I’m headed for Dallas for a week at the end if this month and I’m not too excited about the prospect of being enclosed in air conditioned buildings on a “vacation.”
Can you help me figure out something fun to do so I can look forward to this trip?
I like to get out in nature, see local culture, and eat local foods. Do they have microbrews or should I pack a six pack of Mirror Pond in my carry-on? Are there any amazing places to run or swim? Any great tri shops to check out?
I ain’t Texan, but spent some time in Dallas. Good Mexican food on most every corner. They got good beer in Tex and you can probably get a lot of Oregun beers on tap there as well. You might want to wander up to Frisco to the Superdrome and see some really fast cyclists do laps on the Wall of Death, man that track is steep. Richardson Bike Mart is worth the stop. Like that shop is huge. The sporting goods stores should have a Metrosport magazine that will tell you where the group runs start. Lukes is a pretty good running store.
Only if you’re a damn yankee or some other kind of foreigner. You do know the difference between a “yankee” and a “damn yankee” don’t you?
A yankee comes to visit, a damn yankee comes to stay.
I know what you’re thinking. What about Francois. To my knowledge, Francois has been exempt from this policy. And technically he lived in the Southern hemisphere before coming to TX, and we don’t mind people from the South. Furthermore, we’re thinking of giving El Paso to New Mexico, seeing as how they are in the same time zone and what not.
I don’t know if I’m a yankee or not. I’m from Oregon so I’m white and used to being rained on. Most of my clothing is water resistent. What do you-all wear there?
Do I need to wear heavy eyeliner and tease my hair before I get there?
I can’t tell where anyone is from on this forum, Francois lives in Texas, Smartass coach sounds like he’s from L.A., and a guy in Chicago is advising me on Texan hairstyles.
This is why I stay in Oregon, making fleece hats and prefering to leave only in the winter and for tropical climates.
I’ve only been east of Arizona once when I went to Florida. I’ve never been in the southwest or the east coast. I think I won’t like it.
Oh you’ll like it all right. I left Chicago 25 years ago and stayed! But come to think of it my sister left 30 years ago for Dallas and went back to Chicago. Go figure?
Seriously though, you’ll love it in Dallas. At least it’s not flat and humid like Houston, where I live. I am sure the weather will be great, but probably a lot hotter than you are used to. It’s been mid 90’s here in Houston for several days now. If you are competing, just make sure to get lots of liquids. and hydrate before you swim and the day before too.
Do I need to wear heavy eyeliner and tease my hair before I get there?
I think I’m going to cry.
Yes, if you’re going to Dallas, you will need all that stuff. Slap on the pancake about 1" thick too! Or go to Austin instead and you’ll be fine just as you are!
No need to cry, it’s not that bad in Dallas. I even drove through it this past weekend on the way back from MO. Wouldn’t wanna live there though!
I don’t know if I’m a yankee or not. I’m from Oregon so I’m white and used to being rained on. Most of my clothing is water resistent. What do you-all wear there?
Do I need to wear heavy eyeliner and tease my hair before I get there?
I think I’m going to cry.
Actually, if you’re Oregon not really anything (in the yankee/ southerner classification). As far as what to wear goes, wear something cool and comfortable, it is very hot and very humid in Dallas. If you would like to tease your hair and wear heavy eyeliner, it is perfectly acceptable, although no longer recommended (you might hear statements like “Hey, the 80’s just called and they want their hairspray back.”)
Places to eat:
Mexican- Blue Goose on Greenville Ave.; or a vast number of other places.
Burger- Snuffer’s on Greenville Ave.; Keller’s on Northwest Hwy.
Italian- Campisi’s on Mockingbird
Eclectic and fun- Thomas Ave. Beverage Co. on Thomas Ave. and Allen St.
White Rock Lake has a running and biking trail system and connects to the Katy Trail I think. (Ask your concierge or call a LBS)
There are microbrewery’s in Deep Ellum (ask anyone where that is), and on Greenville Ave. (Greenville Ave. has a lot to offer)
PM me if you need further help… welcome to our country!
Thanks! The kid hats are new, I’m going to add some more this weekend.
I’m not going to TX for a tri, I’m going to visit the boyfriend’s family and to see a friend who moved there last year. I’m anxious about spending the week inside a house, I pretty much can’t deal with that. At all.
It will be HOT! Depending on where you are staying there are some great areas to run around White Rock Lake, 9.5 mile loop w/ trails. Enjoy tons of Mexican food. As some of the locals their favorites, we all have opinions. Richardson Bike Mart is huge but does not have a big tri selection, visit their original store in Richardson. (N Dallas suburb) It sorta depends on what area you are in as to what will be fun, Dallas is very spread out so it’s difficut to make specific recommendations. Many will be in Lubbock at the 1/2 at the end of the month but there are some swims at both Lake Grapevine and Lake Ray Hubbard on Saturday and Friday’s respectively. Have a blast, I know I do.
White Rock Lake, that sounds real good, can you swim in it too? I will be there 6/28-7/4 and would be interested in checking out the swims you mentioned, is there a web site?
Well let me put it this way, in comparison to Houston, Dallas looks like Mt Everest to me. And sure, you live in EP. Now there are some real TX “hills”.
Sorry but I have been obsessed with hills lately.
I have been thinking about speedwork, a lot as a matter of fact. And you know how you read about doing hill work to improve your running speed (ditto for biking). I swear I cannot find any hills within a 10 mile radius of where I live. There is a levee 10 miles away that I may have to go to for my hill work. There is also that little 10 foot hill at the local high school (not sure what they use that for).
