and can give you tips on riding areas. Enjoy!