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If you are not a Dallas Sports University (DSU) member, please join us for a workout or two to see if the organization is right for you! Our Wednesday night and Saturday morning rides have ride leaders who will make sure you don’t get dropped!  PLEASE keep in mind that workouts may change due to weather.  Check out our Weather Policy below for specifics.

David Stonecipher, Director of Cycling                            

David was selected by Dallas Sports University members as the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Male Member of the Year! He was also voted by readers of Competitor Magazine as one of the top cycling coaches in Texas for 2008. And for good reason! David is reliable, organized and PASSIONATE about cycling. We think you’ll find David’s #1 concern is safety for all riders. Keep an eye on his cycling page. He is active with updates!

Feel free to contact David to talk shop about cycling or Dallas Sports University! He is a wonderful resource! david@dallassportsuniversity.com 

Biking News  

July 25, 2010

Looks like we are still in the ’rainy season’ part of this summer, followed soon by the ’oh my is it hot out’ part of the summer.  Look for a great week of cycling.  We have a full slate of scheduled rides - 5 a week in fact.  See details below.

Time to start thinking about our next ride in the Monthly Rally Series.  Goatneck is July 31st.  Tough, but great ride.

Probably worth reminding everyone of our Responsibility to act like the vehicles we are when out on the road.  Some of our local cities are passing laws restricting cycling on their public roads.  it is their reaction to those cyclists that don’t share well.  We can do better.  Now is also a good time to read through the state laws related to cyclists.  See links below.

Let’s be safe out there!

David

Weekly Tip

Know the Law -

Take a moment to read the bicycling realted laws for the State of Texas.  The two links below porvide summaries of the Texas Transportation Code statues applicable to bicyclists specifically.  Of course being the vehicles we are, the basic rules of the road apply to us as well.

- Bike Texas.org - Rules of the Road

- BicycleAustin.info - Texas Bicycle Laws

Current Events  

February 7, 2010 - GDB Super Bowl Ride - Riders from all over the Metroplex converge on the West End for lunch.  Multiple starting points around the Metroplex.  We will start at Andy Brown Park East.  Coppell, TX.

March 20, 2010 - Beauty and the Beast - Beautiful ride through east Texas, and then they throw in “the Beast”.  Tough hill, but worth the trip.  Tyler, TX

April 24, 2010 - Muenster Metric Century - Known for its hills and its beer, what more can you ask for!  Muenster, TX.

May 1, 2010 - Shiner GHASP -Great fun.  This ride is 100 miles from Austin to Shiner, ending at the Spoetzl Brewery.  And if we are as lucky as we were in 2009, we will have a headwind the whole way!  We will be doing a training program to prepare for this relatively early season century ride.  Austin, TX. 

May 19, 2010 - Ride of Silence -Join cyclists worldwide in a slow-paced ride in honor those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways.  This will be the third year for the Coppell edition of this ride.  Distance of 10 miles at a pace of 12 mph.  Coppell High School north parking lot.

June 19, 2010 - Tour d’Italia - It only sounds European.  Actually a rally in Italy, Tx.  Still great fun with some great scenery.  Distances of 42, 50, and 60 miles.  Italy, TX.

July 31, 2010 - Goatneck- Rolling hills in the heat of the summer!  This is a good tune up for the big daddy, Hotter ‘N Hell.  Distances of 41 and 70 miles.  Cleburne, TX.

August 28, 2010 - Hotter’N Hell Hundred - This has become an annual event for us.   We will be doing a training program to prepare riders for this 100 miler.  We will also have team accommodations and carb loading meal on the night before.  Wichita Falls, TX. 

September 25, 2010 - Autumn in Bonham - Change of scenery with a variety of distances.  Bonham, TX.

