Texas Bicycling News August 6th

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Across Central Texas

www.forthoodsentinel.com

Copperas Cove
Bike-Run Central Texas
Join the dozens of bicyclists and runners seen each weekend on the roads around Copperas Cove along with miles and miles of deserted roads perfect for avid bikers and runners – or beginners.
Taking advantage of the area’s popularity with bicyclists, Copperas Cove has long been recognized and promoted as the bike/run center of Central Texas.
On any given weekend in Cove, there are 100-200 bicyclists using Cove as a jumping off spot for bike and run tours on farm-to-market and county roads. Cove is in the middle of …

Awaiting expansion, B-Cycle continues to grow in Houston

By Dug Begley        blog.chron.com

Cyclists still face an uphill battle in Houston for better car-free facilities and safer streets, but if bike sharing stats are any indication, the city is picking up speed.
From meager beginnings in 2013 with only three stations, Houston’s B-Cycle system grew quickly because of a private partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, which kicked in $750,000. So far in 2015, city and B-Cycle officials have again reported …

The End Is Near: Texas 4000 Riders Close In On Anchorage, Alaska

by  Virgil Howell        www.amitetoday.com


Heads turned as uniformed cyclists peddled their way up Highway 51 through Amite, Louisiana back in June. Who were these strangers? Where were they headed? Was this a flash mob thing? Weren’t flash mobs over?
It was, in fact, the Ozarks team of the Texas 4000 riders. They were making their way—the long way round— to Anchorage, Alaska. Their journey was one of hope, and a mantel new sets of college students took up every year. Over eighteen months, dedicated individuals with strong ties band together to fight a commonality afflicting our species, cancer. Many members of the Texas 4000 have endured the pain of watching a …

Giant USA ‘studying’ online bike sales through dealers

www.bicycleretailer.com

NEWBURY PARK, Calif. (BRAIN) — Days after Trek Bicycle announced a plan to sell bikes online, Giant USA told dealers that it is studying a similar “Click and Collect” program in the U.S., but said it has not made a decision about going forward with the plan.
Giant Bicycle already has Click and Connect sales in other markets, including the U.K., where it has operated the system for two years.
“Yes, Giant USA is studying the ‘Click and Collect’ business model that is working very well for Giant retailers and consumers in other countries – so in a way, we already have a good head start in this arena. The way consumers buy bikes and gear is rapidly advancing and we want our retailers to win as the environment changes here in the USA,” read a …

West Alabama Public Meeting Re Cap: Two Choices, Lets Think Carefully…

BikeHouston

It was a full house at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church the evening of July 30th. The crowd was there to hear from the City’s Public Works and Engineering Department on the future of W. Alabama Street, especially how the street will be better designed for people on bicycles. W. Alabama is being re-built all the way from Weslayan to Chenevert. This won’t happen all at once but will be done from 2016 – 2018.
This rebuild is a chance to build a Complete street that is a critical part of Houston’s current and future bicycle network. West Alabama runs east – west through many different neighborhoods and has schools, grocery stores, and …

Wednesday Night Ride

Wednesday, Aug 12, 2015, 5:45 PM

River Run Plaza
1071 Country Club Rd El Paso, TX

4 Cyclists Went

The leaderless rides of 18-22 miles begin at 5:45 p.m. (some riders may leave earlier) from River Run Plaza, 1071 Country Club; and at 6 p.m. from Rio Plaza, 6205 Upper Valley Rd (at Artcraft). The favorite route is a loop to Gadsden H.S. Optional dinner afterward at Hello Pizza, 1071 Country Club Rd. Start time varies later in summer / fall.NOTE:…

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New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets About Texas Bicycling

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Texas Bicycling Upcoming Event Reminders

Don’t Skip the Wrist Bands

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I made one mistake on today’s ride, I skipped the wrist bands. The ride began at 7:12 when it was cooler (see below) but much more humid. I thought the cooler temperature would offset the humidity but boy was I wrong. It didn’t take long for my gloves to get soaked with perspiration. My hands had a tough time gripping the handlebars from all of the moisture. I am not sure the wrist bands could absorb all of the perspiration but they would have slowed the flow at least. No more skipping them until cool fall weather arrives.

Because of my limited time I rode the “Atascocita – Walden” route for 22.13 miles. I needed to be back home by 8:45 and I beat that by 1 minute arriving there at 8:44. I stopped at 15 miles to wring out my gloves and again at the Bank of America on W. Lake Houston Parkway. Each time I was surprised how water I squeezed out. As I rode out of the bank entrance onto Rustic Woods I saw another rider decked out in an Astana kit coming towards me. I waved but I am not sure he did.

