Texas Bicycling News Digest May 17th 2016

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Serving on the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Commission

By Christina Sebastian

www.bikefriendlyfortworth.com

Along with two other Bike Friendly board members, I serve on the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Commission, created by the Fort Worth City Council in March 2015. The commission is made up of nine members total — one representative from each council district.
As a new commission, the city seems to still be defining what our exact responsibilities are, but so far, we have been asked to provide recommendations on facilities, recommend programs or studies for the general budget, and bring up issues that we would like to hear more about as a commission. The commission was recently asked to provide a …

Let’s Meetup and Ride the Mountain Bike trails of Memorial Park

Monday, May 23, 2016, 6:00 PM

Memorial Park – Soccer/Rugby Pitch Parking lot
6501 Memorial Dr (29.765522, -95.444994) Houston, TX

2 Members Went

Intermediate MTB Ride – Every Monday at Memorial Park. 6pm until Danny gets tired or it gets too dark. (Usually about an hour) Join us every Monday for a fun, moderate pace ride through the Memorial Park Trails. We can do skills training or just play in the dirt.Meet at the parking lot by the Soccer/Rugby field. Bring your helmet and water. Add li…

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Pedernales Falls @ 9:00 am Intermediate & Advanced Beginner groups

Saturday, May 21, 2016, 9:00 AM

Pedernales Falls State Park
2585 Park Road 6026 Johnson City, TX

6 Mountain Bikers Went

The intermediate level riders should be able to ride 12-14 miles with no stops at a pace of 8.5 – 9. MPH.Ride at your own Risk.   Helmets and eye protection are required.  Ensure your bike is in working condition and its recommended you have an extra tube and parts to keep it that way.This Ride will be canceled if trail conditions are wet…if …

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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…

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Ride of the Barrio – Fun social bicycle ride!

Friday, Jun 10, 2016, 7:00 PM

Southwest Schwinn
6607 S Braeswood Blvd Houston, TX

15 Members Went

Ride of the Barrio.We are a ride at your own pace, fun social bicycle ride.We are just a group of people riding for fun.Meet Times: 2nd Friday, and the 4th Thursday of each month.At 6607 Braeswood Houston Texas 77096Start time is around 7:00 pm The ride is 15 to 20 miles long with a stop along the way.We ride rain, shine, hot or cold. Helmets…

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Bike Around the Bay 2016 — Packet pick up is the 13th of October.

Saturday, Oct 15, 2016, 7:30 AM

Royal Purple Raceway
2525 S Fm 565 Rd Baytown, TX

4 Cyclists Went

Two very challenging and soul-sapping days of fatigue. And yet, it is a great ride. It has almost as good a vibe as the MS 150, although there will probably be no bystanders just handing out lemonade or beer. Like I said, almost as good. Just to let y’all know, I met another rider who’s ridden it several times already, he said he didn’t recall las…

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Pacific recalls Schwinn infant bike helmets, sold only at Target

by BRAIN Staff

www.bicycleretailer.com


MADISON, Wis. (BRAIN) — Pacific Cycle is recalling 129,000 Schwinn-branded infant bike helmets, sold at Target between January, 2014 and last month. The magnetic buckle on the helmet’s chin strap has small plastic cover and magnets that can come loose, creating the danger that an infant could choke or ingest a magnet. …

Going Green to Texas

By Ken Sidenblad

www.crazyguyonabike.com

Jayton,TX to Hamlin,TX: Just traveling along
Saturday May 14, 2016, 43 miles (69 km) – Total so far: 525 miles (845 km)
Off to a late start due to my extended visit with Mike and Kathy andI enjoied every minute of it. I was able to get a good pace going and make a good days ride despite a late start. MXS 29.7 mph AVS 9.7 mph TM 4:22:38. I started going east into the wind then south with a side wind and pickedn up a few mph. A lunch at Diary Queen steak fingers, fries and a root beer topped off with an ice cream cone to keep me going along. I left Spur,TX and headed to Hamlin city park for my nights stay. Folres tex-mex for supper andI was off to set up camp and get some rest. The …

The southern tier!

