Texas Bicycling News Digest November 6th

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Cranking Gears and Drinking Beers

texasbikeracing.com


Cyclocross and Beer: Some things are just better together and this weekend’s race north of Dallas puts a race course right through a brewery.
We like beer here at TexasBikeRacing.com, especially Texas beer. And we happen to really like bike racing. So this cyclocross season, we decided to start using the hashtag #willraceforbeer in our various social media posts.
And it seems like this weekend’s race is the prime time to gleefully overuse that number-sign-thing: a cyclocross course is going to go through a brewery. This takes …

Brief Cycling Survey from Rice U Design Team

by boojel        www.reddit.com/r/bikehouston

Organized rides, bike travel, tours offer opportunity to grow flat industry

by Lynette Carpiet        www.bicycleretailer.com


SAN DIEGO (BRAIN) — Chris Speyer, CEO of Accell North America, told attendees at the National Bicycle Tourism conference Thursday morning that they play a major role in helping grow the pie in an otherwise stagnant bike market.
For the last decade, the number of bike units sold to specialty retailers has remained between 2.4 and 2.6 million, Speyer noted. “At the end of September, we’re showing a flat result compared to last year in terms of units sold in. We will maintain our consistency as an industry and we will sell between 2.4 and 2.6 million units,” he said. “When you have a pie that’s one size for a long time, on the wholesale side we’re fighting each …

Nolanville applies for federal funds for Main Street sidewalks

Rachael Riley | Herald staff writer        kdhnews.com

NOLANVILLE — Council members approved submitting a resolution Thursday night seek funding for sidewalks along Main Street.
The total cost of the project is about $551,300 and requires a 20 percent match from the city, said Gandolf Burrus, a grant writer with Austin-based Grant Development Service.
Engineering fees are eligible for the project, and the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad and Hill Country Transit District, or HOP, are making contributions, which would account for about 5 percent of the project, Burrus said. …

… According to preliminary project plans, 10-foot-wide sidewalks for biking and walking would go be on both sides of Main Street, from …

A&M Is Texas’ Newest Bicycle Friendly University

www.biketexas.org


Texas A&M University is renowned for its school spirit and many traditions. After this week, the Aggies can add one more tradition to the list: being a great place to ride a bike.
maroon bikes cats biketexas bicycle educationThe League of American Bicyclists announced the latest round of Bicycle Friendly Universities on November 5, and A&M entered the list for the first time with a Bronze-level award. A&M joins Texas Tech University and the University of Texas at Austin as Texas’ three …

Texas Winners: Saris 5th Grade Poster Contest

www.biketexas.org


We’ve found the secret for ensuring intense discussion in the BikeTexas office: ask us to judge a poster contest. After the entries to the Saris 5th Grade National Poster Contest arrived, we had the hard work of choosing the top three. This year’s submissions were excellent!
This year’s poster contest theme was #LongForTheRide, and submissions had to include the …

Nov 5 Sea Rim State Park

Peg and Jan Bicycle tour 2015        cassh015.com

They made it t o the gulf after 42 days. Not bad really for two gals in their 70’s. We decided to come to Sea Rim Park and sort of beach because Galvaston is full of motorcyclests this week. We will now edge closer to Galvston tomorrow because P&J want to see galvaston.

Nov 6 One last thing

Peg and Jan Bicycle tour 2015        cassh015.com

We were at Sea Rim last night and the mosquitos were so bad you could not step outside the camper. This morning the fog was so thick you couldn’t see anything and evrything was covered with moisture. We let …

Eastbound from California

By Kevin OLeary        www.crazyguyonabike.com

Photos

Day 33: Johnson City to Austin, TX
Thursday November 5, 2015, 58 miles (93 km) – Total so far: 1,595 miles (2,567 km)
Expecting a not-to-difficult day I slept in an extra half hour before getting out of bed. When I peeked out the window I saw that it had rained overnight; everything was soaking wet and there were lots of puddles in the parking lot. On TV I got the weather forecast for Austin; while it was raining currently they expected it to stop in mid-morning and not resume until the evening.
I began cycling at 8:30am in the rain. Fortunately it quit after about a half hour. Because the sky had been overcast overnight it was surprising warm — in the low 70s — so getting wet wasn’t too bad.
The first leg of my trip took me from Johnson City to Pedernales State Park, a distance of …

Day 34: Austin
Friday November 6, 2015
My warmshowers hostess was kind enough to allow me to stay an extra day so I’m in Austin today.
In the morning we went to the LBJ Library which is on the campus of the …

