Texas - Firecracker 100

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spaceballs
06-15-09, 02:37 PM
I am very interested in this ride, but I can't find a single thread on it. The search feature won't look up "firecracker," so if this has been covered, I apologize.
This would be my first organized event to attend, and I am interested in hearing how the ride was from folks that have done it before. I ride mostly around Dallas, and my skills at climbing hills aren't that great. I was planning on the 100k route.
Should I be worried about this ride? I have been getting in plenty of miles, so the distance doesn't scare me. Should I worry about the climbs?
Looked at the bicycle-stuff reviews, and it sounds loke a good ride.
http://www.bicycle-stuff.com/reviews/07_July/firecracker.htm
spaceballs
06-15-09, 03:12 PM
Does anyone know how this one compares to the Goatneck ride in Cleburne? I would like to get that one under me too...
Looking at the elevation changes on mapmyride.com, it looks like it is do-able, but I am still a little nervous, these being my first big rides and all.
I think Goatneck has an one oh-my-God nasty hill climb. (If I remember from the review section of bike-stuff)
slowpace
06-15-09, 07:08 PM
Anytime you get south and west of the metromess, you are going to find hills. I do the 50 miler in Stephenville. It is doable, but there are some hills that make you rethink what you are doing. But usually you have a go south wind to push back up 281 to the finish.
Go ahead, try it, you'll like it.
spaceballs
06-16-09, 09:39 AM
I am already registered for the firecracker. If that goes well enough, I will go for the goatneck. I am already in for the HHH, I am just trying to get some more organized long rides in first.
spaceballs
06-22-09, 10:39 AM
If anyone can help me with this, I would appreciate it as I haven't done a whole lot of driving west of Dallas. I live pretty close to I-30 [near the Cotton Bowl], and I am not sure of the best route to take to get to Stephenville. I can take I-30 west, to I-20, then 281 south to Stephenville or I can take 67 all the way there from Dallas.
Both are comparable in distance. Is one any quicker than the other?
StephenH
06-22-09, 04:20 PM
The charity rides are on Saturday mornings, and there's no traffic then, so you can just zip right through Fort Worth on I-30. Either route should work.
slowpace
06-22-09, 10:45 PM
I-30 to I-20 to 281, your only stop is at the 281 exit. Next one is in stephenville.