Last month, I interviewed Leslie Luciano, Community Relations Manager, about the shop and got some quite interesting facts and tidbits about [...]]]> Bicycle Sport Shop is the behemoth of Austin bike shops. Whatever you want, they probably have it tucked away in a corner of their massive, warehouse-like central shop at south Lamar and Barton Springs.

Last month, I interviewed Leslie Luciano, Community Relations Manager, about the shop and got some quite interesting facts and tidbits about Bicycle Sport Shop and its history. Here’s what she had to say.

You guys have been around for a long time (over 25 years) in Austin. How has the shop evolved over the years?

Read the complete interview at austinbikeblog.org

Life is good right now at KirkLee. In just over 12 months, framebuilder Brad Cason has taken a  framebuilding business that was just an idea and generated a tremendous amount of buzz as an up [...]]]> Editor’s note: This article is the first in a series of articles we are doing to profile Texas handbuilt framebuilders.

Life is good right now at KirkLee. In just over 12 months, framebuilder Brad Cason has taken a  framebuilding business that was just an idea and generated a tremendous amount of buzz as an up and coming custom carbon brand to watch. KirkLee has been reviewed in the Nov/Dec 08 issue of Road, drew some notice at Interbike, was recommended by Velonews Tech writer (and framebuilder) Leonard Zinn, and is being found under the body of U.S. Road Champion Tyler Hamilton as his bike of choice when sponsors don’t force him to ride another bike.

Link to the full profile at Austin Bike Blog.

Dale Robertson writes, “Dan Raine owns seven bicycles, and he knows most of the bike routes and trails in Houston as well as anyone because [...]]]> Unlike the Dallas Bike Coordinator, Houston’s Bike Coordinator, Dan Raine, appears to be in favor of bike lanes and bike mobility. Also he still has the job.

Dale Robertson writes, “Dan Raine owns seven bicycles, and he knows most of the bike routes and trails in Houston as well as anyone because he’s on them all the time. In short, Raine is hard core, exactly the kind of rainmaker the cycling community needs on its side — working from the inside.

After five months on the job as the city’s bicycle-pedestrian coordinator, he’s finally getting his arms around Houston’s 15-year-old comprehensive Bikeway Plan, focusing his attention on figuring out a way to fill in the system’s myriad of gaps and making logistical adjustments for the many changes the city has seen since its conception.”

Link to Dale’s full column at the Houston Chronicle Cycling Notebook.

“fresh meat 6.00 came way too early this morning but at least it was a relatively mild morning.  No [...]]]> Andy appears to be in Houston since he mentions Addicks and Bear Creek, two areas on the far west side of Houston. This blog excerpt was posted January 18th. Visit Andy’s blog for the full post.

“fresh meat
6.00 came way too early this morning but at least it was a relatively mild morning.  No sign of the skipper or Dave at the Beltway but another rider came up and introduced himself: Louis from Marketing.  It will be his first MS-150 and he hasn’t put in much saddle time so far this season.  Dave and Paddy soon appear – they’ve already ridden 100 miles this weekend and are ready for more.  Meanwhile Phil back in Blighty has been packing in the miles and getting his hill work done too – we need to find some topography pretty soon if you ask me.”

Taking a two week intensive frame building class was just that, intense. Spending 8-12 hours a day working on one project in isolation allowed for quick learning, but also the days ran together in a blur.

Now that I’m back in Austin with my normal routine, Doug’s workshop [...]]]> Elliott writes about his experience at austinbikeblog.org

Taking a two week intensive frame building class was just that, intense. Spending 8-12 hours a day working on one project in isolation allowed for quick learning, but also the days ran together in a blur.

Now that I’m back in Austin with my normal routine, Doug’s workshop in Niles, Michigan seems like a distant memory. However, I’ve received a certain confidence in my ability to not only build a frame but do handy work in general that I didn’t have just two week ago. Overall, it was a good experience and a well done class. I’m glad I went.

read Elliott’s full review

by Pat Carpenter

Any place where the terrain is rough and the sky is blue in Dallas, Houston or elsewhere in Texas is a place you’ll probably find mountain bikers. The sport of mountain biking usually refers to riding bicycles, which possess particular design characteristics, off-road, although sometimes the term simply [...]]]> from Bike Frames Review

by Pat Carpenter

Any place where the terrain is rough and the sky is blue in Dallas, Houston or elsewhere in Texas is a place you’ll probably find mountain bikers. The sport of mountain biking usually refers to riding bicycles, which possess particular design characteristics, off-road, although sometimes the term simply refers to riding a mountain bike.

It’s a tough, demanding sport that requires endurance, good bike handling skills and a lot of self-reliance. It’s an individual sport that can be performed almost anywhere. There are certain aspects of mountain biking that are similar to trail running, more so than regular bicycling. And, because riders are often far from civilization, there is a strong ethic of self-reliance. Seasoned riders have learned to repair their broken bikes or flat tires to avoid being stranded in the middle of nowhere. This reliance on survival skills accounts for the group dynamics of the sport. Club rides and other forms of group rides are common, especially on longer treks.

read more at Bike Frames Review