Texas Bicycling News Digest February 10th 2016

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Meet The Spring League Directors: Vance McMurry

by Alex Tiberi www.nationalmtb.org


Q: Please share your name and league.
A: Vance McMurry, Texas.
Q: How long have you been a League Director?
A: 6 years.
Q: What led you into this position?
A: My wife, Brandi, and I wanted to create a mountain bike competition for children – one that was inclusive and family-focused. This was the year before NICA started. Some friends of mine at Specialized introduced me to Matt Fritzinger, the founder of NICA.
Q: What is your favorite thing you get to do as a League Director? …

Upcoming Tandem Events

Dallas Area Tandem Enthusiasts www.doubledates.com

DATES Pilot Point Ride
Saturday, February 13, 2016 8:00 AM (CST) • Pilot Point Town Square
Southwest Tandem Rally – 2016
Friday, April 29, 2016 (CDT) • Georgetown, Texas

The European Tour of Texas Challenge – Clifton, Italy, Paris, TX, Sat May 21 – Sat Jul 16, 2016

www.bikereg.com

This is the European Tour of Texas Challenge registration. Registering for this will automatically register you for all rides included in the challenge as well as making you eligible to receive a custom European Tour of Texas Challenge jersey upon completion of the challenge. To complete the challenge, all you have to do is show up and check in with the challenge registration table at each ride in the challenge, what this meens is that …

Rose Garden Restaurant Breakfast, Anthony, NM , ( Group B )

Saturday, Feb 13, 2016, 9:15 AM

River Run Plaza
1071 Country Club Rd El Paso, TX

2 Cyclists Went

• Time- Meet 9:15 am Roll Out 9:30 am• Pace- 14 – 17 mph avg. (Group B.) Actual Ride Speed may vary faster or slower, depending on weather, grades and climbs. Slower riders consider Grp C, same day.• Distance- Approximately 30 miles.• Comments-  Upper Valley flat roads to Washington Blvd and E to Rose Garden Restaurant, 26 W. Washington, Anthony…

Check out this Meetup →

Rose Garden Restaurant Breakfast, Anthony, NM, (Group C)

Saturday, Feb 13, 2016, 8:45 AM

River Run Plaza
1071 Country Club Rd El Paso, TX

6 Cyclists Went

• Time- Meet 8:45 am Roll Out 9:00 am• Pace- 12 – 14 mph avg. (Group C) Actual Ride Speed may vary faster or slower, depending on weather, grades and climbs.• Distance- Approximately 30 miles.• Comments-  Must be able to maintain single and double pace line position in group riding.  Upper Valley flat roads to Washington Blvd and E to Rose Garde…

Check out this Meetup →

Shimano slashes component pricing

by Lynette Carpiet www.bicycleretailer.com

IRVINE, Calif. (BRAIN) — Shimano has slashed wholesale and retail pricing across its range of higher-end components and groups, from SLX all the way up to Dura-Ace Di2 both road and mountain. The changes are component-specific and vary depending on the part.
“We see price changes from an increase of 1 percent to a decrease of 40 percent,” said Wayne D. Gray, vice president of KHS, which distributes Shimano. “No specific percentage across the board. But there’s reduction in our recommended wholesale pricing and retail of many items. It’s on the high-range stuff — anything above SLX is reduced on price,” he added.
“We launched new prices yesterday, and instantly my parts catalog is of no value,” Gray said. “Fortunately we …

Bike tourism makes a return

By NICOLE BRADFORD dailysentinel.com

Asked by fellow Nacogdoches Rotarians to come up with a community fundraiser, Ray Mitchum did some research, asking both leisurely and serious cyclists: What do you expect from a bike ride event?
Subscription Required

Tuesday: Intermediate/Advanced Mountain Bike Ride at the Ant Hills

Tuesday, Feb 16, 2016, 6:15 PM

15200 Memorial Dr
15200 Memorial Dr Houston, Te

2 cyclists Went

This will be a medium to fast pace ride through the Ant Hills of Hershey Park! Bring WATER, spare tube/tire, snacks, etc…Helmets required. Call if you are going to be late so we can wait for you. Wheels rolling by 6:30! See you there

Check out this Meetup →

Getting bent in Big Bend

By Terry Parsell www.crazyguyonabike.com

Let’s take a look at the route
Thursday February 11, 2016
This is tentative first few days …

Places to Bike, Run and Walk in San Angelo

Team San Angelo bcullins.blogspot.com

Road cycling
1. The Knickerbocker Loop from the Mary E Lee Park swim beach to town of Knickerbocker and back, 26 miles, www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/219937395.
2. Out and back on Arden Road from Liquor City to County Road 411 and back, 34 miles, www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/219941479.
3. The Loop Group long course, 31 miles, www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/219949563.
4. FM 2288 from Liquor City to HY 87 at Grape Creek and back, 20 miles, www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/219952185.
5. A great loop around the Bluffs subdivision circuit (4.5 miles per lap – if you hammer through four laps you’ll get a hard 18 mile workout), www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/220053265.
6. A flat route that includes Jamison Road from …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Texas Bicycling Event Reminders

Police Action on Loop 494 Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I never know what will happen on a bike ride. I set out on the “New Caney – Roman Forest – Valley Ranch” route today expecting a typical ride. The weather was great with a clear blue sky, light wind and 65 degrees when I left home at 12:39. I dressed slightly different from yesterday with a short sleeve jersey, long sleeve jersey, shorts, leg warmers, and a windbreaker jacket. I was going to wear half finger gloves but at the last minute changed to full finger gloves. I am glad I did because the wind had a real chill to it and my hands are out front catching the full effect. I was a little cool until I warmed up but then I was comfortable. Humidity was very low again today at 21%. I hope I can remember this in July.

