Road biking: Plano versus Boulder

Never Enough Money said:

Now my company is encouraging me to take a position (and a promotion)
in Plano, Texas. I plan to make a trip to Plano to scout out the pace
but until then perhaps one of you could help describe the road biking
conditions there....

I know it's hotter. How about traffic? Are there good country road
routes? Etc.

Plano TX is a sprawling suburban hellhole that isn't fit for any
self-respecting human to live in.

Non-self-respecting humans being what they are, sharing the road with
them and their mammoth SUVs while on your bike should prove to be
somewhere between exceedingly unpleasant and lethal.

You employer would hae to offer you one whopper of a promotion for you
not to take a huge quality-of-life hit by moving from Boulder to Plano.
Do not consider this move without checking Plano out firsthand.

Chalo Colina
Texas born & raised

Never Enough Money said:

I know it's hotter. How about traffic? Are there good country road
routes? Etc.

i do not have first hand info. about cycling in Plano.

FWIW, my experience of riding in Arlington, TX (~5 years ago):
As long as you pick the correct roads, the traffic is light. IME,
weekends, most of the town is lazy and would mostly stick to major
roads. I have no idea how it would be commute to work. If you are
interested in Track Racing, there is a good velodrome in Frisco, TX
(http://www.superdrome.com).

I think it would be best if you get in touch some people from bike
clubs/shops in that area. you can google for them...

+ravi

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Now my company is encouraging me to take a position (and a promotion)
in Plano, Texas. I plan to make a trip to Plano to scout out the pace
but until then perhaps one of you could help describe the road biking
conditions there....

I know it's hotter. How about traffic? Are there good country road
routes? Etc.

"Good country routes," that's a good one! Plano is a large suburb in the
Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, if you get in your car and drive for an hour
maybe you can find a country road! That said there is a large bicycling
community in the area and there are many group rides and numerous century
rides. Check out Richardson Bike Mart - http://bikemart.com/site/index.cfm
and click on their Links button and you will see listings of many clubs in
the area. One popular ride in the area is around White Rock Lake, which is
a 9 mile loop. One other person also mentioned the Velodrome if you are
into track riding.
Chuck

"Chalo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Never Enough Money said:

Now my company is encouraging me to take a position (and a promotion)
in Plano, Texas. I plan to make a trip to Plano to scout out the pace
but until then perhaps one of you could help describe the road biking
conditions there....

I know it's hotter. How about traffic? Are there good country road
routes? Etc.

Plano TX is a sprawling suburban hellhole that isn't fit for any
self-respecting human to live in.

Yep. I've been there, and it's not bike friendly. It reminded me of the
Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater sprawl, except T/SP/Clw actually has some decent
bike trails. If you can use the trails for your commute, it's an OK place.
Other than that it's just deadly. Riding on US 19 down there is suicidal.
You're dealing with seniors in Lincolns, and self-absorbed yuppies on cell
phones, all driving in 6 lanes of bumper to bumper traffic. No way I'd live
there. I like my nice semi rural county, for as long as the rural part
lasts. Wyoming is definitely in my future...

Never Enough Money said:

I've been road biking in Boulder, Colorado and the surrounding areas
for about 15 years. The roads have nice shoulders, there are
challenging hills, lots of other cyclists, and the car drivers are
considerate (for the most part). I ride all year long, more than 300
days of sunshine!

Now my company is encouraging me to take a position (and a promotion)
in Plano, Texas. I plan to make a trip to Plano to scout out the pace
but until then perhaps one of you could help describe the road biking
conditions there....

I know it's hotter. How about traffic? Are there good country road
routes? Etc.

Cheers!

A move to anywhere in Texas, IMNSHO, is a BAD move! The "only" good
thing Texas has going for itself is it has no state income tax (but
unlike Alaska, it doesn't give rebates) - that's it - period. I say
these comments without lack of experience, and that's my personal
opinion <G>. Boulder is a lot better than Dallas! For that matter,
Colorado is a lot better than anywhere Texass! (Freudian typo????)

Skyhooks
h m a r d i s ""AAhhtt"" u i u c "DDaauugghhtt"" e d u

Skyhooks said:

Never Enough Money said:

I've been road biking in Boulder, Colorado and the surrounding areas
for about 15 years. The roads have nice shoulders, there are
challenging hills, lots of other cyclists, and the car drivers are
considerate (for the most part). I ride all year long, more than 300
days of sunshine!

Now my company is encouraging me to take a position (and a promotion)
in Plano, Texas. I plan to make a trip to Plano to scout out the pace
but until then perhaps one of you could help describe the road biking
conditions there....

I know it's hotter. How about traffic? Are there good country road
routes? Etc.

Cheers!

A move to anywhere in Texas, IMNSHO, is a BAD move! The "only" good
thing Texas has going for itself is it has no state income tax (but
unlike Alaska, it doesn't give rebates) - that's it - period. I say
these comments without lack of experience, and that's my personal
opinion <G>. Boulder is a lot better than Dallas! For that matter,
Colorado is a lot better than anywhere Texass! (Freudian typo????)

