Texas Biking News October 22nd 2021

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Biking in Dallas ‘Feels Like a Death Wish.’ Hopefully That Is Beginning to Change

By Peter Simek | www.dmagazine.com

As council members bike to City Hall to raise awareness around cycling, a Vox report reminds us how dangerous Dallas is for bicyclists.

On paper, Dallas looks like it is trying to be a bike friendly city. It claims to have some 74 miles of bike infrastructure. The City Council adopted a bike plan back in 2011 and employs staff to oversee its implementation. Since the creation of that plan, several new trails have opened, and a nonprofit is working to connect many of those trails into a large mega loop which will allow cyclists to navigate from the Katy Trail through East Dallas down into the Trinity Forest and back entirely on dedicated trails. …

David on the Southern Tier

By David Jelmini | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 33: Silsbee to Merryville, LA. 512’ of climbing, 3:53 hrs in the saddle. Goodbye Texas, hello Louisiana.

Thursday October 21, 2021, 54 miles (87 km) – Total so far: 1,735 miles (2,792 km) It took us almost 17 days of riding to get across Texas. Glad to cross the border but disappointed that there was no Welcome to Louisiana sign. We were told later that it got blown down in the last hurricane. I have been looking to achieve milestones along this ride. The first was day one ride after 9 months of preparation. Then it was getting through the hill country and now out of Texas. My next one will be to see the gulf coast. In 3 weeks I’ll see the Atlantic.

The scenery wasn’t much different today still see a lot of logging trucks going to sawmills and chipping plants. …

After years of promises, will Dallas finally pedal forward with a new plan for more bike lanes?

By Alejandra Martinez | www.keranews.org

It’s hard to get around the city of Dallas on a bike. In fact, the city ranks as one of the unfriendliest cities for biking in the U.S.

Part of the reason is that Dallas did not embrace the idea of bike lanes. In 2011, there was a plan that called for creating more than 1,000 miles of bike routes, yet so far, only about 20% of that plan has been implemented, according to city leaders.

Earlier this week, several Dallas council members and other bicycle enthusiasts cycled …

Dallas Senior Living Friends Succeed at Golden Games

By Laura Harris | www.nbcdfw.com

Staying fit is always something good, but for a couple of men at a local senior living facility, it has been one of their secrets to a long life.

Ernie McAfee, 83, and Paul Wilson, 87, are great friends and both live at Presbyterian Village North Senior Living Community. They recently competed in the Dallas Golden Games.

This Olympics-style fitness and leisure competition is for adults 50 and over, of all ability levels. This year’s event was held in September. Participants competed in eight competitive sports.

Wilson medaled in the 1500 with a 10-minute mile. He also placed second in both the men’s cycling 5K and the men’s cycling 10K. McAfee placed sixth in the 50-meter dash and fifth in the 100. They often train together and say they inspire each other.

Biking To See Holiday Season Arrive At MSU

Durango Texas | durangotexas.blogspot.com

My bike rolled me around a dozen miles this morning. Perfect temperature for pleasant bike riding.

Eventually we rolled to the MSU (Midwestern State University) campus, where we stopped to take a picture of the annual arrival of the Christmas installation known as the Festival of Light.

I think I am remembering that name correctly.

It takes awhile to set up this …

They fixed the hard divider bumps at the end of the Southern Walnut Creek Trail. from BikingATX

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Could Be The New Wheel Distortion Field

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Good bike ride today. Got an earlier start leaving at 10:52 AM. I chose a shorter ride with no detours on my “Kingwood – FM1485 – Kingwood” route. The 31.47 miles positions me for a 200+ mile week with tomorrow’s bike ride. My week now totals 182.69 miles and October stands at 680.03 miles, over my goal of 625 miles. YTD I am at 8,289 miles exceeding YTD 2020 by 283 miles. No fog delay though I could’ve started a little earlier. This was the 16th time riding this route in 2021. Today I rode my Lynskey R300. I am enjoying the new ICAN Cycling Alpha 50 Disc wheels. The bike seems to ride quicker. could be a new wheel distortion field though.

10-22-2021 YTD Bike Rides Summary on Today's Route
10-22-2021 YTD Bike Rides Summary on Today’s Route

Weather conditions: start 77 (humidity 86%, dew point 72), partly cloudy, wind N calm; finish 83 (humidity 63%, dew point 70), partly cloudy, wind S 6 mph. At the start the sun and clouds couldn’t agree on who was going to dominate but then the sun took the lead.

At Rock Creek Drive and Northpark Drive at first I thought the brown and white dog wasn’t there but after standing for the traffic light to change he came out from behind the stone wall. This time he is in the video near the end.

No deer spotted during the ride nor other cyclists. I hope to see cyclists tomorrow. Lots of yellow flowers along the roads. I finished the ride at 1:21 PM.

10-22-2021 Strava Bike Ride Summary
10-22-2021 Strava Bike Ride Summary

Texas Biking News October 21st 2021

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League City, mountain bikers work to create off-road trails

By Jake Magee | communityimpact.com

After months of communication, League City officials and residents who are passionate about mountain biking are now working in tandem to create and expand bike courses citywide.

Despite having to demolish jumps found to be illegal along one trail, the city is working with local mountain bikers to construct a short off-road course as well as a longer proposed course, all near Lynn Gripon Park at Countryside.

“It was complicated and contentious at first, but it opened a door to … an exciting new addition to recreational activities,” Assistant City Manager Bo Bass said of the city and bikers working together.

Additionally, the city hired a consultant in September to update the city’s parks master …

Sexual assault suspect stuns detectives and admits to 2 Houston cold case murders, detectives say

By Shelley Childers | abc13.com

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Houston police say a man who confessed to a 2017 cold case, in a surprise twist, admitted to another murder. After many years, this admission gives answers that the victims’ families have been looking for.

Sitting with the Burks family, it is easy to see and feel the emotional drain of the past five years. Wiping away tears, Timothy Burks spoke with ABC13 about his youngest son, Dantrell.

"He would always put a smile on your face. I couldn’t see a day where he was upset about anything," Timothy Burks said.

Described as the good kid, always making friends and bringing people together, this family was stunned the night Dantrell was killed.

Houston police say the 21-year-old was found on March 21, 2016. They said he was shot while riding his bicycle on the sidewalk along Northborough Drive near Greens Bayou. …

Bicyclist dies after being struck by 18-wheeler along Texas Highway 62 in Orange

Author: Scott Eslinger | www.12newsnow.com

ORANGE, Texas — A 65-year-old bicyclist was killed Wednesday morning after being struck by an 18-wheeler along Texas 62.

Russell Jay Gibbs, 65, was struck just before 8:30 a.m. along Texas 62 just north of FM 1078 according to Captain Robert Enmon of the Orange Police Department.

Gibbs was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident which is being investigated by detectives with the City of Orange Police Department according to a news release from the Orange Police Department.

A bicycle could be seen laying in the middle of the roadway not far from Gibbs’ body.

Medics with Acadian Ambulance were dispatched to the scene and pronounced Gibbs dead the release said.

Orange police identify bicyclist killed in tractor-trailer crash

Meagan Ellsworth | www.beaumontenterprise.com

Authorities have identified a senior bicyclist who was fatally struck in a tractor-trailer crash Wednesday morning in Orange.

Russell Jay Gibbs, 65, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash at 4500 Highway 62 North.

Police received a call shortly before 8:30 a.m. to report the crash, according to an Orange Police Department news release.

The incident remains under investigation by the Orange Police Department’s Detective Division, the release said.

No further information was immediately available.

Bike World opens new location on the Far Westside Thursday

Steven Santana | www.mysanantonio.com

Longtime bike shop Bike World is opening its fifth store on the Far Westside tomorrow.

Store manager Efren Rodriguez says seasoned cyclists and those looking to break into cycling for the first time can expect the same welcoming customer service that can be found at its other stores when Bike World West opens at 11310 Culebra Road.

