Texas Bicycling News Digest April 12th 2017

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Day 34: Still Waiting

by Cyclesome | www.mybikeitlist.com


La Grange, TX to Navasota, TX (69.1 miles, 13.1 mph, 3,167 ft. elevation gain, 3,237 calories burned)
I woke up this morning, looked out my window, and thought I was home in Western PA. The skies were ominous, dark, and cloudy. The weather system that brought us rain the last three days had not dissipated overnight. Darn! Just like weather systems back home, we are still waiting for …

Ride to Recovery veterans roll through Central Texas

By Juana M. Nesbitt | kdhnews.com


A wave of cheers, gratitude and inspiration rolled into Killeen and Fort Hood as more than 100 wounded veterans and supporters rode into town last week as part of a more than 500-mile bike ride that started in San Antonio on April 3 and ended in Houston on Saturday.
The 2017 UnitedHealthcare Ride to Recovery Texas Challenge, benefiting the injured veteran riders of Project Hero, is a national nonprofit organization that helps veterans and first responders affected by …

2017 RBC Gran Fondo Texas

BikeRide.com | www.youtube.com


I traveled from Connecticut to Texas for the RBC Gran Fondo Texas . The weather was great, and it was a well organized event on a nice course with some …

Florida Bound

By Charles Brun | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 29: Camp Wood to Lost Maples Recreation Area
Wednesday April 12, 2017, 44 miles (71 km) – Total so far: 1,567 miles (2,522 km)
Today was a very good day both off and on the bicycle. Off the bicycle I visited with the local craftsmen who deal with the junipers, and mesquite in the crafts trade, while on the bike I rode over some of the steepest inclines here in the Texas Hill country.
The day started with the alarm going off at 6 am, followed by a rolling start at 7:30 am. The weather today was cloudy and cool. I don’t recall it ever getting above 68 degrees. During the early morning there was a light mist as I started in on the hills outside of Campr Wood. We had to climb 750 feet in only a matter of about 2 miles. The early morning climb had 8% grades and switch backs. There was a …

It’s safety first at Saturday’s rescheduled BBX ride

www.wheelbrothers.com


One of the biggest springtime rides in the Houston area is the Bluebonnet Express, presented annually by the Northwest Cycling Club.
Rained out on April 2 and rescheduled for this Saturday, April 15, the BBX, as it’s known in shorthand, affords cyclists a prime training ride two weeks before the perennial Texas favorite, the BP MS 150 ride from …

Sunland Park Police Department works to restore trust with public, starts bike patrols

by Jillian Fertig | kfoxtv.com


The Sunland Park Police Department is trying to restore trust with the community. The department has a limited number of officers but is working hard to move forward from past issues.
The city has 16 officers, including the chief, Javier Guerra, who took over the department last month.
Because there aren’t things like hotels or other businesses, revenue for the city …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Dried Out From Rain Bike Ride

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It was much drier today while I rode the “New Caney – Gene Campbell Road” route for 36.18 miles. I encountered a few sprinkles while riding on FM 1314 but they didn’t last long. If it wasn’t for the one or two drops that landed in the helmet vents hitting my head I don’t think I would’ve really noticed the rain. The temperature was in the upper 70’s but I dressed for the lower 70’s at the beginning of the ride (11:26) with a long sleeve jersey under a short sleeve one. At times I was just right and others a little warm but on average comfortable.

I am starting to notice more wildflowers blooming along the road. Some I can identify and others not. Along with the wildflowers the “love bugs” occasionally appeared as I rode mostly on FM 1314.

Even though the last two days have generated many miles biking the SportTracks goal plugin shows that I am on schedule to meet both my monthly goal (772 miles) and yearly goal (6800 miles). If the rain will let up I plan on bicycling tomorrow too. The chance of rain is low but after I finished today’s bike ride a few scattered rain clouds moved through.

Due to the somewhat early start and finish times I avoided the school traffic.

Link to Strava.com metrics and map.

[iframe http://rwgps-embeds.com/trips/13906560/embed 80% 700px]

Click on the image to enlarge it.