Riding north the wind generally was at my back and I maintained a good pace at 16 to 18 mph. At the Roman Forest Blvd. turn around the wind became a headwind. I had to fight it all the way home from that point. I rode south on the US59 service road to Valley Ranch Parkway and turned right going past the New Caney football stadium on the way to the Stripes station at FM1314. I stopped there 20.64 miles into the ride for a quick break to eat a couple of chewy granola bars and drink some water. Up to this point nothing unusual about this ride. The weather while I was at Stripes.

After a quick 12 minute break I was back riding again through Briar Tree and Oakhurst. I was enjoying the bright blue sky. Exiting Oakhurst I rode to Kingwood Place and then the US59 service road to make my U-turn at Kingwood Drive and back into Kingwood.

Here is where the excitement happens. At the U-turn a bunch of wreckers, two Houston police cruisers, a Houston Fire Department ambulance and a fire truck had the U-turn blocked. Prior to getting to the turn I saw a LifeFlight helicopter hovering over Loop 494 to the left about a half mile away. I thought it was waiting to land at Kingwood Drive and US59. Riding under US59 I quickly saw the northbound service road was blocked and stayed on Kingwood Drive to turn left onto Loop 494 there. I did that and as I was riding north I could see why they LifeFlight helicopter was hovering over that spot. Ahead was a bunch of red and blue flashing lights and vehicles. Along the west side of Loop 494 at Kingwood Drive a police officer was walking with a German Shepherd looking for something or someone. Also a couple of Montgomery County Sheriff cruisers turned off Loop 494. Getting close to the flashing lights I saw another Houston Fire Department ambulance on the left shoulder with a Houston fire engine behind it. On the right shoulder was two Houston Police cruisers, two Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constable cruisers, a DPS trooper SUV and another Montgomery Precinct 4 Constable cruiser on the left behind the fire engine. I moved into the main lane from the shoulder to get around all of the vehicles on the right shoulder and as I passed there was a Hispanic man sitting on the ground with his hands cuffed behind his back. Now the helicopter moved to Kingwood Drive and US59 but as I entered into Kings Manor it returned to the Loop 494 site and hovered above.

[Update: Two arrested after fatal accident near Kingwood – from The Atascocita Observer]

My theory of what happened: a vehicle was running away from the law officers going south on the US59 service road and took the u-turn at Kingwood Drive and crashed into a vehicle(s) there. The occupants of the fleeing car got out and ran toward Loop 494. One was caught that I saw sitting on the side of the road and the officers were searching for others. Maybe this will make the news and I will see if I guessed right.

I rode from there home and finished at 3:11. The sky was still blue and the wind was light. The temperature was up to 72 degrees which I had wanted at the beginning of the ride.

I am making progress on reaching the 346 mile goal for February. I am up to 100 miles so far. The next two days I will not be able to bike but Saturday I will ride the Humble Lions Bike Rally on the 55 mile route.

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Texas Bicycling News Digest February 9th 2016

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Cyclists want better bicycling infrastructure in Georgetown

By Lauren Kravets kxan.com


GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — It takes Glenn Holzer about 15 minutes to get to work on his bicycle. Once he arrives, there’s more two-wheel rides waiting for him.
“Mainly what I deal with is flats,” says Holzer. Holzer repairs bicycles that students can use for free at Southwestern University.
With hundreds of cyclists in Georgetown, Glenn says there needs to be safer routes. That’s why he and several other people are …

Getting bent in Big Bend

By Terry Parsell www.crazyguyonabike.com

To camp stool or not to camp stool, that’s the question: I’m sure Texas will have a few rocks to sit on.
Tuesday February 9, 2016
Many times while on tour, I have wanted, if not needed a comfortable place to sit. I have looked at camping chairs, stools and everything in between. I have always rejected them because I haven’t wanted to carry the extra weight.
some of the chairs weigh up to 3 pounds, and most of the stools I have seen are around 1.5 pounds.
Then I read someone’s comments about a really light weight stool. I immediately ordered one, even tough I knew there wasn’t much “ground Clearance”, and of course no back rest.
It arrived and after I set aside the carrying case, it weighted 10.5 oz. Just about what …

NuVinci(R) Cycling, a Division of Fallbrook Technologies, Adds Technical Product Manager and Expands successful Benelux Partnership Program to Germany

globenewswire.com

CEDAR PARK, Texas and ZWOLLE, Netherlands, Feb. 9, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NuVinci Cycling, a division of Fallbrook Technologies Inc. (Fallbrook), announced today that it has hired a new technical product manager to manage its existing and future product portfolio. NuVinci Cycling has also added two new dealer development representatives to expand its successful NuVinci Cycling Test and Service Partner Program from Benelux to Germany. …

This is not directly related to Texas bicycling but many people ride Trek bikes in Texas. I have owned several.

