Who is hosting the Texas Forts Tour? The Wichita Falls Streams and Valleys (some of the same folks that host the Hotter’N Hell Hundred!) the Texas Forts Trail (Heritage Tourism) along with Fort Richardson, Fort Belknap, Fort Griffin, Jacksboro, Graham, Woodson, Albany, Cisco, Eastland, Breckenridge, Palo Pinto, Mineral Wells, Graford and all the other wonderful towns the tour will ride through.
What is the Texas Forts Tour? Three days of wonderful bike riding in the beautiful countryside. We like to call it: 3 days – 3 forts – 108 to 276 Miles – your choice! and More rolling hills and beautiful Texas fall scenery than is legal!
When is the Texas Forts Tour? Columbus Day Weekend - October 7, 8, 9, and 10, 2011. The adventure starts with Packet Pick-Up on Friday, October 7th from 4 to 7 p.m. at Fort Richardson State Park, just south of Jacksboro, Texas – or at Packet Pick-Up on Saturday, October 8th from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m.
Friday, October 7: The Fort will be open for your viewing pleasure and the Friends of Fort Griffin will have dinner (included in your registration fee). Also, a local group will have a home-made ice cream contest – bring a couple of dollars and vote on your favorite flavor!
Saturday, October 8: We’ll roll out of Fort Richardson at 8 AM and head to Jacksboro, Graham, Fort Belknap, Woodson, Fort Griffin and then overnight in Albany.
Sunday, October 9: An 8 AM start will point us south and east to Moran, Cisco, Eastland and Breckenridge, our next overnight.
Monday, October 10: We’ll head out again at 8 AM and cruise to Palo Pinto and Mineral Wells, then we’ll head north to Graford and back to Jacksboro and Fort Richardson.
What’s included in my registration fee?
• 3 days of riding
• 2 to 3 different mileage options each day
• 2 meals a day for 3 days
• Free tent camping spot each night (inside or out)
• A shower each day
• Transport of your tent, sleeping bag and up to twobags each day to the next camp site
• Free entry in to the Forts
• At least 3 rest stops a day
• Entertainment most evenings
I’m coming to support a rider, can I have a meal ticket? Yes! No problem, 3 days breakfast is just $25 and 3 days dinner is just $35. Let us know you’re coming and we’ll have food for you!
Taking a break in Mineral Wells
Where does it start? With a “bang” at Fort Richardson, Jacksboro, Texas.
Where does it end? Fort Richardson State Park, just south of Jacksboro. Here is a link to a map.
Why should I ride the Texas Forts Tour? To experience small town Texas friendly and really neat rides. Proceeds benefit the Wichita Falls Streams and Valleys, The Texas Forts Trail and all the communities the ride passes through.
Do I have to ride all three days? Heck no! You can ride any or all days for the same entry fee! If you need to pick up your packet other than Friday evening or Saturday morning, email Sandy at info@weechita.org and she’ll take care of you!
What kind of bike should I bring? One that works well! Be sure to have your mount checked out at your local bike shop before the tour! We welcome single bikes, tandems, recumbent and most other human powered modes of transportation!
Tell me about the rest stops, when will they be open and what will they have? The rest stops will be open based on a fast biker traveling at about 20 mph and a “stop and smell the flowers” biker traveling at about 10 mph, including stops. Each rest stop will have at least water and electrolyte replacement drink (brand to be determined by sponsors).
At Rest at Fort Griffin
Should I bring some money? Yes! We will provide morning and evening meals during the tour, but food will be available for purchase in the towns we overnight in and from stores along the way. This is a tour. We want you to stop and smell the flowers! We will have three water stops some days and four the others. Please be prepared to purchase goodies and drinks at stores in the small towns we ride through.
What else should I bring? That’s totally up to you. I can tell you what I would bring. It’s a three-day adventure, four days if you count Friday evening packet pickup. I always over pack and I’m always cold, so with that in mind, here is my packing list for a three day bike tour:
• 4 complete bike outfits, jerseys, shorts, socks. (In 4 different zip lock bags, one outfit in each bag.)
• Bike pump and lock.
• Extra bike tubes, patches and simple tools that you should already have in your seat bag.
• Flashlight
• At least 2 long sleeved tops (I’ll have 4.) to either ride in or wear around camp. Remember, it’s October and I’m always cold.
• Rain jacket.
• Helmet, gloves, bike shoes.
• Very small first aid kit for booboo’s, blisters and saddle sores.
• Three of my favorite water bottles.
• Sunscreen and lip balm.
• Bug spray.
• Comfy clothes and shoes to wear around camp and on the way home maybe 2 pair shorts or pants and 4 t shirts, underwear, rain jacket, regular jacket.
• Snacks, bike food, powdered drink mix in a zip lock bag (I would double bag it!)
