Riding in the Wet

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Yesterday I wasn’t motivated to ride and did some chores around home. It was a good thing because I would’ve got caught in the rain. Today I decided to try riding the “New Caney – Gene Campbell Road” route again. The last time I tried I turned back when a rain storm moved in from the north. The sky was mostly cloudy when I rolled down the driveway at 12:09 but no threat from rain except by the coast at Baytown. I figured it would stay there or drift to the northeast.

The clouds were broken enough to allow the sun to get through but the temperature was 90 degrees at the start, significantly lower than last week. I think fall weather is reducing the heat effect. I set a good pace as I rode north to new Caney and headed northwest on FM1485. The light wind was not slowing me down too much. I built up the average speed to 15.4 mph while riding on Gene Campbell Road. Once I reached FM1314 and turned to the southeast the wind resistance picked up and the average speed dropped to 15.3 by the time I stopped at the Stripes station at Valley Ranch Parkway. The stop at Stripes was at 26.2 miles into the ride. As I got near Stripes I could see the dark sky to the southeast. I stopped and ate my snacks and drank some Gatorade. When I check the weather on my phone I saw a patch of rain over Kingwood and beyond. I checked back later and it had moved closer to me and the cars on FM1314 coming from US59 had their windshield wipers on. I decided to wait at Stripes to see if the rain would pass over. After about 10 minutes the rain seemed to stop and the wipers stopped on the cars.

As I thought about leaving the parade of New Caney ISD school buses came west on FM1314 to turn into Briar Tree for the school there. To avoid the traffic I waited additional 10 minutes thinking this would give the buses time to pick up the children and leave. Earlier before the rain arrived I almost rode north into Valley Ranch and then down the US59 service road. This would add a couple of miles to the ride and avoid the schools in Briar Tree. With the rain I cancelled that but when I got close to the schools in Briar Tree the cars were lined up and not moving. To add to the scene it was drizzling rain as I stood in line to get past the schools. I finally got to a point in the line that I rode around the cars and on to Oakhurst. The streets were damp but the drizzle let up some and the streets were dry just north of Northpark Drive.

I rode through Kingwood Place heading to Kingwood proper. the streets were still dry until I got to South Woodland Hills when the rain started again. It rained lightly all the way home from that point. I ended up biking 37.44 miles and got home at 3:42.

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Texas Bicycling News Digest September 1st

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Cyclists Cut Off by Ghost Tracks Closure

by Robert Rivard        therivardreport.com


San Antonio’s most popular urban cycling route was cut off by last week’s closure of the so-called ‘Ghost Tracks’ by Union Pacific Railroad. The closure, which will last until Oct. 1, forces southbound cyclists to detour on to busy South Presa Road. A map produced by the City of San Antonio and a second one by the Rivard Report show the very few options cyclists can choose from in devising alternative routes south of the Missions.
The Ghost Tracks are the site of one of San Antonio’s most enduring urban legends, which you can read about here. Cyclists in the area are accustomed to seeing cars filled with teenagers and others parking their vehicles in neutral to watch them roll across the …

Wednesday Brushy Creek/Deception Ride

Wednesday, Sep 9, 2015, 6:00 PM

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

10 Mountain Bikers Went

We will be meeting 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 Trail at a faster 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 …

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The Racing Post September Edition

theracingpost.us

In this edition of Spoke&Word…

BikeHouston


September 2015
In this edition of Spoke&Word…
A Word from Michael Payne on being a part of BikeHouston, read more>>
BikeHouston@Events Come see us at our events from socials to community rides, read more>>
BikeHouston@Work Find out what BikeHouston has been doing to improve your rides, read more>>
BikeHouston&Me Meet Sam Sage BikeHouston events volunteer, read more>>
BikeHouston@Reviews An overview in pictures,  read more>>
Ride In the spotlight this time the Ice Cream Ride, read more>>
Calendar Check out our calendar for the coming weeks, read more>>

National Public Lands Day – Austin Ridge Riders – Walnut Creek Trail Maintenance

Saturday, Sep 26, 2015, 9:00 AM

Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
12138 North Lamar Boulevard Austin, TX

19 Mountain Bikers Went

Please Sign up at the following link so we get an accurate head count and your T-Shirt size:http://www.austinparks.org/npld.html?utm_campaign=35&utm_medium=email&utm_source=email_listNational Public Lands Day | Austin Ridge Riders – Walnut Creek Trail MaintenancePool Parking LotThe trails at Walnut Creek Park need some TLC! The Austin Ridge Rid…