By Cheyenne Dolin

www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 33: Del Rio – Bracketville: Tired legs
Wednesday May 11, 2016
We got a late start today, but finally hit the road around 11. We saw Tom passing by when we took a break and waved him over. We rode together for an hour and then took another break, when Tom noticed he had a broken spoke. Luckily Jazael had this spoke repair kit, it was some kind of string/wire that you use in …

Day 34: Bracketville – Camp Wood: Birds flying high, you know how I feel, sun in the sky, you know how I feel
Thursday May 12, 2016
I went to Ziggy’s for breakfast, it’s a local favorite but I thought it was just okay (I’m sure they have amazing BBQ though, its what they’re known for.) I rode through the town on my way out, very cute. Reminded me of what a real life Stars Hallow from Gilmore Girls might be like. The road was lined with wildflowers, many I’d never seen before, and the further I went the more variety that appeared. There were huge stretches of purple flowers that looked like sea urchins, other strips of yellow daiseys. There were fields of a beautiful velvet-red and yellow flower that seemed to belong in the world of Wonderland. Another barn-red and bright yellow flower I imagined could appear in the mind of a hippy tripping of LSD. Acres occupied only by tall green grass and white flowers spotted about. Baby blue flowers, pink flowers, all …

Day 35: Campwood – Lost Maples State Park: Hippy chick takes a hike
Friday May 13, 2016
After breakfast at the Cafe Falcon I headed out anticipating a steep and challenging day. Although the ride did have steep sections and I sweated more than I ever have on a bike, I enjoyed the ride and took my time, embracing the hills. I stopped for a second breakfast in Leaky, the first place on the right that has a harley shop attached to it (only open for breakfast Fri-Sun). They had $1 pancakes!!! Couldn’t pass that up. I met a huge group of dudes riding their harleys around and talked with them for a bit. They were nice and blown away by what I am doing. One of them said, “you make us look like a bunch of wimps” lol!
I continued with the climbs and at the top of the hill I saw a group of cyclists resting. I pulled up to …

Day 36: Lost Maples – Fredricksburg: The most beautiful ride so far, and the kindness of strangers
Saturday May 14, 2016
The most beautiful ride of my life (so far)! I left Lost Maples bright and early ~6:45ish. Thunder roared loud in the distance, constant and threatening. I could see lightening flicker like someone was flipping a light switch up and down in the sky. Right away I hit a big, steep hill. Geared down and climbed to the top. At this point steep climbs are only a matter of patience. I reached the top and understood where the expression “God’s Country” comes from. More wildflowers than I’ve seen in my life. The tops of mountains are my favorite place to be. There is a tranquility there that not even the sublimity of a storm cloud can overpower. I headed into the grey clouds, towards the sound of thunder. I knew the rain would hold off for another hour, it had been waiting for days now. But soon the sky would open. One hour passed by. I passed fields of cows staring at me as though I were a spectacle. I looked back at them, it wasn’t rude to stare. Another hour passed, I turned eastward into the sunrise. In this direction the sky looked lighter, more kind, but this was an illusion. I began to …

Route 66 Eastward

By Rick Janssen

www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 29 – May 16th: Adrian to Amarillo
Monday May 16, 2016, 62 miles (100 km) – Total so far: 1,276 miles (2,054 km)
Over night rain and stormy and dreary skies as we awoke.
After reading camp we went to the local c-store (the only place in town) for breakfast. This is where we had pizza the night before.
We were a little hesitant about being able to get anything to eat here but someone assured us that it was there.
Adrian is the official halfway point of the route.
Just after Bushland we stopped at the Cadillac Ranch where they …

Velodrome Training

Cycling Space City

cyclingspacecity.blogspot.com

Houston’s Alkek Velodrome has a training program that will certify you to race in the velodrome. The next training session is this Saturday May 21st Noon to 3:00 PM. You can get the details from their Facebook Page which gets updated more than their web site. They provide the instructor and bike you just need to bring your enthusiasm and bike gear. At $20 this course is a bargain.
Ever since I first saw velodrome racing in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics I have wanted to try pedaling on the banked oval and was able to check this off the bucket-list a couple years back. My course was designed to run Tuesday & Thursday evenings over …

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Tighten All Valve Cores Bike Ride to SH 242

