Texas Bicycling News November 2nd 2016

Texbiker.net Posted on by

$23 million raised to link 50 miles of Dallas’ disconnected trail system

Robert Wilonsky

www.dallasnews.com

In late June the Circuit Trail Conservancy said it would attempt to raise $23 million in private dollars to complete the trail system Dallas has long been promised — the 50-mile-long network that would link North Dallas to southern Dallas to East Dallas, Bishop Arts to Uptown. This morning, its board members held a news conference in the Flag Room to say they had delivered on the promise.
Now, the …

I have thought about buying the SRAM eTap system but this might meet my needs for a lot less money.

X-Shifter’s universal wireless shifting kit goes live

By Tyler Benedict

www.bikerumor.com


At Interbike, we spotted X-Shifter roaming the grounds with their wireless shifting upgrade kit that turns any derailleur into a wireless, quasi-electronic shifting one. Whether it’s for road or mountain bike, anything from base level up to premium units, X-Shifter connects to them and gives you control with a single thumb pad to manage both front and rear shifts.
Since we first saw them, they’ve added a road specific shifter unit, upgraded the software to include multi-shifts, controlling both front and …

Tour de Fresh Funds Five Salad Bars For Fort Worth ISD

www.perishablenews.com


DALLAS – At this year’s annual Fort Worth Spooky Bike Ride with Mayor Betsy Price, California Giant Foundation’s Tour de Fresh initiative presented the mayor and city of Fort Worth with a check for $15,625 – the equivalent of five salad bars for Fort Worth ISD schools.
Fort Worth ISD, with …

RESCHEDULED to Thurs-Tour de Southern Walnut Creek Trail

Thursday, Nov 10, 2016, 9:00 AM

Govalle Park
5200 Bolm Rd. Austin, TX

4 Austin Cyclists Went

RESCHEDULED TO THURSDAY AT 9 AM.Weather permitting…A moderate pace ride (roughly 11 to 13 mph) on The Southern Walnut Creek Trail from the trailhead at Govalle Park up to the Abrupt End at Lindell Lane just north of Decker Lake.  Round trip is about 20 miles.  The trail is paved for the entire distance,with a 1/2 mile hill on the outbound.  We’l…

Check out this Meetup →

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department eyes Pedernales Falls expansion

By Asher Price

www.mystatesman.com

Eager to protect the views in a popular Hill Country park, Texas State Parks and Wildlife Department officials said Wednesday they are negotiating to buy 300 acres of land overlooking Pedernales Falls State Park.
The park, established more than 45 years ago, comprises 5,212 acres of Hill Country hiking trails and limestone bluffs. …

Man suspected of stealing 14-year-old’s unattended bike

Jonathan Munson

www.kiiitv.com


CORPUS CHRISTI (KIII NEWS) – Corpus Christi police have released surveillance images of a man who they stay stole an unattended bike belonging to a 14-year-old boy the evening of Sept. 24.
It happened at …

austin quick build bumps spec

Michael Andersen

www.peopleforbikes.org


For years, the City of Austin has been on a quest for one of the holy grails of bike infrastructure: the perfect low-cost bike lane separator.
Every common option has …

Southern Tier, October to December 2016

By Jared Keeman

www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 22: Fort Clark Springs to a few miles short of Leakey: A tailwind at last
Tuesday November 1, 2016, 68 miles (109 km) – Total so far: 1,475 miles (2,374 km)
Short day today as it’s too far to make Austin in 2 days so I’m planning on 3. Tomorrow will be heading to Fredericksburg then next day into Austin.
I made a super late start to the day, getting some laundry done and chatting to a few of the RV residents. Late enough I figured I’d grab lunch in Bracketsville before heading down the 90 to Uvalde. The 40 miles to Uvalde was nice enough, with a strong crosswind and an introduction to the rolling hills to come. The scenery is greening up now though which is a welcome relief from the …

Day 23: 2 miles South of Garner State Park to Kerrville: Didn’t get as far as planned but a great days riding

