Texas Bicycling News Digest April 6th 2018

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Park Tool announces winners of Community Tool Grants

by BRAIN Staff | www.bicycleretailer.com

ST. PAUL, Minn. (BRAIN) — Park Tool has announced the winners of the company’s third annual Community Tool Grants program. Park awarded 10 nonprofits with bicycle tools and repair stands to help them continue to make a difference in their community. This year, more than 100 nonprofits applied for the grants from all corners of the world. Each of the grant recipients will receive more than $1,400 in Park Tool products including a PK-3 Professional Mechanic Tool Kit, two PCS-10 Portable Repair Stands and a copy of “BBB-3 Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair.” …

… Freewheels Houston — Houston, Texas: Freewheels Houston is a volunteer organization that distributes donated used bicycles to refugees who have resettled in Houston, the leading city for welcoming refugees in the United States. Distributing 200 bikes in 2017 to people fleeing civil war and violence in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, Nepal, Eritrea and Democratic Republic of the Congo. https://freewheelshouston.org …

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhLD0kTh__2cVaYGeot7QomOFj_XyiTtNuYyWE0/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhJzIePF-Pk/

Border Bike Trip, Day 24: Church in a Small Town

By GRANT WISHARD | www.weeklystandard.com


I woke up Sunday morning and pedaled to the nearest church in Sanderson, Texas. I wasn’t hung over, but like Johnny Cash, I found my cleanest dirty shirt, washed my face, combed my hair, and stumbled down to meet the day.

I’d much rather have spent one of my few off-days in a famous border town like Laredo, but I wasn’t about to skip Easter services. In front of a beautiful stone Methodist church, I met the preacher man. He was just getting out of his red pickup truck and …

Updated Novice Bike Bicycle Rides in Dallas Area

by zeldalola | www.reddit.com

this is a work in progress but will give you and idea of what’s available on what day and where to look. It is by no means comprehensive. I just feel like it’s so difficult to search so many websites to look for a ride that suits my needs/ is when I want to ride. Here’s the file: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HstiuagIMqwKZLviOp_BUm436hpXaSak/view?usp=sharing

Also, here’s a list of area bicycle clubs- and you can see why it’s hard to search them all. LOL. Grateful for my cycling community.
http://www.bikedfw.org/dfw-bicycle-clubs.html

This weekend’s rides: Liberty Hill! Red Horn!

by Thomas | steinerranchcycling.com

Saturday’s weather is gearing up to be… exciting! I don’t have a route map, but the plan is Avery Ranch to CR175 to Ronald Reagan to CR258 to the Liberty Hill store. From there, down Bagdad to 2243/Hero’s Way so we use that crazy wind all down Lakeline. It should be about 65 miles. After the ride we meet up at Lakeside for some discounted burgers and beer!

Sunday is our …

Two Timing Texas Tour

By Richard Hoeg | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 3: De Leon to Goldthwaite: Heat, Headwinds and Hills!

Friday April 6, 2018, 51 miles (82 km) – Total so far: 111 miles (179 km)
86F with a 20 mph head wind all day. Uff dah! Apparently tomorrow will be a total reverse of today … cool and strong winds out of the north. The entire day’s ride was on Texas Hwy #16. It has great wide shoulders and the traffic was light. We were pleased to find a small store open in Priddy which allowed us to break our ride into 17 mile chunks. After …

The Limo Bikes to Bayous and Beaches

By Marilyn Swett | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Clute to Galveston Island, TX: We reached the beach!!

Friday April 6, 2018, 48 miles (77 km) – Total so far: 613 miles (987 km)
“Ocian in view! O! The joy!” – Captain William Clark, Lewis & Clark Expedition
We were up extra early today as we had a long ride ahead of us, and were rolling with all lights flashing by 7:30 am under grey, threatening skies. The forecast was for scattered showers and we hoped that they wouldn’t rain on our parade!

For about 6 miles, we rode due south into a headwind on Hwy 332 which was a busy 4-lane divided highway. With the wide shoulder, we were well out of the way of the vehicles.

