One Should Not Despair – February 1st Bike Ride

When I got up this morning the weather did not look a biking day could come out of this. Fog and intermittent rain sure tried to doom the day. But one should not despair. By 11 AM the sun arrived and the clouds thinned. The streets needed to dry out but around here that does not take long. By 1 PM it appeared I could go biking. After lunch I dressed with the intention of riding my mountain bike. I even had my mountain bike shoes on and headed to leave when I decided the road bike should be the vehicle for today. To along with the sun the thermometer showed 78 degrees (77 at the finish of the ride). Partly cloudy skies and a light WSW breeze made today a spring one. I will take as many as I can get.

Riding my Motobecane Le Champion the 29.44 miles today got me to 296.69 miles for the year. I thought I might get a little closer to the 300 mile mark. January miles totaled 267.25 since I did not get to bike yesterday due to rain off and on all day. Other stats for today: 15.3 mph average speed, 22.0 mph max speed, 80.5 RPM average cadence. Tomorrow could repeat today’s weather and if this happens I should bike some more.

Garmin Connect data link.                                                 RideWithgps.com data link.

2-1-2012 Bike Ride Data and Route Map

 

2-1-2012 Home Weather Station End

Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for January 31st

I came across this discussion on LinkedIn.com in the World Cycling Industry Group. This is a good question. I have to say I look at reviews on other products but not very often for cycling items except for tires. There are 35 comments on this topic. What about you?

World Cycling Industry
Linkedin.com – Scott Mares
One of my challenges is once we do a review on a product is getting the company and IBD to actually use the review. I would like to see the review used in the bike shop. Ideas anyone?

Tom Haedrich • Hi Scott – as a boutique branded company building custom bicycles and selling into the IBD channel and others I can tell you the road is not an easy one. Each IBD has their own reason for entering the business and idea’s of what THEIR shop should be, and rightly so, isn’t this one of the beautiful things about America’s free market system where you can be whatever it is you want to be. I preface this because as a small…

The Racing Post February 2012 Issue
The Racing Post is a monthly magazine dedicated to those who ride bicycles and like to ride them – fast.  Event coverage includes Road racing, Off-road racing, Track racing, Triathlons, Bicycle rallies, and all levels of bicycle training.

F e a t u r e s
4 Olympics Bound
6 The Next Generation
9 Intensity
14 Reflecting on a Cycling Scholarship
18 Believe It Or Not
30 All Carbon Ain’t The Same
35 Playing In The Mus
38 Photo Essay – TRP Winter Crit
39 Team Focus – Fresh Racing
42 MSU’s Danny Robertson
Vol. 12, No. 2

 

LMRA Bike Club Morning Ride: TBD – 9AM
Lockheed Martin Recreation Association
All Day Event: Feb 03, 2012
Be a Positive Ambassador:
STOP – LOOK – and be SEEN
STOP at all traffic lights and signs. LOOK before continuing to ensure its clear. Be SEEN obeying the law while cycling safely.
… be safe and an ambassador for all other cyclists.

Helmets are required for club rides. Smiles encouraged. :D
Scheduled rides are a go, unless wet or below 40 degrees. Check this calendar entry as the ride approaches to get the planned starting location and if the…

New Report Highlights Biking and Walking in Rural America
Alliance for Biking & Walking: People Powered Blog
imageA new report from the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy dispels the commonly held notion that only residents of big cities bike and walk. According to “Active Transportation Beyond the Urban Centers” folks in rural areas travel by bike and on foot as much — and in some cases, even more — than people in major population centers.

“It’s a widespread assumption in popular media and politics that people in small towns and rural areas do not walk or bike for transportation purposes,” says Tracy Hadden Loh, co-author of the report and research…

Specialized expands ‘cross fork recall
Bicycle Retailer & Industry News
WASHINGTON, D.C. (BRAIN) Jan 31, 17:51 MT—Specialized is working with the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission on an expansion of a recall involving some carbon forks on cyclocross bikes.

The brake boss mount on the forks can fail, allowing the brake to fall into the front spokes. Consumers should stop using the recalled products immediately.

Specialized recalled about 14,200 2011-model bikes last year because of the problem. Now the company is recalling about 460 2012-model bikes. The new bikes affected are the 2012 Tricross Sport and 2012 Tricross Comp. …

Quality of Life in El Paso
by bmba                Borderland Mountain Bike Association
The city of El Paso is planning to bring a quality of life bond to be brought to the November election.  This bond would cause a small increase in your property taxes.  The main purpose of the bond is not known, but there are some specifics that have been put on the table that fit in to two categories – SIGNATURE PROJECTS and Parks and Recreation.  Signature Projects are big projects like a new arena….downtown…to maybe try to draw in a…

…As one of the leaders in the mountain biking community, I have created a list of specific ideas that will improve the mountain biking experience in El Paso.  When you go online to make your suggestions, feel free to copy and paste these ideas.  If you are not in favor of these ideas, don’t use them, but please contribute something to the…

Dallas Cycle Style is Born
by UrbanPedal        Dallas Cycle Chic
You may have noticed a few changes to the website recently.  Yes, time to reset your bookmarks – we’re leaving the Cycle Chic family to become our very own group, Cycle Style.

