Texas Bicycling News Digest February 20th 2016

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Big Bend mountain biking

intothetransporter.blogspot.com


Today (Wednesday) we left the national park on the west side, and took the paved FM170 road into the Big Bend state park. (there’s a good tiny grocery store on the east end of Turlingua, called the Cottonwood general store. Annie liked it, good selection for being so far out. The Turlingua ghost town is fun to check out too.)
At the state park Barton Warnock visitor center, there’s a dump and fresh water, so we got all set again.
The state park has …

Clay Walker Announces 2016 Band Against MS Ride

www.rttnews.com

Clay Walker will host his fourth annual Band Against MS Ride in Humble, Texas, March 26. The bicycle ride, beginning and finishing at the Shell Houston Open PGA Tournament location, will benefit Walker’s non-profit organization Band Against MS, which raises awareness and funds for multiple sclerosis.
“This event holds a special place in my heart because it combines two of my favorite …

Volunteer: Annual Wichita Falls ‘Bicycle Swap’ Big Success

www.texomashomepage.com


The Wichita Falls Bicycling Club hosted the 2016 Bicycle Swap Saturday morning at the Hotter’N Hell office.
One of the volunteers described it like a garage sale, where club members and people can bring bikes and equipment. Items people want to sell to members of the community.
“This is definitely the training season,” John Fritzsch, bike club volunteer, said. “Folks preparing for the rides through …

A Ride to Remember

By Ken Kuntz www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 31: 17 miles east of Fredericksburg, TX to Hunt, TX
Friday February 19, 2016, 66 miles (106 km) – Total so far: 1,538 miles (2,475 km)
Starting Point: 17 miles east of Fredericksburg
Ending Point: Hunt, TX
Riding Conditions: Cool, cloudy, and windy in the morning. Clear, warm, and less windy in the afternoon.
Miles Today: 66
Quote for the day: “Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with.” — Mark Twain
Today was a good day. We spent the night at the Sunset Inn in Fredericksburg, which Robert’s friend, Cindy, had recommended. That was good advice. It’s a mom & pop place, clean and comfortable. And there is a Mexican restaurant within walking distance that fixed us a good breakfast.
After breakfast we piled in the van and returned to the spot where I had stopped riding …

City hears public views about railway

By Aisha Baskette www.brownsvilleherald.com

More than 300 people filled into the Brownsville West Rail Corridor Town Hall meeting Thursday night to discuss the West Rail Corridor’s future with city officials.
Assistant City Manager Ruth Osuna said the meeting’s building was filled to capacity. The meeting, which started at 6 p.m, took place in the Oliveira Park Gymnasium at …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

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Bulldog Bike Ride Waller, TX

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This was my first time riding the Bulldog Bike Ride in Waller, TX. I wasn’t sure how long it would take to drive from Kingwood to Waller so I got up at 4:45 and left home at 5:55. The roads do not go direct to Waller taking me through Humble, Spring, Tomball and then Waller. FM2920 connected to US290 and I had to check my phone to see how to get the ride start. Google Maps had no problem and I arrived around 7:15. I decided to not pre-register online because the late cost plus online fee was only $1 less. The registration was quick and I headed back to the Jeep. Before unloading my bike I walked around the parking lot handing out Texbiker.net business cards to around 20 people until I ran out.

The bike was ready about 7:45 and I made my way to the starting area. As I waited I took these screenshots of the weather.

Expecting the weather to warm up I wore shorts, a short sleeve jersey over a heavy long sleeve jersey and half finger gloves. The SSW wind felt cool but I was comfortable. Here are some pictures around the start area before we left at 8:00.

Leaving the starting line the ride turned left. I rode the 50 mile route (turned out to be 51.0 mile route). The riding was fast once I warmed up by the 1 mile point. The wind was at our backs but the road was rough in places. Around 8.5 miles I passed rest stop #1 but did not stop. From there the route was on country roads with varying road surfaces. The pace was still good with the wind behind me most of the time. The Garmin Edge 520 worked perfectly during the ride without any “phone disconnected” messages. Live Track work too.

I decided to stop at rest stop #2 to take some pictures, eat and drink. The sky was still overcast. The pictures at stop #2.

It was important to reach rest stop #2 by 10:30 to avoid being routed to the 32 mile route instead of the 50 mile route. I was there at 9:05 as you can see in the Garmin 520 picture.

After about 5 minutes or so I was back on the route. Now the roads turned into the wind and there were some small inclines but nothing approaching a hill to speak of. The road surface had segments of roughness but not too bad. At 26.96 miles I got to rest stop #3. Some pictures there.

