Texas Bicycling News February 17th 2017

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Bell County Medical Alliance teams up to ensures the safety of local kids

By Kierra Pixler | beltonjournal.com


The Bell County Medical Alliance bicycle helmet giveaway at Belton Early Childhood Center is part of a statewide effort Hard Hats for Little Heads, launched by the Texas Medical Association in 1994. The program promotes fun exercise and teaches parents and children about the importance of properly wearing a helmet when on wheels and has given away over 260,000 free helmets to children. This event is sponsored by the …

Bike Tour next to Ft Houston TX Military Base, San Antonio TX? RAD level updates

Leak Project | www.youtube.com

Cycling in the Americas

By Sam Burchell | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 36: Dryden, TX to Seminole Canyon, TX
Thursday February 16, 2017, 61 miles (98 km) – Total so far: 1,764 miles (2,839 km)
Wayne had already left when I woke up, but Teresa was there so we spoke briefly. I then packed up and got on the road.
Today was quite a bit hillier than previous days – overall, it was downhill, but there were lots of rolling hills. …

Future suburbs will focus on walking, cycling, technology, experts say

By Gordon Dickson | www.star-telegram.com


HURST — Suburbs of the future will feature ample places to walk and cycle — and it won’t be because someone in government imposed their political will on developers.
Instead, it will be what the residents want.
That was among the messages Friday during the eighth annual Northeast Tarrant Transportation Summit in Hurst — an event that in the past focused on road-building in Dallas-Fort Worth but this year highlighted the impact of technology on future commuting.
Suburban dwellers will be immersed in mobile communications to a degree that can …

Chihuahuan Desert Bike Fest

Texas Highways | www.texashighways.com


Big Bend Ranch State Park and Lajitas provide some great mountain-biking opportunities, including the park’s Fresno-Sauceda Loop, which was designated an epic ride by the International Mountain Bicycling Association in 2010. With the level of rides available and the generally appealing February climate, it is no surprise that the area is the destination for a …

Sofi Hits the Road Again

By Ann Wilson | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Route Section: Houston to New Orleans
Friday February 17, 2017
This is Section 5 of the ACA Southern Tier Route. We had to cycle North East from Houston to join it at Silsbee.

Deridder: Screaming Eagles
Friday February 17, 2017
Along the roadside as we cycled, we kept noticing small towers of mud obviously built by some creature but what? They were around 6 inches high and made of small pellets of mud, much like an upside down swallow’s nest. In the middle was a hole which suggested some kind of burrowing animal but …

New bike lane on Comal

by cycling74 | bicycleaustin.info


This has been a couple years in the making, but wanted to post this here today. The city striped this today, No Parking signs went up as well. The first photo is Comal between 5th & 6th looking north. The second photo is Comal north of East 7th st looking north. This bike lane has been much needed for …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/832730930901110784

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Pay Attention to Phone Rain Notification Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Today was one of those days that I should’ve paid attention to the rain notification on my phone. I started the bike ride at 11:55 and the notification said expect rain at 12:45. My plan was to the bike the “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route but that changed to bicycling the “Atascocita – Walden” route for 23.21 miles. It was cooler than I prefer at 68 degrees when I started and I tried to compensate with a short sleeve t-shirt under the long sleeve thermal jersey and topped off with a short sleeve jersey. I chose to wear shorts without leg warmers and for the first 2 or 3 miles I wondered if that was a bad choice but my legs warmed up enough that I didn’t feel the chill.

Yesterday I picked up the Stradalli from Bike Werks in Kingwood. They replaced the headset bearings. The bottom bearing was a rusted mess and the cause of the “index” spot when I turned the handlebars. The top bearing got replaced as well but was not as bad. As I began the bike ride I could a BIG difference in how the bike steered. Turning the handlebar was so smooth. I started to notice how much a twitch the handlebar back and forth as I ride which the “indexed” bearings did not allow. Jeremy said he had a hard time getting the bottom bearing race out of the headtube due to the rust and was concerned it might come out but he worked it free. The bearings were the original ones that came with the bike over 19,623 miles ago. Next up I need to check the wheel bearings. The wheels appear to spin freely but new bearing might improve that. I might have the bearings on hand from planning to install them on another set of wheels.

The bike ride went as planned until I was on the W. Lake Houston Parkway bridge over the San Jacinto River when I felt a few rain drops but none showed up on my Elemnt screen. I was 8 miles into the ride and I hoped the rain drops were scattered and I could bicycle away from them. Instead I rode into more rain. By the time I reached FM1960 I knew the route was going to change. Rain drops were laying on the Elemnt screen obscuring the readings some and my legs were getting chilled from the drops hitting them. The road wasn’t wet yet but the damp pavement was starting to be more than the dry places. Biking into Walden the rain continued and the road got wetter. The S 13 mph wind with the wet was making me chilled and I sped up thinking I could ride out the moisture but not to be the case. I biked into a steady light rain and crossing FM1960 going north on Atascocita Shores Drive I got wetter and colder. Shorts were wet, shoes were wet and jerseys were wet.

