Texas Bicycling News Digest May 10th 2018

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Video: Permian Basin Bicycle Association and Permian Basin MPO working on bicycle corridor study

By Jolina Okazaki | www.ktre.com


MIDLAND-ODESSA, TX (KWES) – The Permian Basin Bicycle Association is working with the Permian Basin Metropolitan Planning Organization to get a bicycle corridor put up in between Midland and Odessa.

They hope to encourage safety for both drivers and cyclists but there’s another reason why they believe they need.

Camron Stotts and Mike Mestas were part of the …

Bike Rides & Hikes Meetup

San Antonio, TX
1,685 Bikers & Hikers

This groups activities are: mountain bike rides, road bike rides, and hikes.The bicycling and hikes will be in several parks around San Antonio and sometimes out of town.  We…

Check out this Meetup Group →

Tour du Rouge in Morgan City

zachary fitzgerald | www.stmarynow.com


Rick Rohan of Houston, left, and Paul Landry of New Iberia finish the fourth day of the Tour du Rouge, a 537-mile bicycle ride from Houston to New Orleans. About 50 cyclists made a stop Wednesday at Clarion Inn in Morgan City. The …

8:00am – Lambent Wheels Rolling to Buda – 32 Miles @ 14ish MPH

Saturday, May 12, 2018, 8:00 AM

Bicycle Sport Shop
517 S Lamar Blvd Austin, TX

1 Austin Cyclists Went

• What we’ll do This is the standard South Austin route to Buda and then returning. This ride is no-drop and the pace will average 14ish mph so be sure you can maintain that ride pace. No drop means that we regroup periodically and will stop as a group for minor mechanical problems such as flats or thrown chains; major problems will require AAA or …

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Bush park cycling NLB

Saturday, May 12, 2018, 8:30 PM

George Bush Park (Highland Knolls)
Highland Knolls Dr and South Fry Rd Houston, TX

3 Members Went

Check out this Meetup →

Trails to explore on foot or by bike

Houston Chronicle | www.chron.com


Keith-Weiss Park
2-mile walking and biking trail. 12300 Aldine-Westfield. 6 a.m.-11 p.m. daily.

Halls Bayou Hike and Bike Trail
2.3-linear paved trail withs four exercise stations and a picnic area. Little York at Halls Bayou. Dawn-dusk.

George Mitchell Nature Preserve

Flintridge Drive trailhead has 3 miles of single-tract, natural surface bike trails with a wider 2-mile trail loop. 5171 Flintridge Drive, The Woodlands.

100-Acre Wood Preserve

Nearly 2 miles of mountain bike trails through rolling, forested terrain, connecting to 9-mile Cypress Creek Mountain Bike trail system. 10602 Normont, 281-353-8100. NW …

Registration open for 2018 Tour De Gap

By: Joshua Engard | www.bigcountryhomepage.com


ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Cyclists wishing to register for the 36th annual Tour De Gap bike ride can do so starting Thursday, May 10, according to an Abilene Big Brothers Big Sisters press release.

The 36th annual ride will take place on July 28-29, at the Old Settler’s Reunion Grounds in Buffalo Gap, Texas, according to the release. …

Ride of Silence (Far North Austin location)

RedFalcon | bicycleaustin.info

When: Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 6:45; Ride starts at 7:00 PM

Where: On all 7 continents, but locally, for the second year now, there will be a ride in North Austin starting from 14721 Bratton Lane in Wells Branch. (There has always been a ride starting from Pfluger Bridge, but as of 5/10 I don’t see it listed on the RoS website. If anyone knows who is sponsoring that ride please ask that person to get it …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Two Flats and a Blind Eye Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

A number of years ago someone on Strava.com named the segment on FM 1960 over Lake Houston “the bridge of doom”. Today I experienced the “doom” riding over something sharp resulting in a flat rear tire. I was biking the “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route and setting a nice pace intending to finish around 2 pm after starting at 11:21 am. The weather during the ride: start 85 (61% humidity), a few clouds, wind S 14 mph, gusts 21 mph. Finish 87 (56% humidity), partly cloudy, wind S 12 mph. Enjoying the beautiful sunshine and feeling good wearing shorts and a short sleeve jersey with sunscreen.

The sunscreen was good for the sun but did nothing for the flat tire. The flat happened at the 17.7 mile point. The road is very noisy with passing traffic so my first decision: walk back to Atascocita Shores Drive and fix the flat there or walk east to Cedar Landing Restaurant and fix it there. Going back was 7/10 of a mile while going to Cedar Landing was about a mile. I chose Cedar landing and walked. It took about 28 minutes to walk from the scene of the flat to Cedar Landing.

When I flatted
After the first flat fix

This is a photo of the Canyon after arriving at Cedar Landing but before I took the rear wheel off to fix the flat. The tire looks okay in the grass but it is flat on the bottom.

Usually it takes some searching to find the cause of the flat but thanks to the white powder inside the tube blowing out I found the hole quickly. I checked the tire for anything sticking inside and didn’t find anything. I patched the tube without using my “marker” screw because the cut was about 3/16″ long and easy to see even through the glue. Tube patched, aired up to check my work and back inside the tire. I should have looked closer at the tire but more on that later.

