A Plain Jane Bike Ride to Roman Forest

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I rode north today on the “New Caney – Roman Forest – Valley Ranch” route. It was what I would label a “plain Jane” ride. Except for talking with my son-in-law on the phone during my break at the Stripes station the ride went as planned without any exciting or unexpected events. The weather cooperated: bright blue sky free of any clouds, 78 degrees and a light to no wind.

Traffic was normal amounts on the roads with no problems with passing vehicles. There was a slight headwind when I made the turn around at Roman Forest Blvd. I still managed to increase my average speed to 15.2 mph. At 21.06 miles I rode into the Stripes station for a break to eat a couple of granola bars and refill my water bottle. I thought it would be a quick break until the phone conversation with my son-in-law. Before the phone call I took these weather screen shots at Stripes.

I needed to leave the Stripes station and ride quickly to avoid the school traffic at the two schools in Briar Tree. I missed that traffic there but in Kings Manor I was in the thick of the parents picking up their children. I got home at 3:15 after leaving home at 12:18. Even though the temperature was 78 I was still glad I wore a short sleeve jersey over a long sleeve one. Whenever I was in the shade the moving air had a chill to it.

Yesterday I got 4 pair of new Bellwether Forma shorts. These will replace the worn out ones I have now. I put the first pair into service today. They came from Nashbar while on sale. These are my favorite shorts because of the fabric, fit and seat pad. Normally the MSRP is $95 and I bought them on sale for $35 per pair. Over the next few rides I will cull other pairs from my wardrobe. I also had two pair of Bellwether Newton shorts. They are much like the Forma ones but the length of the leg is about 1/2″ shorter and my tan line shows. They also cost $62 per pair.

Tomorrow the weather forecast repeats today so I plan on biking. Maybe a ride to FM686?

[iframe http://ridewithgps.com/trips/8036957/embed 48% 500px] [iframe https://www.strava.com/activities/508595987/embed/0701323fff5efb3df8a8acc4fc18b13894ce4726 48% 500px]

A short comparison of all the rides on the “New Caney – Roman Forest – Valley Ranch” route this year.

Activity Name Start Time Distance Elevation Gain Avg Speed(Avg Pace) Max Speed(Best Pace) Calories Total Strokes
New Caney – Roman Forest – Valley Ranch Fri, Mar 4, 2016 12:18 PM 2:13:18 32.77 187 14.8 19.8 1498 8758
New Caney – Roman Forest – Valley Ranch Fri, Feb 26, 2016 1:15 PM 2:03:55 29.77 194 14.4 24.7 1358 8562
New Caney – Roman Forest – Valley Ranch Thu, Feb 18, 2016 12:01 PM 2:12:35 32.25 207 14.6 20.9 1470 8604
New Caney – Roman Forest – Valley Ranch Wed, Feb 10, 2016 12:39 PM 2:13:45 31.81 184 14.3 19.2 1434 8958
New Caney – Roman Forest – Valley Ranch Mon, Jan 25, 2016 12:01 PM 2:10:37 31.69 157 14.6 21.2 1439 8593
New Caney – Roman Forest – Valley Ranch Wed, Jan 13, 2016 1:22 PM 2:13:52 32.29 154 14.5 19.7 1462 9066

Texas Bicycling News March 3rd 2016

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Grants earmarked for garden, bicycle share program

www.newswest9.com

TEXARKANA, TX (KSLA) – Texarkana, Texas, and Main Street Texarkana are among recent recipients of Union Pacific Community Foundation grants.
The city has been awarded $5,000 to expand and improve a community garden at Wheeler at Robbins streets in the city’s Beverly community.
The garden, constructed in April as part of a U.S. Agriculture Department market promotion grant program, is home to 9 raised beds providing a total of 192 square feet of planting area. The …

RIDE SCHEDULE – MARCH 2016

Georgetown Cyclopaths

Short Rides Long Rides
Day Date Time Meet at Miles Map Miles Map
Saturday 3/5/2016 9:00 AM Union State Bank in Florence 34 miles F2 43 miles F3
Sunday 3/6/2016 1:30 PM Berry Springs Park 32 miles B39

