Texas Bicycling News July 21st 2016

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Ride a bike; see the world (or at least the city)

by Pam LeBlanc

fitness.blog.austin360.com


Today, you get a list. Specifically, a list of noteworthy things that I’ve seen or experienced lately on my bike commute.
Depending on the day, I pedal between 7 and 20 miles around Austin, getting to and from work, swim practice and interviews. Sometimes I have to take my car, because I need to get to faraway appointments. Still, for the last eight or nine years, I’ve averaged about four days a week on two wheels.
I used to think that would …

Upcoming rides for the next two weekends

by Thomas

steinerranchcycling.com

Many of us (myself included) are going to RAGBRAI and will miss our next two ride weekends (through the end of July). Many more are staying here and wanting to ride! Communication for the ride options may be lacking, but there will certainly be rides leaving from our …

El Paso cyclist is run off the road by hit-and-run driver

By Tomas Hoppough

kfoxtv.com


EL PASO, Texas — A recent collision between a car and a bicyclist has the cycling community asking drivers to pay more attention.
Sadly, tension between cyclists and certain drivers is nothing new, but after a cyclist was hit in west El Paso recently, the cycling community is calling for drivers to follow the law and share the road.
On the morning of July 9, on Desert Boulevard, cyclist Patty Flynn was having a solo ride.
“Next thing I knew, I was flying through …

8/20 Hell of the North Texas/Full Moon Fever Gravel Grinders

Spinistry

forums.mtbr.com

Please note: The Full Moon Fever 98 mile route has an extended section best ridden on MTB. More detail below.
https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/Hillsb…fCode=3GgOKnXG
Double the pleasure, double the fun. We have some brand new tasty dirt and gravel roads to our south to hit up day and night. Hell of the Noth Texas is in the morning, Full Moon Fever goes that night. Special pricing if you do the double header or choose just one to your liking. We’ve even included some fun rides and shorter routes into the mix to have a little something for everyone.
Hell of the North Texas Gran Fondo with cash awards: …

Cyclist Preach Safety In The Wake Of Accident

www.kiiitv.com

Video

CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) – Share the road – that’s the plea coming from the cycling community after one of their fellow riders was struck down in a hit-and-run accident early Wednesday morning. The 61-year-old cyclist, Andy Heines, was critically injured and rushed to the hospital. Police were eventually able to track down and arrest a suspect. Our Bill Churchwell has this report.

Too Hot to Trot: To-do list for Wichita Falls’ Hotter’N Hell race fans, friends

Written by Hali Pollard.

www.texashighways.com


Calling all brave fitness enthusiasts – the 35th annual Hotter’N Hell Hundred, one of the longest single-day bicycle rides in the world, returns to Wichita Falls on Saturday, Aug. 27. For those not inclined to participate in the 100-mile ride under Texas’ summer heat conditions, there are still plenty of ways to take in the city. …

Cannondale recalls 3,500 commuter bikes over fork/axle concerns

by BRAIN Staff

www.bicycleretailer.com


WILTON, Ct. (BRAIN) — Cycling Sports Group, the parent company of Cannondale, is recalling about 3,500 Cannondale Bad Boy and Bad Girl commuter bikes because the front hub axle can fail. The recall involves bikes manufactured between 2010 and 2012.
The company sold about 3,100 of the affected bikes in the U.S. and 400 in Canada. All of the bikes had matte black frames. Only bicycles with date codes beginning with P, Q and RB through RL are included in this recall. The date code is located on the bottom of the bicycle fork …

Former student finds success as professional cyclist

By: Kim Foli


Chad Haga has been a bicycle enthusiast most of his life. The Texas A&M University mechanical engineering graduate wasted no time before before joining the university cycling team as a freshman in 2006.
hagapic
Ten years later, he’s racing professionally for the Giant Alpecin team in Europe. It’s been a long road filled with triumph and defeat, but it’s one that has helped forge his passion and zeal for life.
As he looks to the future, Haga hopes to combine his …

SAus- Social Cycling Austin’s Yoga Ride in Austin

eventful.com

August 9, 2016
Tuesday 6:30 PM (on various days)
Doug Sahm Hill
Butler Park
Austin, Texas
Bikes + yoga = fun! This yoga class itself is designed specifically for cyclists and appropriate for all levels including beginners. 6:30pm Meet on Spiral Hill, hang out, meet your fellow yogis, drink some hydrating beverages, etc. 7:00pm Ride to a mystery spot where we will have an hour of yoga. 8:15pm – 8:30pm Ride bikes even more! 10 miles or so. More if you’re up for it 😉 . Moderate pace, no drops.

