Texas Bicycling News Digest June 7th 2019

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Man charged in hit-and-run death of bicyclist on North Freeway ramp

By Natalie Weber | www.chron.com

A 61-year-old man has been arrested in the hit-and-run death of a bicyclist Thursday morning on an Interstate 45 exit ramp.

Eduardo Lopez of Houston faces a felony charge of failure to stop and render aid involving death .

Recommended Video The bicyclist, who has not been identified, was on the northbound North Freeway exit ramp for Rankin Road about 5:25 a.m. when he was hit by a vehicle that fled, the …

TxDOT: Demolition of Bell St. Bridge Starts Monday

By Yantis Green | sanangelolive.com

SAN ANGELO, TX — Demolition of two sections of the Bell St. bridge over US 67 in San Angelo will begin on Monday.

According to information from the Texas Department of Transportation, Reece Albert, Inc; will begin demolition of the two sections on the east side of the bridge that were damaged by an oversized load on Sunday May 12. …

… TxDOT says both lanes of US 67 under the bridge will reopen to traffic after the demolition. Bell St. over US 67 will also be opened to one lane traffic in each direction. Pedestrian and bicycle traffic will also be allowed. …

Cyclists to ride 150 miles from Midland to fight cancer

Ashley Schaferashley | www.lmtonline.com

On Saturday, a handful of bikers will take off from Midland on a 150-mile ride to Traverse City.

The 2019 Split the Mitt challenge is hosted by Less Cancer, a New Hampshire-based campaign under the non-profit Next Generation Choices Foundation. As a campaign, Less Cancer works to "keep prevention in the forefront of the cancer conversation."

Bill Couzens, founder of Less Cancer, said, "Our model is so different because we’re all about prevention — that’s what makes us unique." …

UT Austin students make stop in Gainesville on way up to Alaska

www.gainesvilleregister.com

Every year, students from the University of Austin embark on a 70-day biking trek from Austin to Anchorage, Alaska, but this isn’t just any group of students.

These are people that have committed nearly two years preparing for the ride and they joined a group named Texas4000, which not only rides in support and awareness of cancer, but raises money along the way.

The ride is the longest annual charity bike ride in the world and Wednesday, a group of riders stopped in …

VCC: Darn Near a Recovery Ride (3K Miles in 2019!)

Rick Rostkowski | www.strava.com

Farm Loop

Casey Gudgell | www.strava.com

Biking Brownwood: Touring a Sportsman’s Paradise on Two Wheels

By Spring Sault | texashillcountry.com

Featured in a variety of online formats as a “sportsman’s paradise,” Brownwood, in the Texas Hill Country, has the unique distinction of being located just north of the geographic center of the state! This charming city can truly say it’s “Deep in the heart of Texas,” which leads us to the next interesting point. Locals and visitors alike can easily get together to enjoy many fun and interesting activities in and around Brownwood, including those of the two-wheel variety. Bicycling or taking a …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

Tram Road With A Dose of Casey Ridge Apprehension Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

As I thought about which route to ride today I wanted a different one. At first I considered going north and riding east on FM 1485 to Casey Ridge and then into Roman Forest. FM 1485 doesn’t have wide shoulders in many places plus I wondered about loose dogs in Casey Ridge. Many years ago there was a dog sprint on a street as I entered Casey Ridge from the north but that is the only one I can remember. Recently I saw another cyclist on Strava.com ride through Roman Forest and north on Tram Road. I commented on the ride asking how the dogs were and he replied he didn’t see any. The reason I asked was the last time (6/28/16) two dogs chased me but fortunately there was a chainlink fence between us.

With those in mind I held off deciding until I was underway. Starting at 10:09 AM with the weather looking good for a long ride. The weather during the bike ride: start 84 (82% humidity), mostly cloudy, wind W 8 mph. Finish 93 (57% humidity), a few clouds, wind W 12 mph. My summer bike ride kit: shorts, a short sleeve jersey, and arm sleeves.

Riding north to Porter I went east on FM 1314 to Loop 494 to detour around the construction on I-68/US59 frontage road at Community Drive. At some point Loop 494 will be affected by the construction but not so far. I had not made my route decision yet and as I neared the fork I chose the “New Caney – Roman Forest – Splendora” route and continued biking north on Loop 494. Entering Tavola I followed the streets I usually ride when I circle into Roman Forest but keep riding east to Tram Road. Roman Forest Blvd. shrinks to two lanes and the road is deteriorated east of Tram Road which why I don’t ride there anymore. Tram Road has a nice smooth asphalt surface most of the way to FM 2090. Before beginning the Tram Road leg I took these photos.