October 2, 2010 - The Paluxy Pedal - Features a hill known as “The Wall”!  How can we resist?.  Glen Rose, TX

Bike Workout Locations

DA Winter Loop -Lighted road loop for winter night riding (Bike).  Wittington Place in Farmers Branch.
MAP

Standridge Stadium- Carrollton-Farmers Branch Natatorium (Swim-Bike)
1334 W. Valwood Parkway, Carrollton, TX 75006
MAP

Coppell Aquatics Center-Andy Brown EAST (Swim-Bike-Run)
234 E. Parkway Blvd., Coppell, TX 75019
MAP

Lake Grapevine, Sand Bass Point (Swim-Bike-Run)
MAP

Weekly Bike Workout Schedule

Mondays
Monday Night Recovery Ride 
When: 6:30 pm

Where: Bicycles Plus in Coppell
Description: 18 mile recovery ride at a very max of 17 mph.  This is a real recovery ride, it is all about spinning and relaxing.  Lead by Bicycles Plus.  

Wednesdays
DA Women’s Ride
When: 8:10 am
Where: Parking lot of Coppell Aquatics Center
Description: A typical ride is 90-100 minutes at an average pace of 16-17 mph.

Saturday ride times are subject to change based on weekend races, weather, etc.
Changes are sent via e-mail to members on a weekly basis.

Sundays
DA Bike Ride
When:  Ride at 7:30 am (time varies depending upon the sunrise open water swim time)
Where: Sand Bass Point, Lake Grapevine.
Description: This is an open-ride for cyclists of all levels. No ride leaders at this ride! Sunday ride times are subject to change based on weekend races, weather, etc. Changes are sent via e-mail to members on a weekly basis.

Weather Policy

Of course everyone needs to use their own judgement based upon their comfort level and experience, but general guidelines for group rides:

• Wet roads or rain threatening, temperature below 50 degrees:  NO RIDE
• Lightning in any conditions:  NO RIDE. This being Texas, these storms often move through quickly and normally we can still get the ride in.  We have to watch the radar closely in these situations.
• Dry roads, sunny, and temp below 40 degrees:  Personal Choice.  A lot of people will ride when temperatures are below 40 degrees.  I don’t enjoy it, especially when there is significant wind chill.  Feel free to show your toughness and come on out and ride, but I won’t be there.

Route Maps

DA Cycling route maps are available on MapMyRun.com.   Do a keyword search on DAAC to see what is available.  I have built a set of basic routes then added additional maps that show extensions or alternates to those routes.  Some however show a starting point of our old location.  Be sure you check the schedule above to know where the ride start is.

Biking Policies and Procedures

Road cycling is an inherently dangerous activity. Knowing and understanding these rules will help us be safe out on the road.

• ALL RIDERS MUST WEAR A HELMET!
• Obey the rules of the road. Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities of other vehicles on the road
• Stop at all red lights and stop signs
• Ride in the same direction as traffic
• COMMUNICATE with each other (both verbally and through the use of hand signals)
• Relay those communications all the way through the pack
• Point out obstacles such as CRACKS, HOLES, DEBRIS, GRAVEL, etc.
• Yell out for cars behind (CAR BACK), in front (CAR UP), or approaching to the side (CAR RIGHT/LEFT)
• Call out when SLOWING and STOPPING
• Call out when intersections are CLEAR to proceed
• All riders must wear a properly fitting helmet.
• Stay out of your aerobars unless you are in the front
• Don’t pass on the right
• Don’t pass up the middle
• When passing on the left, glance back, signal, then call out “ON YOUR LEFT” before you pass other riders
• Hold your line, don’t weave
• Don’t overlap wheels with the rider in front of you
• Pay attention to the route. If you are on the intermediate ride, it is each rider’s responsibility to learn the route. Otherwise, ride with the no-drop
• Never wear headphones of any form.
• Always carry ID
• Always carry a cell phone
• Be visible, wear brightly colored clothing
• Properly dispose of your trash
• If you get a flat or lose a water bottle, inform the riders around you that you are braking, slowly apply your brakes, and get to the right. Stay to the right until all riders pass before retrieving the bottle or dismounting to fix the flat
• Check for riders behind you before spitting or “farmer blowing”

Disclaimer: Each rider is responsible for his or her own safety on our training rides leaving from DA, Inc. DA, Inc. assumes no responsibility for accidents that could happen.