5 Sets of Flashing Lights and Sirens

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I biked to the southeast today on the “Huffman – Atascocita – Walden” route. The weather started out cloudy but as I rode the clouds spread out some but not until I got a few rain drops when I went past the Kingwood library. I was hoping it wouldn’t last and it didn’t. The temperature was in the mid 80’s and the wind was from the SE at 10 mph when I left home at 1:25 but increased to 13 mph by the time I got back home at 4:02.

I wasn’t able to ride as fast as I wanted to over the 30.4 miles on today’s ride. The legs just couldn’t overcome the wind or put out any more power. I did get the average speed up to 14.9 mph but it fell to 14.6 mph by the finish.

The rest stop at the Huffman Chevron was needed and I sat under the canopy enjoying the trail mix bar and whole grain bar along with the Powerade. I hoped the wind would be more cooperative from there to home and it was.

After leaving the Chevron station two Harris County Sheriff patrol cars raced towards the east with sirens and lights flashing. Not too long after that another one came by followed by another one. Then as I was riding over Lake Houston a fifth patrol car raced by. I don’t know what the incident was but there might have been some come from other directions as well.

Many people were out in there boats on Lake Houston along W. Lake Houston Parkway and FM1960. I also saw 5 other bicyclists in various spots on the ride. One unusual spot was across from the Huffman Chevron while I was taking a break. He was on his aero bars going east through the FM2100 intersection.

It has been a good biking week with 209.44 miles. This is the second week this year over 200 miles. April mileage is up to 573.28 and year to date I biked 1583 miles. I biked 6 days this week.

Monday could be wet with rain in the forecast. I will see if it drys off enough to ride.

Huffman weather during the rest stop

Huffman weather during the rest stop

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Texas Bicycling News April 25th

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Bike to Work Day to be celebrated at two locations on May 12

By The Woodlands Township        www.woodlandsonline.com


THE WOODLANDS, Texas – Two locations in The Woodlands will host the kickoff of the 2015 Bike to Work Day on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, beginning at 6:30 a.m. The Bike The Woodlands Coalition will be hosting a morning gathering at the new Whole Foods Market in Hughes Landing and at the new location of the Black Walnut Café on the corner of New Trails Drive and Research Forest Drive. Other sponsors of the event include Huntsman and Jones & Carter, Inc.
May is National Bike Month, and the entire month is an opportunity for bicyclists to share …

FWBA Upcoming Rides

Fort Worth Bicycling Association

Bike Out Hunger – Weatherford
Saturday, May 2, 2015 8:30 am

Spring Spoke Spin
Saturday, May 2, 2015 8:00 am
Springtown High School

Joe Pool Lake Marina
Saturday, May 2, 2015 9:00 am
Joe Pool Lake Lynn Creek Marina

Wagging Trail Bike Ride
Saturday, May 2, 2015 9:00 am

Craddock set to soak in experience at Liege

By Spencer Powlison        velonews.competitor.com


LIEGE, Belgium (VN) — Lawson Craddock is an eager student of the sport. Whether it’s in the mountainous, week-long tours in Spain or the hilly Ardennes classics, the Giant-Alpecin rider is happy to be back in the classroom, in the WorldTour peloton.
His early season was blighted by a nasty crash at the Tour Down Under, but the 23-year-old American jumped back into racing, after many hours on the indoor trainer, at the Volta a Catalunya and then the Vuelta al País Vasco.
“I was really happy with how I was feeling in those two races,” he said. “Especially coming back from an …

Colorado RIver Bikefest

Pedal Pushers        roy-pedalpushers.blogspot.com

Ballinger, Texas
Registration was well organized with plenty of help. The Noon Lions Club must have a lot of active members willing to help out on local events.