Golden Cheetah Ride Summary
Strava Extended Statistics
Starting weather
Finishing weather
Airport weather finishing

Texas Bicycling News Digest April 11th 2017

Texbiker.net Posted on by

ARR race reports: who got their revenge?

by Spicewookie | www.bikemojo.com

I got my revenge. It was so great to see so many people enjoying the trails that ARR built.

by coopers98

Heckling the constant stream of sufferers climbing ‘The Hill’ was more Revenge than any one person should be allowed, ha!

by Tree magnet

Great event, awesome weather, and an excellent way to spend a Sunday. Here were my high points from the course marshal perspective:
1. Watching the pros in Cat 1 completely destroy the course. I believe that Tristan Uhl had just won the Rattler on Saturday and it was amazing to watch him rattle off 3 laps like we was literally being chased by a wookie. He would have lapped me at least once if not twice if I was racing.
2. The look of determination and what appeared to be rage on the faces of the Cat 3 women 19-29 as they …

UPDATED Request for Qualifications – Design, Engineering, and Construction Oversight of a Multi-use Bicycle & Pedestrian Trail Along Upper Zacate Creek From J

www.texasbids.net

Bid Date & Time: 04/24/17 10:00 AM Prebid: 04/05/17 10:00 AM
Solicitation Title: UPDATED Request for Qualifications – Design, Engineering, and Construction Oversight of a Multi-use Bicycle & Pedestrian Trail Along Upper Zacate Creek From J
Owner Solic Number: FY17-037 Status: design Report: 7682396
Country : United States State: TX County: Webb
Location: East of McPherson Rd., West of JB Alexander High School, and South of Del Mar Blvd., Laredo
Scope: Design, engineering, and construction oversight of a multi-use bicycle and pedestrian trail.
Notes: A pre submittal meeting will be held on April 5, 2017 at 10 a.m. at Environmental Services Dept. Conference Room, 619 Reynolds St.,
Laredo, Texas 78040; Deadline for Submission of Written Questions: April 10, 2017. Questions regarding this Solicitation must be submitted in writing (via email) to Leticia Benavides atlbenavides@ci.laredo.tx.us
Plans: From City of Laredo – Environmental Services Department, 619 Reynolds, Laredo, Texas, 78040. See attached file.
Update Notes: Addendum #1 attached.
Owner Type: Public …

Police Bicycles

www.texasbids.net

Bid Date & Time: 04/12/17 9:00 AM Owner Solic Number: 1704-006-WL
Status: bidding Report: 7701301
Country : United States State: TX County: Travis Location: Austin
Scope: Police bicycles. 2017 Trek Police Issue Bike 15.5″. 2017 Trek Police Issue Bike-19.0″. Bontrager Trunk Bag Interchange Deluxe.
Notes: Question & Answer End Date Apr 11, 2017 5:00 PM CDT.
Plans: From Owner. See attached file.
Owner Type: Public
Buyer: Travis County, Purchasing
Address: 700 Lavaca, Suite 800 PO Box 1748
City: Austin State: TX Zip/Postal Code: 78701
TEL: 512-854-9700 FAX: 512-854-9185
Website: http://www.co.travis.tx.us/purchasing
Contact: Wade Laursen
Contact Title: Purchasing Agent Asst. III …

Day 33: What a Difference a Day Makes!

by Cyclesome | www.mybikeitlist.com


Bastrop, TX to La Grange, TX (41.57 miles)
A good night’s rest coupled with an attitude adjustment makes for a great day of cycling! Clearer cue sheet directions and somewhat better weather couldn’t hurt either. It was a fantastic day of cycling!!!
Our route for today was altered since many of the designated roads were …

Put Your Best Wheel Forward; Energy Corridor Bike to Work Day 2017 is May 18th!

www.energycorridor.org


Calling all fitness enthusiasts and bicyclists, experienced and novice alike … The Energy Corridor Bike to Work Day 2017 and Terry Hershey Park gazebo celebration is Thursday, May 18th.
If you’ve ever wanted to try bicycling into work, The Energy Corridor District’s 13th annual Bike to Work Day is the time to experience the joys of starting a morning with an invigorating ride instead of a …