The people at each rest stop were super friendly and the food was easily reached. At this stop I had a Smuckers Crust Free PBJ sandwich. It was good. I was making good time as the Garmin photo shows. The wind was still with us. Back on the road I headed to rest stop #4. The wind was more of a problem because it was a headwind or from the side. Road surface was rough in places.

I took a break at rest stop #4 for liquid more than food. This was the last stop before returning to the start. Some pictures.

The rest stop was at 39.71 miles into the ride. I wasn’t sure if the 50 mile route was 50 miles or around that length. If it was 50 then it was 10.3 miles to the finish. This was the hardest part of the ride. Almost the entire distance was into the wind and to add to the misery the road surface got ugly and rough. At times I slowed to 12 mph as I battled the wind. I made it to the finish line at 11:31.The weather screenshots at the end. The wind must have been higher than what is shown.

The route was closing at noon. After putting the bike in the Jeep I headed to the cafeteria for the pancake breakfast. It was a long walk. Wish I had parked closer. I ate 3 pancakes and 2 turkey sausage patties hoping that would recharge me for the drive back home. After changing clothes I headed out of the parking lot to home. As I was driving down the street to US290 several riders were making there way to the finish. It was after 12:00 but they were riding in.

I had a great ride with an average speed hitting 17.4 mph at several points. With the 51 miles I am only 8 miles away from my 346 mile goal for February. I think I can make it.

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Texas Bicycling News Digest February 19th 2016

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Houston Bike Plan Draft – ALL HOUSTONIANS GET IN HERE!

the sci guy www.bikeforums.net

The draft of the Houston Bike Plan was released yesterday. Go to http://houstonbikeplan.org/ to check it out. There are maps, docs, and a nice interactive map that lets you toggle the layers of existing, planned, proposed short-term, and proposed long-term trails/paths so you can see all the connectivity that is possible in the future.
Most importantly, please please please fill out the survey found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DraftHBPFeedback (linked from the HBP site).
Share these sites with anyone else you know that is a cyclist in Houston, but isn’t a member here. …

Colby Lewis spent $10,000 on a bike, rode 200 miles per week in offseason

By Evan Grant sportsday.dallasnews.com


SURPRISE, Ariz. – Colby Lewis’ days of running as part of his pitching prep are over.
After surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee this offseason, Lewis was told that he needed to save his running for between the lines. His new regimen calls for riding a bike. With new shoes and some extra …

Lewis Wasn’t Joking About Taking Up Cycling

By Adam Boedeker www.nbcdfw.com

When you make $6 million a year, a $10,000 purchase doesn’t seem like that big of a deal, I guess, but Colby Lewis is obviously very serious about his new cycling kick.
The Rangers veteran, who underwent knee surgery to repair torn meniscus after the 2015 season, was told he shouldn’t run anymore unless it’s in game action, so …

Helmet giveaway helps with safety for children

BY JANICE GIBBS www.tdtnews.com


What are the chances that a 4-year-old is going to pay attention to what’s ahead as they zoom around the gym floor on a tricycle? Try zero.
Youngsters at Meredith-Dunbar Early Childhood Academy were given a chance to take a spin on a tricycle Thursday after each received a safety helmet during a Hard Hats for Little Heads event.
If they weren’t looking back at who was riding behind them, they were watching their competition to the side. Even those looking straight ahead seemed to not …

Bike Plan Progress Report

houstonbikeplan.org

Draft Houston Bike Plan Released for Community Feedback
The Houston Bike Plan team has released the Draft Houston Bike Plan to receive community feedback. The Plan is a big part of the City’s efforts to help make Houston a safer, healthier, and more accessible bicycle-friendly city.
To view Mayor Turner’s Press Release on the Draft Houston Bike Plan, click here. For an interactive walkthrough of the Draft Bike Plan contents, visit HoustonBikePlan.org/StoryMap.
About the Houston Bike Plan
The Plan sets out a Vision that by 2026, Houston will be a safer, more accessible, Gold-Level Bicycle Friendly Community. To help accomplish this vision, the Plan …

Enve issues recall on carbon road disc forks

By VeloNews.com

Check the serial number on the steerer tube of your Enve carbon road disc fork. If it matches the numbers listed, it’s part of a recall Enve has launched for close to 600 carbon fiber, road disc forks, which were manufactured in Vietnam and sold at dealers for about $540 each from June 2014 through December 2015.
The affected forks are Enve’s Carbon Fiber Road Fork 2.0 Disc, 1.25-inch taper models. Serial numbers begin with: …

