Anybody interested in doing Muenster in a couple weeks?  I haven't done it before, and it looks like I can do it this year...
 
The 100 kilometer (63 mi.); 65 Kilometer (40 mi.); and 35 Kilometer (22 mi.) course is pedaled over paved roads in this beautiful and scenic North Texas area. It is a fast and challenging course. Be prepared for some long and steep climbs up rolling hills and the exhiliration you'll experience coming down! (For PDF map of route, click here.)  
 
ENTRY FEES: All entries postmarked by April 19, 2008, will be $25 per rider. All entries postmaked after April 19, 2008, and those who register the day of the ride will be $30 per rider. Registration is at the Sacred Heart Community Center, located on Main Street, 6 blocks north of Hwy. 82. Entries postmarked by April 19, 2008, will receive a FREE T-Shirt. Packets and T-Shirts can be picked up at the Community Center between 8:00 am and 10:30 am the day of the ride. T-shirts must be picked up the day of the ride. T-shirts will be presented to the first 1500 registered entries.  
 
PRE-REGISTRATION AND PACKET PICK-UP: From Thurs. April 17 thru Thurs. April 24 at Richardson Bike Mart, in Richardson, SE corner of Coit & Campbell Rds.; Denton Bicycle Center, 1700 N. Elm, in Denton; Duane Knabe, CPA, at 124 S. Mesquite in Muenster (south of Sonic off Hwy 82); or Online Registration.  
 
Each rider will receive 1 FREE pass to the Germanfest grounds the day of the rally and 2 FREE tickets for Beer or Coca Cola products.
 
http://www.germanfest.net/bike.htm

I noticed there were complaints about parking last yr. Here's how I handle it:  
 
1. Preregister for the ride and pickup your packet early. Late registration on ride day is a ways away from the ride start.  
     
2. When arriving into town on 82 heading west, IGNORE the signs about rally registration and keep going straight. Turn right on Maple St (1st road after Main St). Main street is easy to identify since it's blocked off for the ride. Park on Maple, 2nd St, Elm St or 1st St.  
 
Parking here puts you close to the ride start, within walking distance to the Germanfest and there's usually a porta potty at Elm and 2nd for the tent campers.  
 

I haven't checked the schedule, but if I'm free I'll make this ride.  I saw on a website a couple of years ago where most of the pay rides in Texas were rated for difficulty, the 100K Muenster ride was rated the MOST difficult, a lot of total climbing.  So I'm probably in only for the 40 miler as this has been a lousy year so far for time on the bike.

Quote from Strada177 on Apr 14^th, 2008, 7:40pm:

 
Whoa, there, Podnuh... who said anything about RACING????  I'm just going up to RIDE the course, because I've already been hearing about the climbing involved from GDB folks the last couple of years.  This ain't no HHH speed challenge...

Hee hee - don't burn your engines out the first 25 miles, like Bud and I did last year - the real climbing comes in the next 40!

 
More climbing than any other ride I've done including Aledo. Still a lot of fun.
 
Ken

Ray ,don't forget your Spanish fort ride-6,000 ft of climbing?! Not that I have done it ,but I did Nelson's Cheeseburger/Cheeseburger ride-4,500ft of climbing.
 
Ray ,during our MS 150 team training ride today in Flower Mound ,I saw/talked with a guy named Jeff(?) ,he's tri-athlete & works with you at Verizon.  We rode the same 50 mile route today that you took us on last year. I pulled up to that Subway shop on 377 & Jeff yells out -"Nice Bacchetta. Do you know Ray Torrey?!" He seemed liked a really nice guy. I told him to tell you I said "hey".
 

Ken, that ride looks awesome.  I looked at the 100m profile, and it would be more climbing for that distance that I've everr done.  Thanks for sending it to me.  Keeping that carrot dangling in front of us is what keeps us motivated, and also humbled  .
 
Would you be willing to let me borrow your catrike sometime this spring or summer?  I'm still highly considering a trike, but I want to do a lot of research first. I put a post on BROL that sparked a lot of feedback:
Speciality Discussions
Trikes
post name is "fastest trike"

Angie and I will be there, but instead of HPV, we'll be on my Gold Wing.  I asked her what she wanted to do this weekend, and she asked for a long motorcycle ride.  I suggested we ride near my Spanish Fort RUSA Permanent, and she got all giddy.  Anyone who can ride the Muenster 100k, can certainly ride my 220k.  Same hills, just more of em'.  
 
We'll ride it in reverse, and will be on the lookout for bents.

Looks like I'm not doing Muenster this year, after all -- my apologies, I'll miss riding with y'all...
 
Steve, have a brew for me....
 
PB

Steve if you decide to to Spanish Fort Count me in!  Its a very pretty route.
 
Take Care,
Nelson.

Quote from FlyingLaZBoy on Apr 24^th, 2008, 9:14am:

 
Paul , sorry to hear things did not work out for you for this ride. Peggy & I always enjoy your company. We'll miss you ,but catch another time. If I must ,I will pour down a cold one in you honor(not that anyone had to twist my arm for that extra beer).

Hi Greg,
 
  I'm not sure about the Mineral Wells 300K route, but the the 200K was an out and back last year and the climbing is considerable.  I've done the 400K and 600K and they are some of the hilliest rides available to us. Cherry Pie is interesting to say the least on a hot afternoon at the 350 mile point of a 375 mile ride.  I went home and changed my cassette from 12-28 to 11-34 after that one.
 
Take Care,
Nelson.

Looks like I'm bringing out the tica for this one, boys and girls.   Mark Leuck is bringing his baron as well.  Steve and Pegs - you can ride point and kick the roadies outta the way!

Ray/Greg....I dunno, the goal for the Stradas' is this ride will be a training ride for the MS-150. I doubt you will see Peggy & I chasing any rabbits.

Peggy / Steve - as soon as you get passed by a bunch of roadies, you'll be chasing them down...   And I'll be  there to watch

Quote from Turtle on Apr 25^th, 2008, 5:19pm:

 
Turtle( I KNOW who you are from Mikey's blog) ,that is very good news. Cliff wants to ride with us also. As far as the roadies/beer ,I make no promises(other than I will have more than ONE beer).
 

It was definitely a YEA ride yesterday!  I'm still reeling from the fun we had.  Although a bit windy (so what else is new), the temperature was perfect and the skies sunny.  I personally had a great ride, taking pictures along the way.  Not as good as the other 'Rbent photogs, but not bad for a beginner.  The after party at the Muenster Germanfest was fun.  Gotta love those brats and beer.
 
Turtle