A Ride to Remember

By Ken Kuntz        www.crazyguyonabike.com

Epilogue: End of the first leg of the journey
Thursday November 5, 2015
Epilogue: Comments at the end of the first leg of the journey
Quote for the day: “Maybe it’s not about the happy ending. Maybe it’s about the story.” — Unattributed
On Wednesday evening I was writing my post for the last day of the first leg, and as I was finishing it occurred to me that I should include some final comments. After all, this was the end of the first leg. Well, I was too tired, so I promised an epilogue.
How do I sum up the first 1,400 miles of my journey? I don’t know, but I have some observations.
First, I loved traveling through this country. Every day I found beautiful things – a small creek, a stand of trees, a big hay field, deer crossing the road. I hope the …

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My Jeep Wrangler Died Bike Ride

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After taking yesterday off I was back on the road bike today riding the “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route under an overcast sky and 83 degree temperature. Supposedly this weather could end on Sunday with a “cold” front moving through. In the mean time I am out biking. Weather like this in November makes southeast Texas a great place to ride.

Yesterday was not a good day. I drove my 2013 Jeep Wrangler to Walmart. When I tried to leave it would not start. I turned the key and the engine would start for a couple of seconds and die even with me pushing the gas pedal down. The next attempt would not even start the engine but all the dash lights would come on. If I opened the door and closed it and tried to start the engine it would run for a couple of seconds and die. Fortunately I am still under warranty so I called Jeep and arranged for a tow to the nearest Jeep dealer. They were supposed to arrive by 5:31PM but didn’t make it until 6:20. I sat in the Walmart parking lot from about 3:45 until then. My wife came for me and the Jeep went to the dealer. I don’t know how long it will take but I did get a call from the dealer’s service department at 7:10AM this morning. Good thing I am an early riser.

Back to biking. It may be my mode of transportation for a few days.

Nothing unusual on today’s ride. I got an earlier than normal start which got back into Kingwood in front of the high school dismissal traffic. I left home at 11:25 and got back at 2:25. In between I rode 33.32 miles and stopped at the Huffman Chevron. While taking a break at the Chevron (21.62 mile point in the ride at 1:00) I sat in the shade eating a snack and drinking some Powerade. The weather while I was there.

I pulled out the Chevron station at 1:37. I was hoping to see the Amtrak train pass by but it looks like they are traveling on another track south of Huffman in Crosby. I noticed the price of gasoline has increased at several stations along this route. I wonder if they are getting ready for the Thanksgiving Day travelers?

Normally I embed my Garmin Connect information when I write about a bike ride. Today the icon where I get the code is grayed out so I will substitute the Ridewithgps.com information.

Year to date miles is now up to 6344 leaving 156 miles to hit my goal for 2015. Unless something unusual happens I think I can ride 156 miles between now and December 31st.

Tomorrow’s weather could be wet and Sunday too. Biking probably will not resume until Monday unless the forecast cool front keeps it too cold (for me anyway) to ride.

[iframe http://ridewithgps.com/trips/7015584/embed 45% 500px] [iframe https://www.strava.com/activities/427672091/embed/8bb6b6daf04fa84aa89c02145dc012db786e9a4f 45% 500px]

Texas Bicycling News Digest November 5th

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The Endless Pursuit of CX Points

by Tyler Cloutier        texasbikeracing.com


With his sights set on CX Nationals in January, Tyler Cloutier shares what he’s learned at the midpoint of a season spent chasing UCI points
Tyler, 26, a Cat 1 racer for Richardson Bike Mart’s Matrix Elite team, has set a goal to line up with the Elite Men’s field at USA Cycling Cyclo-cross Nationals in January 2016. His path to Asheville winds through the Texas CX season, but also includes traveling to and racing in UCI events outside the state. Here, he shares his reason for setting the goal, as well as some of the lessons he’s learning on the road. Keep up with Tyler on his blog (tylerontwowheels.com) and in posts he’ll do for TexasBikeRacing.com in the coming months.
Motivation is a curious thing. It is as unique and as varied as the …

CANCELLED! Due to rain! Camp & Ride @ Bluff Creek Ranch in Warda, TX!

GHORBA.org

Event category: Rides
Friday, November 6, 2015 – 8:00am
November 6, 7 & 8th!
CANCELLED! Due to rain!
Camp & Ride! You asked for it! 🙂
Friday, Saturday & Sunday
November 6 – 8 2015 – GHORBA members fun camping / fun riding weekend, all skill levels, all ages, not an organized race. Bluff Creek Ranch (Warda), about 110 miles from downtown Houston just north of La Grange.

Meet your 2016 Board of Directors!