Back on the Canyon I continued following the route around to Huffman where I stopped to refill my water bottle before heading out for the remaining 11+ miles.

All went well until the 30.7 mile point when the rear tire went flat again just south of Town Center Park. Sitting in the shade under a tree by Chase Bank I fixed the hole which looked strange like maybe a spoke caused the puncture. I looked at the rim strip and couldn’t find anything. One lady exiting the drive thru ATM asked if I needed any help but I told her I had a patch kit and was okay saying thank you. I can’t remember how long ago I had two flats on the same ride. I can remember a ride at Coldspring, TX where that happened but that is it.

Town Center Flat stop
Town Center flat fixed

Tire patched and pumped up I got back on the Canyon for the 3+ miles to the finish. No more problems and finished after 3 pm. Wanting to air up the tire for the next ride I attached the pump and as I almost got to 95 psi the tube popped again. This time I figured I would need to replace the tube. Removing the tube the hole was like the second flat. This time I inspected the tire and found a slit which the tube pushed through when I aired it up and then burst. I got a new tire and what I thought was a tube that would work but the valve stem was too short. Now I need to go to Bike Werks to get the right tube.

What a day with flats. I could have prevented the last two if I put a “boot” inside the tire at the first flat but I didn’t see the slit.

More great weather on tap for Friday. I plan on riding but will skip the flats, I hope.

SportTracks Bike Ride Summary

Bike Ride Summary

Texas Bicycling News Digest May 9th 2018

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Bustling downtown Houston street will transform into a walkable, bike-friendly corridor

By Steven Devadanam | houston.culturemap.com


One of downtown’s main gateways will soon undergo a major facelift. New plans call for a redeveloped Bagby Street, which is known as the “spine” of western downtown, as it connects the Theater District and key civic institutions such as City Hall, Central Library, and the Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park. …

Specialized recalls about 1,800 bikes with Stout cranks

by BRAIN Staff | www.bicycleretailer.com


WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — Specialized is recalling some Fuse Comp and Fatboy SE bicycles with Stout cranks because the driveside crankarm can disengage and cause the rider to lose control, posing fall and injury hazards. …

Ride of Silence – Texas Locations

www.rideofsilence.org

ABILENE
Contact: Mark Spurlock <–Send email
Distance: 6.5 miles
Notes: Steamboat Cycling Club of Abilene will once again sponsor the annual Ride of Silence on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 7 PM beginning and ending at the parking lot of Radford Auditorium on the campus of McMurry University. This will be the 3rd year that the annual Ride of Silence has taken place in Abilene.

Amarillo

Contact: Garry Rich <–Send email
Distance: 8 miles
Notes: Time: Meet @ 6:45PM – Ride Starts @ 7:00 PM and departs from the NW corner of Plains blvd and KansasNW corner of Plains Blvd and Kansas
Location: Margaret Wills Elementary, 3500 SW 11th – parking on E. side of campus

Details: Free but donations will be accepted. Helmets are required.

and many more

Video: Cyclists gather for Ride of Silence

By: Adam Singleton | www.bigcountryhomepage.com

News Release from The Texas Department of Transportation:
2018 Ride of Silence Press Release

Sponsor: Steamboat Cycling Club – local bicycle club in Abilene, Texas
Event Contact: Mark Spurlock – 325-338-8507 bikeabilene@yahoo.com
Shane Williford – 325-280-1634 steamboatcyclingabilene@gmail.com

Supporters: Abilene Metropolitan Planning Organization
Abilene Police Department
McMurry University
Bike Town
Abilene Bicycle Club
TxDOT
D.R.I.V.E Safe Coalition

Who: …

Bike lanes being designed will connect three Tyler colleges

By Erin Mansfield | tylerpaper.com


Bike lanes coming to Tyler streets in the next two years will connect the campuses of UT Tyler, Tyler Junior College and Texas College.

City officials say the lanes will help students who are enrolled in two colleges at the same time travel between campuses quickly and safely.

The Tyler City Council approved spending $186,469 on engineering and design unanimously in a voice vote at its regular meeting on …

Greater Houston athletic activities listings: May 11-13

Terry St. John | www.chron.com

CYCLING

Ride to Work and to School on Friday, sponsored by the City of Sugar Land, begins at the South Meadow Pavilion at Sugar Land Memorial Park. The Bike to School ride will finish at Fort Settlement Middle School, and the Bike to Work ride will finish at Sugar Land City Hall. Contact Monique Johnson at MNJohnson@sugarlandtx.gov.

Prince Tribute/Lovesexy Anniversary Night Light Night Vibe on Friday night pays tribute to Prince Rogers Nelson and the 30th anniversary of the release of the album “Lovesexy,” the 10th studio album produced by Prince. Riders cruise the streets on Dutch bikes while listening to the music. A portion of the proceeds will benefit charities supported by Prince. LetsDoThisHouston and PrinceDayHou.com are the presenters. Visit PrinceDayHou.com.