Skyhooks
h m a r d i s ""AAhhtt"" u i u c "DDaauugghhtt"" e d u

I forgot to mention there's also a dramatic difference in topography
between Boulder and Dallas!!!! Boulder & Dallas can't be compared to
each other in terms of geography, etc. There aren't any "mountains" in
Dallas/Richardson/Plano/Fort-Worth/etc., and from what I remember of
Dallas in the 80s, it's still flat as Houston's pancakes!!

Sky

Never Enough Money said:

I've been road biking in Boulder, Colorado and the surrounding areas
for about 15 years. The roads have nice shoulders, there are
challenging hills, lots of other cyclists, and the car drivers are
considerate (for the most part). I ride all year long, more than 300
days of sunshine!

Now my company is encouraging me to take a position (and a promotion)
in Plano, Texas. I plan to make a trip to Plano to scout out the pace
but until then perhaps one of you could help describe the road biking
conditions there....

I know it's hotter. How about traffic? Are there good country road
routes? Etc.

Cheers!

Others have accurately called it. Plano seems to be generally under
construction in my opinion. Nearby Frisco has numerous proposesd bike
trails that are nearly all proposed. However, there are some nice lakes
nearby with good bike trails to, around and from them such as Lake Ray
Roberts, White Rock. There are some very active cycling clubs in the
area (Mirage, GDBC). Be sure to visit Richardson Bike Mart at Campbell
and Coit. What a candy store. I live inside the LBJ loop (you'll
understand when you get here), so I generally do not drive north to the
Plano area just to ride. I head towards White Rock Lake instead.

You know the disadvantages. Advantages are the active cycling
community, year round riding with not a whole lot of ice cold weather
(which you pay for with the summer HEAT). There are many nearby area
organized rides, for example, you are only 2 1/2 to 3 hours from the
Hotter N Hell Hundred in Wichita Falls that hosted 9700 riders last
year. Check out http://www.bicycletexas.com/cycling.htm for other
information.

"Never Enough Money" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've been road biking in Boulder, Colorado and the surrounding areas
for about 15 years. The roads have nice shoulders, there are
challenging hills, lots of other cyclists, and the car drivers are
considerate (for the most part). I ride all year long, more than 300
days of sunshine!

Now my company is encouraging me to take a position (and a promotion)
in Plano, Texas. I plan to make a trip to Plano to scout out the pace
but until then perhaps one of you could help describe the road biking
conditions there....

I know it's hotter. How about traffic? Are there good country road
routes? Etc.

Cheers!

For outdoor recreation including biking:

Boulder-->Plano parallels Garden of Eden-->Hell

However if you live by the credo expressed in your name you may be happier.

BobT

Chalo said:

Never Enough Money said:

Now my company is encouraging me to take a position (and a promotion)
in Plano, Texas. I plan to make a trip to Plano to scout out the pace
but until then perhaps one of you could help describe the road biking
conditions there....

I know it's hotter. How about traffic? Are there good country road
routes? Etc.

Plano TX is a sprawling suburban hellhole that isn't fit for any
self-respecting human to live in.

Non-self-respecting humans being what they are, sharing the road with
them and their mammoth SUVs while on your bike should prove to be
somewhere between exceedingly unpleasant and lethal.

You employer would hae to offer you one whopper of a promotion for you
not to take a huge quality-of-life hit by moving from Boulder to Plano.
Do not consider this move without checking Plano out firsthand.

Chalo Colina
Texas born & raised

You forgot to mention that if he has kids, their drug habits subsidized
by all of their rich friends should begin around 7th or 8th

\\paul from Peachtree City, GA, which from all accounts, has a similar
social life as Plano

--
Paul M. Hobson
Georgia Institute of Technology
..:change the words to numbers
if you want to reply to me:.

Paul Hobson said:

Chalo said:

Never Enough Money said:

Now my company is encouraging me to take a position (and a promotion)
in Plano, Texas. I plan to make a trip to Plano to scout out the pace
but until then perhaps one of you could help describe the road biking
conditions there....

I know it's hotter. How about traffic? Are there good country road
routes? Etc.

Plano TX is a sprawling suburban hellhole that isn't fit for any
self-respecting human to live in.

Non-self-respecting humans being what they are, sharing the road with
them and their mammoth SUVs while on your bike should prove to be
somewhere between exceedingly unpleasant and lethal.

You employer would hae to offer you one whopper of a promotion for you
not to take a huge quality-of-life hit by moving from Boulder to Plano.
Do not consider this move without checking Plano out firsthand.

