Good weather is around the corner

[Cher]

Alrighty then.  I've plotted out Chris' ride route and will drive it tomorrow.

For those not familiar with this ride think of it in terms of a box with the vertical "right" high side of the box running from roughly Hwy 360 and I-20 all the way South to around Hillsboro.

The "bottom" part of the square runs from roughly Hillsboro due west - over Lake Whitney - to Hico.

The "left" lower side of the square runs north from Hico to I-20 (just east of Santo), or I-20 near Benbrook (depending on whether you take North Hwy 281 in Stephenville or East Hwy 377).  It'll be up to you to decide which way gets you home quickest from there  

I'll make a note of gas stops at approximately 100 mile intervals.  This will be an all day ride, especially for all you north Dallas/Plano folks.

[Mhanis]

Lisa, it is great of you to make a pre-run, thank you!

Dates: I am out the 7th, previous engagement. I think that is the only date I am definitely out. What about a Sunday Dax? It has been so long since I have been to church that I am starting to feel like an atheist! What is ONE more Sunday missed?

Mark

[muskrat]

I can't do the 8th, flying to NYC

[Cher]

Mid November ride?     Saturday 11/14 or Sunday 11/15?    

Here's what I found out yesterday using Chris' ride information.  First thing, there are gas stops everywhere with the one exception he noted, so no issues there for anybody with a 100 mile range or less.

Secondly, this is a long, long day when you factor in the time it takes to get to the starting point:  Mansfield.  Personally, I don't think it's a problem, you'll just need to factor that into your planning for the day.  In my case, I'll add two hours to the ride-time total (I live around the George Bush/190 toll road and the Dallas North tollway).  I used 190 toll road west to 635, then 121/114 at DFW, then picked up Hwy 360 and took it all the way down south to Mansfield.

So!  Here's the deal - starting at the Starbucks on Broad Street in Mansfield and running the route until you end up on 281 out *near* Mineral Wells on I-30, the ride length is 205 miles, roughly.  It took around three hours to drive at a rally-stage pace spirited pace with two gas stops (driving the Abarth).

Not sure if it will be an issue by the time we ride but yesterday that whole area was mostly flooded everywhere with mud and crap all over the place.  In fact, in Grandview, the road was closed due to flooding.  Picked up the route, though, just a few miles up the road so no big deal.

Overall, this ride will have everything; nice, wide-open rural views of the hill country with sweeping curves; tight hilly bits; and one or two sections of road to stretch your legs.  This route has towns probably 20 to 30 minutes apart, except towards the end of the ride coming into Hico. There was little to no traffic on Saturday in most parts of the ride.

Also, even with the all the rain over the last few months, the roads are in good condition.  There are one or two areas where the road surface is messed up a bit, but nothing that will surprise you… like coming around a corner and finding a huge pot hole in the middle of your lane  

So, ladies     When?  

[Mhanis]

I think I am good either of those days!

Mark

[Cher]

Alrighty then. Alan and I can do either day as well.

Anyone else?  Step right up and post your ride day preference.

Three riders is good but one or two more would be better 

[muskrat]

I'm out for the 14th & 15th, going to be riding in Las Vegas and Death Valley.

[Mhanis]

Lisa,

I say we go, screw Dax. We can go again some year when he is actually available.

Mark

[Cher]

Yeah, that's not good.

BUT! the show must go on; Saturday or Sunday, Mark?  Sunday *may* have less traffic to contend with but we're OK either day.  You choose 

[Mhanis]

I'm willing to block off both days and pick the best weather day as we get closer. If you force me to pick a day now I'd go with Sunday. And I have a buddy I'll invite, he is less assy than Dax!

Mark

[Mhanis]

Ok, I have one other in so far. He is from a Facebook Ducati group and is an all-round good guy, he will fit in well.

Lisa, I told him it was OK to invite one or two others, but not the entire group, to try and keep the pressure off you and Alan since you are leading. Maybe after making the run next weekend we'll be more familiar with the route and we can invite more next go 'round when Dax is available.

Sorry Dax! But not sorry enough to not go!!!

Mark

[Cher]

I'm willing to block off both days and pick the best weather day as we get closer. If you force me to pick a day now I'd go with Sunday. And I have a buddy I'll invite, he is less assy than Dax!

Mark

*assy*   ROFLMAO

[Cher]

Ok, I have one other in so far. He is from a Facebook Ducati group and is an all-round good guy, he will fit in well.

Lisa, I told him it was OK to invite one or two others, but not the entire group, to try and keep the pressure off you and Alan since you are leading. Maybe after making the run next weekend we'll be more familiar with the route and we can invite more next go 'round when Dax is available.

Sorry Dax! But not sorry enough to not go!!!

Mark

OK, cool.

Please advise him/them that this will be a "tame" ride.  If they're looking for a balls-to-the-wall ride outing, this ain't it.  Not trying to be assy… I'll leave that to the professionals  

I think we're leaning more towards Sunday as well but having the option to go either day will be good given the sporadic rain lately.

[Mhanis]

That sounds like a plan!

Mark

[swanny]

I'll try to make it.

Swanny