Texas Bicycling News May 20th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

PeopleForBikes partners with National Interscholastic Cycling Association

www.peopleforbikes.org


PeopleForBikes is partnering with the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) to aid in the development of interscholastic middle and high school mountain biking programs across the United States.
PeopleForBikes will provide NICA with more than $32,000 in cash support during 2015: $15,000 from the PeopleForBikes Coalition and $17,000 from the PeopleForBikes Foundation and its Paul David Clark Bicycling Safety Fund. The Clark Fund is a legacy project dedicated to Paul Clark—a San Francisco bike rider who died in a bicycle-truck collision in 2005. The Clark Fund focuses on initiatives that promote safety and youth ridership. It has previously supported programs like …

Bicycle Friendly State: Texas Takes a Small Step Forward

BikeTexas.org


The League of American Bicyclists released the new Bicycle Friendly State rankings last week, and Texas has moved up to #30 from #33 in 2014.
BikeTexas is happy that Texas has improved its ranking after last year’s disappointing tumble. TxDOT is working on a number of activities to support bicycling in Texas, such as a bicycle safety manual and a statewide inventory of bicycle infrastructure. However, we still lack dedicated state-level funding for bicycling infrastructure, and the …

Deception Update – more trail, bail out closures, new bail out, etc…

by rugger        www.bikemojo.com

So, FirstBlood and I had a good on site mtg with the county today.
We are authorized to do the following IMMEDIATELY:
1) Reopen the original line to Swag Rock – the line parallel to the existing one (First Blood probably had this open before I posted this). The reason for this is to a) provide a turn around for users to head back and ride the trail back to the trailhead, b) an option to ride to the beginning of Snake Ridge and ride back to the trail head or c) ride down about 500 yards to the BCRT – this will be a NEW bail out. We should have this completed by the end of the week – tomorrow from 10-2 we will be out there.
It will look like this: …

Construction of Hike and Bike Trail from Jones Road to YMCA, Precinct 4

www.texasbids.net

Bid Date & Time: 06/08/15 2:00 PM
Prebid: 05/27/15 9:00 AM
Solicitation Title: Construction of Hike and Bike Trail from Jones Road to YMCA, Precinct 4
Owner Solic Number: 15/0106    Status: bidding
Report: 6311965
Country : United States     State: TX    County: Harris  Location: Houston
Est. Low Value: $550,000    Est. High Value: $550,000
Scope: Construction of hike and bike trail.
Notes: PRE-BID CONFERENCE on May 27, 2015, 9:00 a.m. CST, in the conference room of the Office of the Purchasing Agent, 1001 Preston,
Suite #670, Houston, TX 77002.This project has a “prevailing wage” requirement.
Plans: From Owner.
Outside Link:
https://bids.hctx.net/bso/external/bidDetail.sdo?bidId=15/0106&parentUrl=activeBids
Update Notes: Amendment 1 issued, see linked file.
Owner Type: Public …

ARR Free Beginners Skills Clinic

Sunday, Jun 7, 2015, 8:30 AM

Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
12138 North Lamar Boulevard Austin, TX

17 Mountain Bikers Went

Austin Ridge Riders Free Beginners Skills ClinicJoin ARR Sunday morning, June 7, at Walnut Creek Park for a free beginner skills clinic led by Aric Meyer. Arrive early enough to prepare yourself and your bike, the clinic starts promptly at 8:30am.In this month’s clinic Aric will cover the basics of: neutral & ready positions, body separation (fro…

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New Uplawn-Oaktown Route! … err, I mean, Uptown-Oak Lawn!

bikeabledallas.com

https://bikeabledallas.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/uplawn-route-compressed.jpg?w=700&h=906
It’s here! Say hello to our little friend: A new bike route between Uptown and Oak Lawn! We lovingly refer to it as the UPLAWN route…
This new route uses Fairmount Street, Welborn Street, and Holland Avenue to create an easy ride from the State-Thomas area, through Uptown, and …

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets About Texas Bicycling

https://twitter.com/wsbhtx/status/601167656071331841

https://twitter.com/NicoleCBulcher/status/601129993159192576

https://twitter.com/txbikeracing/status/601049379579908096

Texas Bicycling Event Reminder

Where Are All the Dogs Coming From? Raining Cats and Dogs?

