Texas Bicycling News Digest April 11th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Vets ride to raise awareness, but not for themselves

By Leo Shane III, Staff writer        www.armytimes.com


Navy veteran Josh Sharpe, who lost the use of his legs in a car accident in 1994, will use a handcycle to travel the 180 miles from Houston to Austin, Texas, to raise awareness for his cause. Another 14 injured veterans will join, too, in the hopes of more public attention.
But it’s not a military cause, or one dealing with injured veterans or their struggles.
Rather, it’s an annual fundraising ride for multiple sclerosis research, an illness to which the veteran riders have only tangential connections.
“As injured veterans, we can identify with people struggling with this …

Slowly but Surely …

Pit’s Fritztown News

… I”m getting into a better shape. Yesterday I did and out-and-back of 20.7 miles total here on Lower Crabapple Road, at an average of 11.7 miles per hour. Of course, that is much slower than I used to be, but the Fargo 2 with it’s heavy frame and the big 29? wheels plus the fat [2.2?] tires is a slower bicycle than the sleek Dancelli. Anyway: I’m quite happy with my performance, especially on the climbs. Some parts – luckily quite short – are steep, with up to 13%. And yesterday my heart rate didn’t – at 155 max – get as high up there as …

A Feeling Like No Other

Bike Noob        bikenoob.com

It’s been a long and frustrating hiatus from biking. My bronchitis just wouldn’t go away. The fact that I approached like a typical guy didn’t help any — a typical guy would do nothing but take some throat lozenges and hope for the best. That’s what I did. And although my wife was after me to see the doctor, the Mayo Clinic’s website says you don’t need to see a doc until you’ve had the bronchitis for three weeks. If it hasn’t cleared itself up by then, maybe an intervention is called for.
I took solace in the fact that I coughed a little less each day. Aside from the coughing, I felt normal. But the lack of cycling exercise contributed to an overall sluggish feeling that I …

New road rules in Texas? Watch out for bicyclists

By Anna M. Tinsley        www.star-telegram.com


Bikers rode in silence along Interstate 20 Service Road in Willow Park in 2010, honoring fallen bicyclists killed along that road — along with the hundreds of other riders killed in accidents every year. The ride also was geared to encourage motorists to share the road with bicyclists. RODGER MALLISON STAR-TELEGRAM

Sarah Lutz is wary every time she gets on her bicycle.
When she heads out for a ride, she can’t help remembering the two times she was hit by a car, including one crash that broke her leg and tore up her bicycle.
“I would like to say I feel very safe, but I’m always on high alert,” said Lutz, a 26-year-old pedicab driver in Arlington. “Cars just aren’t looking for bikes; they’re looking for other …

Biking the Texas Blues!

365 Days of Birds

Yes … we are seeing the Texas Blues! Molly and I are bicycle touring through Texas, the Ozarks, and finally finishing up along the Missouri River. Right now we are working our way through the Texas Hill Country, and singing the Texas Blues! The birds are fantastic, but they are just one part of the “blues” for this is Blue Bonnet season. The roadsides are an explosion of color from all the different wildflowers, but particularly Texas Blue Bonnets. Over the past five days we have cycled 231 miles … here is our tale of blue! (see images).
If you would like to read more about are actual bike touring experience which will see us ride 1,500+ miles following the spring north, follow these links: …

Bike ride promotes leisure, helps students

By Johnathan Silver         www.victoriaadvocate.com


CUERO – Victoria resident Jake Marthiljohni finds himself on his bike almost every weekend.
The Cuero Wildflower Bike Ride would not be an exception. He’s participated on and off for more than 10 years and was inspired by his wife’s stroke in 2003. She’s improving, but he’s stuck with his bike, to continue fostering fitness.
“As I get older, I need something easy on …

Chihuahuan Desert Bike Fest – Texas Parks and Wildlife [Official]


Chihuahuan Desert Bike Fest This West Texas mountain bike festival draws folks from around the world to the trails around Lajitas and Big Bend Ranch State Park. Held every year on President’s …

Tweets

https://twitter.com/khwilliamson/status/586999933032497155

Just Missed the Rain on This Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I delayed the start today waiting for the sun to shine at least a little and the temperature to get around 73 or more so that I only needed a long sleeve jersey. By 12:23 it was about 73 degrees and the sun was peeking out from behind the clouds. The forecast said rain was possible around 3 PM which set a goal for me to return home. I made it home at 3:12 and by the time I walked from the garage to our master bedroom I could hear rain on the skylight in the master bath. The wind was kind to me today staying below 10 mph for the majority of the ride.

Riding the “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route I was headed into the light NE wind most of the time so my speed wasn’t as high as I preferred. Over the 34.4 mile ride I averaged 14.8 mph settling back from the 15.0 mph max average speed I built up riding home from Huffman with the wind. I was doing well enough that I shifted into the 34 x 12 gears and was cruising at 20+ mph on FM1960 over Lake Houston. This was a long uninterrupted stretch of road from FM2100 to Pinehurst Trail where I turned right from FM1960.