Honkers Gonna Honk

By Gerry van Bakel

bikehouston.org


When I moved to Houston, I did not have a very detailed picture of the bike culture. Over the course of the past three years, I rode my bike all over town and became an active member of BikeHouston. It took almost two years before I experienced some real ‘cyclist treatment’ from a driver. On a nearly deserted downtown street, five lanes abreast, so I was not really competing for his space on the road, a driver rolled down his window and yelled at me: why aren’t you driving your car?
When riding in a group often cars passing us will …

Houston Critical Mass Ride

Friday, Jul 29, 2016, 7:00 PM

Market Square Park
301 Milam Street Houston, TX

1 Cyclists Went

http://www.criticalmasshouston.com/events/This is a fun group ride. Starts and ends downtown at Market Square. Only 20 miles, plus or minus 5 depending on the route, at a social pace. This one is definitely not a race. Dedicated road bikes are not needed and you might as well leave your tri-machine at home.  At times some of the group will peel of…

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Our three picks: Bikes, Texas music, backyard fun

www.reporternews.com


Our three picks: Bikes, Texas music, backyard fun
Family bike
The 34th annual Tour de Gap bicycle race takes place Saturday at the Old Settlers Reunion Grounds in Buffalo Gap. On-site registration begins at 6:30 a.m. and all races begin at 8 a.m. The family friendly event includes three races — 11 miles, 27 miles and 52 miles. Registration is $30 for 15 years and older; children 14 and younger ride free with paying adults. Registration is also available on www.bikereg.com/tour-de-gap. Money raised through the Tour de Gap will benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Turtles On A Log Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Summer 2016 is one third over and the daily weather forecast keeps showing hot and dry. I got a late start today beginning the ride at 11:29 with the temperature in the mid 90’s under scattered clouds and a light breeze. Pushing toward my 765 mile goal for July I picked the “Stroker Road – Huffman” route and biked 41.65 miles. This lifted the YTD miles to 4710, July miles to 675 and the week’s riding to 153 miles.

Nothing out of the ordinary on the ride. When I crossed over Ben’s Branch Bayou on W. Lake Houston Parkway I looked down in the water at an old tree limb. There was a bunch of turtles perched on the limb sunning themselves. I almost stopped to take a picture but decided not to. On the way back home I looped under the bridge and stopped to take a couple of pictures of the turtles. Some of them scurried into the water. The sun was in my face and I thought I took two pictures but when I got home they were not on my phone. Maybe I will catch them next time.

Later when I was riding north on FM2100 approaching the Old Atascocita Road crossing another biker rode across FM2100 probably 150 feet from me. He was concentrating on starting to pedal and avoid oncoming traffic and did not look my way. I was on my way to Huffman and a rest stop at the Chevron station.

Arrival screen at the Chevron station
Huffman Weather

I needed the rest break to cool down some. I bought a large fountain blue PowerAde and sat down outside in the shade. I used a bunch of paper towels to dry off until the breeze took over. A Clif bar and a whole grain fruit bar helped to replenish my energy. I arrived at 1:33 and left around 2:13 in much shape. The light breeze was with me as I rode west on FM1960. To be sure I rode more than 40 miles I took the extended way through Atascocita Shores emerging on Atascocita Shores Drive near the community pool. Continuing the ride home I finished the ride at 3:08.

