Texas Bicycling News Digest November 3rd

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Real Life. Real Racers : Brad Houston

texasbikeracing.com


TBR had a chance to meet with Austin’s cycling attorney, Brad Houston. Brad is a crowd favorite at all races, sponsors pretty much every team and event in Austin, is an occasional race emcee, has been a great supporter of TexasBikeRacing.com since day one, is a huge advocate for cyclists in Texas, and most of all – chicks dig him.
Brad Houston
1. Age :  57
2. Occupation :  Bicycle Attorney …

Shedding Light On Houston’s ‘Invisible Cyclists’

By: Gail Delaughter        www.houstonpublicmedia.org

The image many people have of a cyclist may not be totally realistic. A new report looks at who’s actually riding bikes in Houston.
Andrew Keatts wrote an article for Rice University’s Kinder Institute on just who’s cycling on Houston streets.
Keatts says according to Census Bureau data, it’s estimated about 40 percent of big city cyclists are workers who have few other options for getting around.
“They’re basically working-class people who need to get to their job on time and quickly, and sometime buses aren’t the best way to do that and walking can take forever,” explains Keatts. “So for a lot of people it’s a much easier situation to just find a bike.”
And those riders don’t always get a lot of recognition in the cycling community.
“It’s not just that they’re missing a big piece of the group of cyclists,” says Keatts. “It’s that they’re missing the …

Differences Between Cycling Austin and Cycling the Caribbean

by Darryl        lovingthebike.com


I kept my recent trip to Austin pretty quiet while I was there, but seeing as that was almost two months ago….I’m ready to post about the differences I found between what it’s like cycling there as opposed to the Caribbean.
I’ve been riding here in Grenada for three years now and although I may not like some of the conditions, I’ve become very accustomed to the cycling way of life found here.  From the cycling I’ve done in other parts of the Caribbean, I’d say …

Dallas already needs a new ‘bike czar’ as 2014 hire Ashley Haire prepares for ride to Denver

by Robert Wilonsky        cityhallblog.dallasnews.com


Dallas’ bike coordinator Ashley Haire is taking her six bikes to Denver. Her last day at Dallas City Hall is Wednesday. (Ron Baselice/Staff photographer)
We have written three pieces about Dallas’ “bike czar” Ashley Haire since she was hired to make the city bike-friendly in the spring of 2014: this one, this one and this one, which ran only days ago. This will be our last one: Haire is moving to Denver. Her last official day at Dallas City Hall is tomorrow. …

Nov 3 Campground north of Kountz TX

Peg and Jan Bicycle tour 2015        cassh015.com

P&J got 58 in today 20 of which they rode on the west to east trip in 2013. The road from Rye Tx to Kountz is part of the southern tier. they met a couple fom the Des Moines Iowa area today just south of Rye that were on their way from Jacksonville to San Diego. P&J will post some pictures on their facebook pages.
Not only did they ride the same few miles, we are staying at the same campground we did on that trip. Interesting to us anyway.
They are seeing logging trucks agan and as before the drivers are fairly creful wheen they see …

Storms wash out parts of Butler Trail around Lady Bird Lake

by Pam LeBlanc        fitness.blog.austin360.com


Last Friday’s deluge wreaked some havoc on the Butler Hike and Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake.
Heavy rains eroded stretches of the bank and created bicycle-tire grabbing ruts. Gravel is washed out all over the place, and several trees are down. …

Eastbound from California

By Kevin OLeary        www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 29: Camp Wood to Lost Maples State Natural Area, TX
Monday November 2, 2015, 47 miles (76 km) – Total so far: 1,420 miles (2,285 km)
After finishing my work on the computer last night I returned to my tent to go to bed. And I noticed that pretty much everything was wet. I’m assuming that it was dew because it was a cool evening (in the 40s I found out later). As a result I had to pack a soaking wet tent in the morning.
But other than this it was a fine day. There was not a cloud in the sky and the temperature was good for cycling (it got into the upper 70s today). …