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Hotter’n Hell Hundred

Pedal Pushers        roy-pedalpushers.blogspot.com


Almost 11,000 riders participated in this famous endurance ride. Behind the flags is the MPEC building where one picks up the registration packet and is engulfed in a biker’s fantasy. Vendors had on hand just about any cycling accessories that a biker could possibly want, need, or just get an extra something to have on hand.  And if hungry or thirsty that could be satisfied in the building also. …

Texas A&M Bike Friendly University Survey

brazoscyclists.org

Howdy,
TAMU has applied to be designated a Bike Friendly University in an effort to jump start the next phase of culture change regarding bicycles as legitimate transportation in Aggieland.  Additionally, the TAMU Bicycle District Plan which will become an official appendix in the revised TAMU Master Plan is being delivered this month.
While I know we are not perfect, we have made dramatic improvement over the last 4-5 years.  Earning this designation will help me help us in the ongoing continuous improvement process. …

Draft Houston Bike Plan Goals + Women Bicycling Forum

BikeHouston

The Houston Bike Plan team reviewed extensive public input and worked closely with the Bicycle Advisory Committee to draft the following vision and goals:
VISION:By 2026, Houston will be a Safer, More Accessible, Gold Level Bike-Friendly City
GOAL 1: Improve Safety
To provide a safer bicycle network for people of all ages and abilities through improved facilities, education, and enforcement
GOAL 2: Increase Access
To create a highly accessible, citywide network of comfortable bike facilities that connects neighborhoods to transit, jobs, and activity centers, including schools, universities, parks, …
https://bikehouston.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/women_bicycling_forum-232×300.jpg

Longhorn Cyclocross Series

San Angelo Bicycle Association

The Longhorn Cyclocross Series will be held at the San Angelo State Park and will begin in October. Races will be held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Wednesday Evening Series ??Oct 7 6:30 pm ?? Oct 14 6:30 pm ?? Oct 21 6:30 pm ?? Oct 28 6:30

DATES Norma’s Brunch Ride – Long Route

Dallas Area Tandem Enthusiasts

When:     Sep 27, 2015 07:30 AM
Where:   15th Street and Independence – Plano, TX – Plano
Norma’s Brunch Ride
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Hosted by Audré & Warren Casteel
We will start early to beat the heat and beat the rush at Norma’s.
53-mile Start: 7:30 a.m. – 15th and Independence in Plano; NW corner in front of Big Lots. Warren will be here!
33-mile Start: 8:15 a.m. – Anderson Bonner Park; on the White Rock Trail just South of LBJ Freeway on Park Central. Audré will be there! (To find her call 214-212-7402)
Warren will lead the group down from Plano and pick up the other riders (and Audré!) at Anderson Bonner. We will ride through University Park and Highland Park on our way across the Trinity River and to Norma’s in the Bishop Arts District in Oak Cliff for breakfast.
I need a rough count for Norma’s, so let me know if you are coming – warren@casteelsign.com or 214.212.7365. Come on even if you don’t RSVP – they are flexible – to a point!
Here is the map for the Norma’s ride 52 miles long route: …

RIDE SCHEDULE – September 2015

Georgetown Cyclopaths

Day Date Time Meet at Miles Map Miles Map

Saturday 9/5/2015 8:00 AM Berry Springs Park 35 miles B24 46 miles B16
Sunday 9/6/2015 8:00 AM Berry Springs Park 33 miles B46 38 miles B40

Saturday 9/12/2015 8:00 AM Dale’s Essenhaus Restaurant in Walburg 32 miles WA7 46 miles WA8
Sunday 9/13/2015 8:00 AM Berry Springs Park 31 miles B9 37 miles B13

Saturday 9/19/2015 8:00 AM Union State Bank in Florence 29 miles F5 43 miles F3
Sunday 9/20/2015 8:00 AM Berry Springs Park 34 miles B64 41 miles B58

Saturday 9/26/2015 8:00 AM Catholic Church in Andice 35 miles A12 48 miles A14
Sunday 9/27/2015 8:00 AM Berry Springs Park 32 miles B39 43 miles B50

Tweets About Texas Bicycling

https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/638780585541038081

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Texas Bicycling Event Reminders

