Texas Bicycling News Digest July 31st

Texbiker.net Posted on by

The terrifying way Houston kids learned bicycle safety

By J.R. Gonzales        www.houstonchronicle.com


From the May 4, 1972 Houston Post: Children at Ashford Elementary School, 1815 Shannon Valley Drive, are doing just what comes naturally when they hop on their two wheelers and pedal home after a hard day at school. Perhaps they deserve a pat on the back during National Bikecology Week.
Admit it. As a kid, you never wore a helmet while riding a bike. Judging by the photos above, hardly anyone did.
And why not? It wasn’t even an afterthought back then. It was a different time.
While we’re confessing, you might as well fess up to this, too: You probably gave a friend a lift on your handlebars.
Maybe you even rode your bike from Denver Harbor to the Heights. No big deal, right? …

The Vision Zero Journey

BikeHouston


Getting to Vision Zero – no roadway deaths – in Houston will be a long journey but we are on the path.
Over the last month we have been encouraged by the way the broader bicycling community has rallied to make safer streets and the response we have received from city officials. A range of groups including BikeHouston, Houston Ghost Bike, Houston Tomorrow and the Houston Coalition for Complete Streets are actively calling on the City to take immediate action and commit to a broad based Vision Zero to end all roadway deaths.   Vision Zero is founded on the idea that all roadway deaths are preventable by better design, education and enforcement. Cities from New York City to Los Angeles have committed. Houston should too.
Together with our partners we are working towards the following goals: …

200 Miles and No Time to Write

by Matthew        bike4heck.com


I just want to get an update out there today on the site so my regulars know what has been going on here in San Antonio, Texas. Live have been happening, PJ had his first birthday party, my wife and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary, started planning for a Kidical Massive in San Antonio and we took a family vacation to the beach. All these things are wonderful and exciting however since this is bicycling blog it’s important to state that I’ve been doing more riding of by bicycles than ever since starting the blog. I’ve been taking PJ on rides daily averaging about 3 …

City to host Brazos River Bike Rally featuring three routes

www.yourhoustonnews.com


On Saturday, Sept. 5, Missouri City residents are invited to partner with elected officials, area businesses and bicycle enthusiasts from across the Houston-area for the City’s second annual bike ride: The Brazos River Bike Rally. Beginning at the Recreation & Tennis Center, 2701 Cypress Point Dr., cyclists will have the opportunity to participate in a 10-, a 20- or a 40-mile ride that will take participants through scenic sites in the City.
“Participants in this first-of-its-kind event will enjoy scenic routes that pass state-of-the-art business complexes, historic landmarks, award-winning neighborhoods and …

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets About Texas Bicycling

https://twitter.com/SportsTownEP/status/627119951833206784

Texas Bicycling Upcoming Event Reminders

Last Bike Ride of July

Texbiker.net Posted on by

The last ride of July on “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” was a fitting end to the month. I needed to ride 27 miles to reach 900 miles for the month and I biked 31.72 miles raising my total miles for July to 904.84, the second month in a row over 900 miles. (The July rides summary is below) I saw one other biker as I was riding east over Lake Houston on FM1960. He was going west on the other shoulder. I waved but I did not see a response from him. Going east I had to battle the NE wind (9 mph) making it difficult to get my speed above 16 mph. On the way home the wind was at my left rear quarter helping me at 18 to 20 mph. during this stretch I was able to increase my average speed to 14.9 mph from the 14.6 mph it settled at when I stopped at the Huffman Chevron at 20.4 miles.

We’ve had 2 days in a row at 100 degrees or more and it looks like today may become number 3. I was earlier than yesterday leaving home at 11:04 and returning at 2:13. I probably avoided the heat of the day. The weather when I stopped in Huffman.

I arrived at the Huffman Chevron around 12:30 thinking the Amtrak train would pass by shortly after 1:00. I ate my snacks and drink. After 1:00 I moved to the pumps closest to FM1960 to a better position to take pictures. I waited and waited but no Amtrak train. Finally at 1:25 I decided the train wasn’t coming or took the tracks through Crosby and left. As I rode on FM1960 I listened for the train but didn’t hear any whistle. Once I reach E. Lake Houston Parkway I was out of range. While I rode over Lake Houston I looked at the train bridge to the south but nothing there.

[iframe https://connect.garmin.com/activity/embed/850477437 465px 500px] [iframe https://www.strava.com/activities/358199057/embed/3f8b7ecfbd6d57a3fa648251e3fdcfe7884c42d6 590px 500px]

Today was the 26th time I biked the “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route out of 119 rides this year. I have varied the route more than last year. Below is a summary of the 26 rides.