Day 30: Lost Maples State Natural Area to Kerrville, TX
Tuesday November 3, 2015, 44 miles (71 km) – Total so far: 1,464 miles (2,356 km)
Posted via email Tue Nov 3 17:50:01 2015 PST
This morning I again awoke with a tent that was soaking wet. For the last 2 nights I have pitched my tent under trees which usually helps keep the tent dry against a morning dew. But I have also been forced to camp close to running water both nights and this probably didn’t help. The mornings have also been down in the 40s so perhaps getting hit with dew is inevitable.
In any case I quickly packed my gear up and got on my bike at an early hour: 7:30am. I stopped near the entrance to the Natural Area to fill my water bottles. As I cycled a short distance to the highway I saw a couple of other touring cyclists who were also on their way out. We chatted for a few minutes and I learned that they were westbound cyclists who had started in St. Augustine about a month ago. It was a chilly morning and none of us felt much like talking so after a brief chat we …

A Ride to Remember

By Ken Kuntz        www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 28: Navasota, TX to La Grange, TX
Tuesday November 3, 2015, 65 miles (105 km) – Total so far: 1,328 miles (2,137 km)
Starting Point: Navasota, TX
Ending Point: La Grange, TX
Riding Conditions: Foggy in the morning, the temps in the mid 60’s. Warmed to the low 80’s/ Light winds.
Miles Today: 65
Quote for the day: “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” — Albert Einstein
I kept moving today, but at times my forward speed was no more than 4 mph. That’s barely enough to remain upright on a bike. I guess that means I’m in the Hill Country. If not, I’m in trouble.
This morning at breakfast we caught the weather report on a Houston TV station, and they showed widespread fog. There wasn’t any evidence of fog in Navasota when we pedaled off, but that changed a few miles outside of the city. Dense fog! Highway 105 has a fairly wide shoulder, so we felt reasonably safe. But there is no shoulder on the bridges over the Navasota River and the Brazos River, so those weren’t fun in the fog.
Ten miles out of Navasota the route turns onto William Penn Rd., which is small with almost no traffic. That road takes you into …

Texas Bicycling Tweets

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New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Kingwood Greenbelt Trail Ride with Falling Leaves

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A change of pace on today’s ride. I rode my MTB on the Kingwood trails. I am closing in on my goal for the year of 6500 miles at 6277 miles. I got a late start (2:49) because I am moving my cell phone to Google Fi and the number transfer hasn’t completed yet. I always take my phone with me for Garmin Live Track but with no cell service I wasn’t sure it would work. I got back home at 3:56 after riding 11.78 miles.

The weather was 76 degrees when I finished. It was cool at times when I was in the thick trees and the sun couldn’t break through. The leaves are starting to fall so that might be a problem for long. Maybe a long sleeve jersey would’ve been a better choice for the trails.

Weather forecast for tomorrow calls for slightly warmer temperatures and I plan on being back on the road bike. Today was the 8th time I rode the Kingwood trails this year.

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Activity Name Start Time Distance Elevation Gain Avg Speed(Avg Pace) Max Speed(Best Pace) Calories Total Strokes
Kingwood Trails Tue, Nov 3, 2015 2:49 PM 1:00:59 11.78 69 11.6 15.9 473 3751
Kingwood Trails Mon, Sep 7, 2015 12:22 PM 1:51:49 20.38 262 10.9 15.7 943 6297
Kingwood Trails Sun, Aug 9, 2015 12:16 PM 1:40:39 19.43 197 11.6 20.9 915 5673
Kingwood Trails Wed, Jun 3, 2015 12:48 PM 1:06:14 10.11 89 9.2 14.4 422 3094
Kingwood Trails Tue, Jun 2, 2015 3:20 PM 1:16:58 11.73 151 9.1 20.2 480 3682
Kingwood Trails Fri, May 29, 2015 3:06 PM 1:48:37 15.41 131 8.5 20.6 663 4892
Kingwood Trails Fri, Feb 13, 2015 2:46 PM 1:11:49 13.08 154 10.9 20.2 607 4444
Kingwood Trails Tue, Jan 6, 2015 12:51 PM 1:36:22 18.86 217 11.7 17.6 887 6500

