Texas Bicycling News Digest April 16th

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Organizers: BP MS 150 still on for now, despite rainy forecast

by Pam LeBlanc        fitness.blog.austin360.com


With a little luck, streets will dry out in time for this weekend’s BP MS 150 fund-raising bike ride from Houston to Austin.
Organizers sent out an alert today, letting cyclists know that as of Thursday afternoon, the ride is still scheduled to go on.
“Safety is our primary concern, and we’ll provide updates as we monitor weather and route conditions,” the message said. “Cyclists and volunteers are cautioned to exercise heightened safety measures and pay close attention to the weather. Each participant’s safety is his or her personal responsibility, and each participant must …

Vuelta del Viento

By Kyle Walker, Texas Tech University        texasbikeracing.com


The SCCCC headed to Wichita Falls April 11-12, 2015 for Midwestern State University’s annual Vuelta del Viento, which in Spanish means “Race of the Wind.” The name proved especially true this year. With winds blowing 20mph, the winner would be decided be decided by aerodynamics, tactful drafting, and most importantly the guts to fight the winds head-on.
Saturday morning started early with a 9.2 mile Team Time Trial. With many teams only having one or two “A” racers, it was more of a test who had the fastest “B” or even “C” racers that could hang-on to the finish. In the Women’s field, Midwestern State dominated winning by several minutes. On the Men’s side, …

Living Safe: Bicycle laws are all about safety

By Katherine Cabaniss        www.yourhoustonnews.com

Spring is here, and bicycle riders are out! What are the laws that you need to know when you are riding for fun, training for a race, or participating in a big event such as the MS150?
Next weekend, many will be riding their bikes for a good cause. The MS150 draws crowds of riders, support teams, and encouraging fans. Riders will take to the roads on the race from Houston to Austin.
Texas bicycle laws apply, whether the rider is on an urban street, a back …

Bike-Run Central Texas

www.forthoodsentinel.com

… 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 …

Bikerumor Pic Of The Day: Texas Bluebonnet Ride

by Kristi Benedict        www.bikerumor.com


Photo submitted by Trendon Huebner, “Here is a cool shot from Pacebend State park, Austin, Texas, with my 2014 Camber Expert Carbon EVO.” …

BP MS 150: What you need to know about traffic, parking, and route

By Katherine Whaley        abc13.com


HOUSTON (KTRK) — Going to the Starting Line?
Are you ready for the BP MS 150? Whether you are riding or driving to cheer on the cyclists, you will want to know what’s happening on the roads.
Watch for delays around the three starting points for cyclists – Tully Stadium, Rhodes Stadium, and Waller Stadiums. Cyclists starting at Tully Stadium, located on Dairy Ashford, between I-10 and Memorial, will depart at 6:45AM. Those starting at Rhodes stadium at …

San Antonio bike share program looks for new funding

By Drew Joseph        www.expressnews.com


Glenn Jensen, from left, Vicki Roberson, Vicki Smith and Bonnie Barstow look at the extra lock on the bikes as they prepare to ride the B-cycles from the San Antonio B-cycle HUB to the B-cycle stations around downtown San Antonio on Saturday, March 26, 2011. LISA KRANTZ/lkrantz@express-news.net
San Antonio B-Cycle has the opportunity to add more than 20 stations and 200 bikes to its ranks this year with grant funding, but the bike-share program does not have the money to support the maintenance and operations of such an expansion, B-Cycle representatives said.
To continue reading this story, you will need to be a digital subscriber to ExpressNews.com.

Bike Bill Requires 3ft From Drivers

www.newschannel6now.com

A new bill could mean new rules for Texas drivers.  House Bill 2459 states that drivers would have to give pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists three feet when passing or turning.
HB 2459 was heard on Thursday morning in the Texas House Transportation Committee and is for “unprotected road users”.
Newschannel 6 reached out to Wichita Falls cyclists who are supporters of …

Texas Downhill MTB – Part ii

TheKillaDownhilla


Hitting the local Toy’s “R” Us trail on my Commencal Meta Hip-Hop. Captured 100% GoPro Hero 3+ Black @ 1080s/48fps.

