The annual GDB Lancaster Country Ride is upon us once again, Saturday April 10th -- $25 entry fee.  C'mon out and test yourself with the 46- or 63-mile routes, through what should be gorgeous countryside filled with bluebonnets...  But this route ain't no "picnic," with the roller sections of Sugar Ridge Road and past Palmer, especially if there's a northwest wind!  However, the roads are in good shape, with miminal chipseal, and the rest stops will be well-stocked!  The 43- mile route has been changed to a 46-miler, due to road destruction...
 
http://www.greaterdallasbicyclists.com/lancaster/index.html
 
 

 

Tony - were you at White Rock today, around 3:30PM?

Dang there's some hot women on that ride!  If you see Alexis be sure to compliment her.  She's dropped about 30 pounds since that photo.   We'll be there, though I am sure in what capacity.  If somebody wants to hammer it out, I'm happy to go alone, otherwise I may just being the single speed and go with Alexis over one of the short routes.

Jeez I had a gut back then, I did the Lancaster ride 2 years ago but only remember the last rest stop where those pictures were taken.
 
I'll be there

so exactly how hilly is the 46 mile route?  I did 44 at WRL yesterday to make sure I can cover the distance and managed without trouble.......the hills on the other hand maybe a different story.  I was thinking of bailing and doing the 20 something one but will never know if I can do it unless I try..... so.....????

There is one short steep hill at Mile 5, then about a four mile stretch across Sugar Ridge Road from miles 15-19, where you then hit the 2nd rest stop.  The only other hilly sections are part of the northbound route after Palmer, and the anticipated tailwinds will be welcome.  Fear not... it's not a race, it's a RIDE!!!

I'm captaining Onsite Registration this year -- so I'll be hovering around the registration tables.  Once we close that down, I'm going to go out and ride the 63 mile course.

Quote from aikigreg on Apr 6^th, 2010, 11:08pm:

 
 
A WHAT????  

I'm not registered yet, but I'm still planning on doing this one. I've had some weird respiratory thing since Sunday but I'm hopeful it will be gone before Saturday.

Well crap-ola.  My parents have apparently decided to become wandering gypsies in their retirement and will be in town Saturday, so I guess we're out for the rally after all, dangit, and I really need a new pair of socks!

Quote from FlyingLaZBoy on Apr 7^th, 2010, 10:06am:

 
A device left over from the Spanish Inquisition, for extracting confessions by inducing horrendous pain in the legs and buttocks.

Was I supposed to get a rider number for this ride?  I don't think I got one at RBM when I picked up my packet.  I did make sure I got my socks though!

Quote from TonyWard on Apr 9^th, 2010, 7:44am:

 
 
Tony -  
  You definitely should have gotten a rider number with your packet...  perhaps you left it behind.  No problem, just come to the registration table at the start and ask for me.
 
Paul Brown

I've  been working getting stuff ready for the rally and i was able to ask the man about the numbers. It seems about nine didnt get theirs so just tell em at the sign up in the morning.

Is the V-Rex gray color?  I saw one at the Ferris rest stop, but you guys should have been long past there by then.  I saw Bob McClure at that stop, as well!!!!

Quote from FlyingLaZBoy on Apr 10^th, 2010, 8:19pm:

 
I didn't see Bob at all this ride which is strange because it's kinda hard to miss him

It was great to meet everyone that I did on the 40 mile route - I had a great time despite the unplanned "stop" about 15 miles from the end.  I had an unplanned rest at a turn when I had the bike slide out from under me in some gravel in a turn.  After the initial shock and pain subsided - I finished the ride.  Ended up bruising my tailbone so I haven't ridden much in the last week.... it has gotten to the point where it doesn't hurt - just is uncomfortable - especially after about 30 minutes or so.  Hope to be back to 100% by next weekend.  
 
Anyway - it was great meeting everyone (I'm terrible with names and faces so I'll probably reintroduce myself again next time I see you).  I plan at being in Cedar Hill for that ride - say hi if you see me.
 
Marion - send me a PM or email if you are still interested in swapping seats for a little while so I can try out the Euromesh.  Probably need to wait a week or two until I am completely better.  Maybe we can meet up and make the swap and go for a ride.  Let me know.
 
Tony

it was a hard left turn shortly after the Camel & Zebra - before rest stop #5.  I'm pretty sure it was here:
 
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=lanc aster,+tx&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=54.401733,135.263672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Lancaster,+Dallas,+Texas&ll=32.443364,-96.737108&spn=0.057585,0.164795&z=14&layer=c&cbll=32.443431,-96.737173&panoid=5GPtftXZH1D0c3yhYSPXaQ&cbp=12,287.31,,0,5
 
Left turn from Rutherford onto Smith Cemetary Rd.
 
We were coming down from a good downhill run on Rutherford and had a hard left turn - saw a couple DF riders approaching quickly from behind on my left so I took the turn wide.  There was very little gravel on the inside of the turn - but quite a bit on the outside of the turn.  It was a manned turn - I think the volunteer realized how dangerous it was with the riders coming with speed down that down hill and making that hard turn with the gravel b/c he started telling people to slow down.  When I went by he was on his cell phone....  .  Not his fault though - just glad I was on the recumbent and not the DF - I think it would have been worse.  I think I have noticed it is harder to spot road hazards - maybe it is because I am enjoying all the scenery and not staring at the ground 15 feet in front of me