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Home Weather at the end of the ride

7-21-2016 Home Weather Finish 318PM

Texas Bicycling News July 20th 2016

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Bicyclist in critical condition following hit and run

By Emily Hamilton

www.kristv.com


CORPUS CHRISTI – Police are questioning a driver accused of a hit and run that seriously injured Andy Heines, the Corporate Communications Director for AEP. Heines was out for an early morning bicycle ride on the SPID Access Road near Paul Jones Avenue when he was hit by a large pickup.
Heines suffered head trauma and other life-threatening injuries. According to Corpus Christi PD he is currently on a ventilator.
The driver of the two-toned dually pickup truck hit the bicyclist …

Police Make Arrest In Hit & Run Case

www.kiiitv.com


CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) – Police have made an arrest in the city’s latest hit and run case that left a Corpus Christi man in critical condition. Alexis Derise Jr, 40, was arrested Wednesday morning after police say he was driving a green and tan pickup truck along Paul Jones near the intersection of South Padre Island Drive and hit a bicyclist, then fled the scene.
The accident was reported around …

Bicycle Mechanic/Sales Associate in EL PASO, Texas

workintexas.jobs

ATOM CYCLIST LP
Experience is not required, but applicant must have an aptitude for the job at hand; must be mechanically inclined Language: Bilingual in English and Spanish is required to communicate with customers Education: High school diploma / GED Requirements: Must have great customer service skills Reliable and ready to work Duties: Assist with bike repairs Help clients on Sales Floor Assist with stocking and inventory counts Assist with cleaning responsibilities

Hotter’N Hell preparations

By Alex Achten

www.kxxv.com


WICHITA FALLS, TX (KAUZ) – The Hotter’N Hell Hundred is only one month away, meaning more business for local bike shops.
The Bike Stop is busy with bike repairs and bike sales.
Employee Sean Brown said they stay busy year round.
However, the store sees a spike in July and August because of the race.
“This time of the year, there is a real big uptick in bike sales, as well as bike repairs,” Brown said. “We sell around the same …

Editorial: Planned Rollingwood bike lanes deliver welcoming message

www.statesman.com


Rollingwood officials are taking a step in the right direction by moving ahead with the city’s bike lanes project, which is aimed at making the 1-square mile city safer for cyclists.
City Administrator Charles Winfield said in an article on page A1 of this issue that studies show bike lanes cause motorists to slow down and be more cautious. If that happens, the project is well worth the city’s investment of about $56,000 from …

HIKING & BIKING: City expects to draw visitors to new trail system

By Evan Dudley

kilgorenewsherald.com


Jake Carsten, trail designer for the new bike paths, surveys the proposed area in early June.

Late spring showers brought delays but East Texas has returned to normal operational standards with summer heat tip-toeing in the triple digits. The normality of dry days and few breezes has allowed work to begin on new mountain bike trails being built at the Mineola Nature Preserve.
Lynette Wood, chairman of the East Texas Trail Advocacy and the local International Mountain Biking Association chapter, is excited and optimistic about the trails being developed at the nature preserve. Given the acreage of the preserve and its unique terrain, …

Two Useless Bike Repair Stations in Deep Ellum Got an Upgrade Last Week Thanks to Local Hub

By Eric Grubbs

www.dallasobserver.com


Dallas still has a ways to go to be considered bike-friendly. But while it’s no New York, Chicago or Portland, there are definitely signs that the bike culture here is growing, and especially in Deep Ellum. Since the neighborhood connects downtown and the White Rock Lake area, plenty of bikers pass through. The Local Hub Bicycle Company, which opened on Main Street in late 2015, couldn’t have come on …

Cyclists crossing U.S. for good cause pass through East Texas

By Alex Osiadacz

www.kltv.com


LONGVIEW, TX (KLTV) – A group of cyclists crossing the country spent some time in East Texas Wednesday morning.
More than 30 members of the Phi Kappa Pi fraternity are riding on the south route of the ‘Journey of Hope,’ raising money and awareness for disabilities.
The organization has raised over $500,000 this year for the program, and for the cyclists passing through East Texas, they’ve …

For the “THRALL” of It: A Century Ride–(CCW)

rides.bikeaustin.org

7/22/2016 Time: 6:30 AM
IT’S THAT TIME OF THE MONTH—–This looks like one of the best weather days left in July—SOOOOOO!! Come out and ride to test your stamina/endurance as you help (we’d like to think he needs our help!) Mark Perkins complete his 79th consecutive month of doing a century ride!! Starting this ride VERY early to try and “beat-the-heat”—You’ll need front & rear LIGHTS on your bike for this early start!!!!
Come get a good workout and get out in the fresh air—as you ride a Century (100 miles) from Lake Pflugerville. A no-drop ride (promise–we’ll always re-group as we really want to stay together!) over the flat rolling farm/ranch land of northeast Travis, northwest Bastrop, and east Williamson Counties. You’ll head out east to Elgin; then go north …