 

Texas Bicycling News Digest November 2nd

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Cyclist hit by car in Old East Dallas is gifted with new bike

Claire Z. Cardona        thescoopblog.dallasnews.com


Deb Culbertson with her new bike and friend Grady McGahan of RETREET (left) and Mark Manson of Richardson Bike Mart. (Courtesy)
With a new set of wheels, the cyclist nicknamed “the girl who roars,” is almost ready to get rolling again.
Deb Culbertson, 26, was seriously injured Sept. 9, when police say a Royse City man ran a red light at the Santa Fe Trail crossing at Munger Boulevard in Old East Dallas and …

Birthday biking trip from Austin, Texas to DeRidder

By PAMELA SLEEZER        www.washingtontimes.com

DERIDDER, La. (AP) – For her 70th birthday, Mary Ruth Corley decided to step out of her comfort zone and celebrate her life with what she considered a “pretty neat experience” by bicycling to DeRidder from Austin, Texas, with three friends, all over the age of 55.
“The hardest part was not preparing my body for the trip. The hardest part was convincing my husband to let me do it and that I wasn’t crazy,” Corley said from her father’s front yard just …

Veteran bicyclist killed in accident

By Aaron Davis        amarillo.com

A cross-country bicyclist died Friday when he was struck by a vehicle Thursday evening along west of Groom, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers said.
About 6:30 p.m., Stephen Michael Clift, 48, of San Diego, was riding his bicycle eastbound in the outside lane of Interstate 40 when a 2013 Kia driven by Cindi Trevino, 42, of Groom, struck Clift.
Clift landed a barrow ditch and was …

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 →

WC Trail Maintenance with the ARR Trail Crew

Tuesday, Nov 3, 2015, 3:30 PM

Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
12138 North Lamar Boulevard Austin, TX

5 Mountain Bikers Went

We will mainly be working on drainage using shovels.  Dirt should be perfect for packing berms and grade reversals.  If you arrive later, look for us on one of the trails near the Main Creek Crossing and bring a shovel.  We will wrap things up around sunset which is pretty early now. (about 5:45 pm)

Check out this Meetup →

Bay Area Bicycle Giveaway

www.kiiitv.com


CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) –
They say you never forget how to ride a bike! Well here’s your chance to win one for free!
Register for your chance to win a $500 gift certificate from Bay Area Bicycles, then watch each Wednesday on 3News First Edition for winner announcements!
To register, click here.
Giveaway Official Rules
“BAY AREA BICYCLE GIVEAWAY”
REGISTER FOR CHANCE TO WIN TICKETS
Promotion Days – November 1 to December 2, 2015
KIII-TV, Channel 3, (“Sponsor”)
5002 South Padre Island Drive – …

Pearland Cycling Club Town Hall-type General Meeting

www.pearlandcyclingclub.org

When: Sunday, November 8, 2015, at 12:00noon (est duration: 90 minutes)
Where: Pearland Westside Library, 2803 Business Center Drive, Pearland, TX 77584
Why: Election of Officers and discuss future club plans

In the woods on a recent wet Sunday

Plano Bicycle Association        www.planobicycle.org

Nov 2 Onalaska TX

Peg and Jan Bicycle tour 2015        cassh015.com

P&J got 48 miles in today. They made it to Analaska, a tourist town catering to all water activities. Roads were nice with shouldres  most of the way. Humidty was the problem today at 99% this morning to about 98 by mid afternoon.
We are in a KOA campground in Onalaska on lake Livingston. Lake livingston looks to be 30 to 40 miles long. It is a big lake with causways and bridges similar to the coast. We all rate this the …

Sam Houston Trails Coalition Awarded Matching Funds for Sustainable Trail Maintenance

