Texas - New Year Rides

Anybody planning to do a New Year's Eve (Daytime) or New Year's Day ride in DFW?
I'm tempted to do the Bikin' Mike Yew Year ride...but I'm cheap and looking for alternatives.

I'm looking routes up to 45 miles at a relatively slow pace <18 mph (leaning toward the 11 - 14 mph range). MUP's and trails are OK-ish but low traffic roads would be preferred.

Any favorites out there?

I'm definitely planning on the Happy New Rear Ride myself. I rode it last year and enjoyed it. Got a cool T-shirt too. I didn't pre-register, so I'm hoping I get there early enough to get one this year.

Not a sure thing yet, but I'm pondering riding to and from the ride as well. That would change it from just another ride to an Adventure. Yesterday, I rode from my house up the intersection of 205 and 78 checking out the route.

I'm definitely planning on the Happy New Rear Ride myself. I rode it last year and enjoyed it. Got a cool T-shirt too. I didn't pre-register, so I'm hoping I get there early enough to get one this year.

Not a sure thing yet, but I'm pondering riding to and from the ride as well. That would change it from just another ride to an Adventure. Yesterday, I rode from my house up the intersection of 205 and 78 checking out the route.

You are...of course...a maniacal bicycling overachiever, a single speed two wheeled juggernaut of no small repute. (The Mr Beanz of Texas as it were.):lol::thumb:
I, on the other hand, being all to human, will probably drive up there.:D

How is the terrain for that ride? Hilly? Rollers? Flat-ish?

I'd say "rollers". I rode the 28 mile route last year. It was windy and hilly. I got down to the 28 mile cut-off, and was concerned about having to ride back into the wind, so I took the cutoff. Then when I got back to the start point I thought "Hmph, I could have done another 10 miles okay". It was kind of funny, though, because once I got on the 28-mile cutoff, I was pretty much by myself the rest of the way in- looked like very few people went that way.

And I'm not exactly Mr. Beanz, either. Doohickie rode on that Turkey Roll ride with me, and it was pretty obvious he could ride circles around me. So I may ride up to the ride and all, but there will be lots of folks there that could do the same thing only a lot quicker if they chose. At the Mesquite Rodeo Ride, I was riding about the same speed as Bikin' Mike...only he was pulling a 50-lb trailer behind him.

I'm just riding locally in Fort Worth. Probably try to find part of the Trinity River Trail I haven't ridden yet. I doubt you want to drive all the way over from Richardson for that though....

OK, what is this ride? 78/205 intersection is practically my back yard.

I'll be riding today, but have to take the kid to physical therapy around 9:30 is and then run to Mesquite to pick up a frame set I had powder coated. After I get back, I'm on the bike.

I still don't know if I have a 2:00 PM obligation on Thursday. :notamused:

Tonight I plan to take a short ride, part of it will probably be around the neighborhood with my wife as I cap off the end of the year's riding to barely hit 2850mi for the year (just shy of my 3k goal - darn house search getting in my way and that time hog known as work)

Tomorrow, probably another short solo ride, maybe over to the jsharr residence to harass him first thing in the new year. Going to try to keep at least the # of rides per bike a little more balanced next year, where as last year the carbon fuji got more than it's fair share of trips out for one reason or another - so both rides this new year's will likely be on my vintage equipped Gazelle Champion Mondial A-Frame.

--snip--
And I'm not exactly Mr. Beanz, either. Doohickie rode on that Turkey Roll ride with me, and it was pretty obvious he could ride circles around me. So I may ride up to the ride and all, but there will be lots of folks there that could do the same thing only a lot quicker if they chose. At the Mesquite Rodeo Ride, I was riding about the same speed as Bikin' Mike...only he was pulling a 50-lb trailer behind him.

Ah...but who was the one riding hills and rollers with the SS Workman?


I'm just riding locally in Fort Worth. Probably try to find part of the Trinity River Trail I haven't ridden yet. I doubt you want to drive all the way over from Richardson for that though....

I've been meaning to get over to FW to try the trail system there...is there any access from the Dallas - FW train (Trinity Rail??) I've been thinking that it'd be a cool adventure via train/bike.


