Texas - 2009 Moonlight Ramble

Who's riding in it? Its this Sunday at 0200, registration/packet pick up starts Saturday at 2300.

-Nate

My wife and I are riding in it for the 1st time this year. We'll be helping out with registrations beforehand, then we'll ride off with everybody once it starts.

I've been told that the start is quite an event; there are lots of, let's just say - inebriated folks along for the ride (2 am on Sat. night). :lol:

I'll be there with some buds. I've been doing this ride since I was a kid. Lots of fun - I've not ever seen too many drunks though. Maybe I'm just not looking...

See ya'll there - I'll be on a 2008 Electra Boney Finger (aka - the Dreamscicle) - it's the orangest, rockinest bike ever!! :) If you see me, say hello!!!

Any more info for us? Is it a cruise, race or maybe somewhere in between?

I've got some friends i need to visit out your way and had talked about going this weekend. Might be interested in this too.


Thanks

^^ Definitely a cruise. When I rode a couple years ago you could choose between an 8 or 20 mile course. One rest stop about halfway through on the 20-mile course to serve snacks and jam some music and allow time to socialize. It was really cool to ride the streets at night. The weird thing I remember about this ride was that there was absolutely nothing at the finish. Kinda hard to make it a race when there's not even a finish line. :)

I will be doing it for sure did it last year and was a blast, my sister is even coming in from Dallas to do the ride.

Where exactly is this taking place? Which texas city?

It is in Houston, the only important city in the state. :D For more information... (http://bikehouston.org/) It starts at 0200 Sunday morning at the George R. Brown Convention Center (plenty of lodging around there in all kinds of price ranges, some you can even pay in crack) and registration/packet pick up starts at 2300 Saturday night. They say its 20 miles, but it is actually 17 miles. The start is pretty packed, there are intoxicated people, but I haven't seen any drunk assclowns or anything. It is a pretty fast route, but the back side through Memorial Park can be cold and the under passes are kind of steep to drop down and then climb up. Like the poster above said, there isn't a finish you just kind of show up and bam there you are.

-Nate

That was a blast really had a good time as usual at this event.

I had fun as well except for two things.

1. If this is a ride to help raise money to promote bicycle awareness and safety, then why not inform people that they are suppose to stay to the right and when someone says "left" that means get over...not just keep riding four abreast.

2. Why are people on skates? Seriously, do they really think it is a good idea to grab onto someone's bicycle while they are trying to ride in a high traffic area?

-Nate

Yeah... there were a LOT of inexperienced riders this year. Then again.. this is the first year I've started at the back too. It was great once it opened up and we could cruise at 17-18mph (without riding in the center turn lane).

As for skaters... just slow down. Don't brake check them, but slowly apply brakes. I have no problem with skitching... if it's invited ;)

Yeah this is one ride where you can expect the worst and best but that's the draw to it for me at least. I know a few of my friends who really don't like all the rules of an organized rides; required helmets, no music and no real enforcement of registration, but can get away with it on this ride and I love it they come out for this ride. I don't mind the skaters infact I was really impressed with the speed of some and didn't realize they can cruise at 15mph+.

Skaters are fine (assuming they don't take up over a lane being 2 and 3 abreast with wide strides)... but Nate had a couple hitchers just grab his bike and go for a pull. Not cool IMO.

Yeah that's uncool to grab out of the blue like that, I don't mind towing somebody but at least give a heads up.

I agree 100%. I'd be truly upset and say Nate has every right to be as well. I'd like to think my first reflex would be to stiffarm the guy doing this to me, but I know it's not always that easy. What, if anything, can/should Bikehouston do about this? I wouldn't necessarily say they should be banned (it wouldn't help anyway) but I think a discussion should be had at the very least.

I thought it was a cycling event, not a skating event.

-Nate

I agree, Nate. However, I say the more turnout the ramble has the better. One thing that bothers me about them is when they skate 2 up - they take up a whole lane of traffic which forces cyclists to cut a fairly wide path around them. I can't imagine what would happen if a skaters foot brushed up against my wheel , especially if I was on my road bike. I'd just about guarantee you I'd be going down. Not cool....

I'm sorry, they still don't belong. If they have to rely on the skaters to draw attention then they need to figure out a new way to market the ride and the organization.

-Nate

I'm sorry, they still don't belong.....they need to figure out a new way to market the organization.

-Nate

hitler said the same thing about the jews, buddy.
everyone is welcome where i come from.

I have pretty much seen roller bladders at every cycling event (though I only do a few a year) I have been to which is more than fine with me glad to see anything self propelled. I would think it's common sense not to grab someone’s bike out of the blue but again it's after 2am on a Saturday night you really can't expect to much. It's like expecting a pace line to form at critical mass it's just not going to happen no matter how hard you try. I really believe dr.nate that it was an isolated incident of someone just not knowing any better and can understand your frustration, and hope to see you at the ramble next year.