Saturday 4/18 and Sunday 4/19 Rides!

by Thomas    Steiner Ranch Cycling

Really? The same weather forecast as previous weekends? Bah! The predictions over the past month of horrible thunderstorms have all failed so let’s ignore them!
This Saturday is the return of the Oasis Brewery Ride! We will leave from Cups & Cones at 7:30am and head up Parmer through Liberty Hill and end the ride at the Oasis Brewery where they are expecting us at 11am ready to serve us some refreshing beer! There will be …

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Texas Bicycling News Digest April 15th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Cyclists show off team spirit, jerseys on BP MS 150

By Joy Sewing        www.chron.com


The Karbach Brewing Company’s 170-member cycling team has its priorities in order for this weekend’s BP MS 150.
“We love to ride bikes, we love to raise a ton of money for a great cause, and we love to drink beer,” said the team’s captain, Adam LeSage.
Their team jersey reflects those passions. It’s called the Weekend Warrior American Style Pale Ale jersey, named for the Karbach brew, and features the Houston skyline.
Last year, the team’s Rodeo Clown Double India Pale Ale jersey won the …

Legally Speaking: The door zone

By Bob Mionske        velonews.competitor.com


The Door Zone. What do you need to know about the ‘DZ?’ Just three words: Don’t go there. If you remember anything from this column, that should be it. The DZ refers to the section of roadway that can be reached by a vehicle door opening, and many cyclists spend a lot of time in this serious sector of surprise.
Car doors are great for drivers but not so much for cyclists. Of course, if all vehicle occupants checked before flinging open their door, it wouldn’t be a problem, but that small safety measure is a bit Polyanna-ish. The lack of driver concern combined with a misunderstanding of ‘far to the right’ statutes and …

Bike hooks sold at Home Depot being recalled

by BRAIN Staff        www.bicycleretailer.com


WATERLOO, Iowa (BRAIN) — The maker of bike storage hooks sold exclusively at Home Depot is recalling about 120,000 of the hooks because they can detach and allow a bike to fall.
The recall involves hooks sold under the Husky Securelock brand, used with the Husky Trackwall garage storage system. They were manufactured in China for Waterloo Industries of Iowa. The hooks were …

Abilene police’s bike unit gets $4,100 check

by Christopher Collins        www.reporternews.com


ABILENE, Texas – Though you may have seen them at parades, ArtWalk or other local events, the Abilene Police Department’s Bike Unit is at once “highly visible” but also “very stealthy,” the unit’s supervisor said Wednesday.
Lt. Joe Tauer oversees the 15-officer detail, which takes to mountain bikes at high-population gatherings to keep the peace and interact with the community.
The unit was formed in 1995. Tauer is one of …

The Blackland Classic – Saturday • Apr 11 2015

www.road-results.com

Partly Cloudy, 67 degrees, wind 7 mph.
Categories
» Men Cat 2/3     » Men Cat 3/4
» Men Cat 4/5     » Men Masters 15-18 Junior
» Men Masters 35+ Cat 4/5     » Men Masters 40+
» Men Masters 50+     » Men Masters 60+
» Men Masters 9-14 Junior     » Men Pro/Cat 1/2
» Women Cat 4     » Women Juniors 9-14 Junior
» Women Masters 40+ Cat 3/4     » Women Open

The Blackland Classic – Sunday • Apr 12 2015

www.road-results.com

Mostly Cloudy, 73 degrees, wind 8 mph.
Categories
» Men Cat 2/3     » Men Cat 3/4
» Men Cat 4/5     » Men Juniors 15-18 Cat 4/5
» Men Juniors 9-14 Junior     » Men Masters 35+ Cat 4/5
» Men Masters 40+     » Men Masters 50+
» Men Masters 60+     » Men Pro/Cat 1/2
» Women Cat 4     » Women Juniors 9-14 Junior
» Women Masters 40+ Cat 3/4     » Women Open

B/IG – Know How to Handle Your Bike

Tuesday, Apr 21, 2015, 6:00 PM

River Run Plaza
1071 Country Club Rd El Paso, TX

11 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. The April 21 lesson is on the basics of shifting, turning and braking. Upper Valley rides offered for both beginner and intermediate level riders.

