rbent Forum - Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney

TonyWard

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Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney
Jan 25^th, 2013, 10:28am

Anyone else heard about this? Heard about this on the radio this monring. Could it be true? Would be a once in a lifetime event.

Pretty sure I'm in if it all gets approved but seems like limited time to make it happen. Of course I'd need a camera to document the entire ride!

http://bikedallas.net/index.html

Here is the news story: http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/01/24/group-wants-bicyclists-to-take-over-central-e xpressway/

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AustinSkater

Posts: 465

Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney
Reply #1 - Jan 25^th, 2013, 10:47am

One of my coworkers mentioned it, and I just had to laugh. If they pull in $600,000 (10k riders @ $60), it would probably lose money on just closing 75 alone. There is no way that Dallas, Richardson, Plano, Allen/Fairview, Mckinney would close all four lanes of 75 for this without a large sum of money changing hands.

Besides the permits, the other logistics will probably be a nightmare as well:

"The tour will have secure rest stops every 8-10 miles with music, bicycle repair, first aid, rest areas, and refreshments."

That puts 3 rest stops on the 75 portion of the route, if they are off of 75 then they will have to shutdown the access road in that area, if they are on 75 then they will be choke points for the ride, and they would have to be setup well in advance of the ride.

"VIP Bus returns riders to the DART station at the end of the tour."

How are the rest of the riders expected to get their bikes back to the start? While some riders could easily ride back to the start on back roads, there will be plenty of folks who can't. Also, if they expect folks to ride back, they will have to plan for a large number of cyclists on those roads as well.

That being said, if it happens I'll probably ride it, but I'm not holding my breath.

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Bryan
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TonyWard

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Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney
Reply #2 - Jan 25^th, 2013, 11:12am

Site map shows a route back to the DART Rail line in Plano. Boy - if they thought Texas OU weekend was bad - wait until they get 10,000 cyclists and their bikes on a train!

I agree on the financial aspect - there is no way of raising enough money to intice the cities into cooperating. RBM was listed as a place offering bike rentals. I wonder if anyone there knows about it.

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The road goes on forever and the party never ends - Robert Earl Keen

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diannalightning Five Star Member rbent member Posts: 522	Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney Reply #3 - Jan 25^th, 2013, 11:34am I saw this last night on CBS news. The ride coordinator hasn't gotten any permits yet for any of the cities and there was talk about $240 dollars to ride at the front of the pack. Sounds a little shady to me.
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AustinSkater

Posts: 465

Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney
Reply #4 - Jan 25^th, 2013, 11:44am

Quote from TonyWard on Jan 25^th, 2013, 11:12am:

Site map shows a route back to the DART Rail line in Plano. Boy - if they thought Texas OU weekend was bad - wait until they get 10,000 cyclists and their bikes on a train!

Especially since DART Rail has this requirement: "Bicycles brought on board DART Rail or the TRE must be placed in the area designated for disabled customers, provided it is not occupied."

My guess is it would take some riders longer to get on a train than it would to do the entire ride.

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Bryan
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FlyingLaZBoy Moderator '16 ICE SprintX fs, '16 Rocket, '12 KHS Mocha Posts: 5803	Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney Reply #5 - Jan 25^th, 2013, 1:53pm I wouldn't send in your money just yet... GDBers have already talked to TXDOT, and they just laughed...
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jcsadowski Five Star Member Clown #1 Posts: 1199	Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney Reply #6 - Jan 25^th, 2013, 3:26pm I posted it on my webpage but I can pull it quickly. Note the $240.00 includes a ride back to the start.
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rmillay Five Star Member rbent member; go Clowns! Posts: 2204	Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney Reply #7 - Jan 25^th, 2013, 6:52pm I suggested when they were planning the Central Expressway widening project that they just shut it down for everybody except bicycle commuters. It's funny how some of my best ideas have a way of coming up again!
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Denman

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Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney
Reply #8 - Jan 26^th, 2013, 8:50pm

I just signed up Bonnie & I for that ride. They better pull it off or refund no questions asked or I'll personally collect both the $120 I paid along with a hefty collection fee from promoter Gary LaCarra.

We're on the Triketech team; any others who want to join are welcome.

I would also offer to store 100 or so bikes at my house in McKinney.