My next goal was to ride to W. Lake Houston Parkway and ride north of the river with the hope the rain would not be there but it was. By now I was wet and chilled hurrying to get home. I stopped at Kingwood Drive to wait for traffic sitting under a tree for shelter but it was wet and dripped water on me. After a few minutes the traffic had a break and the cars waiting in front of me went across letting me follow too. From there it was a little over 2 miles to home and I pedaled quickly to reach the garage and out of the rain. So far my glass lenses were not too covered with rain drops and it stayed that until I finished the ride at 1:39.

Drying off the bike I took some weather screenshots on my phone and went inside to dry off and take a warm shower. Tomorrow the rain should be gone and the temperature could hit 80+ degrees again. I have a Meetup.com ride scheduled for 9 AM with a couple of other bicyclists saying they will meetup. By then today’s bike ride in the rain will a faint memory, I hope.

Links to RideWithGPS.com and Strava.com.

Home weather ride start
Home weather ride end
Airport weather ride end

Ride Summary

Texas Bicycling News February 16th 2017

Texbiker.net Posted on by

9th annual Hard Hats for Little Heads aims to bring safety awareness to area children

By Aimee Breaux | www.theeagle.com


Thousands of second-graders shuffled into Reed Arena on Texas A&M’s campus Wednesday morning and almost immediately began dancing in their seats at the ninth “Hard Hats for Little Heads” event.
With skits by Texas A&M athletes, videos, high school mascots and a relay race, the event aimed to teach kids from …

FYI: COA public meetings on Walk / Bike mobility

by brianjo | www.bikemojo.com

Just thought I’d post this up for everyone who may not have seen it. This popped up on my neighborhood Nextdoor app:
“Communications and Public Information Office from City of Austin · 22m ago
Interested in the future of walking and biking in Austin? If so, get out your calendar!
The City of Austin’s Transportation Department is launching Walk + Bike Talks, a series of community conversations where …

Your Weekly Dose of the Best in How-To Road Cycling Info

Road Bike Rider | www.roadbikerider.com


— 10 Bike Washing Don’ts and Do’s
— On the Rivet IV: Improving Performance Through Positive Thinking
— A Cyclist’s Weakest Muscle Groups: What to Do?
— Local Knowledge is Indispensable
— Donate Unused Cycling Gear to a Good Cause
— Recovery: the Key to Improvement in Cycling
— ‘Float’ Over Rough Pavement
— Question of the Week: How Clean Do You Like to Keep Your Bike(s)?

Cycling in the Americas

By Sam Burchell | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 35: Marathon, TX to Dryden, TX
Wednesday February 15, 2017, 67 miles (108 km) – Total so far: 1,703 miles (2,741 km)
By the time I got up, Jim (the owner of the land I was camping on) had already left, so I packed up and got on my way, following his farm track for a mile or so back to the main road. …

Terry Hershey Trail – Dairy Ashford Parking lot

Sunday, Feb 19, 2017, 8:00 AM

Terry Hershey park
1001 Dairy Ashford Rd, 77077 Houston, TX

1 cyclists Went

ll Levels welcome, road/mountain bike, speed 10-15 miles/hour. This is a No Drop ride.Total Distance: 20 miles Meeting time: 8 a.m. at Terry Hersey-Dairy Ashford parking lot Rolling at 8:15 a.m. Speed: 10-15 miles/hour Stop: Every 8 miles (or as requested)Required: – Helmet – At least one water bottle – One spare bike tube Recommended – Bike pu…

Check out this Meetup →

Big Bend Tour

West Texas Cycling Association | www.bikewtca.org

Date: March 2, 2017 – March 5, 2017
Location: Big Bend, TX
Contact: Randy Muslow
Details: Three campsites are reserved for Thursday thru Saturday (2 -4). Two vehicles are allowed per campsite and I think four tents. There is overflow parking nearby at the camp store. If taking an RV you will need to make your own reservations. We have not set a fee for the tour but will probably be in the $30 to $40 range to cover campsites and SAG supplies on Friday. The club will provide a propane burner to heat water for coffee and oatmeal in the mornings. The main ride is on Friday and arrangements will be made to carry bikes and riders to high point on the …

Cyclists Could Soon Have An Easier Way To Ride Into Downtown Houston

Gail Delaughter | www.houstonpublicmedia.org


The city continues to close gaps in its expanding bike trail system. The latest project is an extension of the Lamar Cycle Track

