Texas Bicycling News for December 16, 2023

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Salvation Army distributes toys, gifts to about 2,500 Tyler families

By Katecey Harrell | tylerpaper.com

Rain or shine, almost 2,000 East Texas children and 500 seniors were served Friday morning at the Salvation Army Tyler Christmas Distribution Center as families came to pick up gifts.

A line of vehicles circled the community center, where rows of bicycles and gifts lessened as families arrived for pickup throughout the day. Organized chaos is how Captain Michelle Walker describes it.

“It’s kind of fast and furious. It’s a well-oiled machine,” Walker said. “It’s joyous.”

Angel families refer to those chosen to participate in the Angel Tree program to ensure …

Aaron Jones and A&A All The Way Foundation brighten holidays with bike gifts in El Paso

by Adrian Amador | cbs4local.com

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Green Bay Packers star Aaron Jones, along with his brother Alvin Jones Jr., and their charitable organization, A&A All The Way, made the holidays brighter for families by gifting new bikes to kids in the El Paso community.

The event took place on Saturday at Bravo Cadillac Dealership located at 6555 Montana Ave. El Paso, TX 79925.

The event helped to distribute 100 bikes to families identified by the A&A All The Way Foundation as needing extra help for the holiday season.

A&A All The Way Foundation believes in the power of giving bicycles to …

A&M women’s basketball builds 120+ bikes for area kids this holiday season

By Nicole Griffith | www.kbtx.com

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – For the second straight year, the Texas A&M women’s basketball team is building bikes for area kids.

More than 120 bikes were assembled by the players, coaches and volunteers on Saturday.

Head Coach Joni Taylor said the team has also sponsoring two families that they’ll provide gifts for.

Taylor adds that it’s important that they take the time to give back to the community this time of year.

“I think last year they were like we’re going to build a bike?.. And they had some reservations, but this year it’s funny listening to …

Checking Out Two Ghost Bikes – RIP Cody and Keith Austin, Texas

ADude ABikes | strava.com

Evening Refresher Childress, Texas

Myles Barfield | strava.com

Why wind?? Why??? San Antonio, Texas

Steven Guerrero | strava.com

Morning Ride Gregg County, Texas

Jason Herrington | strava.com

Fat Chuck’s Big New Adventure – MTB Marathon – SS 34:19 – 2nd/2 – 25th/59 overall Bastrop County, Texas

Frank Cano | Blue Agave Racing | strava.com

Mauricio’s CH gravel loop Washington County, Texas

Pete Clark | strava.com

Ride of Lack…Lacking reserve in the tank and lacking a leader, eh Mauricio Palomino (but thanks for the route)…a bit windy but fun, certainly bright enough…could have used the pace police and instead became the group’s anchor…refreshed with a cup of cheesy potato at Lindemann’s…fun to be out here again and drained well after prolonged rain yesterday

Switched From Sugar Cookie To Watopia’s The Big Ring (Sugar Free)

Texbiker.net Posted on by

The Watopia Sugar Cookie route danced around in my mind all morning and I thought that would be the ride today. Opening the Zwift companion app I scrolled through the upcoming events and one was on Watopia The Big Ring. Longer than Sugar Cookie by about 6 miles with just a little more elevation gain I opted for The Big Ring. My previous two rides on The Big Ring were under two hours long, a good length for today. I rolled away at 1:01 PM riding the Specialized Aethos S-Works bike with Zipp 808 wheels. The elevation gain had one big lump to get over with the rest mostly rolling hills. The gradient didn’t get above 6% as far as I can remember. I could’ve used a little 9% climb to get out of the saddle and give my sit bones relief though. The one big climb topped out at 325 feet. One Strava top result: 2nd fastest time on Going Coastal (33:12). Today was the fastest overall time.

12-16-2023 SportTracks Rides History Zwift Watopia The Big Ring
12-16-2023 SportTracks Rides History Zwift Watopia The Big Ring
12-16-2023 Strava Ride Summary Zwift Watopia The Big Ring
12-16-2023 Strava Ride Summary Zwift Watopia The Big Ring
12-16-2023 Strava Ride Map Zwift Watopia The Big Ring
12-16-2023 Strava Ride Map Zwift Watopia The Big Ring
12-16-2023 SportTracks Ride Summary Zwift Watopia The Big Ring
12-16-2023 SportTracks Ride Summary Zwift Watopia The Big Ring

Texas Bicycling News for December 15, 2023

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DPS urging South Texas body shops to be vigilant after an avid cyclist was killed in a hit-and-run

Author: Alicia Neaves | www.kens5.com

John C. Caillouette Jr. just moved home to New Braunfels. Less than a year later, he was killed while doing what he loved.

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas — He was killed doing what he loved.

John Carroll Caillouette Jr., a New Braunfels native, moved back home less than a year ago to be closer to family. On Sunday, December 10, he was leaving a friend’s house on his bike when a car hit him and left him to die.

Caillouette’s family told us he was hit from behind while riding his bike. To help solve this hit-and-run case, the Texas Department of Public Safety is calling on one group in particular to remain vigilant, asking all body shop owners and employees to keep a close eye on vehicles that come in. Front-end damage, authorities believe, could lead to the suspects. …

Houston-area’s top enforcement aim to curb rising deaths among walkers and cyclists

By Elissa Rivas | abc13.com

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) – Our region’s top law enforcement agencies are joining together, hoping to save the lives of people walking and cycling in our communities. They’re stepping up law enforcement around crosswalks and reminding everyone how to stay safe.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzales said the number of auto-pedestrian deaths has increased year after year. In 2023, his investigators have already had to handle …

Richardson elevates Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee from subcommittee

By Connor Pittman | communityimpact.com

As part of a plan to become recognized as a silver-level community by Bicycle Friendly America, a program of the League of American Bicyclists, Richardson City Council approved a resolution formalizing a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

The committee’s elevation to a city board and commission was finalized as part of a resolution passed by council during the Dec. 11 meeting. Applications for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee are expected to open in January, interviews will be conducted in February and the first meeting is slated for April. …

Second Graders at Park Lakes Elementary are Awarded Bikes for their Reading Achievements

www.kingwood.com

by: Leslie Fuentes On Saturday, Dec. 9 every second grader from Park Lakes Elementary lined up with a golden ticket in hand to receive a bike and helmet that each of them earned for achieving their reading goals.

The bicycles and helmets were awarded by Cycle Houston, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve 2nd grade literacy at Title I schools in the Greater Houston area.

Earlier this school year, Park Lakes Elementary partnered with the organization, marking the first time that Cycle Houston extended its services to a school in Humble ISD.

“Children who reach the …

Raising Cane’s to donate 100 bikes to Dallas Youth Sports Association

by: Abbey Bowling | cw33.com

DALLAS (KDAF) — Raising Cane’s is donating 100 bikes to the Dallas Youth Sports Association, a local nonprofit helping inner city youth develop athletic skills, healthy living habits, and leadership qualities by providing affordable recreational sports programs.

Fueled by fond memories and a passion for giving back to local communities, Raising Cane’s owner Todd Graves had the idea to donate bikes to youth organizations in hopes of creating special holiday memories for those who need them most.

“Growing up, I received a bike every year for Christmas and it …

Jasper VFW Post 6380 presented bicycles to JCSO Blue Santa Program

www.kjas.com

The members of the Jasper VFE Post 6380 have donated several bicycles to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department Blue Santa Program. The bikes will be distributed to needy children throughout the county.

Bryan Winters of the VFW said that the organization received a call stating that the department was in need of bicycles, and he said that once the wheels began turning, it took them only three days to collect the bikes.

Twenty-six bikes were requested, but they ended up gathering thirty.

A total of $1,218.00 and bicycles were donated. Some of those involved included Brent Meaux who owns Brent Meaux State Farm Insurance, along with the Methodist Men’s Ministry, and John & Barbara French.

Children will be ready to ride after bike distribution

By LINDSEY KINANE | thefacts.com

TDECU, volunteers help assemble bikes for Dream Center’s holiday distribution

CLUTE — Families that will benefit from the Brazoria County Dream Center’s annual Christmas program better clear out their sleighs to get the haul home.

The Dream Gift program will distribute toys to about 1,300 children, who will each get seven toys for Christmas along with a stuffed animal, blanket and a toothbrush. Some also will be dashing through their neighborhood Christmas morning on a shiny new bike assembled Friday morning by volunteers from TDECU and other organizations.

The Brazoria County Dream Center has been doing the Dream Gift program since 2010 and bringing in bikes to help low-income families since 2012, CEO Terri Willis said.

“Our whole goal is to make sure they have a joyous Christmas — that they have …

Zwift Scotland Opened Today, Hello Rolling Highlands

Texbiker.net Posted on by

All week I’ve wanted to ride the Zwift Scotland Rolling Highlands route. Today was the day. Late start at 4:24 PM but Scotland was still daylight. The previous time I rode this route was not long after it was available on February 3rd, 2023, my birthday. I believe that was an event and today was an open world ride. I rode two laps and then went straight when the route turned left. Not many Zwifters in Scotland, the nearby count was less than 500 most of the time. A couple of small groups passed me. When I veered off the route most of the riders were going the opposite direction. Two Strava top results: PR on Breakaway Brae (1:32) and 2nd fastest time on Rolling Highlands (18:58). Zwift reported two PR on the same segment: Breakaway Brae. I think I rode that segment three times. There was a 3.2 mile lead-in leaving 5.5 miles for each lap. The first lap included 347 elevation. Lap 2 was 5.5 miles and the elevation gain was less. After veering off the route more elevation gain added up to 860 feet overall in 19.17 miles total. The map shows where I changed in the lower right with the square loop. ZwiftInsider.com link to the correct route.

12-15-2023 Strava Ride Map Zwift Scotland Rolling Highlands
12-15-2023 Strava Ride Map Zwift Scotland Rolling Highlands
12-15-2023 Strava Ride Summary Zwift Scotland Rolling Highlands
12-15-2023 Strava Ride Summary Zwift Scotland Rolling Highlands