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« Last Edit: Jan 26^th, 2013, 9:14pm by Denman »

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Action Lad Five Star Member rbent member Posts: 1570	Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney Reply #9 - Jan 28^th, 2013, 9:47pm Quote from FlyingLaZBoy on Jan 25^th, 2013, 1:53pm: I wouldn't send in your money just yet... GDBers have already talked to TXDOT, and they just laughed... I just fell on the floor and howled!
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TonyWard Five Star Member rbent member Posts: 960	Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney Reply #10 - Mar 19^th, 2013, 2:50pm BUMP!! So anyone know anymore details about this ride? Went to the website and it now just refers to a OKC ride. Did those who signed up get their money back yet? Just curious.....
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Patti Five Star Member rbent member Posts: 876	Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney Reply #11 - Mar 25^th, 2013, 6:20pm Wonder how much money they bilked from folks interested in this ride before they pulled the plug on this thing?
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AustinSkater

Posts: 465

Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney
Reply #12 - Mar 25^th, 2013, 6:25pm

Quote from Patti on Mar 25^th, 2013, 6:20pm:

Wonder how much money they bilked from folks interested in this ride before they pulled the plug on this thing?

"The fee paid for this tour is refundable in the event the tour in cancelled and not rescheduled during 2013. " I figured all along that they were going to just bank the money, then refund the entries in 2014, pocketing the interest.

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Bryan
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Shellene's is yellow, mine is too.

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Denman

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Posts: 350

Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney
Reply #13 - Mar 25^th, 2013, 7:56pm

So far I've been sent an email asking if I want to apply my registration fees for Bike OKC or a refund. I chose refund and haven't heard anything since; that was on Feb. 20th.

The websites are registered to:
Manuel, Victor
2816 East 15th St
Plano, TX 75074
US
469-733-3677

I haven't contacted Victor or Gary Lacara yet. I had to dig Gary's number up from someone who knew him from Farmer's Insurance.

I'll give them a little more time before proceeding with collection action.

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Denman

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Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney
Reply #14 - Mar 26^th, 2013, 7:54pm

Mike Bell of Channel 11 contacted me today and requested a camera interview. Apparently they've tried to contact Gary with no success and are hoping to give warning to anyone who may sign up for the OKC ride.

Interestingly Gary accepted my Linkedin connection so I sent him a question of how should I respond to CBS 11. Not sure that he'll reply in time.

Since Tony asked, I figured I would give him an update.

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FlyingLaZBoy Moderator '16 ICE SprintX fs, '16 Rocket, '12 KHS Mocha Posts: 5803	Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney Reply #15 - Mar 27^th, 2013, 12:38pm Innnnnnteresting.... be sure to wear your RBENT jersey on camera!!!!
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Denman rbent member Posts: 350	Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney Reply #16 - Mar 27^th, 2013, 3:16pm Intreview was at noon. Suddenly Gary is promising a refund. May be aired at 6:00
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TonyWard Five Star Member rbent member Posts: 960	Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney Reply #17 - Mar 27^th, 2013, 4:01pm I'll be watching.
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Denman rbent member Posts: 350	Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney Reply #18 - Mar 27^th, 2013, 4:53pm And yes Tony, that is Huffines Park.
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jayg Five Star Member rbent member Posts: 4212	Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney Reply #19 - Mar 27^th, 2013, 6:33pm For those that missed the broadcast, here's a write-up: http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/03/27/cyclists-say-they-havent-received-refunds-for -canceled-i-75-bike-ride/.
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TonyWard Five Star Member rbent member Posts: 960	Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney Reply #20 - Mar 27^th, 2013, 7:15pm Denman - props in your interview. I'm not sure I would have been so gracious to Gary. Let us know how it all finally plays out.
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Denman

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Posts: 350

Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney
Reply #21 - Mar 27^th, 2013, 9:30pm

I'll keep you posted on how & when Gary ends up returning the funds. I'm pretty confident its not an if condition.

In the correspondence Gary mentioned "Mr. Lorentz". It seemed awfully close to Chris Lorrance, owner of Cadence Cyclery in McKinney. I gave Chris a call, then asked if he wanted to speak to channel 11. You've seen the outcome.

FWIW, Chris is one of those guys who against all odds opened a bike shop in a place where not many people would go to buy a bike, yet he thrives very well because he's focused on customer satisfaction. He doesn't sell bents yet, but at some point that will change.

