Texas Bicycle News Roundup May 11th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

The Web Monkey Speaks: The Bigotry of Wilderness

By: Vernon Felton        www.bikemag.com

Do bikes belong in wilderness areas?

America needs wilderness. In an era of “clean coal”, tar sands and fracking our environment can use all the help it can get. The United States is a massive chunk of dirt, true, but once you account for all the private property, cities, roads, shopping malls and suburban sprawl, what you really have is a hodge-podge of fragmented and fragile ecosystems. The Wilderness Act tries to stave off that problem by preserving lands in their wild and pristine state. That’s a great thing.
What’s not so great, however, is that, since 1984, the Wilderness Act has also been used to kick mountain bikes off of public lands. And not because mountain biking has ever been proven to have more of an impact than other trail users; for the record, it never has. Instead, bikes were banned in `84, and continue to be banned today, because a faction of hikers and horseback riders simply don’t like mountain bikers. They don’t like the way we dress. They …

New Bicycle Friendly State Ranking Released

www.bicycle.net

Washington is No. 1 for Eighth Year Running
Washington, D.C. — Embargoed until May 11, 2015, 9 a.m. Eastern — On the first day of National Bike To Work Week, the League of American Bicyclists has released its 2015 Bicycle Friendly State ranking.
For the eighth year in a row, Washington continues to lead the nation, but states like Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Utah moved up the ranking in 2015, shaking up the top 20.
“We’re encouraged to see measurable progress and improvement in many states, including Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Utah,” said League President Andy Clarke. “We hope to see continued improvements as more statewide leaders recognize and invest in the many benefits bicycling has to offer.”
Utah made the jump from #8 to #5 this year. The state adopted a Bicycle Master Plan in 2014, setting inter-agency goals for inclusion and support of biking and walking infrastructure in transportation projects. …

… 28. Iowa
29. New York
30. Texas
31. Nevada
32. Mississippi …

Bicyclist sustains minor injuries after being struck by car

By SHEMEKA THOMPKINS/The Lufkin News

A man was knocked from his bicycle when it collided with a car shortly after he had been in a fight with his girlfriend at a Lufkin fast-food restaurant Saturday morning, according to a Lufkin Police spokesman.
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“COME RIDE WITH US!” – HOUSTON – May, 17th 2015 – URBAN BRIDGES

68venable        www.bikeforums.net

This is not my group or affiliated with me, but this is a fun group to ride with and a cool route too.
The group and details can be found here:
http://www.meetup.com/Come-Ride-With…nts/221943209/
The route can be found here:
Urban bridges 30 in Houston, TX, United States | MapMyRide
Here is a brief description of the ride from their site:
“Welcome to one of our monthly favorites – The Urban Bridges Ride! We love it and …

Selective Enforcement

Bike Noob        bikenoob.com

One of the members of my cycling club sent out an email to the group the other day, warning of police ticketing cyclists who failed to stop before turning right on a red light. It seems there were three squad cars, all writing out tickets.
Now, this kind of thing has gone on before, but I haven’t heard a lot about it in several years. And what struck me as odd about this instance was that it took place on a Wednesday morning, at about 11 a.m. That doesn’t strike me as a busy biking time, but apparently there were enough wayward bikers out there to keep the police busy for a …

Around the State: Bike Out Hunger

By Staff / Baptist Standard        www.baptiststandard.com


The 6th annual Bike Out Hunger-Texas will be May 11-16, 2015. The ride – about 450 miles from Boerne to Austin to Dallas – is intended to raise awareness about poverty and raise money for the Texas Baptist Hunger Offering.
With more than 31,000 children in foster care in Texas, Buckner Children and Family Services is making available daily devotional emails through the remainder of May, which is National Foster Care Month. To participate, click here to sign up for …

17 Servicemen and Women Bike 100K on President Bush’s Texas Ranch

By Kelsey Molseed        www.bicycling.com


At the W100K mountain bike ride, the former president pedals with injured soldiers to honor their service
17 Wounded Warrior mountain bikers rode 62 miles in this year’s W100K, led by former President George W. Bush on April 30-May 2. The mountain bike ride, now in its fifth year, takes place on Mr. and Mrs. Bush’s Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford, Texas. It’s stated purpose is to …

