GHORBA

khighfield

Post q&a here...

Saturday: Jeff Shoemake and I are gonna do the "Sam Houston Long March" - DL to Huntsville and back, with a lap of each - about 100 miles overall. We'll use mostly forest roads between the parks, but there are some FM roads. We'll start at 0830am. We're trying to get sag support setup, so maybe some of you might want to do it one way, then car pool back. We'll firm up details in the next week or so. Map link:

http://www.mapmyride.com/view_route?r=767125410751515287

iflythebars · Barney Joined: 16 Aug 2009 Posts: 15

wait a minute....what does a 100 mile ride have in common with a "parteee"? Smile

khighfield · Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 6:03 pm Post subject:

If you are a party-pooper, you don't have to ride 100 miles - you can just hang around at DL and have fun there. Melanie's got some fun things to do there, along with doing a few laps of DL.

Some of us do perhaps have a twisted view of what constitutes "fun" Very Happy

Lucas · Noob Joined: 30 Sep 2009 Posts: 1 Location: Heights

This looks like a good ride and would love to take part. How much time will it take? I know that it will vary by how fast one is but a general idea. Just hope it doesn't rain much Friday, kinda make it hard for the ride to go on.

khighfield · Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 6:35 am Post subject:

40 miles each way will be on a combination of Forest and FM roads (about 10 miles of FM Roads) and you'll be able to do roadie speeds on these sections, which depends on your level of fitness. I figure that the fast guys will take about 6 hours round trip. Then slowing down from there. If people are struggling, they'd probably be better of stopping at Huntsville and we'll sag them back. This is not a major organized ride, but we will make sure we've got some support via cell phone.

Veljko · Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 3:29 pm Post subject:

I just updated the website article with the celebration schedule....

I also sent out an evite so we can get a headcount... if you didn't get an evite, you're probably not a current member and thus no free food nor beer for you! Shocked

The*King · Phred Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 25 Location: Kingwood

khighfield · Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 6:10 pm Post subject:

Don't feel left out: I'm the Prez and I didn't get one either! He's working on it!!!

waypastfast · Jedi Joined: 03 Jun 2008 Posts: 52 Location: Houston, TX

Didn't get one either.
Veljko sent the e-vite to himself, only.
That way he is assured of getting the Lion's share of the FREE BEER.

Veljko · Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 8:55 am Post subject:

It looks like if you are a current member and did not get an evite it's because we have an old email address for you Rolling Eyes

... or you are so new we don't have you in the system yet.... so.... to make it simpler, just visit this invitation to GHORBA's 10th year Anniversary Weekend Fest! mmm....kay?

khighfield · Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 12:07 pm Post subject:

.... and we have to fess up that there are a lot of incorrect e-mail addresses in the list - even mine was wrong!@!!! If you didn't get the Evite, see the link in the previous post and drop Amanda (membership@ghorba.org) a line and tell us your old and correct/ current e-mail address. We're in the proceess of updating our membereship software, so we hope that we'll be doing much better very soon.

khighfield · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 4:24 pm Post subject:

“Long March” Logistical and Safety Notes:
We are providing support for the ride, but this is not the MS150, so you will need to be well prepared. Here’s a few notes:
- Usual rule about wearing a helmet at all times.
- Make sure you check your bike carefully before starting.
- It is hunting season in the forest. As we are not straying into the Forest, there should not be any danger in this, but to be on the safe side, make sure you wear the customary brightly colored cycling gear so you are easy to see.
- We will be riding on public roads: don't do the ride if you're not comfortable with road riding; traffic will be light, but it only takes one vehicle to spoil your day.
- You must carry a cell phone and give that number to the ride starter. We will use this to check on you. We will give you the number for the SAG wagon.
- Take enough food and water to get you half way (at least). There are no gas stations mid-way on the route. Pre-place your return supplies in the SAG wagon before leaving DL. The wagon will meet you at Huntsville for re-fueling.
Another note on the "Long March": please note that the route will take us along public and Forest Roads. We will not be using the Lone Star Trail. One purpose of this ride is to increase awareness of what we have in the SHNF and the possibilities for the future. There will be an organized hike of the "Four Notch Loop" on Saturday, so you may be seeing some hikers as you pass the Four Notch location (see the map).

Also, some route details: We’ll start on the usual Double Lake trail route and do about 6 miles of DL, until we come to the second road crossing, but instead of crossing the road, we’ll turn left and take an 80 mile detour to Huntsville and back. At Huntsville, follow the park road in. Pay your entry fee, or show your TPW annual pass, turn left into the trail opposite the Nature Center. Continue on through the race course loop until you pass the Nature Center again, then turn left onto the park road and head back to Double Lake the way you came. Once back at Double Lake, as soon as you see the first trail crossing, turn Left into the trail and finish the DL trail. When you get back to the Lodge you’re done. Only 100 miles. You should be proud of yourself and you will have earned your evening refreshment !

