Jail House 300 ACP Brevet, Jail House 216 RUSA Brevet, Jailhouse 104 RUSA Populaire; July 5, 2025.
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StephenH
Jun 19, 2025, 12:41:19 AM6/19/25
to Lone * Star * Randonneurs
Join us Saturday, July 5th, for a 300k ACP Brevet, a 216k RUSA Brevet, and a 104k RUSA Populaire. These are the Jailhouse routes out of Italy, Texas.
All three routes go down to Abbott, Texas, where the 104k turns around.
The 216k and 300k continue on to Valley Mills, where the 216k turns around.
The 300k continues down to Gatesville,Texas, where it turns around.
All three routes are out-and-back with a loop at Abbott where you go down either side of the freeway.
From Valley Mills to Abbott is 35 miles with zero services. This has traditionally been a tough stretch on the return, due to heat, lack of stores, and winds, so be prepared with extra water in that area. The hills pick up after Valley Mills, so be prepared for ups and downs.
There are a number of prisons in and around Gatesville, which is where the routes get their name.
The 300k is an ACP brevet, so it qualifies for certain awards and metals. The 216k is a RUSA brevet, so it does not qualify for certain ACP awards, but you do get extra time and extra mileage credit for the extra 16k.
Start location: Tiger Mart/ Pilot, on the northwest corner of I-35E and Hwy 34 in Italy, Texas. Park out behind the Denny's.
Start time: Tentatively 7:00 AM. We may adjust this if advantageous, to be confirmed.
There are RWGPS routes on the LSR calendar, but all three routes need to be updated, and I will be working on that. So check back here for latest routes.
Lone Star Randonneurs membership is required. See the form on the LSR website, and get the form and money in to Dan prior to the ride.
RUSA membership is required. See the RUSA website for details.
Lights and reflective gear are required for the 300k. They are highly recommended for the 216k.
Waivers are attached for all three routes. Fill out the waiver, print, sign, scan, email to both me and Dan, and bring the original to the ride start. If you've already sent a waiver to Dan, you don't need to duplicate it. If you don't know which route, fill out both waivers and you can decide the day of the ride.
Currently, Google maps shows both Abbott stores to be open 24 hours. It shows the Cefco in Valley Mills to be 24 hours. It shows the "other" store in Valley Mills on the 300k route to be open until 10:00 PM.
Based on past experience, I prefer the "Main Street Market" on the east side of I-20W in Abbott to the Abbott Travel Center (lower prices!!). Note that you can stop there on the 216k/300k return as well- simply ride under the freeway and straight when coming back in, then turn right into the parking lot driveway.
Sunrise is 6:26 AM, sunset is 8:37 PM.
Long-range forecast is not out yet, but is probably "hot". Be prepared.
More later!
Stephen H
stephen...@yahoo.com
All three routes go down to Abbott, Texas, where the 104k turns around.
The 216k and 300k continue on to Valley Mills, where the 216k turns around.
The 300k continues down to Gatesville,Texas, where it turns around.
All three routes are out-and-back with a loop at Abbott where you go down either side of the freeway.
From Valley Mills to Abbott is 35 miles with zero services. This has traditionally been a tough stretch on the return, due to heat, lack of stores, and winds, so be prepared with extra water in that area. The hills pick up after Valley Mills, so be prepared for ups and downs.
There are a number of prisons in and around Gatesville, which is where the routes get their name.
The 300k is an ACP brevet, so it qualifies for certain awards and metals. The 216k is a RUSA brevet, so it does not qualify for certain ACP awards, but you do get extra time and extra mileage credit for the extra 16k.
Start location: Tiger Mart/ Pilot, on the northwest corner of I-35E and Hwy 34 in Italy, Texas. Park out behind the Denny's.
Start time: Tentatively 7:00 AM. We may adjust this if advantageous, to be confirmed.
There are RWGPS routes on the LSR calendar, but all three routes need to be updated, and I will be working on that. So check back here for latest routes.
Lone Star Randonneurs membership is required. See the form on the LSR website, and get the form and money in to Dan prior to the ride.
RUSA membership is required. See the RUSA website for details.