Saturday 3/12/2016 9:00 AM Dale’s Essenhaus Restaurant in Walburg 28 miles WA5 41 miles WA9
Sunday 3/13/2016 1:30 PM Berry Springs Park 35 miles B45

Saturday 3/19/2016 9:00 AM Catholic Church in Andice 35 miles A3 48 miles A4
Sunday 3/20/2016 1:30 PM Berry Springs Park 34 miles B55

Saturday 3/26/2016 9:00 AM Berry Springs Park 35 miles B24 46 miles B16
Sunday 3/27/2016 1:30 PM Berry Springs Park 34 miles B55

This Week’s Activities

Fort Worth Bicycling Association

Joe Pool Lake Marina
Saturday, March 5, 2016 8:00 am
Joe Pool Lake Lynn Creek Marina

Pisces Pedal Party-March’s Mashing Merriment-Aries
Saturday, March 5, 2016 9:00 am
Willow Park – NorthEast Corner

Grapevine Gallop
Sunday, March 6, 2016 9:00 am
Southlake, Bicentennial Park

EHCT Packet Party
Monday, March 7, 2016 6:30 pm
Fort Worth: UNTHSC

The Rusty Chain Gang Ramble
Tuesday, March 8, 2016 9:00 am
Ft Worth: Christ Lutheran Church

Burleson and Beyond
Thursday, March 10, 2016 9:00 am
Burleson: Commerce Street

Rusty Chain Gang Romp
Thursday, March 10, 2016 9:00 am
Benbrook: YMCA

March 2016 DATES-Line Newsletter

Dallas Area Tandem Enthusiasts www.doubledates.com

The March 2016 edition of the DATES-Line Newsletter is now available online. To access the newsletter simply click on …

Upcoming Tandem Events

Dallas Area Tandem Enthusiasts www.doubledates.com

DATES St. Patrick’s Day Ride
Saturday, March 12, 2016 9:00 AM (CST) • Valley View Park (East of Hillcrest and North of LBJ)
DATES South Loop Ride (Every Other Sunday) (session 2 of 6)
Sunday, March 13, 2016 8:30 AM (CDT) • Alex Sanger Elementary School 8410 San Leandro, Dallas 75218
DATES South Loop Ride (Every Other Sunday) (session 3 of 6)
Sunday, March 27, 2016 8:30 AM (CDT) • Alex Sanger Elementary School 8410 San Leandro, Dallas 75218

Texas Bicycling from Twitter

https://twitter.com/COABikeProgram/status/705538193576165377

https://twitter.com/BPMS150/status/705427638383353856

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Texas Bicycling Event Reminders

Texas Bicycling News March 2nd 2016

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Chihuahuan Desert Bike Fest

www.bikemag.com

A little festival at Big Bend

The 6th Chihuahuan Desert Bike Festival took place over President’s Day weekend, with over 400 riders converging on a rugged swath of trails on West Texas’ Mexican border. Rides took place in Big Bend National Park, Big Bend State Park and Lajitas Resort. The …

Hiking and biking trails at Franklin State Park

By Erika Bryan kfoxtv.com


If you ever want to check out a collection of license plates from all over the country, go to Tom Mays Unit at Franklin State Park.
This vast wilderness park is the largest urban park in the nation. It covers 37 square miles that contain more than a hundred miles of hiking and biking trails.
The trails are …

Boy, 4, fatally struck by SUV while riding bicycle in SW Houston

abc13.com


HOUSTON (KTRK) — A little boy is dead, fatally struck by a car while riding his bicycle at a southwest Houston apartment complex.
The accident happened at the Winding Trails apartment on Wilcrest and South Street, between 5:30 and 6:00pm Tuesday.
Police say a …

Pasadena police arrest hit-and-run suspect

www.khou.com


PASADENA, Texas – Pasadena police have arrested a suspect accused of running over a boy on a bicycle Monday and leaving the scene.
Ezekiel Hernandez was riding his bike near his home on Harris Avenue when he was hit by a truck. Witnesses say …