Veljko · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:35 am Post subject:

I just posted a poll about the ride... so we can organize one-way rides for those who think riding both ways is too much.

That way someone can drop their car off at HSP, ride back to DL, and have some other rider who's doing a one-way from DL to HSP drive their car back to DL....

Also, I'm about to get a cross bike so I imagine the packed gravel forest roads will be perfect for it, however I doubt that a road bike with slicks will do well on these roads.

khighfield · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 12:01 pm Post subject:

A cyclocross bike is the purrrfect tool for the forest roads, and you could get around DL and HSP on it, but it would be a bit tough on the trails. I'm gonna ride my MTB for this one. I think. Maybe I should put the cross bike in the car too. Hmmmmmm......

waypastfast · Jedi Joined: 03 Jun 2008 Posts: 52 Location: Houston, TX

SS MTBike for me this weekend.

Lane · Barney Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Posts: 12

Just curious, I'm going to do the moonlight ramble for the first time this year, and would like to ride more. What's required for this ride? Do lots of people join in? Can slow people ride (I have a SS)? When is it? Anything I need to know?

khighfield · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 9:11 pm Post subject:

waypastfast · Jedi Joined: 03 Jun 2008 Posts: 52 Location: Houston, TX

Kevin.
Are you and I waiting for others on this ride or are we gonna drop the hammer at the start and leave them on their own?

khighfield · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2009 9:30 pm Post subject:

I'd like to run a good pace with you Jeff. I hope that we can get the riders into something like groups of equal ability. A lot of it is the equivalent of road riding, so weaker riders will benefit from the draft of groups.

I'm making notes on the map, but i recommend that everyone studies the map carefully and makes some notes / prints the map/ download to your GPS. I'll try and get a good map printed for the SAG wagon, so you can also call in for directions in case of confusion. There's a couple of junctions on the section between Evergreen and HSP that need to be studied carefully.

waypastfast · Jedi Joined: 03 Jun 2008 Posts: 52 Location: Houston, TX

I'm a little torn. I don't want to leave anyone out there. But I also don't want to be out there for 10 hours because we are waiting on others.

Lane · Barney Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Posts: 12

Heh, don't feel torn. It's not an issue. Just had to ask since I wasn't familiar with this place. You guys need to ride how you want to ride.

khighfield · Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 6:47 am Post subject:

I thought Lane was asking about the Moonlight Ramble? This is not a majorly organized ride, but more like a few of us want to do it and we're inviting people along. It is not a beginner friendly ride. If some want to just go one way, then Veljko is trying to organize some car pooling. We'll have a big van that will run SAG along the route.

painthawg · Noob Joined: 02 Oct 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Katy

Another request for more clarification. I have only had my MTB for a couple of months. Ridden DL, Hunstsville, anthills several times and SFA several times. That said I have been a roadie for 8 or so years with a 5:18 turned in at Witchita Falls this year.

I assume that because it is a lot of dirt roads and paved roads, as organizers your more concerned with a rider's engine than technical skills? I'm not sure what to expect going from 100 miles of road to 100 miles of dirt. I am excited about the prospect but don't want to bite off too much.

khighfield · Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 7:56 am Post subject:

The ride is really more suited to a roadie. The 40 miles between the parks is 30 miles of fairly smooth dirt topped forest roads and 10 miles of public, hard top roads, so it sounds like you should be fine.

melanie · Phred Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 23

I'm not sure how much rain we will be getting but tonights night ride may turn into a night hike. But hey, we all know that Lake Lake drains well and should be fine for riding the rest of the weekend..

I look forward to seeing a lot of people out there this weekend.

Mel

Veljko · Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:42 am Post subject:

Here's THE LONG MARCH TURN BY TURN DIRECTIONS that you can print, courtesy of Jeff:

Veljko · Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:46 am Post subject:

Mike L, Mike M and I are looking for someone who wants to ride one way from DL to HSP and wants to drive either their car, or Mike's van back to DL.

We will arrive tomorrow morning at DL and then leave with a car and our bikes for HSP in time to meet the riders there.

karmabiker · Barney Joined: 11 Apr 2009 Posts: 11

Veljko · Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 1:30 pm Post subject:

That's the problem.... I can't make it to the ride start, so my only option is to ride FROM HSP to DL...

khighfield · Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 1:43 pm Post subject:

Karmabiker: send me your cellno and we should have somebody that want's to go one way from DL to HSP and you could do a swap with them.

karmabiker · Barney Joined: 11 Apr 2009 Posts: 11

khighfield · Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:22 pm Post subject:

Lots of rain today and a whole lot cooler now. Forecast looks really great for Saturday: high in the low 70's, cloudy, no rain forecast. I think we'll start as planned at 8.30, but we'll take a decision about whether we'll do the trails at HSP and DL and in which order before we roll out.

Low tonight in the 50's. Might be time to break out the arm warmers for the morning Smile