Texas Bicycling News December 31st 2015

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Going the distance

by Jim Irish        www.statesman.com

… Five years ago, he moved from Cedar Creek to be closer to the park. Once there, he alternates his exercise routine depending on the season. He runs up to 12 miles and is the de facto president of the Bastrop Runners Club, rides his racing bicycle 30 miles to Buescher State Park and back twice a week in spring and summer, and walks the cart path three to five miles on the now-closed golf course, which was …

First Day Hikes become tradition at Texas state parks

by Larry Grant        www.beaconexaminer.com

… Bring your child on a guided walk designed for families and stroll the wooded trails to discover the unique animals and plants found at Pyramid Mountain.
The special events are typically free, though normal park fees – usually a few bucks for adults – still apply.
There will be 18 guided hikes, walks, and interpretive tours, as well as two bike rides and a horseback ride at state parks, forests and historic sites at locations on Friday January 1.
The 5-mile moderate hike at …

Texas A&M Cycling Team

Ricardo Montes        ricardo-montes.squarespace.com


These cycling kits at the moment are WIP’s, however they were created with the intentions of being the 2016-2017 season kit. A few things to note is unlike previous years, these have Texas A&M traditions incorporated into the design. On the back of the neck (not shown) the words “Gig ‘Em” and the famous block-t logo are printed in so that opposing riders tastefully know whose winning. On the inside of the collar the …

Casual Biking at Brushy Creek Trail – 14 miles

hillcountryoutdoors.com

The trail runs along Brushy creek and is about 14.5 miles (start to start). Most of the trail is tree-lined so you can really get a sense of seclusion. Along the trail are at least 5 parks – a skate park, water-sprinkler park, canoe rental, dinosaur sand park, and plenty of playgrounds for the kids. The trails are wide and great for biking. …

Austin Ridge Riders WC Trail Restoration

by Chardog        www.bikemojo.com

You may have noticed some increased trail maintenance activity of late. ARR has been awarded a grant from Austin Parks Foundation to restore the Walnut Creek Trail system.
This morning the ARR Trail Crew restored the berms on the last section of Tangle of Trails. Lots of filling and smoothing of the berms as well as lots of drainage improvements.
On previous build days, the ARR Special Ops Rock Crew has been hard at work literally moving TONS of ROCK at the Main Creek Crossing to shore up the eroding creek bank, secure the ground around the park bench and provide hikers a line of …

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Texas Bicycling News December 30th

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Imagine a more bike-friendly Texas

www.sanangelosunriserotary.org

What can bicycle advocacy do?
The City of Brownsville had a problem.
Obesity rates were high in the city, but places where people could safely be active were few. Families who couldn’t afford a car were stuck without options. Schools did not have easy access for walking and biking.
So the city looked for solutions. They reached out to BikeTexas to learn how the city could encourage active transportation. As part of our collaboration, …

2016 New Year’s Day Rides

Plano Bicycle Association        www.planobicycle.org

New Year’s Day Rides – We will have our usual rides, weather permitting. Plans are to start at a not too early 9:30AM, and back in the lot by 11 – 11:30am. Folks are encouraged to head over to the Lantern St. Grill afterwards. Follow on Twitter @pbageneral for any last minute weather changes; I’ll attempt to post to FB and the forum as well. Rides should start from their typical Saturday areas. Bundle up as it will be cold!
Pace Groups are listed below – Distance will vary by group to return to the lot by 11 – 11:30AM. Verify with the ride leader the distance if you are unsure of being able to complete the ride, and better to ride with a slower group and …

RIDE SCHEDULE – January 2016

Georgetown Cyclopaths        www.cyclopathsoftexas.com

Saturday     1/2/2016     9:00 AM     Dale’s Essenhaus Restaurant in Walburg     32 miles     WA7     46 miles     WA8
Sunday     1/3/2016     1:30 PM     Berry Springs Park     35 miles     B65

Saturday     1/9/2016     9:00 AM     Catholic Church in Andice     35 miles     A12     48 miles     A14
Sunday     1/10/2016     1:30 PM     Berry Springs Park     32 miles     B39

Saturday     1/16/2016     9:00 AM     Bertram Elementary School                 43 miles     BE1
Sunday     1/17/2016     1:30 PM     Berry Springs Park     32 miles     B68

Saturday     1/23/2016     9:00 AM     Gravel Parking Lot in Weir     27 miles     WE2     51 miles     WE8
Sunday     1/24/2016     1:30 PM     Berry Springs Park     36 miles     B34

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Shanren Bike Light and Computer

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GearBest: Online Shopping – Best Gear at Best Prices contacted me to review some products. One product that interested me was the Raptor Bike Light and Computer. This computer combines a bright 2 LED light with a large screen wireless bike computer. The combination light and computer means only one item mounts on the handle bar saving space.