  • Bike Ride Tram Road-1
  • Bike Ride Tram Road-2

Traffic on Tram Road in the past was very light. Sometimes I rode the 2 miles to FM 2090 and not be passed but today numerous cars and pickups passed in both directions. I am happy to report no dog sprints required though about two thirds of the way to FM 2090 two dogs on chains did bark a lot as I rode by. The chains appeared to be firmly attached to large doghouses. So I can add this route into my routine again.

In Splendora I stopped at the Chevron station for ice and water and to eat a Clif Bar for energy. Back on the Canyon I rode south with the wind mostly from my right side not causing me too much of a problem. When I got to Porter I pulled into the Circle K station and took a rest break checking email, drinking water and then adding more ice and water to my bottle before leaving to finish the ride.

Heading into Kingwood around the 42 mile point my average speed was 14.1 mph but would drop down as I made my way the residential streets and trails to finish the ride at 2:02 PM. Looking at rides several years ago I see that my average speed today is 1 mph slower, sometimes 2 mph slower. I am going to attribute that to being older, a different bike, and a different bike computer. Anything else I can blame?

With today’s 46.89 miles I am ahead of the pace I need to reach my 800 mile goal for June with 202.03 miles, 25% of the goal, and 169.3 miles for the week.

Saturday’s weather will be hotter and dry so I will be on the bike.

SportTracks Bike Ride Summary

SportTracks Bike Ride Summary

Strava Year Progressions YTD Bike Ride Miles

2018 refuses to let 2019 miles get ahead while all of the other years have given 2019 the passing sign.

Strava Year Progressions YTD Bike Ride Miles

Texas Bicycling News Digest June 6th 2019

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Cyclist fatally struck in hit-and-run on North Freeway exit ramp in Houston

By Julian Gill | www.chron.com

A bicyclist was killed Thursday morning while riding on a North Freeway exit ramp near Greens Road, according to Metro Video.

The cyclist, who was not identified, had been riding in the mainlanes of the highway when he went down the exit ramp. A driver struck him on ramp, throwing him off the bike, Metro Video reported.

The driver who …

Helmets offered as part of Blueberry Fest initiative

dailysentinel.com

Nacogdoches-area medical facilities want to provide bicycle helmets to nearly 200 Blueberry Festival goers as part of a program to encourage cyclist safety.

2019 will mark the second year of the Hard Hats for Little Heads initiative — a grant and donation funded project and partnership between the Texas Medical Association, Nacogdoches Medical Center network and the San Augustine County Medical Society. …

College students embark on a 4,000-mile journey to deliver hope across the country

By Britni R. McAshan | www.tmc.edu

Mere days into their roughly 70-day, 4,000-mile journey to Alaska, dozens of civically-minded University of Texas at Austin students participating in the Texas 4000 ride made a quick stop in Houston to present checks to Texas Children’s Hospital and the University of Texas MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Center Hospital to support cancer-related programs and research at each of the institutions.

Marlon Bailey, a 2019 Texas 4000 rider and …

HOTTER’N HELL HUNDRED ADDS NEW EVENT – THE CHUPACABRA 200!

DAVE DIAMOND | newstalk1290.com

There’s something new at the Hotter’N Hell Hundred this year and it’s unlike anything The Ride has done before. Not only are they adding a Gravel Grinder option on Saturday evening, but for the seriously hard-core riders there’s the Chupacabra 200! The Gravel Grinder itself is pretty straightforward, it’s a bicycle ride done almost exclusively on gravel roads. In this case everything will begin and end in …

Member Spotlight: Corey Kidd

bikehouston.org

Corey Kidd is one of our newest Ambassadors. Corey joined BikeHouston eight months ago and immediately stepped up to volunteer. Originally from Nacogdoches, he lives in Houston with his awesome wife Kimberly and their Australian Shepherd “Cookie”.

Where do you work / what do you do for a living?