John Burke Builds A $1 Billion+ Global Bike Business From Waterloo, Wisconsin

by Bruce Rogers www.forbes.com


A Series of Forbes Insights Profiles of Thought Leaders Changing the Business Landscape: John Burke, President, Trek Bicycle
Like the legendary garage from which David Packard and Bill Hewlett built the mighty HP, the Burke family father and son team built a $1 billion-plus business out of a red barn in Waterloo, Wisconsin. From these humble beginnings would emerge a brand of similar iconic status to the bike racing world, making Waterloo the Silicon Valley of high-end and custom-built bicycles.
Appropriate to this analogy, today’s newly minted wealthy entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley covet a customized …

Community bike ride set for Thursday

by Felicia Frazar seguingazette.com

The community is encouraged to hop on a bike and get a little exercise with Seguin ISD.
Pete Silvius, Seguin ISD’s coordinator of physical education and outdoor education, is hosting a free community bike ride from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday in Starcke Park at the multi-use trail.
The free ride in the park is a continuation of the programing that Silvius was able to begin, thanks to a grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife.
“The grant is known as a COOP Grant (Community Outdoor Outreach Program),” he said. “Seguin ISD received one …

Chihuahuan Desert Bike Fest – Texas Parks and Wildlife @TPWDparks

by Raymond George www.columbusridesbikes.com

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/696938598520721408

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Texas Bicycling Event Reminders

No Matter The Temperature Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Since my last bike ride was February 1st I decided to ride today no matter what the temperature as long as it wasn’t raining. No rain with the clear blue sky but the wind was stout; WNW at 11.5 mph with 22 mph gusts when I started the ride at 12:01. By the time I got back home at 2:51 the wind was even stronger from the WNW at 15 mph with 24 mph gusts. The temperature was 67 at the end of the ride but it was around 60 at the beginning.

I bundled up with two long sleeve jerseys, leg warmers, shorts, windbreaker jacket and full finger gloves. I was glad I chose them with the wind chill. I even added some Burt’s Bee Wax for my lips. The sun helped negate some of the wind chill except while riding in the shade.

Choosing the “Atascocita South – Walden – Huffman” route meant riding with the wind most of the time until I made the left turn onto FM2100 from Old Atascocita Road. From that point most of the route went into the wind. I stopped in Huffman at the Chevron station to eat a couple of chewy granola bars and refill my water bottle. I stopped for about 12 minutes in order that I not cool down too much before getting back in the wind. The weather screen shots while I was at the Chevron station at the 23.83 mile point.

Today’s forecast called for the wind to die down from yesterday’s 30+ mph with the humidity around 16%. This was very unusual for Houston and brought the red flag warnings for fire. I don’t think 24 mph gusts are much of a change from yesterday though. I did not ride because of the high wind and 60 degree temperature. Today’s humidity is only 23% so again not much of a change.

On last Saturday (February 8th) I overhauled my Stradalli RP-14 road bike since I could ride because of the chilly weather. I replaced both tires because they had 6050 miles on them. I put slightly different tires back on: Continental GatorSkin 700×23 on the front and Continental GatorHardshell 700×23 on the rear. I wasn’t aware that I had different tires. I figured the Hardshell would do better because the rear tire tends to get fats more often that the front tire. Gator series of tires has been good for me with very few flats. I kept the same tubes because the front one had no patches and the rear only one patch. Next I replaced the chain with a KMC XL11SL chain waxing it before putting it back on the bike. The chain had been on the bike for 7570 miles. To go with the new chain I replaced the rear cassette with a Shimano CS-6800 11×28 one, just like the one I removed. I had a little problem with the chain slipping off the small front chainring and getting stuck between the chainring and the downtube. Before I realized it I move the crankarm and messed up the paint on the downtube. It is not easy to see but I can can see it.

This coming Saturday (February 13th) I will ride the Humble Lions Bike Rally. The weather looks good with the temperature at the 8AM start in the 50’s and the high in the low 70’s with a clear sky. Hopefully the wind is a lot less than today.

Here is what the weather looked like when I got back home today.

2-9-2016 IAH Weather Finish 303PM

Notice the wind and fire weather warning. The weather is at the big airport about 10 miles from where I was biking.

This is the second ride for February. My mileage goal is 346 miles. I am at 68.82 miles leaving 277 more to go. I plan on biking tomorrow. then I have to take a couple of days off for other things. Saturday I will ride the 55 mile route. This should help me reach my goal for the month.

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