Texas Bicycling News October 10th

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Day 28: Overcast: Adrian, TX to Tucumcari, NM

By Don Millikin        Route 66 at 66        www.crazyguyonabike.com

Friday October 9, 2015, 63 miles (102 km) – Total so far: 1,405 miles (2,261 km)
Yesterday it rained on and off all day, but very little wind. Well, the wind came up overnight, the good news it is a quartering tailwind. Rained a bit through the night and and thetr was a lot of condensation on the inside of rainfly, so packed up a wet tent.
Was at the Mid Point Cafe a few minutes adter they opened at 8:30. Had agreat breakfast and great talk with the …

Day 30: Austin to Bastrop: Back in the saddle

By Judy Gamble        No Tears on the Southern Tier        www.crazyguyonabike.com

Friday October 9, 2015, 45 miles (72 km) – Total so far: 1,681 miles (2,705 km)
45 miles, 902′ clilmbing
After a few days of rest it was time to again be back on the bikes heading in an easterly direction. Our legs were rested and bags were packed for a rather late departure as we only had 45 miles to ride. And we knew we weren’t going to be challenged by wind or much elevation change. …

Riding into nowhere and back out is a lot of work!: Sanderson to Comsock

By Steven Neish        New Mexico to the Gulf of Mexico!        www.crazyguyonabike.com

Thursday October 1, 2015, 88 miles (142 km) – Total so far: 327 miles (526 km)
When I got to Sanderson last night, I thought to myself, “Sanderson is nowhere.” I was wrong. Sanderson was the threshold of nowhere! I will remember this day forever. Thank God, I made it. It was too hot, too long, too windy, and too far. The roads were rough, the rocks used to make the asphalt were too sharp. I think the high temperature was about 98 degrees. There was a variable wind in my face the whole day. I had three flat tires, all on the front. The first two times, I just changed the tube. Little tiny puncturess. The tire seemed okay, but on the last flat, I decided to change the tire and the tube both. By that time, though, I was exhausted. I rode part of the day with another person. Matt, an environmental geologist from southern California. He was a good partner that helped to make the day a little better. The world between …

Back into civilzation: Comstock to Del Rio
Friday October 2, 2015, 32 miles (51 km) – Total so far: 359 miles (577 km)
Thank goodness for a shorter day.
There was no breakfast in Comstock. No fruit, no milk, no juice.
I know that I left Comstock still out of balance in dozen ways.
Del Rio was a return to civilization. After I checked into the Best Western, I walked down to …

Into the farmland: Del Rio to Uvalde
Saturday October 3, 2015, 74 miles (120 km) – Total so far: 433 miles (697 km)
At the beginning of the day, I was impressed that today would also be too long. On top of that, as I prepared the bike, I realized that I needed to pull the rear wheel, too. The rear tire had needed to be pumped up at least once a day for the past couple of days, and this morning, it was flat. So, I started today’s ride a little later than I wanted.
It was good, though, to be back in civilization. I looked ahead, and found a place named Bracket Shakes. A milkshake for lunch sounded perfect. I walked it to order, though, paid for a large chocolate milkshake, and then was told, “We don’t have any milk. Would you like to wait?”
I did. It was worth it and a milkshake was perfect on another hot day with wind in my face.
When the wind is in your face, it puts different strains on your …

Home in the middle of the country: Uvalde to Hondo
Sunday October 4, 2015, 41 miles (66 km) – Total so far: 474 miles (763 km)
This ride could have been anywhere through the middle of the country, from Texas up through the Great Plains. Familiar country.
I felt at home.
I am amazed that I have not yet recovered from last Thursday. I am a little better every day. I don’t think I …

#RATX start

Spinistry

La Porte Cycling meetup

Wednesday, Oct 14, 2015, 6:00 PM

Mainly Drinks
223 West Main Street La Porte, TX

1 Cyclists Went

Come out for the initial meeting. Trade route info and maybe establish some regular groups that could ride together.

Check out this Meetup →

Family rallies around firefighter critically hurt in bike collision

By Jazmine Ulloa and Katie Urbaszewski        www.mystatesman.com


While Colin Camp’s family sat in the intensive care unit for days — exhausted, grieving and praying — what made those days bearable was hearing story after story from friends and fellow firefighters about the times Camp had helped someone.
Like when Camp showed up unannounced with blueprints and a list of materials to build a chicken coop because his friend had once mentioned he wanted to make one for his daughter. Or when he tried to save a young boy after a skateboarding accident. …

