Texas Bicycling News March 23rd 2017

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BMX race bikes returned

By: Jerry Najera | www.kvia.com/


Yesterday ABC-7 brought you the story of how the Desert Downs BMX race track was burglarized.
Someone broke in and took some concession stand goodies and three very expensive bikes.
“I never thought it was going to come back,” said Shelby Watts.
Watts is one of the young girls that got her bike stolen Sunday night.
“I was …

Center of Excellence programs named for 2017-18 Racing Season

USA Cycling | www.usacycling.org


The USA Cycling Center of Excellence designation is awarded to select junior club teams which excel in developing young cyclists. These programs meet strict organizational requirements and qualify for annual grants from the USA Cycling Foundation. The Foundation will award $75,000 directly to Center of Excellence road, track, mountain bike and cyclo-cross programs, supporting a variety of athlete development projects in 2017. These programs continue to grow in quantity and quality, contributing to the amazing U.S. talent pool we now have in the junior and U-23 age categories. Funding for the Center of Excellence program is made possible by a generous grant from the Carolan Family Foundation and other generous individual gifts to the USA Cycling Foundation.

New to the Center of Excellence programs in 2017 are Tieni Duro, located in Lafayette, Calif., and the Matrix Cycle Club based in Dallas/Fort Worth. Tieni Duro was founded as a …

Gear up for first Rolling Town Hall of the season

City of Fort Worth | fortworthtexas.gov


Grab your bike and bring your ideas for a better Fort Worth as Mayor Betsy Price and Mayor Pro Tem Dennis Shingleton kick off a fresh season of Rolling and Walking Town Halls at 6 p.m. March 29 at Casa Mañana, 3101 W. Lancaster Ave.
Riders will roll out by 6:15 p.m. for a casual, six-mile bike ride. Residents who don’t care to ride can meet for a group walk starting and ending at Casa Mañana. The walk will be led by FitWorth.
Thanks to today’s hectic and …

Waco Metropolitan Planning Organization seeks input on improving walking, biking conditions

By Pattrik Simmons | www.kxxv.com

WACO, TX (KXXV) – The Waco Metropolitan Planning Organization will kick off the development of its Metropolitan Area Active Transportation Plan Thursday evening.
The plan is a framework for improving walking and biking conditions through the year 2045.
The organization’s leaders are seeking input from community members to find out how they’re getting around town and how to …

Tennessee Lowriders bent on the USA

By Nelson Quillen | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Las Cruces to Ft Davis, TX
Thursday March 23, 2017
After much discussion yesterday and last night we made the decision to bypass the area from Las Cruces and El Paso. After reading several reports from people who were a day ahead of us of how treacherous the route was and the horrible conditions in El Paso and the fact that we would have to ride 20+ miles on Interstate 10, we decided that it would better to bypass that area. As it turned out it was the correct decision as the wind was gusting up to 40 mph all day long and there were times when the dust and sand was so bad that visibility was down to 0. One of the other roads we …

Southern Tier 2017

By Alan Young | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 25: Ingram – 6 mile west if Leakey
Wednesday March 22, 2017, 68 miles (110 km) – Total so far: 1,530 miles (2,462 km)
Just a short ride to Hunt where the grocery store turned out to be one of the nicest of the trip. A coffee and 2 brownies,1 for breakfast tomorrow. The place had a bank inside. Advice was given to top up the water as ,’there ain’t nuthin for 40 miles’.
The turn off for Vanderpool onto the 187 was where my Brooks saddle broke, the surface being terrible didn’t help. Cable tie will suffice until a new bracket can be found if at all out here. Anyone know a good bike shop en route?
We are in The Texas hills, and it sure is nice, quiet roads help us take in the view. Two big climbs out of …

Day 26: 6 mile west of Leakey – Bracketville
Thursday March 23, 2017, 65 miles (105 km) – Total so far: 1,595 miles (2,566 km)
All quiet on the roadside overnight, as we rolled out of camp to Camp Wood all of 14 miles. At a random Mexican diner we had a burito each for breakfast, topped up the water as once again, nothing on the road until we reach our chosen destination. This time 50 miles.
The 55 southbound was littered with roadkill, deer,possums, raccoons,armadillo the most common, was …

Southern Tier – San Diego to St Augustine March 2017

By Charles Falsetto | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 20 Texas D3: Rest Day bike maintenance and R&R
Thursday March 23, 2017
Spending an extra day in Van Horn working on my bike and repairing bike tubes. Two flats yesterday left me without any new tubes. I started the journey with three extra tubes and one tire all of which have been depleted and without replacements available for 100 miles.
Going off ACA route tomorrow and …

