Texas Bicycling News Digest April 2nd 2018

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Bicyclist dies after being hit by SUV in south Abilene

by Jamie Burch | ktxs.com


ABILENE, Texas — The Abilene Police Department says that the woman who was hit by an SUV while riding her bicycle in south Abilene on Saturday night has died.

The Abilene Police Department has identified the victim as April Gist, 35, of Abilene. …

Bicycle Mechanic – (Dallas, TX) (Cedars Dallas)

dallas.craigslist.org

Adecco is assisting the latest unicorn technology startup in Cedars Dallas, Texas in their search for a Bicycle Mechanic. This is a temp-to-perm opportunity. As a Bicycle Mechanic you will be required to do maintenance and repair of fleet of bicycles, work independently and with team members, and utilize problem solving and prioritization in a fast paced environment. If you have bicycle mechanic experience, are excited about touching lives, shaping culture, and changing the world then join us in improving the way the world moves! …

ARR- Trail work at Spyglass entrance of Barton Creek Greenbelt- Paydirt Eligible

Thursday, Apr 5, 2018, 5:00 PM

Barton Creek Greenbelt – Spyglass Entrance
1500 Spyglass Road Austin, TX

2 Mountain Bikers Went

• What we’ll do Check back here if the weather turns bad (forecast looks good so far). We will be doing tread work and armoring the tread cleared last work day. Wear closed toes shoes and work / weather appropriate clothes. Children are OK with parental supervision. We are scheduling lots of workdays so racers can get their Paydirt hours. • What to…

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PAYDIRT – ARR Trail Crew / NEW Roy G Kid’s Trail (w/o KVUE)

Friday, Apr 6, 2018, 9:00 AM

Roy G Guerrero Colorado River Park
400 Grove Blvd Austin, TX

7 Mountain Bikers Went

KVUE called and had to postpone until next Friday, so we won’t have the news there this day after all. We will be doing tread clearing and other touch ups for the NEW Roy Guerrero Park Kid’s Trail! This trail will be a great destination for kids to learn mountain biking skills on a short trail with varied beginner level terrain. Meet along Grove B…

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The Austin Mountain Bikers Meetup Group

Austin, TX
3,936 Mountain Bikers

Meet other local mountain bikers to organize rides, review trails, gear and trade tips. All skill-levels welcome. We’ll try to organize rides that fit all experience levels. M…

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Border Bike Trip, Day 21: How Long to Terlingua?

By GRANT WISHARD | www.weeklystandard.com


Big Bend National Park is one of the largest, most biologically diverse parks in the country—and you’ve probably never heard of it. Stuck all by its lonesome in the bendy part of southwest Texas, along 118 miles of the Rio Grande river, Big Bend is famously isolated and inaccessible. Out of all the national parks, Big Bend is consistently one of the least visited. …

California to Florida – across the USA

By Julian McCarthy | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 34: Buescher State Park TX to Rocky Creek Park TX: best campsite of the trip so far

Sunday April 1, 2018, 104 km (65 miles) – Total so far: 2,042 km (1,269 miles)
Nice sleep in lovely warm temperatures, on top of the sleeping bag much of the night. A few times I heard distant train horns but not enough to wake me, I just happened to be awake.
Once we had packed up I went to try and find use the wifi at the gatehouse (no good) and had the pleasure of meeting two eastbound cyclists from Australia, Ben and Caroline, on a meandering trip for a few months. All the best.

We headed east over lovely little lanes, and …

Day 35: Rocky Creek Park TX to Richards TX: can things get any better? We get to meet Bubba and be pampered

Monday April 2, 2018, 94 km (58 miles) – Total so far: 2,136 km (1,327 miles)
Another nice early start. Going to bed before 10 means a 6:15 alarm is not an issue. I like to get up and going before the sun and wind are too strong.
Packing up was a pleasure in the cool dawn, overlooking the lake. A lot more humidity in the air as we go east, but still fine without a flysheet.

