Today I rode the Patriot Pedal in Southlake, I arrived a little after 7am and immediately spotted the Imperial Titanium Family (Ray and Angie).  I parked across the row from them.  The only other RBENTer I spoted was EZ-Eddie.  He was hanging with the VIP vets.  They had him on a Go-For mission for some bike parts.  
 
I was worried that the threat of rain would keep folks away.  I was expecting a low turnout.  But I estimate their was 700+ riders.  Which I think is a good number considering the weather and the  fact this was the first year for this ride.  The Apache Helicopter was way-cool.  They look much bigger in person then on TV.  It took off to signal the start of the ride and hovered in circles above us.  Its amazing how much wind blows down from these armored pigs.  I was getting dusted-down and pelted with small bits of gravel.  
 
Off we go!  Rode out with the 100K folks un-decided what my final route would be.  I expected to ride past the VIPs on hand cycles but I never seen them.  Emperor Ray was about 100 yards in of me (he still has those streamers on his helmet from TTTT 2007).  There was too much traffic for me to do a bust-out-sprint and catch up with him.  He was gone.  
 
Due to the threat of bad weather, I rolled my Rans Rocket because it has fenders and treaded touring tires.  This latter proved to be a very good decision as it started to rain steady from around 10am onward.  I would have been freaking on the Baron… getting blown around from wind… slipping and sliding all over the road while the rear tire sprayed water up the back of my neck&head.  The dog-slow Rocket has no such issues.  
 
I was feeling good and planed to ride the 50 mile route.  It started the drizzle near the 40/50 route split.  I was distracted and ended up on the 40 mile route. This was OK since it the rain slowly increased the rest of the morning washing me clean.  I ended the ride a little after 11. The imperial Families Chariot was long-gone.  Angie must have pedaled on the 20  mile route.
 
I really liked this ride.  The helicopter was cool and the rest-stops where run by energetic high school cheerleaders.  Who liked to have their photo taken with dudes on recumbent bikes.    The route was good and I would do this ride again.  No nasty Chip seal.  Nice city streets.   Most of the time we rolled on major roads pass large estate-type homes on multi-acre lots.  I espcially liked the rolling hills through Trophey-Club near lake grapevine.  I also liked the park road, although it was wrikley-old.  The minuses where the few times we where zig-zagged through sub divisions.  That narrow 2 lane road coming out of Trophy-Club and the final leg though the Gateway Business district back to Dragon Stadium.
 
Has anyone ever noticed this family on a tandem: Consisting of a big military looking white dude as captian (who often rides shirt-less) his tiny Filipino wife as stoker (Yes paul she wears her shirt) both toting their cute little daughter who is on a tandem Kidde bike trailer?   I seen them on most of the pay rides Ive been on.
 
Happy Trails!
Terry

Quote:

 
His name is TIM "the bald' and he has been a contributor to Bicycle-stuff for years. First time I saw them the little girl hadn't started walking yet.

I never thought of Tim as cute...  Especially when he takes off his shirt.

Quote from MrOverdressed on Sep 13^th, 2008, 10:19pm:

 
Decent write-up Terry.  Yes, the Apache hilicopter circling around us at the start was so awesome.  The wake turbulence was hard to ride through though.  
 
I started near the front, probably 50-75 people in front of me.  After the first half a mile, which was twisty turns getting out of the stadium, and weaving through some slower riders, I saw the "A" pack already 1/4 mile ahead.  This was comprised of the Moritz, Volkswagen, Tzing, and other pro 1/2 teams.   As Terry said "he was gone".  I worked hard up a false flat to catch them, then recovered at the rear.  
 
At about mile 2 there was a slight down hill.  I moved to the outside and pushed hard to get to the front.  They apparently weren't "bent" friendly as I said "mornin" to the lead rider(s).  I excellerated off the front from about 24 mph to about 27 mph.  Nobody was interested in chasing me.  Here I was, the lead rider.  I kept looking in my mirror and nobody chased.  
 
I held that lead until I glanced at a sign the said "rest stop one mile".  I pushed hard, wanting to keep the top spot through the first rest stop. That's when "wrong way Ray" stepped up. Apparently there was a turn where the rest stop sign was, and I kept going straight.  I didn't realize it until I got to a red light, and there was no traffic control.  They didn't give maps, but knowning the area, I thought I could short-cut and find the pack.  I had a few bonus miles, and while never catching the pack again, I did extremely well.  It rained quite hard at times, and the wind swirled; not good when riding my Renn disk.

That sounds like we need a better marker for turning system. How about having someone standing at corners with a big poster board with arrows or such. :
Thanks Thomas Jenkins

There was a map at:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109460502761 242106637.0004566c4f659cf64e6de&ll=32.974396,-97.135277&spn=0.111463,0.264015&z=12
It was on the web page but very hard to find.

Ray, you need to start ignoring that devil on your shoulder.....  
 

Thanks Paul - that cartoon makes all the mega bonus miles worth every pedal stroke!
 
Both you and EVBLAZER are amazing at brining pictorial humor to this forum!