Texas Bicycling News May 10th 2016

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Ironman contest’s staging proves to be challenge in itself

By Matthew Tresaugue

www.houstonchronicle.com

Political potholes, extreme weather, bad timing nearly sidetracked event

It was the last day of February, 75 days from the biggest triathlon in Texas, when organizers learned their proposed course was going nowhere.
A Montgomery County commissioner had sent an email saying he wouldn’t allow the cycling portion of the annual race to pass through his precinct, as it had in previous years. “Please find a route outside of Pct. 2,” Commissioner Charlie Riley wrote.
The startling rejection set off a mad scramble to save the Ironman North American Championship Texas, an event that …

LyondellBasell Receives National MS Society Circle of Distinction Award

www.prnewswire.com


HOUSTON, May 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB), one of the world’s largest plastics, chemical and refining companies, has been honored with the Circle of Distinction Award from the National MS Society for raising a total of $1.4 million to help people living with multiple sclerosis.
Since 1998, LyondellBasell employees have participated in the BP MS 150, a …

Skills clinics– cornering, shifting, braking, group riding.

Sunday, May 22, 2016, 9:00 AM

Veloway parking
4898 La Crosse Ave Austin, Te

4 Austin Cyclists Went

We will cover great topics to get you riding better, safer, and faster.. This 2.5 HR clinic will get you shifting more efficiently, pedaling smoother circles, taking corners better, and feel more comfortable braking.. The last bit we will do a group ride around the veloway and also the neighborhood bike lanes.. There is a cost for this, but it’s o…

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How to use clip pedals..

Sunday, May 22, 2016, 8:00 AM

The Veloway
4801 La Crosse Ave Austin, TX

2 Austin Cyclists Went

We we master clip pedals in 5 steps to a safe stop. Michael has been teaching skills for over 7 years. We will have a small class with drills, simulated stops, learning the right gear to start, and learning his proven 5 step method to the Safe Stop. This is a great value at only $20

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8 AM start- Tour de Southern Walnut Creek Trail

Tuesday, May 17, 2016, 9:00 AM

Govalle Park
5200 Bolm Rd. Austin, TX

4 Austin Cyclists Went

New Start Time is 8 AM!This is a ride-on-your-own event.  I’m out of town on May  17, but I was urged to schedule it anyway.Weather permitting…A D-pace ride (roughly 11 to 13 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.  …

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Proposed Bike Lanes: A Roundup and Pics of the new Mopac Bike Path

by Mike Melanson

austinonabike.com


It seems lately that I get an email every other week from the city about proposed bike lanes. And sometimes, I just run across new infrastructure when I head to a part of town I haven’t been to recently. This happened the other week when I found myself climbing the hill on the Mopac frontage road where it crosses 360 and looked up to my right to notice the big separated bike path.
I’m sure y’all get the emails too, but if not, here are …

Bike the Bricks returns to downtown McKinney on May 27

starlocalmedia.com


Kick off Memorial Day weekend with non-stop thrills and occasional spills during McKinney’s annual Bike the Bricks on May 27.
Spectators will have front-row seats as more than 500 cyclists from around the globe – including Germany, South Africa and New Zealand – take to the bricks and tight turns of historic downtown at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour in continuous races throughout the evening.
Bike the Bricks has grown into the largest one-day cycling race in Texas and …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

https://twitter.com/AustinBikePed/status/730098095657263108

https://twitter.com/BBQ44/status/730081874031181824

https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/730029553725411328

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Windy Eagle Springs – Walden – Huffman Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

So far this week the rides are “30’s” while last week was “40’s” referring to the distance of the rides. Today I was on a route I don’t do very often, “Eagle Springs – Walden – Huffman”. Today’s ride was 37.14 miles long covering Atascocita on the way to Eagle Springs. The wind wasn’t quite as strong as yesterday but it was still a factor. When I started at 12:13 the airport weather had the wind from the SE at 13 mph. By the time I got back home at 3:30 it was from the S at 13 mph with 22 mph gusts. It was warmer today at 87 degrees under mostly cloudy skies.

Pedaling was hard until I made the turn from Old Atascocita Road onto FM2100 north. Riding across Lake Houston to the east the wind wanted to push me to the left and the concrete guardrail was not much help.Riding on residential streets the homes sometimes held the wind back and other times became a channel for the wind to blow through. I wasn’t always headed in the right direction to take advantage of the channel winds.

I arrived at the Huffman Chevron at 1:43, 24.98 miles into the ride. After battling the wind I needed to take a break, eat some and drink some PowerAde. I think the wind was drying me out even with the humidity at 77%. This is what my Edge 520 screen showed when I got to the station.

