By Judy Peacock & P.A. Geddie | www.countylinemagazine.com
Kelsey Crowther of Greenville walked across 132 miles of the Upper East Side of Texas recently with her dog, her mom, and her sister.
“I enjoyed the whole trail and the experience of traveling that far across Texas. I look at a map and I see where I started and that I made it all the way over here walking — it’s a good feeling of accomplishment.â€
Crowther took on the challenge of walking the Northeast Texas Trail, better known as “the NETT†to regular users. It is the longest hiking, biking, and equestrian trail in Texas and the fourth-longest in the United States. Following an old railway corridor, it begins near Farmersville between …
Talib Abdullahi created the event, which includes a biking tour of 12 historical Black areas in Austin.
Talib Abdullahi has always had two great passions: biking and history. In fact, Austin’s vast cycling resources were a top reason he moved here in 2008 to attend UT, where he majored in American Studies. But it wasn’t until the nation felt the collective ache of racial injustice last June, spurred by the murder of George Floyd, that the 31-year-old national events coordinator for Tito’s Vodka saw his interests fully entwine. “I thought …
Prologue: 00:00
Route Map: 02:32
Meeting Team RR at Starbucks on Woodlands Pkwy: 03:58
Warming up Eastbound Towards Paramount Pkwy: 10:27
On the Open Road Fishcreek Blvd: 35:40
Putting the power down on Fishcreek Overpass: 52:14
Capitol Hill Rd to Rabon Chapel Westbound: 55:20
Sitting in on Mail Route Rd: 1:06:21
Finishing the ride 3hours later with Paul: 01:15:03
I was in for a surprise when I checked the weather before the bike ride began today; wind from the SE at 23 mph with 28 mph gusts. My route for today headed to the south and east making for a headwind for 19+ miles. I chose the “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route today since I rode north yesterday. Either direction a strong headwind awaited.
Kit choice today included shorts, long sleeve jersey, and windbreaker jacket to offset the expected wind chill. The temperature was 71.4 degrees at home weather station when I got ready to leave. Before I started the battery on the speed sensor needed replaced. As I spun the wheel to wake up the sensor the bolt computer got no signal. Removing the sensor from the front hub is not easy as I must grab the rubber band to release it through the spokes. This time it came out easy. I checked the battery and it barely moved the needle. I keep a supply of CR2032 batteries for this reason. I tested the new battery, put it in the sensor, and wrapped it around the front hub. It went back on as easy as it came off surprisingly. Now I rolled the Canyon Endurace out the door and began the ride at 11:14 AM. Looking at the few leaves on the trees and the moving branches I knew a windy bike ride was ahead.
After getting good audio from my new Saramonic mic yesterday riding my Lynskey R300 bike I replicated the setup on my Canyon Endurace for today’s bike ride. I think the ride’s video audio was as good as yesterday even with the high wind.
Hard pedaling began after riding on the greenbelt trail to Elm Grove Village and my direction turned to the south. From there I rode south to FM 1960 and into Walden. I got a brief respite in Walden on the way back to FM 1960. Riding across Lake Houston the wind chill from the cool water and stiff wind made me glad I wore the windbreaker jacket though my legs complained some because of no leg warmers. As I neared the east end of the causeway 4 large trucks carrying the huge concrete beams for roads parked on the shoulder. I moved to the main lane ride around them and strong gusts of wind blew under the beams pushing me to the left followed by another gust as I crossed the opening between the trucks. (you can see them in the video) Each truck generated gusts and I finally made it back to the shoulder where the wind let up a little. The I turned right onto Fairlake Lane into the headwind and my legs slowed after all the effort on FM 1960.
Looking forward to FM 2100 another test awaited on Old Atasocita Road. Approaching The Vineyard church two dogs ran from the field to the road barking and wanting to chase. I can’t remember the last “dog sprint” I had. My legs recovered enough from the headwind to power me to a higher speed to outrun the dogs in pursuit and around 200 feet later they gave up. Thankfully my planned route did not return on Old Atascocita Road.