The weather on the left is at the beginning of the ride and the one on the right is at the end.

Riding this early in the day I saw activity I normally miss. Food delivery trucks making stops and people out walking their dogs. I expected traffic to be heavier with people driving to work but it was light. On the way back home from Walden the traffic increased some. I did avoid the much hotter temperatures from later in the day. It could reach 103 to 105 by Sunday.

With today’s ride it made the 11th consecutive day biking. I don’t ride this route often because it is shorter than normal but it was the 3rd time I rode this route in 2015 (see the ride comparison below). August miles moved up to 225. My goal is 956 miles. With the hot an dry weather I plan on a longer ride tomorrow but I haven’t decided on which route yet.

8-6-2015 Route Rides Comparison Summary YTD

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Texas Bicycling News Digest August 5th

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Houston Bicyclists Not Overrunning Downtown Bike Lane Just Yet

By: Florian Martin

Downtown Houston’s first bike lane was opened back in March, and so far, it’s a bit lonely. Officials say more construction needs to happen before more cyclists use it.
I stop Michael Abramowitz riding on the green bike lane on Lamar Street on a busy Wednesday afternoon.
“I cut through downtown every single day,” he says. “And I use it every single day on my work to work.”
He says the lane makes part of his commute a lot safer.
“Houston is a death trap for cyclists. So anything that makes a zone for cyclists is a big plus in my book.”
Abramowitz is one of only two cyclists riding the lane in about 30 minutes.
Michael Payne, executive director of Bike Houston, a bike advocacy group, says the reason why the lane isn’t that …

Pedestrian Bridge Hike and Bike Trail Project

www.texasbids.net
Bid Date & Time: 08/19/15 2:00 PM
Owner Solic Number: 1507-05        Status: bidding        Report: 6489091
Country : United States     State: TX    County: Harris        Location: Baytown
Scope: Pedestrian bridge hike and bike trail.
Plans: From Owner.
Bond: 10% bid bond
Owner Type: Public
Buyer: Baytown, City of
Address: PO Box 424 2401 Market Street, Room 120, City Hall
City: Baytown    State: TX    Zip/Postal Code: 77520
TEL: 281-422-8281
Website: http://www.baytown.org …

Biking still popular transportation

By: Neil Abeles – Texarkana Gazette


Staff photo by Neil Abeles Michael Addington, left, and Levi Roberts ride their bikes even in the heat of the summer day. “You can always catch a breeze,” Michael, a student at Texas A&M University–Texarkana, said.
It may be hot but not too hot to keep from riding a bike—if you are in some kind of healthy physical shape, that is.
For those of us who are, summertime is bike ti…

Bicycling safety concerns at North Central Park

By: Valerie Gonzalez        www.kgns.tv

Video


LAREDO, TEXAS (KGNS) – Laredoans use public parks to go for walks, rides, and enjoy time outside.
But one man is concerned about cyclists and their speed.
He reached out to KGNS to see how this public safety concern can be addressed.
North Central Park is 31-acres wide featuring parks, a swimming pool, and trails for families to enjoy.
But one man says he’s worried about small children and the elderly in the way of cyclists going quickly down the trails.
From young to old, thousands of Laredoans enjoy the trails, trees, and …

THOMAS TAYLOR PARKWAY: Missouri City Honors Celebrated African American County Commissioner with New Road

Written by  Jeffrey L. Boney        forwardtimesonline.com


The City of Missouri City recently held a special ribbon cutting ceremony for Thomas Taylor Parkway, an approximately $2.5 million, Fort Bend County-funded extension of Lexington Boulevard from Texas Parkway to Scanlin Road south of the City Hall complex.
The new road is named after Thomas Lane Taylor, the first African American Fort Bend County Commissioner who served during Reconstruction. Members of Mr. Taylor’s family, including Fort Bend County Sgt. Eurel Taylor, were present at the ribbon cutting.

