Katy Flatlander - Good first metric ride??

[lgibster]

I am looking for a metric century to do since the one I planned on was rained out this last weekend. My brother who lives in Houston suggested we might try the Katy Flatlander. Does anyone have any information about this ride? Also about the terrain for the ride, i.e. hills, flat, curvy, road conditions etc.

Thanks.

[thekarens]

Hi, I'll be working as a corner monitor at this ride. It's called the Katy Flatland for a reason :-) Route distance options are 21, 50, 68 and 100. The 68 would work for your metric.

Here's a link to the ride info: http://www.northwestcyclingclub.com/index.php/rides-and-events/club-rides/katy

PS.........Houston roads are notorious for chip seal, which is one of the reasons I went with a steel bike :) I haven't ridden the metric route for this ride, but other club members have told me it's a good route.

[lgibster]

PS.........Houston roads are notorious for chip seal, which is one of the reasons I went with a steel bike :)

Yes I was introduced to the wonderful world of Texas Chip Seal last year at the Hotter'nHell. We rode the 25 mile distance and last year I am not sure what got old first the wind (UGH!!) or the chip seal. Either way I am not a chip seal fan. We have a similar surface here, but not where I normally ride.

Thanks for the information. I think I am going to work towards this ride if I can clear that weekend. Thanks again.

[thekarens]

Let me know if you do come. I'll cheer you on.

[lgibster]

Let me know if you do come. I'll cheer you on.

You bet. If you are late in the race I will probably need some cheering on :D

[thekarens]

I'll let you know where I'll be as soon as the corners are assigned :-)

[luvmyguys]

I'll be riding that one too!

[ny biker]

Yes I was introduced to the wonderful world of Texas Chip Seal last year at the Hotter'nHell. We rode the 25 mile distance and last year I am not sure what got old first the wind (UGH!!) or the chip seal. Either way I am not a chip seal fan. We have a similar surface here, but not where I normally ride.

Thanks for the information. I think I am going to work towards this ride if I can clear that weekend. Thanks again.

I have not had much experience with chipseal (not that I'm complaining ;)) but I think you can make modifications to make it less unpleasant, specifically with your tires. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think wider tires will help, e.g., 25 or 28 mm instead of 23 for a road bike. Also lower air pressure should help. Just make sure your frame can work with the wider tire; someone at the LBS told me my Madone can use a 25 but not a 28. If you have a touring bike, you can probably go even wider.

[thekarens]

I have not had much experience with chipseal (not that I'm complaining ;)) but I think you can make modifications to make it less unpleasant, specifically with your tires. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think wider tires will help, e.g., 25 or 28 mm instead of 23 for a road bike. Also lower air pressure should help. Just make sure your frame can work with the wider tire; someone at the LBS told me my Madone can use a 25 but not a 28. If you have a touring bike, you can probably go even wider.

You are exactly right! But almost all the cyclists I know here insist on running their tires at 100-115 psi and use 23mm tires. Here's a link to determine a good psi for your tires: http://www.dorkypantsr.us/bike-tire-pressure-calculator.html It truly does help.

[lgibster]

I have not had much experience with chipseal (not that I'm complaining ;)) but I think you can make modifications to make it less unpleasant, specifically with your tires. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think wider tires will help, e.g., 25 or 28 mm instead of 23 for a road bike. Also lower air pressure should help. Just make sure your frame can work with the wider tire; someone at the LBS told me my Madone can use a 25 but not a 28. If you have a touring bike, you can probably go even wider.

Yes the wider tire does help some. I rode the Hotter N Hell last year on my hybrid with 28s and a lower tire pressure. I now ride a Ruby with 25s. I did lower my tire pressure some when I rode chip seal here, but then I tend to suffer more flats. I think with Chip seal there is nothing that will totally help, you can just make it as comfortable as possible. Be thankful it isn't a popular road surface where you are.

[thekarens]

When it comes to chip seal you have to find the sweet spot for lower pressure. I run 90 in the back and between 80 and 90 in the front. Knock on wood so far I haven't had a flat. Got the bike last Sept.

[marni]

I've done the Katy Flatland metric several times. I am so used to the chip seal t hat it rarely bothers me unless it is newly laid and still very rough. Can't say I love it, but it's like the wind, and humidity, either you learn to find a semi happy spot with it and carry on or you will be spending a lot of time riding in a trainer at home or at the gym. Since the race is in the third week of July, the weather is likely to be blazing sun, high temps and probably the ususal wind, hopefully not from the Southeast ( coastal breeze which brings more humidity than is necessary.)

I am delighted that it is starting about two miles down the road from me, which means I can ride over to the site and not have to fight parking traffic. They are doing an open roll out starting at 7:30 AM and I plan to be there for that. Earlier off the the start, earlier off the road, before the heat and the wind get unbearable.

[luvmyguys]

I am delighted that it is starting about two miles down the road from me, which means I can ride over to the site and not have to fight parking traffic. They are doing an open roll out starting at 7:30 AM and I plan to be there for that. Earlier off the the start, earlier off the road, before the heat and the wind get unbearable.

