Texas Bicycling News Digest April 3rd 2016

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NEW Trailhead and new trail on Deception

rugger www.bikemojo.com

Details and tons of pics on the blog.
Deception de·cep·tion: Brushy Creek Single Track (Deception) NEW Trail Head
Main purposes of the rerouting:
More trail as a negotiation for the Barn closure.
Avoid the rutted fall line at the very beginning.
Avoid the low-lying area at the beginning of Deception – boggy/muddy mess
Move trail from flat area to a slope for drainage to avoid standing water.

10th Annual Síclovía features longest route ever

by Filipa Ioannou www.mysanantonio.com


The chilly morning did nothing to deter hundreds of bikers, joggers, pedestrians and their dogs who took to the streets for Síclovía, a free outdoor exercise festival that covers more than three miles of downtown streets.
The route starts at Maverick Park and goes down Broadway, Travis Street, N. Flores Street, César Chávez Boulevard and S. St Mary’s Street before ending at Roosevelt Park. Síclovía lasts until 3 p.m.
This is the tenth Síclovía for San Antonio and it features the longest route ever. The first was in …

Central Texans show out for Autism Bike Ride and Run

kxan.com

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Central Texas families came out early Sunday morning to show support for fellow Texans dealing with Autism.
Sunday marked the eighth annual Autism Bike Ride and Run Run put on by the Autism Society of Central Texas, with the event being held at Georgetown High School.
All of the proceeds collected from the event stay local to help families in Central Texas. Some of these proceeds came from events including a …

2016 Texas Team Preview : Team $uper Awesome

texasbikeracing.com

http://texasbikeracing.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/DSC01785.jpg
Team $uper Awesome
Members
Andy Austin “Pandacutioner”
Brad Joe Scott Howard
Erik Binggeser
Brian Leib
Cinnamon Johnson West
Adam Raul
Rey Madolora “DJ”
Sir Andrew Yates
Todd Hauber
Caden Burross
Nicole Ortega
Ash Duban
Jared Thompson
Stew Stafford
Colin Frazer
Ali Tracey
Tony Drewry
Bart Beddingfield
Andrew Carter Hill “Jr”
Tim Cook
Adrian Flores “Prince”
Lance Norman “Peaches”
Wiley “Overlord” …

Day 2 of 30 Days of Biking

by Matthew bike4heck.com

day 2 of 30 days of Cycling Challenge
Day 2 of the 30 day challenge. I was joined by my wife on her Novora Transfer. I was happy she joined my son and I on the short ride just as the sun was setting.

Southern Tier eastward 2016

By Luba Agranovich www.crazyguyonabike.com

Luba: Pecos
Saturday April 2, 2016, 60 miles (97 km) – Total so far: 1,326 miles (2,133 km)
After escaping our motel this morning we continued riding through the canyons for a while until, finally, reaching famed Pecos River. Now we were outside West of Pecos law of Judge Roy Bean. Met another solitary cyclist that started riding from St.Augustine FL in mid-February. Our challenge for today was to cross safely the two-mile bridge just before Del Rio. We were told that larger cycling groups were given a police escort – that’s how dangerous riding on this bridge was. We waited for Richard at the beginning of the bridge to cross it together, thinking the strength is in numbers. Turned out that …

An Englishman in America

By Rob Lee www.crazyguyonabike.com

Apr 1: Around Big Bend National Park
Friday April 1, 2016, 61 miles (98 km) – Total so far: 2,624 miles (4,223 km)
I was woken this morning by the rising sun. Considering my alarm call yesterday morning was before 5 AM I felt a slight lie in was probably a good idea.
For a change to the usual routine, after breakfast I didn’t load up Rory but instead headed off unloaded on a short side trip slightly further down the Rio Grande. At Boquillas Canyon Overlook there is a good view of the river, and into Mexico on the other side. The Mexican village of Boquillas is very close. I’m glad I …

Apr 2: Around Big Bend National Park
Saturday April 2, 2016, 63 miles (101 km) – Total so far: 2,687 miles (4,324 km)
Posted via email Sun Apr 3 15:19:02 2016 PDT
Emerging from the tent this morning, it turned out the late arrivals last night were a group of guys about my age. Here for a weekend of hiking. Fortunately for me they seemed to have brought way too much food so I was gifted a plate of bacon and a further plate of sausage. Combined with my oatmeal that should keep me going for a little while! To our collective bemusement the other chap appeared and (at about 8.30 AM) offered everyone else a beer. After he’d gone I sense-checked this with the others. Yes they thought that was odd too!
First of all I had to brave the four miles of gravel up to …

