Texas Bicycling News January 23rd 2017

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Westchase District Breaks Ground on Third Hike and Bike Trail

Westchase District | westchasedistrict.com


Westchase District staff and West Houston civic leaders broke ground Friday morning on the HCC Campus Trail, Westchase District’s third hike and bike trail. The 10-foot-wide concrete path will run north-south between Westheimer Road and Richmond Avenue, with a mid-block crossing at Meadowglen Lane. It will connect to the Houston Community College campus at Westheimer and Hayes Road, as well as to the District’s existing trail network.
The trail is funded by a federal transportation grant and the District’s 380 Area Agreement with the City of Houston. Project completion should be …

Central Texas bicycle plans, school district updates and more Northwest Austinites should know about this week, Jan. 23-2

By Evan Marczynski | communityimpact.com

  1. CAMPO open houses
    There will be 10 open house events over the next two weeks as the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization develops its 2045 long-range plan, which includes transportation projects from cities and counties as well as the Texas Department of Transportation. CAMPO staffers reached out to all cities and counties in its planning area to incorporate their existing pedestrian and bicycle plans and data.
    An open house from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at Cedar Park Public Library, 550 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park, will include information on the Near Northwest Case Study, which analyzes pedestrian and bicyclist connections along US 183 in Northwest Austin and southern Cedar Park. …

Plans reflect challenges of biking, walking in suburbs

By Mike Snyder | www.houstonchronicle.com


Like street-smart guerrillas resisting conventional armies, bicyclists who share the roads with cars must develop certain strategies to survive against more powerful adversaries.
Cyclists learn tricks from their fellow riders: Make eye contact with the driver waiting to turn into your path. Point at yourself, even if you think it makes you look foolish. Hop up on the sidewalk for a block or two when conditions make the street too perilous. Avoid …

Southern Tier Winter Tour

By David Hayes | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 29 – Van Horn to Fort Hancock TX: Bunnies & Rainbows
Monday January 23, 2017
My second wife Denise and I had something of an inside joke regarding a way to describe days/moments/times in our life when things were going well: “Rainbows & Bunnies.”
Today was all Rainbows & Bunnies. After another spectacular “Smother Biscuits & Gravy” breakfast at the small bakery across the street from my hotel before dawn, I was at the Post Office right at 8am when it opened.
I was shedding more weight! No, not my tent (I have heeded everyone’s good advice and will keep my tent and camping gear all the way), but rather some extra winter clothing I didn’t really need, my original bike saddle, etc. Two flat rate boxes worth! And, after re-packing and re-organizing my trailer I’m more efficient and lighter weight than ever. I even sent back the “trunk” I had on my bike to jettison weight. Let’s just say I’m REALLY worried about some of the climbing coming up!
Just as I was leaving the outskirts of Van Horn, I caught up to Reverend Hans Myors. Hans has …

Ford Driver Hits Girl Crossing Bell Street with Her Bike and Brother

By Brandy Ramirez | sanangelolive.com


SAN ANGELO, TX – Shortly after 5 p.m. this evening, a vehicle struck a child crossing across Bell Street with her bike and her brother.
San Angelo Police Officer Brian Bylsma said he was originally dispatched to Paint Rock and Bell Street, but the crash actually occurred in the 1500 block of S. Bell St. …

Team Meeting 1/24

Texas A&M Cycling Team | amct.tamu.edu

Howdy AMCTers!
We have our first meeting of the spring semester taking place on Tuesday, 1/24 at 8 PM in REC 255. We’ll be discussing the following topics:
Introduction for new and potential members
2017 Road Season and Coaching
MTB Trail Maintenance days
Team Orders (Specialized and State)
As always, we’ll …

Captain’s Blog – 1/23/2017 – Happy New Year!

