Texas Bicycling News March 5th 2017

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Freedom Bike Ride countdown under way

By David Taylor | www.mysanantonio.com


Cody Abshier was pedaling bikes at the Rotary meeting – literally. The Liberty ISD superintendent had set up three different models of bikes and was explaining the difference and benefits of each to riders he hopes will be planning on participating or supporting the annual Liberty Freedom Ride sponsored by the Liberty ISD Education Foundation.
While there was much laughter amongst the ranks of Rotarians on who was going to actually ride the 79-mile route, there was also serious discussion on the impact the ride would have for the city, county and most importantly – students in Liberty ISD.
“We have teachers who have really great ideas and constantly coming up with innovative programs and sometimes they find …

Simply on a Bike: the Southern Tier

By David Dalley | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Fredericksburg to west Austin
Sunday March 5, 2017, 70 miles (113 km) – Total so far: 1,639 miles (2,638 km)
Oh what a sweet day! It began in mist and clouds threatening rain and ended in beautiful sunshine and white clouds. I rode further than planned even into Austin. We had planned to stay in a state park tonight and a warm showers host tomorrow but they were flexible enough to host us tonight. Don looked my bike over and pronounced it fit and gave me good advice on the next section of the route through Austin. Still in hill country, though, so many short steep climbs, reminds me of interval training.
One dip was so severe there was 18 inches of fast moving water across the road and broken road surfaces on both sides. I had to get off the bike, take off my shoes and carry my bike across. Nobody there to …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

https://twitter.com/grandpajerald/status/838588682965827584

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Texas Bicycling News March 4th 2017

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Bicyclist injured in Sherman wreck

by KXII TV | www.kxii.com


SHERMAN, Texas (KXII) — A Taco Casa employee was riding his bicycle Friday on Texoma Parkway when he was hit by a car.
Jana Robinson was pulling out of the parking lot of La Mesa Restaurant on Texoma Parkway at around 2 Friday afternoon when she says she saw a truck hit a man on a bicycle.
“He was actually still rolling by the time I saw it happen. The bike was stuck under the truck.”
Police say a Taco Casa employee was riding that bike to work when he was …

Fallen officers honored by Texas Peace Officer Memorial Ride

By Deanna Kirk | www.corsicanadailysun.com


Tragic events occur in life that make us want to jump in and help any way we can.
But some tragedies are just so big, it leaves us uncertain how to help, or if there is any way we can make things better.
Dante Johnson is attempting to do just that.
He was new on the job working for the Navarro College Police Department, when he was mentored …

Walnut Creek Pay Dirt Work day

Saturday, Mar 11, 2017, 10:00 AM

Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
12138 North Lamar Boulevard Austin, TX

11 Mountain Bikers Went

Meet the group at the pool parking lot.  Wear long pants and sturdy boots.  ARR will be providing tools, but if you have your own, feel free to bring them.  To get credit for pay dirt, you need to download and fill out there form http://www.austinridgeriders.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/paydirtform.pdfhere.

Check out this Meetup →

Slaughter Creek Pay Dirt work day

Saturday, Mar 11, 2017, 9:00 AM

Slaughter Creek Preserve Trail
9901 RM 1826 Austin, TX

7 Mountain Bikers Went

Paydirt day down south!We need a few more trucks so if you own a truck and are willing to haul dirt in it, please, please, please bring it and let me know by commenting below.Also, please bring any shovels, McLeods, picks, or any other trail building tools that you might have laying around the garage that may be helpful.  Wear sturdy shoes and b…

Check out this Meetup →

CHUMBA Cycles USA Paydirt/Trail Work and BBQ

Saturday, Mar 18, 2017, 9:30 AM

Pace Bend Trailhead
5100 Grisham Trail Spicewood, TX

13 Mountain Bikers Went

Come on out and help get Pace Bend rolling fast for this years race event with CHUMBA USA. Afterwards, you’re invited to come over to the CHUMBA HQ (on the way back to ATX,22000 Odell Fairway Trail, Spicewood, TX 78669) for a free family friendly BBQ! Demo bikes and a short track will be available to ride! This is a Paydirt opportunity, but even if…

Check out this Meetup →

Simply on a Bike: the Southern Tier

By David Dalley | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Hunt to Fredericksburg
Saturday March 4, 2017, 47 miles (76 km) – Total so far: 1,569 miles (2,525 km)
This was a water day. Rain was forecast for the whole day so we got out as early as possible to try and beat some of it. Didn’t work. Got soaked. Thankfully the temperature stayed above 50 so I didn’t get too cold. In this part of Texas, hill country, the road often dips into stream crossings with signs predicting dire flooding at the bottom. Up until today they were all dry but now they are covered with stream flow and silt. Have to slow down to cross it and that means no momentum to climb up the other side of the “dip”.
The landscape here is rolling hills with live oak, mesquite, pinyon pine, pecan and …

Across Texas

By Rick Light | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Stockdale, TX to San Marco, TX
Friday March 3, 2017, 51 miles (82 km) – Total so far: 303 miles (488 km)

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

https://twitter.com/maxebernhardt/status/838186104884985857

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/838158182161739776

https://twitter.com/Cyclistlaw/status/838059589811716096

Texas Bicycling News March 3rd 2017

Texbiker.net Posted on by

2017 Georgetown Cyclocross Festival

www.evensi.us

Saturday 14 October 2017 8:00 AM Sunday 15 October 2017 4:00 PM
For 2017, the Georgetown Cyclocross Festival is proud to be the Austin Cyclocross Cup Series Opener. Date: October 14th & 15th. Race Flyer: COMING SOON. Register: COMING SOON. Website: www.georgetowncyclocrossfestival.com Location: McMaster Athletic Complex in Georgetown, Texas 151 S Holly St, Georgetown, TX 78626. …

