Last Thursday, in the midst of the struggles of the COVID-19 crisis, I taught my eight-year-old son to ride a bike.
It felt like a small – make that medium-size – miracle.
Some kids and parents take to the biking milestone easily. Not us. For my son David and me, it was an emotional challenge as much as physical — an opportunity for me to practice, as a parent, our TownLake YMCA staff motto of being “hopeful and determined.â€
Back in the 1980s, I was a stubborn kid like David. When my dad tried to teach me …
There are many decisions that go into riding a bicycle. Here are a few. But be your own guide, consult your doctor, etc. I am not receiving any payments from any products listed, but if those companies want to chip in I’ll be glad to hear from them. Choose wisely, young or old Padawan.
We rode Bluff Creek Ranch in Warda, Texas for the third week in a row! It was a last minute decision for me, but I’m super happy I went! Also, 13-0!! Great to be with@johnmaddentx caseygudgell haleylynn.smith… https://t.co/YEBM3pxC6q
Great news: the gravel hump / temporary road over the trail in North Lakes Park has finally been removed! Today is a beautiful day to ride this trail! (Trail marked with blue lines in third photo.) pic.twitter.com/cetADBduCy
For the first time Since April 25th I rode a route to the south from home. Last Saturday I drove to the Kings River pool and biked from there. I decided the work area provided enough space to bike through and chose the “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route for today. The ride began at 11:14 AM later than I prefer for a Saturday ride because of a cool front. The temperature slowly moved up from the upper 50’s to a level I could wear shorts, a long sleeve thermal jersey, and jacket and feel comfortable. Below is a summary of the 15 bike rides on this route in 2020.
Weather during the bike ride: start 69 (53% humidity, 51.4 dew point), mostly cloudy, wind E 12 mph. Finish 71 (51% humidity, 51.7 dew point), mostly cloudy, wind NE 15 mph gusts 21 mph. The forecast called for a high of 75 but it didn’t get there by the 1:51 PM finish of the ride.
Approaching the W. Lake Houston Parkway bridge riding south the right shoulder is the same as before the repair work began with a slight reduction in the traffic lane where the northbound traffic veers right back to the normal lanes. At the south end of the bridge the lane narrows slightly where the northbound traffic enters the northbound lane but not affecting my space. On the return trip the shoulder is not as wide riding north with about 3 feet between the yellow lane dots and the curb. Traffic did not crowd the dots as they passed and at the north end the shoulder space ends as the lane transitions back to the right. As I approached this spot a pickup truck slowed to allow me to get around this spot and into the traffic lane. After today’s ride I feel comfortable biking through the work area. The work crew was busy as I rode by each time. Maybe they will finish early.
With the later start I did not see any other cyclists along FM 1960 or east of Lake Houston though I did see 2 vehicles parked at the church on Fairlake Drive where some people start biking. I did see numerous “casual” bikers though. Some are in today’s ride video.
The coronavirus pandemic has alleviated Austin’s chronic traffic congestion and brought another issue into the foreground: the immediate need for space to walk, bicycle, use a wheelchair or push a stroller at a safe distance from others and from car traffic.
In response, City Council advanced a resolution from Council Member Paige Ellis on Thursday to start converting neighborhood streets into “Healthy Streets,†with the first set of conversions to be ready by May 21. The program will use temporary infrastructure like A-frame signs and cones to open up space for cycling and walking while still allowing drivers to access their …
The town of Flower Mound announced Friday that it is reopening Twin Coves Park for day use, but the Northshore Trail will remain closed.
The west Flower Mound park on the shore of Lake Grapevine, 5001 Wichita Trail, has been closed since mid-March because of …
… The town also announced that the Northshore Trail, which runs along the north shore of Lake Grapevine and goes through Twin Coves Park, remains closed for hiking and biking because of …
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) — COVID-19 and having to shelter in place has had a negative impact on most businesses, but bike shops are thriving. More specifically, Bike Town has seen more business lately. Owner Jim MacDonald says this time of year combined with the pandemic have caused more people to come in.
“Spring time is always a busy time in the bike store. So, we see a lot of people starting to break out their bikes for the spring time. We’ve been very busy with repair work and people looking for bikes to go out with their kids,†MacDonald said.
