Texas Bicycling News Digest May 29th 2018

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Kyle police ask for help identifying driver who killed bicyclist

By: Jennifer Kendall | www.fox7austin.com


HAYS COUNTY, Texas – Police in Kyle are looking for a driver they believe hit and killed a bicyclist on the I-35 Frontage Road.

53-year-old John William Lyon was found dead on the side of the road Sunday. The driver who hit him has yet to be located.

Police said based on debris at the scene, they are looking for a grey 2009 or 2010 Kia Optima. …

With great courage and commitment

By DENISE M. BARAN–UNLAND | www.theherald-news.com

Despite her own health issues, former New Lenox resident Tracy R. Sefcik took a 61-day solo bicycle journey to raise money for veterans

Sefcik did so by biking across the country from San Diego California to St. Augustine, Florida.

She rode 49 of the 61 days she was gone, approximately 65 to 75 miles a day, a journey that took two years to plan.

She called her event “Cross Country Cycle 4 Vets” and said it was her way of helping fellow veterans, as well as first responders, and thanking them for their “sacrifices and commitments.” …

HBC Memorial Day Ride. A Salute to Those who Serve!

Justus Kay | www.strava.com

Kate’s Ride 2018 – Cyclemeter

Gary Ramsey | www.strava.com

Memorial Day Ride

Ed Bustillos | www.strava.com

Gravel Map

June Bug | www.bikemojo.com

Gravel Map. People ride gravel roads all around the US and then post the route to this map.

Re-striping for safety

By Nicolette Perrone | www.ktre.com


AMARILLO, TX (KFDA) – Amarillo’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee says it’s making strides in their plans to re-stripe roads in the area.

The group says creating bike lanes isn’t just safety for those on two wheels.

The advisory lanes can benefit those riding on four wheels as well as pedestrians. …

Video: Brindley Trail: Mountain biker’s paradise in the heart of Sugar Land

Molly O’Connor | abc13.com

SUGAR LAND, Texas (KTRK) — Sugar Land has become a mountain biker’s paradise with several dozen miles of hike and bike trails for families to enjoy.

The Justin Petersen Brindley Trail in Sugar Land Park is just one of the many hike and bike trails in Sugar Land making it a popular destination for beginner, intermediate and even advanced riders. …

Long distance bike ride raises money for fallen first responders

Author: Royden Ogletree | www.12newsnow.com

The Texas Brotherhood Ride, a long distance bike ride raising money for fallen first responders, stops in Deweyville on their way to San Antonio. …

City proposes turning Tyrrell Park Community Center into tourism facility

www.beaumontenterprise.com


Beaumont city council on Tuesday proposed renovating a portion of the Tyrrell Park Community Center and turning it into a tourism facility that could promote birding, golf and bike riding.

City Manager Kyle Hayes said a proposal for a selective demolition of the 12,700 square foot facility that he put before council in February was denied 4-3 by the state’s landmark commission. That “selective demolition,” which called for the removal of what’s left of the roof and …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

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New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Spring Creek Greenway Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I have wanted to ride the Spring Creek Greenway for sometime and today was the day. Starting out at 10:00 am the weather was comfortable. I biked through Forest Cove to Hamblen Road. The plan was to bike west on Hamblen to the u-turn under I-69/US59 and take the Bevil Jarrell Memorial Bridge across the San Jacinto River and to the trailhead on the u-turn road on the south side of the river. I wasn’t sure if the bridge replacement construction would cause a problem on both u-turns. Other than sand on the road ia a few places this worked and I was at the trailhead 6.9 miles from home.

Photos I took up to this point.

Since I wasn’t sure about the greenway surface and speed I decided to ride my Blue Norcross AL bike which worked great. Also I wondered how many people would be on the greenway. I saw several people on the bridge before getting on the greenway and not long after I took the photos above I saw other bikers. The road surface was asphalt with a few short sections of concrete partlcularly around the bridges.

After entering the greenway the first break was at Jesse Jones Park where I got lost trying to find the trail after riding through the park. After a couple of false starts I saw a sign and headed west. The greenway was impacted by Hurricane Harvey flooding in many places with sand piled up on the sides of the trail in places. In Jesse Jones Park the Harris County Precinct 4 crews were clearing trees and other things.