This is a heavy industrialized area and we passed by …

Southern Tier on a Recumbent 2018

By Joseph Valenzi | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 35 – April 6 Friday – Silsbee TX to DeRidder LA: Got my mojo back and got our of Texas

Friday April 6, 2018, 72 miles (116 km) – Total so far: 1,947 miles (3,133 km)
What a great day today. I felt like I had my energy back. Maybe it was the better roads, maybe it was that they were flat, but whatever. I was flying today. I hit the lunch stop by 11:00 and was at the hotel before 2:00 and that was with a DQ stop!
Our first stop today was at a doughnut place. Always a good place for a first stop. Around here they all seem to …

Coast to Coast With Bubba

By Bobby Rone | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 35 – Silsbee, TX to DeRidder, LA: Finally out of Texas!

Friday April 6, 2018, 74 miles (119 km) – Total so far: 1,900 miles (3,058 km)
After 19 days in Texas, we crossed the Sabine River into Louisiana today at mile 48. Seems like we have been in Texas a month.
Last night we camped in tents in an RV park right next to US 96. It was also next to the train track. Between the trucks roaring down the highway all night and the trains blasting their whistles, I got very little sleep. I was ready to ride early today but I popped my rear tube when I …

Dragon Slayer 2018 Lap Practice May 19th at 8am from Russell Park

Desert Nomad | www.bikemojo.com

Check the Facebook event for details:

{https://www.facebook.com/events/214397759309589/](https://www.facebook.com/events/214397759309589/)

We could use the assistance of three sweep/support riders who know the loop well and can turn a 3:30:00 lap in the heat (you may be yoyo-ing off the back some). The ride pace will be 3:45:00-4:00:00 so fairly chill. …

Kilgore seeking alternatives for Phase 2 of trail

By Jimmy Daniell Isaac | www.news-journal.com


Kilgore city leaders and engineers are seeking a new avenue to continue construction of a pedestrian and cycling trail across a busy road.

With Phase 1 of the new trail in final construction and slated to open in June, City Manager Josh Selleck said staff must realign Phase 2 into a plan that fits within Kilgore’s budget.

“We’ve identified two potential alternatives, and they’re running the logistics and …

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Luce Bayou Interbasin Transfer Project Bike Ride

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I forgot to mention that during my last bike ride on Wednesday the Canyon Endurace CF SLX crossed 1000 miles and with today’s bike ride of 41.87 miles it now has 1,074 miles. The miles are adding up. Saturday’s weather forecast has some early morning rain and then the temperature will probably go down rather than up so biking doesn’t look too good. With that in mind I choose the “May Park Community Center – Huffman” route to get a few extra miles to keep me on track to reach my April goal of 600 miles. April is at 158.4 miles, 26% of my goal with today’s bike ride.

Today’s weather during the bike ride: start 79 (83% humidity), overcast, wind S 14 mph, gusts 21 mph. Finish 81 (humidity 79%), overcast, wind S 12 mph, gusts 23 mph. I felt a few sprinkles during the ride today and there were a couple of dark clouds roaming around the sky but I got home without getting soaked.

With the strong wind I took a break in Huffman at the Chevron station to prepare for the ride west. I thought the wind would be tough until I got to the west side of Lake Houston and it was, coming from the left side. Out over the water there isn’t much to slow it down but whenever traffic passed me going west I would get a short break.

Riding on Wolf Road to get to May Community Center I passed a work project. The sign says the City of Houston is working on the Luce Bayou Interbasin Transfer Project. This will move water from the Trinity River to Lake Houston. Leave it to the engineers to name the project.

The ride left at 11:46 am and finished at 3:00 pm. I had to wait to get across Kingwood Drive on the way back home because my timing was just as school let out. A couple of kind people let some cars cross and I went with them.

SportTracks Bike Ride Summary

Bike Ride Summary

Texas Bicycling News Digest April 5th 2018

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Bicyclist hit by car north of Sugar Land

By Samantha Ketterer | www.chron.com


A young man was hit by a car Wednesday night while crossing Highway 6 on his bicycle, Metro Video reported.

The man was riding on a crosswalk at Highway 6 and Bissonnet when he was hit, around 9:45 p.m., according to Metro Video.

He was flown to the hospital in serious condition. …

Schanen Hike and Bike Trail Saratoga Blvd to Killarmet Drive

www.texasbids.net

Prebid: 04/17/18 10:00 AM
Solicitation Title: Schanen Hike and Bike Trail Saratoga Blvd to Killarmet Drive
Owner Solic Number: E16258 Status: bidding Report: 8551610
Country : United States State: TX County: Nueces Location: Corpus Christi
Est. Low Value: $577,990 Est. High Value: $577,990
Scope: Construction of approx 1,950 LF of 10′ wide hike & bike trail along an existing drainage channel. The trail will consist of 6″ thick concrete pavement with 8″ wide header curb on one side. Included in the construction are: site grading, excavation/embankment, lime treated subgrade, timber pedestrian railing, concrete ADA curb ramps, signing and striping. See attached file. …

For epic mountain bike riding, head to Big Bend Ranch State Park

By Pam LeBlanc | www.mystatesman.com


If you’ve never experienced the bliss of launching yourself into a thorn-bedecked cactus, hopped over a tarantula on a bicycle or clattered over a hill of white glistening crystal, we have a suggestion: Do it. Now.

