[Title changed to 7:30AM -- PB]
 
Hi Guys,
 
  as an alternative to the Willow Park brevets I will be riding Ray's Spanish Fort Route, starting in Bolivar at 7:30 am.
Let me know if you'd like to join me, and I'll make sure I have cards and cues for everyone.
 
Take Care,
Nelson.[td][/td]

Bud, compared to the Cup Cake Permanent, this is a piece of cake  
 
Greg, help me here; you've ridden Spanish Fort.  Unlike the Cup Cake Perm, the hills on Spanish Fort are spaced out.  Wait... Forget the hills... This ride is very scenic (bring a camera), good roads and very, very low traffic.  Plus, for only a few bonus miles, you can cross into Oklahoma on a pretty cool bridge that has a wide shoulder as you cross the red river.  
 
According to George Evans, there is now a convenience store in Montague.  It's off-route slightly by continuing south on TX-59 past the FM-455 turn about 0.5 mile.  The store is on the right in the same building as a steak restaurant.
 
Also, there is a church in Slidel, 9 miles from the finish on the left.  A working faucet on the west side of the main building between two air conditioning units that had good tasting cool water.  There was a faucet on the south (front) of the building, but it was not operational.
 
NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF
 
Just south of St. Jo a few miles is an eclectic ranch, similar to the Cadillac ranch in Amarillo.  There are VW Beetles in the ground, a strange array of telephone poles that must be viewed from different angles to appreciate, and other assorted art.  Everything is close and viewable from the road (Hwy 677).  So take a few minutes and enjoy this.
 
At approximately mile 45, just north of St. Jo, which you can see on the elevation profile is a 400-500' descent.  It's name is "Gordon Mountain", though obviously it's just a tough hill. The view from the top just before you descend is very pretty.  You can see to the Red River.
 
West of Spanish Fort on Hwy 103 is a huge expanse of oil wells (hundreds and hundreds).  Forestburg has a nice deli, though the deli closes at 3pm on Saturdays and the store closes at 5pm.  

I'm thinking I'm in for this one....  weather dependent, of course, being the "candy-thingy" randos we are....  

Hi Greg,
 
  If we're talking R12 here Spanish Fort can count again.
 
Take Care,
Nelson.

R12 can be the same route 12 times if you like, you just get mileage credit the 1st time though, but it still counts each time as a valid R12 ride.
As a matter of fact OK is OK was my finishing ride even though I didn't get mileage credit, having done it within the same calendar year.
 
Take Care,
Nelson.

Greg (et. all),
 
The reason for this rule is to enhance the popularity of the R12 program.  Since many states have limited Permanents, it would be impossible to complete an R12.  Thus, you can ride your favorite 200k (or longer) Permanent 12 consecutive times, but as Nelson said, you only get mileage credit for it one time per calendar year.

'fraid I can't make this one, I'm already leading a "breakfast ride" with GDB....  

There is a new store at the start of the ride in Bolivar.  I haven't changed the official start location yet (I don't know the store name), but I propose we meet at this new store.  If you're coming north on I35, exit highway 455 in Sanger, and head west.  The new store is ~4 miles west of Sangar, and will be on the left hand side, about 1/2 mile before you come to the official opening control in Bolivar.  You can't miss the new store, there isn't much else in Bolivar.  
 
Assuming the ride will start at 7:30, let's plan to depart the new store at 7:15 to give us time to go to the official control and get a receipt.  
 
Here's a portion of an e-mail from George Elizondo about the new store:
The new store has a huge parking lot. It's well stocked and has a nice grill as well as tables. They're now serving hot breakfast platters too, not just breakfast burritos. Jeff, George and I had sandwiches there after our ride and it was very good.