Texas Bicycling Action – August 31, 2023

Texbiker.net Posted on by

New park, paths and transit proposed in The Woodlands, including new Grogan’s Mill trolley route

Claire Partain | www.houstonchronicle.com

Stan Lee with Trek of The Woodlands cleans McCullough Junior High School teacher Margaret Kerr’s bike as she stops at Northshore Park on her way to work May 19. The Woodlands continues to update its trail and transit plans, including a $413,000 pathway addition, a $50,000 trail study at the George Mitchell Nature Preserve and a potential new trolley route to the Grogan’s Mill Village Center.

The Woodlands continues to update its trail and transit plans, including a $413,000 pathway addition, a $50,000 trail study at the George Mitchell Nature Preserve and a potential new trolley route to the Grogan’s Mill Village Center.

In 2015, the township created a Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan to fill gaps within the more than 200-mile pathway system within The Woodlands. Each year, the 40-member Bike The Woodlands Coalition proposes several …

TxDOT to begin its $18M Broadway improvement project next month

By Steven Santana | www.mysanantonio.com

The project will be completed in two phases starting this September.

San Antonio and Alamo Heights residents should expect construction along the Broadway Corridor as soon as next month as Texas is set begin its own project on the road. TxDOT will start work on its $18 million Broadway improvement project on Tuesday, September 5, according to a news release from the state agency. …

… "While we reached an agreement with the Mayor of Alamo Heights on Segment 2, despite multiple meetings with the leadership of the City of San Antonio, TxDOT was unable to come to any agreement on bike and pedestrian lanes and beautification enhancements,” said TTC Chairman Bruce Bugg.

Georgetown City Council considers designs for Austin Ave. pedestrian bridge

By Zacharia Washington | communityimpact.com

Georgetown City Council discussed three potential design concepts for the Austin Avenue pedestrian bridge at the Aug. 22 workshop meeting.

The backstory

The city has been planning possible improvements to the Austin Avenue bridge—which is situated over the San Gabriel River—for roughly seven years.

Called the Austin Avenue bridge rehabilitation project, work will include cleaning, repairing and installing a crash-test rail. Additionally, existing lanes on the bridge will be widened with added shoulders.

All existing sidewalks will also be removed in preparation for a separate pedestrian and bicycle bridge, which is another part of the project. …

Chasing Watts in Partnership with Trek presents the Ride to Prevent Suicide benefiting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

www.endurancesportswire.com

/ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – September 10th – September 16th, 2023, is suicide prevention week. To raise awareness and money, Chasing Watts in partnership with Trek is hosting a ride from their new Sugarland Texas location, stopping at the West University store in Houston and returning to Sugarland for post-ride food and drinks.

The ride will feature 3 available routes with distances of 12, 35, and 65 miles to offer options for many levels of participants. The ride is free to participants. We ask that you donate to the AFSP. The donation link is in the ride details at chasingwatts.com or in the App.

Chasing Watts is an essential tool for creating connected, engaged, and vibrant cycling communities. Engaged communities can be a powerful force for good.

“Cycling is a social, community-based activity. …

Denton doesn’t have enough sidewalks or bike lanes, citizen survey says

By Brooke Colombo | dentonrc.com

Though it could be some time before changes come to fruition, the city of Denton is looking to citizens for how to improve its infrastructure in the long run.

In recently published survey results, a majority of citizens said that the city’s sidewalks, bike lanes and connectivity to necessities do not meet their needs.

A total of 469 people filled out the 2023 Pedestrian and Cyclist Public Safety Survey, but not every respondent answered each question.

The survey assessed residents’ satisfaction with the amount of …

Evening Ride San Antonio, Texas

Steve Gutierrez | strava.com

Bridgeland- Craft Beer Cellar Harris County, Texas

Marjoe Q. Borromeo | strava.com

HBC TT fun times Fort Bend County, Texas

Per (PJ) Tviberg | strava.com

GSR 2nd @ Driveway Austin, Texas

Joshua Serna | strava.com

Last August Bike Ride Was Subdued With One Ripple

Texbiker.net Posted on by

The last bike ride in August was subdued with the only ripple riding around the late starting Kingwood Park High School traffic. I managed to start 10 minutes earlier than yesterday at 9:03 AM on my Canyon Endurace. I rode south and east on a favorite route, Atascocita – Walden – Huffman, for the 14th time this year. The typical distance is just over 34 miles but today I tipped in at 35.6 miles. August finished with 964.3 road miles plus 12 Zwift miles. Not as many as July but close considering I didn’t bike 4 days in August due to the extreme heat on Sunday after church. I rode my Cervelo Caledonia 12 times in August, the Canyon Endurace 13 times, and my Lynskey Helix 1 time.