… Line up time. I did not get an official rider count, but I would estimate over 100 riders participated. …

T-Shirt Ride Party

Friday, May 1, 2015, 7:00 PM

Proper Printshop
800 Montana El Paso, TX

11 Cyclists Went

The El Paso Bike Month kick-off event begins at 7 p.m. Friday, May 1, at Proper Printshop, 800 Montana, with ride beginning at 7:30 p.m. Ride around downtown area and return for printing party of the 2015 Bike Month t-shirts. $10 donation for t-shirt. Live music, BYOB. Information: ElPasoBikeMonth.com

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Paralyzed Rider Spurs Trek Bicycle Recall

www.amarolawfirm.com

An accident that left a cyclist in a wheelchair has spurred a Trek bicycle recall of nearly a million of the company’s bicycles. The product recall covers bicycles manufactured from 2000 to 2015. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the Trek bicycle recall when news of the 2014 accident hit the press earlier this week. At least two other riders were injured due to a faulty quick-release lever on the bicycle’s front wheel.
Details of the Trek Bicycle Recall
The Trek bicycle recall involves all models years since …

Bikeabout TX

By Gordon Hodge        www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 8 La Grange, TX to Lake Somerville, TX: Met another cycle tourer today
Thursday April 23, 2015, 42 miles (68 km) – Total so far: 277 miles (445 km)
weather: 67-85F, no wind, partly cloudy road conditions: lot more ups than down leaving the Colorado river valley. fairly busy traffic with no shoulder most of the day, stayed glued on rear view mirror. moving avg. 7.5 mph. saddle time 5:33
Left Oak motel in La Grange around 0900. Went by the 66 year old bakery on the town square but only sweet stuff, so I went down the road and settled for a Sonic breakfast sandwich. Headed out NE on hwy. 159 and then hwy. 237. This route takes you through the towns of Warrenton and Round Top which are known for weekend antique flea markets. Thank goodness it is a weekday, as I hear the traffic is very busy on spring and fall weekends. You could see the infrastructure for all the activities and everything was closed even the eateries. Round Top was a very pretty town I thought. I did take a short break there. A local cyclist caught up me and …

Day 9 LK Somerville to College Station, TX: bike problems
Friday April 24, 2015, 42 miles (68 km) – Total so far: 319 miles (513 km)
Woke at 0520 in morning to the sound of rain and distant thunder. I got up to rain fly on. Mike and I were prepared to do this as we knew there were morning storms in forecast. We left fly off as it was a warm and muggy night. I checked the radar on smartphone and saw lots of storms coming our way. I decided to take up camp now rather later. Mike stayed in bed as he had short 25 mile day planned to Navasota and a hotel reservation. I went a couple of hundreds over to a empty group pavilion with roof as it started to rain harder. There was Harley group rally planned for the weekend. There was a food vendor near battling the elements. The storm blew and at least 50 mph. outflow winds and driving rain. I was even getting a little mist blowing through the covered pavilion. As the storm subdued, the food vendor cooked up some sausage gravy and biscuits plus coffee. I texted Mike to let him know. He was afraid to leave the tent as it may blow away. He finally pulled camp and joined me for breakfast. Sure is nice for a biker to have hot breakfast without having to ride the bike in search of food. At 0930 were finally able to …

Day 10-College Station, TX to Richards, TX: a meat cooker day and I was the meat!
Saturday April 25, 2015, 41 miles (66 km) – Total so far: 360 miles (579 km)
The day started like yesterday to sounds of thunder except I was in house. As a practical thinker, I went back to sleep. I finally started ride at 0950. There were good bike lanes leaving this college town. I made a quick stop at HEB for groceries before heading into the rural areas. My goal today was only 41 miles to Richards, TX and cyclist only camp. Temps were 75F starting warming to 87 with sunny sky and light south winds. Perfect for porch sitting but a bit toasty on a loaded tour bike. I took plenty of water and shade breaks even though I was feeling strong and the bike was working well. I had changed my gear ratio to 11-32 cassette(the 9 rear sprocket thingy for non bikers) which made pedaling up hills easier for me and you know by reading my blog that I needed the help. At mile 23 into ride I came upon an unexpected Cajun café. I expected only cows and …

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Garmin 510 Working – Happy Biker Today

Texbiker.net Posted on by

This morning it looked like biking would not happen today but by 10:30 the rain stopped and the clouds started to clear out. By 1:45 when I rolled out the driveway the streets were dry and you had to hunt for puddles to even know it rained. Other parts of Houston probably got more rain than we did in the northeast side. Along with a clear sky the temperature was in the mid 80’s and the wind was below 10 mph. Besides the rain delay I got a late start because two men were putting mulch in our flower beds and I was showing them where it went. My wife took over when I left to ride.