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Action Lad

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Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney
Reply #22 - Mar 27^th, 2013, 11:16pm

Quote from jayg on Mar 27^th, 2013, 6:33pm:

For those that missed the broadcast, here's a write-up: http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/03/27/cyclists-say-they-havent-received-refunds-for -canceled-i-75-bike-ride/.

Not only is there the write up, but there is the video report. Thanks, Jay. I would have been sorry to miss it.
Wow, what a dream to have such a cleared route. Such an endeavor has to be done by a team of people, experienced in such an undertaking. Isn't there something like that in Chicago where they close down the streets for a large recreational cycling event?

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"You can't see paradise if you don't pedal!"
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LightningPilot

Posts: 237

Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney
Reply #23 - Mar 28^th, 2013, 11:15am

Quote from Action Lad on Mar 27^th, 2013, 11:16pm:

Quote from jayg on Mar 27^th, 2013, 6:33pm:

For those that missed the broadcast, here's a write-up: http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/03/27/cyclists-say-they-havent-received-refunds-for -canceled-i-75-bike-ride/.

Not only is there the write up, but there is the video report. Thanks, Jay. I would have been sorry to miss it.
Wow, what a dream to have such a cleared route. Such an endeavor has to be done by a team of people, experienced in such an undertaking. Isn't there something like that in Chicago where they close down the streets for a large recreational cycling event?

If my memory is correct, it starts at midnight.

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Denman rbent member Posts: 350	Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney Reply #24 - Mar 29^th, 2013, 7:45pm It looks like BSWARMS has sent me a refund, but I don't see it on my bank statement yet. I'll let you know when it does. Also will let the folks in OKC know since the next planned ride is now contingent on that.
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rmillay Five Star Member rbent member; go Clowns! Posts: 2204	Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney Reply #25 - Apr 1^st, 2013, 3:17pm Chicago does close down Lakeside Drive once a year for a recreational ride, and yes, we have done it. It's a little like Tour Dallas with more people and a shorter route.
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Denman rbent member Posts: 350	Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney Reply #26 - Apr 2^nd, 2013, 7:53pm Refund was posted by the bank today.
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mleuck

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Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney
Reply #27 - Apr 2^nd, 2013, 10:20pm

[quote author=AustinSkater link=1359131323/0#1 date=1359132475]One of my coworkers mentioned it, and I just had to laugh. If they pull in $600,000 (10k riders @ $60), it would probably lose money on just closing 75 alone. There is no way that Dallas, Richardson, Plano, Allen/Fairview, Mckinney would close all four lanes of 75 for this without a large sum of money changing hands.

Besides the permits, the other logistics will probably be a nightmare as well:

You'd be surprised. Bike around the Bay south of Houston closes off a lane on 45 when the ride leaves Galveston and a Baytown ride last month had a lane closed just for cyclists going over a major bridge.

BTW My rule of life #56: Never pre-register for an event ride, you never know what the weather will be like on the day of the event.

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« Last Edit: Apr 2^nd, 2013, 10:22pm by mleuck »

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AustinSkater

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Re: Bike Ride on 75 from Dallas to McKinney
Reply #28 - Apr 3^rd, 2013, 6:04am

Quote from mleuck on Apr 2^nd, 2013, 10:20pm:

You'd be surprised. Bike around the Bay south of Houston closes off a lane on 45 when the ride leaves Galveston and a Baytown ride last month had a lane closed just for cyclists going over a major bridge.

I skated the Baytown ride years ago, that bridge is a blast.

They also close part of I-35 in Duluth for an inline race. But in all instances it's one (maybe two) jurisdiction being dealt with, not 5 (or 6 depending on how you count it), and not all lanes for many miles. Also, this event was advertised as having rest stops every 10-12 miles, so either they would have had to have them on 75 (choke points), or have riders crossing the access road to get to them (accidents waiting to happen). That's part of the logistics nightmare.

Consider the MS-150 (Houston to Austin), they have a few lanes closed early in the ride, then closures in La Grange for the over night, and lanes closed in Austin for the finish (or at least they did they years I skated it). The entry fee and minimum donations were quite high, and multiplied by 15,000 riders (a very scary sight if you've never seen Houston flatlanders climbing the Austin hills). Add to that corporate sponsorships and they have some serious bank available. That's how they can afford to pay for all the closures

I still think that if this event had really happened the organizer would have lost money, and would have needed to be planned/permitted a year in advance.

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Bryan
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Shellene's is yellow, mine is too.

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