Tom Goes West 2016

By Thomas King www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 35 – Fredericksburg to Hunt, Texas: Along the South Branch of the Guadelupe River
Sunday April 3, 2016, 54 miles (87 km) – Total so far: 1,548 miles (2,491 km)
First my knee report. It’s feeling better. A bit sore at the end of the day but pretty good to start each day. My thanks to Steve of Jacqui’s Cycling Class who was my ground controller on the knee issue. He has been following the blog and emailed links to several articles about knee pain – the cyclist’s most common injury. Also tips from my brother in law Steve. So I made corrections and they have certainly helped:
1. I’m taking Advil to reduce inflamation. 2. Applying ice in the evening again for the inflamation. 3. Lowered my bicycle saddle (seat) and moved it further back. Lowering was the one best correction. I had been thinking the seat should be highest to maximize the stroke but it put too much stress on my knee.
After breakfast at the Old German Bakery and Restuarant in Fredericksburg (I had Eggs Florentine and a pastry) I rode out again under …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

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Recovery Bike Ride? Kingwood Trails

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After yesterday’s ride my muscles were sore today. So what do I do? I decided to ride my 32 pound mountain bike on the Kingwood trails. I am not sure that was a good idea but the trails were gorgeous as was the weather; a clear blue sky, a light breeze and 77 degrees. Whenever I went up a small incline (we don’t have any big ones) my legs complained and slowed down in protest but I kept at it. After watching the Tour of Flanders video I was inspired by Peter Sagan and didn’t want to sit at home to let my muscles recover.

As I was riding the heavy MTB I thought maybe it is time to get a gravel grinder or cyclocross bike. They are light and can handle the bumps on the Kingwood trails and my legs would not complain as much.

Waiting for a little later time to start I left home at 2:12 and finished at 3:59. The different weather shots when I finished riding.

George Bush Airport Weather
My Home Weather Stations

Tomorrow the weather forecast for calls for 80+ degrees and clear skies. By then my legs should feel looser.

[iframe http://ridewithgps.com/trips/8383336/embed 640px 500px] [iframe https://www.strava.com/activities/535068192/embed/e3c68307f720b50d05dc6f8a08477a0ddeb61887 590px 405px]

 

 

Texas Bicycling News Digest April 2nd 2016

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Pop-pop T Goes West – Then East

By David Tatman www.crazyguyonabike.com

Fort Hancock to Van Horn: My Watch Is Finally Right
Saturday April 2, 2016, 74 miles (119 km) – Total so far: 1,123 miles (1,808 km)
My watch is finally right… For Christmas Santa got me a new Fitbit. However I decided I didn’t want to bring on ride, needs charging often and as I said, nothing is new after a tour. So I brought my old Polar watch which is missing a button for setting time and left the chest strap home even though I was curious on the calories burned each day.
Live in Eastern Time zone to start – Fly to West Coast, now off by 3 hours, then daylight savings time, off by 2 hours, then to AZ which doesn’t recognize daylight savings time, off by 3 hours again, then into Pacific Time Zone again, off by 2 hours, into Moutain Time Zone, off by an hour. Today we crossed into Central Time Zone so watch is now right. Until I get into Eastern Time Zone and then the watch will be off an hour until the fall when Starndard Time starts again… Thank goodness for my iPhone!
Yesterday I was beginning to think I had gone overboard on my soapbox. Normally I’ll get some type of communication – email or guest comment shortly after its posted each evening but …

Tom Goes West 2016

By Thomas King www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 34 Johnson City to Frederickburg, TX after side trip to Hamilton, Texas
Saturday April 2, 2016, 35 miles (56 km) – Total so far: 1,494 miles (2,404 km)
We drove to Hamilton to see my old grad school friend Anita, her husband Jim, and they showed us the very livable town they adopted a year ago. The house built by Jim’s grandfather had recently been a B&B and was huge with 5 bedrooms, 6 baths and 11′ ceilings. Wild asparagas and white iris grow wild in their yard. They took us to the local rodeo hall and we had chicken fried steak. We lucked out again for our rest day was rainy and in the 50’s – cold. Not a good day to be riding.
So after a 2 our drive down from Hamilton I picked up where I left off on Texas Road 1323. Notice Texas has so many roads the smaller ones have 4 digit highway numbers! With clear blue skies after a cold front came through, it was another beautiful day. With a westerly headwind and hill climbing ending up with a 500′ net elevation gain it was a pull for a short ride, but I wouldn’t have …

April 1st: Day 1 of 30 Days of Cycling

by Matthew bike4heck.com


Today was the first day of the 30 Days of Biking Challenge http://30daysofbiking.com/ it was unseasonably cool and windy for San Antonio today but I did get on the bike with my son and we rode about a mile and a half to a Starbucks. I had planned to go further but the wind was strong and made the ride cold. Having a 20 month old on the …

Síclovía on Sunday features longer route through downtown

By Katherine Blunt www.mysanantonio.com


San Antonians who head downtown Sunday for the city’s 10th Síclovía will find the longest route yet for bicycling and walking on vehicle-free streets.
The route stretches about three and a half miles from Maverick Park on Broadway Street to Roosevelt Park south of King William. For the first time, it will cut through the heart of downtown on Travis and Flores streets.
“We connected the southern portion of our Broadway route and the northern portion of our Southtown route by going through downtown,” said Lisa Ramirez, vice president of strategic partnerships and program innovation for the …