Honeoye Riders Pedal the Southern Tier

By jim kersting | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 23: Sanderson TX 55 mile day with fog, mists, headwinds
Thursday March 23, 2017
Sanderson was once a beautiful town of 2000 and now can hardly hang on to 800. A devestating flood in ’65.
http://www.newswest9.com/story/29466417/survivors-residents-remember-sanderson-flood-of-1965-50-years-later
Later a train wreck caused the depot to be moved out of town. More lost jobs.
http://terrellmuseum.info/news01-12.pdf
And after federal subsidies of ranching were reduced the ag community …

Southern Tier At The Speed of Bicycle

By Gary Rapp | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 20 Marfa to Marathon TX
Thursday March 23, 2017, 64 miles (103 km) – Total so far: 1,190 miles (1,915 km)
Temperature was in the mid 80s which was a welcome relief. However, we had 30+ MPH headwind most of the day. Going downhill into the wind the max speed I could generate was 8 mph. Overall a good short ride today. Did not leave Marfa until 1130 today. Very interesting old town with a lot of history. …

Austin Energy: Pedernales Cycle Track to Connect to Hike & Bike Trail “Late 2017”

by Mike Melanson | austinonabike.com


When the Pedernales Cycle Track first appeared nearly two years ago now, it was unveiled as an all-ages, all-abilities piece of cycling infrastructure that would connect residents not only to Metz Elementary, but the Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail. While the cycle track does meet the first goal, it has yet to truly meet the latter. Currently, when you get to the end of the cycle track and …

This weekend’s rides: Scenic Loop! Red Horn!

by Thomas | steinerranchcycling.com

Saturday is our fast pace ride day where we will do our Scenic ride which is a modified Dam Loop including Mt. Bonnell and Mellow Johnny’s. I don’t have a route map, but it should be 60+ miles and be super full of awesome fun. After the ride we hang out at Lakeside Pizza and Grill for some discounted burgers and beer.
Sunday is our usual Coffee Shop ride to Red Horn. It is 50 miles and is at an endurance pace typically finishing around a …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/845084217126141953

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

30 MPH Wind Gusts and Loose Rear Bearings Bike Ride

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Another fabulous bike ride day with scattered clouds and mid 80’s temperature. The wind was another story though. I guess March wind is supposed to be gusty and today’s bike ride lived it. I knew it was windy while I biked the “Kingwood – SH 242 – Kingwood” route but I didn’t know how windy until I got home and checked the weather: from the south at 21 mph with 30 mph gusts. I flew riding to SH 242 but as I rode over US59/I-69 to return the wind hit me and the speed dropped while the pedaling effort went high. I should’ve shift down one gear but after the initial thought I concentrate so hard pedaling I forgot to shift. My maximum average speed got up to 14.8 mph but riding into the strong headwind took its toll and it started to fall the longer I rode into it.

The weather at Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Airport WEather

Making a slight alteration to the usual route on this ride I biked through the Azalea District in Valley Ranch back to US59 and then stayed on the service road to Kingwood Drive. Typically I ride through Briar Tree and Oakhurst on the way to Kingwood Drive. MY goal was to skirt around the schools since my timing was close to when they dismiss. I started the ride at 12:38 and finished and 3:13. The total miles came to 34.21 putting me with 126 miles of my goal for March.

Yesterday during my brief rest stop at the Huffman Chevron I checked my wheels for some reason and found the rear one moved side to side about 1/8″ when I pushed on the tire. Today during the ride I stopped at Bike Werks to see if they could diagnose the problem but Jeremy, the mechanic, was not there so I am taking the wheel back later this afternoon when he should be there. I don’t know if the bearings are loose or need to be replaced. The wheel has 20,300 miles on it with no maintenance done. Hopefully it is a quick fix. I have a set a bearings I bought for another wheel but I don’t know if they fit this one.

The beautiful weather is forecast to end tomorrow so I may not be able to ride.

Links to RideWithGPS.com and Strava.com metrics and maps.

SportTracks ride summary (Click on the image to enlarge it).

Ride summary

Texas Bicycling News March 22nd 2017

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Bike rider hit by car in south Beaumont

David Ingram | www.12newsnow.com


BEAUMONT – A bike rider was taken to the hospital Wednesday morning after he was hit by a passing car at the intersection of Pennsylvania Ave. and South M.L. King Jr. Pkwy.
The accident happened at 6:45 a.m.
An officer on the …

Man makes stop in Amarillo while cycling across U.S. for a cause

By Mary Coleman | www.newschannel10.com

Video

AMARILLO, TX (KFDA) – A disease frequently diagnosed in our area is in the spotlight, as one man takes to his bike to raise awareness.
Every nine minutes, someone is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. And in our area, thousands have been touched by it.
Now one man is traveling across the U.S. to make people more aware, and to raise money for a cure. …