Leaving Jesse Jones Park the road goes up a small hill and turns left back onto the dedicated trail. Thank goodness for the signs. Back on the trail I came across more people. At one point I saw a 4 wheel “gator” moving slowly with two women walking bikes in front. At first I wasn’t sure if the man in the gator was helping but as I got close I saw all three of them were Precinct 4 Deputy Constables. I passed them and thought they were patrolling the trail. Not too long after that I came across a lone woman deputy constable biker and I slowed to talk with her. She said she was training and and would bike patrol in other places in Precinct 4. Also the training lasted from 7 am to 3 pm riding back and forth on the trail. I think she said training lasted a week. Moving on from her I came upon another woman deputy constable also in training. She said last year when was training she blew out her knee and couldn’t finish so she was back. When she completed the training she would be west of SH 249 patrolling. She was prepared for the heat with a Camelbak while the previous lady just had two clear plastic bottles of water. Thinking I wouldn’t see anymore deputy constables I was surprised at the next bridge another woman deputy constable was stopped looking down the creek. I stopped to talk with her and found out she was the instructor. Except for the male deputy riding the gator each woman was riding a mountain bike. I saw deputies again on the return trip but they were the same ones.

The trail skirts residential areas in places and I saw at least one golf course. No big hills and the trail moved up and down though the ride back to the east seemed a little hillier but maybe my legs were tired.

I thought the trail was 18 miles from the I-69/US59 trail entrance to the end but it was only about 14 miles. The last mile went under the Hardy Toll Road and maybe 1/2 mile farther ended with barriers and a sign saying closed for construction. I could see the trail continue around the corner but no construction work. Photos at the trail end.

A mile before the end of the trail I stopped at the Dennis Johnston Park for water which is not very plentiful along the trail. A lady volunteered to take my picture when I came out of the main building after I took one without me.

The ride back to Jesse Jones Park was good but the little hills seemed more abundant. I still made a wrong turn in the park and rode around the perimeter trail again before getting back to the greenway trail. I stopped at the park to eat a couple of granola bars. I was looking for a fountain to refill my water bottle and went to the restroom building. The restrooms were closed with paint buckets in front of the closed gate but the water fountain worked providing nice cold water. I guessed it was repaired after the flood.

These are photos I took along the trail mostly on the way west. The park in the photos below did not have running water at the restroom building. I finished the bike ride at 2:00 pm, the time I told my wife I thought I would be home.

I look forward to biking the greenway again. Maybe I will ride once each month.

No PowerPod on this ride.

SportTracks Bike Ride Summary

SportTracks Bike Ride Summary

Texas Bicycling News Digest May 28th 2018

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Laredo Police host bike rodeo

www.kgns.tv


LAREDO,Texas(KGNS)- It was a rodeo of a different sort this weekend.

Kids in town had the chance to learn all about safety when riding their bikes, as part of the police department’s annual bike rodeo.

The department teamed up with the City of Laredo and Bike …

Dallas-Area Parks with the Best Hiking and Biking Trails

by Parks for Downtown Dallas | parksfordowntowndallas.org


The bluebonnets and Indian blankets are blooming, the mockingbirds and red-winged blackbirds are chirping and the Texas sun is shining, which means there’s no better time to take your exercise outdoors and hit the local trails. The Dallas Park System is one of the largest municipal park systems in the country, with over 380 green spaces nestled within our city limits. Not only do these parks offer free recreational facilities — from playground equipment to splash pads to …

BETTER CITY FOR CYCLISTS

By CASSIE L. SMITH | www.wacotrib.com

City officials join Critical Mass ride with ‘Bicycle Friendly Community’ aim

Piece by piece, the city of Waco is working to improve bicycle infrastructure, and with that effort, assistant city traffic engineer Christine Miller decided to join a local group for a ride across town.

Years had passed since Miller found herself on a bicycle, but she knew she wanted to join …

Audio: ‘Texas Monthly’ On NE Texas Trail: ‘In 1878, There Was A Steam Locomotive On This Trail’

By JOHN MARK DEMPSEY | ketr.org

Jack Neal, the executive director of the Northeast Texas Trail, and trail user Hank Pickering of Wolfe City discuss a recent Texas Monthly article on the trail. Jack says the trail is not considered complete, although hikers, bikers and others can traverse its entire 130-mile length from Farmersville to New Boston.

