(Sorry, had to change this to Oct 15th - I didn't even check MY calendar for the 22nd, earlier, and I can't do it that day!)
 
(I have modified the original 12- mile prior route post into a 21-miler)
 
Let's gather the gang together for a slightly different version of going around DFW airport, Saturday Oct 15nd, 9AM rollout.  This is a NO DROP ride.   I'd like to encourage anyone who can come out, to meet the group and ride along...  trikes, low- mid- high-racers, cruisers, and whatever.  There will be a 60-mile, a 33-mile, a 27-mile, and a 21-mile version to ride, depending upon your endurance and rolling pace.  Ride 'leaders' will be needed for each group.
 
NOTE:  The 60-mile group ride is designed to ride at a 17-18mph pace, and will ride from Preston/Forest TO the BPlus start, departing at 7:45AM.
 
The main ride will meet at Bicycles Plus parking lot, on the northwest corner of MacArthur and Belt Line in Coppell, for a 9AM rollout.  We'll all ride together the 6 miles over to the Shell station at 114 and Freeport, then split into three ride groups, meeting up again at the Shell station for the ride together back to the start.  A "Turtle" group has a 21-mile route that goes over to the Airport Viewing area, then up into Coppell, without actually going around the airport.  Two groups will go around the airport -- The more casual group will be a 27-mile total, the faster group a ~32+ mile total (which will include a challenging climb up the 114 service road, and doing the Tower Loop).  If the faster group gets back to the Shell station before the slower, we'll keep riding around to meet the slower group, then circle back to the Shell together, prior to returning to BPlus.
 
I anticipate the "turtle" group will roll at 10-12 mph, the "casual" group will roll at a ~14-15 mph pace, the faster a 17-18 typical rolling speed.  For the faster group, the Tower Loop provides a nice sprint zone for those so inclined, but we'll regroup after the tower loop.  Matter of fact, we might even stage a 1.5 mile sprint...    (the slower group doesn't do the Tower Loop)
 
Here is a map for the "turtles", showing the route from BPlus, over to the viewing area, and back:  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/750153
 
Here is a map for the "casual" 27-mile group, showing the route from BPlus and the CCW direction Airport loop (it only indicates 21 miles because the return to BPlus isn't included)  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/748488
 
Here's the map for the faster 32-mile group - same disclaimer.  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/748507
 
 
Afterwards, we'll figure out a place for lunch, there near BPlus.
 
Please RSVP here -- if you need to contact me, my phone is 214 690 6781.  If we run into rain issues, I'll post here that Friday night at the latest, to cancel.
 
Please plan to arrive by 8:30, just to have some schmoozing time before we ride...
 
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So, to summarize the ride options:
 
1)  60-miler, ~17-18mph rolling pace -- leaving at 7:45AM from Preston/Forest, the regular GDB Airport Ride departure location.  Ride at 17-18mph to Bicycles Plus to join the gang for the main ride, do either airport loop, then ride back after the main ride and lunch are finished.  Probable time back 2:00ish.
 
2)  21-miler, ~10-12mph pace -- Start at Bicycles Plus, 9AM rollout, ride with group down to Airport Shell station at DFW Airport, then add extra miles, then ride back to BPlus without the group, without doing the Airport Loop.  
 
3)  27-miler, ~14-15mph pace -- Start at Bicycles Plus, 9AM rollout, ride slow with group down to Airport, then do CCW-direction 15-mile loop around airport, then back.
 
4)  32-miler, ~17-18mph pace -- Start at Bicycles Plus, 9AM rollout, ride slow with group down to Airport, then do CW harder Airport loop, then back.
 
 
Paul
 
P.S. -- Rain date will be Oct 29th

It looks like it would be 42 miles to ride from home to the airport Shell. Hmmm.....

The 15th is a no-go for me. I'll be in Oklahoma.

I'd be interested in the slow 27mi group, but finding someone to watch the kids at that hour is not possible, unless I leave DH at home (Dear Husband).  HOpefully one of us will be able to make it.
 
Vic

Oct.15 I think I can make it

Rookie question: what is a NO DROP ride?

Quote from JimFPU on Oct 4^th, 2011, 7:09am:

 
The concept of a "no drop" ride is exactly that - if someone falls back, or has a flat/mechanical, some or all of the group will slow the pace and/or stop and wait/help -- or at least wait to regroup at the next turn.  Granted, most people around here who ride regularly know their way around DFW airport, but nobody (especially a new person) wants to be left behind to find their own way - and street riding is simply safer when you're in a group - so this ride is "no drop".   Also, when a ride is advertised as "no drop," it lets the people who might be inclined to ride faster know ahead of time that the group intends to stay together for all concerned - it's going to be a social ride, not a hammer-fest.  So there are two reasons to denote a ride as "no drop"... for the faster, and for the slower.
 
A lot of bike club rides are NOT "no drop" - they assume you know the route, and you're self-sufficient - and if you fall off the pace, they'll expect you to catch up by the next rest stop, or finish the ride eventually -- but they probably won't send someone out looking for you!  So be aware of the situation whenever you join a club/group ride.  If you're new to a ride, and unsure, be bold enough to ask around, and make yourself known as a new person who doesn't necessarily know the route.
 
This is another reason a ride leader should always try to advertise either the anticipated rolling pace for the ride, and/or expected finishing average mph.  Whether it's a no-drop ride or not, actually, it's incumbent upon every rider (and a courtesy to other riders) to know if you can keep the advertised pace for the ride distance, and be in good enough shape such that you don't bonk out halfway through the distance.  I tend to advertise "rolling pace" as the mph on flat ground - downhills will be faster, uphills slower -- and any ride that advertises "average mph" will be rolling at 2-3mph faster than that, because your average is ALWAYS slower than your rolling pace.
 
For the "spouse ride" that Terrie and I have been doing with the Rothgebs on Fridays at WRL, our "rolling pace" is about 10 mph -- but Dave and I are riding with our wives, so this is part of the plan, and isn't a frustration riding that slowly.  This Airport ride will NOT be at 10mph, even for the slower group -- but as a "no drop" ride, the group is at the mercy of the slowest rider!!!

Please note that, if you are a 10-12mph "rolling pace" rider, I would suggest only doing the NON-AIRPORT LOOP section of this ride...  Going around the airport involves some climbing, and in all honesty, a "novice" slower rider will slow even the casual group down more than desired, creating gnashing of teeth and other nasty things...  
 
Thus, I've put together a "turtle group" 21-mile ride for slower riders, those in the 10-12mph category - but circling back up into Coppell and around, avoiding the climbing that the Airport Loop requires.  A ride leader volunteer will be required...   Here's the map -- you'll do part of the Airport, going over the the viewing area at the north end, before circling back.   http://ridewithgps.com/routes/750153