GHORBA.org


Houston, TX – The Sam Houston Trails Coalition is pleased to announce the receipt of a $5,000 grant from the National Forest Foundation (NFF) to purchase equipment and supplies for the continued
expansion and maintenance of hiking, biking, equestrian, and motorized multi-use trails in the 164,000 acre Sam Houston National Forest.
As user demand increases for the Sam Houston National Forest, the NFF award positions the …

Eastbound from California

By Kevin OLeary        www.crazyguyonabike.com

Photos

Day 29: Del Rio to Camp Wood, TX
Sunday November 1, 2015, 87 miles (140 km) – Total so far: 1,373 miles (2,210 km)
I slept really well and woke up in the morning fully refreshed. My warmshowers hostess Lisa had prepared coffee the night before; I was the first one up so I turned the machine on and in short order excellent hot coffee was available. My hostess wanted to ride with me and after a breakfast of English muffins and eggs (prepared with plenty of cheese) we were on the road.
Yesterday was overcast all morning but this one was different; there was not a cloud in the sky and the …

The BikeHouston Moonlight Ramble is this Saturday, November 7th

BikeHouston.org


Did you get rained out on Halloween? Don’t worry, the 43rd annual BikeHouston Moonlight Ramble is happening this Saturday and costumes are highly encouraged. There is even a costume contest. …

Kidical Massive A Success in San Antonio

Bicycling for the Heck of It        bike4heck.com


Since starting out on the cargo bike kick years ago I was always amazed at family cycling. My first born was born a little over a year ago and I looked forward to bringing the Kidical Mass movement to San Antonio. In the summer of 2015 I held a planning meeting which was a great success. I set the date of the first kidical mass ride as Sept. 19th the day of the Kidical Massive movement. This would be San Antonio’s first Kidical Mass ride! We have great …

A Ride to Remember

By Ken Kuntz        www.crazyguyonabike.com

Photos

Day 27: Coldspring, TX to Navasota, TX
Monday November 2, 2015, 69 miles (111 km) – Total so far: 1,263 miles (2,033 km)
Starting Point: Coldspring, TX
Ending Point: Navasota, TX
Riding Conditions: Cloudy and cool all morning, but sunny and warm in the afternoon. Light winds.
Miles Today: 69
Quote for the day: “No one really has a bad life. Not even a bad day. Just bad moments.” — Regina Brett
I had some bad moments at the beginning and end of today’s ride, but I’m not complaining. Not a bad day.
But the day had a rough start. When I pulled my bike out of the van this morning, the rear tire was flat. My first flat of the trip. Liz suggested I take the spare bike, and we spent a few minutes swapping gear from one bike to the other. That put us on the road a few minutes late, but who cares? But as we started down the road I sensed that I had left something behind. It took me a while (over a mile) to work it out, but I finally realized that I left my helmet. No choice but to return to the van. More time lost.
But eventually we got going. We took Highway 150 out of Coldspring, which has a wide shoulder for the first 8 miles. But then we were stuck with a tiny shoulder and …

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Rode This Route for the Umpteenth Time

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It was good to be back on the bike today. Saturday the rain fell in huge amounts. My home weather station recorded 8.71″ on Saturday and .54″ on Sunday. Needless to say, I stayed inside.

I rode the “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route for the umpteenth time. Nothing out of the ordinary except for the high water in Lake Houston. Riding east on the FM1960 causeway the high water was evident on the little islands in the lake which were smaller. The light breeze and mostly cloudy sky contrasted sharply with the dark sky and gusty winds over the weekend.

At 19.25 miles I stopped at the Huffman Chevron for a short rest break. Rather than the usual Powerade I had a A&W 10 Root Beer. The taste was good but I don’t think I need the carbonation. The weather during the break.

I left the Chevron thinking I would hit the traffic when I reached Kingwood Drive but when I got there the traffic was almost stopped due a backup. I got across through the traffic after a few cars stopped and allowed me to cross. I got home at 3:14 after leaving home at 12:33.

Now that daylight savings time ended Sunday I will need to leave sooner if I do a longer ride. The weather is supposed to be in the upper 70’s to low 80’s this week. Rain is possible late in the week.

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