DB Rec 9/14/19 7:30am 56.4 miles Rowlett - Plano Bicycle Association

***5:50pm Friday--route adjusted to shorten a couple miles***

It'll be a bit cooler than last weekend, with light ESE winds, so let's head to Rowlett (avoiding the Emmitt Smith Gran Fondo routes, which start at Southfork Ranch and head NNE).

WEATHER (as of 5pm Friday):
The forecast predicts 75°F at 7:30am and 91°F (heat index 92°F) at noon. Winds are forecast to be increasing 3-6mph from the ESE. We'll have mostly sunny skies and 2% chance for "precipitation".
NWS Weather

ROUTE:
See "News" section of our website for a note on routes and downloading to your device. If, like me, you have a Wahoo Elemnt, just copy the route to your own RideWithGPS account, and you can sync easily through your Wahoo phone app.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31106116

OPTIONAL GO YOUR OWN PACE ZONE--WE WILL WAIT AT REGROUP POINT:

None.

RIDE PARAMETERS:

The goal is to keep the group effort smooth and consistent during the ride.
In order to keep the effort smoother for everyone, the front riders will accelerate very gradually after stops and turns.
If you want to work more, please take a turn up front by announcing your request and safely making your way up to the front, e.g. at a stop light, when given the go-ahead.
We will target a Garmin rolling average of 15.5mph - 16.5mph. This typically means going ~1-3mph faster on flats.
We may go slower at times, we don't want to burn ourselves out on these long rides, so uphill and/or upwind sections will be taken at an easier pace so as to not expend our reserves.
We may go much faster at times and exceed 25mph, depending again on wind and hills.
Please review the route posted above carefully, and print or download to your bike computer.
See route for rest stop details.
This is a DROP RIDE. However, if we get separated at a traffic signal, or if there is a mechanical issue, we will soft pedal or stop to regroup.
Please have a sag plan in place in case you have gotten in over your head.
You should have successfully completed rides with Tweeners, DB Lite, or above to attempt this ride.

SAFETY:
You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of everyone else in the group, so please RIDE STEADILY, BE PREDICTABLE, & COMMUNICATE while riding with our group and adhere to the following PBA rules:

Keep at least one hand on the handlebar at all times!
You must wear a helmet.
Headphones, speakers, and any form of music is not allowed.
Call out road hazards loudly so others will hear you.
Loudly call "SLOWING" if cyclists ahead of you slow down unexpectedly.
Please note: left is anything to the left of the left column; right is anything to the right of the right column; and middle is anything between the left and right column.
When the ride leader calls out "Prepare Left", the sweeper (last cyclist in the left column) is responsible for initiating group left lane change(s) when safe to do so by loudly calling out "Take It" and taking the lane first or holding the current lane while loudly calling out "Car Back".
Ride a straight line and do not overlap the wheel in front of you.
Loudly pass all messages pertaining to the group up to the ride leader, e.g. "Gap" if the group starts to separate, "Riders Back" if members get separated at a stoplight or similar, "Mechanical" if ANYTHING occurs that requires the group to stop, and "Rider(s) Down" if needed.
I strongly recommend lights even during daytime rides. The added visibility may save you from injury or worse!

IMPORTANT NOTE:
The goal is to have fun while riding safely within our ride parameters and enjoying the outdoors. Please introduce yourself to anyone you haven't met before. We ride at a brisk, but social pace.