Construction crews worked on the unopened section of FM 2100 north of Old Atascocita Road and some of them plied tools on fresh concrete. When I reached the end of the new section the path I took Saturday was blocked so I walked through some rough dirt to the cross street and then moved to old FM 2100 to continue to Huffman and FM 1960. About 200 feet of barriers required me to ride in the main lane but then the barriers opened for a side street and I moved to the right of them on a wide section of the old road. At FM 1960 the ride went west and the headwind moved to a slight tailwind or side wind until I finished at 1:45 PM.
With all of the wind and effort expended Strava said my ride was consistent with my usual efforts. Looking at the ride summary data in Golden Cheetah I think I rode harder based on the power output: 45% of the ride time in zones 1 and 2, 55% of the ride time in zones 3 through 7 and 14% of the time in zones 6 and 7. Average power was 112 watts and max power was 556 watts.
As the month and year come to a close this how I stand comparing 2020 to previous years.
SEABROOK — The Seabrook Police Department reported on their Facebook page a kind gesture of love by a local postal worker.
Charlie Watkins saw the need for kids in his route who could benefit by being given a new bicycle. The Seabrook Police assisted Watkins in delivering the bicycles.
Lieutenant Bryan Brand worked with Charlie and made sure that the kids that were identified as needing bikes, received bikes and those that could not pick them up were delivered by the Seabrook PD.
The Republican Women of Harrison County are proud to announce their donation of six new bikes to The Empty Stocking Fund this year. In the picture are Pam Lindsey with Empty Stocking Fund, Jean Beauchamp Secretary for the Republican Women, Jacque Henigan with the Republican Women, Sherry Rushing our Harrison County Treasurer, Donna Philyaw President of the Republican Women and Lea McGee with the Empty Stocking Fund.
Texas Biking from Twitter
Worst fear confirmed! Larger-than-standard motor lanes shown with less-than-standard bikeways and sidewalks. This is for Austin's future!
Yesterday was one of those “probably won’t do that again, but glad I did†kinda rides. Took my gravel bike over some rocky single tracks in San Marcos. Now I need a MTB. pic.twitter.com/k5ej8278yr
The area around 3rd Street and Shoal Creek is a gateway to important destinations including the Central Library and the Butler Trail. We’re working with @DowntownATXInfo to make this area safer, more accessible, and more connected. Offer input today! https://t.co/k06tO9KnhVpic.twitter.com/cPLUquhGLF
New Event ARR All Level Ride – Austin, TXC The Austin Mountain Bikers Meetup Group ***Effective until further notice- in accordance with our local government- if this ride does not get canceled all riders are asked to practice social distancing and ride… https://t.co/nYkiz3w7ZM
December warm weather continued for today’s bike ride with the temperature in the mid 70’s under a mostly cloudy sky. Wind ranged from 9 mph at the 12:01 PM start to 10 mph when I finished at 2:48 PM. Riding to the north the SE wind didn’t pose a problem until I made the turn back to the south. The route choice for today was “New Caney – Tavola – Valley Ranch”. I rode my Lynskey R300 bike for 35.14 miles upping my December road mile total to 305.8 miles.
In the continuing search for good audio in my ride video I tried a different setup with the new Saramonic mic. I moved the GoPro Hero 7 Black below my Bolt computer and positioned the mic on the handlebar stem. Using a strip of Velcro to hold the mic in place I think the audio today was some of the best considering the wind and traffic noise. This is what the setup looked like.
The dead cat muff absorbs a lot of the background noise.
Below is the bike ride summary data from the Golden Cheetah program. My power output hold steady compared to recent rides. 47% of the ride time power fell in zones 1 and 2 leaving 53%% of the ride time in zones 3 through 7. Zones 6 and 7 dropped to 10% of the ride time. Strava still characterized the ride as harder than my usual efforts. Not many segments on this route.