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Last night when I went to the garage to take the trash out I squeezed the front tire of my road bike. It felt a little soft so I aired it up to 110 psi and didn’t think too much about it. This morning when I returned to the garage to put the trash can back I squeezed the tire again and it was softer than last night’s squeeze. I removed the wheel, got the tire tools, patch kit and pump and went inside the house. I didn’t work on the problem right away because I was watching stage 10 of the Giro d’Italia but after it finished I looked at the outside of the tire but couldn’t find anything that might cause the leak. Next I removed the tube, pumped it up and ran my hand around the tube to feel escaping air. Nothing. Now I filled the bathroom sink up and slowly moved the tube through the water. No bubbles except one or two very slowly rising from the valve stem. Drying the tube off I added more air and went back to the water test. Still no bubbles from the tube but I put the valve stem under water and watched for bubbles. Again one or two escaped at the tip of the stem. I decided the valve core might be loose, went to the garage and brought a wrench back. After a few turns the valve core was tight in the stem. Back in the water and the bubbles were gone. I put the tube back in the tire, mounted the tire and aired it up to 110 psi. I took the tire back to the bike and put my tools away. I wanted to waited 30 or 40 minutes before riding to see if the tube was fixed.

I got dressed and headed out to the garage. The tube was still rock hard and I considered it fixed. I rolled out the driveway pushing the Edge 520 start button at 11:49. Up to now I wasn’t thinking too much about the Edge 520 issues but it didn’t take long for the 520 to beep with a “phone disconnected” alert before I got 1/10th of a mile. The “phone connected” alert followed about 200 feet later and that was all the alerts for the entire ride on the “SR242 – Valley Ranch” route. I didn’t ride yesterday due to rain until shortly after noon. It took several hours for the streets to dry out some. Today the streets were dry but as I left home the sky was overcast and I wondered if I might get wet. AS I made my way out of Kingwood through Woodridge Forest to my right the sky was even darker but not from rain clouds. Something was burning and dark smoke was rising. Not long after I saw the smoke I could hear sirens but I don’t know where the fire was at.

Making my way to the north bound US59 service road I rode to SH 242. The closer I got the more blue sky I saw. The overcast sky broke up and the sun shined through. I left home wearing a long sleeve jersey because the temperature was 73 degrees but now it was warming up and the long sleeves were not needed but at least I didn’t added a short sleeve jersey on top. The wind was slowing me down as I rode to the north but when I made the turn south at SH 242 the wind started helping me and I picked up the pace. I made it to the Stripes station at FM1314 at 1:32 pm, positioning me to get past all of the schools before the parents and buses arrived if I didn’t stay too long at Stripes. My Edge 520 screen when I arrived at Stripes.

5-17-2016 Porter Stripes Station

I refilled my water bottle and returned to the pump canopy shade to eat my snacks and drink some ice water. It was comfortable with the light wind blowing. I took these weather screenshots while I was at Stripes.

I was back on the bike around 1:54 and rode to the traffic light to cross FM1314. I rode past the Briar Tree schools without any traffic. I made it to the Kings Manor school and again no traffic. Next was the Bear Branch school and no traffic there either. I arrived back home at 2:43. By now the clouds had thinned even more to let lots of blue through. The temperature was 81 and the long sleeve jersey was not needed any longer. I biked 36.51 miles.

Tomorrow’s forecast has a chance of rain but I hope to bike.

5-17-2016 Splits

[iframe http://ridewithgps.com/trips/9007819/embed 48% 600px]

[iframe https://www.strava.com/activities/579373399/embed/643e98a4296492b189bd96fdcb2a0f2dba3774ed 590px 405px]

Texas Bicycling News May 16th 2016

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Ridgeview Dr open between Alma and Stacy

by ronshome

www.planobicycle.org

Allen has completed Ridgeview Dr between Alma and Stacy. The east termination is now just past Watters Rd near the Cinemark.
This happens to be the north termination of the Allen section of the Cottonwood Creek trail which travels south past the historic …

Annual Contract for Bicycle Repair Parts & Accessories for Bicycle Patrol Officers