It may sound punishing — and yes, in fact, it’ll cost you some wear and tear on your hide — but the scratches and stab wounds will quickly fade, leaving behind the happy glow of desert-induced bliss. …

Border Bike Trip, Day 23: If You Can’t Find Life’s Silver Lining, Make One Up

By GRANT WISHARD | www.weeklystandard.com


After sleeping in a ditch on US 385, Devon and I biked 30 miles to Marathon, Texas. It was a short distance, and Devon was as cheery to get on the road as he had been the entire trip: “Dude, every day there’s a new pain that makes me forget about the old pain.” If Devon has taught me anything, it’s that if you can’t find life’s silver lining, make one up. …

Early Spring on the Southern Tier

By Peter Gillott, Julian McCarthy and Poppy Holmes | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 37 Shepherd to Silsbee Tx

Wednesday April 4, 2018
After last night’s storm it was seriously cool this morning, Julian opted for long fingered gloves and Peter wished he had as well for the first. The storm had got rid of the humidity that we have had since Austin, a cool fresh English summer morning.
The route has finally got flat, even …

Dockless bike-sharing issues surface at city forum

by Caleb Pritchard | www.austinmonitor.com


After more than a yearlong absence, dockless bike-sharing returned to downtown Austin on Wednesday, if only for a few hours.

Representatives from nine different firms that dabble in dockless technology brought their wares and their pitches to the new Central Library for a community forum hosted by the Austin Transportation Department.

The event served as the formal kickoff of the public engagement phase of the department’s …

Improvements coming soon to major Third Ward streets

By Elissa Rivas | abc13.com

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Third Ward is about to see a multi-million dollar investment in some of its major roadways.

Mayor Sylvester Turner and Commissioner Rodney Ellis recently announced a joint effort to repair the streets around Texas Southern University and the University of Houston. It’s money that’s coming from Precinct One, with the idea of improving the neighborhood for walkers, drivers, cyclists, and even those using mass transit. …

9:00am – Lambent Wheels Rolling to Buda – 32 Miles @ 14ish MPH

Saturday, Apr 7, 2018, 9:00 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 …

Check out this Meetup →

California to Florida – across the USA

By Julian McCarthy | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 38 – Silsbee TX to Merryville LA: after 22 days in Texas we finally hit Louisiana!

Thursday April 5, 2018, 87 km (54 miles) – Total so far: 2,421 km (1,504 miles)
I was expecting a cold night so bundled up in my sleeping bag only to wake up hot about midnight. Then cold a few hours later!. The road noise was constant and I heard one train (there were apparently more) but with earplugs in I was not disturbed. In fact I overslept!
Breakfast was from our bags (I had cereal and melon) in the excellent clubhouse – a full kitchen and living room of excellent quality. Red Cloud is great, if a little pricier than most, and oddly does not accept cards, but we strongly recommend it.

The whole day’s ride was somewhat …

Coast to Coast With Bubba

By Bobby Rone | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 33 – Richards, TX to Shepherd, TX: Into the flatlands

Wednesday April 4, 2018, 62 miles (100 km) – Total so far: 1,765 miles (2,840 km)
The first thing that happened today was that a cold front came through. There were some hard showers and thunder last night, and we woke up this morning to temperatures in the 40’s and the wind blowing out of the south. But the skies were clear and the ride relatively short, so it was a good day. The worst part was a 10-mile section of road with no shoulder and heavy truck traffic. What makes it so bad is that the speed limit on Texas highways is 70mph. Those type of …

Day 34 – Shepherd, TX to Silver, TX: Last night in Texas!!!!!