2016 Collegiate Road Season Recap #4

www.usacycling.org

SCCCC: Tulane Green Wave Classic – Bill Ash
The Tulane Green Wave classic omnium marked the beginning of the SCCCC conference with beautiful weather and lots of eager bike racers excited to test early season form. With only four conference races this year, riders from all over made the long trip to Louisiana to claim points towards the coveted green conference leaders jersey. Riders from Midwestern State University, University North Texas, University of Texas Dallas, Tulane, University of Arkansas, University of Houston, Louisiana State University, Centenary College of Louisiana and Rice University were all in attendance with riders from MSU making up the majority of the fields.
The weekend kicked off with a …

Bicyclist killed in Crosby, family seeks assistance

By Melanie Feuk www.yourhoustonnews.com


Richard Carl Johnson was almost to work in the dark morning hours of Wednesday, Feb. 24.
The 24-year-old had several reasons to look forward to work lately as his life had recently taken several turns for the better.
His job provided a good income and he was well on his way to saving up for a car. He had just bought a new house with separate bedrooms for him and his baby girl who served as his primary motivation for pursuing all of these life changes. He had just won a …

2016 Texas Team Preview : Team Shred Monster

texasbikeracing.com


Team Shred Monster
Roster:
Mike Morgovnik
Zach Boliani
Roman Pisano
Greg Simpson
David Ross
Alex Paramiter
Michael Rayna
Jim Day
Maximiliano Hall …

Pace Bend Road Race Results • Feb 28 2016

www.road-results.com

Categories
» Men Cat 2 » Men Cat 3
» Men Cat 4 » Men Cat 5
» Men Juniors 9-14 Cat 4/5 » Men Juniors 9-18 Cat 4/5
» Men Masters 35+ Cat 4/5 » Men Masters 40+ Cat 1/2/3/4
» Men Masters 50+ Cat 1/2/3/4 » Men Masters 60+ Cat 1/2/3/4
» Men Pro/Cat 1 » Women Cat 4
» Women Juniors 9-18 Cat 1/2/3/4 » Women Masters 40+ Cat 3/4
» Women Pro/Cat 1/2/3

The Bat City Classic at Apache Pass Results • Feb 27 2016

www.road-results.com

Categories
» Men Cat 2 » Men Cat 3
» Men Cat 4 » Men Cat 5
» Men Juniors 9-14 Cat 4/5 » Men Juniors 9-18 Cat 4/5
» Men Masters 35+ Cat 4/5 » Men Masters 40+ Cat 1/2/3/4
» Men Masters 50+ Cat 1/2/3/4 » Men Masters 60+
» Men Pro/Cat 1 » Women Cat 4
» Women Juniors 9-14 Junior » Women Juniors 9-18 Junior Open
» Women Masters 40+ Cat 3/4 » Women Pro/Cat 1/2/3

Shortened Southern Tier

By Stephen Paige www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 20 – Silsbee to Shepherd
Wednesday March 2, 2016, 63 miles (102 km) – Total so far: 1,162 miles (1,869 km)
Took yesterday off as a break day. It had been a long six days, so was happy to take the time off! Unfortunately, there is nothing near Garden Inn and Suites, so other than a short walk around outside…I didn’t do much!
Got up ready to take off this morning, and got on the road a bit after 8:30a. Since there is nothing near the motel and no breakfast, I had to stop in Silsbee for breakfast. Continued on after that to Kountze, where I stopped at a Shell station to grab lunch, as I knew there was nothing on my route today until …

Super Squadra’s Beginning Racer Program at The Driveway!

by dctolley bicyclesportshop.wordpress.com


Ah, spring in Austin… bluebonnets bloom, the sounds of SXSW fill the air, and bike racers around central Texas prepare their two-wheeled steeds, shake out their legs, and focus their minds on the Driveway Race Series.
Held on a 1.8-mile car racing track in east Austin, the Driveway Series brings together a wide variety of cyclists, from newbie racers to local Pros. It’s the highlight of the week for most local racers, and a great entry-point into criterium racing for new and aspiring racers.
I first found out about the Driveway Series when I lived in Boston I had only raced two criteriums prior …

