The "Off season" is here folks. More folks are dusting off their trainers and getting ready for the rainy season and colder temperatures. Many of our members are also actively participating in their local church events for the holidays. Feel free to share with me any of these events as well. We don't just have to post a cycling event on our blog. If you are sharing Jesus' love by all means I am interested.
From Art Garcesa (North Dallas/Little Elm)
Denton, TX 11/18/2023
Earlier today at the 2023 Denton Turkey Roll. Our North Texas members had an awesome time at this year's Denton Turkey Roll.
I would like congratulate Ken Reedy for putting together a very successful ride. The staff and support were amazing, making this one of the top rides this year. It was a great turnout of over 700 riders. I would also like to thank him for having us there. We feel very blessed to have had a setup at the ride. All coffee, donuts, and goodies we provided were are all consumed, in addition to the massive amount of food already available. Thank you again Ken Reedy!
This rally benefits the children of Denton County and our other Denton Breakfast Kiwanis programming.
All proceeds from the Turkey Roll will benefit the programs of the Denton Breakfast Kiwanis, which include sponsorship of seven youth leadership clubs (Circle K, Key Club, Builders Club) and their Tiny Libraries project, which provides FREE books for school-aged children (K-8) at over 50 Denton locations.
Our members in attendance included Jim Boland, Armando Dejesus, Art Garcesa, Thomas McMonigle, Forrest Wonderly, Freddie Flores, Bill Cearley and our newiest member & subscriber Todd Lightner. This the Last ride of the season for our North Texas members and we look forward to winter training.
Thomas, Forrest, Armando, Bonnie, Art and Jim
While at the Turkey Roll Todd Lightner, our newest subscriber, met Art and the crew at the hospitality tent and picked up his welcome packet!
Todd, Armando, Art and Lorraine
Drew Walters, Houston Area rep, did some riding on the trainer and using Zwift. Then he did get out one nice day and attack some hills at the Cypress Creek Trails.
Drew on trainer. (I thought I might be the only one wearing the kit on the trainer LOL)
Drew heading for the hills
I harvested this from Jim's Facebook page. (Farmersville area rep)
Turkey Roll Bicycle Rally 2023 is in the books and the Rally season for 2023 is done. Been a great year, no wrecks, no broken bones this season. First thanks to Coach Bonnie Boland for going to all rides this year and allowing me to continue to my cycling journey. Today I rode the 68 mile route but added 3 miles to have 71 miles since the Big 71 birthday is coming in a week. Thanks to my teammates on Christian Cycling - Texas and North Texas Cycling for a fun season. Special thanks to Thomas McMonigle for riding today with me, you are a beast.
Funny end to the season. As I finished at mile 71 today I immediately had a front tire blowout, I guess I celebrated with a bang and a cheering section. 2023 was an awesome season. Look out for 2024. I challenge everyone to go cycling, great friends, great fun and especially great for your health. Gotta also recognize Blake Williams , my Judgment Day 2023 partner. Blake, time to start training for Judgment Day 2024 and Big Sugar in Bentonville.
Thomas and Jim
From Me (Monty)
Well, I did ride about 23 miles on the trainer (Remember if it didn't happen on Strava, It didn't happen. LOL) for my virtual ride in the H-E-B Cameron Park Zoo Stampede ride. Ethan Van Horn and I put on our last year's shirts for the photo op. Tammy Estes Van Horn and I had a free lunch at the American Legion Club 42 Gatesville TX for Veterans Day and visited with Chuck Dare. We started cleaning up the spare bedroom and the upstairs, getting prepared for family coming in. We got distracted when Ethan found his present from Maretta R. Thompson so we had to play bumper cars for a bit. We decided to cook some cracker barrel waffles for supper!
On the 13th of November, I rode my first "group ride" on Zwift with our National President, Bruce Beyerly. We rode just over thirty miles together.
Monty on trainer.
Robert Gonzales (Waco Area Representaive) stopped by the house Saturday the 18th and visited for a bit and picked up his packet from the Barrow Volks Ride that happened recently in Salado, Texas. Robert is planning on traveling in the future fulltime, so prayers that God brings in a replacement for the Waco Area. Robert will continue to ride and as of now, plans on being a Texas Spoke "At Large" member.
Alan Trammell, Gainesville Area Representaive. (Not Facebook guy)
I introduced Alan Trammell in our Week ending 5 November blog. He has kept busy riding locally in the Gainesville area. He sent me a copy of the article from their local newspaper. Alan has been active for decades. He ran in the Boston Marathon in 1964! Alan has been a physical therapist his entire life. He served in the US Army as a physical therapist from 1969 to 1975. He helped many soldiers that had returned from the war as amputees. A fellow soldier introduced him to cycling in 1969 and he hasn’t stopped riding since. Alan has been hit five times while riding! The highlight of his cycling is the ultra-cycling. As mentioned in the previous blog, Alan completed 315 miles in 24 hours and had his twin daughters as the pit crew every 35 miles. Alan has also ridden in the Hotter N Hell eighteen times. Alan has ridden in all kinds of weather to include lightening storms and hail.
Christian Cycling Texas is more than just a riding club. We are a family. Some of us share with each other more than others but that is just like family too. I am expecting a little bit of riding going on withion our family but I am sure there will be more celebrating Thanksgiving and breaking bread with our families and friends this next reporting period. Feel free to share on our Facebook group so I can harvest for this blog. God bless ya'll and I pray this finds everyone finding themselves being thankful for what the Lord has done, indeed!
Our church family packed 308 shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child (Samaitan Purse) this year and I have made a video link to share. What a blessing to be a blessing!