Check out this Meetup →

200-plus veterans to Ride 2 Recovery on April 21

JC Jones | Herald staff writer        kdhnews.com


More than 200 injured veterans will ride April 21 through Killeen on the nearly 500-mile Ride 2 Recovery Texas Challenge.
Fort Hood will host a dinner on post Tuesday evening, and a ceremony will be held on post at 9:30 a.m. the following morning for the cyclists before they depart for …

Lauren Trout: The One Woman Show at Saila Bicycles

www.thebicyclestory.com


There’s something appropriate about a relatively unknown frame builder working under the name Saila (that’s alias spelled backwards). But though she’s not a household name, Lauren Trout’s got nearly a decade of experience under her belt building some of the world’s nicest titanium bikes. Those years rival or surpass plenty of big name builders with even bigger “personal brands.” Trout learned to wield a torch after getting hired as an entry-level finisher at Seven Cycles. She worked her way up to the production welding department where she spent years honing her …

Dancelli Is Fun

Pit’s Fritztown News

I’m just back from a 20-mile ride in the Rockport/Fulton area, where we are staying at a condo of some of our friends. It was fun, simply fun, to ride the vintage Dancelli again after more than a year. The “old” feeling again of the downtube friction shifters, the fast acceleration of the lightweight wheels, the agile short frame: all that contributes. And the raw data aren’t too bad either, considering that I’m still trying to get back into …

Houston’s Bike Plan in a Nut Shell.

BikeHouston


The bare bones of the Houston Bike Plan
The Houston Bike Plan will ultimately deliver a blueprint for how Houston can develop and maintain a complete bicycle network, as well as identify potential funding mechanisms. The end result will include:
A map outlining the bike network that will include trails, on-street facilities, and bike routes.
A Bicycle Toolbox that will identify needed: projects like trails, bike lanes, and safe neighborhood streets; policies like bike parking, facility maintenance, and transit integration; and programs like Bike Share and Sunday Streets.
An Implementation Strategy that will prioritize projects and identify funding sources.
Timeline of the Houston Bike Plan …

Challenging mentality of “you can’t blame people for making a mistake”

Bicycle Austin        bicycleaustin.info

Starting a new thread regarding the recent crash death in Lost Creek.  Someone in a large TX municipal police force (not a cop, but handles crime records) wrote the following about whether the driver would be charged:
“Most likely he’ll receive a Failure to Yield Right of Way citation.
Unfortunately, that’s often the only thing a driver can be charged with on many fatalities.  We’ve had at least 3 motorcycle fatalities in the past 6 months where it was just that – the car didn’t see the motorcyclist, hit and killed them and was issued a FTYROW citation.  It’s awful, but on the other hand, people make mistakes and law enforcement can’t really charge every person who made a mistake with a  crime.  On a positive note, our vehicular homicide unit has just recently been assigned a DA to …

Texas Two Steppin Birds!

365 Days of Birds        www.365daysofbirds.com

Molly and I continue to bike and bird across Texas. We have now finished the Hill Country and are starting to bike NE towards the Ozark Mountains. Here are a few last photos from the Hill Country where “Two Steppin” birds are not the only ones to make music! …

Spring North Tour: Texas – Ozarks – Big Muddy River

By Richard Hoeg        www.crazyguyonabike.com

Texas Invades Minnesota!: Bluebonnets
Took a 17 mile training ride this morning in Granbury, Texas. The bluebonnets are out … as our many other wildflowers. For years I have wanted to bike on roads with fields full of bluebonnets alongside. This morning that desire became reality, and I have also learned that bluebonnets are a kind of lupine. In northern Minnesota purple lupines have become common along the highways in June. I just never knew what …

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Strong Legs on this Bike Ride

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During last night a cool front passed through lower the temperature somewhat and dropping a little rain. This morning when I got up it was 59 degrees but by the time I start riding at noon it was up to 74 degrees. The sky was partly cloudy with a light breeze making for a good day to ride. I didn’t ride on Tuesday becuase of rain until afternoon. By the time the streets were drying off it was too late to ride.

I rode a longer version of the “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route adding a leg north of the Huffman Chevron on FM2100 and Smith Road to the west. The ride was 33.85 miles long and for a change I was able to get my average speed above 15 mph and keep it there to the end of the ride. It was as high as 15.4 mph and ended up at 15.2 mph as I rode through Kingwood at the end. If I can figure a way to avoid the stops in the last couple of miles I could improve my overall average speed.