Powell Industries – Lead Mechanical Designer

Real Estate Agent – Keller Williams Houston Preferred (Pearland)

What is the nature of your volunteer work with BikeHouston, and what is your favorite volunteer job? …

Build 50 Challenge Success: Meet Houston’s New Bike Lanes!

bikehouston.org

We’re extending our Build 50 Challenge to election day! That means, we’re upping the pressure on our Mayor and City Council to ensure the final 7 miles of bikeways get built to meet our 50 mile goal. Here’s a look at some of our newest bike lanes and streets to keep an eye on for improvements in the next 6 months. Want to help us keep the momentum going? Send us a picture of you on your bike using a recently improved bike lane or one that you want to see improved in the next 6 months. We’ll send a bunch over to the Mayor!

Newest Bike Lanes: Kelley Street …

12 Days Of Bike Commuting – Day 5/ Da’ Boss

bikehouston.org

Meet an aficionado and bike master supreme, Clark. This free-wheeler is BikeHouston’s executive director and the ultimate boy scout for all things bicycle. Clark has been riding bicycles for a long, long time and began riding as a 4-year old on his big brother’s bike in Nebraska. His love of cycling is no joke. He’d rather ride his bike than drive his car. He rides his bike in heat, cold and rain because he just loves it.

Clark does many things right when deciding to use his bicycle as his mobility choice. He …

Weekend Rides: Mt. Bonnell Scenic to MJs & Red Horn

Brad Weaver | steinerranchcycling.com

Saturday training rides leaving from Cups & Cones: • 7:30 am – Headed clockwise downtown to MJs via Bonnell and Scenic drive. https://www.strava.com/routes/10498583 o Track progress here: https://www.wahooligan.com/users/live/0SMVmji6alCkLzYxOg7mTw

• Endurance Pace Group leaves at 8:30 am for an out and back to the Arboretum…speed should average around …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Bike Ride on The New

Texbiker.net Posted on by

After the flat tire during Tuesday’s bike ride I decided to replace the well worn Continental GatorSkin tires with new ones. The new tires step up a level with Continental Gator Hardshell 700x28mm and to be safe I replaced the tubes too. Maybe these will go even farther.

So with new tires I headed out on today’s bike ride at 10:10 AM on the “Kingwood to Ramsey Road – Huffman” route. Adding a couple of streets to increase the mileage I ended up riding 39.03 miles. The week now stands at 122.41 miles and June is up to 155.45 miles, 19% of my 800 mile goal.

Today’s weather is much better than yesterday which had rain most of the day. Weather during the bike ride: start 82 (82% humidity), a few clouds, wind SW 5 mph. Finish 92 (54% humidity), a few clouds, wind W 7 mph. The sunshine felt great and light wind was enough to help with cooling. I wore shorts, short sleeve jersey, and arm sleeves.

When I got to Ramsey Road I turned left and found a shady spot to sit on the guardrail. While resting I ate a Clif bar to give me energy for the ride back to Kingwood. The serenity of the spot was interrupted a few times by passing cars and pickups. This road used to be lightly traveled but for some reason traffic has increase. I took these photos while resting.

  • Bike Ride Ramsey Road North
  • Bike Ride Ramsey Road west
  • Bike Ride Ramsey Road South

The blue sky and quiet was soothing as I sat there and I almost wanted to stay longer but I got back on the Canyon and headed west to FM 2100.

Arriving in Huffman I stopped at the Chevron station to refill my water bottle for the remaining 11+ miles. Biking west on FM 1960 the wind provided some resistance but I was able to improve my average speed to 14.0 mph by the time I made the right turn onto Atascocita Shores Drive. Winding through Atascocita back to W. lake Houston Parkway slowed me some but not enough to lower my average speed. I rode on W. Lake Houston Parkway north past HEB before turning to the west for the last two miles finishing the ride at 1:19 PM. Strava labeled this ride ” This was harder than your usual effort. ” And I agree. I accomplished what I set out to do, keep on track to reach my goal for June and 200+ miles for the week. I need 78 miles by Sunday which looks doable and the weather forecast is favorable too.

SportTracks Bike Ride Summary

SportTracks Bike Ride Summary

Strava Bike Ride Summary

Strava Bike Ride Summary

Strava Year Progressions YTD Bike Ride Miles

2019 trails 2018 by 15 miles and leads all other years.

Strava Year Progressions YTD Bike Ride Miles