Texas Bicycling News Digest September 27th 2019

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Featured First Responder: Dante Johnson

www.corsicanadailysun.com

This week’s Cotton Patch Featured First Responder is Navarro College Police Office Dante Johnson for representing the Texas Peace Officers Memorial Ride in last weekends Emmit Smith Grand Fond to support children in North Texas.

Member Spotlight: David Collins

bikehouston.org

BikeHouston Ambassador David Collins Doesn’t Wear Spandex Long-time Houstonian David Collins is passionate about changing cycling in Houston for the better. During his involvement with BikeHouston, he has been involved with: Light of the Phoenix Ride, Houston Bike Summit, Austin Street bike lane Advocacy, bike valet, and his current focus, the Bike-To-Vote Campaign. This is in addition to the advocacy he has done on his own.

Where are you originally from, if not here? I was born in Oklahoma, but my …

Trains Can’t Stop! Navigating Railroad Crossings

By Dr. Inge Ford, DMD, LCI | bikehouston.org

Most of us are attuned and responsive to the rules of the road when trying to get from point A to B. Or are we? Houston’s massive road geography isn’t readily designed for vulnerable slow-moving road users -people who walk or bike, or those whose name is “Patience.” When talking about transportation, education is imperative for public safety. Recently, the staff at BikeHouston “got schooled” by Kevin Barnett, Director Safety Process & System Support with …

Real People Who Ride – The Night Rider!

bikehouston.org

Ahhh, the night rollers! It is so much fun to ride your bicycle in the evening when traffic is slowing and the cacophony of engines and horns is lowered. Exploring a neighborhood or finding a lookout point atop a bridge to admire the spectacular downtown Houston skyline is an opportunity to connect with our city. BikeHouston meet Inge Ford! Inge loves this time of day and chooses her bicycle to travel to the …

BikeHouston Seeks A New Advocacy Director

bikehouston.org

We are sad to announce that our Advocacy Director, Jessica Wiggins, will be leaving BikeHouston. Jessica has been involved with BikeHouston since 2015, first as a summer intern, and has dedicated herself to making Houston a better place to live.

Jessica created and organized the Build 50-Challenge coordinating with the City Planning Department, the Bicycle Advisory Committee, the Mayor’s Office, City Council, Complete Communities, Houston Parks Board, and …

Houston’s “Stop TxDOT Flood”

By Clark Martinson | bikehouston.org

Houston’s floods have memorable names; Since 2000 I’ve seen “Tropical Storm Allison”, the “Tax Day Flood”, the “Memorial Day Flood”, and “Hurricane Harvey”. Tropical Storm Imelda hit Houston with fury on September 19, 2019. I want to call her the “Stop TxDOT Flood”.

Our Stop I 45 protest chanted “TxDOT TxNOT” until the Marriott Marquis Hotel manager and HPD sergeant had us stop chanting – but we could still hold our “Stop TxDOT” signs and remain dry under the hotel awnings near the valet drive-through. We stayed until the luncheon started and the rain got ridiculous. …

The Build 50 Challenge – 18 Months Later

bikehouston.org

“BikeHouston makes Houston’s future better by advocating for high comfort bikeways and safer streets.”

– BikeHouston Board Summer 2019

The Build 50-Challenge opened 42 miles of new high comfort bikeways. It took six months to organize and 12 to build. The Challenge is not over. BikeHouston is still pushing the City to construct the Austin Street two-way bikeway and the neighborhood bikeways connecting Buffalo Bayou to Hermann Park. Austin Street will connect the Northside separated bikeways built along Kelly, Elysian, Hardy, and McKee to the Lamar cycle-track, and Midtown and Third Ward bikeways.

Although the Build 50 Challenge is almost over, BikeHouston’s advocacy work isn’t. …

EAST AUSTIN Smart Trips Austin hosts

www.yourglenrosetx.com

Eastside farm bike tour

Smart Trips Austin will host a free bike tour to Boggy Creek and Urban Roots farms beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday at Createscape Coworking, Suite 12, 701 Tillery St.

The event will begin with a tour of Createscape Coworking, then feature rides to Boggy Creek and Urban Roots Farms for tours and conclude with a ride back to Createscape Coworking. Attendees are encouraged to wear closed-toe shoes and bring a water bottle, helmet and sunscreen.

Those who do not have bikes can borrow one from Ghisallo Cycling Initiative. …

Free downtown bike tours Fridays in October

by Karl Richter | www.texarkanagazette.com

TEXARKANA, Texas — The Texarkana Arts and Historic District will host free bike tours of downtown every Friday in October to showcase the District and encourage residents to engage in active modes of transportation.

The guided bike tours will begin and end at the Museum of Regional History and take place from 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m, according to a news release. Those interested in attending can rent a bike from Texarkana’s UPcycle Bike Rental Program for …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

GoPro Falls, Rain Falls, Kingwood Streets Is All Bike Ride

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I forgot to check the weather before starting today’s bike ride. My plan was to bike to Roman Forest but instead I only biked 1.89 miles before I turned around. It is good that I turned then because as I opened the gate at home to get out of the rain it started raining harder.

So much for biking 40 miles and getting closer to my goal. Now I don’t know if I can ride enough to reach it. I am 118 miles short as of the rain out. I should’ve went inside and rode my Blue Norcross AL bike using Zwift but I didn’t think of it.

A short video from the bike ride.

Most of the time I check the weather when the sun goes away and clouds move in but today I was focused on biking and didn’t check it.

