Last year I used this same title and this year’s ride is a repeat. Weather in March can be unpredictable but today the blue sky and north tailwind for the return to downtown made the trip picture perfect. While the route this year is entirely different, going north instead of south, the experience of riding on the Hardy Toll Road without cars was special. It reminded me of years ago when the toll road first opened and the kickoff included a bike ride from the Spring toll plaza to Beltway 8 and back.
Texas’ Superdrome announces its schedule
Velonews.com reports that the Texas’ Superdrome schedule has been released. From the VeloNews article:
The Superdrome at Frisco, Texas, proudly announces their racing schedule for the 2008 season.
This year sees the return of the Richardson Bike Mart Superdrome Points Series (SPS), the Moritz Sprint Series, the Matrix Cup, Texas Cup races, a Masters Regional, an Elite National Qualifier and Collegiate Conference racing.
The Superdrome Development Program encourages youth participation in the sport by including heats for junior racers during each of the SPS events. For 2008 we will also introduce a series of skills clinics taught by National track racing champions.
Go to the link above for more information.
Wounded Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride Tackles Texas
from prnewswire.com (full article link)
From March 13-16, Wounded Warrior Project’s (WWP) Soldier Ride will be in Texas, cycling from San Antonio to Corpus Christi. Presented by Esenjay Petroleum Corporation, a privately held oil and natural gas exploration and production company based in Corpus Christi, Texas, the Lone Star State Challenge is the seventh segment of Soldier Ride’s 2007- 2008 national tour. The ride will begin on March 13, with a departure ceremony at the Center for the Intrepid in San Antonio and includes stops at the Alamo and Mission Espada. Then on March 14 at 9:00am, the group will cycle through Veteran’s Park in Beeville, about 40 miles north of Corpus Christi. The following day, Soldier Ride makes its way to Corpus Christi where members of the public can join the ride as part of a fundraising effort for either a 25 or 40 mile portion.
March Weather Grounds Weekend Riding
This is the first weekend since February 16th without me participating in an organized ride. I almost had withdraw. The Magnolia Miles Saturday ride looked inviting until I saw the 34 degree temperature on the thermometer. While I have rode in temperatures below my somewhat flexible boundary of 60 degrees, 34 was too far below. I decided to wait until the afternoon and just ride in my area.
The local area around US59 at Porter and New Caney is in the middle of some major road construction. I was not aware of the extent due to my rides the previous three weekends. Service roads are down to one lane in some places with a not too wide shoulder. Looks like organized rides will have a new significance until the construction eases up.
Tour de Houston is coming up this Saturday. I am wondering if the organizers realized that daylight savings time would be in place since they have scheduled a 7:00 AM start time. Sunrise will be around 7:30 AM. I hope the street lights and traffic control are working. Once we get on the Hardy Toll Road portion of the ride this should not be an issue. Parking in the downtown theater district was slow last year. If you are going allow extra time to get parked.
Keep the wheels turning.