Another cyclist passed me in the first tenths’ of mile on a street I can’t remember seeing a cyclist on before. We exchanged hellos.

Pleasant weather for the start with lower than usual dew point and humidity. Wind was light too. This will fade away over the next couple of days. Weather: Start 81 degrees, 57% humidity, dew point 64.0, clear, wind NE 5 mph; Finish 92 degrees, 38% humidity, dew point 63.0, clear, wind E 9 mph. It was cool enough for just a water bottle but I did stop at the Exxon station on FM 1960 at E. Lake Houston Parkway to refill with some ice for the rest of the bike ride.

8-31-2023 RWGPS August Road Rides Overview
8-31-2023 RWGPS August Road Rides Overview
8-31-2023 Strava Ride Summary Atascocita-Walden-Huffman
8-31-2023 Strava Ride Summary Atascocita-Walden-Huffman
8-31-2023 SportTracks 2023 Rides Atascocita-Walden-Huffman
8-31-2023 SportTracks 2023 Rides Atascocita-Walden-Huffman

Texas Bicycling News – August 30, 2023

Texbiker.net Posted on by

CCPD talk safety precautions for ‘Conquer the Coast’ event

Author: Faith Colbert | www.kiiitv.com

Multiple lane closures will be in effect for the event.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Preparations are now underway for the 21st edition of the event known as Conquer the Coast.

Officials have been getting courses ready and making sure they have enough personnel to work, to keep participants and attendees safe.

Many of you may be anticipating the 21st annual Conquer the Coast event. Cyclists from around the world will be in town on Sept. 16 to choose one of the three routes the Coastal Bend has to offer. …

Check Out Austin / TX Capitol Bike Tour

lostinaustin.org

Sep 2, 2023 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM A perfect combination of urban and natural, street riding and hike n bikes. We’ll go from the springs and the lake, to the bat bridge and downtown, go inside the Texas Capitol (self-guided 10min) and bike the Shoal Creek hike-n-bike. Then back to the Pfluger bridge and barton creek. The best tour to see Austin!

Pedaling for Preservation: Inside the Gears of Bike Around the Bay

wheelbrothers.com

Imagine for a moment: Your wheels hum along the tarmac, salt-laced wind brushes your cheeks, and scenic vistas of Galveston Bay unfold before you. Now, hold that picture and add the perfect seasoning—a sense of purpose. You’re not just absorbing nature; you’re helping to save it. Welcome to Bike Around the Bay, a ride like no other. Why You Should be a Part of This

For those not in the know, Bike Around the Bay isn’t your average cycling event. It’s a two-day, fully-supported ride that features the natural splendors of Galveston Bay, the largest estuary on the Texas Gulf Coast. The wind and bridges offer challenges while fellow riders offer camaraderie. All of this with lunch on both days, and dinner on Saturday night included in your registration. Sweet deal, right? …

San Antonio cyclists share the dos and don’ts for beginners

By Priscilla Aguirre | www.mysanantonio.com

Important tip: Helmets may give you a bad hair day but will save your life.

Last summer (on National Cycling Day), I finally built up enough courage to rent a bike downtown and ride through the King William area with a friend. I fell about five times, didn’t have a helmet on, completely embarrassed myself in front of avid bikers, and could only stay on the bike for about two minutes before having to stop and then ride again.

I haven’t cycled outdoors since. However, cycling in the city has always been something I’ve wanted to pick up. I know I went about it all wrong. I didn’t do any research or ask the …

Grapevine police bike officer wins cycling gold medal at World Police and Fire Games

Author: William Joy | www.wfaa.com

More than 8,500 first responders from across the world participated in the games this month. Brent Hartsell won the department’s first medal since the 1980s

Work on Upper Broadway will begin next week, but TxDOT and San Antonio still clashing

Megan Rodriguez | www.expressnews.com

Construction is starting on a hotly contested segment of Broadway on Tuesday, but San Antonio and the Texas Department of Transportation are still at odds over what the corridor will look like in the long run.