Before the ride I replaced the GoPro mount that fell off the bike yesterday during the ride. A tiny piece broke and I was afraid the camera might come loose during the ride. I got another mount and used a Command strip to fix it on the handle bar stem. The base of the mount curved and the strip didn’t make good contact. As I came back near home and entered the driveway the camera came loose and hit the pavement. I replaced the strip with another adhesive patch and it held firmer.

Back on the Canyon I went out the driveway and turned left when I felt the first rain drops. Not too long after that as I rode on the trail it rained more and I made the decision to turn around. A lady walking her dog took shelter in the tunnel under Northpark Drive as I passed her and hurried home.

I sat in the garage waiting for the rain to stop but it only came down harder. Maybe Saturday’s weather will cooperate.

NiteRider Sentinel 250 Tail Light

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My Cateye tail light refused to work so I bought the NiteRider Sentinel 250. I Think the Cateye was a victim of rain or my bike washing. The Sentinel 250 arrived yesterday and today’s bike ride was supposed to be the one to try it out. But it rained on my ride and I turned around not far from home.

The video narrative explains my first impressions.

The package has a graphic showing the light doesn’t go underwater but I hope it is okay with tire spray when I get caught in the rain. It cost more than the Cateye but is more powerful and USB micro rechargeable.

After all of this in my rush to get riding today I forgot to turn it on. That’s okay because the ride only lasted 1.89 miles when it started raining and I turned around and went back home.

Texas Bicycling News Digest September 26th 2019

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City of Georgetown seeks feedback on bicycle master plan draft

By Ali Linan | communityimpact.com

An initial draft of a Bicycle Master Plan for Georgetown was presented to Georgetown City Council during a workshop session Sept. 24.

The plan presents a blueprint for future transportation projects or educational efforts to support a safe and well-connected bicycle network in Georgetown, according to a news release.

The proposed system includes several types of bicycle facilities, such as bike lanes on streets, buffered bike lanes, off-street paths and …

Nacogdoches Medical Center hosting "Hard Hats for Little Heads" program, 10 a.m.-noon, Oct. 5 on downtown square

J. RAEGAN BEST | www.lightandchampion.com

The statistics are sobering. Bicycle related injuries and deaths are dramatically rising.

According to the National Safety Council, the number of deaths from bicycle accidents increased 29%, between 2010 and 2017. There were 1,024 bicyclist deaths in 2017. Of these, 679 people died in accidents involving a motor vehicle, while 345 people were killed in other …

Injured veterans cycle through El Paso streets

by Adriana Candelaria | kfoxtv.com

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — A group of veterans will cycle from northeast to central El Paso Thursday as part of the Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride.

More than 40 veterans are visiting El Paso for the multi-day bicycling program that helps veterans with staying in shape while helping …

Wounded Warriors Project brings veterans from around the country to El Paso

By: Nick Patrick | www.kvia.com

EL PASO, Texas – The Wounded Warriors Project has brought together over 40 veterans from around the country to El Paso to participate in a soldier ride this week.

"You know I’m a disabled veteran 100 percent PTSD so to be able to get out be with my fellow comrades is and do something like this is a great stress reliever," says Steven Wright, an …

A park with a view | Bringle Lake

www.texarkanagazette.com

Bringle Lake in Texarkana, Texas, is divided into three areas, eac with distinctive features. …

… Bringle Lake Wilderness Area — A part of Bringle Lake Park, The area comprises 124 acres set aside as a nature area. The Bringle Lake Wilderness Bike/Walk Trail runs from Bringle Lake East to the spillway. Mountain bike trails also begin at Bringle Lake East and run adjacent to the Wilderness Trail. No motorized vehicles are allowed.

Cotton Patch Challenge

netexastrail.org

Texas Legends will be participating in the Cotton Patch Challenge bicycling event in Greenville, TX on September 15th.

The Rotary Club of Greenville and the Carevide of Greenville & Hunt County will host the CPC, which benefits the Community Health Center.

Join us for a fun-packed weekend with lots of bicycle events, live entertainment, food and fun for the entire family. …

Video: MSU Texas cycling team hosting race at Wee Chi Tah trail

By Mason Brighton | www.newschannel6now.com

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (TNN) – On the Wee Chi Tah trail, you can find a brand new rock garden and this weekend you can also find the MSU cycling team there.

It’s their first ever off-road event called Mustang Madness, and while its geared towards college racers, anyone can come out and ride.

“The events open to everyone, all you need is a one day license you can purchase for ten dollars and you can sign up and compete,” MSU Texas cycling team director Charlie Zamastil said. …

2019 Texas NAACP BikeTexas eBike Ride

www.biketexas.org

2019 Texas NAACP State Conference eBike Ride Saturday, October 5, 6:30 am

On Saturday, Oct. 5, the NAACP will hold the “Bike Texas” bike ride starting at 7 a.m. in the Red Lion Hotel parking lot. E-bikes, helmets and snacks will be provided.

30th Annual Autumn in Bonham Bike Rally coming up Saturday

www.ntxe-news.com

Bonham, Texas — Bicyclists from across the region will converge on Fannin County this Saturday for the 30th Annual Autumn in Bonham Bike Rally.

Motorists throughout the county are urged to be aware of the large number of bicyclists participating in the event. …

El Camino race – back with a bang

Lisa Tang | www.palestineherald.com

More than 300 cyclists will compete in El Camino 105, the Texas Gravel Adventure, Saturday, starting in Old Town Palestine and racing all over Anderson County. The race has grown from a leisurely bicycle ride to a competitive 105-mile race that will draw 350 professional and amateur cyclists from across Texas and the United States.

Competing for …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar