Well given the location and the prep time I have I might be up for it by then.

I'm in...
 
Nelson and I participated in a true Fleche in '07 (360k).  It's a long story with a bad ending  
The real "Fleche" is ridden on Easter, and other than the distance being 360k, the rules of the Dart are pretty much the same.  
 
The day prior to our Fleche it was a typical warm spring day.  Our Fleche left from San Angelo (west TX) and ended at Joe Pool. Thus, we traveled in a north east direction.  The prevailing winds in TX are 90% of the time out of the southwest, thus the assumption was we would  pretty much have a tail wind. WRONG
 
As soon as we departed (at noon) a storm kicked up.  The winds came out of the northeast, thus in our faces.  We could only ride about 10mph, and even on downhills we'd slow down and had to pedal.  At around the 80-90 mile mark it was getting dark.  About that time the winds got even stronger and it began snowing.  To make a long story somewhat shorter, we rode until approx 1am.  We were roughly half way, and it appeared we would run out of time because we couldn't average more than about 9mph. We rode directly into a strong headwind and freezing snow for about 125 miles.  We all agreed that we would not make the cut off time, so as to not risk safety riding at night in those almost blizzard conditions, we DNF.
 
So while I have experience in this type of team event, I also have revenge on my mind.

Bud (et all) - I've pasted the link to the RUSA web's DART rules (http://www.rusa.org/dartrules.html).  Note that a team consists between 3-5 members.  So far there are four people; you, Greg, Mark and I.  
 
Since you started the thread for a bent team, I assume you'll be captain (a great title for you)!  I wonder if Nelson or Steve can either join the team, or help design a route.  They both ride in the area and know the roads.  George Evans has a 200k that leaves for the lodge, we could possibly modify that route.  Here is the cue sheet:
 
 
Go      Turn      Total      Directions
0.0      Ctrl 1      0.0      Lantana Lodge, 2200 FM 1192, Pilot Point, TX
0.0      L(E)      0.0      FM 1192
2.3      R(S)      2.3      Hill St
0.6      R(W)      2.9      Clifton St
0.1      FL(S)      3.0      Morrison St
0.0      FR(W)      3.0      Arthur St
0.1      FL(S)      3.1      McFarland St
0.0      FR(W)      3.1      Georgia Ave
0.2      FL(S)      3.3      Massey Rd
1.3      R(W)      4.6      FM 455
13.1      S(W)      17.7      Cross I-35W – Sanger, TX – Stores if you like
3.9      S(W)      21.6      Cross FM 2450 – Bolivar, TX – Store if you like
25.3      Ctrl 2      46.9      Forestburg Country Store – FM 455 & Spring St, Forestburg, TX
0.0      S(N)      46.9      Continue the way you were going on FM 455
0.1      R(E)      47.0      FM 922 at Tee
15.1      S(E)      62.1      Road makes S-bend – Stay on FM 922
10.0      S(E)      72.1      Cross I-35W – Valley View, TX – Store if you like
15.3      R(S)      87.4      US 377
0.9      L(E)      88.3      FM 121 – Tioga, TX – Store if you like
11.5      L(N)      99.8      TX 289 (8th St) – Gunter, TX
0.3      Ctrl 3      100.1      Exxon Expressmart, 599 TX 289 (8th St), Gunter, TX
0.0      R(S)      100.1      Out of Parking Lot, go south on TX 289 (8th St)
10.2      Ctrl 4      110.3      Shell Expressmart – 1513 S TX 289, Celina, TX
0.0      R(N)      110.3      Out of WEST side of parking lot, North on Bus 289
0.9      L(W)      111.2      FM 455 (Walnut St)
12.5      S(W)      123.7      Pilot Point – Cross US 377 – Road becomes Liberty St (FM 1192)
0.5      R(N)      124.2      Harrison St (Follow FM 1192 signs through town)
0.0      FL(W)      124.2      Liberty St (FM 1192)
0.4      R(N)      124.6      Jefferson St (FM 1192)
0.0      FL(W)      124.6      Main St (FM 1192)
0.0      FR(N)      124.6      Washington St (FM 1192)
0.1      L(W)      124.7      Walcott St (FM 1192)
2.6      Ctrl 5      127.3      Lantana Lodge, 2200 FM 1192, Pilot Point, TX
 
 

Bud - are you going to e-mail Geo and Dan to let them know we have a team.  Looks like we have the following potential team ridrers:
 
Bud
Greg
Mark
Nelson
Ray
 
What do you all think about the route I posted, or one of you more knowledable of the area can modify the route.

12 hours would make for a pretty slow 180k!
 
And we should get two teams - that would *rock*.  With the Pettys, and if Steve Barlow has his bike by then, we could do it for sure.

I'm still in, but I stink at route creation!

Quote from bikerteam on Sep 5^th, 2008, 8:28am:

 
So what would we change? Maybe use a different north/south route on the east end rather than SH289? Does anyone know those area roads?

Yeah Paul can take my spot  
 
Was doing a little google maps research and unless you went down 377 all the way them looped east around 455/428 and then back up 377 there doesnt' seem to be that much out there. At least from the aerial view it looks like alot of dirt roads through those farms, or those horrible crushed tan stone stuff.

