Texas Bicycling News December 21st 2016

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West Houston Cyclists Are Getting Some ‘Dutch Junctions’

Gail Delaughter | www.houstonpublicmedia.org

Dutch Junctions
With its busy feeder roads and crowded thoroughfares, Houston’s Energy Corridor doesn’t seem like the place where you’d ride a bike to work. But a lot of people do, and officials hope a new design project will make the experience safer. …

Stephenson Nature Preserve Trails

cyclingfan1981 | www.youtube.com

Donated bikes bring delight to refugee children in Austin

By Taylor Goldenstein | www.mystatesman.com

bikes for refrugees
Snug in a black peacoat, 12-year-old Rafael Al-Mashahedi eyed the bikes around her, standing next to a few and sizing herself up. Then she spotted the one: a Magna in pink, her favorite color.
Al-Mashahedi had never owned a bike before. She had a small tricycle when she was a toddler, but she had to leave it behind in Baghdad, along with nearly …

https://www.instagram.com/p/BOTJMRcD3Gg/

BPSA: November wholesale bike shipments up 12%

by BRAIN Staff | www.bicycleretailer.com

Year to date shipments are down nearly 8%.
BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — November gave suppliers a glimmer of hope and helped offset earlier losses. Suppliers shipped 16,715 more units to retailers than last year — about a 12 percent increase. Dollars were up nearly 3 percent month on month as well, according to the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association’s November sell-in report.
However, year to date, bike shipments were down 7.7 percent or 183,525 through November. The shortfall …

Tuesday: Intermediate/Advanced Mountain Bike Ride at the Ant Hills

Tuesday, Dec 27, 2016, 6:15 PM

15200 Memorial Dr
15200 Memorial Dr Houston, Te

2 cyclists Went

This will be a medium to fast pace ride through the Ant Hills of Hershey Park! Bring WATER, spare tube/tire, snacks, etc…Helmets required. Call if you are going to be late so we can wait for you. Wheels rolling by 6:30! See you there

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73 Degree Winter Solstice Bike Ride

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I wasn’t the only bicyclist out enjoying the 73 degree weather on the first day of winter. It’s hard to think of winter when the weather is that warm. Earlier in the week, Sunday and Monday, the temperature was as low as 30 degrees and I stayed inside. Those other bikers crossed my path on the Lake Houston causeway (FM 1960). The first two rode west while I biked to the east. The third rode east while I rode west on the return route to Kingwood. I almost missed the last rider concentrating on the road in front of me and I just glanced to my left as he passed on the far side of the road. This took place on the “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route as I biked 31.47 miles. This put me over my 130 mile goal for December and at 7,307 miles for the year. The goal chart from SportTracks.

December Biking Goal Chart

It could get even warmer as the week progresses. My next possible biking day will be Friday but the forecast shows a 50% chance of rain. Saturday looks better and drier.

Even with the 73 degree weather the 9 mph SW wind was chilly. I decided to wear one of my Voler thermal long sleeve jerseys and a short sleeve jersey underneath rather than a jacket. For the first few miles I felt chilly but as my body heat increased the wardrobe choice paid off. No leg warmers, just regular bike shorts. It felt good to be back on the bike and riding. I still remembered how to shift the gears, stay vertical and turn through the corners.

This morning while I was eating breakfast I read an article in the Kingwood Observer community section in the Houston Chronicle. The subject was TxDOT consideration of widening FM2100 from the Cleveland-Huffman Road to FM1960. This interested me because I rode this section of FM2100 several times but because the traffic increased and the lack of any shoulder for about 2 miles south from the Cleveland-Huffman Road I no longer bike ride there. I get off FM2100 as soon as possible riding through side streets and into The Commons of Lake Houston to stay away from FM2100. the project will widen the road to 4 lanes with sidewalks on each side and a center turn lane. Because the road does not have a lot development close the impact on homeowners and businesses will be minimal. The work would probably not start until 2018 but when complete this could open a new biking route. Add in the upcoming Grand Parkway construction in the area and mobility improvements will change access to many side roads.

FM2100 TxDOT Project

Link to RideWithGPS.com map and metrics.

[iframe https://www.strava.com/activities/808143001/embed/b2ea6c2aa5eac4693227b47eaf29b9ea5c0cb19e 590px 405px]

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Texas Bicycling News December 20th 2016

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Two-wheels, one historic highway

By Flip Putthoff | www.arkansasonline.com


Neal Picken gets his kicks on Route 66 one leg at a time, bicycling the famous highway in sections on a quest to cover more than 2,400 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles.
Picken of Bentonville hopped on his bike in late October and pedaled solo 550 miles in 10 days from Amarillo, Texas to Joplin, Mo. This first leg of his Route 66 adventure went so well that the the 75-year-old is eager to tackle …

Dick Nichols Park to Broadie Ln on offroad trails

cyclingfan1981 | www.youtube.com

Construction to begin on trail extension, phase four

lakewood.advocatemag.com


Construction on the SoPAC trail, also known as the Katy Trail extension, continues beginning this week as crews embark on phase 4, which extends through the Vickery Meadow, Fair Oaks and northern areas of Lake Highlands. This phase utilizes an old railroad bed that runs south of the Target at the Skillman and Abrams intersection. …

