Texas Bicycling News July 15th 2016

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Twenty-three national titles awarded on day 2 of MTB Nationals

www.usacycling.org

Mammoth Mountain, Calif. (July 14, 2016) Ö The 2016 Volkswagen USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships continued on Mammoth Mountain Thursday with 23 national championship cross country races, as well as dual slalom qualifying and the category 2/3 downhill contests.

… It was hot and dry when the second cross-country wave went off at noon. Nine national titles were won, including the one earned by Fred Schmid (Waco, Texas/Bear Mountain Wolfpack). Clearly the crowd favorite in this wave, Schmid lined up with the men 70+ but was racing for the title in the 80+ category. …

The first details from AASHTO draft bike guide look fantastic

Michael Andersen

www.peopleforbikes.org


Bike guide contractor Jennifer Toole speaks last month at the annual meeting of the AASHTO Subcommittee on Design.
As the most influential U.S. transportation engineering organization rewrites its bike guide, there seems to be general agreement that protected bike lanes should be included for the first time.
A review panel appointed by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials will meet July 25 to start reviewing drafts of the new guide, including eight new chapters highlighted here in blue: …

Thule Group recalls some roof-mount bike carriers

by BRAIN Staff

www.bicycleretailer.com


SEYMOUR, Ct. (BRAIN) × Thule Group is recalling its Thule Sprint 528 and Thule Sprint T-Track 569/569000 roof-mounted bike carriers.
The company said it has identified a defect in the clamping mechanism of the racks. The issue can cause the clamping mechanism, which is intended to secure the bike fork to the carrier, to fail. This could lead to the bike not being properly secured to the bike carrier and the bike coming loose from the carrier during transport. …

New Biking Equipment for 2016

by Ray Garza

rgvcycling.com

Even though 2016 has been a slow year for cycling (see my previous write up, Getting Back to Business in a Slow Year), I did do some upgrades to the bike earlier this year. I was in the market for a new power meter and I decided to go with the PowerTap C1. Besides the new power meter, I’ve been checking out the Wahoo Elemnt and waiting for it to become available for sale. The specs look great and looked to be just what I needed (or wanted). Finally it became available on-line, so I dropped some …

Thursday Morning Cruise

Thursday, Jul 21, 2016, 7:15 AM

Starbucks
7049 S Desert (Outlet Mall) Canutillo, TX

1 Cyclists Went

Meet at 7:15 am at Starbucks at the Outlet Mall in Canutillo. Ride out at 7:30. 20-25 miles at 14-16 mph avg pace. Mostly flat, a few hills. Breakfast someplace after the ride. Bob Clark,[masked]

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Slaughter Creek !! Intermediate (No stop ride) (2-4 laps)

Tuesday, Jul 19, 2016, 4:00 PM

Slaughter Creek Preserve Trail
9901 RM 1826 Austin, TX

4 Mountain Bikers Went

Helmet and working bike required, spare tube suggested.  I will be doing several laps without stopping, feel free to join me, or to ride at your own pace.  After the ride we can go for burritos at taco cabana or something!!!Ride at your own Risk!After the ride will probably go for lunch somewhere near downtown.This is an unsanctioned ride.

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The Austin Mountain Bikers Meetup Group

Austin, TX
3,936 Mountain Bikers

Meet other local mountain bikers to organize rides, review trails, gear and trade tips. All skill-levels welcome. We’ll try to organize rides that fit all experience levels. M…

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NwAus- Austin Cycling Team Beginner Ride (Road) in Austin

eventful.com

August 10, 2016
Wednesday 6:30 PM (on various days)
Bicycle Sports Shop North
10947 Research Boulevard
Austin, Texas 78759
Weekly beginner ride of the Austin Cycling Team. More at http://teambrainandspinecycling.com/pages/event-calendar

Texas 4000 riders looking to once again make a stop in Border City

By Tyler Marr

www.meridianbooster.com


Lloydminster, Alta. – With 70 days, three routes and 4,000 miles, from Austin, Texas, to Anchorage Alaska, the longest annual charitable bike ride for cancer research, will once again be making a stop in Lloydminster.
In part of the longest annual charity bicycle ride, twice as long as the Tour de France, 72 students from The University of Texas in Austin (UT Austin) compile the twelfth Texas 4,000 team.
The riders, each participate in rigorous training, to ensure they are in tip-top shape for the journey across the continent.
On July 19, more than 20 riders will be stopping into the Border City, and Dick Arie, is …

Bikepacking’ is a great way to see the countryside

by Bill Cullins

www.gosanangelo.com

If you enjoy backpacking but don’t like hiking while carrying a loaded pack or if you want to try bicycle touring but dread the thought of cycling on busy roads with car and truck traffic, you might give “bikepacking” a try.
Bikepacking differs from “backpacking” in that you pedal a bike instead of walking, and unlike traditional bicycle touring on paved roads bikepacking takes place on remote dirt roads or trails away from automobile traffic.
It’s a fast-growing form of doing self-supported overnight adventure trips on a …

