Texas - Is anyone riding, or has anyone ridden the Piney Woods Purgatory Oct 2?

I am hoping that I will be able to be back on the bike in time to ride the Piney Woods Purgatory the first weekend in Oct. Does anyone know anything about the routes? Was thinking about trying to do the 72, if I can ride.

Never ridden it, nor the area, but I would also like to ride this ride sometime. Suppose to be a hilly area, a nice change from Houston. Only about 2 hours from SW Houston. You've probably seen the website, but for others, it is here:

http://pineywoodspurgatory.com/

I am riding the Bike Around the Bay the following weekend Oct 10-11, so it would be a bit much for me to do 2 charity rides back to back weekends. Maybe next year.

BTW - the PWP is Oct. 3 in 2009.

I have a friend who tells me it's consistently one of the best rides in the area. He's always trying to get me to ride it.

One downside is that it's on the same weekend as the SA MS150.

Rode it about 15 years ago - vaguely remember it as being in springtime then. Nice ride tho.

I'll be riding it for the first time. I know the general area fairly well, but not any details about the routes themselves. I registered for the 70 miler but may try the longer course after seeing how I do the century at the Tour de Pink in 2 weeks.

I rode it in 07. I originally planned on the 100 mile but ended up doing the 70 because It rained and I was wearing cotton shorts and shirt instead of Lycra. That being said, it was the most enjoyable ride I've ever done and I will be there this year rain or shine but will have my biking gear on this time. The scenery in those East Texas Pinewood hills between Lufkin and Nagcodoches is beautiful. The 70 and 100 mile routes have some quality hills but make it up to you with some nice descents. The rest stops are great as well as the festivities at the finish. Lufkin ROCKS!

One of Texas best kept secrets. I did this ride 3 years ago and can say it's a great time with challenging routes.

The best way to enjoy it is to get a hotel the night before. Most hotels will let you check out a little later so you can shower before heading home.

As mentioned earlier, the rest stops are near perfect and there's plenty of hills so the routes are challenging, especially on the longer routes. I highly recommend plenty of hill training before attempting routes 70 miles or longer. In addition, if I’m not mistaken fajitas are served at the finish….YUMMY!

On a 1 to 10 scale I give this ride a 9+

Sarge

Does anyone know how the hills here compete with the hills on the Goatneck or Paluxy Pedal? That said is there an elevation map hiding somewhere? I think its an omen when "hilly" rides dont list one! :)

Not my map, but looks like it will work. Be sure to click "show elevation"

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/tx/lufkin/715802766

I thought this was an outstanding ride. Great organization with weather to match. I don't get many opportunities to ride hills and it showed today. My moment of indecision at the point where the 100 mile and 72 mile routes split ended when I took the right turn and committed to the shorter route. I just don't believe I'm ready for an additional 30 miles with hills.

This ride is my favorite out 0f the 5 organized rides I've done. I did the 100 this time and it was all I could do to push myself the last 25 miles or so. The rest stops and the people working them were fantastic. Ray, what was the website where you can get the ride photos? I forgot my packet and T-shirt at the motel.

The photographer's website is www.dsdigitalphoto.net Dahoss. Go to "order your pictures" then click on the event name. Make sure you have some free time because there were nearly 1000 posted last night.

I agree about this ride. I've also participated in 5 organized rides this year and Pineywoods is at the top of my list. The volunteers and rest stops have been good at all of them, but the scenery in the East Texas hills gives this one an edge.

Thanks Ray..I agree with you on the scenery. Makes me wanna retire in the Lufkin-Nac area.