UPDATED – Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan

www.texasbids.net

Bid Date & Time: 03/16/17 2:00 PM
Owner Solic Number: 1617-16 , 1617-21 Status: bidding Report: 7543748
Country : United States State: TX County: Gregg Location: Longview
Scope: The development of a bicycle and pedestrian plan that will establish a comprehensive pedestrian and bicycle network for transportation and recreational purposes, for the MPO area, while promoting walkability and connectivity in an efficient and safe environment. The Longview MPO seeks a consultant who will develop a comprehensive transportation network of sidewalks, multi-use pathways and other bicycle and pedestrian facilities, appropriate and achievable for the cities and communities within the Longview MPO Area.
Notes: Additional information and/or specifications may be obtained by contacting the Purchasing Manager, 300 W. Cotton, Longview, Texas, or by calling 903-237-1324. QUESTIONS regarding this solicitation should be directed to Jaye Latch at (903) 237-1324/jlatch@longviewtexas.gov on or before 5:00 P.M. CST, February 14, 2017.
Plans: From Owner.
Outside Link: https://www.longviewtexas.gov/bids.aspx
Update Notes: Bid date extended from 03/03/17. Addendum #1 attached.
Owner Type: Public …

These are Houston’s most popular running and biking routes

By Dana Guthrie | www.chron.com


When Houstonians get out to train for marathons, MS-150 and other races, they have a few favorite trails and tracks.
Strava, a social network for athletes around the world, compiled GPS data from Houston runners and cyclists to come up with the five most popular running and biking routes in the Bayou City.
When users join Strava for free, they can track their workouts and vital statistics, share with friends on their own personal feed, and join clubs to …

Keeping up with the Joneses no easy task on a bike

Bill Cullins | www.gosanangelo.com

If you plan on doing a few bicycle tours this coming year and want to “keep up with the Joneses”, you had best start putting in the miles because the Joneses you’ll be trying to keep up with are San Angelo cyclists Roy and Christine Jones.
Roy and Christine are arguably the king and queen of regional cycling tours given the number of cycling …

[Houston Bike Plan Heads to City Council March 8, 2017]

Houston Bikeways Program

The Houston Bike Plan has been placed on the council agenda for consideration by the Houston City Council on March 8, 2017. The agenda also includes a related item to consider amending Chapter 33 of the Code of Ordinances, providing for the adoption of the Bicycle Master Plan and creation of the Bicycle Advisory Committee.

On February 2, 2017, the Houston Planning Commission recommended approval of the Houston Bike Plan and forwarded the Plan to City Council for consideration, subject to revisions. The Plan was subsequently heard at the City Council’s Transportation, Technology & Infrastructure Committee on February 13, 2017. The revised Bike Plan has been published at houstonbikeplan.org.

Across Texas

By Rick Light | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Progresso, Mexico to Pharr, TX *
Pharr, TX to Faysville, TX *
Faysville, TX to Falfurrias, TX *
Falfurrias, TX to George West, TX *
George West, TX to Three Rivers, TX *
Three Rivers, TX to Stockdale, TX

Simply on a Bike: the Southern Tier

By David Dalley | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Camp Wood to Hunt,Texas
Friday March 3, 2017, 70 miles (113 km) – Total so far: 1,522 miles (2,449 km)
An amazingly challenging ride today. Many steep climbs for the first 30 miles followed by another 40 of “dips”. You get to go down into a dip but the up is steep enough to shift into the lowest gear and push hard. This whole day was a test of what leg strength I have. And the wind was mostly in my face and cold. Ah but I so much enjoyed it. Such a vibrant day with so many different moments. It is ending with no great alternatives for …

This weekend’s rides: Ride Day Decision Saturday! Red Horn Sunday!

by Thomas | steinerranchcycling.com

This weekend’s forecast looks crappy. Rather than plan a route for Saturday, let’s just meet at the regular start and see what routes we can get away with. If it is raining at the start, the ride will be canceled. Several of us will be racing the La Primavera in Lago Vista, but we should still have a good turnout if the weather permits. After the ride we can hang out at …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

https://twitter.com/BBQ44/status/837764259304046592

https://twitter.com/BBQ44/status/837762213741998081

https://twitter.com/BBQ44/status/837759481090043904

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Later Start Braving 17 mph Wind Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I wasn’t sure about biking today. A contractor was planning on doing some work around 1 PM but he called to say the job before mine was taking longer so we rescheduled for another day. This made for a later start (1:48 PM) than usual but the clear sky and tolerable temperature (69 degrees) drew me out the door. The bike ride followed the “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route for a total of 32.14 miles. I am forging forward towards my 586 mile goal for March with 67.3 miles so far.

The wind was a problem though. At 17 mph from the SE I battled a headwind until I turned north on FM 2100 about 19 miles into the ride. To add to the challenge the wind had a chill to it from the overnight 40 degree I woke up to this morning. Thankfully I wore a long sleeve thermal jersey under the short sleeve jersey keeping me comfortable. The low humidity made the wind cooler too.

Other bicyclists were out braving the wind. The first biker came towards me in Walden on Sprinters Drive. The other three were going opposite directions of me when I crossed Lake Houston on FM 1960; two headed west and one riding east.

Once I started cycling on FM 2100 the wind was much more friendly to the finish at 4:06 PM. I crossed Kingwood Drive without needing to stop for traffic. I think this was long enough after Kingwood High School let out and the evening rush hour hadn’t start yet.

Rain could be a problem tomorrow (Saturday and into Sunday) making bicycling iffy.

Airport weather at the start and finish of the ride

Links to RideWithGPS.com and Strava.com metrics and maps.

SportTracks Ride Summary

Ride Summary