Wednesday November 2, 2016, 65 miles (105 km) – Total so far: 1,540 miles (2,478 km)
It was raining this morning when I woke up with the sun at around 7.30. Weather said it was due to clear up a bit around 10 so I packed down tent and hung out at the campground till then. It was still a bit patchy then but not enough to warrant a rain jacket. I did deploy the plastic bag rain cover for my backpack strapped to my rack.
Entered hill country proper today and while I didn’t make as good time as I’d hoped the scenery was much more varied than last few days of desert and very enjoyable to ride through. Being overcast for much of the day to keep the rain off was great as well.
Roads today were the highway 83 to somewhere north of Leakey then the 39 through to Kerrville. Road quality was …

This weekend’s rides and other updates! READ ME! PARTY! KIT STORE OPEN!

by Thomas

steinerranchcycling.com

This Sunday, November 6 is the SRC party at the lake clubhouse in Steiner Ranch (down Quinlan Park Rd almost to the end, then turn left on River Bend and follow it all the way to the end). The party starts at 2pm and there will be BBQ, beer, and other refreshments. Bring your family! Please RSVP here so we know how much food and drink to provide: http://evite.me/ZKFEx1QdWV . Everyone that has ridden with us before is invited (and …

RIDE SCHEDULE – November 2016 Short Rides Long Rides

Georgetown Cyclopaths

www.cyclopathsoftexas.com

Saturday 11/5/2016 9:00 AM Dale’s Essenhaus Restaurant in Walburg 32 miles WA11 46 miles WA12
Sunday 11/6/2016 1:30 PM Berry Springs Park 34 miles B63

Saturday 11/12/2016 9:00 AM Catholic Church in Andice 35 miles A13 48 miles A15
Sunday 11/13/2016 1:30 PM Berry Springs Park 35 miles B23

Saturday 11/19/2016 9:00 AM Berry Springs Park 35 miles B24 46 miles B16
Sunday 11/20/2016 1:30 PM Berry Springs Park 34 miles B48

Saturday 11/26/2016 9:00 AM Union State Bank in Florence 29 miles F5 43 miles F3
Sunday 11/27/2016 1:30 PM Berry Springs Park 34 miles B64

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

https://twitter.com/Pattersnap/status/793880344759971840

85 Degrees in November Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Not the norm for it to be 85 degrees in November but it makes for great bike riding. I left at 11:39 to ride the “New Caney – Gene Campbell Road” route headed north after leaving Kingwood. The wind was from my right rear quarter so this helped get to New Caney at a great pace. Even the 2+ miles on FM1485 west the wind still helped. Making the left turn onto Gene Campbell Blvd. I thought the wind would turn into a problem but that waited until I reached FM1314 and the ride back towards Porter. I still managed to keep my average speed at 15.2 mph though.

The rest stop came at the Sorters Road Valero at 1:12 and 22.7 miles into what turned out to be 34.69 miles at the finish. I sat down in front of the propane tank cage in the shade to eat animal crackers and a Kashi Trail Mix bar along with water from my water bottle. The Elemnt screen showed this data when I arrived and the weather screenshot taken while I ate.

While I sat a young woman and a small child walked by. She asked about my ride and later when she came back out of the store she asked where I started from, where I rode today and how far to finish. She wished me a safe ride as she and the young went around the corner. After eating I went inside to fill my water bottle and then came outside, walked the bike to the parking spots, clipped in and started the 12 miles back to Kingwood. I left at 1:37, a short stop.

The wind presented more resistance from the Valero station to the finish since I was mostly riding to the southeast. Biking passed all of the schools was a breeze and I pushed the ride completed button at 2:31.

Tomorrow is an off day but the weather looks good for Friday bike riding.

