Texas - Southwest/West Houston BF get together?

Rex - are you moving from Bellaire?

Rex - are you moving from Bellaire?

I don't yet know if I am moving. But, my bikes moved, and that sucks. Bellaire itself has very little rental property, that being mostly houses, and quite expensive. About the only way for me to stay in the inner loop area, right away, would be to score a "courtesy officer" position at a large apartment complex. But then, what to do with PoBear? Will ANY apartment complex allow such a primeval-looking large canine?

Keep in touch Rex. You can also travel to make a SW Houston ride.

Yeamac - so no century a month challenge for 2010?

Nope. Although it was fun for 2009, at times it interfered too much with family/work, so my 2010 challenge (if you can call it that) is to ride less.

I went for my first century ride this past Monday. It was just like riding a bike. :D Surprisingly, I had very little fatigue afterward. Probably helped I drafted my riding partner way more than he drafted me (he never quit riding all winter); and we had light headwinds outbound, strong tailwinds inbound.

Someone post when you feel like getting a SW ride going again. Sometimes my Saturdays are trips to the donut shop and then a city park riding this monstrosity:

145274

I understand the need to involve my family with cycling. My wife just bought a comfort hybrid, so the Garcia family will hit the bayou trails with a few tags also. I am open for Sunday rides post-MS150.

Bump.

Springtime. Time to resurrect the thread. Anyone up for a ride?

I am interested. When and where are we talking about? Just coming out of winter hibernation so speed isn't all that great right now.

I am interested. I rode most of the Winter, but Ihave been traveling on business lately and my mileage has dropped off.

Judging by the replies we can all take a couple of trips around the block at a slow pace. :D

Thought I would get us thinking ahead so everyone can put on a few miles before we go out and do a 80+ mile ride. I don't have a Saturday free until April 30 or May 7, and I'm going to need to put this on my calendar before something else squeezes out those dates. That's early enough so it won't be too hot. How about we ride 100 miles? The Unofficial 2011 SW Houston Bike Forums Century (Self-supported). From Hillcroft/Braeswood, where we left from the last time, it is exactly 50 miles to West Columbia, and those south winds would push us home.

If anyone has any other ideas, let's hear it. Or post to say how the April 30/May 7 dates work for you.

Lets do it on April 30.

The last time we got together for a century we were all cooked by the end. Those winds can make or break you.

I got really used to the wind during the Winter.

I had wondered if these get-together rides were still happening. A century may well be beyond my ability to prepare in a month's time, but I will try to make part of this ride.

Yes, I am still hangin' in there, in Bellaire, just a few minutes from Braes Bayou.

... just a few minutes from Braes Bayou.

Speaking of, I'm going to request the city to add a few more construction projects along the Braes Bayou path as I think the 4 projects currently blocking the path is kind of a low number.

Discovered an issue with my road bike Saturday with my front right brake boss hanging by a thread. I took it in to the bike shop so the bike rep could look at it next time he is in town. I am hoping for a warranty repair. Might not even have my bike back by April 30th, we'll see. Maybe this is a good excuse to buy another road bike.

Braes Bayou - my favorite. I hit it at Academy from the north, then go east or west depending on how the flag is flying. Usually it's east first so I get the tailwind on the way back but it's a drag having to go off road at the medical center. There's so much more to go!

Since the Cambridge Street bridge had been completed, I had been wondering about the Braes Bayou trail's progress in the Med Center area. With the COH's budget woes, I reckon work could stop at any time, and not resume for years, if the work has not already been contracted and financed.

Regarding the planned long ride, if I am not in shape for the distance, rather than doing a partial ride, I might arrive by car, and take photos, instead. I have spent a small fortune since August on digital SLRs, lenses, and other equipment. It is a new hobby, but was kickstarted by the addition of "photographer" to my existing job title at work.

Since the Cambridge Street bridge had been completed, I had been wondering about the Braes Bayou trail's progress in the Med Center area. With the COH's budget woes, I reckon work could stop at any time, and not resume for years, if the work has not already been contracted and financed.

Regarding the planned long ride, if I am not in shape for the distance, rather than doing a partial ride, I might arrive by car, and take photos, instead. I have spent a small fortune since August on digital SLRs, lenses, and other equipment. It is a new hobby, but was kickstarted by the addition of "photographer" to my existing job title at work.

I hope you will ride. I didn't get to meet you last year when the group got together.

With out and back rides -we are able to alter the total distance fairly easily.

As an alternative we could make plans to meet you part way through the ride.

Regarding the planned long ride, if I am not in shape for the distance, rather than doing a partial ride, I might arrive by car, and take photos, instead. I have spent a small fortune since August on digital SLRs, lenses, and other equipment. It is a new hobby, but was kickstarted by the addition of "photographer" to my existing job title at work.

I have no problem with you taking photos but am wondering who is going to want to see photos of a bunch of overweight, middle-aged men? Although some of the guys do have some pretty sexy calves. Not that I'm looking or anything. :lol:

I got my repaired road bike back last week. Needless to say I am way behind on my riding. It sounds like no one else it up for a century either so how about we stick to 80 miles, 40 out-n-back. Could either go to Brazos Bend State Park again, or keep heading south on FM-521 to Angleton if the winds are out of the south (for that nice tailwind on the way home). And for those who may not want to go quite that far, turn around at Rosharon which is 27 miles one way (from hillcroft/braeswood).

Would you all agree to meet at the McDonalds at Hillcroft/Braeswood? What time? Sun is up around 6:45, so how about we plan to leave at 6:45? That way we will not need lights. I know some of you have a few miles to ride to the start. If you need more time we could leave a little later. Those of you planning to ride, chime in. This is for April 30. I'd say riding pace would be about 18 mph. Self-supported ride.

I am way behind on riding also with my business travel also, but I will try to make the 80. 6:45 AM will be good. Can I park in front of your house again? I can be there before 6:45.

Parking in front of the house is fine. Anytime. Maybe 80 is too ambitious. If so, we can scale it back to 68 miles to North Angleton Chevron, or 54 miles to Rosharon.

And I hope temps drop a little by April 30. Sheesh ... upper 80's all week this week; about ten degrees above average.

I was 104 here in Monterrey yesterday and today.

Bump for BF SW Houston ride this Saturday, April 30.

Details:
Meet at McDonalds at 5911 S Braeswood Blvd/Hillcroft by 6:40am (store opens at 6:00 if you want coffee/need restroom, etc)
Leave McD's at 6:45
Simple route: Will head south down Hillcroft, East on McHard Rd, South on FM521
Distance will depend on the group; we could turn around at Rosharon (27 miles), or head farther south down FM521 (33/40 mile turn around points)
Out-n-back ride, follow same route for return

Weather -- temps starting in the low 70's rising to low 80's when we return
winds from south, low headwinds building to a nice tailwind on the way home
Sunny day; wear plenty of sunscreen
self-supported ride; bring own tubes for flats
bring water/snacks, will stop at turn around point and as needed
riding speed averages 18 mph (slower into wind, faster with tailwind)

reply to this thread or PM me if you plan to ride
So far confirmed is gtragitt, my friend Steve, and myself

On my way

I was out of town. Let me know about the next ride.

How was the ride?

We had a really strong headwind into Rosharon, but the ride back was a blast.