Chalo Colina
Texas born & raised

You forgot to mention that if he has kids, their drug habits subsidized
by all of their rich friends should begin around 7th or 8th

\\paul from Peachtree City, GA, which from all accounts, has a similar
social life as Plano

7th or 8th *grade*

--
Paul M. Hobson
Georgia Institute of Technology
..:change the words to numbers
if you want to reply to me:.

"Paul Hobson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Chalo said:

Never Enough Money said:

Now my company is encouraging me to take a position (and a promotion)
in Plano, Texas. I plan to make a trip to Plano to scout out the pace
but until then perhaps one of you could help describe the road biking
conditions there....

I know it's hotter. How about traffic? Are there good country road
routes? Etc.

Plano TX is a sprawling suburban hellhole that isn't fit for any
self-respecting human to live in.

Non-self-respecting humans being what they are, sharing the road with
them and their mammoth SUVs while on your bike should prove to be
somewhere between exceedingly unpleasant and lethal.

You employer would hae to offer you one whopper of a promotion for you
not to take a huge quality-of-life hit by moving from Boulder to Plano.
Do not consider this move without checking Plano out firsthand.

Chalo Colina
Texas born & raised

You forgot to mention that if he has kids, their drug habits subsidized by
all of their rich friends should begin around 7th or 8th

Not just a drug habit, but a heroin habit. Plano is an enclave of
work-obsessed yuppie parents who try to make up for neglecting their kids by
throwing money at them. Money and status rule the place. It's soulless. If
you want to move to Texas, move to Austin. Heck, Wichita Falls would be
preferable to Plano. If I were the OP I think I would try to stay in
Boulder.

Paul Hobson said:

You forgot to mention that if he has kids, their drug habits subsidized
by all of their rich friends should begin around 7th or 8th

That aspect would be similar to Boulder then.

R

Thanks for all the replies! I thinjk I'll stay in Boulder (although as
one posted noted, Wyoming may be in my future.....)

Never Enough Money said:

Thanks for all the replies! I thinjk I'll stay in Boulder (although as
one posted noted, Wyoming may be in my future.....)

Wyoming-- my sweetie's home state-- is gorgeous and clean and offers
untrammeled outdoor recreation opportunities. The winter weather is
severe enough for most of the year to make most of those recreation
opportunities a two-season (at best) prospect, though.

Austin, TX-- my hometown-- is a fantastic town whose charms grow deeper
and more numerous the longer you live there. It's a refreshing cutural
oasis within the vast wasteland that connects the coasts. For what
it's worth, a large plurality of the musical crown jewels from New
Orleans have relocated themselves to Austin. It's no coincidence.

Chalo Colina

Never Enough Money said:

I've been road biking in Boulder, Colorado and the surrounding areas
for about 15 years. The roads have nice shoulders, there are
challenging hills, lots of other cyclists, and the car drivers are
considerate (for the most part). I ride all year long, more than 300
days of sunshine!

Now my company is encouraging me to take a position (and a promotion)
in Plano, Texas. I plan to make a trip to Plano to scout out the pace
but until then perhaps one of you could help describe the road biking
conditions there....

I know it's hotter. How about traffic? Are there good country road
routes? Etc.

Cheers!

Traffic in the Dallas area is the stuff of nightmares! I haven't
tried bicycling there, but have visited my daughter who lives near
Plano in McKinney. Outside of Plano on the country roads and away
from Dallas, I think would be very nice. Most of the country roads I
have been on had a wide turning/emergency lane. Most of the territory
seems to be fairly flat.

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"Never Enough Money" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thanks for all the replies! I thinjk I'll stay in Boulder (although as
one posted noted, Wyoming may be in my future.....)

Plano may or may not suck - I don't know since I've never been there - but
don't make such an important decision based upon the opinions of a few
people you don't even know on Usenet. Go there and check it out for
yourself.

Cheto

"Chalo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Austin, TX-- my hometown-- is a fantastic town whose charms grow deeper
and more numerous the longer you live there. It's a refreshing cutural
oasis within the vast wasteland that connects the coasts. For what
it's worth, a large plurality of the musical crown jewels from New
Orleans have relocated themselves to Austin. It's no coincidence.

I did not know that. But, having visited both places and in particular the
music scene, it makes sense.

Cheto <[email hidden]> wrote:
:> "Never Enough Money" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
:> news:[email hidden]...
:>
:>> Thanks for all the replies! I thinjk I'll stay in Boulder (although
:>> as one posted noted, Wyoming may be in my future.....)
:>
:> Plano may or may not suck - I don't know since I've never been
:> there - but don't make such an important decision based upon the
:> opinions of a few people you don't even know on Usenet. Go there
:> and check it out for yourself.

That is the best way...one man's heaven may be another's hell. Different
strokes, etc.

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Paul Hobson said:

You forgot to mention that if he has kids, their drug habits subsidized
by all of their rich friends should begin around 7th or 8th

That aspect would be similar to Boulder then.

R

Is there a heroin problem in Boulder? When I was there I just saw
pot-smoking, patchouli-wearing hippies.