7-31-2015 Route Ride Comparison Summary YTD

The summary of July’s rides is below. I biked 25 out of 31 days. Year to date I biked 4121 miles. Last year at the end of July I was at 4212 miles. I am closing the shortfall for this year.

7-31-2015 July to Date

Texas Bicycling News Digest July 30th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Huntsville ISD teacher races for student battling brain cancer

By Marissa Nunez        www.itemonline.com


All summer long, Brad Didier trained for hours on end under the scorching Texas sun to prepare for the Tri Aggieland Sprint Triathlon that took place Sunday at the Texas A&M Recreation Center. He spent countless hours in the pool, on the track and on his bike to prepare for the race to make sure he could give it everything he had in order to do his best.
Didier ended up finishing 9th out of 35 male competitors in his age group, but it wasn’t coming out on top that drove Didier to train as hard as he did or compete as well as he did. That drive came from Jonathan Ross, a former student of his from …

Independence Drive Pedestrian and Bicycle Enhancements

www.texasbids.net

Bid Date & Time: 07/29/15 2:00 PM        Prebid: 07/01/15 9:00 AM
Solicitation Title: Independence Drive Pedestrian and Bicycle Enhancements
Owner Solic Number: 2015-828    Status: bidding        Report: 6408043
Country : United States     State: TX    County: El Paso
Location: J.P Shawver Park, Along Independence Drive between Yarbrough Drive and Whittier Drive
Est. Low Value: $451,000    Est. High Value: $999,999
Scope: Construction of pedestrian and bicycle enhancements. 14-ft asphalt pedestrian and bicycle path for the entire length of the
corridor. Trees and vegetation throughout the corridor with an irrigation system. Install chat screening and weed barrier within 10
feet of both sides of the pedestrian and bicycle path. Install park benches and trash receptacles. Install bike racks.
Notes: A pre-bid meeting will be held at 218 N. Campbell Basemenet El Paso, TX. This project has a “prevailing wage” requirement.
Plans: From Owner. See attached file. …

Resler Drive Buffered Bike Lane Project

www.texasbids.net

Bid Date & Time: 07/29/15 2:00 PM        Prebid: 07/01/15 9:00 AM
Solicitation Title: Resler Drive Buffered Bike Lane Project
Owner Solic Number: 2015-778    Status: bidding        Report: 6408182
Country : United States     State: TX    County: El Paso
Location: Franklin High School, Kohlberg Elementary School; Along Resler Drive between Helen of Troy Drive and Belvidere Street
Est. Low Value: $1,000,000    Est. High Value: $3,500,000
Scope: Project consists of a 9 ft. buffered bicycle lane with a 5 foot or greater bike lane with a 3 foot buffer. Remove and restripe existing travel lanes to accommodate the bicycle lane. Intersection striping. Bike boxes and green paint for conflict areas.
Notes: A pre-bid meeting will be held at 218 N. Campbell Basement Conference Room. This project has a “prevailing wage” requirement.
Plans: From Owner. See attached file. …

River Bend Drive Pedestrian and Bicycle Enhancements

www.texasbids.net

Bid Date & Time: 07/29/15 2:00 PM        Prebid: 07/01/15 9:00 AM
Solicitation Title: River Bend Drive Pedestrian and Bicycle Enhancements
Owner Solic Number: 2015-780    Status: bidding        Report: 6408162
Country : United States     State: TX    County: El Paso
Location: Braden Aboud Park and Zach White Elementary School; Along River Bend Drive Between Frontera Road and Turnstone Drive
Est. Low Value: $1,000,000    Est. High Value: $3,500,000
Set Aside Types: MBE/DBE (Minority / Disadvantaged), WBE (Woman Biz Enterprise)
Scope: Works on the project will include a 14′ asphalt pedestrian and bicycle path for the entire length of the corridor; trees and vegetation throughout the corridor with an irrigation system; install chat screening and weed barrier within 10′ of both sides of the pedestrian and bicycle path; install park benches and trash receptacles; install bike racks; texture cross walks at conflict points; Works also include approx 1,553 CY excavation (roadway); 609 TN D-GR HMA Type C PG70-22; 11 EA adjusting manholes; 5,655 LF concrete curb (dowel) (slotted); 67 LF trench excavation protection; 134 LF 18″ RCP Class III; 5,486 LF of 2″ PVC Sch 40 conduit; see attached file. …

Viscount Boulevard Pedestrian and Bicycle Enhancements

www.texasbids.net

Bid Date & Time: 07/29/15 2:00 PM        Prebid: 07/01/15 9:00 AM
Solicitation Title: Viscount Boulevard Pedestrian and Bicycle Enhancements
Owner Solic Number: 2015-784    Status: bidding        Report: 6408103
Country : United States     State: TX    County: El Paso
Location: Along Viscount Blvd between MOntwood Drive and Ponder Park Scope: Project consists of a 14ft pedestrian and bicycle path along
portions of the corridor with shade trees, vegetation and other amenities.
Notes: A pre-bid meeting will be held at 218 N. Campbell Basement Conference Room. This project has a “prevailing wage” requirement.
Plans: From Owner. See attached file. …

