New US Tour ala Tour de France

[spazzdog]

Hey gang... there's a new US tour (pro) being planned and I've been given the project to design/admin the website.

Since this is the smartest bunch of cyclists I know I would love your input. When you visit a tour related site what do you need to know? For example, when you visit the TDF site what's there that you love? What can't you find? What's in the "who gives a poop" catagory?

Lay it on me grrls!

Before you ask, I can't say when or where yet, but this'll be the first place I'll run to when it's 'official'.

[slinkedog]

How exciting! I'll pick my brain and give you some feedback soon. Congrats on the cool job!

[spazzdog]

It's not even a job! I'm doing it for fun.

[Maine-iac]

Psych!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sounds so coll....try to pull something out of the cobwebs...tis the season. Boo:eek:

[spazzdog]

you can email me your ideas off-list if you want. Then I won't be cluttering TE with the brainstorming.

email your ideas to spazzdog@comcast.net

[spazzdog]

Thanks to all of you who sent me suggestions.

The good news is the new Tour is on. The sad news (well, sad for me) is a different part of the state apparently won the rights to the tour and already has their site up and running.

With that said, Hurray! for a new US tour!

It is the United Texas Tour, and according to the UCI 2005 calendar, is scheduled for 9/8/2005 through 9/17/2005. You can get available details at the tour's website:
http://www.unitedtexastour.com

We should plan a TE meet in the Lone Star state next September.

[Trek420]

hmmm, don't see a route, what cities does it go through? hey, Texas gal (s) which ones would be the best area to ride in? I keep hearing about those Texas Hill country being nice but don't know where it is or if this goes through it?

[CorsairMac]

THere was a thread about it on one of the cyling news sites I surf. Darn - this whole age thing - I don't remember where now...I'll find it. I know it's going to go through Austin (well duh! :p) Anyway - I hope it attracts some of the big boys/teams and I hope it stays with us. We need more "tours" in the US. Sorry to hear it didn't land in your state spazz! Maybe you could start another one?

[spazzdog]

Under the About the Tour link is a Who/What/Where tab. The Where lists some of the towns that will be on the route. If memory of my home state serves ( I suck at geography), they are all north of Dallas, thus not entering Lance turf (the Hill Country) BUT, I'm gonna get a new map of the state and take a better look. I'll post here any info I glean. Meanwhile bookmark that site... it should update as info becomes available.

If you want some beautiful Hill Country riding, check out the topic Hell Week (I opened topic 10/26/04). The jersey for the 2005 ride looks fabulous!

[Steph_in_TX]

It's starting and ending in the DFW area...yeah for me! Based on the cities listed...it will go sort of north west from here then head west and it looks like a cruise around the panhandle...so anyone in OK or NM near the panhandle would be fairly close. It should be a pretty flat ride for the most part, but windy! Maybe they'll take the route through Palo Duro Canyon...that would make for some hilly riding.

[spazzdog]

:D :p :D I just finished an email exchange with the organizers.

I have in my poccession the official route map and fact sheet... am just awaiting permission to post. When I get the go-ahead, it will be on my site with links to the official site.

[Trek420]

spazzdog noticed "Under the About the Tour link is a Who/What/Where tab. The Where lists some of the towns that will be on the route."

Duh, my bad....:rolleyes:

[Trek420]

"I have in my poccession the official route map and fact sheet... am just awaiting permission to post. When I get the go-ahead, it will be on my site with links to the official site."

Just highlight the best place to ride out and wait with the cowbells. :p :rolleyes: :cool:

[spazzdog]

The route DOES NOT go anywhere near Austin. It starts/finishes in Dallas/Ft. Worth area and heads up into the panhandle.

I should hear something tomorrow abt whether I can post this. It hasn't been 'officially' released yet. I'm kind of on the honor system here.

[CorsairMac]

ROFL - well I guess thats how rumours get started!.........Im still excited and I agree with Trek - where do we need to be with our cowbells???? I'm already lining up friends to stay with! (heres hoping it doesn't happen during my trip to Hungary!)

[spazzdog]

Well grrls, the organizing committee of the UTT has requested I hold off on publication of the info (on my site) they provided as they have not posted it on their own site... seems they're waiting for the official press conference with the Texas governor... who is busy right now campaigning for his buddy Bush.

Even knowing that, I made a promise to hold off publication... not to politicise(sp) this topic, but I almost did it out of spite. But I do have ethics and my word is my bond.

So I will only give a few hints... to which you ladies are sworn to secrecy. Only you and your travel agent (so you can make arrangements) are receiving these hints for now. Please do not post it anywhere else.

1 - make arrangements to be in Texas Sept 8 - 17 2005. Fly into Dallas/Ft worth. Take your bikes.

2 - a time trial is at a mid stage... far north west of DFW

3 - a criterium final on the last day

4- put amarillo, lubbock and wichita falls on the agenda... again take your bikes and gear. Oh and if you plan on camping, remember to ask permission. There's a lot of guns in this part of the state :D

Total distance; 1000 miles or so. 10 days. Teams by invitation only.

That's all for now kids.

[wawaski]

Lots of Rts in Fredricksberg, also go to www.thcrr.com for some add'l info.....
S.