RB1-luvr

beautiful architecture, beautiful scenery, beautiful bikes. Win, win, Win. Wish I could be there.

Brad L 

If it’s a particularly nice day with nearly 0% chance of rain, I just might bring the ‘72 Legnano. This church is on the Sunday route Doc and I will be doing, but it's not a "Painted Church".

Brad L 

I'm on the northwest side of town, not far off the route if you're flying into IAH. Feel free to swing by here to assemble your bikes. I have all the necessary tools. PM me if you want an address.

Concerning hotels, the only one I've stayed at is the Best Western and it was fine for what I needed. All four are located near the US-77 / I-10 intersection.

rccardr 

Pastor Bob, Joesch and myself snagged a nice Air BnB for the weekend. It’s located in Town, just a few blocks from the start of the tour.
We might hit you up for a workstand and some tools, however. Appreciate the offer!

Brad L 

I won’t be in Schulenburg until the morning of the ride. We can figure something out.

rccardr 

Not likely a problem. Bob and Joe are driving in, one presumes with their bikes fully assembled.
I'm the only one flying in with a bike-in-a-bag and am experienced with assembling them on the floor.
No fenders or racks this time! (Gugie will likely be along soon with a comical pic or two)

Brad L 

I'll bring enough tools for the sag in case of any unforeseeable mechanicals on the road. BTW, the sag driver will be my wife, who is graciously coming out to help.

stevel610 

Sounds like a nice ride. Wish I were closer.

I did a mini tour of 5 missions around San Antonio last June.

rccardr 

Just a plane ride away…

rccardr 

Anyone who’s on the fence about doing this ride should do a little research. Riding is awesome, scenery is awesome, people are friendly, food is more on the European side.
All you folks in Dallas, Ft. Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Galveston, southwestern Arkansas and western Louisiana should give this a serious look.
All in all, a neat opportunity to meet some BF members and do a couple of lovely bike rides.

pastorbobnlnh 

I'm debating which of four bikes to bring:

1971 Schwinn Paramount P13
1975 Schwinn Voyageur II
1983 Schwinn Paramount Standard
or
1983 Lotus Super Pro Aero

The Paramounts need complete maintenance before they can make the trip.

The Lotus is ready to roll, but would 51-42 chainrings paired with 13-24, 7-speed be enough for the climbs?

The Voyageur II is my latest project. It however is running a 1951 Sturmey Archer AM 3-speed hub matched to a 47T chainring. Looking at the topography map doesn't really show any hills. Any thoughts?

Some folks don't care for the 'gator skin leather work, but !

steine13

>> Anyone who’s on the fence about doing this ride should do a little research

My wife will be in SE Texas at that time.. she's driving there from Michigan so I could hitch a ride pretty cheaply....but it's at least a two-week trip for her and I'm still working full time, so not in the cards.
It does sound like a fabulous idea.
Especially as there is a -5 F wind chill going on outside. Pure Michigan.™

Brad L 

There's not quite 2,200 feet of elevation gain, but my info shows most hills in the 2-5% range, and a few in the 5-8% range. The terrain is rolling with short climbs. I've ridden a 41/24 out there with no issues.

Here's the elevation profile:

Brad L 

It was sunny and 51°F when I did this ride on the same weekend last year. Just sayin'.
Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

Brad L 

Here are a few photos from when I rode this route with friends on the same weekend last year. It was 51°F at the start and with sunny skies. I can only hope for similar weather.

pastorbobnlnh 

Brad, thanks for posting the elevation profile. This is very helpful. It helps to eliminate the Voyageur II from the line-up. I'm probably leaning towards the '71 Paramount.

rccardr 

Great pictures from last year’s ride. Appreciate the elevation graphic.
Road surface looks brown on my screen- gravel, chip seal, paved?

Brad L 

It's fairly smooth asphalt. They used a larger aggregate but it's pressed in nicely. There's no gravel sections on the Saturday or Sunday routes.

rccardr 

Well, looks like the temp there is in the 60’s and low 70’s for the next ten days. Hopefully we’ll be seeing more of that in another six weeks!

Brad L 

My fingers are crossed. Texas weather is never consistent. The last two weeks here were cold and rainy with high humidity - absolutely miserable. The Austin area had an ice storm on Thursday and their high today will be 73°.

We had our monthly vintage ride on Saturday and the weather was great. Despite being in the low 40s in the morning, it didn't feel very cold with the bright sun and lack of wind.

Brad L 

Here’s an example of the crazy temperature swings we have here. This is today and the next four days in Schulenburg.

rccardr 

We should get Neal Lerner to come. Then it would be dry and warm all weekend!
Seriously, mid-March is a ways away. Trying to figure out what the weather will be this far in advance is a fool’s game.
Besides, we’re old, foolish, and looking for fun. One way or another, we’ll make it happen.

Brad L 

Neal and I will cancel each other out. It seems to rain only on the days I'm planning on riding.

Just demonstrating the crazy swings in temps we get here. As they say here, "If you don't like the weather, wait a few minutes".

joesch

Thats good new re: 41/24
I was considering my mid 80s Tommasini with a 42/25 low end.
Took out yesterday for 40+ at about 50' with some nice wind chills.
Was a good confidence builder.

Brad L 

I finally got back out in the hills today for the first time since my last surgery in October. I did 35 miles with 1900 feet of climbing on my 2001 Colnago with a low gear (if you can call it that) of 39/23. I definitely need to work on hills before the church ride. Fortunately both of the bikes I may bring are geared a bit lower.