Texans on the Track

By Anne Clarrissimeaux        texasbikeracing.com


Texas sees local racers set records on the track: state hour record attempt set to happen this week
In the sphere that is Texas cycling, swirling within it is a handful of exceedingly talented track racers; the group of names are well known to many of us. And the illuminati among them include state and national champions, as well as state and world record holders.
This week alone, two of them are racing to add more lines to their already impressive cycling dossiers:
John Murazak raced at Masters Worlds in the men’s 35-44 team pursuit in Manchester, England. He and his team fell just short of qualifying for the finals.
And Matrix / RBM rider Chris Carlson will attempt to reclaim the state hour record sometime within the …

A Change in Terrain: Del Rio to Brrackettville

By Richard Ostrowski        Wind In My Wheels- A Journey Across America        www.crazyguyonabike.com

Saturday October 10, 2015
McDonalds provided our morning nourishment. We were on the road heading east from Del Rio to Breckenville by 8:00AM, a distance of 35 miles. The shoulder was very wide and smooth for the first 10 miles. The shoulder surface, unfortunately, changed to a very rough stone chip seal and we had a rough ride and our speed probably dropped 2 mph.
The landscape changed from an arid desert to more of a green grass and trees grazing land.
We passed the typical frequent ranch with grazing sheep and cattle. Saw several Hunting game reserves for white tail deer. Continued to see dead deer, skunk, and rabbit along the road you could always tell you were approaching road kill by the stench in the air. Came pass 10 to 12 turkey vulchers sitting on the fence. I stopped to get there picture but the minute I raised my camera they all started to take flight.
We rode pass the Laughlin Air Force Base and Air Field. It was quite a distance off highway 90.
We all stopped at a roadside picnic table near noon time. Bob and I made …

Day 31: Bastrop to Burton (and beyond): We found our WS Angel!

By Judy Gamble        No Tears on the Southern Tier        www.crazyguyonabike.com

Saturday October 10, 2015, 74 miles (119 km) – Total so far: 1,755 miles (2,824 km)
74 Miles, XXX cllimbing
It was a perfect start to the morning with our lovely camping neighbors providing the hot water to make our instant coffee.
The ride out of the Bastrop State Park took us on a 12 mile curvy and hilly road through the adjoining Bueschel State Park. The landscape changed from a huge park that had been damaged by the fires in 2011 to a more lush landscape with a deep, forest of pines and oaks. At the Bastrop State Park their reforestation projects seem to be working as there are many …

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Biking Over Gum Gully

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An almost perfect fall day in southeast Texas. Days like this present a reason to be out biking. I was out bikinbg today on the “Stroker Road – Huffman” route for a total of 40.46 miles. I started a little later than I expected leaving home at 11:29. By then most of the bikers on the route were probably back home. I did see two women biking on Tree Lane less than a mile from home but I didn’t see any one else until I was on Old Atascocita Road east of FM2100. I stopped to take a picture of Gum Gully and while I was off the bike these two bikers came up. They asked if I was okay and I told them I stopped to take a couple of pictures.

After that I was by myself. The wind was stiff riding east on Old Atascocita Road but when I turned onto Ramsey Road it became a nice tailwind. I knew then riding north on FM2100 to Huffman was going to require extra effort and it did.

Arriving in Huffman about 1:30 I rode to the Chevron station for a break. The station was extra busy today. After I got some Powerade I chose a place under the pump canopy and leaned back against a pole. As I sat there I noticed how many Jeep Wranglers drove by. Maybe the great weather brought everyone out for a ride. I was at 28.82 miles into the ride at this point. Once I finished I slowly stood up to get my muscles ready for the 11+ miles to home. The weather while I was at the Chevron station.

It was so pleasant riding today. The sun was out with a totally blue sky, the temperature was not quite 90 and the wind was from the north at 9 mph to cool off any heat that I built up from biking.

The “Stroker Road – Huffman” route is a popular one for me and other bikers in the area. Next Saturday the Ride Like an Eagle bike ride starts from Atascocita High School and will use many of the roads I was on today. I plan on doing this ride. The weather forecast looks great. Today was the 10th time on the route in 2015.

Activity Name Start Time Distance Elevation Gain Avg Speed(Avg Pace) Max Speed(Best Pace) Calories Total Strokes
Stroker Road – Huffman Sat, Oct 10, 2015 11:29 AM 2:45:46 40.46 276 14.6 20.2 1871 10535
Stroker Road – Huffman Sat, Sep 12, 2015 12:17 PM 2:43:01 40.75 866 15 20.6 2296 10614
Stroker Road – Huffman Thu, Jul 2, 2015 9:43 AM 2:46:56 41.94 574 15.1 19.9 2262 10392
Stroker Road – Huffman Thu, Jun 11, 2015 11:25 AM 2:40:25 40.33 587 15.1 20.1 2152 9760
Stroker Road – Huffman Fri, Jun 5, 2015 10:06 AM 2:35:49 39.81 564 15.3 21.3 2153 9861
Stroker Road – Huffman Sat, May 23, 2015 11:56 AM 2:37:20 39.34 840 15 20.9 2238 10277
Stroker Road – Huffman Wed, May 6, 2015 2:53 PM 2:34:29 38.51 1273 15 22.3 2352 9700
Stroker Road – Huffman Tue, Apr 21, 2015 12:47 PM 2:34:08 39.08 827 15.2 20.4 2221 10280
Stroker Road – Huffman Mon, Mar 23, 2015 2:00 PM 2:34:27 38.13 574 14.8 21.2 2087 10239
Stroker Road – Huffman Mon, Feb 9, 2015 12:18 PM 2:41:03 39.56 912 14.7 21.6 2272 10102

