The Bluebonnet Express

The annual Bluebonnet Express is typically scheduled for late March, starting from the Waller ISD Football Stadium in Waller, Texas, approximately 40 miles Northwest of Houston. This fully supported ride is one of the Houston area’s oldest rides and is presented by Northwest Cycling Club. 1257 riders registered in 2025.

Four different distances/routes are typically offered, heading south of Waller, then turning north through open country roads before turning south heading back to the stadium. The routes are 95% on back country road and staying off most of the busier FM roads in Waller County. Cyclists can expect mostly flat sections and some gentle rollers. The Bluebonnet Express preceeds the MS 150 making it an excellent training ride to prepare for the big event.

The Bluebonnet Express is promoted and sponsored by Northwest Cycling Club. It is one of two rides that we organize each year to promote cycling in the greater Houston area. The proceeds from this ride go in various directions, are predominantly cycling related, and are naturally subject to the profitability of the ride.

Boy Scout Troop 202 uses this ride as their major fundraiser. We budget an amount for them each year and if the ride turns out more profitable, we increase the donation to them. The troop has volunteers, scouts and parents, manning our rest stops and start/finish area.

Northwest Cycling Club supports the following organizations for 2023:

• Suzannah Smiles - The SB250
• Alkek Velodrome Youth Cycling
• Boys and Girls Country
• Houston Food Bank
• Waller County Sherriff Office
• Waller Assistance & Restoration Ministries
• Waller ISD
• Walk to End Alzheimer's
• Boy Scouts of America
• Royal ISD
• Bike Houston
• Waller County Fair and Rodeo

In addition to the above, NWCC sponsors weekly rides, open to not just club members but all cyclists - new and old - beginner to advanced. On a typical, good-weather day, it is not uncommon to see over 200 cyclists show up for our Saturday rides. Throughout the year, NWCC also organizes cycling educational classes and skills clinics and, of course, a host of other cycling related activities.

So, as you can see, NWCC is all about giving back to the cycling community and for the advancement and education of cycling in general - from local to state and nationwide. It's the funds from our annual Katy Flatland Century and Bluebonnet Express events that allow us to do these things.

Northwest Cycling Club (NWCC) is a tax exempt Sec 501- 3C organization.

Some BBX Post-ride Survey Feedback:

• Route excellent, aid stations best ever
• Route was clearly marked , sag was fantastic, stops lovely, great event
• Great signage on the road! Good rest stops…great after ride grub….great event
• Route was great, the stops were fantastic, the amount of sag vehicles was awesome
• Enjoyed riding the back roads and having the multiple officers assisting us with intersections.
• This was my first organized ride like this, and I absolutely loved it. Very well organized and a gorgeous course.
• A+. Great volunteers… great rest stops… great course marking ... We were extremely pleased.
• The volunteers were awesome - very friendly and encouraging!
• I liked the route because it had good scenery and low vehicle traffic. There was good traffic control provided by the race organizers and all of the key intersections were covered. The signage of the route exceeded my expectations and the crew did a great job.
• The rest stops had plenty of porto-potties (I like how the porto-potties were placed far away from the food/drinks), TONS of friendly volunteers, plenty of fluids available, and the BEST snack options.
• Price was very reasonable. And knowing if I changed my mind and not ride, you would use my money wisely.
• What went well? Everything in my book! This ride was well organized all around. The volunteers were amazing everywhere. I like the announcements at the stadium to help get people the info they needed. Shout out to the Major Taylor group for volunteering, they are a fun bunch.
• It was a good ride overall, challenging rolling hills, rest stops were the best I've seen. Super nice volunteers, well organized. I plan to ride again next year.

Donation Presentations to Scout Troops 219 and 469 for Supporting 2023 Bluebonnet Express

Troy Ottmer and Amy Smith presented donations form NWCC to Scout Troops 219 and 469 for their support during the 2023 BBX.

NWCC Mandatory Safety Message

You should be aware that potential risks, hazards, and obstructions may exist whenever you ride and we do not guarantee safe cycling conditions or make any representations about road conditions including pavement conditions, traffic volume, or speed. You are responsible for evaluating road and trail conditions in accordance with your individual level of experience, skill, tolerance for cycling in traffic, weather, time of day, obstacles, road condition and other factors when evaluating or selecting a route. NWCC and its officers disclaim any responsibility for any issues that may arise and in no event shall be liable for any damages or loss of any kind.

DOs

• Helmets are required.
• Obey all traffic signals.
• Ride predictably and smoothly.
• Call out all hazards.
• Use hand signals and call out your intentions, when you are turning, slowing, and stopping.
• Call out vehicles as they approach, “Car back” / “Car up” “Car left / right”
• In double pace lines, roll off one at a time so there will not be four abreast at any time.
• When passing other riders and groups, pass on the left and always call out "on your left."
• Communicate with riders in your group who may be pushing the speed of the group beyond the group's expectations. Ask them to slow down / speed up and/or move to the next group / drop to the group coming up.
• If you are new to group riding, whatever your estimated average speed, we highly recommend starting in the no-drop group, which will be called last.

DON'TS

• No earbuds, headphones, speakers or phone usage while cycling in any pace group.
• No using aerobars in the paceline.
• No overlapping wheels.
• Do not assume that the average speed of your ride will fall within the speed noted for each pace group except for the no-drop and 20+ groups. Groups may average a faster pace, especially on downhills or with a tail wind. On the other hand, the pace may be slower in poor riding conditions, climbing hills or into a headwind.