www.texasbids.net

Bid Date & Time: 05/27/16 2:00 PM Owner Solic Number: 6100007567
Status: bidding Report: 7044485
Country : United States State: TX County: Bexar Location: San Antonio
Scope: Annual contract for bicycle repair parts & accessories for bicycle patrol officers.
Plans: From Owner. See linked file.
Outside Link: https://webapps.sanantonio.gov/bidlistingsnew/uploads%5CIFB_2916_201605121012120.pdf
Owner Type: Public
Buyer: San Antonio, City of – Purchasing & General Services
Address: PO Box 839966 City Hall Annex, 131 West Nueva
City: San Antonio State: TX Zip/Postal Code: 78283-3966
TEL: 210-207-7260 FAX: 210-207-7270
Website: http://www.sanantonio.gov/pgs/
Contact: Angela Alonso-Smith
Contact Title: Procurement Specialist III
Bid Pkg Source: San Antonio, City of – Purchasing & General Services
Address: PO Box 839966 City Hall Annex, 131 West Nueva
City: San Antonio State: TX Zip/Postal Code: 78283-3966
TEL: 210-207-7260 FAX: 210-207-7270
Website: http://www.sanantonio.gov/pgs/
Contact: Angela Alonso-Smith
Contact Title: Procurement Specialist III

Texas Pro Racer – Lawson Craddock at the 2016 Tour of California

cyclingnewstv

youtu.be

Cyclingnews is the world’s leading cycling website, bringing you the most up-to-date news, race results and live race coverage. You’ll also find the latest tech reviews, exclusive interviews, a lively forum and a whole lot more.

http://www.meetup.com/Easy-Riders-Houston/events/230816389/?rv=me1&https=off

Brushy Creek/Deception Ride

Wednesday, May 25, 2016, 6:00 PM

Brushy Creek Sports Park
2310 Brushy Creek Road Cedar Park, TX

14 Mountain Bikers Went

Meet at 5:45 pm to air up, tune and hit the Brushy Creek Deception trail.Wheels down at 6:00 pm.This will be a ride for folks who want to ride Deception at a fast beginner to intermediate group pace, depending on the crowd. If we get a big group we can split up based on the pace people want to ride.NOTE: This really isn’t a ‘beginner’ trail- it…

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The Austin Mountain Bikers Meetup Group

Austin, TX
3,937 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…

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Brushy Creek/Deception Ride

Wednesday, Jun 8, 2016, 6:00 PM

Brushy Creek Sports Park
2310 Brushy Creek Road Cedar Park, TX

12 Mountain Bikers Went

Meet at 5:45 pm to air up, tune and hit the Brushy Creek Deception trail.Wheels down at 6:00 pm.This will be a ride for folks who want to ride Deception at a fast beginner to intermediate group pace, depending on the crowd. If we get a big group we can split up based on the pace people want to ride.NOTE: This really isn’t a ‘beginner’ trail- it…

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Trail Etiquette Support

By mwelton

www.austinridgeriders.com

There has been a lot of public opinion about the lack of trail etiquette from Mountain Bikers at some of our local parks, specifically Walnut Creek. We want to reinforce to the everyone that we fully support trail etiquette per the IMBA Rules of the Trail. We understand that many people use the trails for a variety of reasons, and we are committed to doing our best to share these with the public. Below we have identified some of the things that we are doing to reinforce this to the mountain bike community and some action items specifically for Walnut Creek.
1) We have always included training on Trail Etiquette per the …

Rain Plays a Major Part in the BP MS 150’s Schedule – Again

www.digitaljournal.com

Houston, TX — (ReleaseWire) — 05/16/2016 — The BP MS 150 is a two-day fundraising bike ride organized by the National MS Society. The ride is the largest event of its kind in North America with 13,000 cyclists, 3,500 volunteers and countless spectators along the route and at the finish line in Austin. The 2015 BP MS 150 had a record breaking year raising $20.3 million dollars, bringing hope to many who are living with multiple sclerosis.
In typical Texas fashion, expected torrential downpours on Sunday shortened the ride to …

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Texas Bicycling News May 15th 2016

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Bicyclists in Beaumont push for safer roads; honor cyclists who died

By Ashley DeVriend

kfdm.com


BEAUMONT — T. Lynn Walden is honoring two cyclists struck by drivers and killed by riding to promote safety on the road.
“We all need to share the road,” Walden said. “We all have a place on the road and we can share it we can all get where we’re going if we just take our time and be courteous,” he said.
Walden and dozens of other bicyclists are headed to what they call two ghost bikes; placed where cyclists were killed. …

Bike Month activities include Bike to Work Day this Friday and more

by Pam LeBlanc

www.mystatesman.com


Pull your bicycle out of the shed and pump up the tires, folks. We’ve rolled halfway through Bicycle Month, with one of my favorite events, Bike to Work Day, fast approaching.
That means free coffee, snacks and swag at 39 fueling stations around the city this Friday. Check the list at biketoworkaustin.org/fuelingstations.
When you drop by for muffins, breakfast tacos or other assorted goodies, pick up a Bicycle Passport and get it stamped. It’ll earn you a free beer at the Bike Home From Work Party from 5 to 7 p.m. later that day at …

