Texas Bicycling News Digest February 11th 2019

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Walk, Run, or Bike in the Hill Country at the 2019 Tour de Castroville

By Spring Sault | texashillcountry.com

As the Tour de France is to… well, France, so too is the Tour de Castroville to a beautiful Texas Hill Country town known as the Little Alsace of Texas. With its eighth annual running, this unique walk/run/ride is anticipating a huge crowd as it makes it way through historic Castroville, Texas. Taking a scenic loop into the neighboring town of LaCoste, as well as Western Bexar County, this event features some of the more …

Longtime friend remembers doctor killed while riding bike

by David Norris | news4sanantonio.com

They showed up to pay their respects.

Dozens of friends and family who knew Dr. Naji Kayruz enough to take time out of their day and pay respects at his memorial service Sunday afternoon.

You may not have met the man who died last Monday when a suspected drunk driver slammed into the bicycle he was riding..

But listen to the stories from the people who have. …

Upcoming Rides

Chasing Watts | chasingwatts.com

Sugar Cycles Shop Ride Saturday, February 16, 2019 @ 7:30 AM

Society Saturday 45 miler Saturday, February 16, 2019 @ 7:30 AM

Pearland Cycling Club – Road Group Ride Saturday, February 16, 2019 @ 8:00 AM

Bike Barn West University Sunday Ride Sunday, February 17, 2019 @ 7:30 AM

Sunday Blendin Sunday, February 17, 2019 @ 7:30 AM

Woman accused of fatally striking cyclist near the Dominion out on bond

By Jacob Beltran | www.mysanantonio.com

A woman accused last week of driving drunk and rear-ending a cyclist near the Dominion was released on bond Friday.

Melissa Peoples posted bonds totaling $50,000 for charges of intoxication manslaughter and failure to stop and render aid resulting in death, according to court records. …

Sun City CRIT -El Paso VOLUNTEER SIGNUP

BikeReg.com

Fri Mar 29 – Sat Mar 30, 2019 El Paso, TX E. Main & N. Mesa Streets, El Paso, TX 79901

Space City Cycling Ride- where I had a fall, so cut the ride short

Rosa Guerrero | www.strava.com

Made it safely all the way from riding in another continent, just to fall in my own regular route. Thankfully is not too bad. New bar tape was only good for less than 20 miles

Upcoming Events

The Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club | hcbtac.org

9:00 & 10:20 A.M., Mainland Trail-head ride February 14, 2019 Mainland & Bandera, San Antonio, TX 78240, USA For our early bird riders Tuesday & Thursday morning rides start at 9 A.M. (30 miles). Riders who prefer to sleep in or want to avoid rush-hour traffic can join us at 10:20 A.M. for the shorter 15 mile route. This ride takes you along the scenic Leon Creek trail. It is a safe trail…

Garner State Park Outing February 14, 2019 – February 18, 2019 Ride starts at 9:30 AM on February 16th at the entrance to the park. If you are planning to camp out in the park for the weekend you can find the link to make reservations online at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/garner/map or call (512) 389-8900.

10 a.m., Mainland Trail-head ride February 15, 2019 Main-Land Trail Head, 8238 Mainland Dr, San Antonio, TX 78240, USA Jorge will lead this ride starting at 10 A.M. (30 miles) from the Mainland Trail-head. If your not up for the 30 miles there is always a shorter option. This ride takes you along the scenic Leon Creek trail. It is a safe trail for beginners & intermediate riders without the worries of automobile traffic.…

Stolen Bike by Zilker Park / Toomey Rd. Coldwater apartment complex from BikingATX

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

https://twitter.com/texas_by_bike/status/1095071847845187585

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Almost Made It Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

After the early morning rain ended around 9:30 AM I waited for the streets to drive off some before beginning the bike ride today. According to the weather forecast rain probability increased to round 80% around 3PM. I chose the “New Caney – Tavola – Valley Ranch” route avoiding the extra side streets to keep the miles around 32 and get back home by 3 PM.