Tres Amigos Challenge

www.bikereg.com

Dublin, Granbury, Glen Rose, TX, Sat Jun 10 – Sat Oct 7, 2017
Introducing the Tres Amigos Challenge!
The organizers of the three central Texas rides are a friendly bunch and we wanted to provide that camaraderie for our riders as well.
Registration for the Tres Amigos entitles you to participate in all three rides. You’ll receive t-shirts and swag from each ride. And when you complete the (nearly isoceles) triangle through Erath, Hood, and Somervell counties you’ll earn a special long-sleeved t-shirt to wear when you flaunt your bragging rights.

The Tour de Agua will be held in Dublin on 6/10/17. Ride starts at 8am.
The Blazin’ Saddle 75 will be held in Granbury on 8/5/17. Ride starts at 7:30am.
The Careflite Paluxy Pedal will be held in Glen Rose on 10/7/17. Ride starts at 8:30am.

Visit the ride websites for information on specific routes and options. Choose your route length for each ride, and t-shirt size, when completing the Tres Amigos online registration. …

Cycling team bikes through home race

by Leah Bryce | thewichitan.com

The roads throughout campus were closed April 9, the Vuelta Del Viento race. This race featured many university competitors as well as MSU’s cycling team.
“It’s 100 percent easier racing at home. Most races in our conference are between six and 12 hours away,” accounting and finance junior, cyclist Bill Ash said. “Being stuck in the van for 20 hours every weekend is probably the most difficult thing about bike racing.”
Cycling races average between …

Florida Bound

By Charles Brun | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 28: Bracketville to Camp Wood Texas
Tuesday April 11, 2017, 50 miles (80 km) – Total so far: 1,523 miles (2,451 km)
Today was definitely one away from the dessert as we had trees, green grass, and water in the streams as we headed east and swung north for last 18 miles of the ride.
I got up at 6 am so that could share part of my breakfast with Art, Evan, and most importantly John Chelf fro Fort Wirth Texas. While Art and Evan took off without looking over their shoulders John and travelled together, often riding side by side. I found it enjoyable. He 62 to my 64 years. We talked about some of the trips he has been on, most notably his 2025 Adventure Cycling trip from Missoula Montana to Fairbanks Alaska. While I have known about this arduous journey that takes three months to complete I have never really the interest in it. I have done the Banff to Jasper trip with my wife MJ and my son Peter. In …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

https://twitter.com/AustinBikePed/status/851836021281050624

https://twitter.com/BBQ44/status/851828093085986816

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Almost Soaked Bike Ride

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It turns out I was too optimistic about biking today. I set out at 11:45 to ride the “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route but I didn’t make it. As I bicycled through Elm Grove Village in Kingwood I saw dark clouds to the north and east but I figured to ride away from them. Yesterday I tried to get ready to bicycle two times and each time rain arrived washing me out. Later when I took my wife to Hobby Lobby in New Caney I saw the roads were dry about a mile or two from home. Missed biking opportunity though it start to sprinkle when were on the way back home.

Normally I think a bike ride was worth while if I ride 10 miles or more. Today I fell short of that by half a mile or so. The rain caught me when I arrived at Kingwood Town Center and I found refuge in a covered hall between businesses in a strip center. At that point I rode 6.9 miles and paused at 12:17. The rain picked up (1.38″ at my home weather station) and I stayed until 1:25 or so. One of the businesses looked out into the hall and was a hair salon, Sanke Hairdressers. While I waited for the rain to stop or slow down I watched what was going on there. Lots of hairdressers without many customers meant they walked around and talked. Hopefully the rain caused the customers to stay otherwise they are over staffed.

Finally the rain slowed and I left to ride back home. It was about 10 degrees cooler and I was damp which made for a chilly 2+ mile ride back. I finished at 1:37 biking 9.47 miles. Rain chances tomorrow are less than today. May flowers are getting their rain.

Weather radar at the end of the bike ride. I am in the enter of the picture where the rain is the thinnest (65 degrees)

Golden Cheetah Ride Summary

GC Ride Summary

Link to Strava.com