Along the Santa Fe Trail – Dallas

Plano Bicycle Association        www.planobicycle.org

W Alabama Design Recommendations

BikeHouston


Alabama Street is being rebuilt!  NOW is our chance to get it built with safe and intuitive bikeways. Please sign-up to speak up for bikes at the public rebuild meeting and read our design considerations below.
Public Meeting | Thursday, July 30 | 6 – 8 pm | St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church | 1805 W. Alabama St
A safe bikeway could be well-designed bike lanes that are at least 5’ wide with an additional buffer, or it could be a safe side-path that is a minimum of 8’ wide and designed for both bicyclists and pedestrians. As a reminder, W. Alabama had bike lanes previously, but were …

A Guide to Biking in Austin, TX

momentummag.com


Along with breakfast tacos, live music, and bats, bicycles are becoming part of this independent-minded city’s urban culture.
Austin, TX’s, fit populace lives outdoors and has discovered bikes are a way to explore their compact downtown and avoid traffic congestion – especially when getting to the weekend festivals. Even on the most scorching summer days, you will witness Austinites on bicycles downtown in the Texas capital: legions of colorful pedicabs ferrying bar hoppers, Lycra-clad road cyclists headed to the city’s hills, and locals rolling down an expanding network of bike lanes.
The city’s treasure is the 10-mile (16 km) Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail: a crushed gravel path ringing downtown’s Lady Bird Lake. The trail now boasts a …

DATES Urban Social Ride Redux

Dallas Area Tandem Enthusiasts

When: Aug 02, 2015 08:30 AM
Where:  The Lot Restaurant – Dallas
Nancy Griswold asked if I would share the following.
We had such a fun ride last Sunday that we have convinced Lee Wilson to lead another ride.
We will meet at The Lot near White Rock Lake and on the Santa Fe Trail.
When: Sunday August 2nd
Meet at 8:00 AM, Ride at 8:15 AM
20 to 30 miles
Post-ride lunch at The Lot

This Week’s Activities

Fort Worth Bicycling Association

Green Demon Century
Saturday, August 1, 2015 7:30 am
Crowley Chicken Express

Burleson and Beyond
Thursday, August 6, 2015 8:00 am
Burleson: Commerce Street

The Rusty Chain Gang Romp
Thursday, August 6, 2015 8:00 am
Benbrook: YMCA

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets About Texas Bicycling

Texas Bicycling Upcoming Event Reminders

A PSI Correlation Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

There is a correlation between my tire pressure and how fast I can ride. Before leaving (12:34) on the ride I aired up the tires to 110 psi. Rolling down the driveway I could feel the difference in the first 50 feet. Turning the pedals propelled me much easier than before. This was reflected in how long it took me to get my average speed up to 14.0 mph. By mile 7 I was averaging 14 mph while before it took 3 or 4 miles more to get there. On the “Atascocita South – Walden – Huffman” ride today I rode 33.27 miles and the maximum average speed was 15.2 mph and ended up at 15.0 mph when I got back home at 3:30. Today was the 9th time I rode this route in 2015. (See the ride comparison at the end of this post)

The ride today increased my July miles to 873.13. If the weather doesn’t get in the way tomorrow I could reach 900 miles for July.

The start was later than I planned because I helped my wife with a booklet she is putting together for church. Another person started it and there were some hidden format issues that was messing up the layout. We worked through those and I was off. With the later start I thought it would be cooking out there but it was “only” 95 when I left home. There was a very slight chance of rain but it never stood a chance as the heat increased. The humidity was higher too which caused me to perspire heavier than yesterday. At the 21.6 mile point I arrived at the Huffman Chevron for a rest stop. I had stopped earlier at the Atascocita Shores Drive Chevron to fill my water bottle to be sure I had enough to get to Huffman. It was a good thing allowing me to drink cold water several times. Here are the weather screenshots while I was stopped in Huffman.

The west wind is what brings the heat and dryness. The red triangle is a heat advisory warning for today. I was at the Huffman Chevron for about 30 minutes and it took most of that time to dry up the sweat. I started the 11 mile trip to home wondering if it could get any hotter. The answer is yes. Below is the weather status at my house when I got there.

7-30-2015 Home Weather Finish
The bottom temperature (102) is in the shade and the 107 is in the sun. Humidity is very low for Houston. Tomorrow (Friday) there is a 40% of rain in the late afternoon but it could be even hotter  before then.

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7-30-2015 Route Rides Comparison Summary YTD