rickyk76

I won't be making the KFC ride this year. Have to travel overseas for work either that day or the day before. Already signed up and everything. Meh.

txags92

Wouldn't be a problem if Raddack had been a responsible commissioner and built roads with room for bicycles in his precinct when he was a commissioner. But his stated opinion in response to public comment on road construction was that bikes didn't belong on the roads and should ride on paths in the park. Well guess what Stevie, now you have all those riders who want to go fast while training for triathlons and other races, riding the same path as grandma walking fluffy and the soccer mom pushing her kids in a stroller. Surprise! there are conflicting uses of the path! Who could have imagined that would happen?


Yes, the riders need to slow down and be more courteous and nobody should be knocking people over if they can avoid it. But there are a lot of times when I used to ride out there that I would let people know I was coming, and even passing at very low speeds, I got run off the path by them stepping directly into my path because they had headphones on and couldn't hear me. It is easy to lay all the blame at the feet of the cyclists, but I know most would prefer to be riding somewhere else if they could do so safely...and only end up mixed up with walkers on the "multi-user path" because of short sighted decisions by guys like Raddack in making sure that none of the local streets are safe for cyclists to use.

the sci guy 

And Greg Travis doesn't support the bike plan or the construction of infra in his entire district. Which is ludicrous. What a ****.

the sci guy 

where is there a hill - besides the one that goes up/down from the ground tot he top of the levee to the left of the spillway?

B Chris

I think you will be good to go. Most of my rides are 30 miles but I did a couple of 40 milers the past 2 weekends to be sure. I did about the same training in 2015 and finished the Metric in good shape. Not to say it was easy! Suffered a rough patch around mile 50, but stopped and cooled down at the last 2 rest stops and came home in decent shape. I poured so much cold water on myself my shoes were squishing as I walked back to my bike. It did the trick.

So Good Luck! I'm ready to take it on.

B Chris

sci guy, they are up in GPB proper too. I got out there on the 4th and had a cyclist tell me that the incident that led to this happened in GBP near the Fry Rd turnaround. There are walkers coming out of that neighborhood and one of them got slammed at that curvy section just before Fry and got hurt pretty bad. According to him, the neighborhood started a pressure campaign.

Man it was busy out there! Probably since it was a holiday, but I suspect it's like that on weekends too. And yes there are a lot of cyclists riding like dicks. I'm out training, so I don't exactly go slow, but there were people flying around at race pace. I even saw some paceline riding. There were so many slow recreational riders out there being passed closely and often that it made me cringe. Back to Bear Creek Park for me.

the sci guy 

Yeah I noticed they were in GBP too a few days after I made that post and went for a ride - which surprised me.
Interesting the incident was over by Fry Rd. Where did you hear about it?
There are a bunch of crotchety old folks on my Nextdoor Neighborhood board/app that complain about the speeds/safety in THP, so I figured that was ultimately the impetus.

That quick curvy section under all the pine tress as you head back east from Fry Rd is tricky and tight (and slippery when its covered in fallen pine needles) - I always take it slow, plus there's a bench swing there and people often stop with kids.

I just don't get the mentality of the bikers who just ignore safe riding and common courtesy. Do they think they're above the fray? And saying "on your left" or god forbid slowing down and breaking the almighty cadence is just simply beneath them? I just don't get it. Can't wrap my mind around how a person thinks like that and just doesn't care or think rules don't apply.

Scott P

A cold/sinus infection/bird flu/The Plague for the past two and a half weeks has kicked my butt. I've gotten almost no miles for fear of crashing during a coughing fit. Even now, I'm lucky to be at 75%. I signed up for the KFC, so I have money invested. The full century is out for sure. I don't want to drive all the way out to Katy for a 35 mile ride, so that bumps me up to the 50 mile route. I figure if I can do 50 miles, then I should be able to do the 62 mile metric century. So, I have to decide if I am healthy and conditioned enough to knock to 60 miles in the heat.

the sci guy 

tahts what rest stops are for.

idiots think they're for the weak. smart people use them.

Scott P

I love me some rest stops. But, I end up lingering there a bit longer than I should sometimes. I pull in, head to the potty, then refill water bottles an grab a snack or two. The longer I stay at these stops, the hotter it will be for the end of the ride.

