Texas - Denton Turkey Roll

Anyone riding?
http://www.active.com/images/upimages/2008_TRBR_Logo_Active.jpg
Saturday, November 22, 2008, 09:00 AM
North Texas State Fair Grounds
2217 N Carroll Blvd
Denton, TX 76201
26th Annual Denton Turkey Roll Bicycle Rally 2008 (http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1633022%20&assetId=e884624a-9e1e-4e7d-a4c4-3c6deff137c7)

I plan to- I did last year and enjoyed it.

Which distance did/will you ride?
What is the course like, rolling/hilly or flat and fast?

Hmmmm.... I think I might do that!

I think it was the 37 mile route. I was thinking that was the longest route last year, but looking at the reviews, they evidently had the 70-mile route then, too.

I can see doing the 37 miler for sure. I've done almost that much just on the spur of the moment. The 71 miler... well, it's been a looooonnnnng time since I've ridden anywhere near that far. Maybe we can all meet up and do the 37 miler together?

I did the long route last year at a fun 24mph pace. It's a good ride for sure. I dunno if I'll do it this year. Most of my weekends are going to be training for Sebring, but it might be a nice change of pace. If you haven't done it, it's quite worthwhile, I thought!

I'm game for riding with other people if anyone can ride that slow. I don't get into pacelines and all, though.

Had to look up what Sebring is. I assume it's this: http://www.bikesebring.org/ Sounds interesting, and good time of year for it.

I'll be riding the 23 mile route since my wife wants to ride too. (Jeeze I miss the longer rides....What I'll do for marital bliss!) She tends to get scared if she goes faster than 13 mph...so if anyone wants to ride short and slow c'mon with us.

I'm pretty sure I'll be going. One of the managers at work said he's doing it too, and maybe his wife, so I can ride to Denton with him.

Should be fun.

I'm game for riding with other people if anyone can ride that slow. I don't get into pacelines and all, though.

Had to look up what Sebring is. I assume it's this: http://www.bikesebring.org/ Sounds interesting, and good time of year for it.

That's the one. My buddy and I are going to try and RAAM qualify,....

I'll be heading up to Denton for that, definitely. I lived there for the past 5 years, and a number of my friends are still around, and may join in. I live in Hurst now, so if any one in the area wants to meet up on the way there...

I'll most likely do the 35-miler, though very tempted to do the 71-mile course simply because I hadn't been that far out around Lake Ray Roberts when I rode around Denton. However, living is Hurst has definitely cramped my style.

So on group rides like this is it all road bikes or a mixture?

I don't know but I'm planning on riding a hybrid.

I went on my first group ride a week ago Saturday. There were 14 of us: 13 road bikes and me on my hybrid. No big deal.

I'm sure on a ride this big there will be a variety of bicycle styles. Riding a hybrid isn't going to stop me; I suggest you bring what ya got. ;)

So on group rides like this is it all road bikes or a mixture?

I've seen all kinds. Even a Unicycle!

I've heard from some folks that have done centuries on MTB's and Hybrids.

Bring and ride what you got...and have fun!:D

So on group rides like this is it all road bikes or a mixture?

You can bring anything you want. 95% of the people will be in lycra on road bikes. I'll be on a cruiser in blue jeans or shorts or whatever. But nobody cares what you're on or what you wear. It seems like in the metroplex, you have more road bikes, and as you get farther out of town, you have more locals on mountain bikes. On shorter routes, you have more families with mountain bikes or kid bikes. I've ridden my reverse tricicle in one ride. Give me time and I'll eventually try a unicycle, though it won't be on a 37 mile route. There's usually a couple of tandems, some recumbents, you name it. They usually require a helmet. You'll have people riding 25 mph and other people riding 8 mph and everywhere in between.

Go to www.bicycle-stuff.com, and look at the pictures from last year, and you'll get a pretty good idea.

This route has some ups and downs and one good hill in the middle of it (on the 37 mile route, that is).

Providing my Doc and Physical Therapist green light me pretty sson, I'm up for it. Probably only the 23 or 37 since I've been grounded for a bit.

I'd like to try this I'm getting my bike put together now. I haven't ridden road bikes in several years. I should be able the get in at least 3 rides a week before the 22th. Do you guys think I could swing the short ride?

Mutt

Can't say without any other knowledge. But if you're in good shape otherwise, I don't know what would keep you from riding either of those routes.

I just got my new rear wheel put on tonight, so I'm ready!

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/Bicycle08/Picture236.jpg

(I'll probably lose the panniers for the Turkey Roll, though....)

That looks like fun, if I can get out of work and up there in time I'm totally game for a 70 mile fixed gear ride...

New rear wheel doohickie?

Sounds like fun. I plan to be there. I like the sound of the 37 mile ride. This will be the first activity I take part in on my bike. I'll be wearing a hi-vis short sleeved bike jersey and riding my red Schwinn LeTour.
Ernest

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/Gordo_Ruckus/Picture035.jpg

New rear wheel doohickie?