Thursday April 5, 2018, 61 miles (98 km) – Total so far: 1,826 miles (2,939 km)
Tomorrow we go into Louisiana, so this is our last night in Texas. Today’s ride was mostly flat on mostly low traffic roads. However, there were a few logging trucks blasting by and the occasional jerk driver who buzzed some riders. One dump truck hit the panniers on a self-contained cross-country rider (not part of our group) and damaged her bike. Bubba’s bike mechanic, Coach, brought her to camp and did repairs on her bike. This lady is on …

Early Spring on the Southern Tier

By Peter Gillott, Julian McCarthy and Poppy Holmes | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 38 Silsbee, Texas, to Merryville, Louisiana: Of dogs and doughnuts

Thursday April 5, 2018, 54 miles (87 km) – Total so far: 1,958 miles (3,152 km)
We said goodbye to the Red Cloud RV Park in Texas quite early for us this morning, shortly after 8:00 am. It’s a nice camp ground with excellent facilities but very noisy because of the nearby highway, so I don’t think any of us slept well. Our …

The Limo Bikes to Bayous and Beaches

By Marilyn Swett | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Bay City to Clute, TX: Oil…Black Gold…Texas Tea

Thursday April 5, 2018, 45 miles (72 km) – Total so far: 565 miles (909 km)
“There’s more to getting to where you’re going then just knowing there’s a road.” ― Joan Lowery Nixon
It was much warmer this morning when we left the hotel and only a light breeze. We turned east on Hwy 35 which was a 4-lane divided highway and were immediately disappointed to find very rough chip seal. There was a wide shoulder to ride on but some crazy idiot had put the rumble strip right down the middle, eliminating a couple of feet.

The traffic was busy in both directions with lots of businesses along the road. Since it was …

Two Timing Texas Tour

By Richard Hoeg | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 1: Shakedown Cruise: Birds and Stars on the Farm!

Wednesday April 4, 2018, 14 miles (23 km) – Total so far: 14 miles (23 km)
We have arrived from Minnesota at my brother-in-law’s farm in rural Texas … about 70 miles SW of Fort Worth. His farm is a beautiful spot nestled in the hills with a small stream running through the property. Molly and I enjoyed a short “shake down” ride on farm roads to …

Day 2: Paluxy to De Leon: One Horse Power!

Thursday April 5, 2018, 46 miles (74 km) – Total so far: 60 miles (97 km)
Today was our first real day of touring. We were able to work our way over to De Leon using back roads! Our mileage by design was not overly aggressive today. The 80 degree heat is tough if all your training rides over the past month have been along the shores of Lake Superior with temperatures ranging from 20F to 35F. The last time we toured in Texas in April I had some horrible cramps after the day’s ride due to the heat. At age 62 I am …

Southern Tier on a Recumbent 2018

By Joseph Valenzi | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 34 – April 5 Thursday – Shepard TX to Silbee TX: Close encounters of the Truck Kind

Thursday April 5, 2018, 61 miles (98 km) – Total so far: 1,875 miles (3,018 km)
I got a lot of sleep last night which helped. I do not feel like I’m getting sick, thank goodness. Another of our riders has come down with a GI bug, which concerns me because I thought it was gone. Anyway, even with the good night’s rest, I had a hard time getting motivated today. Getting up an hour before dawn in the damp cold when you just want to stay in your warm sleeping bag is tough. Not to mention tackling another 60 miles of rough roads. I guess there are reasons why …

Whitehouse officials release plans for new mountain bike trails

By Shelby Trahan | www.kltv.com


WHITEHOUSE, TX (KLTV) – For years, land located on the southwest side of Whitehouse was not used by the city, but now the city has released its new plans for it.

“We started thinking, the council and I, what could be the highest and best use for this public land,” Whitehouse City Manager Aaron Smith said. “And one think that kept coming up was why not open this up to the folks, so we could use it for their benefit.” …

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Bike, paddle, climb and more at REI Fit City Campout

Pam LeBlanc | fitness.blog.austin360.com


I prefer a sleeping bag in a tent to high threadcount sheets at a fancy hotel, especially when I can roll out of that tent the next morning, jump into a river or go for a run. And eat a yummy breakfast.

That’s all on tap at the upcoming Fit City Campout, set for April 28-29 in Johnson City.

Fit City is partnering with REI and the Lower Colorado River Authority to put on the campout at Pedernales River Nature Park in Johnson City, a 220-acre piece of Hill Country heaven about an hour’s drive northwest of Austin. …

PAYDIRT – ARR Trail Crew / NEW Roy G Kid’s Trail & KVUE Story!