by Sameer Gokhale | cycling.powweb.com

Happy New year!
Let me start by wishing everyone a Very Happy and Prosperous 2017! It’s a new year and that brings along a new blogger to write about all the interesting things that take place in our big world of cycling.
Let me start by introducing myself (I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t know me..but well…) I’m originally from India. My first introduction to Texas was in 2001 when I came here to pursue my masters at Texas A&M..you guessed it, not! – Kingsville. Go Javelinas! Since then I’ve traveled back and forth between US and India. Five years back, I finally decided to stick around in San Antonio and have enjoyed it ever since. I like country music more than …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Texas Bicycling News January 22nd 2017

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5th Annual Comanche Cross comes to McKinney Park

By Jeffery Gordon | www.newswest9.com


ODESSA- Wind did not stop nearly 40 cyclists from taking part in the 5th annual Comanche Cross on Saturday afternoon.
The bike race was held at McKinney park in Odessa for everyone ages 10 and up.
The event started at noon and …

Pro cyclist Lawson Craddock trains on Texas hills

by Pam LeBlanc | www.mystatesman.com


Craddock notched first Tour de France in 2016, hopes to head back for more.
Somewhere beneath all the lime-green Lycra, Lawson Craddock’s legs pump like pistons, propelling him through downtown Austin and up a three-decker hill into nearby Rollingwood.
His nose red from the 20-degree temperatures, the cyclist grinds away, making it look easy. Which it is, compared to the nearly 2,200 mountain-studded …

Southern Tier Winter Tour

By David Hayes | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 28 – Van Horn TX – Weather Avoidance Day: Discretion is the Better Part of Valor
Sunday January 22, 2017
I’ll not write much today other than to explain why I’m not on my bike at this moment. The weather forecast called for the strongest…and lengthiest…wind storm that I’ve seen all week. And while I’ve ventured out….earlier this week for isntance…in stuff just about as bad, tomorrow, Monday, was predicted to be sunny and, in contrast, much less windy.
And I need a riding day that isn’t grueling. I need something where I am not just chanting in my head “must keep going or you may, literally, die out here” as I pedal in my lowest gear with my head down and body hunched trying make myself the smallest possible sail against which the wind can push. I need a bit of sunlight in my bike touring darnit!
Interestingly, my other non-riding days were for my body. It was …

Stabilized, right into the dirt!

by TC | www.turnincranks.com

Took a spill on the Sweet Skull stage at the RPR Enduro this weekend. Gimbal stabilzed the shot straight into …

Any Given Sunday – MTB Spin

by TC | www.turnincranks.com

And now for something a little different…
I originally put this together with plans of presenting it …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Texas Bicycling News January 21st 2017

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Stephens County towns part of bike route

By Linda Provost | www.duncanbanner.com


Duncan and Comanche are going to be featured towns on the 2017 Oklahoma Freewheel bike route which is the state’s only cross-state cycling tour event.
The theme for this year’s ride is “Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Historic Chisholm Trail.” It has guided the route development and will help determine the entertainment that riders will experience in each host town.
The ride will start June 11, 2017, in Wichita Falls, Texas. With the goal of highlighting and celebrating the …

Moritz bike ride cancels 2017 event

By MAGGIE FRASER | www.weatherforddemocrat.com

The annual Moritz Ride for Heroes charity bike ride has been cancelled this year due to several vacancies on the board of directors, according to a Facebook announcement.
“This decision comes after significant discussion within the board. Our board of directors has been plagued by vacancies and this has created issues that cannot be overcome in time to put on the ride this year. But we remain positive and …

APD searching for North Austin bike thieves

by CBS Austin | keyetv.com


Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying two burglary suspects who broke into a North Austin Capital Metro rail station bike shelter last year.
It happened Wednesday, Oct. 19, at approximately 3 a.m. at the Kramer MetroRail station, located at 2427-1/2 Kramer Lane.
Investigators say …