Just to make sure I assume people want a loop, which is legal, although not the best type of route for a Dart, the other option that we could consider is a straight in route.  This is either logistically challenging, or adds considerable extra riding.  I toyed with the idea of parking at Pilot Point and riding out somewhere, camping, sleeping, hoteling etc and then riding back at the start time, more Dartish.
 
One of my ideas for that was say from the Mineral Wells motel, or a nice State Park (lots of options)
 
Take Care,
Nelson.
 
 
 

Hmmmmm, I hadn't even thought of a point to point ride. With it being October, odds are we'll have better weather than y'all did on that Fleche, but I guess we could still end up with a headwind the whole ride. A point to point route does sound like a grand adventure, though.

Maybe we could ride one of those casino buses up to Oklahoma, then ride bikes back south from there...    Taking advantage of the probable north wind tailwind...

yeah man I'm in like Flynn/

George replied and said he thought 30 days prior is the general rule for having a route turned in, so we need to get it done in the next two or three weeks.

Hi Bud,
 
  Yes I'll post it via Bikely on Sunday I hope.  If a loop is OK?  A little hectic here until then (I just got home from Sarah's HS football game and band performance here at 12:30 so not going to work on it this evening!)
 
Take Care,
Nelson.

Here is a possible route for your perusal.  Let me know what you think.
 
 
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Dart-3
 
 
Take Care,
Nelson.

Quote from Bud_Bent on Sep 8^th, 2008, 5:48pm:

 
 
Ouch....  but it works!!!  
 
 

Hi Bud,  
 
  Yeah the last control is the requisite distance from the end and they have some seating and eats for an extended stay if we manage to get there too early.  Certainly we won't be in any hurry with 12hrs to kill. Socializing will be a high priority I imagine.
 
Take Care,
Nelson.

I've submitted the route and team name.

Bud,
 
  my files contain the following, but I couldn't find any info on the Shell station there in Celina, although I know it is the next to last  control on George's El Caballo de Simon route, which I thought I had a copy off.  So we may not be alone there while we hang out.
 
Quick Check  
411 W Haning St
Howe, TX  
(903) 532-5265
 
 
Branscome Grocery  
407 W FM 545  
Blue Ridge, TX 75424  
(972) 752-9833      
Every Day 07:00-20:00
 
Mobile Kwik Chek  
118 Britton St.
Tom Bean, TX 75489  
(903) 546-6343  
6am-10pm
 
 
I'm sure it'd be a good idea to verify these numbers, times.
 
Take Care,
Nelson.

Take my name off the DART participation list.. sorry....

Quote from Bud_Bent on Oct 17^th, 2008, 7:44pm:

 
There goes the team. Now watch everyone BAIL!

Quote from Kwijybow on Oct 21^st, 2008, 8:42pm:

 
Nelson,
 
We have 12 hours to finish, and it sounds like some of us are riding the 165k permanent on Sunday, so I don't think we'll want to hammer anyway.
 
Why will you be upright?

I just got an e-mail from Charlie Jenkins saying that JS isn't a current RUSA member.  I checked RUSA, and he does not show to be a 2008 member.  Strange though, as it has his Last Chance 1200k results as "pending".
 
I'll contact John to ensure he's a RUSA member.

Quote from aikigreg on Oct 22^nd, 2008, 8:48am:

 
Channel?

Quote from aikigreg on Oct 22^nd, 2008, 9:18am:

 
Are you talking about the split on the end of the boom? What would be wrong with using a hacksaw?

Quote from aikigreg on Oct 22^nd, 2008, 12:24pm:

 
I'll be riding tomorrow evening, but stop by Friday if you feel you still need help with it.

Well I dusted off the Corsa for the commute today, looks I will be coming bent (more than usual?).  So Greg are you really going to make your inaurgural carbent foray on the Dart?  I look forward to seeing it!
 
Hey Steve what time are you expecting to leave the house Saturday morning, I'll do the Ray lunch/ride trade with you.  
 
Take Care,
Nelson.

Quote:

 
I'd sure appreciate it, I'll plan on being there a few before 5:30 if its OK.  You get the biscuit of your choice in Tom Bean!
 
Take Care,
Nelson.

I started rereading this thread and noticed a couple things.
 
I never signed the waiver.  Can someone download the PDF and attach it to an email and send it to ggross@godleyisd.net?  I can't access much of anything from work - I dunno how this forum isn't blocked.  I'll scan it and email it to George now if someone can get me his email address.  
 
What time are we starting from the lodge exactly?
 
Finally, after getting the carbent more adjusted last night I realized that Dana sent me the wrong bars and riser, so it's v-rexing again till next week, looks like.

Oops. I think I forgot about sending in the waiver. I've emailed George to see if we can just all sign it in the morning.
 
I've made up control cards and am printing out some copies of the cue sheet. Anything else we need?

Steve,
 
What time are you departing from your house in the morning (5:30)?  I'm kinda sorta thinking of heading to your house to meet y'all, then follow you up to Pilot Point.  I was gonna leave my house at 5am, and since it takes me about 30 minutes to get to your house, I wouldn't have to leave any earlier to head your way.

George says signing the waivers in the morning will work fine. See everyone there!