The first group is intended for riders at or seeking the highest level of fitness. After leaving Twister's, the route goes north on 50 for a short jog to the intersection with 166, then west on 166 through Tunis. During this stretch, the group rides at a strong but consistent pace, and riders with minimal group riding experience will be coached on how to ride in a fast paceline. After Tunis, on the last 10 miles into Caldwell the pace typically heat up but remains steady until about three miles from Caldwell, where there is a 90 degree bend to the left and a 200 meter hill with a hairpin turn at the top. At this point, especially during the racing season (February – October) the ride typically turns more race-like into Caldwell, where there is a sprint for the Caldwell city limit sign. A stop at D.K.'s minimart allows the bunch to regroup. (For riders who have been dropped before the sprint and don't know the route, continue past the city limit sign 250 meters to the stop light at Hwy 36 and turn right; proceed two short blocks to the minimart/gas station on the corner on the right). The stretch from Caldwell to Cook's Point on Hwy 21 is ridden at a moderate pace. On the turn south from Cook's Point, the pace picks up on "the hills" of 1362, with an all-out sprint to the top of the last hill just before the intersection with 166. After another brief regroup, a steady paceline forms and becomes increasingly harder until the final straight stretch up to Hwy 50, which ends in a sprint for the "Stop Ahead" sign. After regrouping again at D.K.'s, a steady pace is assumed back to College Station.
The second group is intended for less competitive riders. After departing Twister's with the fast group (which usually speeds ahead), it follows the same route initially, but after Tunis it often turns right on 1362 to Cook's Point and stops there for refreshments before retracing the route back to College Station. Sometimes the group elects to follow the first route out to Caldwell. Route choice is usually by consensus, although we've been known to split up.
Many of the first group of riders finish up at Sweet Eugene's coffee shop at the corner of George Bush Drive and Harvey Road in College Station, whereas the second group, feeling in need of more substantial nutrients, has been having lunch at Blue Baker (on Dominik) after their ride. Total distance is around 55 miles for the first group and 45 miles for the second.
Ride Host:
Willie
Allen
tel 979 422 2091
This is a monthly, not a weekly ride.
Ride Hosts:
Regina
Hokanson
tel 979 774 4419
Lenae
Huebner
tel 979 229 5216
Ginger
Ewell
tel 979 731 8942
Sunday rides are irregularly organized on a slightly ad hoc basis but the default time/location is 8:45 a.m. at the Chevron station on the corner of Harvey Road and Hwy 6 (next to the old Furrow's location). The pace is generally moderate (17-20 mph). Often a slightly slower B-group of riders also leaves from the Chevron. If you're hoping to find others to ride with, please send email to the ride hosts or the bvc-chat list before showing up.
Ride Host: Chris
Menzel
tel 693-4184
Jean Marie Linhart
tel 979 693 9424
Ride Host: Layne
Westover
979 862 3530
Monday night social ride meets at 6:00 pm at the TAMUs Research Park (on the 1/4 mile long Technology Loop). This is an easy to moderate pace ride of approximately 15-20 miles. The intention is to ride and talk. Beginners are welcome, no fancy bike necessary. As with all the rides listed on this page, helmets are required. A clear headlight and red taillight are required. Reflectors and reflective gear area also encouraged. Everyone should also have a spare tube and/or flat repair kit on this and all other group rides.
Ride Host: Regina
Hokanson
cell 979 777 7729
"Take No Prisoners" Ride (2007 edition)
Classic
Route
(Google maps
representation of same)
Alternate
Route
Both
Routes
Every Tuesday evening from mid-spring through the summer and into the fall (exact dates to be determined) the "Take No Prisoners" ride is ON. TNP is a race-pace ride that rolls out of the Shell station at the northeast corner of Harvey and Hwy 6 and up Harvey at 6:00 p.m. After the ride crosses 30 onto Elmo Weedon the pace heats up. Left turn at Grassbur, right turn after three miles or so on Riley to 1179. Right on 1179; right on to 2038; right on Cobb back to Grassbur where the Grassbur-Riley-1179-2038-Cobb loop is repeated (usually twice in summer). After the repeat(s), the ride goes left again on Grassbur back to Elmo Weedon and finishes with an uphill sprint to the landmark (to be determined) at the top of the rise before Hwy 30. This is a hard pace ride at a racing intensity. Heavy rains prior to the ride can flood the low-lying road before Grassbur; in this case, the alternative route below is used.
Ride host:
Chris
Menzel
tel 979 693 4184
The 2007 BVC Summer Time Trial Series is now in full swing! This is a 20km out-and-back route on a nice, mostly smooth country road. It begins on Rock Prairie Road just south of Green's Prairie; turnaround is just short of Highway 6. Full results are here
Ride Host: Willie
Allen
tel 979 422 2091
BCS Shop Ride
The Thursday Shop Ride departs from departs from BCS bikes at 6:00 pm. This is a moderate ride for the fast guys, and a fast ride for the distance-but-not-speed crowd. It is approximately a 2 hour ride.
Ride Host: Matt
Hattaway (Mattaway)/BCS Bikes
tel 979 696 6551 (BCS
Bikes)
This is monthly ride during the summer and usually ad-hoc at best during the winter. If you want to schedule something, post your event to bvc-chat!
Ride Host:
Jean Marie Linhart
tel 979 693 9424
Maps of frequently used
routes
