Group training rides in Houston
 

I will be going to Houston for a few days...Sunday through Tuesday and would like to catch a group training ride. 25 to 50 miles....around 20 mph average..

I will be in the Spring Valley area...I dont mind driving a bit to get in to one either.

Any links to people or bike stores I should contact?

Thanks!!

Biff

If you don't mind coming out to far nw Houston (Cypress) there is a group that heads out at 6:30 AM every MWF. They usually do 40 miles and can average anywhere between 18-22 depending on who shows up that day. If you are interested I can give more details.

Fulshear meets at 7/800 am Saturday and Sun and Ski in Katy Mall on Sunday.

How far north? How log will it take me to get there? (Most likely) I am thinking I could make Mon and Wed for this one...

I will be driving down on Sunday so I can't make the weekend...bummer :(

There's a friendly group of folks who ride out of Planetary Cycles on Sat & Sun. Saturday's ride is about 40+ miles at a 17 to 22 mph clip. As many as 20+ folks show up for that ride. Sunday's ride is smaller (usually 6 to 12 riders), shorter and slower at around 30 miles at 15 to 20 mph. Both rides are inside the loop and end up with either breakfast at La Madeline in the Village on Saturday or Whole Foods/Starbucks on Bellaire on Sunday. Saturday ride start is 7:00 and Sunday is 7:30. Both leave pretty promptly. Saturday's group trends a bit younger than the Sunday ride but both rides have a great group of folks, many from the medical center/academic environment.

Since you're going to be in Spring Valley (that's on the west side near I-10 right?) you might look around and see what West Side Cycles has going on for any of those days. They come thru my neighborhood and always seem to have an impressive group though I've only riden with them once years ago.

(Planetary Cycles is located just inside I-610 at the northwest corner of South Braeswood and Stella Link)

The ride leaves from Keith Elementary in Fairfield subdivision. It's about 25 miles out from the 610 loop and 290. Take Hwy290 out to Mason Rd. Turn right on Mason and go through a light and turn left at the third stop sign. The school is on the left. The actual address is 20550 Fairfield Green, Cypress, TX 77433. If you end up doing this ride just let me know and I will make sure I make it on that day.

Steve

So I did the Tuesday ride at West End Cycles tonight. Here is my short report...

I am apparently about 8 miles from the shop...I entered the shop address in my Garmin 705 and it gave me turn by turn directions. I was pretty happy following the directions, Houston 5 o'clock traffic is CRAZY....

So I arrived...Waited about 15 min and we were off...I went with the fast group...I am just at the cusp it seems of being fast or slow...I figured I can hang on to anyone with out hills in the way...lol WAS I WRONG...

So we start this route through downtown Houston....I mean we are next to Taxi cabs going 24 mph and in 1/2 a block stop at a stoplight....the whole night was starting and going 26 and then stoping every two miles....OUCH...I was not ready for that....I was there until mile 20 and I was done....I dropped and there were a few other people there so I could find my wayback....The ride back after that was great...lol 18 mph and it was through a nice area of town...nice to look at...

The people on the ride were nice and helpfull when I needed it (unless were talking about me being dropped lol). Thanks to the guys that got me back!!!

I am very glad I went and would go to another in a heart beat...the GPS worked great to get me there and back...it worked prefect in fact. Just what I bought it for.

Thanks to all for the recomendations of places to go. It was very helpful and for sure next time I will go again....

Thanks!!!