I dusted off a seldom used route for today’s bike ride: New Caney – Roman Forest – Splendora. I haven’t rode this route many times over the years and the last time was July 17th, 2023.
It all began at 10:02 AM as I rolled out on my Lynskey Helix bike. Before the ride I looked at the route map from last year to see which streets I used. The plan was to follow most of them but there would be a few changes. Last year I rode 46.61 miles and with the changes today I wasn’t sure if I would ride more or less. The changes started when I got to FM1314 on the US59 frontage road. Today I went straight instead of turning right. I planned on riding to Community Drive but when the new street to the under construction apartments came up I took it to see what was going on. This was open to Loop 494 so I continued there and then north. From there I think I followed most of the same streets as last year.
Another change I made was the wireless mic for the GoPro video. The Hollyland mic used for since I returned the Rode mics for warranty replacement did not have consistent audio. The Rode Wireless Me mics have much better audio in today’s video. There is a tapping sound when I ride over a bump in the video. I think is from the Rode RX unit bouncing on the cold shoe slot. I put a piece of electrical tape between the clip and the RX mic. Tomorrow’s ride will test that.
9-16-2024 GoPro with Rode Wireless Mics-19-16-2024 GoPro with Rode Wireless Mics-2
Editor’s note: Made in Tarrant is an occasional Q&A series on small businesses started in Tarrant County. Submit your business here.
Roque Puente started Bicycle Center of Fort Worth around two decades ago. A lifelong bicycler, he’s seen a lot of changes in the bike business given the increased interest in getting around on two wheels. He learned the tricks of trade by working at many bike stores, and is dedicated to providing bikes to people who are just starting to ride, helping them to find a bicycle that fits their needs and budget. Puente talked to Fort Worth Report’s Shomial Ahmad about how he got started, how the business has changed, and the best places to explore by bicycle. …
George W Curry passed away peacefully at his home in Conroe, TX on August 31, 2024, the day after his 79th birthday. George was born in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas to George W Curry, Sr. and Lucille Lorraine Clark. He was a proud member of the Sunset High School class of 1963 and received his Bachelors in Marketing from the University of North Texas. George was a high-spirited, enterprising go-getter who forged his own path. He was an honored Eagle Scout, cheerleader for the Sunset Bisons, and a participant in the 1964 U.S. Olympic Trials for cycling. With a love for cycling and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, in 1970, George founded Curry Distributors, Inc, importing and distributing bicycle components. He designed and manufactured high-performance aluminum alloy racing road bikes that were truly ahead of their time. CDI’s sponsorship benefited BMX racing in its earliest days, earning George a spot in the Texas BMX Hall of Fame. George continued his passion for international business in automotive imports, and later in his career was dedicated to marketing and promoting health and wellness products worldwide. …
Day 15: Van Horn to Marta, TX
Saturday September 14, 2024, 75 miles (121 km) – Total so far: 720 miles (1,159 km)
Vinny – mostly a slight incline wih a moderate headwind
Day 16: Marfa to Sanderson, TX
Sunday September 15, 2024, 101 miles (163 km) – Total so far: 821 miles (1,321 km)
Gerry – Vinny continues to plow forward though the unforgiving state of Texas. I continue to train for the 400+ mile Mountain to Coast ride in NC in three weeks. One factor for returning home early is that my lower back/sciatic nerve issue (of which I’ve never experienced in my life) continues to cause discomfort, not while riding per say, but when I stand up out of the saddle. No more 80 lb fully loaded bike riding for me! I rode 60+ miles today from Pataskala to Utica, OH.
Vinny – last 35 miles I needed to hitch a ride due to multiple tire failures. The winds are brutal. Tomorrow is a 90 mile day with no services in route. Will get a predawn start to beat the largest gusts.
The new bike counter on White Oak appears to be set on GMT. Here it is recording the first bike of the “day” just after 7:00 pm Houston time. pic.twitter.com/if4PRLljj6
Day 13: El Paso to Sierra Blanco, TX
Thursday September 12, 2024, 91 miles (146 km) – Total so far: 607 miles (977 km)
Vinny – Rode through many cotton fields and pecan groves with mostly desert scapes. Headwinds and afternoon heat turned the ride into a 10 hour affair with breaks. Staying at a ranch style hotel in which chickens seemingly have the run of the place.
Day 14: Sierra Blanco to Van Horn, TX A short ride
Friday September 13, 2024, 38 miles (61 km) – Total so far: 645 miles (1,038 km)
Vinny – the ride was a short one due to very sparse accommodations, since I no longer am carrying any camping gear. I passed into the central time zone losing an hour while riding on a chip and sealed frontage road then onto a four lane divided highway on Interstate 10 for almost 20 miles.
Getting up at 4 AM for a bike ride is not my normal activity but to get to the Rollin’ Pearland Ride before the 7:05 AM start called for it. I registered for the 51 mile route and my friend Jeff did too. I backed out of the driveway around 5:20 AM to start the 50 or so drive to the start at Independence Park on Pearland Parkway. Google Maps took me not quite as direct as I wanted but I arrived around 6:20 AM. Fog and mist hung over the park as everyone put their bikes together and got ready. I met Jeff as I walked back from getting my packet agreeing to meet at the starting line. The temperature was 78 and the wind calm. The forecast called for mid 90’s later and sunny.
The “C” group for 51 miles rolled away at 7:12 AM. The fog had lifted mostly by then but whenever we stopped for traffic lights my sunglasses fogged up. That was didn’t happen for long as the sun got higher. I loaded the route on my Wahoo bolt computer for turn-by-turn directions. That worked excepted for 2 turns where the route signs said turn and the TBT didn’t agree. The first time I didn’t see a reason for the problem but the second time road construction closed part of the road and the change made sense. Rest stops were spread apart longer than most rides. The first one was about 20 miles and the only other one was at 41 miles. Maybe there was another that we missed? The highest rider number I saw was 909 but there were other cycling groups out on some of the route too. Some were in the same direction and others ride opposite.
Riding south went into a headwind and most other directions the wind wasn’t a factor. Jeff and I stopped at 37.2 for a self proclaimed rest stop. My feet needed rest and time to drink from the CamelBak. Jeff gave me a Peanut Butter Clif bar since I didn’t bring any food. That helped my energy a lot. We stopped at the rest stop at 41 miles. I ate two chewy granola bars, drank several cups of dill pickle juice and water. Back on the bike to ride to the finish. I turned into the park and stopped the Bolt computer at 10:53 AM. That was a nice early finish. I averaged 15.1 mph. It has been a long time since I did that. The ride covered 51.25 miles. With the different starting location the route was not the same at times but some roads were familiar. Last year I rode 49.29 miles.
