There looked to be between 1,200 and 1,500 riders that showed up for this ride. We rolled out of North Crowley High School at 8:00 am.  I rode out to the start, 4.6 miles from home. The 60 mile route goes from the school, on Hulen St in south Fort Worth, straight south into Johnson County, then west to Sky Road in west Johnson County, which is pretty much the highest ground in this area. It does a loop back to Joshua, then north back to the start.
 
The south wind was already blowing pretty strong when the ride started. At mile 8, I ended up with a large group that missed a turn. I stopped at mile 9 to figure out the best way to get back on the route. It ended up being the only stop I made. I rode with Ray for a while, and met Mike (nice meeting you, Mike!) on his F-5. Mike is another fast high racer rider who could pedal away from me pretty easily. I kept a sane pace on this ride, and while I was tired at the end, I wasn't wiped out. I ended up with 60.8 miles at a 17.5 mph average.
 
I really liked these roads, and the traffic control was very good. I was wishing I had printed out a cue sheet online last night, after I didn't find one at the ride start this morning. It's a good route, although some of the turns can be tough to spot. After the crowds thinned out, it was easier to see the small signs that marked each turn.
 
After the ride, I rode to the Crowley FasTaco and had lunch. Then, it was on to home, with total miles for the day being 72.0.

I rode the 40 mile route on my Catrike.  I think vandals painted over the turn arrows on the street on a couple of turns. One was at the turn onto Emerald Forest.  There were 20 or so uprights milling around that corner.  I had a cue sheet and we made the correct turn.   I got a new Gopro Helmet Hero camera for my birthday and used it for the first time.  It takes great videos.
 
Below is a picture of a Bent Tandem I saw at the start.
 

m_mcd, would you be the F5 rider mentioned above?  Welcome aboard - post a pic or two in the Introduce Yourself section!!!
 
I'm used to seeing only Terry Pickl at the helm of one of those EZ tandems!!!  Wonder who they were...