Austin market sees spree of shop closures

by Val Vanderpool www.bicycleretailer.com


AUSTIN, Texas (BRAIN) — In a space of one month, three Austin retailers will close their doors.
Weather woes, low oil prices, high real estate costs and market saturation are among factors that have put the squeeze on the city’s retail landscape.
Austinbikes, a road-focused store that opened 10 years ago in the Clarksville neighborhood northwest of downtown Austin, closed in late January. The closure and farewell party were announced on the shop’s Facebook page in early January. Inventory was liquidated and owners held a farewell party on Jan. 29, the store’s final day of business. BRAIN was unable …

Getting bent in Big Bend

By Terry Parsell www.crazyguyonabike.com

A change in plans
Sunday February 14, 2016, 30 miles (48 km) – Total so far: 30 miles (48 km)
I did not sleep well last night. It was cold. Because of the chaotic way I set up camp last night my clothes and skull cap ended up on the car.
When I awoke at one am I was cold. The tent I was using I have downgraded it to a two season tent from three season. I could feel the cold air seeping through the mesh. Desirable in the summer. Not when it gets below freezing.
I was using my jacket as part of my pillow. I decided to heck with comfort, I was cold so I put it on. I put my jeans inside the sleeping bag to put my feet on to keep off them off the cold ground and to have the jeans warm for in the morning. I zipped all the way up and tucked the sleeping bag around my head. It was …

Another change in plans
Monday February 15, 2016
It was cool when I woke up so I didn’t feel like taking a shower. I did set up my stove and had some oatmeal and a hot chocolate.
I had decided to ride on the the basin, set up camp and do some riding from there.
It was a haul coming up from the village to Panther Junction. I had gone up 1000 feet in the first 10 miles before I turned around yesterday. The next 20 miles was more of a grade. Its not something you would hardly notice in a car, but you sure would in a car.
When I turned left towards the basin the road became steeper. It was 4 miles to the basin, and the …

A final change in plans, The trip is over.
Tuesday February 16, 2016
I got up to the camp store at about 7. This is the only place I had cell service so I decided to check my phone.
The first thing I saw was a text from my business partner. “Call me at once. This is an emergency” We have been working together for a long time. I have received messages saying call me, which I know to mean call when the first good opportunity. I have received texts saying call me ASAP, which means call me at once even if it means interrupting something. But in all the years we have been working together I have never received an emergency text.
My hands had a slight tremble as I pushed the buttons to place the call. The first words were our General Manager of our company had just quit after 20 years, giving no notice. I breathed a sigh of relief that no one was sick or injured or worse.
After I had my moment of relief, I had a moment of panic. We had a lot of projects going on, and …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

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Warmer And Liking It Bike Ride

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More warm weather. The temperature bumped again a few degrees from yesterday. The ride began at 12:20 with my home weather station showing 80 degrees. The partly cloudy sky held the sun’s warmth back in places but the stiff wind (S at 12 mph, gusts 18 mph) had a faint chill to it. As a result the wardrobe for today: shorts, long sleeve jersey, short sleeve jersey and regular gloves.

“Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” was the route for today. The wind was punishing when I rode into it and quite helpful when it was a tailwind. The only place it really nailed me was riding west over Lake Houston on FM1960. Without any windbreak except for the occasional car or truck I had the full brunt and it was cool too thanks to the lower water temperature off the lake. For the 1 3/4 mile west bound ride across the lake I wished for the windbreaker at home in my closet. Once I got the to shore the wind warmed up.

I made a rest stop at 19.96 miles into the ride at the Huffman Chevron. Granola bars and some Powerade helped my legs to get ready to battle the wind on the ride back home. While I was resting one of the ladies at the Chevron (Johnny) told me she was retiring on March 10th. She said she was looking forward to it. The weather screenshots while I was resting.

I planned to ride FM2100 north to Smith Road when I left the Chevron station but the traffic signal workers closed the driveway out of the station to FM2100 and I would have to ride across FM1960 and make a left turn. With all of the traffic I changed my mind and took FM1960 west. I got back home at 3:07 to find the wind stronger than when I started: south 13 mph with 23 mph gusts. No wonder it was hard to ride into it.

With today’s 32. 28 miles I am only 58 miles away from my February goal of 346 miles. I am still planning on riding the Bulldog Bike Ride in Waller tomorrow. The 50 mile route will be my choice. The weather should repeat today’s though with 8:00AM start I will need to dress warmer.

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