BikeDFW Bike To Work Day Energizer Stations

by Richard Wezensky        www.bikedfw.org


Mark your calendars! Friday, May 15, 2015 is The League of American Cyclists’ National Bike To Work Day. IF there is ever a day to ride to work, make it this day. Think about the positive statement we’ll be making as cyclists, safely using an alternate form of transportation.
Based on our great success in Richardson 3 years ago, which grew to 5 stations around Dallas 2 years ago, and up to 9 stations last year, BikeDFW, DART and local bike groups have partnered up to …

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets

https://twitter.com/KayruhJayde/status/597590851317997568

https://twitter.com/bicyclesplus/status/597798397068845056

https://twitter.com/txbikeracing/status/597792204355084288

Event Reminders

Texas Bicycling News Digest May 10th

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Video: Birth of an American Cargo Bike

by Matthew        bike4heck.com

This is a longer video than I usually post but it’s totally worth a 20 minute watch. Liz Canning, a friend of Bike4Heck did a great job on this video segment. I was not a co-producer in this project but I’m apart of the larger project she is …

Why Do People Dislike Cyclists?

###  Johnny Guzman        bicyclepointofview.blogspot.com
Discussing why some people dislike cyclists, and the behaviors that contribute to negative stereotypes.
Chances are if someone has been riding a bicycle on the roads for years, they may have experienced the road rage of angry motorists, the ridicule from their friends or even have had near death experiences on the road with motorists or on the trail with pedestrians. To be fair, all dedicated cyclists encounter this, whether they are “good”, friendly cyclists or cyclists with entitlement issues and God complexes. There are certain types of behaviors that trigger the ire in motorists and even other cyclists that we can avoid. This will contribute to mutual respect on …

Cycling trip in honor of shrine was inspired by Texas’ majestic limestone rock

By Sidney Brandler        www.expressnews.com

Navy Capt. Burt Quintanilla is a member of the Shrine of St. Padre Pio’s Knights of Columbus and a 1978 graduate of Central Catholic High School. He’s also a cyclist who needs no race to make a ride count.
To continue reading this story, you will need to be a digital subscriber to ExpressNews.com.

ETX man hospitalized following major accident involving a bicycle

www.myeasttex.com


Mt. Pleasant, Texas (KETK)
One person was taken to the hospital after being hit by a car Saturday afternoon.
The accident happened in the 1200 block of West 10th Street in Mount Pleasant.
Details are limited, but police say a Robert Lee Goodlow Sr., 55, was riding his bike when a car ran into him. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital where …

Grandfather biking across country to sick granddaughter

By JOCELYN TOVAR        News 4 San Antonio

news4sanantonio.com


SAN ANTONIO-A San Antonio grandfather is biking across the country to help raise money for his granddaughter’s kidney transplant.
Jerry Welch’s feet are going to be peddling for a long time. He’s biking from his home in San Antonio to his granddaughter’s in Portland Oregon.
“After we heard the news she needed a kidney transplant,” he said. “It felt like something I’ve been called to do.”
Calling this journey “Mikayla’s Miles,” it’s all for a six-year-old girl who continues to smile despite  various health issues.
“She’s been in the hospital for most of her entire life, six years,” he said. “So this is my way of helping her out.”
Biking has long been a part of his life so it was a natural choice, but he’s never …

GHORBA project ‘SPRING’ was a huge success!!

GHORBA.org


Over the last two weeks, GHORBA trail stewards have been on the grind, working with volunteers to make sure we all have a fun summer full of awesome rides!  …

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets

https://twitter.com/BSS_Road_Club/status/597560929467899904

https://twitter.com/IamWillPowers/status/597478974441263104

https://twitter.com/jackmott42/status/597455333443899392

Event Reminder

Texas Bicycling News May 9th

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WTF at YBP

by bizikletari bicycleaustin.info

Yellow bike is hosting a Women Trans and Femmes bike shop 11am to 3pm on every second Sunday of the month.
This month, conveniently, falls on the same day some people celebrates mothers day. So if you are a mom, this may be your way out tomorrow.
Austin on a Bike published a nice post on …

Monthly Ride- Jack Brooks Park! (Weather Pending)

GHORBA.org

Event category: Rides
Trail: Jack Brooks Park
Saturday, May 30, 2015 – 9:00am
Please join us for our monthly GHORBA ride- This month at Jack Brooks Park!
I love this trail and you will too!
(If the trails are too wet to ride, I will choose another location on this same day, so plan to ride with us!

WORK PARTIES GALORE!!!