We’ve had a lovely year doing the Dallas Cycle Chic blog. As we’ve met Dallas riders on the streets, in the cycle shops and at large group rides, we’ve come to deeply appreciate the inspiring and broad range of cycle styles in our city.   You are all so different and yet all the same: from cardigan wearing ladies crushing trails to hardcore racers in spandex packs, you all shared with us your…

Save Our Forest (Anthills) Update – Meeting February 8 and what you can do
by Veljko Roskar        GHORBA

City looks at plans for a hike and bike bridge
by Oak Hill Gazette
Annick Beaudet with the city’s Neighborhood Connectivity Division told the Gazette that the need for such a bridge goes back to 1998, when the Texas Department of Transportation turned a northbound shoulder of Mopac into a turn lane for drivers going…

Biking group to hold presentations in Seguin
seguingazette.com        Felicia Frazar
SEGUIN – Bike enthusiasts have something to look forward to this week.

On Thursday and Saturday the International Mountain Biking Association will be hosting two presentations about the activity and how to enhance and generate more interest in the community, said Pete Silvius, Seguin Outdoor Learning Center board member and Rodriguez Elementary physical education teacher.

“There are two presentations,” he said. “On Thursday night will be Better Living Through Trails presentation starting 6:30 p.m. at Texas Lutheran University Student Activity Center. On Saturday will be the IMBA Trail Building…

Cibolo Ride
Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club
Start: February 18, 2012 9:00 am
End:   February 18, 2012 12:00 pm
Venue: St. Paul Evangelical Church
Address:  108 South Main, Cibolo, TX, United States,
Ride starts at 9:00 a.m. at the St. Paul Evangelical Church’s parking lot (the gravel part in the back) adjacent to Harmon’s BBQ for a 30 or 20 mile group ride at an easy pace.  Ride will proceed southeast through rolling farm country to New Berlin, then northwest by Zuehl and Hackerville Road back into Cibolo.  The 20 mile ride will cut over at Gin road between Santa Clara and Zuehl.  See Map #506.  Directions: To get to St. Paul’s (108 S. Main) in Cibolo take IH35 north. Take exit 175 and turn right on Roy Richard Dr. (FM-3009 S).  Drive 3.2 miles and turn left onto Seguin Rd (FM 78).  Drive 1.4 miles and turn left onto W. TX-539 Loop.  Turn left on S. Main St. Paul’s Evangelical Church and Harmon’s BBQ will be on your left.  Lunch after the ride will be at Harmon’s.  For more information call ride leaders Ann Caldwell (508-8878) or Bob Caldwell (260-2584).

Bike Through the Forest and the Hills 2012 in ColdSpring, TX
by WB admin
The Bike Through the Forest and the Hills 2012 happening on January 28, 2012 at San Jacinto Courthouse 1 State Highway 150 Coldspring, TX

We were lucky enough to be granted an interview with Duane McPeak, Ride Director of Bike Through the Forest and the Hills to ask some questions about their upcoming ride.

…What was the most unforgettable experience or worst accident you had in this event? (prefer the rewarding/unforgettable experience ;o)) ?

During my first ride as director, just 15 minutes into the ride, I got a call from the local constable that we had a rider down. It was a young man still in High School that had lost control of his bike going down a hill. He had gone head/face first into the street. There was a SAG wagon at the start that I jumped into to go check on the rider. As we headed towards the rider, we could see an ambulance was already on it’s way ahead of us. By the…

Do not stop reading the next article too soon. There is a biking story in it.

All Washed Up
by Steve A        Dallas Point-to-Point
In North Texas, we have to take our opportunities for inclement weather when they arrive. While we get lots of practice with “hot and dry” in the summer, wet don’t get a lot of opportunity to explore the finer points of cold weather. It DOES rain around here, but it isn’t the kind of rain I grew up with. In Seattle, the rain takes a week or more to accumulate to an inch or two. A little drizzle and a lot of gray clouds is the rule around this time of year.

Around DFW, on the other hand, the rain REALLY lets you know it is serious stuff. Lightning, thunder, flash floods and more. And then, as quickly as the rain arrived, it is past and drenching Louisiana or Oklahoma. I think the term around these parts is the rain comes down as a “frog strangler,” but I’m not from around here. …

 

Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for January 30th

Bike rider struck by vehicle in northwest Harris County
By Mike Glenn            Houston Chronicle
A bicycle rider was hospitalized after being struck by a vehicle in northwest Harris County, authorities said Monday.

