Shreveport - Bossier MTB Discussion Forum

Hammer · Old Fart Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 1021

Meet at Stoner Boat Launch. Nice cause there are bathrooms there.

Go N. to Grimmet and then then 3049 and then to Belcher.

There is a store at Belcher.

Turn around.

Come back.

Take Sentell Loop and George Rd to add a mile or so each. They are NICE roads.

Come back to Stoner Boat Launch.

Total distance, including Sentell and George is 45 miles.

3 hrs, start to finish, including store stop. Easy travel time, lots of shade.

Leave at 7:30 maybe cause Stoner Boat Launch is close to town.

Zihna is posting this for the road groupies. Will put wheels rolling time later today or tomorrow.

Come ride! This is a PRETTY RIDE!!!!

Hammer
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ncost · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:18 pm Post subject:

take it to the new website n00b!!!

Twisted Evil

www.locomtb.com

you will need to re-register
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Lynyrd · Mr. MoJo Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 1248

That is called the old road. It is bumpy as hell on a road bike. Better on a Mt bike. I ride that one all the time. 45 miles from my house to Belcher and back.
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Hammer · Old Fart Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 1021

Thanks, Lenny,

Yeah, the road is a little rough in places...but this group will be going 17-18 tops...I like the Sentell and George looparounds. Have you ridden those before, too?

Hammer
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Andrew · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 4:41 pm Post subject:

If I needed a recovery ride I would come out.
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Hammer · Old Fart Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 1021

C'mon anyway. I'll be the ride's Guardian Angel, packing lots of tubes, C02, food, water...going up and down the line to be sure everyone is ok.

This can be a fair amount of work beyond what the ride with this bunch might would indicate. Granted, some riders may be pretty quick, but it's not like our mtb rides.

Or course, Team LaSport is another whole different story. They've whipped Brian into awesome shape.

The important thing is that your legs will be moving for almost three hours.

Hammer
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Hammer · Old Fart Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 1021

We leave the Stoner Parking Lot at 7:30.

Hammer
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Lynyrd · Mr. MoJo Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 1248

I hope you folks are riding your mt bikes. I have ridden that road before on my road bike and it is wash board the whole way. Some folks are gonna be unhappy. It's like a farmer drove his tractor on the road w/ big knobby tires in the Aug 100 degree heat and left tire tread for 20 miles. You will see what I mean.
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Hammer · Old Fart Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 1021

A farmer did drive over it at some point with tractor tires...kinda like 175 used to be west of Xroads.

But, the nice thing is that by wearing rear view mirrors you can easily see who is behind you (I can't understand how anybody will ride a road bike without being able to quicly and clearly see behind) and move over to avoid the tire bumps.

Mack and Team LaSport rides it all the time.

This IS NOT an on-your-aerobars, head down, 85-95% threshold ride. It is a recovery ride. And, it does offer some sections for hammering if you wish.

But, I guess we'll find out for ourselves. Ride is set up for a 7:30 wheels rolling out of Stoner.

Will post findings after the ride.

Hammer
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Hammer · Old Fart Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 1021

Man oh man you should just read the action on the roadie board about this ride. You'd think we were gonna ride cobblestones!! One roadie just told the others to quit whining, that the ride was great for what it is...sightseeing, steady pace with spots for hammering if you wish, shady in many places, but not all, great views...not so hemmed in. Another roadie says that he can't understand why all the others are so adamant that it is so bad. He says that it's not a glass top table, but more than adequate. We ALL know that from the boats to the turn off there are cracks and ruts along Grimmet and such, but you just ride carefully there, like we did on the Tour.

You'd think these guys (most ride aeros, by the way) were talking about riding gravel roads or monster potholes, neither of which are present. I mean, up in CO we often rode gravel on road bikes (even at very steep grades) to cross up to Peak to Peak Highway and all...

Babies!! Staci and Renee and Linda will show them what REAL bikers can do.

Then again, we may find it not enjoyable...you never know till you give it a shot with the right attitude for the right ride.

Hammer
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ncost · Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 3:47 pm Post subject:

that's it!

I take back what I said about adding a roadie forum on our mtb sites...

Laughing

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Lynyrd · Mr. MoJo Joined: 16 Mar 2006 Posts: 1248

Have an enjoyable experience!
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ncost · Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 7:57 pm Post subject:

Hammer · Old Fart Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 1021

We rode 50 miles from Stoner. Took Sentell Loop on the way out and George Rd loop on the way back.

It was a blast. Staci, Renee, Linda, and "Arkansas Ron", a roadie clydesdale and I rode. Refueled in Belcher.

Wind was a factor, but it was nice. We finished before the serious heat set in.

I took all my measuring equipment off my bike...no powertap, no hr monitor, no speedo...just rode like we did when we were kids, riding for fun.

Not a ride I'd do twice a week, but a definite great break from all the other well worn and too familiar rides.

Staci and Renee and Linda were in great shape. Linda is really becoming a big climber. Her roadie friends call her Billy Goat.

Hammer
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Hammer · Old Fart Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 1021

One Roadie wrote:

"I agree with john, I may be old, but 3049 is the pits. The road from the parkway to 3049 is all broke up and full of deep ruts. When we passed Sentell road it was all busted up near 3049. If there was any shade it must have been hidding.
Sorry Linda but it was a terrible ride, if I remember correctly, we had two flats."

Another wrote...he likes the ride...

"Wow, can't believe everyone knocking 3049 so much. That road is in generally better shape than it was only 10 years ago but there are still sections that haven't changed at all (and gotten worse, no doubt) since I first rode it in the early eighties. But there's plenty of scenic areas with sunflower fields, levees, and a couple of good restaurants in Gilliam. Traffic was no problem. I always like the S-curve going thru Belcher, very shady. Check the attached pics from my ride with Mac and Berg last week.

But that's okay, everyone has their favorite roads to ride. But a lot of these less-than-perfect roads have plenty to offer if you look around and are worth the occasional ride. I've been on a lot of worse roads a lot more often. The main thing is to enjoy your ride and take some time to look."

In summary, this is not an on-your-aero-bars, heavy-guy-on-light-equipment ride (although Ark Ron says he had a great time and he IS a big boy.), head-down-at-max-time-trial-hr, smooth-glass-I-hate-ALL-bumps, ride.

It's a break, fun, interesting, and refreshing.

Hammer
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