Friday, Apr 13, 2018, 9:00 AM

Roy G Guerrero Colorado River Park
400 Grove Blvd Austin, TX

3 Mountain Bikers Went

KVUE contacted us to do a story on the new trail. Come out and help us show how trails get done! We will be doing tread clearing and other touch ups for the NEW Roy Guerrero Park Kid’s Trail! This trail will be a great destination for kids to learn mountain biking skills on a short trail with varied beginner level terrain. Meet along Grove Blvd. ju…

Check out this Meetup →

Austin weighing pros and cons of dockless bikes

Author: Ashley Goudeau | www.kvue.com

Austin’s Transportation Department is talking about an idea that could help ease congestion downtown, dockless bikes. The community is invited to attend a forum Wednesday morning to learn more about the idea.

California to Florida – across the USA

By Julian McCarthy | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 37: Shepherd TX to Silsbee TX: long day with unfavourable winds!

Wednesday April 4, 2018, 97 km (60 miles) – Total so far: 2,334 km (1,450 miles)
The rain was heavy overnight for a few hours, but snug and warm in the cabin. The morning was much cooler than of late at about 10 degrees. We made breakfast in the barn kitchen and were off by 8am.
The whole day was flat and through forest with pretty much identical views so photos not a huge priority. Still dozens of churches (seriously dozens over a 97km ride). We stopped for greasy gas station food at Rye, and they also sold a natty range of crucifixes, one of which had a police and gun theme. …

Early Spring on the Southern Tier

By Peter Gillott, Julian McCarthy and Poppy Holmes | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 36 Richards TX to Shepherd TX: from great breakfast with Bubba to wonderful evening accommodation

Tuesday April 3, 2018
A great night’s sleep without the flysheet on. A bit risky as the weather for Tuesday was rain at some point, but nothing arrived.
Bubba’s breakfast service was not till 8 as they had a rest day, so we got up early and got fully packed up. Breakfast (from their professional chef!) was a huge range of cooked food, cereals, bagels and smoked salmon. Simply fantastic. …

Joe’s Southern Tier Adventure

By Joe Athas | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 52: Ingram-Johnson City

Wednesday April 4, 2018, 32 miles (51 km) – Total so far: 1,634 miles (2,630 km)
Fred cooked a delicious breakfast for me this morning and I enjoyed some coffee with him and Janice until 8:30 or so. Fred then joined me on the first stretch of my ride today and gave me a decent shortcut/beautiful route to take (minus the incredible hill perhaps) to Fredericksburg. It was a really rough ride due to the wind, but the temperature was pleasant and intermittent clouds made for a good riding day otherwise. I made it into Fredericksburg shorty after lunch and …

Pacific to Atlantic

By Matthew McCoy | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Marathon, TX to Sanderson, TX: 56 miles

Tuesday April 3, 2018
Today’s ride was beautiful scenery on a gentle 1000 foot descent over 55 miles on a wide fairly smooth shoulder. There were no services along the way, but that is typical of the stretches I am on in West Texas. I am camped at the Canyons RV park on the east end of Sanderson. (I checked for roosters before paying my $10.) The RV parks in Texas aren’t near as crowded as those in Arizona and New Mexico.
Tomorrow I start a 120 mile stretch with no services, which …

Southern Tier on a Recumbent 2018

By Joseph Valenzi | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 33 – April 4 Wednesday – Richards TX to Shepard TX: Just not feeling it

Wednesday April 4, 2018, 62 miles (100 km) – Total so far: 1,814 miles (2,919 km)
Just wasn’t my day today. Even though I had a rest day yesterday I just had no energy. There were the usual endless ups and downs, but other than that the wind wasn’t bad. It was nasty cold this morning though. Not our coldest day. It was in the 40’s, but it was damp. And the wind just went right through you.
There was a truly awful section of road that I wish to …

The Limo Bikes to Bayous and Beaches

By Marilyn Swett | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Glen Flora to Bay City, TX: Finally….a TAILWIND!!!

Wednesday April 4, 2018, 36 miles (58 km) – Total so far: 520 miles (837 km)
“Nothing’s better than the wind at your back, the sun in front of you and your friends beside you.”
I didn’t sleep well last night – woke up at about 2:00 am with aching feet and legs. It was difficult to get back to sleep so I just read my Kindle for a while. Yesterday’s ride sure took it’s toll.

Although we were up by 7:00 this morning, we ended up having a leisurely breakfast and visiting further with Roy and Gail. Before we knew it, it was 10:00 and time to get rolling! …

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