The Lamar Cycle Track is a two-way bike path that links Discovery Green and Sam Houston Park. It opened a couple of years ago. But the problem is that riders can’t connect to it from other trails and they have to ride with street traffic to get there.
That’s soon going to change.
The city is now wrapping up work on a quarter-mile extension on the west side near Sam Houston Park. Public Works Deputy Director Jeff Weatherford says riders will …

City’s first casual bike ride will take to streets

By RICK KELLEY | www.valleymorningstar.com


HARLINGEN — The Tour de Harlingen?
The first of what will be monthly Harlingen Social Bike Rides will be held Saturday morning.
The route is 6.9 miles, and all riders over 10 with a bike, helmet and water are welcome to participate.
The social rides are a partnership between the Harlingen-San Benito Metropolitan Planning Organization, the City of Harlingen, Healthy Harlingen, Viva Streets Harlingen and the …

This weekend’s rides: Liberty Hill with special guest Stuart! Red Horn!

by Thomas | steinerranchcycling.com

Our old pal Stuart is in town this weekend to hang out with us. Ride with us and say hi!
Saturday we will head out to Liberty Hill on a super awesome route that likely includes Lakeline, Round Mountain, and either Bagdad and/or Parmer. After the ride there is a craydaddy (the most offensive name I can muster) boil at Infamous Brewery that might be …

Active Transportation – Austin

Austin TX | austintexas.gov

The City of Austin’s Active Transportation Division seeks to improve quality of life in Austin through the development of a comfortable and connected pedestrian and bicycle network that serves all ages and abilities.
The Division is responsible for the planning, design and implementation of pedestrian and bicycle facilities as well as education and encouragement programs that …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

https://twitter.com/BBQ44/status/832413449611255808

https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/832399059784781825

https://twitter.com/AustinBikePed/status/832231918288695300

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Texas Bicycling News February 15th 2017

Texbiker.net Posted on by

This Glowing Intersection Is Taking US Bike Safety in a Bright Direction

By Molly Hurford | www.bicycling.com


Texas A&M claims to be the home of the country’s first authentic Dutch junction, decked out with glow-in-the-dark bike lanes

Roughly 70,000 students, faculty members, and staff travel to and from Texas A&M University daily by foot, bike, or car. That makes traffic safety at the school a big concern—especially in one particular place.
The intersection of Ross & Bizzell Streets “was a mess; lots of people made wrong turns and it was hard to navigate,” says Robert E. Brydia, a senior research scientist with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute. Doubly concerning was that this was a key intersection on …

Help your fellow cyclists – Add your local bike shops and drinking fountains to OpenStreetMap

by Spanholz | www.reddit.com

probably everyone of us had a flat some time. But how to find the next bike shop in a foreign country? Which shop is the nearest? Is it closed? Is there maybe a bicycle tube vending machine? Or a bicycle repair station? Find them on a user-generated map based on OpenStreetMap data.
OpenStreetMap is something like wikipedia for maps. Everyone can edit, everyone can use it. The data you contribute is open-source. The resulting maps can be quite different. Some are perfect for railway enthusiasts, some for hiking. And some for us cyclists like the OpenCycleMap. This is an …

Request for Qualifications for Engineering Services for Brushy Creek Regional Trail Extension & Connection

www.texasbids.net

Develop construction plans, specifications, estimates, bid phase and construction phase services. The primary scope of this project consists of providing a 10 sidewalk/trail and related pedestrian facilities for three locations. …

Cycling in the Americas

By Sam Burchell | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 34: Nopal, TX to Marathon, TX
Tuesday February 14, 2017, 63 miles (101 km) – Total so far: 1,636 miles (2,633 km)
A couple of hours before sunrise, I heard a voice outside. Assuming it was Brad talking to his dog, I thought little of it and went back to sleep.
A while later, as I was packing up my things, Brad came out of his house to chat. He asked if I’d heard any voices in the night, and I said I had. “Yeah, some wets crossed last night,” he told me.
Wets, it turns out, means illegal immigrants who swim across the …

Passionate Pastime: Ivan Estrada

By MARICELA RODRIGUEZ | www.valleymorningstar.com

Photographer hopes to leave legacy with his efforts

Ivan Estrada prepares to photograph the San Benito Resaca City Bike Tour. He love photography and sharing his photos with others.
HARLINGEN – He snapped his first photograph with his very own camera when he was just a child.
“I was 10 years old and my dad bought it for me as a birthday present because I would always borrow my …

EP Cyclists Kicking Off Wellness on Wheels Program

By Yvonne Soto | www.epcyclists.com

EP Cyclists Invited to Fitness/Health Fair
EP Cyclists Kicking off our Wellness on Wheels Program at the Valley View Middle School Fitness/Health Fair.
Our “Wellness on Wheels Program” is about bringing exercise and fitness by riding your bike to all ages in the El Paso Community and will be participating with the YISD Partners in Education at Valley View Middle School in the Fitness Fair during parents night on …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/832056123314274304