Texas Bicycling News February 6th 2017

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Police ID man found dead on bicycle in SW Houston

By Andrew Kragie | www.chron.com

Houston police on Monday identified the man found dead Saturday morning, slumped over his bicycle in southwest Houston.
Gregory Hale, 54, apparently suffered blunt force trauma to the head. He was …

Bicyclist dies after being struck by Metro train near NRG Stadium

By Lindsay Ellis and Dug Begley | www.chron.com

A bicyclist has died after being struck by a Red Line train near NRG Stadium on Sunday evening – the second cyclist hit by a Metro train in three days.
The man, who has not been identified, was initially hospitalized with internal injuries, according to Metro spokesman Jerome Gray. He was taken into surgery Sunday night and …

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For Houston, “winter” is probably over Bike Ride

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Warm weather (81 degrees at the 3:07 PM finish) continues and I was back on the bicycle for a bike ride on the “New Caney – Roman Forest Loop – Valley Ranch” route for the first time this year. This is the second longest ride this year at 38.39 miles but this Saturday I plan on increasing the longest ride mileage to around 55 miles when I bicycle the Humble Lions Club bike ride, provide I don’t get lost as in previous years.

I made good time and pace on the way north to Roman Forest Blvd. thanks to a strong tailwind but riding east on Roman Forest Blvd for the “loop” portion of the ride the wind wasn’t as friendly. My pace slowed down considerably up the small incline on Roman Forest Blvd before I made the right turn onto Magnolia Bend. Biking on Magnolia Bend was somewhat easier thanks to the change in direction, trees and the houses lining the street. Passing by the school construction site I still cannot determine what grades the building will be. Previously I guess it would be a middle school but looking at the building it looks more like an elementary school.

Leaving home at 12:19 I wondered if I might ride through school dismissal traffic but I managed to avoid that except at the Kings Manor school but the left lane was clear and bicycling in that lane I passed the school buses and cars waiting for the students.

The Space City Weather daily newsletter today said they are starting to feel comfortable that the last frost for the Houston area is behind us.

“For most of central and southern Houston and Harris County, the average last freeze date falls in mid-February. It’s not going to freeze again before then, and by extension I’d be confident in planting from here on forward. For areas north of there, including Montgomery County, the freeze date is generally later, in the latter part of February or early March. Even so, I’d bet the chances of another freeze for the greater Houston metro area this year, including areas like Montgomery County, is now significantly less than 50 percent. …”

I like this news. It could be warmer tomorrow (Tuesday).

Nothing unusual on today’s bike ride except for the strong south wind at 18 mph and 25 mph gusts. No wonder my pedaling was much hard when I rode south from Roman Forest. I was beginning to think my legs were shot.

Links to RideWithGPS.com and Strava.com.

Today’s weather while bicycling.

Ride start home weather
Ride finish home weather
Ride Finish airport weather

Ride Summary

Texas Bicycling News Digest February 5th 2017

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Saturday Ride Schedule

Maverick Chain Gang | maverickchaingang.org

February 11, 2017
Fireant Hill – 29 miles
Meet at: First Baptist Church, 405 W Austin St, Marshall, TX – 10:00 a.m.
Februrary 18, 2017
Loop 390 – out and back – 20 miles
Meet at: Cypress Valley Church, 4190 W Pinecrest Dr, Marshall, TX – 10:00 a.m.
Februrary 25, 2017
Elysian Fields – out and back – 32.5 miles
Meet at: Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 4700 Victory Dr, Marshall, TX – 10:00 a.m.
March 4, 2017
Scottsville, Marshall/Leigh Rd. – 29.9 miles
Meet at: Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 4700 Victory Dr, Marshall, TX – 10:00 a.m.

Upcoming Events

Corinth Cycling | corinthcycling.wordpress.com

8:00am – Corinth Cycling Group Rides February 11, 2017 at 8:00 am – 11:00 am 101 S Locust St, Denton, TX 76201, USA Corinth Cycling Weekend Group Rides. All rides depart from southeast corner of Denton Square.
8:00am- Corinth Cycling Group Rides February 12, 2017 at 8:00 am – 10:30 am 101 S Locust St, Denton, TX 76201, USA http://www.corinthcycling.com/cccriderules.pdf 8:00am
8:00am – Corinth Cycling Group Rides February 18, 2017 at 8:00 am – 11:00 am 101 S Locust St, Denton, TX 76201, USA Corinth Cycling Weekend Group Rides. All rides depart from southeast corner of Denton Square.

Bicyclist struck by Metro train near NRG Stadium taken to surgery

By Lindsay Ellis and Dug Begley | www.chron.com

Man is second bicyclist hit by train in three days
A bicyclist was struck by a Red Line train near NRG Stadium on Sunday evening – the second cyclist hit by a Metro train in three days.
The man, who has not been identified, was hospitalized with internal injuries, according to Metro spokesman Jerome Gray. He was taken into surgery Sunday night.
The man was riding eastbound in the westbound lanes of the …

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Gunshots on Atascocita Shores Bike Ride

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Driving to church this morning around 8:30 the probability of bicycling today did not look real good. The streets were wet and a mist was collecting on my windshield. After not riding for three days the weather warmed up today so I wanted to ride if possible. By the time church and Sunday school was over the low clouds had lifted and the sky was brighter without the sun actually not being blocked by clouds. There were a few sprinkles on the way home but not enough to deter me from biking. I decided the bike ride would be the “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route and left home at 12:33 on what would end up a 32.14 mile long bicycle adventure. The weather at the start and 2:58 PM finish.

Start
Finish

The wind tried to slow me down as it came from the south at 10 mph with some 16 mph gusts. I rode slowly to get my legs loose and my right cafe had a cramp every time I stood on the pedals. After a few miles the cramp went away or I didn’t stand up as much.

Three other bicyclists crossed my route during the ride. The first was early in the ride on Woodbridge Drive and the other two on the way back from Huffman. I guess I wasn’t the only person not wrapped up in the Super Bowl pre-game shows and festivities.

Other than the weather the ride went as planned until I was moving from Shoregrove Drive back onto Atascocita Shores Drive. As I paused at the intersection to check for traffic I heard a gun shot from across the street and a few seconds later another one. Not sure what was going on I rode west on Atascocita Shores and then Kings River Drive. I attempted to look behind the houses as I turned but could not see anything. Those houses line the golf course at that point. From then on I watched for any police or other officers but none appeared. I heard the shots at 2:23 and at 2:46 I stopped at the Houston Police Kingwood substation to tell them what I heard. The officer said that location was Harris County Precinct 4 territory and that I could call them or he would send them a message. I opted for him sending them a message. From there I rode a couple of miles to finish the bike ride.

The weather forecast calls for more warm weather (70’s to 80’s) next week so more biking should take place. I registered for the Humble Lions Bike Ride on February 11th with a slight chance of rain and a high of 78 degrees, much warmer than last year.

Links to RideWithGPS.com and Strava.com. 134.57 miles this week and 67.51 miles for February. My mileage goal for the month is 345 miles.

Ride Summary