Hi ganb8te, that's such a difficult question! My advice might not be worth anything but ...
Having recently re-read DR, I noticed Michele talks about the LRT and going dark as a technique, but she also talks about doing what works and not doing what doesn't work. The only way to find out what works is to try things and see what happens. If it sets you back that's fine, just go get back on the horse that was working.
If you can have no expectations, I say go for it and send a friendly but not pushy text like you described. If he says no, at least it opens the door of communication and maybe he will suggest another time if he can't make it today. Or maybe he will be completely annoyed that you texted him and wish he never had to talk to you again in his life. But testing the waters might be ok. That's my opinion.
The way you describe your relationship and his personality sounds like he may need a friendly push or two to get out of limbo-land. And I think being friendly is ok, as long as you don't then get all crazy and initiate R talks etc. But I know you wouldn't do that!
