euphoria

I'm still debating whether or not to go. I went down pretty hard a couple of days ago and the rear wheel needs servicing. Road rash makes it painful to fully extend my left leg but riding isn't too bad at a <60 rpm cadence. Mostly just trying to cram in some R&R 'cause I've already been to the hospital like three times in the past year.

Comatose51

I'm good to go on Sunday if other people are.

kevinmcdade

If the weather is good and this rediculous wind stops, I will be there. I think we should go ahead and do it even if we only have a few people. We just need at least one person who knows the route. I am terrible with directions so I really should not be the designated navigator. I have a GPS unit and still get lost...

Sk8erByker

Actually the 1st ride was New Years Day...and there were about 10 teams, not 5. the next couple rides were cancelled due to adverse weather (freezing rain, hail, etc. in February). Lack of interest was NOT a factor. Several of us met & rode regardless of the weather. We've had 4 succesful rides already & numerous more already on the schedule. you have only showed for 1 ride so far (New Years Day). Our participation has been good, but you haven't been there...so you are out of line with your assessment. If you don't want to drive your "diesel guzzling truck" to the rides, that's okay...but don't fault DATES for that.

Comatose51

Yeah navigation is my primary worry as well.

Lecterman

I can't make it on Sunday as it turns out. I scored a ticket to the races. Sorry

Doggus

My comments are based on what I'm hearing from other members b1tching and whining about why no one ever shows up at the rides. Seems to be that was the MAIN subject at the annual meeting. And we showed for 1 other ride where one other team besides us were the only show, so it's seems like your hard facts are off a bit too. Besides, who said I was faulting DATES for anything? You obviously missed the point of my post - I like to ride where there are lots of people. There's regularly 20-30 bikes at the Plano East ride(forgive me if I'm a few off here) so we just show up there instead of trekking aroun wondering if there will be any shows. Any way, I know who you are, you know me...meeting Sunday, we can discuss further then if you still feel the need to call me out.

Comatose51

We have to ride tomorrow. Wind speed is predicted to be only 5 MPH!

cuda2k

Woke up this morning at 4am to the power going out (rather the chorus of all of my power backups on my computer beeping when the power went out). And now at 8am its still claiming 29mph wind gusts. No riding for me today this morning. Tomorrow looks great though. Guess I'll have to get all my work done today and ride tomorrow.

kevinmcdade

I agree, we HAVE to ride tomorrow. Even if we don't do the proposed route, let's get together and ride some place.

Doggus

There's always the route to Howe and back. Party at Kevins place

I'll be watching the thread to see what you all decide on.

kevinmcdade

Someone post a time and place and I will be there.

cuda2k

I'm in for a ride tomorrow, Cahill will likely be in as well. Like Kevin said - agree on a place and time and I'm in. MUST RIDE... MUST RIDE... MUST RIDE!

Sk8erByker

The annual meeting did include discussion on ideas to increase ride participation. However, it was not the main subject. What ride did you & only one other show? The only possible ride this year with just 2 teams would have been one that was cancelled due to adverse weather (we've been to every other ride except SAR). My facts aren't off, just telling it like it is. Maybe I did miss your point, as I wasn't sure what the point was. It's great to want to ride with lots of people. We like to ride with lots of people too. We also enjoy riding with smaller groups too. Most tandem group rides will be smaller than most single bike group rides. it's simple math...how many single bikes do you see vs. tandem bikes? I understand not wanting to drive a long ways if nobody shows. It can happen with any group, but we've never been to a ride with no shows yet.

I'm just replying to your post & setting the facts straight. I'm not taking any offense & you shouldn't either. Just keeping it accurate.

Doggus

Well my sincere apologies then for taking offense. Sounded like I was getting called on the carpet. The Superbowl ride leaving from RBM had one other team. I guess it was cancelled although it wasn't for weather reasons. Or maybe we showed up at the wrong locale, I've been known to do that. Did they meet somewhere else? We also walked around and looked at the bikes around Spaghetti Warehouse and didn't see any tandems so I assumed it was another no show event. I'm not sure who it was either that called and asked if we could go to the annual meet. He made statements about having trouble with ridership. Plus no one showed at the pancake breakfast except us and the host...you can kinda see where I'm coming from?!?