OK, what is this ride? 78/205 intersection is practically my back yard.

I'll be riding today, but have to take the kid to physical therapy around 9:30 is and then run to Mesquite to pick up a frame set I had powder coated. After I get back, I'm on the bike.

I still don't know if I have a 2:00 PM obligation on Thursday. :notamused:

http://www.bikinmike.com/
Look under Outdoor rides then Happy New Year Ride
Your so lucky being out there with interesting roads and scenery! If I was in the shape I was this summer...I'd be riding out to the New Year ride from Richardson myself.
I'll probably take another ride this afternoon when it warms up a little.


Tonight I plan to take a short ride, part of it will probably be around the neighborhood with my wife as I cap off the end of the year's riding to barely hit 2850mi for the year (just shy of my 3k goal - darn house search getting in my way and that time hog known as work)

Tomorrow, probably another short solo ride, maybe over to the jsharr residence to harass him first thing in the new year. Going to try to keep at least the # of rides per bike a little more balanced next year, where as last year the carbon fuji got more than it's fair share of trips out for one reason or another - so both rides this new year's will likely be on my vintage equipped Gazelle Champion Mondial A-Frame.

My spousal unit is in the throws of helpdesk/testing hell (end of the year for the tax and accounting end of the software package). I'll consider myself lucky if I see her at all this week.:mad:
(She likes to go slow <under 10 mph> but if I get her to ride in front....the view is spectacular!)

Teh Carbon Fuji is getting more than it's fair share of rideage????
YOU CAD, you!!!:D
You should have to ride a Huffy for penance!
Now go and sin (schwinn?) no more.

I have ridden the TRE over to Fort Worth before to ride. (Note: It is not operating New Year's Day, and has modified schedules today and Friday- check the websites). The train isn't real close to the trail, but it's fairly simple to ride to it. I got off at the Intermodal Transit Center, and rode north and then east on 8th Street to the trail, then looped back north, west, then south and down to Benbrook. I think if you go south from that 8th Street trailhead, the trail is fine gravel in that direction.

I have ridden the TRE over to Fort Worth before to ride. (Note: It is not operating New Year's Day, and has modified schedules today and Friday- check the websites). The train isn't real close to the trail, but it's fairly simple to ride to it. I got off at the Intermodal Transit Center, and rode north and then east on 8th Street to the trail, then looped back north, west, then south and down to Benbrook. I think if you go south from that 8th Street trailhead, the trail is fine gravel in that direction.

well...poop!
I have to work on Friday. (my usual day off)
Thanks for the info though...it'll be a nice daytrip in the future. Did you get any grief for having your bike on the train?

No grief as such.
They have some old blue-and-silver units. Those are difficult to get a heavy bike on- steep stairs, then a sharp turn, then no place to put the bike.
They have the double-decker units and they work pretty well. They actually have one car fitted up with Thule bike racks, but they don't run that car all the time for some reason. On the regular cars, they have a couple of places where you can put bikes, though- either right at the end as you come in (seats fold up), or in the handicap area, or the big open areas at the end. If it's in the wrong place, they'll ask you to move it, but no big deal- evidently they have bikes on there all the time.

The DART trains work okay with bikes if they're not crowded- gets to be awkward if they are crowded, though.

The wife and I will probably do a slow pace (10-15mph) ride around the frisco area, then head back home
for parades, football and ham, black eyed peas and cornbread.
I'm going to start the new year on my Zieleman, and if I can shake this migraine finish this year
on my Serotta (and further dial in the new Arione saddle).

Marty

So I closed out the year by riding the longest ride of the year, and perhaps my longest ride ever- I did 57 miles on my Dumpster Queen, a 1983 Raleigh Marathon. I did the ride in about 5 hours, but I stopped to eat lunch and also had a drink break (probably about 45 minutes). Based on that I figure I did a little over 13 mph. Here's a link to my route (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/New-Years-Eve-08). Most of the miles were on the Trinity River Trail here in Fort Worth. I rode out to the ends of two of the branches of the trail.

Well, I started the new year off with a big bucket of Fail.