Texbiker.net Posted on by

For the first time in many days I biked two days in a row. I drove north to New Caney and parked at Brookshire Brothers. Later on this turned out to be a good choice. Unpacking the Stradalli from the jeep I set off on the “New Caney – Grangerland – New Caney” route going through Roman Forest, north on Tram Road and FM2090 west to Grangerland. When I got to New Caney I took a screen shot of the weather:

New Caney weather at the start of the ride

New Caney weather at the start of the ride

If you look closely at the map there are patches of rain around the area. The sky was cloudy and it was really humid. I was hoping the rain would move away and not be a problem.

Rolling north on the US59 service road from Brookshire Brothers I made a right turn onto Roman Forest Blvd. If I omit this the route is less than 30 miles long and I wanted to ride at least 30 or more. Today’s ride met my goal at 32.33 miles. All went well through Roman Forest and I turned left on Tram Road. This takes me to FM2090 east of Splendora. The last time I rode Tram Road I had a dog sprint at Rio Vista. I was alert as I approached the street for Rio Vista but no dog this time. Mistakenly I thought I would be free all the way to FM2090. Around the 6.5 mile point two dogs charged out of two different lots barking and fast. The black one was ahead of me on the left and the white was to my left rear. I thought the black dog had it made to get me since I was going towards him and the white was slightly disadvantaged by my going away from him. The black dog slowed as I approached and stopped long enough for me to get past him. Looking in my mirror I could see the two dogs in maybe a territory conflict where they seemed to forget about me which was fine. I had sped up getting past them and they didn’t put much effort trying to come after me.

I made it to FM2090 without any more dogs. Going west on FM2090 to Splendora I waved at another biker going the opposite direction. This is unusual to see another biker east of Splendora but I do see some west of US59.

My average speed was building up as I rode west on FM2090. By the time I got to Grangerland I was averaging 16.0 mph. Part of the reason was another dog sprint around the 18.5 mile point. I was riding along minding my own thoughts when a large brown dog (lots of different dog colors today) dashed from the high grass on the right. He was growling and sounded like he wanted to catch a bicyclist but I think the high grass slowed him down too much and I sprinted away without too much effort. He gave up after about 100 feet. Thank goodness the grass was not mowed.

Reaching Grangerland I stopped at the traffic light at FM3083. The light sensors did not recognize me so I waited until a break in the traffic to cross over to the left. Next goal was the Valero station at FM1485, FM3083 and Old Houston Road. This was about 2 miles from Grangerland. I stopped at the Valero station for a rest break at about 22.5 miles into the ride. A couple of snacks and some Gatorade revived me for the 10 miles back to New Caney. While I was resting the clouds to the south got darker threatening rain but by the time I left they had lightened up some. Maybe I would not get rained on.

To add some miles I took Old Houston Road south to SH 242 and then east to FM1485. When I turned right on FM1485 I started to feel some light rain drops. The Garmin screen confirmed the rain. After about 2 miles the pavement was wet and the few drops increased but not enough to get me any wetter than the humidity did. By the time I got to Gene Campbell Road the rain stopped and the road was dry. The only result from the rain was dirty my bike. When I got home I washed it.

The ride started at 11:29 and I returned to Brookshire Brothers at 2:04. The parking lot was wet in many places from rain while I was gone. I loaded the bike in the Jeep, dried up some of the sweat and headed south on US59. The closer I got to Kingwood (about 12 miles from my home) rain started coming down. As I drove into Kingwood the streets were wet. It looked like it had rained some (home weather station said .12″). Now I was glad I went north to bike. If I had went south and east I would have got soaked.

Tomorrow doesn’t look favorable for riding. Rain percentage is over 60% for most of the day.

New Caney at the ride end

New Caney at the ride end

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Texas Bicycling News Updates May 19th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Local cyclists find sport ideal for fun or competition

By Jennifer Kimrey        www.chron.com


Getting older never means you must abandon all sports or physical training. In fact, when you hit your 50s, there may be no better time to challenge yourself and your body.
One of the most popular means of exercise is cycling, which many people age 50 and older do recreationally and competitively. Houston offers a wide range of opportunities for active older adults to saddle up and …

Soldier sprints way onto Army Team for Warrior Games

Story by Shannon Collins        www.dvidshub.net


EL PASO, Texas – As the sun beat down, the Soldier put her right foot in the block and got ready for the burst of energy she’d need to sprint her way to a medal win during the Army Trials for the DoD Warrior Games.
Sgt. 1st Class Sam Goldenstein, a radiology technician with the 325th Combat Support Hospital in Independence, Missouri, took a gold medal in the women’s 400-meter and a silver medal in the women’s 1500-meter, 200-meter and 100-meter. She also took a silver medal in women’s upright cycling during trials at Fort Bliss, Texas, during the last week of March. For her, adaptive sports give her a chance to transition from being a distance runner to a sprinter and to being a cyclist. …

