Tuesday 2/6/23 WRL Clown Ride:
 
Participants: Daniel S, Larry K, Kenny J, Butch Y, Bob M, Lynn M, Don C, and me.
 
Daniel and Larry rode together. Kenny and Butch rode solo. Butch didn't arrive at Sunset Bay until the rest of us had already gotten in 41 miles. He rode solo after returning to Sunset Bay, after lunch. Bob led Lynn, Don, and me on two lake laps and SoPac Trail up-and-backs. Lynn, Kenny, Butch, Don, and I rode to the Green Spot for lunch and conversation. Lynn has just returned from a three-week trip to Argentina and a cruise to Antartica. She regaled us with photos and stories of her adventures. Following lunch, Lynn, Butch, and Kenny took the short route back to Sunset Bay, while Don and I completed a 19-mph average counterclockwise lake lap. Got in 52 miles at a 16.6 mph average.
 
Great riding weather today. Not many pedestrians and cyclists.

Golden years are wonderful  

Thursday 2/8/24 WRL Clown Ride:
 
Participants: Larry K, E Bob, Kenny J, Bob M, Lynn M, Butch Y, Don C, and me.
 
Larry, E Bob, and Kenny each rode solo today. Bob M led Lynn, Butch, Don, and me on two lake laps and SoPac Trail up-and-backs. Larry got in a little over 20 miles before calling it quits, due to a failing front tire on his Velokraft VK2 low racer. He installed a new tire, but still decided to call it quits. Don raced ahead of us several times to get some cardio work in per doctor's orders. He also decided to keep riding after the rest of us called it quits in an attempt to get in 100 miles on his ICE Sprint X Tour trike. After Butch, Kenny, Don, and I got in 41 miles, we rode counterclockwise to the Green Spot for lunch. Following lunch, Kenny took the short route back to Sunset Bay and Butch, Don, and I completed a 10-mile counterclockwise lake lap at a fast 20.2 mph average. Today I got in a total of 52.3 miles at a 16.7 mph average.
 
Another nice riding day. Few cyclists and pedestrians on the trails.

9-Feb-24      FRI      VELO VETS

Herb had a special ride planned and it sounded interesting, so I made a point of being at the ride start before 9 AM. Trouble is, I had a flat tire within a couple miles of starting out. The group waited just out of sight and Herb and Sandra came back as did Donna and John. They helped and I'm grateful but once the new tube was in and tire pushed on and pumped up, everyone left. I still needed to remount the wheel on the rear. Then the chain fell off and it took me some time to get the chain back on. John came back and I explained what the delay was. Meanwhile, the group moved on and John and I double-timed it around 3 quarters of the lake to make sure we caught up in time to see the next part of the route Herb planned. Good thing we caught up. I felt completely lost for much of the route. But I enjoyed it. After the Dallas Coffee Shop we headed back to Big Thicket. I had just shy of 20 miles and I wanted to do another lap. Donna went with me, and we had some pleasant conversation. We got back to Big Thicket where I was parked, earlier than she thought we would. That was good. She needed to be back in McKinney by a certain time and she had plenty of time to get there.  This was one time I really enjoyed the outing!
 
NEUVATION ROAD BIKE; start time: 8:58; end: 12:33; avg:13.0; max: 23.3; climb: 686; miles: 30.43; mtd miles: 266.61; ytd miles: 870.09
CLOUDY; wind: SSE 4-13; start temp: 53; avg: 61; end: 63

Jay, I agree with you. I have never used a flag because they are generally invisible to motorists. If the person had any sense, he would have gone in and told you in person and then you could have told him your philosophy in person. My lights are far more visible than any flag would ever be.
 
13-Feb-24      TUE      CLOWN RIDE

Was running late, so texted Larry not to wait. Arrived at Sunset Bay at 10:05. Larry said he waited until 10:04! Oh well. Got started after about 20 min and decided I could possibly get 2 regular lake laps and then join Larry for his last 20. That was the plan. Rode clockwise around the lake to the north end and then, change of plans, decided to do the Ferndale Loop. That adds about 10 miles. Was finishing that up and heading toward the Big Thicket for a whiz stop when I saw Larry climbing the access trail to avoid hamburger hill. I waved but didn't join Larry. If I had, I would have been 5 miles short on miles at the end. I wanted at least 40 by the end. So, I carried on. i figured I could ride counterclockwise around the lake and get back to Sunset Bay and then I'd have the extra miles I needed. I hoped Larry would still be at Sunset Bay by then. Unfortunately, he wouldn't have been.  
 
First, I saw the group going the other way. Then I saw Larry going the other way. I needed to U-turn. I was riding along Garland Rd and decided to U-Turn just before the trail goes left across the bridge. Then I high tailed it back the way I'd come and up the SoPac Trail. That's where I caught up with Larry. I rode with Larry after that and finished the ride with about half a mile more than normal. Good enough!
 
BIKE: CATRIKE   START TIME: 10:24  END TIME: 12:58   AVG SPEED: 17.6   MAX SPEED: 28.7   CLIMBING: 1296   MILES: 40.95   MTD MILES: 307.56   YTD MILES: 911.04    
SKY: SUNNY   WIND: SW 6-10   START TEMP: 46   END TEMP: 62

Quote from NO BATTERY bwand E-Bob on Feb 14^th, 2024, 6:40pm:

 
Flags are only good in parking lots or when you run into the lake [/quote]
 
Words of wisdom from our eldest member.  

15-Feb-24      THU      CLOWN RIDE

Figured I could do this ride and the Poteet Ride without too much trouble as long as I skipped the boat club after the ride and went home for a proper lunch. I did that, had a 1½ hour nap and felt great on the 2nd ride of the day. Not planning to make this a habit, though.
 
BIKE: Catrike 700  /START TIME:  9:40  /END TIME: 12:48   /AVG SPEED: 15.6   /MAX SPEED: 25.4   /CLIMBING: 889   /MILES: 40.23   /MTD MILES: 347.79   /YTD MILES: 951.27  
SKY: high clouds   /WIND: SW 6   /START TEMP: 55   /END TEMP: 66