Got up and left the house about 5:15. Got out past 78 & 205 (IE, out of "city" and into "country" and started getting too cold. Feet were getting cold and I didn't have any way to keep them any warmer; shirt was sweaty already. So a little after 7:00, I wheeled into an Exxon station and called home for a ride. Now I'm off to bed to catch some of that sleep I missed.

Well, I started the new year off with a big bucket of Fail.

Got up and left the house about 5:15. Got out past 78 & 205 (IE, out of "city" and into "country" and started getting too cold. Feet were getting cold and I didn't have any way to keep them any warmer; shirt was sweaty already. So a little after 7:00, I wheeled into an Exxon station and called home for a ride. Now I'm off to bed to catch some of that sleep I missed.

A Valiant Effort on your part!
My enthusiasm flagged as I stepped out into crisp air.

I've decided to just see what the day brings for my ride. I'm not going out until late morning or early afternoon, and wherever we (my wife is coming too) ride it will be a sedate ramble Probably max out at 15 to 20 miles.
We may even drive over to FW for a change of scenery.

Yea, I'm waiting for a bit warmer weather. I just don't want to have to mount my rack and trunk bag to accomoadate my supplies to combat cold and them remove them all.

Yuck.

26 miles of a circular route that finally took me West up Betsy/Park, South on Shiloh over to 190. From 190 back Northish on Telecom to Renner. East on Renner and then North over to Murphy Rd, and East on 544.

I wanted at least 30 miles so I went all the way to 78 and across with the intention of heading out to Lake Ray Hubbard but by the time I got to the turn to head to the lake I decided to bail and ride the 2 or 3 miles home through down town.

I swear 20 of the miles were either directly into a head wind or into an oblique head wind. I wore leg warmers, and should have worn the wind panel tights.

The only positive thing I have to say about today's ride is that I at least got out there.

My regular ride group celebrated last night.
No one said they were riding this AM.
Went out at 11:30 with Temps 58* to 68*
Did a 27 miles Loop around the area Twice.
The Perfect Ride of The year. 55.2 miles

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/Perfect%20ride%201-1-09/Beanz.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/Perfect%20ride%201-1-09/Beanz2.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/Perfect%20ride%201-1-09/Botto.jpg

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/Perfect%20ride%201-1-09/Kaking.jpg

Nice Day to be Out.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/Perfect%20ride%201-1-09/pacad.jpg
.

Looks like a great ride, 10 wheels- great way to start the year.

Spent the morning putting grips on and taping the trekking bars on the Trek 740, Attaching a rack and panniers to my buddy's bike, and re wrapping the bars on the Trek 1220.

Didn't get out until late afternoon...but man was it nice (66* on my cylocomputer). The Chisholm trail MUP is a choice bit of bike path.
I was riding with noobs (wife and best friend) so had an slow and easy 10.7 mile ride. I would have ridden it a couple times more just for mileage (and at a faster pace while the others ate or something)...but was losing light.
Jimi was having trouble holding back on teh speed! (I'll have to ride my commuter with Richard and my wife from now on)

Riding during the daylight is a wash for tomorrow. (called in to work)
I'll have to recharge my batteries for my Retina Burners and ride after work.
(I've challenged myself to average at least 10 miles/day for the month)

easy around the neighborhood ride probably around 10 miles with the wife.
then just for fun did 1/2 hour on the rollers last night just becasue I haven't been on
them for almost 3/4 of a year (they're still boring).

Marty

My wife and I did the Lone Star Randonneurs New Years 200k ride.. Arlington to Italy and back. Nice ride and a pretty nice route. Very cold early and the wind was blowing pretty hard from the southeast most of the day though and going Arlington to Italy that wasn't too good. Of course when we turned around the wind slowed down, but at least it didn't reverse I guess.

My wife and I did the Lone Star Randonneurs New Years 200k ride.. Arlington to Italy and back. Nice ride and a pretty nice route. Very cold early and the wind was blowing pretty hard from the southeast most of the day though and going Arlington to Italy that wasn't too good. Of course when we turned around the wind slowed down, but at least it didn't reverse I guess.

You sir, are a madman:thumb: