halloween ride 10/26/19 - doubledates.wildapricot.org

Halloween Ride 10/26/19

In This Issue:

Safety Tip 2

Upcoming Rides, Activities.

Schulenburg Tandem Weekend. 5

Christmas Lights Ride. 7

Annual Meeting. 8

Ride Reports

Gateway to Texas 9

Halloween Ride 14

Ride Calendar. 17

Dallas Area Tandem Enthusiasts Web Page: http://www.doubledates.com

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Safety Tip

By Jo McRae from Roadcyclinguk

The Piriformis is a small but troublesome muscle in the buttocks that often needs some attention to prevent it from becoming…well, you know the rest.

If you have heard of the piriformis it may be because you have suffered from ‘piriformis syndrome’ where tightness in the muscle affects the sciatic nerve causing pain, weakness and numbness down your leg.You may also know where it is because a well-meaning massage therapist or physio has dug their elbow deep into your butt to release it for you. Though this is sometimes necessary and helpful, learning how to release it yourself is often preferable to the trouble of finding someone else to do it for you.

This small deep, gluteal muscle works to externally or laterally rotate the hip, but can become tight and short when the larger glute muscles become weak or inactive. Because of the repetitive, low load, one dimensional nature of cycling, the glute muscles in many cyclists are often weak and underdeveloped. Where the hamstrings are also tight at the knee, the upper hamstrings at the hips are also often weak, together with the glutes. When they are strong and functioning well, the glutes are the strongest muscle in the leg, contributing significantly to your pedal power by driving hip extension on the down stroke. However, when they become weakened by the repetitive, low-loading of endurance cycling, the piriformis muscle can progressively tighten.




Once your piriformis is tight and ‘overactive’, your other glutes will stay weak, while this poor little muscle, buried deep in the musculature of the leg, progressively overworks. Most often, you will only become aware of this at the point at which you are having quite debilitating problems. Because the piriformis is very close to the sciatic nerve, it can create numbness, weakening, or a radiating nerve pain down one or both legs. Obviously, this is the sort of problem that can stop you riding your bike, limit your power massively (by neural inhibition) and at the very least limit your enjoyment, so prevention is better that cure.

PreparationBeing such a deep muscle, in order to stretch it, you need to work deep through the outer gluteal muscles. Using this simple but effective ‘tennis ball’ mobilisation can help you use your bodyweight on the ball to locate and work out the tight areas. Position yourself sat next to a tennis ball with your front (left) hip/leg open at a right angle. Use your other leg with your foot flat on the floor, as well as your arms to lift yourself up and sit steadily and carefully back down with the tennis ball centered on your left buttock.

StretchGradually dropping your weight onto the ball, wriggle around until you feel you are sat on a tight spot in the area. Then, gently drop your weight onto the ball until it becomes uncomfortable for a couple of seconds. It’s important not to tense up but to try to relax onto the ball. Then relieve the tension by lifting your body off the ball slightly. Repeat five or six times until the tension eases, and then move onto a slightly different spot until you have worked through the whole area.Work into both sides in this way, spending the most time where it feels the tightest. This is an excellent stretch for




these muscles pre-ride and can help you recruit the stronger glut muscles when you get on your bike, or you can use it to loosen off your hips post-ride. Always strive for equality on both sides, and spend more time on one side if it seems tighter.




Schulenburg, TX Tandem Weekend November 15-17, 2019

This is the link for registration https://hott.wildapricot.org/event-3541657

Team HOTT with ride hosts Laurie and Leland Fondren, would like to invite you to join them for a great weekend of tandem riding in the historic community of Schulenburg. Located in the southern portion of Fayette County, this region is rich in German, Austrian and Czech culture. This extraordinary area is well-known for the Painted Churches, museums, wineries, and unique shops. The rural ride routes will take your team through the beautiful rolling farm lands with an occasional church steeple peeking through the country side.

Schulenburg is located at the crossroads of US Hwy. 77 off of I-10. It is the halfway mark between Houston and San Antonio via Interstate Highway 10 and Austin and Victoria via United States Highway 77.

Itinerary

Friday, November 15, 2019 • 25-40 mile ride options – if you would like to arrive early unsupported routes including the Painted Churches – depart from your hotel • *Hotel Check-in • 6:30 PM - Social Moravia General Store


https://hott.wildapricot.org/event-3541657




Saturday, November 16, 2019 • 30, 40 and 60+ mile route options with SAG and rest stop provisions• 9:00 AM Start location – Behind Holiday Inn Express• Lunch – on the route• Roving rest stops• Social and Dinner

Sunday, November 17, 2019 • 25-30-mile ride options - if you missed Friday route!• Start location – Behind Holiday Inn Express Check out and head homeunsupported routes including the Painted Churches – depart from your hotel

Cost per Team = $125 (Social on Friday, lunch & dinner on Saturday, SAG, rest stop supplies and facilities)

Accommodations • RV accommodations - http://www.schulenburgrvpark.com

• Hotel accommodations:

In our attempt to block rooms for this weekend, we discovered that hotel management quoted group room rates high than their franchise affiliated websites. Please search for Holiday Inn Express – Schulenburg, TX or Best Western – Schulenburg, TX (both hotels are next door to each other and on the south side of I-10) and book your individual reservations. Rates in these two hotels have varied from $88 - $135/night plus tax. There are many other on-line booking options to choose from. We highly recommend that you book early.

This is the link for registration https://hott.wildapricot.org/event-3541657


http://www.schulenburgrvpark.com





DATES Annual Christmas Lights Ride

Sunday, December 8Meet at 5:00 PM / Ride at 5:30 PM

Leaders: Kevin & Linda Vinson

We’ll start from The Lot parking lot at 5:00 pm, December 8. The ride will start at 5:30 pm. Head lights and tail lights are REQUIRED and decorative lights are always welcome. It’s an easy pace through festive streets around the White Rock Lake area. Ride time will be approximately 1 hour, less if it’s really cold.

Dinner after the ride will be at The Lot restaurant. A white elephant gift exchange is optional, but fun. (One gift per team $20 -$30).

An email will be sent out to club members with a link to the DATESwebsite to register. Please RSVP so we have a headcount for dinner and in case we need to let you know of changes due to inclement weather.

The Lot7530 E Grand Ave

Dallas, Texas

Kevin and Linda cell: 214-455-6110




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SAVE THE DATE! DATES Annual Meeting

Sunday, January 26, 2020

Details to come!

Officer Elections for 2020

Every year at the DATES Annual Meeting we elect officers forthe next year, with terms starting March 1. Here is the slate of officer nominations, and if you would like to nominate yourself or someone else to be on the ballot, please let Scott or Mindy Mashburn know at [email protected]. Voting takes place at the Annual Meeting, so if you want your voice heard - please attend!

Officer Nominees for 2020

DATES Coordinators - Scott and Mindy Mashburn RideCoordinators - David and Julie Gregory Secretary - Ernie and Regina CooseTreasurer - David and Mary (Jackson) DresNewsletter Editor - Nancy and John GriswoldMembership and Webmaster - Kevin and Linda Vinson



mailto:[email protected]



Gateway To Texas Tandem Tour October 11-13, 2019

Clarksville, Texas Ride report by Harry and Janette Thompson

Clarksville is located in Northeast Texas about 30 miles east of Paris. It was founded in 1833 and earned the moniker “Gateway to Texas” honestly as Sam Houston, Jim Bowie, Stephen F. Austin, and Davy Crockett all entered our State through Red River County. In 1838, Clarksville was made the county seat.

This is the twelfth annual Gateway to Texas Get-a-Way Tandem Tour. It was started by Rob Rowley, a former Dallas tandemist who now makes his home in Clarksville. He has put together a three-day tour that has become a regular event for DATES




teams. This year seven teams participated from all over Texas. Participants: Jerry and Michelle Williams (Nacogdoches), Kevin and Linda Vincent (The Colony), Barry and Karen Zajac (Plano), Paul and Jennie Tate (Arlington), Warren and Audre Casteel (Plano), John and Diane Young (Bellville), and yours truly Harry and Janette (Bedford).

Clarksville is an ideal location for a tandem event with beautiful country roads through a mixture of rolling farmland and pine forests. With a population of less than 4,000 in Clarksville and 12,500 in Red River County, the roads in all directions make for scenic riding. James Vaughan (Route Coordinator) ensures that we ride roads that have minimal traffic and are well paved.

Instead of arriving on Friday, we left Thursday morning for a noon arrival in Clarksville. We spent Thursday afternoon at the Clarksville Country Club playing golf. This nine-hole course (with two sets of tee boxes for an 18-hole outing) provided a fun afternoon for a couple of hackers. It was nice to have the course almost to ourselves. There were only a few other golfers and you can’t beat the friendliness of the people at a rural country club. This golf outing has become an annual event for us.

Thursday evening, we had dinner with our Tour Director and Tour Hostess, Rob and Kay Rowley, at the Italian Bistro on the square. It was interesting to learn about all the goings-on in the booming metropolis of Clarksville.

Around noon on Friday, the teams began arriving and registering with Dale Wells at the Red River County Chamber of Commerce. Places to stay are sparse in this small town. One team stayed at the Courthouse Inn Bed and Breakfast, while the




others enjoyed the comforts of the Red River Inn. An impromptu ride was planned at 2:00 p.m. and we met up with three other teams for the Friday afternoon ride of 24 miles.

Happy Hour and Friday’s dinner were at The Lennox House catered by Grant’s Barbecue. It is a gorgeous old Victorian refurbished house that belonged to one of the first families of Clarksville. They left a trust to restore and keep it maintained. This was the time to catch-up with old friends and get acquainted with new ones while Don Pierce provided music on the Keyboard.

On Saturday morning, Kay Rowley opened the concierge lounge at the Red River Inn bright and early. We had a bountiful breakfast of coffee, juice, egg casseroles, fresh fruit, and lots of donuts. It was catered by Rob and Kay, and Dale Wells of the Chamber of Commerce furnished the casseroles.

Due to the weather forecast (38 degrees at 9:00 a.m.), we unanimously decided on a delayed 10:00 a.m. start on Saturday. The mass start was from the courthouse square. After the obligatory photo session and a welcome talk by Mayor Ann Rushing, we were off. While there were three route options, all seven teams started on the medium route of 56 miles. At 36 miles we entered the small town of Avery. Coincidentally, the Avery Volunteer Fire Department was having its annual fund-raising fish fry. It was a great lunch stop with fried catfish and all the fixings, and a chance to visit with locals. There were also two additional rest stops hosted by local residents with plenty of drinks, fruit, and cookies.




Saturday night we again met at The Lennox House. The evening started with a tour of this historic home. The highlight of the tour was the bullet holes left by the culprits who murdered the last remaining member of the Lennox family in a futile robbery attempt. Dinner was catered by the Italian Bistro, and Don Pierce again provided Keyboard music. The Sunday morning breakfast buffet at the Red River Inn was similar to Saturday’s fare and the captains took every advantage to stoke up on donuts as this is the only time of the year some of us get them. The mass start was at 9:00 a.m. The ride was 28 miles punctuated by the only hill of any substance of the weekend. The sag drivers, Rob and James, kept tabs on us and tracked down a loose dog. Afterwards, goodbyes were said before the trip home. It was fun-filled weekend. The riding was good and the weather cooperated. No rain, and cool in the mornings; just the way we like it. If you have not done this tour (or even if you have) put it on your calendar for next year. You will have a lot of fun. Thanks to the town of Clarksville and Red River County for hosting.




