good place to train north dallas area

I think Tommy has some routes on Route Manager.  Look for user zia_cyclist.  I've ridden this route from McKinney to the lake.  It's 35 miles each way plus a couple of laps around the lake get up to close to 100.  I like this route because it's on lesser traveled roads that have multiple lanes for the most part.  And it's not way out in the boondocks.

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/training/map.asp?routeid=102063

If you leave from the Legacy Business Park area (JC Penney, Frito Lay, etc.) in Plano, there is a nice 40 mile route to Old Celina Park. Take Legacy north to Panther Creek, Panther Creek east to Tollway access road (traffic is not bad that far north), and then continue north across 380 basically until you get to Old Celina Park. Do it twice and you've got your 80-miler.

Eh, I have never been impressed with RBM rides. They get the job done, but there seem to be too many random drop in's from people who don't know how to ride a bike.

I ride with the Greater Dallas Bicyclists.

They have a distance builders ride on Sat 8:00 AM, that typically goes 55-60 miles at a 15-16 mph average. If you ride to the start and back home (it starts at Preston and Forest), you can get in extra miles that way.

If that is too slow for you, they also have a group that goes out at the same time, from the same location, but with a 17-18 mph average... for 55-60 miles.

AND... from the same location, they have a group that meets at 7:00 AM... who rides for an hour... before the 8:00 ride starts. So if you do that plus the full 8:00 ride... you can easily get in 70 miles for the day.

Finally... if you ride to/from the start... depending on where you live you can make it a 80 mile day I'm sure.

I know for me, if I start from my apartment it's an 80 mile day round trip.

There is a small group of us riding tonight leaving an Allen park around 6:15 or 6:30 if you are interested. We will do 20 to 30 miles, depending on who shows up.

I am available for more during the day. I can train anywhere next week and can go for as far as you like.

That sounds great. I am free during the days as well, so I can ride whenever you would like to go! It would be great to have some company!

Yep, Preston and Forest... on the SW corner where Ulta is (Whole Foods use to move there, but moved from the SW corner to the SE corner).

8:00 AM. Saturdays. We ride 55 miles- but you can go back at the 1st rest stop to get in only 40 miles.

There is a fast group (20-22 mph average- bike computer at the end of the ride!)... a medium group (17-18 mph average- end of ride)... and the distance builders group (14-16 mph average- end of ride).