The rider was hit about 4 p.m. along Texas 249 at Antoine, Harris County sheriff’s deputies said. …

Apply for a Capacity Building Grant
By Carolyn Szczepanski         www.peoplepoweredmovement.org
Advocacy Advance is offering $25,000 in Capacity Building Grants this year to member organizations of the Alliance for Biking & Walking and League of American Bicyclists.

Capacity Building Grants support the development and professionalization of state and local advocacy organizations to increase rates of biking and walking. These matching grants, funded by Planet Bike, can be…

Texas Independence Bike Tour rolls through Deer Park
By RICHARD TEW        yourDeerparknews.com
Nearly 800 riders took part in this year’s Texas Independence Bike Tour, hosted by the Deer Park Rotary Club on Sunday (Jan. 29).

The bike tour, now in its third year, has continually exceeded expectations, according to the Rotary Club’s Ed Mills. “Last year we had 250 riders,” he said. Mills notes that last year, inclement weather may have keep some from participating.

Mills says this year’s riders have been complimentary about the registration process, the ride and the overall experience. He also notes that this year’s route was slightly different than last year and had more presence both…

HCBTC Donates Bikes to “Kids at Risk”  
Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club

Kudos to Yvonne Campos for organizing this event!!  Each fall the Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club sponsors a cycling event in Fredericksburg, called the Fredericksburg Fall Foliage Frolic. A portion of the proceeds of that event goes to providing bicycles to a school promoting perfect attendance as an incentive.  Beacon Hill Elementary School was chosen as 75% of their student…

Dominate Your Heart Rate
by Shawn        Texas Mountain Bike Trails
Why should you use a heart rate monitor while training on your mountain bike?

Maybe because it will make you more efficient at achieving what you want to achieve. There are a few different reasons that people get on a mountain bike in the first place:

to burn fat
to increase your cardio endurance
or to get on a bike and dominate.

Guess what? A heart rate monitor will help with all of…

The 2012 Texas Road Race Season is here!
Violet Crown Sports Association
The Megan Baab Memorial Road Race in Copperas Cove starts the road race season. Violet Crown racers look forward to a successful season.
most recent Violet Crown race results…
January 28-29 | Tour of New Braunfels
Saturday
Cat 4 – Carey Jung 2nd, Weston Giunta 31st, Ken Greene 33rd
Cat 4/5 – Carey Jung 9th, Ben Groenewald 11th
Cat 5 – Ben Groenewald 21st
Sunday
Cat 4 – Ken Greene 10th, Carey Greene 16th, Bill Neale 26th, Weston Giunta 28th
Cat 5 – Ben Groenewald 15th
40+ 1/2/3/4 – Frank Kurzawa 10th

Exxon – Rio Medina Ride
Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club
Start: February 11, 2012 9:00 am
End:   February 11, 2012 11:00 am
Venue:     Exxon Station
Address:   15355 W FM 471, San Antonio, TX, United States, 78253
Saturday, February 11th: Ride starts at 9:00. Meet at the parking area next to the Exxon Station (15436 Culebra) on FM 471 outside Loop 1604 for an easy 16 mile ride to Rio Medina with a 32 mile longer ride from the Exxon Station to the Haby Bakery in Castroville.  The 16 mile ride is a great ride for beginners.  Directions: Take Culebra Road past 1604, where it becomes FM471, until you come to the Exxon station on your right.

Do Not Pound the Stitches – January 30th Bike Ride

My last bike ride took place on Thursday January 26th. Since then I did not bike because of some minor surgery on my right calf. The doctor said to not bike for a few days today ended the few days. So back on the bike but I backed off of the mountain bike gears so I would not pound the stitches. As I biked several phrases came to mind playing off the stitches angle but I will spare you from those. Since I lowered the gearing by one rear cog I did not exert my right leg as much and I chose a relatively flat route (as if we have hills in Kingwood) to not add to the drama.

Weather wise the temperature stood at 69 at the beginning and 68 at the end. The sun made an attempt to shine through the clouds but towards the end of the ride it kinda gave up. Wind held stead at 12 mph from the southeast, not too big a deal amongst the trees. The loggers almost disappeared from the trails except for one spot. No chainsaws but the chippers ground away.

Ride stats:

  • 17.49 miles
  • 11.3 mph average speed
  • 16.7 mph max speed
  • 78.1 RPM average cadence
  • January miles 267.25

Garmin Connect data link                                    RideWithgps.com data link

1-30-2012 Bike Ride Data and Route Map

 

1-30-2012 Home Weather Station End

 

Questions or Comments!

Call Rick Ankrum at (832) 429-5381

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