I did 30 miles on June 17 and 18 miles on July 9. No cycling in between and a nasty cold thing. That 18 miles on Sunday was a bit slower and harder than I felt it should have been. Even my kickboxing class last night was a bit more of a struggle than it should have been.

It comes down to this. I have a paid registration for the KFC, so I don't want to waste it. I don't want to drive an hour to Katy to do a 32 ride that I can do around my house. The 50 mile route is the next option. But, my ego says if I can do 50 miles, I should be able to knock out 62 miles and at least do a metric century. It is the Katy Flatland Century after all. The wife already has plans to take the tree year old twins out for the day, so I have the free time. I just have some mental block that is causing doubt in my ability right now. I'm whining about a ride I haven't even done yet.

rickyk76

So, I'm back in for the KFC ride Sunday! My travel plans got rearranged. Now I'm nervous because to date my longest ride has been 52 miles. I rode 50 miles last Sunday, and it was rough. My plan is still to go for the 62 miles and just slow my pace. For those that are used to the races, how far apart are rest stops? They have water and snacks? I'm excited though!

Scott P

The maps are available on the kfc.bike website. For the 62 mile route, the break points are at approx. 16, 23, 38, 45 and of course, 62 miles. It's also not a race, but a ride. Drink plenty of water this week. Have a good carb loading day on Friday and Saturday. Make sure you get there early on Sunday and try to leave on the ride at 6:45 am. The earlier you get out, the less of the brutal heat you'll have to face later on in the day.

memebag

I haven't done KFC before. I see they let folks roll out at 6:45, so I was thinking about getting there are 6:15. Should I plan to get there earlier? Is there any advantage to it?

rickyk76

Thanks. Last time I checked the site weeks ago I didn't see the route maps. I appreciate the feedback.

Scott P

I'm one of those idiots that always gets to a ride way early, like an hour or more. Getting there early allows plenty of time to get your packet, get set up and get ready for the ride. The bathroom lines get really long as you get closer to the start, so getting that stuff taken care of earlier helps avoid waiting in line.

memebag

I'm one of those guys too, but I want a little more sleep.

rickyk76

Looks like scattered thunderstorms are set all day for the ride. Ugh.

memebag

Sweet! They'll keep the temps down.

ETA: A high of 89°?!? That's no challenge. Feh.

Scott P

I looked up my Garmin report from my ride two years ago. Temps recorded by it hit 100 or so later in the ride. 88 degrees and a 5 mph wind will make this one easy.

memebag

My Garmin thermometer got up to 106° last Saturday. I was hoping for at least 100° at the KFC.

the sci guy 

the line to get into the school parking lot can get looonnngggggg so yeah leave early to get there early.
like was said, it's also nice to have ample an relaxing time to get ready, especially if you need to get your packet as well.

I didn't do it last year, but 2 years ago it was hot as a mother out there.

drink lots.

Scott P

I do hope that the storms of today are not a precursor for tomorrow.

Scott P

The KFC was a great ride today. The weather worked out well. I only did the metric century. I skipped the second rest stop on the way out. They had mentioned a bonus afternoon water stop at the eight miles to go point, so I skipped the final stop in anticipation of that one. Well, that didn't actually open until 11:30, about an hour after I rolled through there. I hit a bit of a wall at around 52 miles. I pulled over for breather for a few minutes and that seemed to be all I needed. I finished relatively strong.

The shower felt good. The salad and pizza were a tasty reward for a nice ride. I probably could have done the 75 mile route if I hit the rest stops. The full century would have been a bit of a struggle for me. Still, I am happy I got the ride in. The NWCC does a great job with their rides.

memebag

Good job, Scott P. Yes, the ride was well run. I did the 100 (miles) and suffered through cramps the last 10 miles. Aside from that it was a beautiful day for a bike ride and I had a blast.

rickyk76

Yesterday was such a beautiful day for a ride. The KFC was a perfect first group ride. I did the metric century. My first ever! It was well organized and ran smoothly. I hit the wall around mile 55, but just kept pedaling. I was proud of my performance. Hoping next year to do the 75 or full 100 miles.