Texas Bicycling News for November 9, 2023

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OPINION: Austin’s $11.3 million investment in MetroBike program would better serve other transit programs

Tate Burchfield | www.hilltopviewsonline.com

Students at St. Edward’s and residents of Austin alike mount bicycles to traverse the city. Despite Austin’s claims of being a green city, cyclists find the city expressly difficult to ride in. The city attempts to alleviate these hurdles with new policies such as the MetroBike program.

The Texas Department of Transportation announced the list of recipients for the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Programs (TASA) grant on Oct. 26. It included a $11.3 million award for the City of Austin to expand its current MetroBike bike share program.

While this is a landmark step in terms of funding for public transportation, the decision to invest in the bike share program was inherently inequitable. The promotion of this mode of transit excludes those with physical disabilities impeding them from riding such bikes, and does not attempt to improve the infrastructure for those who depend on pedestrian and cycling transportation.

The announcement of the dispersed funds comes after the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced last December that they were searching for …

Cyclist dies in highway wreck

www.jacksonvilleprogress.com

A Frankston man is dead after his bicycle was struck while traveling Tuesday on US 175.

The deceased was identified as Russell Warrington, 67, of Frankston.

The accident happened at 12:35 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, according to a preliminary report from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Warrington, on a bicycle, was stationary in the eastbound lane of US 175, when he was struck by a pickup truck. The driver of the truck was uninjured.

The investigation is ongoing.

Upcoming Rides

Fort Worth Bicycling Association | www.fwbaclub.org

Rusty Romp Thu, November 16, 2023 9:00 AM Benbrook YMCA, 1899 Winscott Road, Benbrook, TX 76126 https://www.fwbaclub.org/event-5470265

Anna May Daulton Joe Pool Lake – Rusty Chain Gang Sat, November 18, 2023 9:00 AM Grand Prairie, Texas https://www.fwbaclub.org/event-5470277

Kingsville kids ride off with surprise gift

By: Makaylah Chavez | www.kristv.com

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Smiles and giggles were seen and heard at Harvey Elementary School on Thursday morning as second graders received free bikes.

1PointFive, a carbon removal technology company partnered with the non-profit Wish for Wheels and the King Ranch to build over 300 bikes for area second graders.

As KRIS 6 previously reported, 1PointFive is bringing the world’s largest direct air capture facility to Kingsville. Their mission is to green, and what better place to start than with the kids?

“A bike at this age signals a lot of independence,” Director of Projects Trey Fournier said. "The kids that …

Completed Tuesday’s Route. Atascocita – Walden – Huffman

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I rode the route I planned on biking Tuesday until the flat tire derailed that ride and shortened it. Heading south and east on the Atascocita – Walden – Huffman route I made it with no problems. I was a little concerned with getting the ride done before rain arrived but that didn’t materialize. I even managed to start before 10 AM rolling out on my Canyon Endurace bike at 9:58 AM. I saw a couple of cyclists and a man rollerblading in Kingwood Greens. I don’t see rollerblading people often. The ride ended at 12:36 PM. Wind was light and the temperature stayed around 80. Nice fluffy clouds moved around the sky. The 34.76 miles pushed November road miles to 238.8 (66% of the way to my goal). The week stands at 140.83 miles.

Kingwood Greens Drive on the way to W Lake Houston Parkway
Kingwood Greens Drive on the way to W Lake Houston Parkway
Biking east over Lake Houston on FM 1960
Biking east over Lake Houston on FM 1960
11-9-2023 Strava Ride Summary Atascocita-Walden-Huffman
11-9-2023 Strava Ride Summary Atascocita-Walden-Huffman
11-9-2023 SportTracks Ride Summary Atascocita-Walden-Huffman
11-9-2023 SportTracks Ride Summary Atascocita-Walden-Huffman

Texas Bicycling News for November 8, 2023

Texbiker.net Posted on by

New trailhead opens on Northwest Side

Rebecca Salinas | www.ksat.com

Stanley Spigel Trailhead is open at 8123 Guilbeau Road

SAN ANTONIO – The city’s Parks and Recreation Department has opened a new trailhead that connects two parks on the Northwest Side.

The Stanley Spigel Trailhead is open at 8123 Guilbeau Road, just west of Bandera Road. It connects the French Creek Greenway on Mainland Drive to Nani Falcone Park on Mystic Park. …

Borderland Mountain Bike Association Takes on the Chupacabras Mountain Bike Race in Mexico

www.bmbaelpaso.org

The mountain bike community in El Paso recently embarked on an exhilarating adventure as members of the Borderland Mountain Bike Association (BMBA) participated in the internationally renowned Chupacabras mountain bike race in Mexico. This thrilling event saw riders tackling both 50km and 100km routes, pushing their limits and showcasing the spirit of cross-border collaboration.

For years, the Chupacabras race has been celebrated as one of Mexico’s premier mountain biking events. With challenging terrains and breathtaking scenery, it attracts riders from all around the world. This year, it was the BMBA’s turn to join the ranks of participants and make their presence known in the global mountain biking community. …

Veterans Day events in Midland-Odessa this week

Morgan-Taylor Thomas | www.mrt.com

… Veterans Gravel Grind Friday, Saturday

Local bicycle racing crew ViM Racing will host the Veterans Gravel Grind on Saturday at the Lake Colorado City State Park (an hour from Midland). With all proceeds going to the Trail Warrior Project — a nonprofit helping veterans bikepacking — the event is open to all riding fanatics, not just veterans.