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Texas Bicycling Event Reminder

Tiptoe Through The Railroad Repairs Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Today I finished the ride I wanted to do on Monday, “Stroker Road – Huffman”. It wasn’t without challenges though. I knew it was going to tough biking when I looked at the airport weather to see the wind was out of the southeast at 12 mph with 24 mph gusts. The ride would be into that wind most of the time until I made the right hand turn onto Stroker Road and headed to Huffman. Before that the other challenge was the railroad crossing on Old Atascocita Road. When I got there the road was closed with the Union Pacific repair crew replacing the crossing bed between the tracks. I did not remember seeing a road closed sign. To turn around and go back to FM1960 and then to FM2100 would add 3 or 4 miles to the ride. Looking at the workers from a distance I decided to approach the crossing and then walk my bike around the work and back onto Old Atascocita Road. When I got close one of the workers motioned be to go around and stopped the backhoe man for a minute so I could walk around him. This saved me a lot time and energy. At the FM2100 intersection there was a big sign telling everyone the road was closed.

Leaving home at 12:36 I got a later start than I wanted. I hoped the sun would come out and warm things up a little. My home weather station showed 71 degrees but the other weather stations by Huffman reported 67 or 68 degrees. With this in mind my wardrobe choice was shorts, a heavy long sleeve jersey, windbreaker jacket and half finger gloves. This was good except when I stopped longer than a minute or so. The wind had a chill to it, probably from the front that passed through during the night, and quickly cooled me down.

The toughest section was east of FM2100 on Old Atascocita Road. The flat fields provide no cover from the wind. My speed dropped to a crawl, 12 mph and when I turned right onto Ramsey Road it went to 10 mph. There was no where to hide from the wind. Good thing the dogs either don’t live along these roads or behind fences, I was easy picking if they wanted to chase me. At one point there was this lone tree on my left and as I rode by it I could feel the slight drop in the wind but it didn’t last long.

On Stroker Road the wind was at my left rear quarter and my speed picked up dramatically. On FM2100 I rode north and the wind was at my right rear quarter and I rode faster yet. I was able to boost my average speed from 13.4 mph up to 14 mph.

Crossing the railroad tracks in Huffman I knew I needed a break at the chevron station. The problem was the wind. Sitting down where the sun could warm me if it came out from behind the clouds also exposed me to the brisk wind cooling me down from all of the sweat I generated getting there. I went inside, filled my water bottle, bought some Little Debbie donuts and went outside. I tried a couple of different spots to get out of the wind but returned to my usual one by the canopy pole. I kept my jacket zipped up and ate the donuts while trying to ignore the wind chilling me. I looked across FM1960 and saw another biker waiting to cross over. He made it and rode through the station close to FM1960 going west but on the other side of the cars at the pump. He pulled back onto FM1960 and rode off. He wasn’t the temperature wimp I am, he wore shorts and a short sleeve jersey. I was at the 28.54 mile point at the station. Before I left I took these screenshots on my phone.

Huffman weather
Huffman weather

Riding the last 11+ miles home I mostly had the wind helping me other than keeping me chilled for the first 3 or 4 miles. Riding across Lake Houston the traffic didn’t block the wind as much as I wanted it too. The sun never did make it through the clouds enough to provide any warmth. I got back home at 3:58 with the ride totaling 40.27 miles. Surprisingly I wasn’t too sore from riding so much into the wind. Tomorrow morning might be different though. The airport weather at the end of the ride. Note the wind and cooler temperature.

airport weather end of ride

airport weather end of ride

This is the first time riding the “Stroker Road – Huffman” route in 2016 so nothing to compare it to. I am making progress on my goal with 74.47 miles towards the 631 mile March goal. I will miss biking tomorrow. Friday and Saturday look like good riding days weather wise.

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