I left slightly ahead of the other two, aiming …

Coast to Coast With Bubba

By Bobby Rone | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 31 – Lagrange, TX to Richards, TX: Historic Texas

Monday April 2, 2018, 89 miles (143 km) – Total so far: 1,703 miles (2,741 km)
Another great ride today. The weather was warmer, started in the mid 60’s and ended about 81, but was still good for riding. Plus, there was a partial cloud cover that kept it nice. We were riding northeast. The winds were out of the south, so we had either a cross wind or a quartering tail wind. The roads were good. The wildflower display was awesome. There were fields of bluebonnets and Indian paint brush the whole way.
The route was over mostly …

Early Spring on the Southern Tier

By Peter Gillott, Julian McCarthy and Poppy Holmes | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 35 Somerville Lake to Richards, Texas: With Bubba’s Pampered Pedalers

Monday April 2, 2018, 58 miles (93 km) – Total so far: 1,844 miles (2,968 km)
If yesterday’s was the best campsite yet, and it was, then today must rate as our best camping experience.
Last night, we went to sleep to the sound of frogs croaking, today we woke to the sounds of crickets chirruping. The campsite was deserted and the huge lake stretched out before us like a gigantic silver mirror. I was sorry to leave but we expected to do 70 miles today to our next campsite so it meant an early start, aiming to make Navasota for lunch. …

Joe’s Southern Tier Adventure

By Joe Athas | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 49: Del Rio-East of Bracketville

Sunday April 1, 2018, 48 miles (77 km) – Total so far: 1,457 miles (2,345 km)
Easter Sunday I slept in until 9 or so after going to bed around 10-10:30. I was due for a lot of sleep apparently. I left right after some coffee since I had everything prepared. The morning was overcast and cool which was a good change of pace. I was able to talk to my family having their Easter celebration which was a real treat.
I thought I was making good time so I …

Day 50: Road 334-Wes Cooksey park.: Rough start to a good finish 🙂

Monday April 2, 2018, 36 miles (58 km) – Total so far: 1,493 miles (2,403 km)
I slept poorly on road 334 last night. What’s worse is that realized I dropped my riding jacket somewhere between where I camped and Bracketville. I decided to backtrack up to 4 miles before I should turn around again. Sadly I didn’t find my jacket. I kept moving on a bit discouraged and stopped for some trail mix for breakfast. I was then approached by a boarder patrol officer named Josh. He asked why I was going back and forth, I told him about my missing jacket. I didn’t …

Pacific to Atlantic

By Matthew McCoy | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Van Horn TX to Marfa, TX: 75 miles

Sunday April 1, 2018
HAPPY EASTER!
The route today was 75 miles with no services except for a Prada Store, which was closed probably because it’s Easter Sunday, but I stopped to do some window shopping anyway. I know the devil wears it , but not many others can afford it.

I got an early start this morning because I heard the route was a long 1% to 2% grade for almost the entire distance and the last thirty miles of road was a very slow and bumpy chip and seal surface, which couldn’t have been good for my bike (or me.) I had a little bit of a …

Marfa, TX to Marathon, TX.: 56 miles

Monday April 2, 2018
On my way to Marathon today, I cycled through Alpine, TX which seemed trendy and touristy as the gateway town to Big Bend National Park. Alpine was at the convenient halfway point of my ride today.
I am not going to write about the wind any longer because writing about it can only jinx me.

Rather than staying at a sun-baked and …

##The Limo Bikes to Bayous and Beaches

By Marilyn Swett | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Oak Thicket Park, Lake Fayette to Columbus, TX: Another beautiful day in the country

Monday April 2, 2018, 25 miles (40 km) – Total so far: 445 miles (716 km)
“Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair…..” – Susan Polis Schutz
It was quiet in the campground last night except for the sounds of crickets, a strange whirring noise (cicadas??) and peeping frogs. Bob from the Ramada had shown up at about 11:00 pm to deliver our computer power cable but wouldn’t accept any money for his time and gas. What a great guy! If you’re ever in Giddings, stay at the Ramada.

I was up about every hour because of …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

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Lots of Good With Some Bad Bike Ride

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Today’s bike ride was the longest so far this year coming at 48.46 miles but also I suffered the first flat on the Canyon Endurace CF SLX. I biked the “SR242 – FM1314” route for the first time since October 2nd, 2017. I started the ride at 11:30 am and finished at 3:48 pm. If the flat had not happened I probably would have finished a half hour earlier.