Guests can participate in a full, half or quarter grind — 73, 49 and 24 miles respectively. Veterans and first responders receive half off the registration fee on any distance. Sign up at www.runsignup.com/race/tx/coloradocity/veteransgravelgrind. There will be an 8 a.m. mass start time, and anyone between the ages of 13 and 16 years old must be accompanied by a guardian. Farm-to-Market Road 2836

On Friday, Energy City Bike (Midland’s newest bike shop) will host two race-prep rides at 2 and 4 p.m. The business will demo a fleet of Diverge STR carbon gravel bikes. These bikes can be rented for race day. Call 432-203-4394 or swing by the shop for more info. 2810 W. Loop 250 N. …

Sidewalk grant received for Joe Carrillo Blvd

Cindy Aguirre | seguintoday.com

(Seguin) — The City of Seguin has been awarded a $2.0 million federal grant that will be used to develop safer pedestrian and bicycle access to the Koennecke Elementary School and Jim Barnes Middle School campuses, playgrounds and ball fields.

The grant monies will fund sidewalk improvements, including crosswalks, crosswalk markings and pedestrian signage at the two school campuses to improve safe crossings at Joe Carrillo Boulevard.

Currently, sidewalks in this area are limited for transporting students and their bicycles. During school arrival and dismissal times, Seguin ISD currently closes the road to ensure the safety of students crossing the street.

Specifically, the project will …

Letter: Moonlight bike event not welcome

To the editor: | www.cleburnetimesreview.com

I was dismayed by the October Moonlight Bike Ride on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and I do not support a repeat. The ride was in essence a recreational activity and not one that was ‘wildlife dependent’, a condition that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service generally requires for public use. The ride was after sunset, a time when the refuge visitors are normally required to have exited. And after sunset, much of the wildlife rests, and then night shift becomes active.

I was making an unplanned visit to the refuge. I was exiting as the bicyclists were assembling. Approximately 200 bicyclists were at Lot 1. Many arrived via cars. I saw rabbits playing dodge-em from the cars, indicative of how this after-hours activity was not …

Bond to build trail around Kirby Lake fails in November election

by: Erica Garner | www.bigcountryhomepage.com

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – A $9 million bond proposition to construct a new pedestrian and biking trail around Abilene’s Kirby Lake has failed.

The City of Abilene’s Bond Proposition ‘C’ ($9 million for a trail around Kirby Lake) failed during Tuesday night’s General Election by a vote of 54% against the proposition and 46% in favor. …

TxDOT’s $11.7M grant to improve walkability and bikeability on UTSA campus

www.utsa.edu

OVEMBER 8, 2023 — UTSA has been awarded an $11.7 million grant through the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) Transportation Alternatives (TA) program to improve bicycle and pedestrian paths on its Main Campus. This grant is part of a state-wide effort to improve access to schools and amenities. TxDOT funded 83 projects across the state for an historic total of $345 million to enhance safety and mobility options to schools, jobs, public transit and local destinations.

The TA grant will allow UTSA to enhance the walkability and bikeability of Brenan Avenue, which runs through the heart of the Main Campus, by constructing a 12-foot-wide pedestrian path and an eight-foot-wide bicycle track. In addition to the pathways, the project will include raised crosswalks, ADA improvements, bicycle racks, and lighting and safety improvements. …

Video: Dallas City Council members bike to city hall as they work on city’s new bike plan

By Lori Brown | www.fox4news.com

DALLAS – As the city of Dallas works to create its first new bike plan in more than a decade, several members of the Dallas City Council rode their bikes to city hall Wednesday morning and experienced some of the challenges with the city’s infrastructure firsthand.

“Going down Bishop, I felt pretty safe for probably about 50% of the bike ride,” Dallas City Councilman Chad West said.

West was one of four council members who managed to bike from home to Dallas City Hall Wednesday. …

Recovery Gravel Ride Fort Bend County, Texas

afer Pinder Caraballo | strava.com

CCC Gravel Fort Bend County, Texas

Katya @Cool Cat Cycles | strava.com

Great seeing everyone!

Kingwood – FM1485 – Kingwood. Biking North After A 12 Day Absence

Texbiker.net Posted on by

After not going north since October 27th that’s where I headed on today’s bike ride. The route: Kingwood – FM1485 – Kingwood and the bike, Lynskey Helix. I haven’t rode the Lynskey on weekdays for sometime but with the easier pedaling I moved it into the rotation. I rolled away at 10:00 AM, I was trying to get going before that but was too slow. The warm weather held on for another day and the wind was not too bad either. The 33.02 miles was about average for the route in 2023 pushing the week’s total to 106.07 miles and November road miles to 204 (57% of the way to my goal). I finished at 12:45 PM.

I thought the wind might be strong on the way back to Kingwood but it wasn’t that bad. The hardest pedaling was on Valley Ranch Parkway from TX 99 to FM 1314.

Weather: Start 79 degrees, humidity 76%, dew point 69.3, mostly cloudy, wind S 7 mph; Finish 82 degrees, humidity 62%, dew point 69.4, mostly cloudy, wind variable 6 mph.

Lynskey Helix
Lynskey Helix
Entering Brooklyn Trails
Entering Brooklyn Trails
TX 99 east frontage road to Loop 494
TX 99 east frontage road to Loop 494
Going under US59 at Caney Creek
Going under US59 at Caney Creek
11-8-2023 SportTracks 2023 Rides Kingwood-FM1485-Kingwood
11-8-2023 SportTracks 2023 Rides Kingwood-FM1485-Kingwood
11-8-2023 Strava Ride Summary Kingwood-FM1485-Kingwood
11-8-2023 Strava Ride Summary Kingwood-FM1485-Kingwood