GHORBA.org

Article category: General
Congratulations and thanks are due to the members who stepped up this year and volunteered to serve on the board. …

Bike Ride Honoring Vets in Kingwood to be held Nov. 14

By Matthew Costa        www.yourhoustonnews.com


Though the ride may have been pushed back, the third annual Bike Ride Honoring Vets will still carry on with a new date of Nov. 14.
The ride was pushed back a week due to conflict with the Greater Lake Houston Heart Walk, but those who wished to ride still can, and can put money towards a great cause in recognition of veterans throughout the area.
“It benefits the veteran honor garden on Creekwood Middle School’s campus,” said Gregg Hensley, president of ToppHevvy Sports and a …

Walking vs. Biking Service Areas in Austin

andrew thornton        encodingpixels.com

interactive map

According Bike Austin, most individuals are comfortable riding a bicycle up to three miles to their destination provided they have a safe route. When it comes to walking, most people prefer to keep the distance to a 1/2 mile.
The following maps take a look at key destinations people would likely walk or bike to and compares a 3 mile and 1/2 mile service area. Rather than use more traditional “as the crow flies” buffers, I am using network buffers. These buffers take into account the network of roads around a node when …

Trans/McKelligon/Trans

Sunday, Nov 8, 2015, 7:30 AM

Crazy Cat Cyclery
5650 N Desert El Paso, TX

5 Cyclists Went

Meet up at Crazy Cat on Redd at 7:30 am. Head up west side of Transmountain to McKelligon Canyon then back to climb the east side of Transmountain. Roughly 45 miles.

Check out this Meetup →

Not just bike messengers, Compost Pedallers!

By: Jim Motavalli        www.mnn.com


A thriving Texas business serving local farms and the planet may go international.
Does the job of a New York bicycle messenger or New Delhi rickshaw driver sound too cushy for you? Want something more challenging? Do we have a job for you!
Take out the trash, one bike ride at a time, for Compost Pedallers in Austin, Texas. Is it challenging? You bet it is. Twenty-seven-year-old Dustin Fedako started the …

A great day for bikes: U.S. House of Representatives passes transportation bill

Katy Hartnett, director of government relations        www.peopleforbikes.org


On November 5, 2015, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act, a new multi-year transportation authorization bill, by a vote of 363-64. In other words, we are one step closer to a six-year transportation bill.
What does this have to do with bicycling? Basically it means roughly 2,300 projects to the tune of $820 million in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
A major concern during this process was what would happen to the two primary sources of bicycle funding, the Recreational Trails Program and …

11/7 & 11/8 Rides: Dam Loop Attempt #2! Red Horn!

by Thomas        steinerranchcycling.com

When it rains, it pours (rimshot, groan). Saturday once again looks questionable for riding with the current forecast showing 60% chance of rain in the morning. Don’t give up! As you know, they aren’t always right.
Saturday some of us (myself included) will be heading down to hopefully ride the Tour de Gruene and attend Wurstfest afterward. We will have dinner at the Gristmill also, so if you are in the area give a shout out and join us! For those staying …

Beeline Bikes expanding its fleet of mobile mechanics to Austin

by Pam LeBlanc        fitness.blog.austin360.com


Don’t want to hassle with dropping your bike off at a bike shop for repairs? A California-based fleet of mobile bike shops that’s expanding to Austin will make house calls.
Pete Buhl, a former tech industry executive who likes to cycle, started Beeline Bikes out of frustration. Traditional bike shops either wouldn’t service his brand of bicycle or couldn’t get the job done in a timely manner.
He envisioned an alternative – a van …

Georgetown Cyclopaths November Ride Schedule

www.cyclopathsoftexas.com

RIDE SCHEDULE – November 2015 Short Rides Long Rides
Day Date Time Meet at Miles Map Miles Map
Saturday 11/7/2015 9:00 AM Dale’s Essenhaus Restaurant in Walburg 32 miles WA11 46 miles WA12
Sunday 11/8/2015 1:30 PM Berry Springs Park 34 miles B63
Saturday 11/14/2015 9:00 AM Catholic Church in Andice 35 miles A13 48 miles A15
Sunday 11/15/2015 1:30 PM Berry Springs Park 35 miles B23
Saturday 11/21/2015 9:00 AM Berry Springs Park 35 miles B24 46 miles B16
Sunday 11/22/2015 1:30 PM Berry Springs Park 34 miles B48
Saturday 11/28/2015 9:00 AM Union State Bank in Florence 29 miles F5 43 miles F3
Sunday 11/29/2015 1:30 PM Berry Springs Park 34 miles B64

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Texas Bicycling News Digest November 4th

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HPD: Bicyclist, car involved in accident in NW Houston

www.khou.com


HOUSTON – A bicyclist was hospitalized after being involved in an accident with a car late Tuesday in northwest Houston.
According to the Houston Police Department, it happened at about 11:30 p.m. at East T.C. Jester and …

Brownsville is the Bicycling Capital of the Rio Grande Valley!