I read a 6:45 open start on the website. Is it 7:30?

[Crankin]

I seriously don't know how you guys can ride on chip seal. It pretty much ruined my experience on the San Juan Islands last year. This was with 25 tires and my ti bike; guess you can get used to anything, but why in the world do they use that stuff?
I am sure the answer is that it's cheap. Thankfully, it's not used around here.

[shootingstar]

Interesting...I wonder if chip seal is used much in areas where there are hard, long winters. I encountered it in Washington state.

I'm more of a paved surface cyclist.

[OakLeaf]

I seriously don't know how you guys can ride on chip seal. It pretty much ruined my experience on the San Juan Islands last year. This was with 25 tires and my ti bike; guess you can get used to anything, but why in the world do they use that stuff?
I am sure the answer is that it's cheap. Thankfully, it's not used around here.

Like most roadbuilding it probably depends on materials and technique. It's really only a problem here when it's fresh and loose. When it's very hot the tar melts, but not so much as to be slippery. When it's been in place for a couple of months, it's as smooth as macadam, or nearly so. Granted I've never ridden an aluminum road bike.

The alternative is unimproved gravel. I'll take the chipseal.

[Crankin]

It must have just been applied? It wasn't that hot out, maybe 75 or so.

[lgibster]

[QUOTE=marni;677660]I've done the Katy Flatland metric several times. I am so used to the chip seal t hat it rarely bothers me unless it is newly laid and still very rough. Can't say I love it, but it's like the wind, and humidity, either you learn to find a semi happy spot with it and carry on or you will be spending a lot of time riding in a trainer at home or at the gym. Since the race is in the third week of July, the weather is likely to be blazing sun, high temps and probably the ususal wind, hopefully not from the Southeast ( coastal breeze which brings more humidity than is necessary.)

I am starting to ride more here after work, the heat and humidity yesterday were terrible and the wind was bad as well. I am hoping for a light 5 MPH breeze, but know how Texas can be.....winds at the Hotter 'N Hell last year were horrible. Still planning on coming so hope the weather cooperates at least some.

[luvmyguys]

I am starting to ride more here after work, the heat and humidity yesterday were terrible and the wind was bad as well. I am hoping for a light 5 MPH breeze, but know how Texas can be.....winds at the Hotter 'N Hell last year were horrible. Still planning on coming so hope the weather cooperates at least some.

North Texas is a lot worse than South Texas. That doesn't mean there won't be wind at KFL, but if I had to pick, South Texas would win any day of the week.

Cool Wind Map. (http://hint.fm/wind/)

[goldfinch]

Interesting...I wonder if chip seal is used much in areas where there are hard, long winters. I encountered it in Washington state.

I'm more of a paved surface cyclist.

I am from northern Minnesota where there are hard, long winters. I never even had heard of chip seal until spending time further south. Missouri and Texas was full of it. I think it is a budget surface.

[marni]

I read a 6:45 open start on the website. Is it 7:30?

I haven't looked recently and I am sure that I am misremembering. I probably have the time wrong simply because my body is rebelling at the thought of a butt crack of dawn start.

[marni]

I am starting to ride more here after work, the heat and humidity yesterday were terrible and the wind was bad as well. I am hoping for a light 5 MPH breeze, but know how Texas can be.....winds at the Hotter 'N Hell last year were horrible. Still planning on coming so hope the weather cooperates at least some.[/QUOTE]

In addition to riding after work you should start riding into and through the heat by starting in the morning (this would be on a weekend obviously) and riding until at least noon. You still won't be in the hottest part of the day but it will be hot enough. Ideally you should try at least a 50 miler in the full daylight heat and wind at least once just to see how your water consumption is and how your pacing is. One big thing I have learned is to over hydrate for a couple of days before the ride, plus carry lots of extra gus, gels, whatever since the heat can suck your energy right out of you.

[lgibster]

I am starting to ride more here after work, the heat and humidity yesterday were terrible and the wind was bad as well. I am hoping for a light 5 MPH breeze, but know how Texas can be.....winds at the Hotter 'N Hell last year were horrible. Still planning on coming so hope the weather cooperates at least some.

In addition to riding after work you should start riding into and through the heat by starting in the morning (this would be on a weekend obviously) and riding until at least noon. You still won't be in the hottest part of the day but it will be hot enough. Ideally you should try at least a 50 miler in the full daylight heat and wind at least once just to see how your water consumption is and how your pacing is. One big thing I have learned is to over hydrate for a couple of days before the ride, plus carry lots of extra gus, gels, whatever since the heat can suck your energy right out of you.[/QUOTE]

Yeah I am planning long rides on the weekends starting about an hour later than the start times (to compensate for being farther "north") and riding at least a 70 mile training ride before the ride in July. I always take plenty of water and extra gu packs. I find it is better to have too many than to run out and need one or two more. I ride along our river trail here so there is always some wind and lots of wind on most days. My goal is to finish on two wheels at a pace of about 13.5 to 14.5 MPH depending on how strong the wind blows. Right now I just want to do it no matter how long it takes.