I am getting closer to my goal for the year: 5849 miles in 2015. 225.01 miles this week and 331.24 miles in October. October 2014 I rode 640.1 miles. I have 20 days to ride 309 miles; I should be able to do that. I will take Sunday off as a rest day. I biked 9 out of 10 days in October.

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Texas Bicycling News October 9th

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Crits vs. Cross

texasbikeracing.com


We’ve heard it said, “Texas is the crit capital of the world.” Following Nats in Austin (despite the Heritage Tree debacle), cyclocross is riding a bigger than ever wave of popularity and the season now kicks-off in the heat of mid-September. So, where are your loyalties? Is road season just a warm-up for cyclocross? Are crits where it’s at but ‘cross is a fun cool down? Are you just a …

3rd Annual South Texas Bicycle Show

do210.com

Sat Oct 17        12:00PM – 6:00PM
Appliance Liquidation Outlet
It’s time for the 3rd Bicycle Show, and this year FrankenBike will join us.
Join us for music, vendors, food, beer, and raffles. There will be awards for the Classic, Custom, Best Paint, Wild Dawgs Pick, BMX, and Low Rider.
http://a2.res.cloudinary.com/dostuff-media/image/upload//c_fill,g_faces,w_800/v1444324872/event-poster-4704269.jpg

Far West traffic challenges kids walking, biking to school

By Melanie Torre        keyetv.com

AUSTIN, Texas — Traffic in an Austin neighborhood is making it hard for kids to get to and from school. In the past week, residents along Greystone Drive — near Far West Boulevard — submitted a half a dozen 311 mobile app requests asking the city to address the issue.
On Greystone Drive you’ll see cars zooming by, coming fast around corners and down windy roads.
“They just come out of nowhere,” says sixth grader Holly Cobb.
On the same streets, students from Doss Elementary and Murchison Middle School are making …

Wash Cycle Laundry uses bicycles for pickup and delivery

By Pam LeBlanc        www.mystatesman.com

Pedal-powered service makes it easy to navigate downtown, manager says

When Tim Hussein makes his rounds in downtown Austin, people sometimes think he’s peddling ice cream.
Instead, he’s pedaling laundry.
Hussein, general manager for Wash Cycle Laundry in Austin, doubles as a delivery driver for the bicycle-powered laundry service, which started in Philadelphia in 2010 and expanded last year to Austin and Washington, D.C. He uses an adult-sized tricycle to pick up dirty clothes, spins over to a nearby laundry facility, suds things up and zips back with …

Jesuit Mountain Biking Shows Strength in Waco and Huntsville

by Thomas Whitaker        www.jesuitroundup.org


Struggling to keep balance as their knobby tires rush over roots, rocks, sand and other insane terrains, the Jesuit Mountain Bike (MTB) racers fly down steep descents and sprint up long heartbreaking climbs all around Texas, getting faster with every passing ride they finish. The Jesuit MTB team raced on challenging courses in Waco on Sunday, September 27th and also in Huntsville on Sunday, October 4th, proving that their experience on bicycles goes much further than just riding on the road.
The Jesuit MTB Team has riders racing in the novice and junior varsity category, but none have reached the …

http://www.meetup.com/Come-Ride-With-Us-Meetup-Group/events/225909417/?a=me2_grp&rv=me2&_af=event&_af_eid=225909417&https=off

Fall and Winter Rides

Corpus Christi Cycle Club        cccycleclub.com

October is when our weekend rides switch from 7:00am to 7:30am on Saturday’s and Sunday’s. October brings with it less light with later sunrises and earlier sunsets. Hopefully, it will bring in some cooler riding days too!
Most of our rides are on schedule, however some rides during the week has changed. Please visit our FACEBOOK PAGE for ride announcements and if you have any questions, please contact us through FB.
We will also introduce ‘ride leaders’ for our Saturday ride at CVS. …