My reason for using the DATES example was simple - we've been trying to get this ride going forever and it keeps getting derailed. I'm really not put off by DATES at all...and my "diesel guzzling truck" is definitely no one's problem but mine (the reason I commute by bike).

So, you wanna ride with us tommorrow? Free 18 pack of free range chicken eggs in it for you! I really owe you something for hanging onto that saddle for so long.

euphoria

I'm back in the game. I got the rear wheel serviced and went for the most enjoyable 26 mile spin ever. I'm sensing some apprehension about the Sanger route. What are our other options? How long is the Howe route, and where does it start?

Doggus

The route to Howe is basically just Highway 5 from Mckinney. If we're more ambitious, you can go all the way to Sherman, although I've never gone past Howe. It's long, straight and a back track ride. Some people don't like rides like that. I can't think of anything else if the Sanger route is out. Kevin might have an idea as to where we can all park. We usually ride from our house here in Allen so we don't usually park anywhere.


https://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=109503

Sk8erByker

No apology necessary.

Not sure about the Superbowl ride, as it wasn't a DATES specific ride. It was advertised in the newsletter, but not a DATES ride. I know several DATES members did ride it, but no idea from what starting point or even if they rode ther tandems or singles.

I figure just showing up for a ride on New Years Day morning was a stretch for many...making an even earlier showing for breakfast was probably out of the question for most. We were coming from Denison, so the drive to the ride was far enough for us.

We'll be at Pete's ride tomorrow in Mesquite. Is that the one you are talking about? Thanks for the eggs offer...but I don't eat eggs. No worries about the saddle.

Doggus

No the ride I'm talking about is the one addressed in this thread and the one before it and...

We're having hell getting ridership here too. By god we're riding tommorrow if I'm the only one riding and I'll be done with these clowns too

cuda2k

Doggus - where exactly you riding (must have missed location above). Dyin to get road time in!

edit: stupid me - should have seen link....

edit #2: time - pace - can a guy w/ just one crank on the bike come along!

Lecterman

Sorry again I can't ride guys.

However, official invitation.

My local LBS, Denton Bicycle Center, has started it's summer evening road rides.

Monday nights are a 34 mile loop up through Sanger and back.

Thursday nights are our hilly ride. We ride south to Argyle, then through the "Hills of Argyle", and back to Denton.

I rode the latter for the first time Thursday night and it was awesome. There is one really awesome hill called Hilltop Road no less. And some other climbs after that.

The rides start at 6 pm if anyone is interested.

Otherwise I will try to make the next DFW ride to get some time in with you guys.

Fred

kevinmcdade

Oh well, it looks like I will be riding my normal route tomorrow morning. I will be leaving my house around 9:00 AM and will probably do 35-40 miles. I will be on my fixie riding a moderate pace and doing hill repeats.

I will see you guys on the next DFW BF ride...

kevinmcdade

Doggus -- Isn't there a hospital at Highway 5 and 75 where we could possibly park? I could ride there from my house if I can figure out a route to keep me off of 121.

There is also a PBA ride that leaves from XL Cycle on Legacy and Indepence at 8:00 AM. It is 40-60 miles, between 16 and 18 MPH.

Doggus

Highway 5 never crosses 121 that I know of. They get real close at some point. I think I know of the hospital though. It's right along 75.

Also there is a PBA ride at 1:45 too. Looks like I can't make the 8:00am as it's now 7:00am, I just read your post and I don't even have my bike put together.

Cuda2k, on our ride 1 crank would be fine. The PBA ride at 1:45 is questionable, those meat heads usually turn it into a 19+ hammer fest.

I'll keep checking here...

Comatose51

The route to Howe looks good. Anyone still interested? Should be a 2-3 hour ride right?