Weather during the bike ride: start 80 (74% humidity), partly cloudy, wind S 8 mph. Finish 81 (75% humidity) partly cloudy, wind S 13 mph, gusts 22 mph. The wind was tough when I made the turn back towards Porter from SH 242 onto FM 1314. Home weather at the start followed by airport weather at end of the bike ride.

Home Weather at the start
Airport weather at the finish

The puncture came after I crossed FM 1485 riding north on the I-69/US59 service road. I felt the rear tire go soft and started looking for a place to work on the tire. I rode a hundred feet or so into the FoodTown grocery store parking lot and found a tree near the back loading dock with some shade. Inspecting the tire before removing it from the bike I didn’t find the problem but once I removed the tire and looked closer I found a tiny piece of rock stuck in the tire. Getting the tube out of the tire wasn’t too hard and then I aired it up to find the hole. It didn’t take long to find the hole with white powder coming out of the tube. I put a screw in the hole so I wouldn’t lose it, roughed it up with the sandpaper and applied the glue. I was concerned about the patch kit glue being old but it came out of the tube and held the patch. I made a mental note to get a new patch kit when I got home and put it in my seat bag. I aired up the tube before putting it back in the tire to see if I got the hole fixed. After checking the tube I let the air out and inserted the tube into the tire and mounted the tire on the rim. As I was doing this I saw a label about registering the wheels and will check that out. Pumping up the tire I put all the stuff back and got ready to resume the ride.

The first picture shows the parts after the repair. The photo of the Wahoo Elemnt is after I finished the repair and getting ready to leave. This was 12.5 miles into the bike ride.

With the tire fixed and rolling I headed to SH 242. So far the wind was at my back helping me along. riding west of SH 242 the wind was still helpful enabling me to bike at 18 to 20 mph most of the time. I stopped to take these photos of the emerging windflowers along SH 242. I should’ve got closer to them. (click on the image to enlarge it)

When I got to FM 1485 I made a quick stop at the Chevron station for ice and water. Back on the bike I continued biking to FM 1314 turning to the southeast. At that point my average speed was 15.7 mph. I was able to hold this for awhile but the wind started to take a toll on my legs and the average speed slowly went down.

Thanks to the time spent fixing the flat I was concerned about the Briar Tree school traffic but when I got to Old Sorters Road the school buses were lined up to make the left turn onto Old Sorters Road but held up by the traffic light. I made the turn to get in front of them and rode to the schools with the buses following me once they got through the traffic light. My legs were tired and the timing meant I would get caught in the Kings Manor school traffic if I kept riding so I stopped at the Oakhurst pool and park for a rest stop. Eating a snack and drinking water I checked email and when I finished got on the bike and headed to Kingwood.

The school traffic was gone and I made good time even though the wind was still blowing among the houses and trees. The next school was Bear Branch Elementary and by the time I got there only a few cars remained and I rode by without any problems.

Glad to finish the long ride I pumped up the tires, replaced the patch kit and went inside.

Tuesday’s weather forecast includes some late afternoon rain so I will need to ride earlier and not as far as today.

April’s mileage goal is 600.

SportTracks Bike Ride Summary

Bike Ride Summary

Texas Bicycling News Digest April 1st 2018

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6-year-old in critical condition after being struck by hit-and-run driver in Friendswood

abc13.com

FRIENDSWOOD, Texas (KTRK) — A 6-year-old child riding a bicycle was critically injured by a hit-and-run driver Saturday afternoon in Friendswood.

According to police, the child was struck around 11:55 a.m. by a vehicle on FM 2351 near Woodland Trail. Police said the driver, 61-year-old Kevin Guyton Caldwell, hit the child after the child lost control of his bicycle on the sidewalk and ended up in the roadway. …

THE IDLE AMERICAN: Tomorrows and yesterdays

By Don Newbury | www.oaoa.com

In his 40-year career as a National Weather Service meteorologist, he spent most of his time predicting the near future. As a retiree, he’s studying “the far back,” immersed now in learning of a much-ballyhooed highway a century ago.