5-10-2016 Huffman Chevron

I needed to time my departure to avoid the school traffic on the way back home. When I went inside the store one of the clerks said she liked my Ohio State jersey. I knew from previous conversations with her that she is from Ohio, not far from where I grew up. I had forgotten I had that jersey on but quickly agreed it was a good looking jersey. Walking back outside I found a shaded spot under the pump canopy to eat and drink. While I was sitting there a freight train came through town. It was probably 50 to 60 cars long, almost all of them covered hopper cars probably carrying some chemical power or plastic materials from the chemical plants around the ship channel. This train didn’t leave all the sand cloud like last week’s train.

The weather screenshots while I was at the Chevron station.

With the higher humidity I thought I would be soaked from sweat but I didn’t feel that wet and when I stood up the Greensheet newspaper I sat on was pretty dry. Both of the wind readings show how hard the wind can make biking. I think of the wind as hills around Houston since we don’t really have any. Finished I got back on the bike and enjoyed the wind help me ride west on FM1960. I built up the average speed but riding back across Lake Houston the wind tried to move my bike around. The 50mm rims give the wind something to push against. When a gust hits you need both hands on the handle bar to hold the bike’s direction. Leaving FM1960 at Pinehurst Trail the wind moved more to my back and left rear quarter not able to grab the rims as much.

My Edge 520 continues to work well. Only one phone disconnect message popped up followed shortly with a phone connected message at the .54 mile mark. I read yesterday that Garmin signed on with several other cycling teams. Each team rider gets an Edge 520 along with some other Garmin gear. The article mentioned how reliable the 520 is. Maybe when it isn’t connected by Bluetooth to a phone the issues I experience go away. I don’t see any pro bike racers carrying cell phones during the race. I am comfortable enough that I don’t use the Ride With GPS app as a backup during a ride.

May miles now total 279 miles towards my 540 mile goal. I am over half way to the goal. If the weather holds I could significantly exceed my goal. Wednesday’s weather looks like a repeat of today.

I watched stage 4 of the Giro d’ Italia before riding today. I watched a couple of ways: on my Acer Chromebook 14 while I ate breakfast and read the paper and then on BeIN Sport on the big screen TV (Dish channel 392). Great scenery now that the race is in Italy. Way more hills, mountains to me, than around Houston.

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Texas Bicycling News Digest May 9th 2016

Texbiker.net Posted on by

FitWorth Bikeable Bites Crawl

www.eventbrite.com

When
Thursday, May 12, 2016 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM (CDT) – Add to Calendar
Where
Fixture Restaurant – 401 West Magnolia Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76104
Join FitWorth and Mayor Betsy Price for a devourable tour de foodie force – a progressive dinner on two wheels! We will start out at Fixture Restaurant & Social Lounge, then hop on bikes to ride from stop to stop. This event is a dynamic way to try out deliciously healthy menu items from some of the hottest restaurants in town. …

Proceeds of BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup to benefit charity bike ride for adults with disabilities

www.prnewswire.com

  • Bank, Dynamo team up to raise money for Pursuit, a cross-country trek for a cause
  • Proceeds from annual match will help support The Center, a Houston nonprofit
    HOUSTON, May 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — BBVA Compass and the Houston Dynamo today announced that proceeds of the 2016 BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup held on May 24 at BBVA Compass Stadium will benefit the Pursuit for those with disABILITIES bicycle ride, a 3,500-mile cross-country trek to raise money and awareness for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
    The BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup is an annual exhibition match in which the Dynamo take on a team from outside Major League Soccer, with proceeds benefiting a local nonprofit organization. BBVA Compass, in partnership with Dynamo Charities, will donate a minimum of …

Best Paved & Off Road Bike Trails in Texas

www.texasheritageprotection.org

The big and beautiful State of Texas has been known to attract many outdoor minded folks. The rich history and inspiration derived from nature can make most appreciate the land they call home. With many activities available throughout the state parks you can find camping, hiking, enjoy walking tours of historical sites or see the unique displays that only Mother Nature can offer. But among the assortment of activities, biking is becoming a trendy alternative to incorporating exercise while appreciating the view.
No matter your skill level, there are countless Texas state parks that offer the biking right for you. There are paved bike roads ideal for family excursions, and …

Greater Dallas 100 – Sunday May 15

MKent

www.planobicycle.org

You may or may not be aware, but there is an annual FREE ride around Dallas on Beltline Road. You can start and stop anywhere, go as far as you like and go clockwise or counterclockwise. More info is HERE. The great thing about the ride is that there will be lots of bikes on the road and it’s FREE.
In years past, the PBA has organized one or more groups. Since we have not posted anything, I’ll organize a DB1 paced group (18-19) to leave from Spring Creek and Coit at 7 AM (I am open to …