The bike in the picture is "New Old Stock"- they stopped making Nishikis in 2001, but when I bought it Labor Day weekend this year, this one still had the store price tags on it. It was originally a $379 bike that had never been ridden. I bought it for $100. I just started riding it though when I probably should have gotten it tuned up first. So the spokes were all out of whack and when I was riding on the Trinity River Trail I pulled off the path to pass someone, then pulled back on the path, the rear wheel tacoed on me. I got it fixed, kind of, over at Colonel's by TCU, but it kept going out of true so I finally took it to City Cyclist. After trying to save it, they finally called it dead and I bought a new rear rim (for less than $50). Anyway, that bike was down while they had the rear rim.

That Nishiki as a 38-tooth chain ring for the largest cog. I'm only doing the 37 mile ride with such a low top end. I think I'll be getting a new crankset that will have a 48-tooth large cog which will give the bike almost road-bike gearing.

My girlfriend and I are thinking about doing this rally. I haven't been on one in at least 15 years, and she's never been on one, so I think it's about time we did one. Most likely we'll do the shortest route. Now I just have to put my road bike back together!

My husband and I are going to do the 37-mile. He rides much faster than I do though. It would be nice on this ride to find someone who rides his speed to ride with him and someone who rides mine that I could go with. I'm not adverse to riding alone, but I'm afraid of getting lost. Do y'all do that (split up)? Or, did you find some other way to make peace? :)

There's enough people out there that getting lost isn't much of a problem. Can't advise as to speed- I ride and my wife stays home, so it doesn't much matter how fast I go. There's been different solutions to the differing-speeds issue, and that's one of the motivations to ride a tandem bike. Splitting up for the ride is great if it's agreeable to both, but if one wants to ride off and the other wants to ride together, you have problems. I enjoy a ride more if I can ride at my own speed as opposed to trying to keep up with someone else.

I definately agree--I really don't enjoy a ride where I'm full-out all the time trying to keep up. I also don't enjoy it if I don't get at least part of the ride to test myself.

We looked into tandems, but they are so expensive. We may try to rent one before we take that plunge. Either way, it won't be for the Denton ride.

My husband and I are commuters so we have white helmets with little red lights that make us look like bugs--or space aliens. I hope to see you all there and if someone rides his speed, all the better! :)

I'm sure you can find someone to pace you.

So who's riding? If anyone wants to try to get together for the ride, call me when you get there. PM me and I'll give you my phone no... or just PM me yours.

I'll be there, on the avatar bike
<========
I'll start towards the back and stay there.
Looks like it'll be coolish- www.weather.com (http://www.weather.com) is showing 40 degrees by ride time at 9:00 AM, with 9 mph wind from south-southeast- which'll be a head wind coming back in.

Made it out there, made it back, made the 35 mile route with Mr. Doohickie from the forums here:
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/MiscBikePhotos/Turkey1.jpg

It was coolish, but not bad once you got moving.

That was a great ride, Stephen. See you at the next one... whenever that turns out to be.

Stephen sets an excellent pace for a guy on a single-speed Worksman. I especially enjoyed watching him passing people on very expensive bikes and full kit while we were going uphill. Legs of steel that guy has!

I definately agree--I really don't enjoy a ride where I'm full-out all the time trying to keep up. I also don't enjoy it if I don't get at least part of the ride to test myself.

We looked into tandems, but they are so expensive. We may try to rent one before we take that plunge. Either way, it won't be for the Denton ride.

My husband and I are commuters so we have white helmets with little red lights that make us look like bugs--or space aliens. I hope to see you all there and if someone rides his speed, all the better! :)

Met Fantasminha and spousal unit at the first stop. (Yes...they DID have the "Bug Helmets" on.):thumb:

Wound up only doing 23 of the 26 mile route. (The wife wasn't feeling well hand was NOT amused with the chip seal!) so we turned around and got her to the rest stop so she could SAG out.) She did a solid 15 miles though! Good work Sue! :love:
My buddy (newbee) and I finished...but he was bonking pretty hard for the last 4 miles or so. :(
I TRIED to tell him he needed more fuel than GatorAde for his first ride of any distance...especially in the cold.
He had to walk a couple of hills, but he managed to finish! Good Job Richard!!!:beer:

For me, it was a relaxing ride (if you don't count worrying about the other two).
I had some nice rests waiting for a couple hills to be walked up, but was generally glad that I rode my commuter...as it's geared lower and I could spin with little effort up the hills (BIG change from the road bike). I may be looking into a cassette for the road bike to move it more solidly into the "touring" range.:thumb:
Oh yeah! It would be nice if they made cold weather gear (wind stopper pants/tops) in size "Woolly Mammoth" ..... Sweats and a Fleece were "adequate" ...but just barely.:notamused:

23 miles...averaging a BLAZING 8.8 mph!:eek::innocent:

I get more mileage, at around 15 mph, on a typical Sunday ride...but it was relaxing (for the most part) and I got the feeling that I could go at 10 mph or slower for a looong time. Never even got winded.:)

Hope everyone else had a good ride and stayed warm out there!

