Texas Bicycling News August 5th 2016

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Bicyclist in July hit-and-run dies from his injuries

By Andy Jechow

kxan.com

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A bicyclist who was injured in a July 10 hit-and-run in southeast Austin has died.
Elijah Ponthier, 26, was riding his bike southbound on Bluff Springs Road at Chateau Village Way when he was hit from behind by an unknown, dark-colored vehicle. The driver fled the scene.
Ponthier was taken to South Austin Medical Center where he remained until he died from his injuries Tuesday.
The case is still under investigation. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the APD Vehicular Homicide Unit at 512-974-8255.

Thursday Morning Cruise

Thursday, Aug 11, 2016, 7:15 AM

Starbucks
7049 S Desert (Outlet Mall) Canutillo, TX

2 Cyclists Went

Meet at 7:15 am at Starbucks at the Outlet Mall in Canutillo. Ride out at 7:30. 20-25 miles at 14-16 mph avg pace. Mostly flat, a few hills. Breakfast someplace after the ride. Bob Clark,[masked]

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Come WATCH bicycle racing and SOCIALIZE.

Thursday, Aug 11, 2016, 4:45 PM

Driveway Bike Race Series
8400 DELWAU LANE Austin, TX

3 Austin Cyclists Went

Come watch some of your friends race bikes on a closed smooth track.. Learn more about the fun spectator family friendly racing series.. You can ride out on the walnut creek trail as it has an exit close to the track.Ask me questions if you want to try it out.. also stay and watch the kids race..click link to learn morehttp://drivewayseries.com…

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Colin Edwards’ Texas Tornado Boot Camp Instructor Steve Bodak In A Coma After Being Hit By A Car While Training On A Bicycle

www.roadracingworld.com


Steve Bodak, an instructor at Colin Edwards’ Texas Tornado Boot Camp and the owner of the construction company that actually built the facility to Edwards’ plan, is hospitalized and in a coma as the result of being hit by a car while training on a road bicycle Wednesday, August 3rd. He is 44 years old.
Bodak and his family live in Willis, Texas, where the accident happened, and operate Bodak Construction. …

This weekend’s rides: Down Redbud! Red Horn!

by Thomas

steinerranchcycling.com

Our RAGBRAI group had a blast last week and are ready to get back into regular riding with everyone. Saturday we will ride down Redbud in a 57 miles reverse dam loop varient (https://www.strava.com/routes/6005513). As always, join us for discounted burgers and beer at Lakeside after the ride!
Sunday is our usual Coffee Shop ride to …

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Amtrak Train Crossing the Bike Ride in Huffman

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My plan to start biking earlier didn’t happen today. I was watching the Volta a Portugal with about 15 kilometers to go. A group of 5 riders were the breakaway almost 7 minutes ahead of the peloton. I thought things would be stable while I brushed my teeth. When I came back in a few minutes I saw the message in Portuguese in the lower left that the race was neutralized. I wondered what happened. Maybe a large crash or something. In a few minutes there was a replay and I think the problem is the breakaway turned right at a fork in the road with a policeman waving a yellow flag. The peloton came to the same fork and went left. I don’t know how long it took the race director to see the problem but the breakaway group was stopped and the peloton kept riding but at slow pace. After about 10 minutes the peloton came to a stop and the race officials talked to people. The race was restarted with the breakaway positioned 6+ minutes in front of the peloton before they were started. The break stayed away and then one of the riders took off from the break for the win. All of this delayed my getting ready as I wanted to see how this finished out. I started the ride at 12:14.

With a later start I decided to ride the “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route for 31.3 miles. It was 94 degrees with scattered clouds. The wind was light and variable directions. I thought with the starting time I might cross paths with the Amtrak train in Huffman. The first crossing on Old Atascocita Road no train in sight. The last time i saw the train I was in Huffman and it was about 1:59. I rolled up to the crossing on FM2100 and FM1960. A FedEx Freight truck pulled up beside me and the crossing lights started blinking. The FedEx truck decided to cross the tracks and as he moved over the tracks the crossing arm came down on top of the trailer and then fell to the ground as it detached from the cross arm pole. I guessed this was the Amtrak train and got my phone out to snap some pictures.

The train is on the way to New Orleans.

After the train passed I rode across FM1960 to the Huffman Chevron for a rest break. At this point I was 19.9 miles into the ride. I didn’t want to stay too long so I could get back home to watch the Tour of Utah. Bike race watching overload today: Volta a Burgos followed by the Volta a Portugal followed by the Tour of Utah.

I left the Chevron station about 2:15 to finish the 11+ miles to home. I stopped the Elemnt ride at 3:06 after biking 31.3 miles. This pushed my year to date miles to 5029 and this week’s miles to 176. I am at 22% of my August goal of 800 miles.