Start the Year on the Trails with a First Day Hike

www.gilmermirror.com

AUSTIN— Start 2017 with a walk on the wild side by participating in a guided stroll through a Texas State Park as part of the national First Day Hikes initiative.
“Last year, 80 parks hosted 116 First Day Hikes across Texas,” said Brent Leisure, director of Texas State Parks. “More than 3,000 participants covered more than 6,500 miles as they walked, ran, paddled, peddled and swam at First Day Hikes events. This program has proven itself as an ideal way for people to begin a more active lifestyle in the New Year and Texas State Parks are a perfect place to achieve that goal and enjoy nature simultaneously.”
State parks and natural areas across Texas will host First Day Hikes to help visitors commit to their New Year’s resolution to lose weight and get healthy. These events are part of the America’s State Parks First Day Hikes initiative taking place in all 50 states.
The First Day Hikes events range from brisk strolls on scenic trails, polar plunges, bike rides, …

After the Flooding: West Harris County Hike and Bike Trail Repair Update

By Dennis Spellman | coveringkaty.com

Flooding Katy TX
April Flood Damage being repaired on several hike and bike trails
HARRIS COUNTY (Covering Katy) – One of two sections of hike-and-bike trails closed in August in George Bush Park, 16756 Westheimer Parkway, is now reopened in time for the holidays.
A 1.5 mile section of the South Barker Cypress Hike-and-Bike Trail was closed so the precinct could replace an old road bridge with a new bridge. That project was completed on …

Bike racks bloom across city thanks to Wellness Coalition

By RICK KELLEY | www.valleymorningstar.com

Bike Racks Harlingen TX
HARLINGEN — Red, green and blue loops anchored in concrete are becoming a sight to see across the city.
The bike racks — eventually 100 will be installed — are being positioned outside businesses and municipal buildings and in parks gratis thanks to a donation from the Harlingen Wellness Coalition.
“Right now what we’re doing is …

Normally I do not include “old news” but Pedal Pushers publishes interesting reviews of rides with good pictures.

Fort Davis Cyclefest

Pedal Pushers | roy-pedalpushers.blogspot.com

Fort Davis Cyclefest
September 17, 2016
Fort Davis, Texas
Fort Davis, now a National Historic Site, was established in 1854 on the San Antonio-El Paso Road.
From 1854 to 1891, Fort Davis was strategically located to protect mail coaches and freight wagons and to control activities of the Great Comanche and Mescalero Apache War Trails.
A shot of the above mosaic was taken at a rest stop on I 10 and honors the presence of the 24th and 25th U.S. Infantry regiments and the 9th and 10th U.S. Calvary regiments, all-black regiments (known as the buffalo soldiers) who were stationed at the post. …

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Texas Bicycling News December 19th 2016

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Villages of Western Oaks Trails

cyclingfan1981 | www.youtube.com

#PassTheBikePlan Campaign

BikeHouston | bikehouston.org


“A picture is worth a thousand words”, they say. Now imagine what a picture and a short reason for why you support the Houston Bike Plan can do!
This holiday season give back by sending in a photo of yourself holding a sign saying “I support the bike plan because ____, Name, City Council District X” (find what district you live in here)
Take the photo outside in natural light and make …

Hiking and biking trails expected to be ready in March

Michael Maresh | www.palestineherald.com


Davey Dogwood Park once contained trails, but the lack of use caused them to go into disrepair.
Now a select few, including Palestine City Councilman Joseph Thompson and Diane Shiflet, owner of Dogwood Bicycle, want to bring the trails back.
Shiflet has seen and heard the need from her customers.
“It’s something to do,” she said. “They travel to other towns to do …

Porter students get bikes for Christmas

By Blake Paterson | www.chron.com


It will be easier for families of 50 lucky first- and second-graders to afford Christmas with help from Academy Sports and Outdoors on Thursday afternoon.
With their parents situated in benches behind them, the squirming bunch of Porter Elementary School students lined up in rows facing the cafeteria stage curtain, unaware of the surprise that awaited.
“How many of you know why you’re here? Do you know?” asked principal Sheri Bonsal, pointing from student to student. “This is all …

Walnut Creek TRAIL BUILDING with ARR Trail Crew

Wednesday, Dec 21, 2016, 12:30 PM

Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
12138 North Lamar Boulevard Austin, TX

6 Mountain Bikers Went

We will continue the work on some new reroutes to the trail system in the Powerline Hill, Main Creek Bridge, and Log Loops areas.  Tasks will include stump and small brush removal and grooming of terrain.  We will have plenty of newly sharpened Pulaskis on hand, so the more the merrier.ARR will provide tools.  Please RSVP so we know how many tools…

Check out this Meetup →

Walnut Creek TRAIL BUILDING with ARR Trail Crew

Thursday, Dec 22, 2016, 10:00 AM

Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
12138 North Lamar Boulevard Austin, TX

4 Mountain Bikers Went

We will continue the work on some new reroutes to the trail system in the Powerline Hill, Ski Hill and Log Loops areas.  Tasks will include stump and small brush removal and grooming of terrain.  We will have plenty of newly sharpened Pulaskis on hand, so the more the merrier.ARR will provide tools.  Please RSVP so we know how many tools to bring….

Check out this Meetup →

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