GHORBA.org


GHORBA is SPRING-ing into action with work parties at 5 area trails! All of these are paydirt (link is external)eligible, so bring your forms to be signed by the trail steward. …

Steve Clark Bike Tour

from Brownsville.tv

https://vimeo.com/127309588

Upcomping Rides

Fort Worth Bicycling Association

Pedal to the Medal
Saturday, May 16, 2015 7:30 am

Shop Stroll West
Saturday, May 16, 2015 8:00 am
Arlington: Bicycles, Inc.

Catch Me if you Can
Saturday, May 16, 2015 8:00 am

Tour de Norway
Saturday, May 16, 2015 8:00 am

Joe Pool Lake Marina
Saturday, May 16, 2015 9:00 am
Joe Pool Lake Lynn Creek Marina

Chad Haga Giro Journal: Fastest bike-path ride ever (Texas biker

by Chad Haga velonews.competitor.com


Editor’s note: Giant-Alpecin’s Chad Haga will be providing regular updates from the Giro d’Italia this May.
A probably fictional meeting of the Giro d’Italia organizers, date and location unknown:
“Alright, guys, we’re here to determine the perfect start for the next Giro. Last year was in Ireland, but for 2015 I want to start in Italy with a quintessentially Italian Grande Partenza. What have you got?”
“I’ve got an idea, but it’s too crazy. I probably shouldn’t even say it.”
Interest piqued, the table grew smaller as all leaned in, anticipating the next words to be whispered.
“You know how everyone hates when cyclists are racing along the bike path, buzzing pedestrians?” he began.
“Sure,” they answered dismissively, “but what does that have to

Bicycle Priest, Father Rahm returns to El Paso for event

by Maria Cortes Gonzalez El Paso Times

It’s been more than 50 years since Jesuit priest Father Haroldo Rahm cruised the streets of Segundo Barrio on his bicycle, stopping to talk to people in the neighborhood or reach out to gang members.
Rahm, now 95, will return to El Paso next week to a huge welcome.
The stories of Rahm’s influence on people, especially the youngsters, are so vivid today that it seems like he never left.
“He had so much charisma. He was humble and genuine ….. and he went around the neighborhood identifying issues. You could say he was one of the first that gave publicity to the substandard housing in South El Paso, the poverty and the health issues — he addressed all of that,” said Sal Balcorta, who was young when …

Today’s Texas Bicycling Tweets

https://twitter.com/MitchellGSides/status/597080620129505282

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Texas Bicycling News Digest May 8th

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How does Austin rank on the latest bike-friendliness list?

by Pam LeBlanc        fitness.blog.austin360.com


Time for another list of America’s most bike-friendly cities, class.
The latest study, from BetterDoctor, uses three values – the percentage of commuters who bike to work, the number of bicycle fatalities, and the amount of federal funds spent on pedestrian/bicycle projects – to determine each city’s score. It used data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Alliance for Biking and Walking, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Austin came in 14th out of 52 cities on the list, making it the highest-ranking Texas city. No surprise there. We ranked well above …

APD officers caution against inebriated biking

### BY WES SCARBOROUGH     www.dailytexanonline.com

Students bike around campus in all sorts of conditions — exhausted, focused, when running late for an exam. One condition they might want to avoid is intoxicated — according to the Austin Police Department, biking while drunk could lead to a driving while intoxicated citation.
According to APD officer Nathan Blake, operating a bicycle at or above a blood alcohol content of .08 is a punishable crime.
“[Motor vehicle] is one of the elements of a …

Wildflower Centurion

by Ray Garza        rgvcycling.com

Back in late April I traveled over to San Antonio for theFiesta Wildflower Ride. I knew the route was hilly and coming from the flat lands of the Rio Grande Valley, I didn’t know if I could complete that ride or not. I was already completing a training plan for a century ride but felt it wasn’t enough. I went back to Training Peaks and found a plan for a hilly century by Allen Hunter and decided to follow that. My plan was to ride the sixty and see how I felt and decide if I could ride on and attempt the one hundred miles.
The new training plan that I was following was a lot more intense with more VO2max intervals than my previous plan. I headed out to the only hills we have around here, west of La Joya, and did some of my rides over there. Our hills are more like rolling hills but that’s all we have. I also used a …