Students cycle across continent to raise awareness

by John English

www.crosstimbersgazette.com


Everyone can do a part to raise cancer awareness and an Argyle college student and his friends at the University of Texas at Austin are certainly doing theirs.
Texas 4000 is a group of 70 UT students which dedicates itself to fighting cancer by spreading hope, knowledge and charity through a two-year student leadership program.
UT junior Josh Bower, whose family lives in Argyle, is a member of …

May Cafe Cruise

Tuesday, May 31, 2016, 5:30 PM

Tout Suite
2001 Commerce St Houston, TX

4 Cyclers Went

Café Cruise is a bicycle tour through 3 to 4 of my favorite cafes in Downtown Houston & Heights. Meet us at 5:30; roll-out at 6:00. If you’re tired of the same ol’ Starbucks, or you just wanna cycle and eat dessert at the same time, then join us! We start and finish at Tout Suite. Check out the map here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/13630519 …

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Sloan, Bagley, Hatcher & Perry Law Firm Recognizes National Bike Month by Encouraging Cyclists to Wear Helmets and Educating Motorists on Dangers of Distracted Driving

www.businesswire.com

LONGVIEW, Texas & HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Sloan, Bagley, Hatcher & Perry Law Firm is utilizing National Bike Month in May to offer advice for reducing traumatic brain injuries through helmet use and educating motorists on the dangers of distracted driving and its effect on cyclist injuries and fatalities. John Sloan, founding partner with the Sloan Firm, is an expert source available to media seeking commentary and background information related to news and feature stories on traumatic brain injuries and distracted driving. …

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/729773536659812353

https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/729634946407600128

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Wind Blown Bike Ride to Roman Forest

Texbiker.net Posted on by

During the night the wind picked up and there was a wind advisory until 1 pm today. It tried to rain but I think the wind blew it away before it could get to the ground. I figured any direction I went would be tough pedaling. I chose the “New Caney – Roman Forest – Valley Ranch” route only because I rode to the southeast on the last ride on Saturday. I took yesterday off because it was Mother’s Day and I wanted to rest. Checking the airport weather before I left at 12:18 the wind was from the S at 15 mph with 18 mph gusts. When I got to the Stripes station it was from the south at 16 mph. Riding north was not hard. When I got to the US59 north service road at E. Knox St. I took this picture.

5-9-2016 Bike Ride E Knox St

The flags are sticking almost straight out with the strong wind. I rode quickly to Community Drive where I turned right. I got a taste for how strong the wind was pretty quickly and I was relieved when I got to Loop 494 where I had a tailwind all the way to Roman Forest Blvd. where I turned south. The wind was brutal and within a 1/4 mile of pedaling I shifted down a gear to give my legs a chance against the wind. I struggled until I made the right turn onto Valley Ranch Parkway putting the wind to my left. The road winds a little and I was in and out of the headwind a couple of times. At the Grand parkway overpass I felt a rain drop hit my arm and I could a water spot on the Edge 520 screen. Going across the access roads on the way to FM1314 more rain drops fell but not enough to get me really wet. I hoped it held off until I got to the Stripes station a little more than 2 miles away. The pavement was damp in places but my tire tread was not throwing up water. I could see the dark clouds but there were openings with lighter gray clouds giving me hope the rain would move away. I stopped at Stripes and rode under the pump canopy and waited. The concrete was damp away from the pumps. This was a good time for a rest stop. I took this picture of the Edge 520 before snacking.

5-9-2016 Stripes Station Porter

Some rain drops are still on the screen. I ate and drank from my water bottle. I kept an eye on FM1314 to see if the rain stopped and the road was drying. It looked like it was dry. BEfore going inside to refill my water bottle I took these weather screenshots.

It was warm even though it was trying to rain. The wind was strong too and the picture on the right shows rain in the area. I got the bottle refilled and moved to leave. I was earlier than usual putting me in front of the Briar Tree school traffic. I passed there without a problem. I still felt a few rain drops until I almost through Oakhurst. Some of the streets looked like more rain fell there than on me. The dark clouds were to the west and southwest. The wind battled me as I made my way to Kings Manor to get back in Kingwood. The Kings Manor school was starting to let out but the left lane was getting around the cars waiting to get children. From there I made a stop at the CVS pharmacy and then headed home.

I stopped the ride at 3:08 rolling into the driveway. The ride totaled 33.35 miles. No problems on this ride except for the wind and rain drops. The Edge 520 issued one phone disconnect message but quickly reconnected. The airport weather now showed the wind from the SSW at 14 mph with 25 mph gusts.

Summer weather is almost here. Tuesday’s forecast calls for partly cloudy sky, 88 degrees and a small chance of rain. More biking is in the plan.

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