It was great meeting you too Jtgyk (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=111790)! I wanted to hang out and talk more but the spousal unit (this cracks me up!) gets impatient with a break of more than 2 minutes. We took a newbie with us today. He is my cube-neighbor at work and rides a MTB--first time on a roadbike today but he did great. The three of us did the 35 miles--not bad for his first time out! :) I think cube neighbor might be hooked.

Did I tell you that we got pulled over by the Denton Police? That's the first time I've even been pulled over by the cops on my BIKE! He was clearly miffed because he didn't know about the ride and was threatening to write us a ticket for riding double-up on that part of the road without a shoulder. I tried to explain to him that the truck behind us had it's flashers on and we thought it was the escort vehicle.... he was still mad anyway.

Still, a great time was had by all! I've been looking around for calendars for more rides through the winter and I don't see anything. Bummer... I was really hoping I could get in shape for the MS150 but not if I can only ride the 25 miles to work and back.

It was great meeting you too Jtgyk (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=111790)! I wanted to hang out and talk more but the spousal unit (this cracks me up!) gets impatient with a break of more than 2 minutes. We took a newbie with us today. He is my cube-neighbor at work and rides a MTB--first time on a roadbike today but he did great. The three of us did the 35 miles--not bad for his first time out! :) I think cube neighbor might be hooked.

35 miles?...Sounds like your 2 didn't mind the chip-seal as much as mine.:lol:


Did I tell you that we got pulled over by the Denton Police? That's the first time I've even been pulled over by the cops on my BIKE! He was clearly miffed because he didn't know about the ride and was threatening to write us a ticket for riding double-up on that part of the road without a shoulder. I tried to explain to him that the truck behind us had it's flashers on and we thought it was the escort vehicle.... he was still mad anyway.

When you mentioned the Police I first imagined you getting a ticket for a high speed descent!:p
Yeah flashers on usually means event vehicle (but technically it should have been "car back" and single up) Understandable though, given the circumstance.


Still, a great time was had by all! I've been looking around for calendars for more rides through the winter and I don't see anything. Bummer... I was really hoping I could get in shape for the MS150 but not if I can only ride the 25 miles to work and back.

25 miles? Round trip or One way?
Daaang! if you're putting in that kind of mileage 4-5 times a week...you shouldn't have any problem.
Just keep your commuting up and hit some of the practice rides in the spring.

Isn't the MS 150 over two days? If you're riding 25 miles a day (or is it twice a day?) that should be no problem.

Look for a sticky for "Texas Rides" up there with a couple of links. The main ride I know of is the Happy New Rear on New Year's Day.

Balloon tires DO help on the chipseal. :)

Thanks for the vote of confidence! (Grapevine to Las Colinas RT is 25 miles so 100-125 miles per week.) I'll go check out the Happy New Rear and MS150 threads. :)

"but he was bonking pretty hard for the last 4 miles or so."

I rode this for the first time last year, and I remember that last couple of miles especially. You ride up one pretty good hill, then the next 4 miles is all very gradually uphill, so you don't get a chance to rest, and then you have a headwind on top of it. I had to stop and rest a minute or two on one of those hills in town last year. Didn't have to this year, so I either got fitter or had less headwind.

My hybrid tires did okay, but still, that was pretty rough! With Stephen setting the pace we couldn't fail. :thumb:

More photos:
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/TurkeyRoll/Turkey6.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/TurkeyRoll/Turkey7.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/TurkeyRoll/Turkey8.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/TurkeyRoll/Turkey9.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/TurkeyRoll/Turkey11.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/TurkeyRoll/Turkey12.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/TurkeyRoll/Turkey13.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/TurkeyRoll/Turkey14.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/TurkeyRoll/Turkey5.jpg

I road in it and due to the weather conditions (cold and windy) found it to be a challenge this year. With the detour around construction the length was almost 74 miles. There was a stiff SE wind for most of the last 30 miles that made the ride feel more like a full century.

There was an accident that caused at least one biker to be taken to the hospital. Apparently a truck hauling a 4 wheeler on a trailer pulled out to pass a line of bikers and then pulled back in too soon clipping at least one. It happened on the back stretch before the town of Krum. By the time I got to the location there were several highway patroll cars at the scene. The injurred biker(s) had already been taken to the hospital. I hope it was not a severe injury.

OMG... I hope injured cyclist is ok. It would be nice if he/she or someone who knows him/her posted to let us know.
--edited to correct my horrible spelling...

Here's a link to my blog entry for the Turkey Roll (http://doohickie.blogspot.com/2008/11/turkey-roll-2008.html). A preview: Here is StephenH in action:

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/TurkeyRoll08/Picture028.jpg

Who had the school bus there, by the way?

Who had the school bus there, by the way?

Stay tuned for a future blog post!

It was just some guy I met after I finished; we are both from the Buffalo, NY, area. Anyway, he and several friends bought the bus on an online auction for $2k and they use it for events like charity rides, camping trips, etc. I thought it was worth a few pics.