Ironman triathlon hits Tomball in ‘surprise’ change of course

By Matthew Tresaugue

www.houstonchronicle.com

Officials say township not likely to see economic impact from race

Jason Jacob had many places to be Saturday. His wife was competing in her first Ironman triathlon, while two of their sons were in the Tomball Little League playoffs.
For at least a few minutes, Jacob could be in both places at once.
A last-minute change to the course brought the Ironman North American Championship Texas into Tomball for the first time, including a stretch along the fence line of the city’s baseball fields. So Jacob and others found spots where they could keep one eye on their children and another on …

Ride the Real Ale Ride in Blanco, TX

Saturday, May 21, 2016, 7:30 AM

Real Ale Brewing Company
231 San Saba Court Blanco, TX

1 Cyclists Went

15 to 80 mile routes. Lots of hills, not something most of us are used to. It starts and ends at the Real Ale brewery, which is both good and bad. Generally speaking the ride gets good reviews.

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Go for an easy beginner ride

Saturday, May 21, 2016, 9:00 AM

Performance Bicycle
7549 Westheimer Rd Houston, TX

1 Cycling Enthusiasts Went

You’re invited to join our Saturday morning, beginners group ride starting from and ending at our W. Houston, Performance Bicycle store. The ride is for beginners and those getting back on the saddle. The average pace will be between 10 and 14 miles per hour and the ride will last approximately one hour. We’ll explore some of the local bike paths a…

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Saturday Beginner Ride

Saturday, May 21, 2016, 9:00 AM

Performance Bicycle
4750 Fm 1960 Rd W Houston, TX

6 Bicycle Enthusiasts Went

“We are moving our bike ride back to the shop! Every Saturday morning meet up at the store at 9 AM to get ready to leave on our weekly group ride. Please bring a helmet, water and a positive attitude and be ready to have fun! We will leave from the store parking lot and go through the neighborhoods behind the shop away from the busy traffic of 1960…

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New Ulm – 34 miles or 28 miles?

Sunday, Jun 5, 2016, 7:00 AM

1 Cyclists Went

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EDITORIAL: Participate in Wednesday’s Ride of Silence in McAllen

THE MONITOR EDITORIAL BOARD

www.themonitor.com


It is with great pride that our community will again unite on Wednesday night for an annual Ride of Silence in McAllen to commemorate area bicyclists who have been struck on public roads.
This event, which originates at The Monitor’s parking lot starting at 5:30 p.m., promotes much needed awareness that all must share our Rio Grande Valley roads — cars and bikes, alike. …

Route 66 Eastward

By Rick Janssen

www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 28 – May 15th: Tucumcari to Adrian Texas
Sunday May 15, 2016
Beautiful campsite last night at the Koa.
Woke up to overcast skies and the threat of rain.
Today we hit Texas and the official mid point of the tour in mileage.
Services along the way are very sparse and its Don and my turn to cook tonite. We will see what we can get at the c-store along the way.
We stopped at San Jon for a coffee and were told that there will be services in …

Adventure 1

By Jazael Martinez

www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 23: Presidio: Why doesn’t anyone go this way?
Friday April 29, 2016, 100 km (62 miles) – Total so far: 988 km (614 miles)
The day’s plan was to head south to Presidio. This served two purposes, one I would be in place to meet up with my aunt who lives in the City of Chihuahua, Chihuahua (state), Mexico, and two I could enter the Big Bend Ranch State Park from there. …

Austin continues rushing to a judgment on transportation bonds

By Ben Wear

www.mystatesman.com


Today’s column is about the city of Austin election.
No, no, not that one. I’m talking about the transportation bond election in November.
Yes, it could still happen. You are completely forgiven if you have forgotten, or never heard of, what “it” refers to in that sentence. After all, the transportation focus for the past half-year has been on Uber and Lyft, and on the election just concluded.
And the “it” is still a (very rushed) work in progress.
The possibility that the city might ask voters to OK some borrowing for transportation this year first surfaced late in 2015, even as the tiff over ride-hailing and fingerprints and petitions and big, bad bully corporations was …

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