Rolling Hills Challenge Bike Ride on Saturday morning begins at Colorado County Beason’s Park on the east bank of the Colorado River. The Columbus Lions Club event offers four routes of 24, 50, 62.5 and 100 miles. All participants receive a meal after the ride. Contact James Yearwood at 979-732-3750.

City promotes walk-bike plan at open house

By Ken Hedler | www.news-journal.com


Longview city officials and consultants used an open house Tuesday evening to promote plans to encourage bicycling and walking through development of sidewalks, trails and other improvements.

Consultant Adam Wood, a senior planner with TooleDesignGroup in Madison, Wisconsin, gave a short presentation during the Longview Metropolitan Planning Organization open house at Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center on the …

Ready to stampede: Belton Lions Club bicycle ride to benefit local charities

BY MELANY COX | www.tdtnews.com

The Belton Lions Club will present the seventh annual Stampede on the Chisholm Trail bike ride Saturday morning. Proceeds from the event will support local Lions charities.

The Belton Lions Club serves the Central Texas area through charitable and educational purposes, dedicated to providing aid and volunteer service to the elderly; to the disabled; to the underserved; to hospitalized children; to community service organizations and to other Lions. …

Video: Even without funding, city proposes changes for Manchaca Road

By: Chris Davis | www.kxan.com

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Continuous sidewalks and bike lanes the entire length of the road, more signaled crosswalks and traffic light improvements are all on the city of Austin’s list for improvements it wants to make to the Manchaca Road corridor.

Wednesday evening the city will unveil maps of the proposed changes at an open house at Joslin Elementary School from 5:30-8 p.m. You can look at the maps here if you can’t make it to the meeting.

The proposals are the result of months of …

Video: Should bike-share companies by charged by the city? Dallas will consider it

Kevin Reece | www.wfaa.com

Last year an estimated 18,000 to 20,000 bikes were scattered throughout the city. But next week the transportation department will recommend those companies not get to do this for free anymore.

If on downtown Dallas street corners you think there might be less rental bikes than there used to be, you may be right.

“There seems to a whole lot less and they seem to more closely matching demand,” said Jared White with the City of Dallas Department of Transportation.

And regulations soon to be recommended to the Dallas City Council might make that a permanent trend. …

Gear up for these upcoming bicycling events

fortworthtexas.gov

National Bike Month is a success because of the countless, diverse local events organized by dedicated bicyclists in their communities, organizations and workplaces.

Fort Worth leads the pack in organizing fun and innovative programs during National Bike Month and year-round.

Rolling Town Halls
Grab your bike and bring your ideas for a better Fort Worth as Mayor Betsy Price begins a fresh season of Rolling Town Halls. …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

https://twitter.com/bicyclesplus/status/994263740077039617

https://twitter.com/AndarooWillis/status/994235886794489858

https://twitter.com/zesty_texas/status/994187408177618944

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Wind Cups and Giro Delay Bike Ride Start

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I set out on the “New Caney – Roman Forest – Valley Ranch” route at 12:07 pm after a delay adjusting the wind cups on my home weather station. That was okay because the weather was fantastic again with lots of sun and a mild breeze at the start. I wanted to bike at least 40 miles to bump May’s total to 300 miles. I rode 41.59 miles accomplishing that goal with 300.9 miles for May. So far I bicycled every day in May except for the 1st. This week’s total miles is 128.77 after three days. I think I can get to 200+ miles for the week. Watching stage 5 of the Giro also contributed to the late start.

Speaking of the weather this is during the bike ride: start 87 (52% humidity), a few clouds, wind S 8 mph. Finish 89 (43% humidity), partly cloudy, wind SW 7 mph, 17 mph gusts. I didn’t realize until I looked after finishing that wind gusts were 17 mph. That explains the extra effort required out in the open biking south.

One of the times I do this route I need to include the full Roman Forest Loop to the very east end of Roman Forest. The last time I did it I think there was a dog sprint involved. The streets are rough because it is not in the city limits.

On the way out of Roman Forest I stopped at the Shell station to fill my water bottle and I this photo which is kind of a selfie with reflection in the window.

Bike Ride Roman Forest Shell station

I was there just long enough to get the ice and water and take the photo. Next turn would be at I-69/US59 onto the southbound service road. I thought the wind would tough there and it was but there were times when it let up and I increased my speed. Valley Ranch Parkway changed my direction some and the wind wasn’t so bad until the bend back to the SW. A quick stop at the Stripes station for more water and I was back on the bike.

School traffic was going to be a problem if I was not quick through Briar Tree but I got by before the school buses arrived. Not the case at Kings Manor but I made it through the school zone without stopping. Cars were parked on the street but no movement.

Biking through Kingwood the stopping and starting drug my average speed down from 14.7 mph to the 14.3 mph at the 3:15 pm finish.

After the bike ride I needed to adjust the weather station wind cups some more.I tightened a screw too tight when I was working on it yesterday but I didn’t loosen it enough before the bike ride today so I loosened more. The wind cups now spin easily.

More great riding weather on Thursday.

SportTracks Bike Ride Summary

Bike Ride Summary