Lights and reflective gear are required for the 300k. They are highly recommended for the 216k.
Waivers are attached for all three routes. Fill out the waiver, print, sign, scan, email to both me and Dan, and bring the original to the ride start. If you've already sent a waiver to Dan, you don't need to duplicate it. If you don't know which route, fill out both waivers and you can decide the day of the ride.
Currently, Google maps shows both Abbott stores to be open 24 hours. It shows the Cefco in Valley Mills to be 24 hours. It shows the "other" store in Valley Mills on the 300k route to be open until 10:00 PM.
Based on past experience, I prefer the "Main Street Market" on the east side of I-20W in Abbott to the Abbott Travel Center (lower prices!!). Note that you can stop there on the 216k/300k return as well- simply ride under the freeway and straight when coming back in, then turn right into the parking lot driveway.
Sunrise is 6:26 AM, sunset is 8:37 PM.
Long-range forecast is not out yet, but is probably "hot". Be prepared.
More later!
Stephen H
stephen...@yahoo.com
StephenH
Jun 22, 2025, 4:30:55 PM6/22/25
to Lone * Star * Randonneurs
Updates:
I've updated the RWGPS routes for all three routes. Links are:
104k- https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51372842
216k- https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51373661
300k- https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51377406
Y'all look these over, and if y'all see any edits, I'll change up the same file and re-save.
Start time: 7:00 AM currently.
We have sometimes started rides super-early to beat-the-heat. These routes can be ridden overnight also, as there are 24-hour stores available. If there is any strong preference for the super-early or overnight options, let me know, otherwise it will be 7:00 AM.
Some Route Notes:
It is possible to start off going west from the start control and down to Dale Acres Road. That gets you some nicer roads, less traffic, but also a bonus mile each way and a possible big-dog-chase. So I have left the routes going out Hwy 34 for now.
In Abbott, there is the Main Street Market (first store) and the Abbott's Travel Center (second store). I prefer the Main Street Market due to stock and prices, but either store can be used. To get to Main Street Market on the return from the 216k or 300k, go straight under the freeway and just past the far service road is a driveway up to the store. On the 216k and 300k, I've shown to use one store on the way out, the other on the way back, just for simplicity of access.
There used to be a farm with several camels, about 7 miles before Valley Mills. I'm not sure if the camels are still there, but keep an eye out on the outbound and return to see. They're on the right going out.
In Valley Mills, I routed the 216k off of Hwy 6. We've ridden it like this before.
In Valley Mills, the 300k route goes right by one store that is open until 10:00 PM. There is a Cefco off-route, farther south in town (the control for the 216k), and it has a larger stock and longer hours than the first store. There is also a Subway and a grocery store down there.
In Gatesville, I routed the 300k to a new store. The old route had an icky store with good H-E-B behind it, with so-so roads going to it. The new route has highway shoulders on Hwy 36 and a presumably better store. You pass a "false control" store a couple of miles before you get to the actual control, so don't whip into the wrong one. There is an Allsup's across the street from the Cefco and you can use either one if you have a preference. At the turn-around, you have to turn left onto Hwy 84, then left into either the parking lot or Hwy 36, so it's kind of awkward there. I'd suggest to take a good look at that on the map/satellite beforehand.
Heat and lack of stores can be an issue on these routes, especially between Valley Mills and Abbott on the return trip on the 216k and 300k. Carry a Camelback, plenty of fluids, ice up as needed, etc.
There is a store in Milford that can be a lifesaver on the returns. I'm not sure what time it closes, so you may miss it on the 300k.
On the 216k and 300k, at Mile 51-52, roads have been revised, but current Google maps do not show the roads correctly. The cues are correct, but a Garmin may show slightly off-course passing through here, and similar on the return. You used to have to turn off on some random county road, but they changed that whole thing into a simple T-intersection, so now you just go straight onto FM 56.
On the 300k, at Mile 70, a Y-intersection has been converted into a T-intersection. Cues are correct, but a Garmin may show briefly off-course at this turn and on the return. Compare map to satellite images to see the difference.