Fernando Martinez, Mobility Coordinator / Program Manager at BikeTexas        www.linkedin.com

City recognizes Brownsville as the Bicycling Capital of the Rio Grande Valley! Another page in our accomplishments as BikeTexas, working with City and community support. Team Work!

Bike Thefts

by Mason Meyers, Staff Writer        tamuceasttexan.com

No one knows who’s been stealing bicycles around the Texas A&M University-Commerce campus, but University Police think they’re getting close to cracking the case.
So far this semester, five bicycles have been reported stolen. During the 2014-2015 school year, bicycles were the number one item reported stolen, beating out the previous years’ item: cell phones.
UPD’s Crime Information Officer Jason Bone has experience dealing with these …

Cycling advocates want more Dallas bike lanes

by David Schechter, WFAA        www.wfaa.com


DALLAS — There are many things a city needs to be “world class”: Culture, fine dining, parks.
But what about bicycle lanes?
A growing number of people in Dallas think the city must encourage alternate forms of transportation to …

Bicycle Seed-Bomb Event Launches for Butterflies and Bees

www.publicnewsservice.org


AUSTIN, Texas – A group of volunteers in Fort Worth is hoping a bike ride can help spark a grassroots movement to save the butterflies, bees and other pollinators that play a critical role in the nation’s food chain.
Jillian Jordan, the Great Seed Bomb event’s founder, said bees alone contribute more than $15 billion to U.S. crop production. She noted that there were 6 million beehives at work in 1947, but today – after a 123 percent increase …

Cycling Club Pedals Community

By Joanna Armstrong, Staff Writer        www.thepinelog.com


For SFA student Steven Amen and the rest of the Cycling Club, biking isn’t just a hobby. It’s a lifestyle.
“It takes a certain kind of person that wants to do that kind of pain to themselves,” Amen said. “Personally, why I ride—I couldn’t tell you.”
Comprising around seven paying members, Cycling Club participates in the South Central Collegiate Cycling Conference and races against colleges from Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. President Josey Miles ranked …

Week Eight 2015 Preview – Cranking Gears and Sugar CX

by joeyTWOwheels        texascx.com

What was more scary in Dallas last weekend – the costumes? Or the “bike handling” in sloppy conditions?
Maybe this video holds the answer:

There are some Belgians shaking their drunk heads somewhere, I guarantee it.
Week eight has the state split in two once again. But fear not, you have a chance to redeem your paltry mud skills for there is …

Road rage

by birby77        www.reddit.com/r/cycling

I live in Dallas Texas and ride my bike to work a few times a week, I only ride on roads for about 6 miles and here it’s the law that cyclists can use the entire lane. Every day I am riding, there are people honking, cussing ( rolling the window down and going to town.. ), flipping me off.. Today a …

Nov 4 Fannett TX

Peg and Jan Bicycle tour 2015        cassh015.com

Good conditions today with some excitement. Just south of Sour lake the road was under water for about 3/4 mile. We trucked over that spot and then continued on. A lot of water in the ditches here. Several rains in the last week or so caused a lot of flooding.
As P&J were crossing one of the bridges in the area, Peg spotted a cell phone on the road. She made a few phone calls and found the owner. That too was an interesting story. The first person she got ahold of said she was in Houston visiting a sick relative in the …

Eastbound from California

By Kevin OLeary        www.crazyguyonabike.com

Photos

Day 32: Kerrville to Johnson City, TX
Wednesday November 4, 2015, 73 miles (117 km) – Total so far: 1,537 miles (2,474 km)
After a good night’s sleep I got going promptly with a cup of hot coffee that my warmshowers host had made. While I finished getting my gear together he whipped up an excellent breakfast of pancakes with banana, honey, fresh Texas grapefruit, and …

A Ride to Remember

By Ken Kuntz        www.crazyguyonabike.com

Photos

Day 29: La Grange, TX to Austin, TX
Wednesday November 4, 2015, 79 miles (127 km) – Total so far: 1,407 miles (2,264 km)
Starting Point: La Grange, TX
Ending Point: Austin, TX
Riding Conditions: Warm temps all day. Southeast winds (favorable).
Miles Today: 79
Quote for the day: “It is good to have an end to journey towards – but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” — Ursula K. Leguin
Today I finished the first leg of my transcontinental journey. I rolled into Austin late this afternoon. My plan yesterday was to get fairly close to Austin today, and then finish in the morning. But I checked the weather forecast this morning, and tomorrow morning looks terrible (big rain, flood potential), so I kept riding today. I’m tired, but I’m in Austin. Done!
The first part of today’s ride was familiar territory. About a mile from the hotel I came to the Fayette County Fairgrounds, the overnight stop for the MS150 Bike Tour that I ride every April. And the Southern Tier route follows the MS150 route for the next 25 miles. It was like a trip down memory lane, except that on the MS150 I would be surrounded by many …

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