Ramble 2015 Details

The Seventh Annual Fall Finale Fifty-ish Mile Country Path Ramble rolls out at 9 am on Saturday, November 14…less than 4 weeks from now. This post is to remind those of you who might be considering joining us to make a decision, make a plan, invite your friends, and come on out.

This post is also for folks who haven’t joined us before…to explain what it is we do. Veterans of the ride have a pretty good idea on what to expect. In many ways, this year’s ride will be very similar to what we’ve typically done for the last few years.

When

This year’s Ramble will be on Saturday, November 14. We will roll out of my driveway at 9 am. That means you should arrive in time to make all needed preparations BEFORE 9 am.

What

The Ramble is a ride I do each year on a Saturday near the end of autumn. The primary objective is to spend a few hours riding a bicycle with others on rural north Texas roads.  A goodly fraction of the route is on gravel roads. Historically, it’s length has been in the 40-50 mile range. See historical Ramble reports for a little more insight (2011,2010, and 2009).  The ride report for last year is HERE.

This year’s route, weather permitting, will be the same as last year.  There will be two options.  The standard route which includes the communities of Greenwood and Rosston is approximately 50 miles.  The shorter optional route is smaller loop-within-a-loop that bypasses the two communities (so no services at all) and is roughly 35 miles long.

I always want folks to know that I’m not hard-core.  I can ride if it is a little cold, or a little drizzly, but I don’t like cold AND wet.  On days like that, I will send you on your way with a cue sheet and my best wishes, and then spend the rest of my day by the fireplace (join me there if you wish).

The pace is what I call “conversational” because I think of this as a social kind of touring ride.  We will stop for snacks, photographs, or just because.  Since I’m participating in the Coffeeneuring Challenge, and Ramble weekend is the last Coffeeneuring weekend, I am definitely planning to stop for a coffee brew-up. Like last year, I plan to have cue sheets available for those who might wish to ride faster or slower than me.

The other thing to emphasize for this ride is that you are responsible for you. This is not a T-shirt ride, there are no entry fees, and no sag services. We’ll have a couple of places to stop for restroom, water, or snacks. The first opportunity is Greenwood at approximately mile 18, and the second is at Rosston at approximately mile 28/29 or so. Really, there might only be one restroom stop. At my last visit, the Rosston store restroom was out of order. The owner hoped to have it fixed, but wouldn’t commit to it, so plan accordingly. You should have a back-up plan for a mechanical problem, and beware…some areas on the Ramble route do not have cell phone service.  Yes, it’s rural.

Who

Anyone who is interested in being a part of what is described above is welcome to participate. If you plan to join me, I would appreciate an email message (cj dot spinner at g mail dot com) or a blog post comment telling me that you will be here.  My preparation plans are dependent on the number of folks participating, so please help me with this. If you plan to join us and haven’t already contacted me, please do so now.

Where

If you need my address and/or directions to my little place on the prairie, send me an email.

How

Plan ahead. If this Ramble thing sounds like a good time, block out the day and get it on your calendar now. Then make your contingency plan in case you can’t finish the route for any reason. Finally, let me know you are coming. Bring a friend.

Any questions?

New for 2015

Two things.

First, Mrs. Pondero plans to have a few jars of her exclusive Blue Dog Bee Ranch honey available for sale. Probably due to the very wet spring, the honey is a little darker this year. We love it. Mrs. Pondero says this is the honey they serve in heaven. Half pints at $10/jar and Full pints at $18/jar.  Also, Mrs. Pondero and I are planning a post-ride early dinner at Miguelito’s in Sanger. If you don’t need to rush back to the big city, please meet us there.