UPDATED On-Street Bicycle Treatment Project

www.texasbids.net

Bid Date & Time: 07/28/16 2:00 PM Prebid: 07/12/16 10:00 AM
Solicitation Title: UPDATED On-Street Bicycle Treatment Project
Owner Solic Number: 16-48CC, GR1412, STP 2014 (149) TE
Status: bidding
Report: 7144712
Country : United States State: TX County: Collin Location: McKinney
Est. Low Value: $190,000 Est. High Value: $250,000
Scope: Installation of approx. 500 bicycle sign assemblies throughout the city including some minor on-street pavement marking installations. Mobilization, barricades, signs and traffic handling, biodeg erosn contlogs (inst) (12″), biodeg erosn cont logs (remove).
Notes: A pre-bid meeting will be conducted at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 12, 2016 in the office of the Purchasing Department, 1550-D South
College, McKinney, Texas 75069. Nick Ataie, P.E. may be reached with general questions at 972-547-7637. …

UPDATED On-Street Bicycle Lane Design

www.texasbids.net

Bid Date & Time: 07/28/16 2:00 PM
Owner Solic Number: BQ1619
Status: bidding Report: 7150573
Country : United States State: TX County: Dallas Location: Dallas
Scope: On-street bicycle lane design.
Plans: From Owner.
Update Notes: Addendum #2 attached.
Owner Type: Public
Buyer: Dallas, City of – Purchasing Division
Address: 1500 Marilla St., Rm. 3F North
City: Dallas State: TX Zip/Postal Code: 75201-6390
TEL: 214-670-3326
Website: http://www.dallascityhall.org <http://www.dallascityhall.org/>

Bid Pkg Source: Dallas, City of – Purchasing Division
Address: 1500 Marilla St., Rm. 3F North
City: Dallas State: TX Zip/Postal Code: 75201-6390
TEL: 214-670-3326
Website: http://www.dallascityhall.org <http://www.dallascityhall.org/> …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Another Hot July Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I biked the “New Caney – Gene Campbell Road” route for a total of 35.58 miles today. Leaving home at 11:46 I rode north to FM1485 with the help of a weak tailwind. The July heat continues with 94 degrees at the start and 98 degrees when I finished at 2:58. The wind was light and friendly for most of the ride. In New Caney I stopped a the new Shell station for ice before riding west on FM1485. This was the first time I stopped there. They were nice. I was going to get water too but they did not have a water spigot out front.

The ride from there went smoothly. Gene Campbell Road has some spots that will need to be repaired soon from all of the truck traffic. Cars and trucks probably don’t feel the undulations like I do on the bike.

Pulling into the Cumberland Shell station for a break around 1:18 was good timing. I was at the 21.7 mile point. Gatorade and snacks refreshed me for the 14+ mile ride home. As I was standing by the pumps to snap a picture of the ride data a man walked over from the pickup truck beside me. I thought he would say hello and walk to the store but instead he asked if I was watching the TdF. I said yes and we talked about today’s time trial. He asked me what happened in yesterday’s stage with the crash and if Chris Froome was in the yellow jersey. I explained that he was and how his time was adjusted after the crash. He thanked me and wished me a safe ride as he walked to the store. I was really surprised to have that conversation out in the country west of Porter, TX.

Porter Weather

I was back biking around 1:58 refreshed and aided by the wind to ride to Old Sorters Road where I turned south into the wind and the pedaling required more effort. Winding through Briar Tree and Oakhurst I was able to maintain the 14.9 mph average speed until I reached the I-69/US59 service road. At that point stopping and starting increased and my average speed slowly declined until I finished the ride.

Where I stand for the month of July:

  • biked 13 out of 15 days
  • 490 miles towards my 765 mile goal
  • 197 miles this week
  • 4526 miles year to date

[iframe http://rwgps-embeds.com/trips/9966170/embed 600px 600px] [iframe https://www.strava.com/activities/642006500/embed/37a14e7bac08ec261f3148b805cd7dfa9cc1ca01 590px 405px]

Home Weather Station at the end of the ride

Home Weather Station at the end of the ride

Inside Texas Bicycling July 14th 2016

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Bicyclist hit, killed by train in San Marcos

By KEYE TV

keyetv.com


A bicyclist in San Marcos was hit and killed by a train Thursday afternoon.
It happened at around 3 p.m. near the San Marcos Activity Center on East Hopkins Street.
San Marcos Police say the victim — identified only as a male in his early 20s — was found near the railroad tracks. First responders performed CPR on the cyclist but were unable to revive him. He was declared deceased at the scene. …

Memorial Park – Work Party

GHORBA

ghorba.org

Event category: General
Trail: Memorial Park
Saturday, July 16, 2016 – 8:00am
Work Party – Saturday, July 9 – 8am-12pm
Green Trail Maintenance
We will be meeting at the East entrance of the Green Trail, this si located by Crestwood and Memorial Dr., you can park along the wooden fence along Crestwood in front of the big houses. …