[Triskeliongirl]

ShootingStar, chip seal is a TYPE of paved surface, but its more coarsely paved than a tarred surface. As others mentioned, the main advantage is that it won't start melting or oozing oil the way tar does, in the texas heat, but it is not so pleasant to ride on. Being on carbon or steel rather than aluminum helps, and lower tire pressures can help. I don't think wider tires would make a difference, as its not really bumpy like a gravel road, its just there is more rolling resistance from the coarser pavement which is why I think lower tire pressures can smooth that out a little.

[OakLeaf]

the main advantage is that it won't start melting or oozing oil the way tar does

:confused: That just reinforces what I said about materials and care in application. The main *dis*advantage of chipseal in Ohio is that the tar melts when it's hot (like over 90, which probably wouldn't even be considered hot in Texas). Rarely does it pool - that pretty much only happens when the tar was overapplied in spots - but the first thing you notice is a crackling sound when the tar sticks to your tires. You really notice the rolling resistance. Then you have to clean it off your tires and frame.

That doesn't happen, here, with real asphalt, at least at the bicycle level ... freeways with a lot of truck traffic do develop ruts in hot weather if they were poorly paved. Parking lot paving, you can really tell the difference in construction quality when you park a motorcycle in hot weather ... can you put the sidestand down for a five-minute run into the building without a support? If you use a sidestand support, does that sink into the asphalt too? You get to know which parking lots are "safe." :p

[lgibster]

Ok I did it. I officially signed up for the 68 mile route. My brother and I have determined that as long as I finish I will reach my goal. My intended 50 mile "heat of the day" ride I did on July 4th turned out to be the coolest day we have had all summer Ugh!! Oh well I am riding after work most days and the heat indexes have been in the 100s so I think that will help a ton. I have a hydration and food plan pretty much figured out. I have plans to carry a lot of extra gu packs and have learned that pickle juice is your friend at every other rest stop. I my longest ride as been a 60 mile but I my 45 mile ride the other day was great with no problems. Hoping to meet a few of you while I am there.

[luvmyguys]

I'll be there! Me vs. 100 miles, take 2.

[thekarens]

I have no doubt you'll both do GREAT!!

[lgibster]

I'll be there! Me vs. 100 miles, take 2.

No 100 miles this year for me........next year maybe. It is on my bucket list.

[marni]

lgibster

perhaps I will see you on the route. I am going to avoid the madness of parking etc at the start by riding out from my house since I live about 2 miles along cinco ranch road. Still debating whether I will ride in to the finish for lunch since pizza after a ride is not my thing or stop off at the starbucks instead and then head for home.

I have been debating doing 100 miles but since the last two training rides at 50 miles in the heat of the day have left me staggering I decided to play it safe this year. I have ridden several centuries on other rides ( cross country and cooler temps) so don't feel like it makes much difference.

Have a good ride.

[thekarens]

I'll be at corner 10 (FM 359 & Richard Frey) from 8 to 11. Very short brown hair, sunglasses, red face. Hopefully I'll see you three there.

[lgibster]

I'll be at corner 10 (FM 359 & Richard Frey) from 8 to 11. Very short brown hair, sunglasses, red face. Hopefully I'll see you three there.

Sadly I have had to cancel my trip:( I have had a stomach virus for the last 5 days and I am still recovering. Since I have a vacation planned to Montana the 26th through Aug 5, my doctor advised me to skip the ride and be well before we leave on vacation. I feel totally wiped out from being sick and there is no way I even feel like trying a 68 mile in the heat right now. I will try again next year for the Katy Flatland Ride. I think my brother is going to ride even though I can't come. Maybe next time.

[thekarens]

That's too bad. Take care of yourself and I hope you feel better soon.

[lgibster]

That's too bad. Take care of yourself and I hope you feel better soon.

Thanks.

[marni]

I'll let you know where I'll be as soon as the corners are assigned :-)

so where will you be located. I'll stop by and say hello if you're on one of the 68 mile route corners.

[marni]

sorry should have read the last one first then I wouldn't have had to ask where you will be. Unfortunately you are past the Buzzards gate so I won't be seeing you (see earlier email for rational). Next year perhaps.

lgibster, so sorry about the stomach virus. Bummer.

I shall sweat for the both of us.

[thekarens]

Sorry to hear that Marni, maybe next year. I'm down to Erin :-)

[luvmyguys]

lgibster - Hope you're feeling better soon! (Irony of ironies, one of the neighborhood kids just left our house not feeling well, and tossed his cookies on the way home. Please let it be a migraine, please let it be a migraine, please let it be a migraine . . . Please no viruses, please no viruses, please no viruses)

Marni - have a good ride!

Karen - see you then! I'll stop so we can get a pic!

[thekarens]

That would be awesome!