Hillcroft Redesign meeting

Mary Blitzer, Advocacy Director, BikeHouston

I just learned that tomorrow evening, 7/21 at 6:00 pm at the Bayland Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet St Houston, TX 77074, there is a public meeting on the redesign of Hillcroft: Bissonnet to Beechnut (N-100012).

Hillcroft is on the Houston Bike Plan as a street that should have designated bikeways within the public right of way. This means a safe bike lane or sidepath (like a wide sidewalk designed for people walking and bicycling). Right of way is limited and currently no bikeways are proposed.

Please attend tomorrow’s meeting to learn more about the topic and to support building safe bikeways as part of this project! The project is in design now, making right now the cheapest and most efficient time to make changes and start implementing Houston Bike Plan projects! If you attend the meeting, fill out survey cards or speak in public about being in favor of including safe bikeways. Please also highlight any issues you see with the design.

Goatneck bike race deadline approaching

By Ashley Rose

www.cleburnetimesreview.com


The Tour de Goatneck Bike Ride celebrates it’s 29th anniversary on July 30. The race begins and ends at Cleburne High School.
Every year since 1987, on the last Saturday of July, cyclists from all over come to Cleburne to ride the Goatneck. The trails are called Goatneck because they cover an area in southwest Johnson County that looks like a goat’s neck from the air. Originally created by members of the Cleburne Jaycees, the Goatneck is a way to raise money for local charities, including Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and …

The Austin Mountain Bikers Meetup Group

Austin, TX
3,936 Mountain Bikers

Meet other local mountain bikers to organize rides, review trails, gear and trade tips. All skill-levels welcome. We’ll try to organize rides that fit all experience levels. M…

Check out this Meetup Group →

Kemah Bridge Ride

Saturday, Jul 23, 2016, 7:00 AM

Bay Area Park
7500 Bay Area Blvd. Houston, TX

1 Cyclists Went

Meet by the duck pond at Bay Area park, close to the exit.  Plenty of parking there along with restrooms.A longer ride (33-36 miles) with a bail-out at around 29 miles total (turn right on Bay Area Blvd from Space Center). Some short cuts are available if you decide you need a breather. We have a great route set up, with the bridge in the first th…

Check out this Meetup →

Ride to the monument

Sunday, Jul 24, 2016, 7:00 AM

Bay Area Park
7500 Bay Area Blvd. Houston, TX

6 Cyclists Went

A 30-ish mile route, from Bay Area park to the monument. Not many bail-outs along the way and you can expect some wind on the return.  We will take 2 short breaks, one at the monument or battleship for some pictures, then a slightly longer one on 225 just to pick up water or snacks at the store there.We’ll meet up by the duck pond near the exit.  …

Check out this Meetup →

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

https://twitter.com/bicyclesplus/status/755798672437186560

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Shorter Quicker “Oakhurst – Valley Ranch” Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Today’s ride was shorter than usual at 28.30 miles on the “Oakhurst – Valley Ranch” route. I am time constrained today but I did manage to start biking at 9:57. It took a large amount of effort to leave then. The weather was not heated up yet but it was still hot and the humidity was around 70% making for a soggy ride. My jersey didn’t take long to get soaked. Every time I slowed or stopped sweat dripped down my arms and on to the pavement.

Early in the ride while I was still navigating the Kingwood greenbelt trail I rounded a corner the same time as another biker was rounding it from the other direction. We both swerved the correct direction and avoided a crash.

No rest stop today but I make a quick stop at the Valley Ranch Texaco to replenish my water bottle. Riding south on the I-69/US59 service road the wind was mostly from the left rear and I rode quick enough to improve my average speed to 14.7 mph. I biked back into Kingwood through Woodridge Forest and Sherwood Trails finishing the ride at 12:00.

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Home Weather at the end of the ride

7-20-2016 Home Weather Finish 1213PM