Texas Bicycling News Digest September 26th 2017

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Video: Memorial service set for East Texas cyclist killed in car collision

By Doug Murray | www.kltv.com


LINDALE, TX (KLTV) – The Texas Department of Public Safety says the man killed in a weekend bicycle wreck was Tom Marty, 73, of Lindale.
The incident happened Saturday, but as the week opens, DPS is providing more insight into what happened. According to a press release, Marty was riding along the eastern shoulder of Highway 69 north of Lindale when he signaled to make a …

9 AM start: Tour de Southern Walnut Creek Trail

Tuesday, Oct 3, 2017, 9:00 AM

Govalle Park
5200 Bolm Rd. Austin, TX

2 Austin Cyclists Went

We’re riding out at 9 AM!A moderate C-pace ride (roughly 11 to 14 mph) on The Southern Walnut Creek Trail from the trailhead at Govalle Park to the Abrupt End and return. Round trip is about 20 miles. The trail is paved for the entire distance, with a 1/2 mile hill on the outbound. We’ll regroup at the top of the hill on the outbound and at the Ab…

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Texas Bicycling from Twitter

https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/912889154505265159

https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/912886886561206273

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Getting closer to my YTD goal bicycle ride

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Getting closer to my YTD goal. Bicycling on the “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route 31.9 miles drew within 26 miles of the 6,000 miles needed by the end of September. I started at 10:54 AM delayed some while I searched for invading fireants on the outside of the house. I didn’t find their path but sprinkled some poison at the last spot.

Late summer weather is hanging around making the biking enjoyable though sweaty. At the start: 88 degrees, 71% humidity, mostly cloudy sky 7 mph breeze. I finished at 1:37 PM with 92 degrees and 61% humidity. The humidity is what makes for muggy and sweaty bike rides.

Cleanup continues along the route from Hurricane Harvey flooding. The piles of sheetrock and debris are getting fewer with some streets are clear. Several crews worked as I rode through. On the way back home the sidewalk/greenbelt was closed with a giant wrecker parked on it. I think they were trying to get a waste container that had floated near the bridge during the flood. I got off my Stradalli and walked around the wrecker because it would have been difficult to cross W. Lake Houston Parkway at that location.

Arriving at the Huffman Chevron 20.2 miles into the ride I decided to take a 25 minute break. I brought a couple fruit and grain cereal bars and refilled my water bottle. I sat in the shade under the pump cover enjoying the breeze. While I was there a new Harris County ESD #4 ambulance arrive. I complemented the driver on the new vehicle and he asked if I was okay and taking a break. I said yes and yes. Apparently the ambulance company that served Huffman in the past decided to stop so the Huffman VFD added the ambulance. Some pictures.

After resting I headed west on FM 1960. The wind was somewhat friendly and I was able to hit my top speed on the way to Atascocita Shores Drive. The street was looking cleaner and one section the east bound lanes were closed while trucks were filled with flood debris.

One area I need to avoid next time is behind the shopping center along W. Lake Houston Parkway north of Kingwood Drive where the old HEB store was. The flood debris is a mess and scattered on the concrete where I rode. Flats could happen there and I would not like to walk through the mess.

Tomorrow looks great to bike and reach my goal.

Strava Ride Summary (click on the image to go to Strava.com)

Strava Bicycle Ride Summary

Texas Bicycling News Digest September 25th 2017

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Bicyclist fatally hit by vehicle identified

by LOUANNA CAMPBELL | www.tylerpaper.com

A bicyclist fatally struck by a vehicle near Mineola on Saturday has been identified as Thomas Albert Marty, 73, of Lindale.
Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers responded to the crash on Highway 69 and County Road 452, about two miles south of Mineola.
A DPS preliminary crash investigation revealed that …

Video: Driscoll Children’s Hospital staffers cycle Tour de Big Bear in honor of patients

by Natalia E Contreras | www.caller.com

The air got thinner by the mile.
At the top of the San Bernardino Mountains, Gerardo and Eduardo Gomez didn’t see the finish line.
But other cyclists who kept passing them during the Tour de Big Bear in California cheered them on.
The moment the duo was about to give up, they glanced at each other’s jerseys, looked at the names written on them with a black Sharpie and …

Texas man travels 300 miles on bicycle to help with Harvey relief in Rockport

By Adrian Garcia | www.ksat.com

‘I left everything behind and rode down here on a bicycle’

ROCKPORT, Texas – Traveling 300 miles south to Rockport, Texas, normally takes five hours by car but for one Texas man, driving a vehicle wasn’t an option especially when his heart was set on helping those who were affected by Hurricane Harvey.
“Little town called Laguna Park, Texas, up by Lake Whitney, and I just left everything behind and rode down here on a bicycle,” Jeff Whitehead said. …

ARR Trail Crew / WC Drainage Fine Tuning

Thursday, Sep 28, 2017, 10:00 AM

Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
12138 North Lamar Boulevard Austin, TX

3 Mountain Bikers Went

Meet at the POOL PARKING LOT.With Tuesday’s rains, there will certainly be drainage issues to address to make sure the trails dry out faster so we can ride them again.The ARR Trail Crew has critical items that need to be done in order to close out our current permit which will allow us to start new permits for additional improvements.There are a …

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ARR Trail Crew / WC trail drainage fine tuning

Wednesday, Sep 27, 2017, 10:00 AM

Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
12138 North Lamar Boulevard Austin, TX

2 Mountain Bikers Went

Meet at the POOL PARKING LOT.With Tuesday’s rains, there will certainly be drainage issues to address to make sure the trails dry out faster so we can ride them again.  There are a wide variety of tasks to be handled for every range of individual strength.   If you are not allergic to poison ivy, we have a special hero job for you!  :)Please sign…

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https://youtu.be/mpmwhKFwzIs

Introducing the Rider Sponsorship Program: An alumni-sponsored effort to enable more students to ride and race.

utexascycling.com


In the summer of 2017, a number of Texas Cycling alums went for a spin under the hot Texas sun. Reminiscing on their college days spent eating ramen and religiously patching tubes for the seventh time in order to afford their cycling addiction, they realized that life could be made easier for future students wishing to join the club…
About the Program
The Alumni Rider Sponsorship program was created by to ease the financial burden of participation in the Texas Cycling club. This effort will develop new riders and racers through the …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

National Bike Challenge Update Bicycle Ride

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Out the door at 9:53 AM for the bike ride which early for me. The bike ride followed the “New Caney – Roman Forest Blvd – Oakhurst” route which is the same as the “New Caney – Tavola – Valley Ranch” route except I didn’t ride into Tavola. I thought the ride might be a couple of miles shorted but ended up at 33.1 miles. This leaves 58 miles to reach 6,000 miles by the end of September. I think I can make it with 4 riding days left.

With a slightly earlier starting time the weather was milder: 84 degrees, 80% humidity (ugh!), partly cloudy sky, east wind at 12 mph. At the 12:17 PM finish: 89 degrees and 66% humidity (better).

Needing to be home I skipped a rest stop.

Keeping a tab on the National Bike Challenge my ranking with today’s ride.

National Bike Challenge

Strava Ride Summary (click on the image to go to Strava.com)

Strava Bicycle Ride Summary