The light breeze was from the front that went off the coast and is now coming back. It was a little chilly and I was glad I wore a long sleeve jersey. Sitting at the Huffman Chevron in the shade was cool so I didn’t linger there too long, just enough to eat some snacks and drink some water. My legs felt good today and I had some power. The few rides my left leg has not been up to pushing hard into the wind which probably caused my speed to fall.

From the Chevron station to home is when I increased my average speed the most. The wind was not getting in my way and the uninterrupted stretch allowed me to keep a good speed around 20 mph or more.

April mileage is up to 301.49 and year to date is 1311 miles. Out of 15 days in April I have biked on 9 of them. I hope the second half of April is as good.

Huffman weather when I stopped at the Chevron station

Huffman weather when I stopped at the Chevron station

[iframe https://connect.garmin.com/activity/embed/747456498 465px 500px] [iframe https://www.strava.com/activities/286116170/embed/505d3d8251ee5dfe9d33ccb3d2d131fd02c3387b 590px 500px]

Texas Bicycling News April 14th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Bike programs in Houston, San Antonio on different paths

by Dug Begley        blog.chron.com


According to recent reports, San Antonio’s bike-sharing system is struggling. Uunless a corporate sponsor can be recruited soon, the program making bikes available for rent at kiosks could be kaput.
It would be a big setback for a city that embraced biking before some other Texas cities, including Houston. Here’s a synopsis from Next City:
Since its launch in 2011, San Antonio B-Cycle has operated primarily off revenue from annual memberships and daily user fees, with some small grants from foundations and contributions from minor sponsors, a financial model that left them nearly $32,000 in the red in 2013. Like many systems, San Antonio has a nonprofit, San Antonio Bike Share, in charge of operations and contracts with a bike-share company, B-Cycle, to maintain the bikes and stations. But unlike …

The Austin Mountain Bikers Meetup Group

Austin, TX
3,936 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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Wounded veteran tries cycling

By Harrison Grimwood Phoenix Staff Writer        www.muskogeephoenix.com


Chuck Ivey was training with the U.S. Army on the side of a mountain in Korea when he tore his meniscus, leaving a lasting injury. …

… Now, Jason Denny, another veteran, is working with Ivey to help his knee. Denny has been training Ivey, a Fort Gibson resident, to bicycle 480 miles in the high heat of the Texas Challenge. …

FR512 Intermediate Ride Emma Long. Open to non-members.

Monday, Apr 20, 2015, 5:15 PM

City Park – Emma Long Motorcycle Trails
7548 Oak Shores Dr Austin, TX

16 Mountain Bikers Went

Start your week off right with Freeride512 at a casual INTERMEDIATE level ride at City Park (Emma Long) on Monday April 20th. I am describing this ride as intermediate because of the technical nature of the terrain, not the pace of the ride. This will be a no drop ride that will focus on improving skills and confidence by sessioning spots or featur…

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FREE Clinic Brake, Derailleur & Gear Clinic

Thursday, Apr 23, 2015, 6:00 PM

Performance Bicycle
7549 Westheimer Rd Houston, TX

2 Cycling Enthusiasts Went

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FREE Clinic Brake, Derailleur & Gear Clinic

Thursday, Apr 23, 2015, 6:00 PM

Performance Bicycle
4750 Fm 1960 Rd W Houston, TX

4 Bicycle Enthusiasts Went

Check out this Meetup →

Why More and More Austinites Are Choosing Bikes to Get Around

By Terrence Henry        kut.org


We’ve all felt Austin’s growing pains: traffic, high rents, rapidly rising home values, and the higher property taxes that come with them. And we tend to drown these pains in queso and beer, so we’re probably putting on some weight, too. But what if there were an easy way out of all of this?
Some Austinites, like Mike Melanson, have found one. “A congestion-free way of getting around, a way that doesn’t cost me money, a …

Ride 2 Recovery – Rider of the Week


Karlous Davis
U.S. army
Name: Charles Davis aka Karlous
Hometown: San Antonio, Tx
Quote to live by: LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
Favorite place you’ve rode: Virginia & Texas
One word describing why you ride: PEACEFUL
Favorite sports team: Dallas Cowboys/San Antonio Spurs
Mentor: MY Parents …

