(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

Love your "ride options" but I can't make it this time.  

for all the info!  I really hope to get to some of these rides someday, but living 'way out' in Melissa (north of McKinney) it's quite a drive just to make a ride!

If there is anyone who plans to do the "turtle" (21-mile) version of our ride, someone will need to jump up and lead the group, as such...  at least become familiar enough with the proposed route to be confident of getting back to the Bicycles Plus from the airport.  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/750153  
 
It's not very complicated, actually -- once we get to the airport Shell station at 114, you will go around the north end of the airport to the "Founders Plaza" viewing area, make a brief stop to check it out, then go back to the Shell.  From there, you go back out Freeport Pkwy under 114, but make an immediate left onto Royal, going north.  Take Royal all the way past 635, about 4 miles up to Sandy Lake, taking a right.  Take another right onto Freeport going south about two miles, then a left on Southwestern (which we come in on), which becomes Belt Line and takes you all the way back to MacArthur and Bicycles Plus.
 

Quote from jdviz on Oct 9^th, 2011, 11:04pm:

 
No problem, she can be the one on the funny-looking bike...     But no complaints about not being able to draft if it's windy!!  

It look like Shellene and I are out for this

Looks like great weather for Saturday (and Sunday!)...  to recap the Airport Ride choices:
 
7:45AM -- roll out from Preston/Forest (regular GDB Airport Ride start location), to ride 13 miles at  ~16-18mph out to Bicycles Plus, arriving 8:30ish
 
8:30 - 9:00AM -- Gathering at Bicycles Plus, northwest corner of MacArthur and Belt Line
 
9:00AM -- rollout - group rides together at casual pace, ~6 miles across Belt Line to Freeport south to Airport Shell station at 114.  
 
9:30AM -- Groups split into "turtle", "Counterclockwise", and "Clockwise" riding groups.  "Turtle" group finishes ride back at Bicycles Plus.  "CW" and "CCW" groups meet again at 114 Shell Station, then ride together back to Bicycles Plus
 
11:30AMish -- probable return time to Bicycles Plus for all groups.  Lunch is a group decision.  Riders who started at Preston/Forest may not stay for lunch -- if you're in this group, you probably know the way back!  (I'll probably be heading back, skipping lunch - I have a 1:30 appointment at UTD)
 
 
See you out there!  Call my cellphone if you need to   214 690 6781
 
Paul
 

Looks like I'm going to miss this one...... instead I will we waiting around for the guy to come tell me why my roof is leaking.  

I'm afraid I will not be able to ride tomorrow . I work for thingy's Sporting Goods and with the Rangers playing on Sat. I will need to be at work to receive the new Championship merchandise. I hope to work most of the night when the Rangers win!!! Sorry I was looking forward to see everyone. Peggy
 
 
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I won't be able to attend tomorrow.  Caught a case of the lung crud mk.2, and an driving up to oklahoma recumbents tomorrow to watch DH ready ride some new bents. I might even get to try out the Longbikes they have up there...