Southern Tier Winter Tour

By David Hayes | www.crazyguyonabike.co

Day 27 – Marfa to Van Horn TX: Voluntary Discomfort
Saturday January 21, 2017
I was ready. I’d stocked up on dehydrated food in Alpine. I’d filled both of my large spare water bottles. I’d planned a really early departure time in order to ride the 36 miles to my planned camping site in the small, near-ghost town of Valentine during the time of the morning when the head/crosswinds would be at their lightest (which is relative I assure you!). I had queried the locals about their knowledge of Valentine and found there was a working water spigot at the back of the post office building; a crucial fact when cooking up a couple of meals of dehydrated food and riding one’s bike for many hours.
And my ride..up until about the 30 mile mark…was terrific. My legs were strong. The wind wasn’t nearly as hellacious as I’d expected. It was sunny; at least once the sun came up. It was cold, but not below freezing. I was even considering not stopping in Valentine for more than a quick lunch and then pushing on to Van Horn.
And, given THAT level of optimism you all …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

Bike Through the Forest and Hills

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The drive to Coldspring was in the dark and fog. Once I arrived around 7:25 the fog was still hanging heavy and it was almost like walking in a mist. Making my way to the registration table I filled out the form and walked to the line to pay and get my packet. They were out of medium shirts so I opted for the small rather than the XL size. I did not pass out any Texbiker.net business cards today because when I left home I thought I might not have time. As I walked to the registration area I took these photos.

After I walked back to the Jeep I pinned my number on (40) and unloaded the Stradalli. I put my jacket on and then added the wheels to the bike. One thing I forgot though was the water bottle. I did not notice this until i reached down to get a drink around mile 10. Because of this I stopped at rest stop 3 going and again on the return leg. On the return leg I took the break to drink and eat some mini muffins. Hills were coming and I would need energy to pedal up them. With the bike ready I rode to the start line area. These are some photos along the way.

I didn’t realize when I took the picture above but the biker in the yellow MD Anderson jersey is Ronnie Clark. A couple of years ago we did a number of Saturday rides around the Kingwood area. When I pulled up beside him he recognized me and we chatted while waiting for the ride to start. He has a nice looking new blue bike he bought in Palestine, TX.

The ride got underway at 8:08 with no change in the fog. The roads were wet from the rain we received around midnight but not many puddles. The first 5 miles went quickly going downhill but these same hills would not be so fast on the return when we ride up them. I did skipped the first rest stop no knowing I didn’t have my water bottle. A few miles past the rest stop I found out the bottle was back in the Jeep. The roads to the first rest stop were not that smooth with some spots covered in sand from high water. On FM222 the road surface improved quite a bit with some sections looking brand new.

At Shepherd the routed turned right onto SH 150. Surprisingly the road surface on SH 150 was a lot rougher than FM222 but there was a wide shoulder but it was usually chip’n seal. I stopped at the number 3 rest stop for fluid. Also on FM222 I remembered I didn’t take a screen shot of the weather at the start so I took one at the rest stop.

The fog had soaked my gloves and I was glad I wore a jacket to keep the moisture from soaking my long sleeve jersey. Also the leg warmers kept my legs dry and warm too. While i was at the rest stop a young lady held my bike while I went for water.

Rest stop 3 photo.

Leaving the rest stop it was about 8 miles to the turn around. The fog seemed to get thicker but fortunately the traffic was not too heavy. Most cars had their lights on so I saw them and moved to the shoulder. With the shoulder not as smooth as the main lane I tried to stay off the shoulder unless necessary. After the turn around the ride was not much different. I stopped at rest stop 3 for more water and mini muffins. From there I rode back to the rest stop about 5 miles from the finish and stopped to give my legs a break, drink more water and eat a few mini muffins for the hills. A picture and video while I was stopped.

The road for the 5+ miles from the rest stop to the finish was rolling hills with a couple of steep hills. Look at the RideWithGPS.com link to see the elevation change. Surprisingly I set a couple of personal records on the stretch at Strava.com. The sky brightened some during these last 5 miles but the road was still wet. I made it the last hill and finished at 11:30, which is what I guessed when I was at the rest stop.

Today’s bike ride put me past my mileage goal fro January with 312.2 miles. The goal was 300 miles. The bike ride summary from SportTracks.

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