After I received the computer I opened the box and attached it to my mountain bike. I will do a ride test later and add that to this review.

What I learned setting up the computer:
1) Two mounting attachments come with the computer
2) The lights are bright and cast a circle light beam
3) A USB cable is included but no AC power adapter
4) The mounting bands stretch but you may need to exert extra effort if the handle bar is larger diameter
5) The instruction book shows using 1 band to mount the sensor to the fork but the suspension fork on my bike was too large diameter and I used 2 bands.
6) Setting the computer up was easy with the included instruction book

Specifications:
– Cree white LED’s
– Light output: 300lm
– Rechargeable Li-ion battery, 2600 mAh
– Bike light running times: 3hrs (bright), 6hrs (dim)
– Sensor: 2.4Ghz wireless
– weight 120g
– size: 106mm x 57mm x 35mm

My observations:
The handle bar mount using the stretch bands attached firmly and the computer did not move when I removed it but I put the end of the stretch band with the gripper tab on the front of the handle bar and this blocked the release tab.
The second mount secures to the handle bar by turning a small knob that tightens the band around the handle bar. The design allows a wide range of handle bar diameters but the knob’s small size and location makes it difficult to secure it snugly to the handle bar. I could remove the computer but I felt the mount shift a little.
I mentioned above the sensor attachment on the front fork took 2 bands rather than one as shown in the manual. The fork on my Motobecane 700HT MTB was too big and I used 2 of the included large bands. Next I needed to position the sensor close enough to the magnet attached to the spoke. Moving the sensor closer to the spoke meant I needed to slide the sensor but the extra tension from the bands and the soft pad on the sensor held the sensor in place. After a couple of adjustments I got the sensor close enough to the magnet. I could now see the speed registering on the computer when I spun the front wheel.
The computer is setup and waiting for my next ride. I will compare it with my Garmin Edge 520 for trip accuracy.

Texas Bicycling News December 29th

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Enchanted Rock Mountain Biking

nationalmountainbike.com

Painful heavy lesson learned today…

Seths Pool        www.bikemojo.com

Decided to ride from wellls branch and mopac to Piccadilly and grand avenue parkway today to pick up money from a buddy… Right behind Tinseltown on 1825, in the absolute top gear cranking and riding as fast as I could muscle, my brand new Shimano chain snapped in two places at 21mph. All my weight and momentum goes forward, I literally do I scorpion & asphalt head slide grind to a stop. Laying on the side of the road I’m flashing white waves about to loose consciousness., really scary. Everything was extremely bright and white. I could barely open my eyes. With extreme dizziness.
I called my buddy and he …

East-end Fort Bend cities update bike infrastructure

By Margaret Kadifa        www.chron.com


Missouri City, Sugar Land implementing 3-year-old pedestrian, bicycling plans
Though Kyle Davenport’s Missouri City bike shop, Sugar Cycles, has become a hub for long-distance cyclists, his biggest customers aren’t serious athletes.
Families with children and retired couples are his core business, and Davenport started stocking more neighborhood bicycles as a result.
“It’s really become our bread and butter, so to speak,” Davenport said.
This uptick in business from beginner riders makes sense, given a push in Missouri City and neighboring Sugar Land to …

1st Day Mountain Bike Ride

San Angelo Bicycle     Association        angelobike.org

Get outdoors with SABA on the 1st day of 2016 with a casual mountain bike ride. The ride will take place at 10AM starting from the South Shore Playground at San Angelo State Park. The ride will be moderately paced and go anywhere from 10-12 miles with an option for 18-20 miles.

Upcoming Events

Greater Dallas Bicyclists        www.greaterdallasbicyclists.com

12/31/2015
6:30 Thursday Night Ride
1/2/2016
8:51 AM DFW Airport Fast Ride – Fal/Win
1/2/2016
9 AM DFW Airport Ride – Fal/Win
1/2/2016
9 AM Distance Builder – Fal/Win
1/2/2016
Best Of The Northwest – Fall/Winter/Spring
1/2/2016
9:30 AM Plano East Side – Fal/Win
1/2/2016
10 AM Easy Going Ride
1/3/2016
9:30 AM Sunday Roll – Fal/Win
1/3/2016
9:30 AM Skill Builder By Request

Weatherford Mountain Bike Club to start trail building

By Christin Coyne        www.weatherforddemocrat.com


Now that the City of Weatherford has approved trail plans, the Weatherford Mountain Bike Club has a set of keys and plans for community work days to begin trail creation.
The first trail building days are scheduled for Jan. 23 – 24, when volunteers will begin creating mountain bike trails on 75 acres of city land located between …

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