Four athletic/fitness goals this year:

1) Do my first sprint tri (April 18 - Lac Tri in Flower Mound)

2) Climb Wolf Creek Pass in Colorado, where we vacation each year (couldn't make it up last year)

3) Get down to 185 lbs (now at 195, down from 242 last year, which had a direct bearing on #2)

4) Do my first century ( which one undecided)

Would seem kind of poetic to do #4 at the Collin Classic on June 12, my 37th birthday. Can anyone tell me anything about the route? Flat? Comparatively hilly for North Texas? Should I skip it and do the Katy Flatland Century the next month? I'm getting steadily better, but a fairly flat 60 is the furthest I've gone since starting back on the bike a couple of years ago.

Rolling hills are the worst you'll encounter. If you've ridden any where west of Fort Worth, you've experienced the same type of terrain as the CCC. You'd have no problems finishing it. Katy would definately be easier, but I don't think you'd have problem with the CCC. Good luck on the Sprint Tri in April, I might see you there....

Rolling hills are the worst you'll encounter. If you've ridden any where west of Fort Worth, you've experienced the same type of terrain as the CCC. You'd have no problems finishing it. Katy would definately be easier, but I don't think you'd have problem with the CCC. Good luck on the Sprint Tri in April, I might see you there....

There are some other rallies in N.Texas that have 100 mile options that you could do, but my bet is that the Collin Classic is the hilliest. None of the hills are very long or massively steep, but if you are not expecting them, they can put the hurt on you. And there is rarely a flat spot along the course, so you don't get a lot of reprieve. Mike Keel, the organizer, likes to put a few surprises along every route he maps out. As long as you know that little fact, you'll be fine. All that being said, I rode a PR for both 100k and 75 miles in last years Collin Classic after suffering mightily the prior year.

So I say do it, esp. since it's your 37th birthday. You are welcome to join us for that ride. We always have a big group riding and we can always use someone else to help pull along the way!

Come on out!

I'm back into cycling after a 8+ year layoff. I'm currently tuning up for the Red River MS-150 May 1 & 2. Aside from insanity I'm not sure what's convinced me that at 39 years old and a type II diabetic I can train for a century in 2 months but I'm going to give it my best.

The area that the Collin County Classic runs in is some nice riding. I've been doing some training rides up through there and it is great. Lightly rolling hills, nice roads, and little traffic.

See you out there!

Semper Fi

I wouldn't worry about you making it to the finish. We had some people on our team last year I would have bet could not have made it from the sofa to the fridge and back, much less DFW to Oklahoma on a bike. If you've done any riding at all, you'll make it. It may not be pleasant the whole way, but you'll finish. There are lots of riders this year, so there's always someone to ride with along the way. You can kind of inspire each other. At least that's what I did last year.

If you are not on a team already, let me know. We'd always welcome another rider. And if you are on a team, we can at least hook up for a beer Saturday at the campground.

If you are not on a team already, let me know. We'd always welcome another rider. And if you are on a team, we can at least hook up for a beer Saturday at the campground.

I haven't signed up for a team yet. If you would, what team are you riding with and what are the benefits of being with a team?

Thanks,
Dave

I haven't signed up for a team yet. If you would, what team are you riding with and what are the benefits of being with a team?

Thanks,
Dave

This year I am riding with Texas Wheels. Depending on how many people signup for Texas Wheels, our whole team may switch over to SeAstringo, who we all rode with last year. One of the major benefits of riding on a team is you get to spend an extra $50 on another jersey :-) Just kidding. The team atmosphere provided me with some built in riding partners for both days, and some moral support during some of the rougher spots. Plus someone on my team arrange for free massages for us on Saturday afternoon! A major bonus.

The MS150 team coordinator can assign you a team if you'd prefer to go that route. Either way, we should have a beer.

I've been doing the MS150 training rides with the group out of Plano Cycling & Fitness, (really great group by the way).

The route we've been riding is the same route the Collin County Classic. For the most part the course is lightly rolling hills, nothing really tough. From Gunter over to the turn south by Weston though you get some nice hills. These get to be fun if they come toward the last part of the ride.

The only really tough part of the route I've found so far is the wind. Saturday's final leg of 68 miles was straight into a stiff headwind.

Semper Fi