Times allowed:
104k: 3:04-6:56
216k: 6:24-14:24
300k: 9:00-20:00
I've updated the RWGPS routes for all three routes. Links are:
104k- https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51372842
216k- https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51373661
300k- https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51377406
Y'all look these over, and if y'all see any edits, I'll change up the same file and re-save.
Start time: 7:00 AM currently.
We have sometimes started rides super-early to beat-the-heat. These routes can be ridden overnight also, as there are 24-hour stores available. If there is any strong preference for the super-early or overnight options, let me know, otherwise it will be 7:00 AM.
Some Route Notes:
It is possible to start off going west from the start control and down to Dale Acres Road. That gets you some nicer roads, less traffic, but also a bonus mile each way and a possible big-dog-chase. So I have left the routes going out Hwy 34 for now.
In Abbott, there is the Main Street Market (first store) and the Abbott's Travel Center (second store). I prefer the Main Street Market due to stock and prices, but either store can be used. To get to Main Street Market on the return from the 216k or 300k, go straight under the freeway and just past the far service road is a driveway up to the store. On the 216k and 300k, I've shown to use one store on the way out, the other on the way back, just for simplicity of access.
There used to be a farm with several camels, about 7 miles before Valley Mills. I'm not sure if the camels are still there, but keep an eye out on the outbound and return to see. They're on the right going out.
In Valley Mills, I routed the 216k off of Hwy 6. We've ridden it like this before.
In Valley Mills, the 300k route goes right by one store that is open until 10:00 PM. There is a Cefco off-route, farther south in town (the control for the 216k), and it has a larger stock and longer hours than the first store. There is also a Subway and a grocery store down there.
In Gatesville, I routed the 300k to a new store. The old route had an icky store with good H-E-B behind it, with so-so roads going to it. The new route has highway shoulders on Hwy 36 and a presumably better store. You pass a "false control" store a couple of miles before you get to the actual control, so don't whip into the wrong one. There is an Allsup's across the street from the Cefco and you can use either one if you have a preference. At the turn-around, you have to turn left onto Hwy 84, then left into either the parking lot or Hwy 36, so it's kind of awkward there. I'd suggest to take a good look at that on the map/satellite beforehand.
Heat and lack of stores can be an issue on these routes, especially between Valley Mills and Abbott on the return trip on the 216k and 300k. Carry a Camelback, plenty of fluids, ice up as needed, etc.
There is a store in Milford that can be a lifesaver on the returns. I'm not sure what time it closes, so you may miss it on the 300k.
On the 216k and 300k, at Mile 51-52, roads have been revised, but current Google maps do not show the roads correctly. The cues are correct, but a Garmin may show slightly off-course passing through here, and similar on the return. You used to have to turn off on some random county road, but they changed that whole thing into a simple T-intersection, so now you just go straight onto FM 56.
On the 300k, at Mile 70, a Y-intersection has been converted into a T-intersection. Cues are correct, but a Garmin may show briefly off-course at this turn and on the return. Compare map to satellite images to see the difference.
Times allowed:
104k: 3:04-6:56
216k: 6:24-14:24
300k: 9:00-20:00
Long range forecast: Hot and windy, few clouds. Check closer to ride start to get a better idea.
Rider list: Not available yet.
Stephen H
Dan Driscoll
Jun 22, 2025, 4:54:43 PM6/22/25
to Stephen Hazelton, B RG -LSR Group
Stephen,
Your time, effort and expertise is appreciated so much more than words can convey.
Routes look perfect to me.
As a Bonus, we can report a long stretch of new baby butt smooth asphalt, and all routes being out and backs, this will be enjoyed twice as much.
Thank you for being one of LSR’s prized persons !!!!
DanD
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StephenH
Jul 1, 2025, 1:45:11 PM7/1/25
to Lone * Star * Randonneurs
Looks like it's me, Dan, Pam, Amy, Rob, all on the 216k this weekend. Anyone else?
Start time is still 7:00 AM unless I hear otherwise.
If I've missed you, let me know.
Forecast: Low of 76, high of 95, partly cloudy, winds from S at 12 mph, humidity medium/high.
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