EP Cyclists Rides and Info

Thursday, May 21
5:00am Donut Ride
6:00pm LA Estrella Shopping Center to Quarry – Cat A/B/C
Friday, May 22
8:00am Bagel Ride
Saturday, May 23
8:00am EPC Sat Group Ride
Sunday, May 24
8:00am EPC Sunday Ride
Tuesday, May 26
5:00am Donut Ride
6:00pm Album to Ft Bliss – Cat A/B/C
Thursday, May 28
5:00am Donut Ride
6:00pm LA Estrella Shopping Center to Quarry – Cat A/B/C
Friday, May 29
8:00am Bagel Ride
Saturday, May 30
8:30am EPC Sat Group Ride …

Ride Like A Girl – Maintenance Clinic (Rainy Day Change)

Monday, Jun 1, 2015, 6:00 PM

Crank House Cycles
12801 Shops Pkwy #300 Bee Cave, TX

22 Mountain Bikers Went

Based on the theory that women learn new skills differently from men, these rides are designated as “for women only”.The concept is simple:  the “girls” meet at local bike trails for group rides and mountain biking skills instruction.  Riders break into small groups based on ability and then hit the trail.  After the ride, the ladies regroup for a…

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FHWA introduces Separated Bike Lane Planning and Design Guide

Posted by Gregory Nadeau        www.dot.gov

Today — during National Bike Month — I am excited to announce the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) new Separated Bike Lane Planning and Design Guide.
What exactly is a “separated bike lane” (sometimes referred to as a “cycle track” or “protected bike lane”)?  In simple terms, it’s a portion of a roadway for bicyclists that is physically separated from motor vehicle traffic.
These lanes are an important tool communities across the U.S. can use to …

Share the Road in Montgomery County

Buy Texas Now        buy-texas-now.com

Once the monsoon season is over, more and more cycling enthusiasts will be on the roads of Montgomery county.  There are several locations along Highway 105 west of Conroe where cycling clubs gather to start their rides. Highway 105 is a wide highway for the most part and usually has a generous shoulder for cyclists to ride on.
However you should always use caution when you notice cyclists on the road. Keep an eye out for them – especially at intersections where you may not be able to see them simply because they are smaller than an automobile or truck!
Here are some area cycling clubs that sponsor rides in the area: …

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets About Texas Bicycling

https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/600678131360538624

https://twitter.com/jackmott42/status/600650597960921088

https://twitter.com/jackmott42/status/600650474950402049

Texas Bicycling Event Reminders

Beat the Rain Home, Barely

Texbiker.net Posted on by

The rain continued Sunday and Monday wiping out my biking plans. Today was different until I rolled my bike into the garage after riding. A brief light rain fell as I walked into the house stopping about 5 minutes later. I raced home hearing thunder to the west and seeing the clouds get darker. The forecast called for possible afternoon rain which prompted me to leave earlier than usual at 11:02 and getting back home at 1:57.

I rode the “Atascocita South – Walden – Huffman” route (I added this route name for the extended version of Atascocita – Walden – Huffman going south of Atascocita Road) under a cloudy sky with the temperature around 82 degrees. All of the rain increased the humidity (83%) causing sweat to pour whenever I stopped. I guess the rain washed away the love bugs since I haven’t seen any on the last two rides. I don’t miss them. Today I biked 34.39 miles pushing my May total to 288 exceeding May 2014 by 23 miles. Now I can start to recover the miles I lost earlier this year when the weather was bad. 2015 now totals 1958 miles.

Wind was not much of a factor today allowing my average speed to top out at 15.3 mph before settling at 15.1 mph at the end of the ride.

At the 22.5 mile point I stopped at the Huffman Chevron for a break to eat and drink. I checked the weather on my phone and the rain did not look like a threat. Apparently it moved east faster than I rode to the west from Huffman.

I think I am in the short sleeve jersey season for awhile with May temperatures staying in the 80’s during rides. Wednesday weather has rain at 50%. I may have to repeat today, starting early and getting home before it hits.

Huffman weather when I stopped at the Chevron station

Huffman weather when I stopped at the Chevron station

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