Special thanks to: Tour Director/Sag/Mechanic: Rob Rowley Breakfast/Tour Hostess: Kay Rowley Routes/Sag/Mechanic: James Vaughan Chamber of Commerce Manager: Dale Wells Chamber of Commerce President and pup: Chrissy Witmer and Pippy Keyboard player: Don Pierce These folks went all out to make sure everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Italian BistroClarksville, TX




Halloween Ride ReportBy Nancy Griswold and Julie Gregory

The Halloween Ride through beautiful east Texas to Tyler, begins at Purtis Creek State Park in Eustace with a stop for lunch in Edom, an overnight in Tyler and a ride back the next day where our ride leaders, Scott and Mindy Mashburn provided lunch at the park. There is NO SAG, so you have to carry your overnight gear, food, water, tools, etc....

Although we have heard many good things about the ride, this is the first year we were able to attend. All the good things are true. It’s everything that makes biking fun, great people, beautiful rolling hills on low traffic roads and a planning challenge. Are we prepared for a No Sag, Overnight ride? And we were. The Happy Hour was well supplied. We had a good dinner of pizza and salad at the hotel while watching the baseball game. Others went to a nearby restaurant. Everyone had matching clothes the next day and we all are back home. Its definitely a do again ride.

Tandem Tales by Julie Gregory

For those of you who’ve been waiting for a report on how I survived the weekend with minimal cosmetics, hair products and clothing options, I DID IT! Although I don’t have photos, I think my hair looked fine and I didn’t scare anyone with the natural look. 😁 I didn’t end up needing anything more than what I brought. Which is not to say that I didn’t wish I had more with me. 🤣




We rode with 11 other tandems (big group!) from Purtis Creek State Park in Eustace to Tyler and back. A total of 108 miles for Saturday and Sunday. The highlight of the photo opportunities was clearly the Hog Fest in Ben Wheeler yesterday which was followed by lunch in Edom at The Shed before riding some rolling hills through shady quiet roads the remainder of the way to Tyler. The weather was colder than we would have liked (high 40’s to mid 50’s) and the sun never came out but, after Oregon, I knew how to dress and was warm enough. The worst we faced were loose dogs barking and chasing us a few times but luckily we had Scott Mashburn with us and they listen to his commands to go home. On the way into town, we stopped by Brookshire’s to pick up happy hour provisions and no one said anything, but I thought we must look kind of funny in our biking gear — helmets, shoes and layers of clothing — walking up and down aisles of the grocery store. After a good night’s sleep at The Comfort Suites we were back on the road at 8:30 a.m. for the return trip. No fun stops today but the weather was much better with sunny skies so there were multiple stops to shed layers of clothing. Honestly, I was kind of over it when we hit mile 35 today and my butt was really over it at mile 40. We found a place to pull over for a short break and stretch of legs and I was okay until about mile 47 when I was REALLY done and then super happy to see the Purtis Creek Park sign at mile 50. Back at Purtis Creek Park, it was a beautiful afternoon for the picnic lunch provided by our tandem club. I would definitely do it again (but might like a bit larger panniers 😉 ).

Photos by Julie Gregory





EuropeNorth AmericaSmall Groups3 & 4 Star Hotels

Tandems Only1 & 2 Week Tours20 Years Experience30-60 Miles per Day

DATES RIDES & ACTIVITIES

RIDE OR ACTIVITY DATE START

TIMESTART PLACE HOST PHONE # / EMAIL DETAILS

Schulenburg Tandem Weekend

Nov 15-17 Schulenburg HOTTS


Page 5

The Lights Ride Dec 8 5:30 The Lot

Kevin & Linda Vinson

Vinsonlj @sbcglobal.net

Page 7

The Annual Meeting

Jan 26

5:30 TBDScott & Mindy

Mashburn

Smashfamily @sbcglobal.net

Page 8





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John & Nancy Griswold 972-913-4904 (h [email protected]

RIDE COORDINATORS Ernie and Regina Coose 469-520-7615 (h) [email protected] MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Linda & Kevin Vinson 972.625-6110 (h) [email protected] TREASURERS David & Mary Dres 972.489-7671 (h). [email protected]

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