I got dressed and started the ride at 12:12 PM. By then the streets dried off except for the part by the curb. The sun even made a few appearances giving me confidence in my plan.

Riding north the wind helped get me to Tavola and once I rode through to Roman Forest Blvd. I thought I made good time and positioned to get back home by 3 PM. The SW 12 mph wind slowed my progress down on the ride south on the I-69/US59 service road until I made the right turn onto Valley Ranch Parkway. The wind got in the way once I reached the Grand Parkway. I then noticed the sky darkening to my right ahead but thought my dark sunglasses made it seem darker than it really was.

Fighting the wind to FM 1314 and then on to Briar Tree I began to be concerned about those dark clouds ahead. I even dipped my glasses down a little to check them out. Yep! the dark clouds were real. I rode into Oakhurst and decided to take a shorter route on Belvon Valley Drive when the light rain began. I sped up thinking the rain was isolated to a small patch but it increased. I thought of the closest place for shelter and decided to stop at the Oakhurst Pool and Community Center building on Rock Creek Drive. Trying to stay somewhat dry I moved to the trail beside Rock Creek Drive under the trees. This help a little as I raced to the shelter getting wetter as I rode.

I arrived at the shelter a few minutes before 2 PM. The rain came sooner than expected. I checked the weather radar on my phone and it showed rain covering a wide area so I called for a ride home. My wife saind she would come and get me. As I waited the rain continued and I got chilly from the wet clothes and breeze blowing. I took these photos while I waited.

So the ride ended at the Oakhurst pool. My wife arrived around 2:30 and I put the Canyon in the back of the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Before the ride I installed the Cateye Rapid 3 (model: TL-LD630-R) flashing tail light on the Canyon bike. I received the light for Christmas but kept forgetting to install it. The installation was easy and light is bright.

With today’s ride the Canyon Endurace CF SLX now has 7,614 miles on it. I bought it February 2018 and started riding it February 27th, 2018.

Later this evening another cool front should pass through drying the weather out while cooling down to the low 60’s. I don’t know if biking will happen or not.

SportTracks Bike Ride Summary

SportTracks Bike Ride Summary

Strava Year Progressions Graph

Strava Year Progressions Graph

Texas Bicycling News Digest February 10th 2019

Texbiker.net Posted on by
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhSHanYkCEc

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Basketball Deadline Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

The weather finally changed to warm enough for me to ride. I had a short time window starting after church until 3 PM when the University of Cincinnati Bearcats play the University of Houston Cougars basketball. I started biking at 12:31 PM and finished at 2:27 PM leaving enough time to get out of my biking clothes and in front of the TV. (The UC Bearcats lost)

I chose the “Atascocita – Walden” route and rode 24.17 miles making it 134.42 miles for the week, the most miles in a week so far this year. For the month I am at 170.8 miles, just shy of 50% of my goal for the month.

Weather during the bike ride: start 64 (74% humidity), overcast, wind SE 14 mph. Finish 68 (78% humidity), overcast, wind SE 10 mph. I decided to dress warm with shorts, leg warmers, long sleeve thermal jersey, short sleeve jersey over that topped with a windbreaker jacket. To keep my fingers warm I wore full finger gloves. By the end of the ride the temperature was high enough that I was over dressed but that’s okay.

On the ride to Walden I spotted signs from yesterday’s Humble Lions Bike Ride and after completing the loop through Walden I saw more on Pine Cluster Lane and later at FM1960 and Atascocita Shores Drive. I was a wimp and didn’t ride that one but I stopped and took these photos of the signs today.

These particular signs have been used for numerous route variations with the mileage blocked out or over written.

Monday’s weather forecast shows higher temperatures but with some rain possible in the late afternoon. I plan on biking before the rain.

SportTracks Bike Ride Summary

SportTracks Bike Ride Summary

Strava Year Progressions Graph

I am still lagging behind 2017 but ahead of the other years.

Strava Year Progressions Graph