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/...lub-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

[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-...alculator.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.