— Bike Hombre – STREETS ARE FOR PEOPLE (@sbwhite) May 8, 2020
** BIKE SAFETY – DAY 5 **
Today Sgt. Guerrero talks about how your bike should "fit". He says having a bike that is either too big or too small can impact your riding, making you fatigue easier, and setting you up for more accidents. So, what should you look for? pic.twitter.com/91GjzgxIpf
Kids Meals Inc. – Our mission is to end childhood hunger in Houston by delivering free meals directly to the homes of hungry children. pic.twitter.com/2flEXUf6Xr
— ATX Transportation (@austinmobility) May 8, 2020
Lake Park Estates. Galway would be a perfect street to make one-way for cars- Easton to Athlone- and a permanent protected bike lane on the other side. We're a block from Doctors (Willis Winters) Hospital side of White Rock Lake. pic.twitter.com/HQbIwlDBQR
— Martin Russell 🚲ðŸðŸ¿ï¸ (@russell_dallas) May 8, 2020
Youth cycling programs like The Cycle Effect are growing in popularity these days, as the National Interscholastic Cycling Associations’ (NICA) numbers soar, and kids outnumber adults at state and regional mountain bike competitions.https://t.co/bfRZ9zB9xD
New Event Texas Cycle Werks South Austin Trail Rides – Austin, TX The Austin Mountain Bikers Meetup Group Texas Cycle Werks, proud sponsors of the ATX100K endurance race series, hosts weekly shop rides each Tuesday and Thursday leaving from the shop in … https://t.co/aCx17oI4I9
New Event Wednesday Night Ride (WNR) – suspended during COVID-19 crisis El Paso Bicycle Club ALL GROUP RIDES ARE SUSPENDED DURING THE CURRENT CRISIS THIS IS A NON-CLUB RIDE. Wednesday Night Ride – 20 – 24 miles, flat. From March through October, during… https://t.co/PjL62looXi
A few dark clouds hovered in the distance as I began today’s bike ride at 11:00 AM. A few light sprinkles fell on the handlebar as I rode away from the driveway to begin the “New Caney – Gene Campbell Road” route. I wanted to ride enough miles to get closer to 200+ miles for the week and I believe today’s 37.36 miles favorably positioned me. The week totals 168.2 miles with 2 potential biking days left 200+ looks realistic. May now totals 264.62 miles, 40% of the way to my goal.
Today’s route appears 6 times so far this year in my ride history; 5 times on the Canyon Endurace CF SLX bike and once on the Lynskey R300 bike.
I mentioned sprinkles at the beginning of the ride but bigger raindrops came down as I rode through Woodridge Forest. I hoped to ride away from that and about 1/2 a mile later the rain stopped leaving damp streets which dried off quickly. While dark clouds moved around during the rest of the bike ride no rain fell where I rode. Weather during the bike ride: start 85 (72% humidity, 75.0 dew point), overcast, wind W 9 mph. Finish 87 (66% humidity, 74.1 dew point), mostly cloudy, wind W 12 mph gusts 22 mph. Humidity jumped up today as the wind pulled moisture from the gulf. The strong wind came into play as I rode west on Gene Campbell Blvd as a headwind causing my hard earned 14.0 mph average speed to drop a few tenths of a mph. Once I made it to FM 1314 the direction put the wind at my right rear quarter allowing me to improve to 14.2 mph average.
Up to the time I turned onto FM 1314 I didn’t know if I could get to Pat’s Donuts before the 1 PM close but thanks to the help from the wind as I biked SE on FM 1314 I got to the drive through window at 12:58 PM. Watch the video to see what happened.
I took a break at Pat’s to eat and rest. while I ate a few big rain drops hit the concrete and I thought I might be at Pat’s for awhile but the few drops was all that came down.
Back on the Canyon Endurace bike the wind helped get to Old Sorters Road. Biking through Briar Tree exposed me to the wind again until I rode into Oakhurst where the homes and trees interrupted the wind some. A short leg going west on Northpark Drive to Kingwood Place was the last major exposure to the wind. Biking through Kings Manor and into Kingwood didn’t take long. I finished the ride at 2:08 PM. Now the rain could fall but it didn’t.