Genesis of the latter, for Fort Worth’s Dan Smith, began with a bike ride on abandoned pavement between Aledo and Weatherford and discovery of an old “Bankhead Highway” street sign. …

California to Florida – across the USA

By Julian McCarthy | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 33- Austin TX to Buescher State Park TX

Saturday March 31, 2018, 89 km (55 miles) – Total so far: 1,938 km (1,204 miles)
Posted via email Sun Apr 1 09:45:01 2018 PDT

Up early and last of the free breakfasts at the Super 8. Not the smartest of places but excellent location and good value for Austin.

We managed to get an early start, which was nice as we only had about 65km to do to Bastrop. A mark of how nice Austin was, was that it did not sprawl like other cities, as the centre is vibrant enough to have shopping and businesses without needing to stretch out for miles and miles. Only about 10-15km to the edge of town.

Fairly flat, and one part along the Lance Armstrong Bike Trail. Presumably spots where you can stop and take illegal drugs?

We managed to miss one turn and had to backtrack but not far, and we were then in the …

Coast to Coast With Bubba

By Bobby Rone | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 30 – Lockhart, TX to Lagrange, TX: Bluebonnets everywhere!

Sunday April 1, 2018, 60 miles (97 km) – Total so far: 1,614 miles (2,597 km)
Today’s ride was fairly easy, mostly on back roads with no traffic. Of course, It was Easter Sunday so not many people are out, anyway. The route was mostly flat to gently rolling with only a couple of steep hills to climb. The roads today were pretty good for the most part. The weather continues to be perfect for riding – low 60’s to mid 70’s.

Coming out of Lockhart, we went …

Early Spring on the Southern Tier

By Peter Gillott, Julian McCarthy and Poppy Holmes | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 33- Austin TX to Buescher State Park TX

Saturday March 31, 2018, 89 miles (143 km) – Total so far: 1,755 miles (2,824 km)
Posted via email Sun Apr 1 09:45:02 2018 PDT

Up early and last of the free breakfasts at the Super 8. Not the smartest of places but excellent location and good value for Austin.

We managed to get an early start, which was nice as we only had about 65km to do to Bastrop. A mark of how nice Austin was, was that it did not sprawl like other cities, as the centre is vibrant enough to have shopping and businesses without needing to stretch out for miles and miles. Only about 10-15km to the edge of town.

Fairly flat, and one part along the Lance Armstrong Bike Trail. Presumably spots where you can stop and take illegal drugs?

We managed to miss one turn and had …

Pacific to Atlantic

By Matthew McCoy | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Fort Hancock, TX to Van Horn, TX: 74 miles

Saturday March 31, 2018
I got an early start out of Fort Hancock because of the longer mileage day today, but by noon I had a tailwind that pushed me along quite well. When I took breaks I wondered what I would do if the same wind was a headwind instead. The trail put me on Interstate 10 twice today for just a few miles because there were no alternative roads to get …

Southern Tier on a Recumbent 2018

By Joseph Valenzi | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 30 – April 1 Easter Sunday – Lockhart TX to LaGrange TX: A soft day

Friday March 9, 2018, 61 miles (98 km) – Total so far: 1,664 miles (2,678 km)
When the Irish say “it’s a soft day” they usually mean a foggy misty day. It kind of started that way, but then it cleared up. But all day we were flanked by pillow like mounds of wildflowers, and fresh green grass. I just wanted to jump into them, like we used to do to piles of leaves in the fall. All in all, I think it was a soft day.

I just can’t get over these flowers. When I thought of Texas, I pictured, oil, cattle, ranches, cool places like Austin, but not flowers. Dry landscape was what I imagined, not a continuous profusion of flowers. Thank you Lady Bird Johnson, if indeed it was you that led to this. It is quite a pleasant surprise, and led to a very enjoyable ride. That …

The Limo Bikes to Bayous and Beaches

By Marilyn Swett | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Giddings to Oak Thicket Park, Lake Fayette, TX: Lost in the country

Sunday April 1, 2018, 26 miles (42 km) – Total so far: 420 miles (676 km)
“We shall not cease from exploration. And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” – T.S. Eliot

I have to say that we were more than impressed with the Ramada’s breakfast spread this morning. They had enough variety to food to satisfy any cyclist’s hunger! There was biscuits and gravy, eggs, bacon, 7 (!!) kinds of cold cereal, oatmeal, grits, 3 types of fresh fruit, juice, waffles in the shape of Texas, peanut butter, Nutella, and lots of different muffins and bread.

Once we filled up, we loaded up the bike and headed south under partly cloudy skies, this time following country roads. It was …

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Texas Bicycling News Digest March 31st 2018

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Cycling club stresses need to share road after fatal accident in Spring

By Mayra Cruz | www.mysanantonio.com


Although she’s been riding bicycles most of her life, Linda Unger has been thinking more lately about the way motorists share the road with her fellow cyclists.

As a member of the Northwest Cycling Club, she said she rides about 100 miles a week.

“It’s fun though. It’s good for you,” she said.

Last week, Unger witnessed the fatal hit and run of Donna Lowe in Pundt Park in Spring. …

I declare Pace Bend good to go!

Spicewookie | www.bikemojo.com

Lots of corners were good and loose last weekend during the race. The rain we got has packed all that in and PB is as good as it gets right now.

The one thing that I would ask, if anyone rides out there this weekend is: if you see ANYTHING that looks race-related (water bottles, gu wrappers, arrows, Chumba tape) please take a minute and help us clean up the trail. We try really hard to get it all, but I’m so beat after the race that I didn’t ride after (plus the ankle). The expo and parking areas are spotless, but there …

Coast to Coast With Bubba

By Bobby Rone | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 29 – Blanco,TX to Lockhart, TX: Bluebonnets, deer, and Texas BBQ

Saturday March 31, 2018
What a great day. Started out with cool temperatures and it stayed fairly cool all day,never getting out of the 70’s. Perfect riding weather. The roads were all good today as we meandered through back roads trying to avoid the heavy traffic around San Marcos and San Antonio suburbs.
The ride started with some more ups and downs, one hill was over 12% grade. But generally there was more down than up. From the very start this morning we saw bluebonnets. Some were in patches beside the road and some were in fields. In one …

Joe’s Southern Tier Adventure

By Joe Athas | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 47: Langtry-Del Rio: John+Joe’s last ride

Friday March 30, 2018, 58 miles (93 km) – Total so far: 1,404 miles (2,260 km)
John and I had a rough last day of cycling together, but had a lot of fun along the way. We woke up outside by the Langtry community center right at dawn and hit the visitor center again to use facilities and chat a bit with family using the WiFi. We met a couple from Green Bay, WI named Jeff and Sandy right as we were about to leave and had a lovely chat with them about our travels and theirs. We took off on the road about 9-9:30 headed for Comstock. We were practically out of food after our “four course” meal last night had to …

Southern Tier on a Recumbent 2018

By Joseph Valenzi | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 29 – March 31 Saturday – Blanco TX to Lockhart TX: As American as Pecan Pie

Thursday March 8, 2018, 63 miles (101 km) – Total so far: 1,603 miles (2,580 km)
Just another fine day in Texas. Sure there were hills to climb, and the wind got strong, but it stayed a crosswind (thankfully). We saw some cool animals, and had a great lunch stop in Kyle at the Texas Pie company. I probably didn’t need to eat that whole pecan pie, but …

The Limo Bikes to Bayous and Beaches

By Marilyn Swett | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Rockdale, TX to Giddings, TX: Back in the Hill Country?!

Saturday March 31, 2018, 39 miles (63 km) – Total so far: 394 miles (634 km)
“It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.” Mahummad Ali
It was the same old, same old at 8:00 this morning when we left the hotel – cold, fog and a headwind. Okay, so that’s how this day’s going to go!

We rode further into Rockdale and took a farm road to get us off of the busier roads. Eventually it dumped us out onto Hwy 77 heading south.

Traffic was moderate and …

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