Leakey Death Ride

Fort Worth Bicycle Association        www.fwbaclub.org

8:00 am October 16-18, 2015
The Leakey Death Ride is always the 3rd weekend in October.   We are making some changes this year that will allow us to offer the ride at a new lower price and will take Leakey back to it roots. The rider registration fee is $50.00 per person if received by October 9. 2014.  All rider registrations received after that day will require a registration fee of $65.00.
This year meals at the pavilion and t-shirts will not be provided.  Meals will be on your own at local restaurants, although we may try to plan some group meals for anyone interested in attending.
The rides on Friday and Saturday will be fully supported with sag support, rest stops, porta pots and lunch provided on the 100 mile route on Saturday. All rides start at the Frio Pecan Farm in Leakey.  Friday’s route distance is 60 miles; Saturday is 100 miles; and on Sunday you have choices of 25 or 50 miles.
You will need to …

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Mature Afternoon Valley Ranch Bike Ride

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There is something about riding in the late afternoon. By then the day is mature and the weather more predictable. Today I left home at 2:29. I adjusted my route some to get around school dismal. As I passed each school the students were gone as well as all of the parent car traffic. The route I chose: “Oakhurst – Cumberland – Valley Ranch”. Riding west and north added variety to this week’s rides. Weather was pleasant with a mostly cloudy sky, 90 degrees and a light breeze. My legs felt good as I pedaled propelling me along to a 14.9 mph overall average speed for 34.71 miles.

All of the other bikers were staying away from my route.

I rode to Cumberland Blvd. before turning back towards Porter. It is about 3 miles from there to the Stripes station at FM1314 and Valley Ranch Parkway. When I got there I was 22.33 miles into the ride and it was 4:09. While I was there I looked at the Stripes sign where the prices flash and did a double take.

The price of gas was the lowest I have seen in quite sometime.

After eating a granola bar and a trail mix bar washed down with diet Peach Snapple I left to head back home through Valley Ranch. It was almost 5 o’clock and the Friday traffic was heading home. Going north on Valley Ranch Parkway I stopped at the right turn to get to US59. Valley Ranch Parkway continues north into a construction zone intersecting the Grand Parkway. I rode down there to see what the roads look like. Before doing that I took these pictures.

Map showing Valley Ranch layout
Looking north to the Grand Parkway

Heading east to US59 was fast with little wind resistance. I got on the southbound service road to ride to Northpark Drive. From there I rode to get back into Kingwood.

The weather screenshots while I was at Stripes.

Today’s ride was the 13th time on this route.

Activity Name Start Time Distance Elevation Gain Avg Speed(Avg Pace) Max Speed(Best Pace) Calories Total Strokes
Oakhurst – Cumberland – Valley Ranch Fri, Oct 9, 2015 2:29 PM 2:19:48 34.71 151 14.9 21.3 1626 8212
Oakhurst – Cumberland – Valley Ranch Fri, Sep 4, 2015 12:27 PM 2:25:15 35.15 525 14.5 20.2 1862 9092
Oakhurst – Cumberland – Valley Ranch Thu, Aug 13, 2015 11:14 AM 2:26:13 35.15 479 14.4 19.9 1889 8759
Oakhurst – Cumberland – Valley Ranch Fri, Jul 10, 2015 10:56 AM 2:19:15 34.75 509 15 19.9 1857 8765
Oakhurst – Cumberland – Valley Ranch Tue, Jun 30, 2015 12:17 PM 2:15:45 32.9 463 14.5 21.5 1772 8354
Oakhurst – Cumberland – Valley Ranch Mon, Jun 15, 2015 9:59 AM 2:20:53 34.82 528 14.8 27.3 1905 8491
Oakhurst – Cumberland – Valley Ranch Wed, Jun 10, 2015 11:04 AM 2:27:33 35.28 417 14.3 19.7 1857 8679
Oakhurst – Cumberland – Valley Ranch Wed, Jun 3, 2015 9:30 AM 2:11:51 33.04 407 15 21.3 1775 7962
Oakhurst – Cumberland – Valley Ranch Thu, May 28, 2015 11:07 AM 2:12:14 32.76 482 14.9 20.5 1780 8365
Oakhurst – Cumberland – Valley Ranch Sun, May 3, 2015 11:19 AM 2:03:04 31.53 709 15.4 21.7 1805 7891
Oakhurst – Cumberland – Valley Ranch Wed, Apr 22, 2015 12:25 PM 2:13:56 32.78 646 14.7 21.2 1818 8275
Oakhurst – Cumberland – Valley Ranch Wed, Apr 8, 2015 11:06 AM 2:14:18 32.53 919 14.5 21.1 1889 8192
Oakhurst – Cumberland – Valley Ranch Wed, Apr 1, 2015 11:57 AM 2:10:08 32.32 692 14.9 21.4 1843 8096

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