• Toothbrush, paste and floss, contact supplies, hair brush, deodorant, razor and other personal items.
• Towel, wash cloth, soap/body wash, shampoo, shower shoes.
• Tent, ground cover, sleeping bag, blanket, small pillow.
• Money, cell phone (fully charged), small camera, ID and Credit/Debit cards for food and supplies along the way.
• A sense of humor and a truckload of patience!
I’ll pack everything in plastic bags and put it all in a small overnight bag which will be in another plastic bag! I will expect rain and cold and then I’ll be really happy when we have perfect weather.
So, we’re camping? What are the camp rules? Common sense and the Golden Rule. Quiet time by 9:30 or 10 PM. We’ll all be standing in line for showers, be courteous of your fellow rider and don’t forget that truckload of patience!
What if I forget something really important? You’ll have a bike. Ride into town and buy whatever you need! Most of the towns are really small, stores are within walking distance.
You say everyday is an 8AM start. I want to sleep in! Is that OK? Only if you have your own transportation for your gear! You’ll need to put all your gear in a designated spot each morning before you leave at 8 AM. Our crews will gather it all up, toss your bags into the back of a truck and drive to the next overnight where they will toss your bags out on the ground!
I want to bring some breakable things, is that a good idea? Only if you want to see how many pieces they will break into!! All the bags will be tossed willy nilly into a truck and driven over bumpy roads to the next overnight, then they will be tossed out into a pile on the ground for you to pick up! The only thing I’ll bring that’s breakable is my phone; I’ll have that with me all the time!
Cowboy Poetry around the Campfire
What meals will be provided in my registration fee? A total of six meals: dinner (evening meal) on Friday; breakfast on Saturday; dinner on Saturday; breakfast on Sunday; dinner on Sunday; and breakfast on Monday. Plus, at least 3 rest stops a day. Come with money to buy food from venders or stores and restaurants.
Is the Texas Forts Bike Tour guaranteed safe? Heck NO!!!! The Roads are not closed, not protected and just as safe as if you were riding on Texas Roads by yourself. At anytime bad things could happen. Deer, turkeys, vultures, cows, bunny rabbits and other scary wild and non- wild animals could run into you or just be in the road and molest you, scare you, knock you off your bike or just generally get in your way. Neither Race Management nor any group involved in the tour is responsible for anything in any way. We will try to do the best with what we’ve got at the time. That could be the wrong thing to do. If you want a sterile, safe environment, stay home and ride your trainer. What about the route? Are you sure we’ll be riding on the roads on the route map? Again, Heck NO!!! In case of road repair, flood, forest fire, tornado, or other Acts Of God or man- we reserve the right to delay the start time, alter the route, or cancel the events. Streams and Valleys, Texas Forts Trail, The State of Texas and the Local Law will determine if the roads are in suitable condition for the events. The decision of said group is final and we will not tolerate whiny riders.
I’ll be bringing my RV or Camping Trailer. Do you provide transport back to the previous night’s camp so I can retrieve my rig? No, we suggest you join up with an out and back rider or take turns with your biking buddies riding an out and back. If you are interested in transporting someone or being transported shoot me an email and I’ll put you on a list. You could also post on our Yahoo Group, Texas Forts Tour.
Longhorns
Can I dry camp in my RV at the city parks in Albany and Breckenridge? Yes. But be sure to remember the Golden Rule. If you’re using a generator please park far away from the tents.
I’m not into tent camping, are their hotels or B and B’s? You bet!
Jacksboro accommodations: http://www.jacksborochamber.com
Albany accommodations: to be posted
Breckenridge accommodations: to the Chamber web site and click on Lodging. http://www.breckenridgetexas.com
Are their awards? Certainly, your award is the satisfaction of a job well done and all your new lifelong friends you’ll make on the ride! Actually, we have prizes for the daily Trivia Quiz and a couple of other fun contests!
What if the weather is awful? Sorry, we will have already spent your entry fee and will not give refunds or transfer your entry to next year. If you’ve ever been involved in hosting any kind of event, you know how much an event like this can cost. We’ll delay the start for dangerous weather like big hail, lightening, tornadoes, hurricanes, approaching tsunamis.. But we’ll ride in rain, snow, sleet and hordes of locusts.
Kiwanis Serving Hamburgers in Mineral Wells
Will I get a really cool t shirt with my entry? You bet! It’s a really cool shirt with the Texas Forts Tour logo on the front and a map of the route on the back!
Who do I contact if I have other questions? Me. I’m always happy to answer your questions. The office number is 940-322-3223, our fax is 940-322-1118 my email is info@weechita.org. It’s the Hotter’N Hell office, just leave me a message and I’ll get back to you ASAP! I’ll be in Jacksboro early Friday, October 7 getting ready for packet pickup, so any questions you have them. Just hold on to them and we’ll take care of you!
Come ride with us!