After riding far to the east yesterday today I returned to the “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route biking 34.26 miles. Today’s route is an extended version of the usual route. I rode further south in Atascocita and crossed over W. Lake Houston to ride longer in Walden.

I think I got my Garmin 510 settings squared around and I save a backup of them. The 510 worked like it was supposed to on the ride and I am a happy biker.

My legs were tried from yesterday’s ride so I didn’t get my average speed above 15 mph. I did get to 14.9 mph at around the 21 mile point. It dropped to 14.8 while I took a break at the Huffman Chevron. After leaving there I increased it back to 14.9 where it stayed until the 31 mile mark when I was back in Kingwood and all of the stops and starts. While I was at the Chevron a man stopped to get something and he asked about my bike and how to say the name. He said he wasn’t a bicyclist but was interested in bikes. He asked where the bike was made and I told him Miami. The Stradalli draws more questions and comments than any bike I owned. During the break I ate some fig bars and trail mix bar but skipped the little donuts I had yesterday. Powerade washed them down. Sitting under the pump canopy was pleasant with a gentle breeze. Watching the traffic and Chevron customers can be interesting. Finally it was time to get back on the bike and head home.

I saw two other bikers today: first one was on Fairlake Drive and the other was on Old Atascocita Road west of FM2100.

I got home at 4:42 to see the mulch crew was finished. I can now pull the Jeep into the garage again. Now I need to kill the fire ants in the pile of rocks so they can be moved.

Sunday weather looks like great biking weather: partly cloudy with a high of 87.

Standings as of today: 179.04 miles this week in 11:52:26 time; 542.88 miles for April biking 35:51:45 time; 1553 miles for the year. Last year by now I rode 1976 miles. I am not gaining on what I missed due to the weather earlier this year.

Huffman weather when I stopped at the Chevron station

Huffman weather when I stopped at the Chevron station

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Texas Bicycling News Digest April 24th

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Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Public Hearing in Bryan

www.kagstv.com

(CITY OF BRYAN NEWS RELEASE)
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will hold a public hearing to discuss the planning and development of bicycle and pedestrian facilities as part of the ten county Bryan District boundaries. The hearing is co-sponsored by Texas A&M University, the City of College Station, the City of Bryan, and the Bryan/College Station Metropolitan Planning Organization.
The public is invited to attend this hearing on Thursday, April 30, 2015, at 5:30 p.m. in room 301 at Rudder Tower on Texas A&M University Campus. The hearing begins with presentations on recent local developments and upcoming projects and concludes with …

Joe Martin Stage Race, Day 1 TT

By Kat Hunter, Visit Dallas Cycling p/b Noise4Good / Photos : Erin Conner, Massage by Erin

texasbikeracing.com


Arkansas is beautiful. I always forget that until we’re driving across the border, North Texas and Oklahoma behind us. Fayetteville is in the Boston Mountains, the highest and most rugged portion of the Ozarks, and in April everything’s an electric green—the rolling mountains, the forests, the fields. The location of stage 1 of the Joe Martin Stage Race, a hill-climb time trial, is at Devil’s Den State Park. The park is an enchanted little gem tucked deep in the hills, home to scores of mysterious sandstone caves and a quiet river with an opaque, milky blue-green hue. I pre-rode the TT course on Wednesday with the sun out and birds singing. I kept telling myself to stay focused and learn turns and landmarks, but the scenery made me want to go chase butterflies in the woods, ticks and banjos be damned.
Thursday dawned cool and cloudy, however, and I’d lost the carefree feeling from the day before. Down to business now, it would be 2.7 miles and roughly 700 feet of climbing. There are a few turns on the …

