i’ll be in houston over the weekend, will bring my bike if i can find a good ride (don’t really feel like exploring solo, would prefer to just tag along with a shop ride). anyone have any suggestions? thanks.
i’ll be in houston over the weekend, will bring my bike if i can find a good ride (don’t really feel like exploring solo, would prefer to just tag along with a shop ride). anyone have any suggestions? thanks.
Houston is a big place. What part of town?
i’m staying near the toyota center/discovery green. i’ll have my car so driving to meet up for a ride is not out of the question.
Some of the rides around Houston
West Oaks - starts out around the west oaks mall, but not sure the time. A group leaves out of Memorial Park (just a couple of miles from where you are) for this one early
Bike Barn Clear Lake ride - starts at the Bike Barn on Bay Area Blvd in Clear Lake (about 30 minute drive for you). 730 AM departure on Saturday. Know a few of the folks on that one, and there are pace groups from slow to fast (cat 1, 2, 3 riders)
NW Ride - see http://northwestcyclery.com/articles/area-club-rides-pg40.htm starts at 730
Pearland - the ride I do (starts 1.5 miles from my front door and is on rural roads). We start at 730 and are about 10-15 miles south of downtown. See http://pearlandcyclingclub.org/ Depending on the pace you keep, the group you are with could be small (4-12) or large (15-20). I’m in the small, faster group (typically 22-25 mph pace and a few sprint type areas of 28+ leadouts) that does 65-70 miles. Used to be loaded with my racing team pals but these days it’s me and maybe 1-2 old teammates plus 4-10 guys who are a tier or two below. Slower groups will go 50 or so miles at 18-20 mph.
If you want the fastest ride, that would probably be the Clear Lake ride. Lots of riders, lots of racers, so a fast pace. If you want a longer ride and where you can share in the workload (i.e., fewer riders), ours if you keep a good pace. On Sundays some folks show up at 8 AM for a more relaxed ride. There’s also a tri training group that leaves from one of the elementary schools nearby for a 50 or so mile ride at ~7 AM.
Do check the website for some routes. The roads down here are clean, practically empty of cars on many long stretches, and flat (well, all rides around Houston will be flat). If you are staying more than just the weekend, you should use our roads for some good training.
Q: road or tri bike? There’s always a little hesitation with folks on tri bikes.
Northwest Cycling Houston has a few longer rides on the weekends in the more scenic area near Houston, need to get out of town to avoid a traffic light workout. An hour north towards the Woodlands or north east towards Kingwood has some routes but the drive back is much worse IIRC. About an hour driving minimum to get out of the city center.
thanks for all the info. i’ll get on the websites you listed and poke around a bit.
bringing my caad9 so no issues with a tri bike.
thanks!