25 April - Monty Van Horn - Had an early start this morning with the alarm going off at 0330 hours. Jack Carmicheal Thompson sent me a text that he was having some car issues do we needed to take our vehicle to Muenster for the bike ride. Tammy Estes Van Horn got up and held the flashlight for me while I installed the bicycle rack. She said a prayer for us and we were on our way by 0430. We arrived at the 50th Annual Germanfest at 0800. There was a long line of cars! When we went to register, Alan Trammell was there watching for us. Once Jack and I got our packets and unloaded out bikes, we met Alan and rode over to the starting line. There was lots of folks! I'll grab those pictures from the GoPro tomorrow and add them to this album. While we were waiting for the ride to start, Jack noticed someone with Christian Cycling jersey on. It was David Bridgewater! We all got together for a picture, I know surprise huh? LOL. Not long until the ride I heard the duck lady, Kathy Gardner, I might have caught her on the GoPro while riding next to her, I'll check tomorrow. David did the 41 mile route while the rest of us did the 22 mile. We had a great time of fellowship today and looking forward to going back next year. After the ride we got to visit with Bill Cearley for awhile. The final count was 832 riders! Jack and I stopped in Mineral Wells at a burger joint to refuel. We were back home before 1600 hours.
25 April - Jim Boland - Christian Cycling-Texas, Farmersville Team at National Trail Day, Chaparral Trail on the NETT! A big "THANK YOU" to all those involved in Farmersville Parks and Recreation's , "Celebrate Trails Day" on the Chaparral Trail on the NETT today.
Thanks to all those who ran, jogged, hiked or cycled on the trail. We wanted a fun day and a big crowd and we got both.
Thank you to the Mayor, Council Members and 4B Board who have supported this event.
Thanks to those who sponsored this event. City of Farmersville, 4B Board, Chamber of Commerce, Parks and Recreation Board, and my team members of Christian Cycling-Texas, without you we could not have pulled this off.
The Northeast Texas Trail is something special and we are excited about things to come.
A special thanks to my wife, Bonnie Boland, who not only supports me 100% but also believes in some of my crazy ideas. Well, most of them.
Plan on next year being bigger and better! Please continue to support the Chaparral Trail and the NETT.
Okay....time to rest a few hours and then, "Let's Go Ride"
A big "THANK YOU" to all those involved in Farmersville Parks and Recreation's , "Celebrate Trails Day" on the Chaparral Trail on the NETT today.
25 April - Blake Wiliams - Nice group of gravel riders today, for National Trails Day in Farmersville, TX. We took a little 33 mile ride out to Celeste and back. Thanks to everyone who came out ,and hope you had a good time!
25 April - The Bolins - 2026 Piney Woods Ride is in the books. Bertha and I wanted to do a new ride in East Texas called the Piney Woods Quad County Ride in Frankston, TX - about 2 hours down 175, past Athens.
This was the first year for the ride and I would call it a success, but turnout was low at about 100 riders. There were 3 routes: 20-ish mi, 40-ish mi, 62 mi, and lots of elevation. The 62 mi route had about 3000 ft, the 40 mi route about 2000 ft. I planned on doing the 62 mi, but had second thoughts on the elevation and decided on the 40 mi route. Bertha did the 20 mi route and I rode with Bertha for the first 12 miles or so, and broke off to go on my route - at least that is what I thought.
I ended up back at the start and got with the Ride Director and decided to do the back-half of the 62 mi route. I ended up with about 53 mi and 2000+ elevation (I dont really know the miles or elevation because I inadvertantly left the bike computer on during the drive home and both were not accurate). I do remember looking down and seeing 53 miles just before the last part of the ride. Overall, this was a good ride and we will likely go next year. Positives (my perspective): people were very friendly, it was well-organized, plenty of parking, easy to get there with light traffic - going and coming - till we got to Dallas, lots of stuff in the goody bag, courteous locals, BEAUTIFUL SCENERY, not many rides in this part of the state. Negatives (again, my perspective) - these should get better with lessons learned/experience: chip seal (not their fault, but there was a fair amount, signage could use improvement but not bad, more route choices, perhaps move start time to 9:00 (it's not hot yet), needs more promotion to get the word out (especially since it's new), finally - perhaps move to a weekend where there's less competing rides to help boost attendance. These are not harsh criticisms - just some observances. Pics will be posted later.
25 April - Jim Boland - Thanks to all who attended the opening of Trail Days on the Chaparral Trail on the NETT.
Unbelievable number of people to ride, run, jog or walk on the trail. What a awesome day.
Here's a few photos, more to follow. Again thanks for visiting Farmersville. Thanks to all who attended the opening of Trail Days on the Chaparral Trail on the NETT. Big thanks to our Christian Cycling Team for all the help.
19 April - Jim Boland - Great Christian Cycling-Texas gravel ride today lead by Blake Williams .
Please plan to attend an extra added ride this coming Saturday on the Chaparral Trail on the NETT. Starting at The Onion Shed at 9 AM.
The ride will start immediately following the Ribbon cutting for the National Trail Day Celebration. It will be appropriately 25 mile gravel ride. Lead by Blake Williams.
We also have a 10 mile Fun ride and 1 mile Fun Run.
Medals to all riders and runners plus a change to win 1 of 4 bikes.
Sponsored by Christian Cycling-Texas, Farmersville Chamber of Commerce, Farmersville Parks and Recreation and Farmersville 4B Committee.
18 April - Jim Boland - Tour de Rain.........oops.......I meant Tour de Cypress, Mount Vernon, TX.
Fun morning, with rain but fun.
16 April - Art Garcesa - @everyone Brothers & Sisters: Please join me in congratulating our brother Jim Boland for being appointed to the NETT (Northeast Texas Trail) Board for the City of Farmersville.
Jim also serves the community as the current Chair of the Farmersville Parks and Recreation. He has been hard at work planning improvements for the NETT. Most importantly, Jim has been hard at work the past 3 years in expanding the Lord's ministry unto the gravel and MTB communities in North Texas. We love you brother. Thank you for all that you do and for all of your hard work.
15 April - The Bolins - We had a great time at the Bluebonnet rides, seeing lovely friends again. First time riding with new cleats, a new challenge. Some of us got caught up in the rain, but we enjoyed a nice lunch with great friends.
11 April - Art Garcesa - We had a great time today at Bluebonnet 2026. It was great to see everyone. We are very blessed.