Special Rock Crew – Pedernales Falls State Park Trail Building

Saturday, May 9, 2015, 9:00 AM

Pedernales Falls State Park
2585 Park Road 6026 Johnson City, TX

5 Mountain Bikers Went

Today’s project will be for a ROCK CREW using specialized rigging under the direction of an experienced crew leader from The Central Texas Trail Tamers.  We will be using specialized rigging including two one ton Griphoists, cable & slings for rigging a high-line for moving large rocks.  Other less specialized tasks include using a wheelbarrow to b…

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Bike Month Proclamation at Denton City Council Tuesday, May 5, 6:30-7:00 PM

bikedenton.wordpress.com

Attention all Denton cyclists!
On Tuesday, May 5 at the beginning of the City Council meeting, Mayor Chris Watts will proclaim May as Bike Month for the City of Denton.
Let’s pack City Hall with as many cyclists, bicycle riders, and lovers of bikes as possible to show Denton just how many of us there are and show our city leaders how civic-minded we are.
When: Tuesday, May 5, 6:30-7:00PM
Where: City Hall, 215 E. McKinney Street
Some of you will be participating in …

Driveway Series | Austin, Texas | April 23, 2015

texasbikeracing.com

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The Austin Mountain Bikers Meetup Group

Austin, TX
3,937 Mountain Bikers

Meet other local mountain bikers to organize rides, review trails, gear and trade tips. All skill-levels welcome. We’ll try to organize rides that fit all experience levels. M…

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Sugar Land to celebrate Bike to Work Day

www.chron.com

The city of Sugar Land and Shape Up Fort Bend will celebrate National Bike Month on Friday, May 15, with the fifth annual Bike to Work Day and third annual Bike to School Day.
Residents, neighbors and friends will take a celebratory ride from Sugar Land Memorial Park, 15300 University Blvd., to Fort Settlement Middle School, 5440 Elkins Road, and Sugar Land Town Square at U.S. 59 and Texas 6, according to a news release from the city.
The event begins at 7:30 a.m. with fun, food and prizes at the South Meadow Pavilion at Sugar Land Memorial Park, located adjacent to the Pawm Springs Dog Park.
Participants will depart at 8:15 a.m. for a 1.1-mile ride along University Boulevard to Fort Settlement Middle School. After dropping off students, Bike to Work Day participants will continue another 6.4 miles along …

Terry Chatman Killed in While Bicycling by Police Patrol Car

www.texas-wrongful-death-lawyer.net

Houston, TX — A cyclist died when he was hit by a police patrol car in Houston, Texas, on Thursday, April 23, 2015. The accident took place at the intersection of MLK Blvd. and Reed Road, around 4:00 in the morning.
The man killed in the accident has been identified as 48-year-old Terry Chatman. Reports say that Chatman was killed as the officer’s cruiser was driving through the intersection. Houston PD is contending that the officer had a green light at the time, and that the officer attempted to swerve and avoid the man. However, the victim’s friends and family say that police speeding through the area is a common …

Oberlin veteran bikes for MS awareness in Texas

By Valerie Urbanik        theoberlinnewstribune.com


One Oberlin veteran biked more than 66 miles to raise awareness for people fighting against multiple sclerosis.
Adam McCann participated in the annual BP MS 150 on April 18 and 19. The two-day event is a 180-mile bicycle ride from Houston to Austin, Texas.
Bad weather forced the event to be cancelled the first day, though McCann said his team still pedaled on. The second …

Plano City Council Candidate Cycling Questionnaire

by Marc Mumby        www.bikedfw.org

Since 2011, the Plano Bicycle Association (PBA) and BikeDFW have sent a questionnaire to the Plano City Council candidates. Much progress has been made and more people ride bicycles in Plano than ever before.
In addition to recreational / fitness riders, more people ride for transportation to their jobs, to the grocery store, to entertainment and dining, parks, and everywhere else.
Plano Parks and Recreation states that multi-use trails are consistently the top desire of Plano citizens in their surveys.
The On Street Bicycle Route System has helped more people who ride bikes ride more comfortably and safely around Plano to more places.
Our Police Department has been helpful in accommodating bicycling, and most important, the Plano Staff and City Council have been very supportive.
Cities that have higher percentages of people riding bicycles see reduction of traffic congestion, improved traffic safety, not to mention the environmental and public health benefits. …

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