…”The vision of the plan is to create a safe and comfortable pedestrian and bicycle friendly environment in the City that encourages people of all ages to walk and bike for everyday transportation and enjoyment,” Mayor Owen said. “Providing a bicycle lane allows less experienced cyclists additional comfort of not having to share a lane with a vehicle, allows the cyclist to ride at a comfortable speed and encourages a position within the roadway where cyclists are more likely to be seen by motorists.” …

Crimestoppers run and Hale on Wheels join

By HOMER MARQUEZ        www.myplainview.com


Two of Plainview’s favorite endurance events will now be on the same bill in 2015. The Hale on Wheels cycling ride and the Crimestoppers Color Fun Freedom Run will stride and pedal side by side during the 17th annual Cowboy Days Celebration Sept. 19.
“This year we’ll be working alongside the Hale on Wheels bike ride. It’s going to be fun.” said Manuel Balderas, a Plainview police detective and an organizer for the Freedom Run.
For years, proceeds raised from the run have gone to support the Plainview Crimestoppers organization, which …

Beginner Intermediate Group training program

Tuesday, Aug 11, 2015, 6:00 PM

River Run Plaza
1071 Country Club Rd El Paso, TX

9 Cyclists Went

The Beginner / Intermediate Group program meets at River Run Plaza, 1071 Country Club Rd. on Tuesday nights. Lesson begins at 6 p.m., followed by ride at 6:15 p.m. Upper Valley rides offered for both beginner and intermediate level riders.

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Tuesday: Intermediate/Advanced Mountain Bike Ride at the Ant Hills

Tuesday, Aug 11, 2015, 6:15 PM

15200 Memorial Dr
15200 Memorial Dr Houston, Te

5 cyclists Went

This will be a medium to fast pace ride through the Ant Hills of Hershey Park! Bring WATER, spare tube/tire, snacks, etc…Helmets required. Call if you are going to be late so we can wait for you. Wheels rolling by 6:30! See you there

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Fort Collins police miraculously find stolen bike in Texas

by Katie de la Rosa        www.coloradoan.com


At first, Ben Chupik thought his friend was joking.
It was the middle of the day, and they’d been in driver’s education class for only a couple hours. How could his red Specialized mountain bike have possibly been stolen?
Sure enough, the Rocky Mountain High School sophomore learned as he walked outside of class June 15 his bike had been stolen.
After class, he and his parents walked to each store in the shopping center off …

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets About Texas Bicycling

https://twitter.com/jackmott42/status/628926267761385472

https://twitter.com/txbikeracing/status/628928046280540160

Baking Soda and Organic Apple Cider

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As I planned I rode north today on the “New Caney – Gene Campbell Road” route but I modified the route by going north to Roman Forest Blvd and then back to New Caney before riding west on FM1485. I wanted to add a couple of miles to the normal distance and this change bumped today’s distance up to 38.67 miles. When I walked out to the garage earlier this morning I thought today would be steamy ride because after I got home on yesterday’s ride we got a nice .77″ rain. The humidity felt oppressive but by the time I left at 10:42 the humidity let up some. The yard and plants look better after the much needed rain. Until July the Houston area got a regular dose of rain and we were even ahead of the normal amount. July was the opposite with very little rain. That’s great for biking but not for the grass and plants.

The ride went great without any issues other than the heat. I stopped in New Caney at the Mobil station to refill my water bottle. The next water and ice opportunity would be on FM1314 and Gene Campbell Road. I would rather be safe than sorry. The ice cold water tastes great in the heat. I rode to the Stripes Station on FM1314 and stopped there for a break. It was 27.7 miles into the ride and around 12:45. I ate some snacks and Gatorade while sitting under the pump canopy. The breeze was cooling and helped to dry up the sweat. The Porter weather while I was there.

When I was getting ready to leave Stripes a lady was filling her car with gas at the pump I was sitting at. She commented on how hot it was and I replied it wasn’t too bad as long as I was moving. A man at another pump asked how far I biked each day and I moved over to that pump to talk. We talked for several minutes as I answered his questions about my biking. He told me about drinking baking soda and organic apple cider and what it did for him. His name was George. We shook hands and went our ways.

I went through Briar Tree watching for the big dog but he is still missing. Later when I was riding through Kingwood a small dog with very short legs started barking like a big dog and raced from his yard as fast as his short legs would go. I coasted away from and he gave up.

I got home at 2:08 ready to go inside to the cool air conditioned air. The weather at my home weather station at the end of the ride.

8-5-2015 Home Weather Finish

Since the Grand Parkway construction work zone on FM1314 has allowed me to get through that area I have increase my riding along today’s route. So far this year I biked this route 6 times. A comparison of the rides.

8-5-2015 route Rides Comparison Summary YTD

I am now up to 10 consecutive biking days. Tomorrow will be short ride compared to my recent ones. My wife goes to the medical center for treatment. I hope to get a 20 mile ride in before we go. I will need to leave home much earlier than I am used to. August mileage is now at 203 miles. Not bad for 5 days of riding.

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