BELTON LIONS CLUB HOSTS ANNUAL STAMPEDE ON THE CHISHOLM TRAIL

beltonjournal.com


Approximately 100 cyclists gathered at the Harris Community Center for the recreational “Stampede on the Chisholm Trail” ride, hosted by the Belton Lions Club, on Saturday, May 12.

“This is our big fundraiser for the year and riders come from all over – Lampasas, Austin area, and we even have a rider from Colorado! The “Stampede on the Chisholm Trail” is a purely …

Upcoming Rides – Chasing Watts

chasingwatts.com

Tuesday Society Cycle Works Evening Ride (3 Loops)
Tuesday, May 29, 2018 @ 6:30 PM

Tues Night Smackdown
Tuesday, May 29, 2018 @ 6:00 PM

Handlebar Cyclery TNW
Tuesday, May 29, 2018 @ 6:00 PM

McIntyre’s Sprint Zone Wednesday
Wednesday, May 30, 2018 @ 6:20 PM

West Bike Scene @ Sun & Ski Memorial Mall
Wednesday, May 30, 2018 @ 7:00 PM

SUGAR LAND WEDNESDAY NIGHT WORLDS
Wednesday, May 30, 2018 @ 6:00 PM

Bear Creek Crit
Wednesday, May 30, 2018 @ 5:00 PM

Thursday Society Cycle Works Evening Ride (3 Loops)
Thursday, May 31, 2018 @ 6:30 PM

Thurs Night Smackdown
Thursday, May 31, 2018 @ 6:00 PM

Catalina Ride
Thursday, May 31, 2018 @ 5:30 AM

Alkek Championship Series
Friday, June 1, 2018 @ 7:00 PM

Road Group Ride: Pearland Cycling Club
Saturday, June 2, 2018 @ 7:30 AM

Blue Agave Cycling Ride @ Society Cycle Works
Saturday, June 2, 2018 @ 7:30 AM

Group Ride Etiquette Session
Saturday, June 2, 2018 @ 4:00 PM

Sugar Cycles Shop Ride
Saturday, June 2, 2018 @ 7:30 AM

Cool Cat 45 Miler
Saturday, June 2, 2018 @ 7:00 AM

Bike Barn – Champions
Sunday, June 3, 2018 @ 7:30 AM

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Texas Bicycling News Digest May 27th 2018

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Kyle police investigating dead bicyclist found along I-35

By News Staff | www.statesman.com

Kyle police investigating dead bicyclist found along I-35

Kyle police say they are investigating the death of a bicyclist who was found along Interstate 35 by a passing motorist.

According to a news release, the roads in that area, the I-35 southbound exit ramp at exit 210 and Highway 81 west access will be shut down temporarily while investigators are on the scene.

The victim is an adult male and police are in process of locating the next of kin, officials said.

Susan Peak

Pedal Pushers | roy-pedalpushers.blogspot.com

Rocking Chair Ranch
Susan Peak Road
San Angelo, Texas
May 26, 2018

Martha, Jeffri, Stephen, Mel, Rick, Dorothy, and Mark line up for hill training (mostly rollers) on Susan peak.


The hill is the toughest climb of the ride. What doesn’t show is the sudden 14% grade incline until it levels at 11% near the top. …

https://youtu.be/rDlXK7s9h08

https://youtu.be/ISbqaAO7Yj0

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10156351320684841&id=181207024840

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1846659745398268&id=101901069874153

Photos: Law enforcement embark on bike ride from New Orleans to Texas to honor fallen servicemen

www.theadvocate.com


Law enforcement traded in their emergency response vehicles for bicycles to embark on a 600-mile journey from New Orleans to Baton Rouge, stopping along the way to honor EBRSO deputy Shawn Anderson, who was killed March 17.

The Texas Brotherhood Ride, slated to make stops in Eunice and Houston before touching down in San Antonio on June 3, was formed “to provide emotional and financial support” to the families and coworkers of law enforcement who died in the line of duty. …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter