Texas Bicycling News for December 8, 2023

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HISD second graders gifted bicycles through Wish for Wheels

blogs.houstonisd.org

In 2022, Dogan Elementary School’s first graders watched covetously as their second-grade schoolmates were gifted bicycles courtesy of HISD’s partnership with Oxy and Wish for Wheels. They never would have dreamed that in a year’s time, they would be the recipients of bikes of their own, just in time for the holidays.

Wish for Wheels is a nonprofit organization that works with businesses to provide new bicycles to students at Title 1 schools. Since 2015, Oxy employees have volunteered with Wish for Wheels to donate brand new bicycles to second grade students at 10 HISD elementary schools. This year, 615 bicycles were distributed to students at Atherton, Bruce, Dogan, Isaacs, Kashmere Gardens, Henderson, Scroggins, Port Houston, Pugh, and Martinez Elementary Schools. …

Texas high schooler opens his dream mountain bike park

FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth | www.youtube.com

The newest bike park in Marble Fallas, near Austin, has 20 different trails including ramps with 75 jumps. But what’s even more impressive is that the park’s founder is still in high school. Rhett Jones joined Good Day to talk about Station Mountain Bike Park, which started as a school project less than a year ago.

Operation Blue Elf transforms local law enforcement into Santa’s helpers delivering hundreds of bicycles to underprivileged youth

By: Sean K. Thompson | www.woodlandsonline.com

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Hundreds of sparkling brand-new bicycles of all sizes were received, built, and gathered to be donated to underprivileged children, thanks to the efforts of Sheriff Rand Henderson and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, who partnered with other agencies and businesses for the 7th annual Operation Blue Elf event.

Sheriff Henderson and members of his staff met up at the Walmart on College Park Blvd. alongside Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable Gene DeForest, several Walmart staff members including store manager Collin Williams, President of Woodforest National Bank – Conroe Patricia Brown, and Michelle Little, Vice President – Community Affairs and Corporate Giving for Waste Connections. Davis Eason, candidate for the Constable Precinct 2 2024 political race, also assisted.

“Blue Elf is one of our ‘boots on the ground’ projects,” said Sheriff …

The first-ever weather station on the Franklin Mountains by the BMBA.

www.bmbaelpaso.org

The Borderland Mountain Bike Association has joined forces with Rudd Electric to install the first-ever weather station on the Franklin Mountains. This milestone was made possible through the unwavering support of BMBA members who share a passion for preserving and enhancing the beauty of the El Paso Mountains.

The weather station provides real-time weather updates that cater to the diverse needs of mountain bikers, hikers, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. The Franklin Mountains, known for their breathtaking landscapes and challenging trails, will offer a safer and more informed experience for all seeking adventure within their peaks.

This collaborative effort aligns with the mission of the BMBA, which is committed to …

Taysha Heritage Trail – The Red to Rio Grande Rivers Route

Spinistry | www.bikesignup.com

Place FM 677 North Saint Jo, TX US 76265 Description

Taysha is the Caddo word for “friend” or “ally”. Tejas is the Spanish spelling of the word. Taysha has lived on to become Texas.

Exclusively for and by Club Spinistry members. We are EXTREMELY excited to announce that the Red River to Rio Grande route has been officially verified end to end! The vast majority of this route utilizes unpaved public roads. Members who join this event page will receive updates for route information and events associated with this route. Additionally, we are seeking members’ assistance, feedback and guidance in finalizing the route segments. Lots of stuff is in the works for this one so updates will happen regularly. Signup today so that you can be dialed in.

There are limited sections which require proper permission and authorization to access (such as Big Bend National Park). Details will be made available to Club Spinistry members once the final route is released.

As mapped it is 1012 miles long 36,500 feet of elevation gain. The route …

From Sun To Overcast And Windy. Biking Community Drive – Cumberland – Oakhurst

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The sun left, replaced by an overcast sky and mid 70’s temperature. I set out at 12:14 PM riding my Lynskey Helix bike. With the overcast sky and the memory of the weather forecast getting to ride the whole Community Drive – Cumberland – Oakhurst route looked iffy at the start. During the ride some small rain drops appeared. When I stopped at the cemetery the rain spotted the frame of the Lynskey while I walked to my wife’s grave site. I decided at FM 1314 and Valley Ranch Parkway if the weather was not looking good I wouldn’t ride to Cumberland on FM 1314. When I got there it looked okay but windy. Wind I can deal with, rain not so much. Clouds gathered and then split a little but no moisture fell from the sky. I finished the ride at 3:01 PM. Riding south into the 10 mph wind and 17 mph gusts required hard pedaling but my legs handled it. I wore a long sleeve jersey under a short sleeve one and that was a good combination given the wind.