Taking the Long Way Home: Impromptu In-Town Ride

by June Bug     www.bikemojo.com

Ride report for long, impromptu in-town ride.
Bike: hardtail ti 29er set up as commuter with rack and 1 pannier with U Lock, spare inner tube, tools, CO2 cartridges
2.1 small block 8s pumped to max. pressure, with tire liners for extra flat protection
flat pedals
hi-viz jersey, blinky on handle bar
I started going to weight training once a week about three months ago and sometimes ride my bike over from the Braker/Parkfield area (leaving home at 9 am) to the GrassIron gym near the intersection of Koenig/North Lamar, via my old commuter route to UT. After that (11 am), over to Wheatsville food bar for lunch, continue south through the state capitol grounds, over to Shoal Creek, down to Lady Bird Lake, west to the pedestrian bridge under MoPac and then a big loop around Lady Bird Lake and take Metro Rail home from the downtown station.
Tuesday, I followed that routine, but I felt good and instead of looping back around the Hike n Bike to catch MetroRail, I continued on a route that I’d had in mind for awhile:
Use little bike/pedestrian underpass under Pleasant Valley Rd and continue through Roy G. Guerrero park
Over Montopolis Bridge/183
To Southern Walnut Creek Multi-Use path to the end at Dafin Lane
Jog over to Decker Lane to 290 (Decker Lane = construction hell, not safe, not recommended)
290 to Berkman Dr. to 51st Street
51st Street at Duval — stopped in at The Peddler, topped off …

Motherhood on Two Wheels

### By Kristin Lucido      texasbikeracing.com

As Mother’s Day approaches, my thoughtful family asks how I’d like to spend the day. Nothing against flowers and brunch reservations, but ideally I like to combine my favorite sport with my favorite people and get out for a family bike ride. Sounds simple enough, but this seemingly basic answer got me thinking: I really do owe a great deal to the bike and how it influences my family life and my role as a mother.
Riding a bike ultimately led me to my spouse and soulmate, Jeff. It gave me an outlet for stress management and personal athletic achievement, introduced me to a community of amazing friends, and …

World T.E.A.M. Sports Veteran Trio Ride Warrior 100K with President Bush

### www.benzinga.com

Injured veterans from past World T.E.A.M. Sports sporting events actively participated in the April 30-May 2 Warrior 100K ride with President George W. Bush at his Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford, Texas.
Joining the President in the 100 kilometer ride on challenging mountain bike trails were Marine Corps Lance Corporal Adam McCann of Oberlin, Ohio, Army Combat Medic José E. Santiago of Centennial, Colorado and Army Sergeant First Class Manuel A. Colón of Orlando, Florida.
McCann rode in his first Warrior 100K. Injured through April 2005 mortar explosions while in service in Iraq, McCann returned to his Cleveland area hometown, where he enrolled in college for a degree in sports management. Riding the 110-mile Face of America from World T.E.A.M. Sports in 2013, he …

10 days of criteriums in DFW May 19-28

by creakyknees www.bikeforums.net

May 19 Tue Sun & Ski Tuesday Night Crit (r) Richardson Scheduled
20 Wed Bicycles Inc. Wednesday Night Crits (r) Fort Worth, TX Scheduled
21 Thu KingRacingGroup Thursday Night Crits (r) Dallas, TX Scheduled
22 Fri Texas Cup Bike the Bricks VI (r) McKinney, TX Scheduled
23 Sat Texas Cup State Age-Based Criterium Championship (Glickman) (r) Dallas, TX Scheduled
24 Sun Texas Cup Bicycles Plus GSTz Criterium (r) Murphy, TX Scheduled
25 Mon Texas Cup State Skill-Based Criterium Championship (r) Greenville, TX Scheduled
26 Tue Sun & Ski Tuesday Night Crit (r) Richardson Scheduled
27 Wed Bicycles Inc. Wednesday Night Crits (r) Fort Worth, TX Scheduled
28 Thu KingRacingGroup Thursday Night Crits (r) Dallas, TX Scheduled
details /flyers etc: …

No New Bicycle Friendly Businesses for Texas This Round

BikeTexas.org


On April 22, the League of American Bicyclists announced the latest list of new and renewing bicycle-friendly businesses. This time around, no Texas businesses were on the list.
However, there’s no need to despair! Texas still has 25 recognized Bicycle Friendly Businesses, representing 42,548 Texas employees, and that’s in addition to the 6,230,230 Texans who live in a Bicycle Friendly Community, and 84,223 Texas students who attend a Bicycle Friendly University. We know these bicycle-friendly places will continue to work hard to be …

Tweets

https://twitter.com/BikerideKiwanis/status/596760690355933186

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