Passing each test

By Brett Weiss | www.star-telegram.com


After months of training, Kristopher Novak finally sees the starting line in sight.
This June, the Keller resident and University of Texas student will ride a bicycle from Austin to Anchorage, Alaska as part of the Texas 4000 initiative (benefiting cancer research), the longest annual charity bike ride in the world.
“It’s finally fewer than 100 days away,” he said. “It is such a surreal feeling, finally being in the double digits.”
While Novak …

Southern Tier At The Speed of Bicycle

By Gary Rapp | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 19 Van Horn to Marfa Tx
Wednesday March 22, 2017, 76 miles (123 km) – Total so far: 1,126 miles (1,812 km)
Extremely difficult day today. 50 miles with a 1-2% continues climb out of Van Horn TX into a 28 mph headwind/ crosswind and 92+ degree heat on a bumpy chip seal Texas road. Today’s ride tested me both mentally and physically. No camping tonight for me. I must find a hot shower and comfortable bed. Tomorrow’s forecast calls for Temps in the 70s with …

Honeoye Riders Pedal the Southern Tier

By jim kersting | www.crazyguyonabike.com
Day 22: Marfa to Alpine to Marathon ( 58 miles)
Wednesday March 22, 2017
We had a great ride to Alpine in the early morning. We stopped st Marfa Lights and read up on the mystery. It’s all good biz for Marfa tourism. The route left the desert valley and the vegetation changed… trees! Green grass! We ride through rocky passageway and hoped that the ride would be like this to Marathon too. But not to be. Back to desert valley.
We went to the Gage Hotel bar and stayed for ” dinner”. A room there …

City looks to spend millions on sidewalks and bike lanes

By Kate Weidaw | kxan.com

AUSTIN (KXAN) — How can walkers and bikers get around in a safe manner in Austin? That is the question at the heart of a series of public meetings hosted by the city of Austin Transportation Department called Walk + Bike Talks. The department is working towards creating a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. This comes from the Vision Zero plan that aims to …

Let’s Make Jack Brooks Great Again Work Party

Greater Houston Off-Road Biking Association | ghorba.org

Article category: General
Saturday, April 1, 2017 – 8:15am
Jack Brooks Park Trails
Be able to say you were there! This will be the first of many, many workdays to come. The plan is to start repairs, section by section and the trail back up and rideable.
Lunch will be provided: burgers and hot dogs.
Tools to bring …

Bike Plan Passes! Now we need your help to build it.

BikeHouston | bikehouston.org


This is a historic moment, Mayor Turner and City Council have just passed our first bike plan in 24 years. This plan creates a vision for Houston to become a Gold Level Bicycle Friendly City. It identifies how to expand our network of safe & comfortable bikeways by 500 miles in 10 years. (Check out the bike plan map and more details).
BikeHouston convinced the City to create this plan, partially funded it, ensured a strong & community supported plan was created, and advocated for its passage. We will now work to implement it. Thanks are due to everyone who was a part of this victory for …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

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Thankful for Fences and Gate Bike Ride

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Today’s bike ride is the longest one for March coming in at 41.54 miles. It has several months since I biked the “FM1960 to FM686 – Back” route and I had to look it up to see the distance and route. The last time I rode this route was July 19th last year. Two later bike rides follow a similar route but were longer distance when I added the Fairlake Drive and Old Atascocita Road portion.

With the route running mostly east and west the SW wind wasn’t too much of a problem. Checking the wind at the end of the bike ride I saw it was stronger than I expected 8 mph with 18 mph gusts. One place where I really noticed the wind was the riding over the railroad overpass on FM 1960 east of Huffman. Once I topped out the ride back down allowed me to get back up to speed. About a mile later I needed that speed when a dog spotted me from my ride and raced from the front porch to the open gate barking but by then I was beyond his territory and he didn’t pursue me.

At FM 686 I stopped a few minutes at the Dayton Food and Fuel store in the shade before bicycling back to the west. I expected the wind to be more of a problem but it wasn’t too bad. Cycling past one house two big dogs saw me and raced to the wood fence but the gate was closed and they stood barking on the other side while I rode by. Once I was out of sight they stopped barking. This was the first time these dogs had come to the gate in the times I rode this route.

A 20 minute rest stop at the Huffman Chevron was needed for my legs to recover some while I drank ice water and ate a Kashi trail mix bar. The breeze felt good as I sat in the shade. Back on the bike I rode the 11+ miles to finish the ride at 3:24. I started earlier today (12:02) than yesterday which allowed me to bike farther.

I am at 426.64 miles for the month leaving 160 miles to reach my goal. With more favorable weather in the forecast for tomorrow (Thursday) I plan on bicycling to get closer to my goal.

Links to RideWithGPS.com and Strava.com metrics and maps.

Home weather station at the start of the ride and airport weather at the end.

SportTracks Ride Summary (click on the image to enlarge it)

ride summary