Bike Across Texas 2! John and Hawk Ride Again!

www.nobelity.org


On April 22nd, from 5-8pm, Bicycle Sport Shop on S. Lamar is helping us throw a family friendly party with great music from John Pointer, and Los Aztex with Joel Guzman and Sarah Fox. Beverages from Real Ale Beer, High Brew Coffee, Treana Wine, and Richard’s Real Rainwater.
Join us for ping pong, crazy bike rides and more. Free and open to all!
Every mile you sponsor funds bikes and textbooks for Kenyan students AND every $50 donation automatically …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

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Ride Like An Eagle – Atascocita High School

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I debated about riding this ride because of my aversion to cold temperatures. Cold to me is anything below 60 degrees. After eating breakfast I decided to ride and got dressed. I had loaded my Stradalli in the Jeep last night knowing if it was too cold I could take it out and ride later from home. I backed out of the garage a few minutes after 7 AM for the 10 mile trip to Atascocita High School. I got there with a bright sky but it was a few degrees cooler than at my house. Here is the weather screen shots from my phone.

Making my way to the registration area I took some pictures. (click on the photo to enlarge it)

After I signed in I asked a lady how many registered and she said 44 preregistered and about 10 walkup ones so far. I think a few more people signed up after me. I estimate 70 people would ride.

We started the ride at 7:58 and rode through the school parking lot to exit onto W. Lake Houston Parkway north. The shadows and wind made for a chilly ride but I was dressed for it: shorts, leg warmers, long sleeve jersey, short sleeve jersey, wind breaker jacket and full finger gloves. Riding through a short section of Walden we made our way to FM1960 and crossed Lake Houston turning right onto Fairlake Drive, roads I am very familiar with. The first rest stop was at the end of Old Atascocita Road and Ramsey Road. I didn’t need to stop and turned right onto Ramsey Road. The next turn was left onto Louis Road. So far no problems and the wind was riding with me instead of against. I made the right turn onto Crosby Eastgate Road. After passing the Harris County Cemetery up ahead I could see a biker coming towards me with three dogs chasing him. He got past them without getting caught and warned me as he passed. He wasn’t with our ride since these roads are popular to ride. I got to the dogs and they chased me but I was able to outrun them. Not too far from there three bikers were approaching and I warned them of the dogs. Again they were not with this ride. I could not see how they fared with the dogs since I turned onto another road.

I was making good progress with my average speed 16+ mph up to this point. I rode on making several turns but staying on Ramsey Road. At the railroad crossing I could see red flashing lights up ahead and I was afraid a bike rider was in trouble but a lady on the side of the road said it was a parade coming toward us. I made my way down the road stopping at  driveway as the parade neared. I waited there for several minutes. I asked one of the men driving a pickup pulling a float trailer what the parade was for and he said baseball season opens today. I didn’t count the floats but there were many. After waiting a couple of other bikers stopped beside me and then decided to ride on since there was space. After a few minutes I did the same thing until I got to the stop sign where I had to wait for the traffic to let me turn left. Not to far from there was rest stop #2. I made a short stop to wipe my nose and talk with a man there about the parade.

Leaving the rest stop I rode east and south to FM1942. This is where I usually miss the turn and get lost. riding west on FM1942 I kept looking for the sign an arrows to turn. At Cliff Drive I saw the sign laying on the ground and the arrows on the road so I turned right and headed to rest stop #3. I stopped there for awhile to use the port-a-pottie, eat some cookies and drink some sport drink (not lemon-lime thank goodness). I would have liked to refill my water bottle but they didn’t have any water.

Back on the bike I was off to find rest stop #4. It was almost 19 miles to it. I rode on US90 Business Route before turning right onto Pineland Drive and straight into the wind. From that point to the finish I battled the wind. I knew rest stop #4 was in Eisenhower Park and I was glad when I turned into the park entrance to get among the trees and hopefully out of the wind. Stopping at #4 I drank some water, ate some cookies and my trail mix bar before riding off for the last 6 miles of the ride. The road with the most traffic without a shoulder is W. Lake Houston Parkway. I turned right onto W. Lake Houston Parkway from Deussen Parkway and rode into the wind. The major obstacle was the railroad track overpass. Riding up and over it into the wind slowed me down but the ride down the other side was much easier. I made the left turn into the school and headed to my Jeep finishing at 11:59. I was tired but doing good. As I was standing beside my Jeep another rider walked to his pickup truck beside me and we talked about the ride. He said he had a close call from a truck passing too close on W. Lake Houston Parkway. We also talked about the BP MS150 coming up which he is riding in for the first time. It was a good visit. I then took these weather screenshots.

This is the first ride for April. My goal for April will be the average for April from 2013 (778 miles), 2014 (878 miles) and 2015 (660 miles). The goal will be 772 miles for April 2016.

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