Killer Bee
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Ken Ward,Peggy & I rode my new LSR 103k route this morning/afternoon. Much thanks to Ken for hosting & acting as ride leader(and shout out to Nelson for getting the route approved & spoon feeding me on what to do as a route owner). Three Bacchetta's started & finished the ride.
The three of us met at Celina Town Square this morning,amidst relatively cool temperatures(due to the high humidity) ,but light winds.The ride starts in Celina, heads up Preston Road past of Gunter. Approx. a few miles north of Gunter,the route travel east to Howe on really good ,low traffic roads(for those that rode the DART & Cupcake permanent last fall might remember the route), onto to Howe.
As we headed North & east the clouds seemed to get lower & lower creating some light moisture on the glasses. By the time we stopped a the 1st control, the humidity/low clouds were starting to dissipate.
After Howe ,we head west on FM 902 to Dorchester for a quick information control. Peggy & I sprinted from the 4 mile mark to the information control in Dorchester(we were cruising at speeds in the high 20's/low 30's. It was getting warmer outside by now. After arriving at the control a few minutes ahead of Ken,we all took off together & Peggy & I picked up the pace.
South on Preston Rd to Gunter, right turn on FM 121 to Tioga(birthplace of Gene Autry). Peggy & I pick up the pace again, speeds in the high 20's. We averaged 21+mph from the Control in Howe to the control in Tioga. On FM 121 ,we would feel a few drops of rain periodically, but then nothing for a while ,then the process would start all over again. Nothing notable as far as precipitation. A quick stop in Tioga & off to finish this ride up in Celina.
18+ miles to the finish & Peggy wants to set the pace. We cruise along on Hwy 377 for 7 miles at 19-20mph. We arrive on the outskirts of Pilot Point ,left turn onto Fm455,this is where the "bite" comes into the title of the route name. Not that long ago, this rural road was perfectly smooth ,road. Denton County took care of that. For the next 5+ miles,BOULDERSEAL!
Peggy & I pedal on. There are a few rollers on FM 455. As you cross into Collin county(5 miles to go to the finish),you pass over a newly constructed bride ,then there's a slow turn to the right & 2 little rollers that get your attention. Then another series of small rollers and a 30+ mph descent & then a slow left hand turn into a roller(11-12 mph). At this point ,you're 1 from the finish.
We hammer onto to the finish(the control is a few blocks to the east of the town square),& we finish with an overall time of 4hrs,30 minutes-17.1 mph avg(bike time of 3hrs 47mins,44 secs).
Unfortunately we lost ken shortly after Dorcehster. We found at lunch that ken suffered a flat & then a chain jam,both of which Ken overcame & finished strong. Goog job Corsa Ken.
Ken confirmed the climbing elevation the route at 1,998 feet. There are approx. 16 turns on this 103 k route. I like the route ,by I'm biased.
One of the best parts of the route is Lucy Restaurant on the square. Home cooking ,very cyclists friendly. GREAT food & desserts. Paul,Bud & Greg might remember this restaurant from a few years ago ,during an Rbent ride. They have move around the corner from where there were 2 years ago , but the Cow still remains. Home made potato chips(just for you Mark M ) & homemade pie to die for. Peggy has pictures of the route & grub to follow.
Thanks again to Ken & Peggy for riding the route. Overall,it was a nice day to be on the bike(at least where we were).
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Inagural Bobccat Bite(103k)ride (Read 831 times)