Penticton’s Steve Brown announces Ultra Texas event

www.pentictonwesternnews.com

Steve Brown, owner and race organizer of ULTRA520K announced Monday that an agreement has been reach with Rick Kent of Austin Texas to host the first ULTRA520K Texas in Marble Falls this September.
“Rick Kent, well known photographer, Ultraman finisher and RAAM Finisher among many other athletic accomplishments is a great fit for this event”, said Brown in a press release. “Rick first expressed an interest in putting on a ultra distance event in Texas right after I established ULTRA520K. We are both very excited to make this announcement as Rick and I have been friends for several years and we both have a passion for the sport.”
While the license will be held and owned by Kent, the race director will be Mario Gonzales, founder of the award winning Marble Falls Triathlon for the past 15 years. “I had a chance to meet Mario on my …

FR512 Trail Work & Pay Dirt at Rocky Hill Ranch

Saturday, Apr 18, 2015, 11:00 AM

Location details are available to members only.

5 Mountain Bikers Went

If you haven’t heard, FR512 is building new trails at Rocky Hill Ranch!  Freeride512 builds and rides progressive mountain bike trails and features in and around Central Texas. We educate mountain bikers on the disciplines of all-mountain, downhill, and freeride mountain biking and help riders to progress their skills.We are currently building a c…

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Katy couple rides again in the MS 150

By Kimberly Piña        www.chron.com


When Wayne Freeman decided to start bike riding, his plan was to shed a few pounds and get in shape. Yet, a new hobby transformed into a dedicated passion leading the longtime Katy farmer to cycle 150 miles to raise money for research.
“When I got into cycling, I was working six to seven days on the farm and thought the guys I saw cycling on the street were nuts,” Freeman said. “The last thing I thought of as a recreational hobby was getting on a bike and riding 10, 20, 30 miles but now I have a new perspective.”
A healthier lifestyle, a community of cycling friends and a sport shared with his wife, Suzanne, are part of the new perspective Freeman gained. A cyclist now for more than eight years, Freeman will ride from Katy to …

Fun Bike Ride in Northeast El Paso

www.placestogoinelpaso.com

04/25/2015 10:00 AM
@ Western Technical Institute
9451 Diana Dr
El Paso,  TX

USA Cycling report: Cyclocross didn’t harm Zilker trees

by Andra Lim        www.statesman.com

An arborist hired by USA Cycling has written a report saying the much-scrutinized cyclocross event at Zilker Park in January didn’t have a “detectable or significant” impact on the soil that helps nourish tree roots.
Those findings dispute the city’s assertion that 57 trees were affected by the Cyclocross National Championships, which involved bicyclists riding across the park, and dismounting and carrying their bikes around obstacles. In the process, …

Ridden & Reviewed: Mini Pump Shootout

by djcurtin        bicyclesportshop.wordpress.com

As the saying goes, when talking about repairing roadside punctures there are two kinds of people in this world: CO2 people and pump people.
For years I was a pump person. Specifically a frame pump person, as I am old enough to remember when such devices were ubiquitous in that mini pumps were truly worthless and CO2 inflators weren’t entirely reliable and the cartridges seemingly weren’t as readily available.
Fast forward to the 90’s and beyond and I had converted. I had abandoned the Zefal and Silica (with Campagnolo head) frame pumps of my youth for the ease and speed of CO2 inflators. No more exhaustion just to reach 65 psi on a road tire and tube set-up needing at least 90 psi. No more breaking …

El Paso firefighters rescue mountain bikers

By Daniel Borunda / El Paso Times

A rescue team was dispatched Tuesday afternoon to help two bicyclists on a mountain trail who called 911 because they felt weak and only had 7 percent power left on their only cellphone, El Paso Fire Department officials said.
The two men, ages 29 and 30, were on a trail on the Tom Mays Trail at Franklin Mountains State Park. The men called for help at about 1 p.m. and the rescue team reached them at …

Cyclists show off team spirit, jerseys on BP MS 150

By Joy Sewing        www.chron.com


The Karbach Brewing Company’s 170-member cycling team has its priorities in order for this weekend’s BP MS150.
“We love to ride bikes, we love to raise a ton of money for a great cause, and we love to drink beer,” said the team’s captain, Adam LeSage.
Their team jersey reflects those passions. It’s called the Weekend Warrior American Style Pale Ale jersey, named for the Karbach brew, and features the …

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets

https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/588020397351776256

https://twitter.com/BikePaulie/status/588017607422377984

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