[iframe http://rwgps-embeds.com/trips/11762257/embed 600px 600px]

[iframe https://www.strava.com/activities/763975700/embed/d10403dfefcb91ee86ed99ffcf25bcae18c3fa4b 590px 405px]

Texas Bicycling News November 1st 2016

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Study finds commuters hitting brakes on move to mass transit

By Dug Begley

www.houstonchronicle.com


Cheap gasoline has Texans driving more, indicating that efforts to promote mass transit or bicycle commuting are falling short, a new statewide poll suggests.
As folks hit the road, though, they are increasingly supportive of investment in transit and bike safety, even if perhaps they’d rather see others try it first.
“It’s one of those things where everybody thinks it is a good idea, but nobody seems to be using it,” said Tina Geiselbrecht, a co-author of the report and leader of the public engagement planning program at …

Texas CX Project Announcements for 11/1/2016

texascxproject.org

Parents/Ambassadors,
Hello. I hope this email finds you well. Congratulations to all the parents/kiddos who raced this past week weekend in Austin or Houston. We have placed many photos on our Facebook page at, https://www.facebook.com/CyclocrossProject2015/photos. Feel free to tag and share!
This Weekend: This weekend, Saturday and Sunday, November 5th & 6th many of us will be traveling to Houston for the Haute Cross event. If you are attending, look out for our Texas Cyclocross Project tent and come say hello. Details available at …

RPR Enduro in 3 weeks

by coopers98

www.bikemojo.com

Well known business, arts community member seriously hurt when pickup hits his bicycle

by JESSICA CRAWFORD

kfdm.com

BEAUMONT — Mike Rogers, former Entergy communications officer, is recovering in a hospital after a pickup truck driver struck him while the avid bicyclist was traveling Saturday on Phelan.

Saturday, 03. June 2017, USA, Help Emily Bike from Texas to Alaska to Fight Cancer!

pricett.com

Family and friends, as some of you may know already, I have recently had the honor of joining the 2017 Texas 4000 for Cancer team! Texas 4000 for Cancer is an incredible organization comprised of passionate and driven UT students dedicated to fighting for a world without cancer. Our mission is to spread hope to those touched by cancer, share knowledge to communities about cancer prevention, and contribute charity to cancer research and support services. …

How do you store your spare inner tube for rides?

by Scott Jangro

bikenoob.com


The one thing that you want to be in good shape when you need it is your spare tube.
I just store mine in my bike pouch wrapped in a tie wrap. Or sometimes in the original box that the tube came in.
The thing about storing your tube in your bike pouch is that it’s sitting in there with pieces of metal and plastic for months, traveling thousands of miles and the millions of small back and forth motions that go along with that.
I learned a hard lesson about this when moving to college one year, and we piled stuff in the back of the truck. A bicycle pedal was propped up against the back of a piece of furniture (thankfully the back), and by the time we …

2017 Texas Independence Bicycle Tour – Deer Park

signedevents.com


Saturday, February 25, 2017 07:00am CST
Venue
Deer Park High School South Campus 710 W San Augustine St
Deer Park, 77536
The 2017 Deer Park (TX) Rotary Club presents the Texas Independence Bicycle Tour! Choose between 30, 48 or 60 mile routes in this official warm up ride to the world famous MS150!!!

Spoke&Word Newsletter from Bike Houston

campaign-archive2.com

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMSfFRIhiNr/

Fall Fun Ride Dec. 3

www.hotcyclists.com


HOTC’s first Fall Fun Ride will kick off at 1 PM on Saturday, December 3, 2016. Come ride short or long distance followed by a cookout, all provided by the club. Mark your calendar to ride with us and enjoy some cookin’ and visitin’ at Festival Park (corner of Milam Dr & FM 2376).

Melissa & Steve Sims with Houston Ghost Bike

bikehouston.org


Across Houston you will encounter white painted bikes often adorned with flowers, balloons, garlands tailored to the season and a little plaque. So called Ghost Bikes, placed at the site of a deadly collision between a car and a cyclist. Ghost Bikes are memorials for a life lost, a reminder for who pass by to take caution and to look out for each other. Melissa and Steve Sims are two super volunteers for Ghost Bike Houston. …

TRANS CYCLISTS UNITE!