Texas Bicycling News August 31st

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Local man’s cycling industry career comes full circle at HHH Consumer Show

by Orlando Flores Jr.        www.timesrecordnews.com


WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Stepping into the Consumer Show of the Hotter’N Hell Hundred is almost like looking into the future.
While the event’s claim to fame may be the title of “biggest one-day century ride in the country,” the Consumer Show has earned a reputation for itself as the national launchpad for many cycling and outdoor activity brands.
Ubiquitous items like the Camelbak and Sweat Gutr, which celebrated its 10-year anniversary as a product and company this weekend at the 34th annual Hotter’N Hell Hundred, first graced the Ray Clymer Exhibit Hall showroom floor. This weekend, an Austin-based startup company, reQwip, created for cycling and outdoor enthusiasts looked to continue a string of recent successes and enter itself into the national marketplace to become the …

No Tears on the Southern Tier

By Judy Gamble        www.crazyguyonabike.com

The Route and Our plan: The American Cycling Association (ACA) Southern Tier
Sunday August 30, 2015
We have decided since this is our first REAL long distance bike adventure, that we would follow the 3,000+ mile ACA Southern Tier route…so we bought the 7 map set which we will follow from the Pacific Ocean in San Diego to the Atlantic Ocean in St. Augustine, FL… then on another 600+ miles to the Florida Keys, where we live, by way of the west coast of Florida.
The map set has divided the ride into 7 sections which provide routing and distances on bike safe routes as well as information on camping, hotels and services along the way.
In planning for this trip we have read numerous other Crazy Guy on a bike (CGOAB) journals and have made copious notes on other riders experiences, both good and bad.
Our flight from Miami gets us into San Diego on the evening of Monday, Sept. 7th, which happens to be the day we will celebrate our 19th wedding Anniversary. So first class cabin it is! From here on it’s tent camping and small town lodging.
We are riding self supported which means we will be carrying everything we need for the …

Tyler Texas Mountain Bike Race

by John        www.mountainbikemall.com

Tweets About Texas Bicycling

https://twitter.com/AndarooWillis/status/638543839893000192

https://twitter.com/khwilliamson/status/638443324047818752

https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/638331879632957440

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Texas Bicycling Event Reminder

Never Been Done Before (By Me)

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I never rode 1005 miles in a month until now!! At the beginning of August I thought it would be a big deal to reach my 956 mile goal but as the month came to a close I rode the Hotter N Hell 100 for 76.27 miles and that put me within 28 miles of the magical 1000 miles. Today I knew I could ride the necessary miles to get there so I chose the “Atascocita South – Walden – Huffman” route and rode 33.25 miles.

The weather was a little iffy with overcast sky but the milder temperature (89 degrees at the 11:53 start). As I rode into Atascocita South I wondered if the line of slightly darker clouds meant rain would enter the picture. I made good time and got to the Huffman Chevron around 1:30 after riding 21.8 miles. I sat down under the canopy to eat my snacks and drink Powerade. Even though it wasn’t as warm as last week I still perspired a lot and needed paper towels to soak it up. I got a newspaper from the store to sit on and it was damp when I got up to leave. While I was eating I checked my phone for the weather and was surprised to see a rain cloud over Huffman. I looked up to see rain falling and the pavement getting wet. It only lasted about 30 seconds. I waited a few minutes to allow the road to dry off some before leaving. The weather while i was in Huffman.

I didn’t know how far the rain wet the road when I left the Chevron station but about 1/2 a mile from the station the road was dry. It was dry all the way home.

I got home at 2:45 in front of the Kingwood High School dismissal traffic. At the beginning of the ride I passed Kingwood High School. At the “big” entrance/exit a Houston fire truck blocked the right west bound lane. A fireman was sweeping up debris from the road. A young man was sitting on the sidewalk. As I rode by him I could see his red eyes, probably from crying. I suspect his vehicle was involved in the wreck but the vehicles had been removed from where I looked. A Humble ISD policeman was directing traffic in the high school parking lot. The young man didn’t appear to be hurt but I imagine his parents were on their way.

The weather was a little cooler when I finished (85 degrees). Tomorrow the weather includes rain but the timing as changed  so I might get to ride if I go in the morning.

The month activity shows how I got to 1005.67 miles. (click the image to enlarge it)

8-31-2015 August to Date

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