TxDOT said it will first spend $18 million on a slew of maintenance projects along Broadway from Roy Smith Street, located south of the Interstate 35-U.S. 281 interchange downtown, to Burr Road. The department later plans to work on a second segment of Broadway that runs through Alamo Heights from Burr Road to Austin Highway.

The project announcement comes a year and a half after the state spiked the city’s plan for a more bike- and pedestrian-friendly Broadway corridor that voters approved in 2017. In 2022, the Texas Transportation Commission voted 3-1 to rescind a 2014 agreement that would have …

Evening Ride Houston, Texas

Daniel G Araya | strava.com

I can’t believe it’s only Wednesday Boerne, Texas

Brent Wells | strava.com

The ride was going fine right up until I got to about Hein Rd. There, I saw a flashing light with a Kendall County truck next to it that said “escort vehicle.“ I was saddened to see that they were in the process of re-chipsealing Waring Welfare Rd from that point on into Waring. That essentially ruins the road for road bikes for a short while. I’m hoping that ???? ???????? wasn’t damaged by any of the loose gravel. Other than that, I essentially battled the wind all night. It is getting so dry out lately, and we desperately need rain. Of course, it would be nice if it would rain during the night or at other times when I don’t plan to ride.? As always, I am most thankful to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for saving me both spiritually and physically enabling me to return to this sport that I love and for another safe ride without any mechanicals or flats.

SWCC/Active Cycling Ride Katy, Texas

Active Cycling | strava.com

Fixie ride!

Finally in the final MPC of the season Houston, Texas

Philip Shama | strava.com

Stuck the whole race comfortably and even tried to move up and around some. Goal of the season complete. The team even had a win! The shop has enjoyed many wins this series and loved being a part of Houston Bike Shops United to get this series going again

A Hint Of Fall Weather, Route Adjustment On Eagle Drive

Texbiker.net Posted on by

A strange number showed up on my home weather station when I checked getting out of bed: 69 degrees. I can’ remember the last time that happened. The “cool” front I mentioned yesterday settled in during the night making for a pleasant day for a bike ride. Today’s bike ride headed north to Community Drive on what I call the Community Drive – Cumberland – Oakhurst route. The start was a few minutes later than yesterday at 9:13 AM. The temperature had not reached 80 yet, the humidity was 61% and the dew point was 64. This created a comfortable feeling as I rode through the light breeze. Much better than the high 80’s I’ve rode during August and July at the start of rides.

I planned to ride north along US59 to Eagle Drive, take Eagle Drive to Loop 494 and circle back on Community Drive to US59 frontage road to cross over to the south bound frontage road. But as I turned onto Eagle Drive a sign said it was closed from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM for through traffic. I turned into the Montgomery County Library parking lot to think of a way to get back to US59 south frontage road. I went behind the East Montgomery County Improvement building and up to the north bound frontage road and stopped to assess the options. Adding a touch of caution a Montgomery County Precinct 4 deputy was behind me waiting for his turn. I walked across the road to the grass when a break in the traffic came. I walked south to the overpass in the dead dry grass to the concrete barrier forced me on the road. Crossing the u-turn lane put me on the raised concrete barrier between the u-turn and overpass main lanes. I picked a time when traffic stopped and rode to the left turn traffic light and the south frontage road. Back on the route I biked to Valley Ranch and off the frontage road.

Riding south the light wind was from my left rear quarter helping me along. On FM 1314 heading NW the wind wasn’t strong enough to make the pedaling real hard. At Cumberland Blvd. I made the turn to go back to Old Sorters Road to the SE and the wind was from my left rear quarter again. I set a good pace with some help from the wind. The only stop during the ride was the Circle K at Sorters road for some ice and water. From there to the finish in Kingwood a tailwind assisted me. I figured it was hotter than it felt with the low humidity and dew point cooling effect. Finishing at 12:08 PM my home weather station showed 90 degrees, cooler than when I finished other August rides.

My Cervelo crossed over 9000 miles by the end of the ride and August total road miles stand at 928.7. One day left to increase that.

Two Strava awards on the bike ride: Local Legend on South Sprint to PHS and Local Legend on Kris Spraggins Memorial Route.

8-30-2023 Strava Ride Summary Community Drive-Cumberland-Oakhurst
8-30-2023 Strava Ride Summary Community Drive-Cumberland-Oakhurst
8-30-2023 SportTracks 2023 Rides Community Drive-Cumberland-Oakhurst
8-30-2023 SportTracks 2023 Rides Community Drive-Cumberland-Oakhurst