The store’s soft opening on October 20, also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the company, which opened its first store on October 21, 1971. …

Should Old Jacksonville Highway in Tyler expand to 6 lanes? TxDOT wants your input!

Author: Reagan Roy | WWW.CBS19.COM

TYLER, Texas — **EDITOR’S NOTE: The video above is from May 2021.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is seeking the public’s input regarding the possible expansion of Farm-to-Market (FM) Road 2493, commonly known as Old Jacksonville Highway, in the southern portion of Tyler.

A public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 4, from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Tyler Junior College West Campus Regional Training and Development Complex.

According to TxDOT, in 2019, approximately 32,000 vehicles traveled along Old Jacksonville Highway each day.

"Traffic projections show this volume increases to 53,000 vehicles per day by year 2045, resulting in a 65% increase in vehicles along the corridor," TxDOT said. "FM 2493 is unable to …

… TxDOT’s preliminary plans for Old Jacksonville Highway include:

Widening from four lanes with a continuous turn lane to six lanes with a raised median
Bicycle and pedestrian accommodations along the corridor
Intersection improvements at all signalized intersections ...

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New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Route Detour, Why So Many Dead Deer? Voting Rarity

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Some fog in the area this morning slowed the sun coming out and my bike ride start. Wheels were down and rolling at 11:14 AM on my Canyon Endurace bike. Today I chose my “Huffman – Liberty County Line” route for some variety. That worked out as planned until I rode west on Huffman – Eastgate Road and encountered a road closed sign at Willy Road by the Huffman Middle School. I took the detour north and changed the route to “May Park Community Center – Huffman” adding a few miles to the bike ride. Not long after I turned onto Willy Road a cyclist approached from the other direction and we waved. Later he commented on my Strava ride activity page. He was the second cyclist I saw today. The other was on FM 1960 around Fairlake Lane, he was going west while I headed east.

With the change in the route I ended up riding 40.5 miles which put me over my 625 mile goal for October with 648.55 miles. This marked the 7th time riding this route in 2021. I didn’t venture too far into Liberty County, just long enough for a break in the traffic to make the u-turn.

10-21-2021 YTD Bike Rides Summary for Today's Route
10-21-2021 YTD Bike Rides Summary for Today’s Route

Yesterday I forgot about seeing a doe in Valley Ranch. As I rode east on Azalea Blvd. to my right in the grass about 100 away a doe ran parallel before making a left turn crossing the street and into the grass and over a hill. Earlier I saw another dead deer along side the road. Today as I rode east on FM 1960 past Huffman I saw a buck deer laying in the ditch to my right between the railroad tracks and the road. He had a large set of antlers. Whoever hit him probably suffered some damage unless it was a train.

Also yesterday the two dogs at Rock Creek Drive and Northpark Drive saw me when I stopped for the traffic light. The dark brown one stood at a distance keeping silent while the brown and white dog barked at me. He moved towards me until I looked his way and he moved back repeating this until the light changed. I turned right and the brown and white dog ran parallel to me in the grass barking. He came to an abrupt stop like a fence was in his way and turned back. He does this each time I ride by there. I don’t know why he stops with plenty of open grass beside the road.

On Tuesday I noticed a drive through voting setup at the Kingwood Community Center, Today I took my driver’s license and voter registration card with and on the way back I stopped to vote. The ladies there commented I was the first person to come vote on a bicycle.

I didn’t bring a snack on today’s ride since I thought the route would be shorter. I did eat a banana before the ride and used my CamelBak for hydration. I thought I might bonk but finished the ride in good shape. On the way back I got my overall average speed up to 14.3 mph and held it until I returned to Kingwood. I finished the bike ride at 2:23 PM. It would’ve been sooner but the voting people had a problem finding my name in the list.

10-21-2021 RWGPS Bike Ride Route Map
10-21-2021 RWGPS Bike Ride Route Map
10-21-2021 Strava Bike Ride Summary
10-21-2021 Strava Bike Ride Summary