Saturday, Nov 5, 2016, 8:00 AM

Across from Rio Plaza
Park across from strip center at 6205 Upper Valley Rd (just north of Artcraft) El Paso, TX

5 Cyclists Went

Trans Cyclists Unite!When: Saturday, Nov. 5Meet at 8 a.m. roll out at 8:15 a.m.Where: Rio Plaza  Upper Valley Road at ArtcraftRoute: Trans is back!  Transmountain is now fully open to cyclists.We will meet at Rio Plaza – park across the street from the shopping center – and head to Borderland/Doniphan/Spur 16 then up and over Transmountain. Th…

Check out this Meetup →

Saturday Ride Schedule

Maverick Chain Gang

November 5, 2016
Pope City – 32.1 miles
Meet at: North side of Walmart parking lot, 1701 SE End Blvd, Marshall, TX – 9:00 a.m.
November 12, 2016
Lake Cherokee – 35 miles
Meet at: East Texas Regional Airport, 269 Terminal Circle, Longview TX – 9:00 a.m.
November 19, 2016
Scottsville, Marshall/Leigh Rd. – 29.9 miles
Meet at: Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 4700 Victory Dr, Marshall, TX – 9:00 a.m.
November 26, 2016
Pirkey Lake – East – 21.2 miles
Meet at: First Baptist Church, 405 W Austin St, Marshall, TX – 9:00 a.m.

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

https://twitter.com/BBQ44/status/793569846545879043

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

More clouds, more humidity, same wind and less degrees Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

More clouds, more humidity, same wind and less degrees. What more can you ask for on a bike ride? While I rode the “Atascocita South – Walden – Huffman” route I experienced these weather conditions while I watched the gray clouds to the west. Wheels down at 11:37 with the temperature in the 80’s and by the time I reached Huffman the clouds were just as heavy and numerous. I wondered if I might get rained on but that didn’t happen.

Riding east over Lake Houston on FM1960 the wind didn’t add too much resistance as I improved my average speed. As I got ready to turn right onto Fairlake Drive there was another bicyclist standing at the corner waiting to cross FM1960 to ride west. He wore a bright red Exxon Mobil jersey riding a black bike. I said hello and he responded back. As I rode south he disappeared across FM1960. Not much later as I rode across the railroad tracks on Old Atascocita Road the warning bells started ringing but the train was to the south around a bend in the track. I rode across the tracks and the crossing arm came down. I could tell from the sound of the train horn it was the Amtrak passenger train. I stopped and walked back towards the tracks as the train sped by. It was earlier than the last time passing at 1:05.

Back on the bike I rode to Huffman and the Chevron station. I was at the 22 mile point of what would end up being a 34.08 mile long ride. Arriving at 1:15 I knew this should let me finish the ride before 3:00 if I didn’t stay too long. My Elemnt computer screen when I arrive and the weather while I ate my snacks.

As I ate and drank water from my bottle I took time to look at emails on my phone. One was from a Houston area weather website that recapped October weather. One point that stuck was the amount of rain we got during the month: 0.14″. Because of the absence of rain and the slightly warmer than normal temperatures we are on the edge of drought again. Maybe those rain clouds will deposit some rain to help. Not long after this fire truck pulled into the station.

Huffman fire truck

What caught my eye was the number of grass fire tools on the truck; three on the side closest to me and at least two on the other side. Hopefully they don’t have to use them.

Something else unusual was the two freight trains that passed through during the 25 minutes I was at the Chevron station especially since the Amtrak train was not too far ahead of them.

I rolled away from the Chevron station with a refilled water bottle at 1:40 riding west. Getting closer to E. Lake Houston Parkway I saw flashing red and blue lights ahead on the shoulder around Lake Houston Marina. Riding closer I saw a tow truck, a Houston Police SUV cruiser, a black older Nissan or Toyota pickup facing the wrong way and in the grass beside the black pickup another Houston SUV cruiser. I didn’t have enough time to see what was going on when I moved onto the traffic lane and rode by.

The SE 12 mph wind helped me ride at a good pace all the way to Pinehurst Trail where I turned north onto the side streets to head back to Kingwood. The dark clouds were still to the west so I felt comfortable that I would finish the ride and not get rained on. I pushed the stop button to finish the ride at 2:29.

Today’s ride miles are 13% of my goal for November. The weather is great for bike rides now but it can change quickly. Last year I biked 248 miles in November so I set my goal this year at 250 miles. I will see how that goes.

[iframe http://rwgps-embeds.com/trips/11748515/embed 600px 600px]

[iframe https://www.strava.com/activities/762932235/embed/cfac41b7a5431b5fd7972ad79c7187fa7acb635f 590px 405px]

Save