Less than a week to go. Air up those tires, lube that chain and make sure your helmet fits. Get ready to ride! Today I offer these tips and reminders to help you, and us, make this a safe and successful Pedal Thru The Pines:

• Take care of your bike but take care of yourself first. Remember proper nutrition and hydration before, during and after the ride.
• Warm up and stretch before and after to help prevent injuries.
• Please review the Safe Riding Tips and frequently asked questions on the FAQ tab of our website.
• This year we will have some food vendors at our ride: Coffee Dog will be selling your eye opening wake-up fuel, Las Cocinas will be selling breakfast tacos, HEB will be hosting a refreshment tent and Mike Wilson will be selling BBQ sandwiches, chicken and chopped beef on buns, grilled chicken wraps, chips, water and Monster drinks for your post ride fueling.
• We have added porta-potties in several locations and have stadium bathrooms available near Hill St. See MAPS on our website.

Always ride with caution, awareness and responsibility for yourself and others on the route.

Larry Moomey

PTTP Safety Coordinator

We are less than three weeks out to the 2010 Pedal Thru The Pines. By way of keeping in touch and in hopes of making our ride as safe as possible for all, I offer these reminders today:

• Route Change: this is a onetime change this year due to construction. The 62 mile route will be out to and back from Serbin (Wendish Museum) rest stop. We recently drove the route in question and trust me when I say you DO NOT want to be on a bike on that road! 62 milers check with any SAG or volunteer for information about this route change. We will have a SAG member at Serbin rest stop offering reminders to this change.
• 16 Milers: Alum Creek Road has been resurfaced. The road is a little rough but very rideable. Watch out for piles of gravel near driveways and intersections. RIDE AWARE!
• In addition to the parking at DSI @ Hawthorne St. and Hwy. 95, we also have access to the Performing Arts Center parking lot adjacent to the High School on the south side of Cedar St. See MAPS tab for locations.
• All riders please review the Safe Riding Tips and frequently asked questions on the FAQ tab.
• Check the Route Photos Gallery for visual information and key spots along all routes.
• Proper nutrition, hydration and physical preparation before during and after the ride are key to a successful and injury free ride. Don't forget to take care of yourself first!
• After you've taken care of yourself, check your bike and all safety equipment (HELMET) for proper operation and fit before you ride.
• I like to think that Feedback can happen before and after an event. If you have any concerns or suggestions go to the FEEDBACK tab under INFO and let us know what you're thinking.

As always, ride with caution, awareness and responsibility for yourself and others on the route.

Larry Moomey
PTTP Safety Coordinator

Due to heavy construction on FM 448 and advisories from TxDOT managers who tell us that the construction will not be completed by 6 March, we are changing the 65 mile Metric Century route. This is the ONLY route that will change. The change is very simple but all riders need to be aware: When you arrive at the Serbin (Wendish Museum) Rest Stop, all riders will turn around and double back on the route returning to St. Mary's rest stop on FM 2104, down FM 153 past Rocky Hill and on to State Hwy 71 for the normal route to the finish line. The mileage will remain very near the same. We will have volunteers at the Serbin rest stop making announcements about this change or check with any volunteer for information and assistance. Watch for route signs and ride safely!

Larry Moomey, Safety Coordinator

The ride will be on Saturday, March 6th 2010, starting at 9AM. Please help us spread the word. Online Registration is already available.