Tour de Southern Walnut Creek Trail

Tuesday, Jul 19, 2016, 8:00 AM

Govalle Park
5200 Bolm Rd. Austin, TX

5 Austin Cyclists Went

Start Time is 8 AM!A D-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’ll regroup periodically on the outbound an…

Check out this Meetup →

http://www.meetup.com/Roads_Less_Travelled/events/232632020/?rv=ea1&_af=event&_af_eid=232632020&https=off

Davy Crockett National Forest

Saturday, Jul 23, 2016, 8:00 AM

5 Cyclists Went

Check out this Meetup →

Cyclists can find a way to ride in Abilene and beyond

By Janet Van Vleet

www.reporternews.com


At first glance, Abilene might not look like a good town for bicyclists. But there are plenty of options for someone willing to look for them, local cycling enthusiasts say.
Jim and Kelly MacDonald own Bike Town in Abilene. They also help organize the annual Tour de Gap race in Buffalo Gap each July.
This year’s event will take place July 23. The race is family-friendly, with three different ride lengths — 11 miles, 27 miles and 52 miles.
Kids 14 and younger ride for free as long as …

This weekend’s rides: Way out East! Red Horn!

by Thomas

steinerranchcycling.com

Many of us will be going to RAGBRAI on the 22nd so this is the last group training opportunity… let’s make it a long one! Saturday we will head out for a 79 mile ride that takes us along the entire Walnut Creek Hike and Bike paved trail! We did this once before and it was a blast. There will certainly be two groups, so don’t worry about the miles. The route is …

Police to lead off pro race at tonight’s Driveway Series

by Pam LeBlnc

fitness.blog.austin360.com


Two bicycle officers and a police squad car from the Austin Police Department will lead the first lap of the pro race at tonight’s Driveway Series as a show of support for the police officers killed in Dallas.
Last week’s police shootings took place just down the street from the Dallas version of the Thursday Night Bike Races, which take place weekly at Fair Park.
The Dallas Police Department is sending officers to the Fair Park races tonight to mingle with …

2016 Texas 4000 Team Rolls Into Edmonton As Part Of 70-Day Journey to Alaska for 13th Annual Ride Benefitting Cancer Research

nonprofitnewsalberta.ca


On the longest annual charity bicycle ride in the world, the Texas 4000 team will be rolling through Edmonton on Thursday, July 21st, just 48 days after departing from Austin, Texas on their way to Anchorage, Alaska. While in Edmonton, the 2016 Texas 4000 Team will celebrate and share hope, knowledge and charity with friends and family before continuing on their 70-day journey. 67 riders who have raised over $485,000 for cancer research, treatment and prevention will begin 4,000-mile bicycle journey The 67 undergraduate and …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

https://twitter.com/AustinBikePed/status/753581111498989569

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Wahoo Elemnt Update After An Uncomplicated Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Today’s ride start was delayed (12:00 start time for me)  because I was watching stage 12 of the TdF and the struggle to determine the overall standings. I was watching live and saw the crash but no one could figure out what the finishing time was going to be. Fortunately my ride was not near as complicated. I biked the “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman Extended” route for a total of 33.66 miles putting this week’s miles at 161.35. This should set me up to reach 200+ for the week with 3 biking days left.

The weather is still July type: hot (100 degrees when I finished according to my home weather station), dry and not so windy today. I produced a lot of sweat and every time I stopped the sweat flowed. No other bikers were out riding on the route. I went through two water bottles during the ride plus a very large PowerAde when I stopped at the Huffman Chevron. I arrived there at 1:28 PM and left around 2:05 much better hydrated. The Wahoo Elemnt screen and weather.

Nothing out of the ordinary on today’s ride. I looked for something to take a picture of but nothing caught my attention.

I meant to write about my experience with the Wahoo Elemnt bike computer yesterday but I forgot. I am very pleased with how it is working. All of the problems I had with the Edge 520 disappeared when I switched to the Elemnt. The Garmin speed and cadence sensors work well. The cadence sensor is slow sometimes to begin reporting at the very beginning of the ride but I think that is because I don’t pedal fast enough to trigger it to wake up. If I pedal fast it wakes up quickly and sends the data to the Elemnt. The speed sensor does not go through the same delay and the speed shows up immediately. During the ride there are some speed drops that look like the sensor is stop sending data but it lasts a second or two and then it is back to full speed. At the end of the ride the data is uploaded to the three websites I selected but once in a while Garmin Connect will not accept the connection and I upload the ride manually. The screen is very easy to see in the bright July sun and the buttons advance the pages quickly. The map is not fancy but I can tell where I am. The Live Track works each ride unlike the Garmin. My phone connects to the Elemnt quickly and every time. After 1,074 miles riding with the Elemnt I know I made a great choice.

[iframe http://ridewithgps.com/trips/9950177/embed 600px 600px] [iframe https://www.strava.com/activities/641048027/embed/cff55dfd06c6f287666a8e009f57d4faf7a7b613 590px 405px]

My home weather station at the end of the ride.

7-14-2016 Home Weather Finish 314PM