The last time I rode this route was October 23rd. I didn’t realize it had been that long. Today was the ninth time using the route in 2023. I biked 34.7 miles putting me within 33 miles of reaching my 200 road mile goal for the month. The week totals 135.43 road and Zwift miles.

Texas Bicycling News for December 7, 2023

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Mountain biking trails near Bryan-College Station

Brazos Valley Mountain Bike Association | bvmba.net

BVMBA maintains and advocates for new trails in the Bryan-College Station area. The focus of our efforts are at Lake Bryan and Millican Reserve.

Brownsville’s West Rail Trail is officially inaugurated

By Antonio Vindell | riograndeguardian.com

The West Rail Trail covers seven miles. It starts on Palm Boulevard and ends northwest of the 77 Fleamarket.

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A new trail on the west side of Brownsville was officially inaugurated even though more than 180,000 people have been using it in the three years it was under construction.

Called the West Rail Trail, the seven-mile project starts on Palm Boulevard and ends northwest of the 77 Fleamarket.

Another project is to link the trail to the Cara Cara Trail and the Palo Alto Battle National Historic Park on the eastside of town. …

‘Ride with the Commissioner’ to celebrate the West Rail Trail

by: Jesse Mendez | www.valleycentral.com

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of Brownsville and Commissioner At-Large “B” Rose Gowen invites the public to “Ride with the Commissioner”.

According to Gowen, it is a free and fun event. It will feature an 8-mile bike ride. Bicycles will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and will need to be confirmed at registration time.

If you do not have a bicycle Gowen says there will be a fleet of bikes available, “If you don’t have a …

Houston Police Seek Help Identifying Sedan in Fatal Hit-and-Run of Cyclist

By Alyssa Ford | hoodline.com

Authorities in Houston are seeking public assistance after releasing surveillance footage of a white sedan involved in a deadly hit-and-run that took the life of a cyclist last month. The Houston Police Department disclosed the video connected to the incident that happened on the night of November 19, at around 9:10 p.m., at 1600 Houston Avenue.

Riding his bicycle southbound, James Midkiff, 36, was approaching a railway intersection when he was struck from behind by the sedan. After the collision, the vehicle did not stop, and no aid was rendered. Instead, it …

Cheryl Ferguson Weber 1953 – 2023

www.legacy.com

Cheryl Ferguson Weber, M.D. (also known as Cherry to her schoolmates) passed away on December 5, 2023, at the age of 70 at her home in Lubbock, TX, surrounded by friends, family, and one beloved mutt dog.

Cheryl was born on February 13, 1953, in Alamogordo, NM, the eldest of three daughters. She was preceded in death by her parents Tilford and Betty Ferguson and sister Mary Beth Ferguson.

Cheryl attended Alamogordo High School and then got a couple of degrees at the University of New Mexico. She was a dedicated scholar (of anthropology, medicine, and religion, among other subjects). In her free time, Cheryl loved the outdoors and was an active member of the Lubbock Bike Club and of the West Texas Running Club and participated in triathlons and cross-country skiing. …

Dixie Elementary first graders surprised with new bikes

by: Averie Klonowski | www.ketk.com

TYLER, Texas (KETK) – Bryan Ashton LLC and Church With No Walls went the extra mile on Thursday by surprising a first-grade class at Dixie Elementary School just in time for the holidays.

“This is awesome,” First grader Ayden Mays said.

All of the students were jumping up and down in excitement, as all 19 students received a new bike.

“They were totally surprised, they had no idea that we were doing this today, they thought they …

Pushed The Outside Ride Button. Biking Atascocita – Walden – Huffman

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I pushed the outside bike ride button today after two virtual Zwift rides in a row. The temperature hung around 67 degrees so I braved riding without leg warmers. The first 15 minutes was chilly but once the body heat kicked in I didn’t notice the coolness unless I was in the shade for a long time. My bike ride on Monday went north so today I rode south and east to Huffman following my Atascocita – Walden – Huffman route. Starting at 12:01 PM I thought about not riding some streets in Kingwood to shorten the ride but once I was warmed up and riding comfortably I didn’t leave any out. Before the ride I aired the tires up to 80 psi on my Canyon Endurace CF 7 bike. The wind was 9 mph from the south at the start bumping up to 12 mph when I finished at 2:35 PM. I wore a long sleeve jersey and a windbreaker jacket which was just right once I warmed up. Riding over Lake Houston I was thinking the wind would be chilly blowing across the water but it wasn’t.

Syncing the GoPro video with the Wahoo Bolt computer screen recording needs improvement. The technique is to change the Bolt screen a few seconds after I stop recording to mark the spot for the GoPro video. That went well today mostly but the GoPro wouldn’t stop recording at the Nehoc and Farmingham intersection necessitating holding the power button. After that the GoPro behaved.

I rode 34.35 miles today improving my December road miles to 132.8. My 200 mile goal is getting closer.