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Home weather at the end of the ride

8-5-2016 Home Weather Finish 324PM

Texas Bicycling News August 4th 2016

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APD introduces Neighborhood Policing Unit

By Angelica Brown

www.kxxv.com

Video


AMARILLO, TX (KFDA) – With the community’s trust in mind, the Amarillo Police Department has created a new unit of cops.
It’s called the Neighborhood Policing Unit — eight officers and one supervisor designated to give special attention to certain areas in Amarillo. …

… “We’re going to have bicycle officers back out there,” said Pennington. …

Cyclists ride into Huntington for disabilities awareness

www.herald-dispatch.com


HUNTINGTON – Twenty-nine cyclists rode into Huntington on Wednesday afternoon with the mission of raising awareness and funds for people with disabilities.
The men are part of the Ability Experience Journey of Hope, a 4,200-mile cycling event.
The Journey of Hope team consists of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity men from across the country.
Daniel Hansbury, 21, of Denton, Texas, said he was motivated to join the Journey of Hope in honor of his brother who has …

Back the Blue raises money for law enforcement bike tour

By: Alex Ervin

www.ktxs.com


ABILENE, Texas – Back the Blue Abilene was out at the Law Enforcement Center Wednesday, living up to its name.
The organization sold “Back the Badge” yard signs and car magnets to help raise funds for the Police Unity Tour.
Police officers from all over the country, including Abilene and Taylor County, show up every year to participate in the 300-mile bike ride to honor fallen officers.

Queen Isabella Causeway To Get Pedestrian-Bicycle Lane

www.kurv.com


Some key public transportation projects in Cameron County have gotten a financial shot in the arm. The city of Brownsville has been awarded a 10-million dollar federal Department of Transportation grant to improve public transit, and to create a pedestrian-bicycle lane on the Queen Isabella Causeway. …

Barton Creek Greenbelt Social Ride – Advanced Beginner/Intermediate

Thursday, Aug 11, 2016, 6:00 PM

Spec’s
4978 W Highway 290 Austin, TX

12 Mountain Bikers Went

Advanced Beginner/Intermediate Social Ride (self drop).  This ride will keep a moderate pace with stops to regroup, etc.Riders need to be capable of riding technical rocks sections, etc.Riders must wear helmet, bring sufficient hydration, and be prepared to exit the ride on your own if your equipment fails.This ride should wrap up no later than …

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Tour de Southern Walnut Creek Trail

Tuesday, Aug 9, 2016, 8:00 AM

Govalle Park
5200 Bolm Rd. Austin, TX

4 Austin Cyclists Went

Start Time is 8 AM!A D-pace ride (roughly 11 to 14 mph) on The Southern Walnut Creek Trail from the trailhead at Govalle Park up to the Abrupt End at Lindell Lane just north of Decker Lake.  Round trip is about 20 miles.  The trail is paved for the entire distance, with a 1/2 mile hill on the outbound.  We’ll regroup periodically on the outbound a…

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Wednesday night ride

Wednesday, Aug 10, 2016, 7:00 PM

White Oak hike and bike and Heights hike and bike intersection
705 Nicholson St Houston, TX

4 HHRC members Went

Road bike ride from the Heights hike and bike trail up White Oak Bayou and back. Please make sure your lights (front and back) are operational and bring plenty of water.

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Adventure 1

By Jazael Martinez

www.crazyguyonabike.com

Days 83 – 84: Host Hop
Tuesday June 28, 2016, 30 km (19 miles) – Total so far: 3,669 km (2,280 miles)
The one touristy thing I wanted to do while in Houston was to see the NASA Johnson Space Center. Using mind tricks I convinced my hosts to go with me, no just kidding they actually wanted to go. My host’s wife hadn’t ever been even though they live just minutes from it!
My host, Eduardo, and I rode our bikes from his place to the space center. It was a …

Day 85: Galveston Island State Park
Thursday June 30, 2016, 62 km (39 miles) – Total so far: 3,731 km (2,319 miles)
After a long breakfast and more chatting up my hosts in League City (South Houston) I bid my farewells and hit the road late as usual.
I wasn’t too worried about leaving late, I was only planning on going over to …

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https://twitter.com/AustinBikePed/status/761317148539097088

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Another Scorcher in the Houston Area Bike Ride

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Another scorcher in the Houston area. When I walked into the house after today’s ride my home weather station showed 99 degrees. I could feel it out on the road too. I chose the “New Caney – Tavola – Valley Ranch” route which was a few miles shorter than yesterday’s ride coming in at 34.82 miles. This moved my August miles to 145 and year to date to 4998. As hot as it has been I would expect the asphalt roads to show some stress but so far I haven’t noticed any.

The start was later than I prefer with the heat but I was delayed by my appointment with the Harris County Appraisal District to protest my property market value. I got back home around 11:15 and started biking at 11:51. I finished riding at 2:52 and after I write this and take a shower I will watch the Tour of Utah.

A rest stop was in order and I stopped at the Porter Stripes about 1:27 and 23.6 miles into the ride. I rested about 30 minutes and then back on the bike for the 11+ miles to home.

While I was at the Stripes station I chatted with a man who stopped at the gas pump nearby. We talked about where I ride and where he does. I gave him a Texbiker business card.

I should ride earlier tomorrow and the weather is on the repeat cycle.

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Home weather at the end of the ride

8-4-2016 Home Weather Finish 304PM