The rest break at the Huffman Chevron lasted about 15 minutes. As I was getting back on the Stradalli to leave I saw two bikers on the far side of FM1960 turning right onto FM2100 to cross the railroad tracks. The next biker I saw was on the bridge over the San Jacinto River on W. Lake Houston Parkway. While I was at the Chevron station I checked my phone for the weather because the sky seemed to be getting darker to the west where I would be headed.

I wasn’t able to ride yesterday (Friday) because of the intermittent rain in the area. Sunday and Monday look iffy as well with rain in the forecast.

Mileage standings as of today’s ride: 132.79 miles this week, 233.83 miles for April, 1244 miles so far this year.

Weather in Huffman during my rest stop

Weather in Huffman during my rest stop

[iframe https://connect.garmin.com/activity/embed/743608633 465px 500px] [iframe https://www.strava.com/activities/283476632/embed/0f2f6bd1a3c981040f996a2b67efca948eb76e19 590px 500px]

Texas Bicycling News Digest April 20th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Start warming up for the National Bike Challenge

www.peopleforbikes.org


PeopleForBikes would like to officially welcome everyone to the 2015 National Bike Challenge! We’re partnering with Kimberly-Clark to grow this year’s Challenge, building on the momentum last year’s Challenge established. The goal for 2015 is to reach at least …

South Texas BMX gives back with Race for Life

by Alissa Mejia         www.caller.com

CORPUS CHRISTI – As BMX bicycling gains traction as a local pastime, the sport is also working to give back.
South Texas BMX will host the Race for Life on April 19, with all proceeds and donations benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
As in any BMX race, anyone of any age who can ride a bike can enter, and with simple modifications nearly any bike can handle the 1,100-foot groomed dirt track. Riders compete within like age groups in categories of novice, intermediate, and expert. New riders are …

Bicycle vs motorcycle accident reported at 19th and Indiana

By JORDAN SIGLER        lubbockonline.com

A motorcycle versus bicycle accident has been confirmed at 19th Street and Indiana, Lubbock

The Coast Can Come – Bicyclewise

Pit’s Fritztown News


As we’ll be going to the coast, to Rockport, next week, to the real flatlands, that is, I’ve been planning to take the Dancelli road bike which I can’t ride here in the Texas Hill Country – at least not yet in my present state of bicycle (non)fitness. When I started to prepare it, though, I found that it needed new tires. Not that the old ones had been used too much, but they …

Neighbors want safety improvements after cyclist’s death

By Amanda Brandeis        kxan.com

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin has one of the most active cycling communities in the country, but many riders don’t feel safe. Local groups like Please Be Kind to Cyclists work to increase awareness and education among motorists and cyclists.
Their latest push for change comes after a cyclist died this week following a crash at Lost Creek Boulevard and Whitemarsh Valley Walk in western Travis County.
“(My son) came running in and said, ‘Mom, mom, there’s an emergency,’” said neighbor Paige Taylor. “When I came out I saw the cyclist on the ground, and she was holding his head. Then my first thought was to try …

BikeAid mobile app offers global bike shop listings

by BRAIN Staff        www.bicycleretailer.com

The BikeAid app is a global bike store locator with thousands of bike stores listed. The app is available as a free download for iOS and Android mobile devices.
It helps users find the closest stores based on their current location, complete with directions to get to those stores. The app, from a New Zealand-based developer, already has store listings from Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., Canada, U.K. and South Africa, with more stores and locations being added weekly.
Bike stores can upgrade their …

I installed this app on my Android phone. Checking for bike shops it used my location and listed bike shops close by and around Texas. The map view was handy too.

Arrest prompts prison time for cyclist’s death

By JC Cortez        amarillo.com


A man given probation in the June 2012 death of an Amarillo lawyer was sentenced to two years in prison Thursday after being found with heroin in Palo Duro Canyon State Park, according to court documents.
Brent Kyle Browning, 23, pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide in a June 11, 2012, wreck on Dowell Road near Vista Drive, according to Globe-News files. Jeff Tankersley, 48, was cycling with a coworker in the northbound lane of Dowell Road when …

12 Bicycle Signals, 20 Detection Locations Coming to Austin

Austin On A Bike


Last February, Austin City Council voted to accept $200,00 in federal grant money from TXDOT to install bicycle traffic signals and detection equipment at 32 locations across the city. Where are those signals and cameras going to be?
Read on and check out the full map of locations at the bottom of the post.
New Bike Signals
The first thing you might notice is the string of bicycle signals downtown. That’s the protected lane on 3rd Street, crossing downtown. Then there are two along the LAB where it goes under Lamar (good call), one at 4th and Red River (doesn’t that exist already?) and MLK and Rio Grande (also, already exists?) and then …

April Update: New Videos and Cycling Tips

by Johnny Guzman        bicyclepointofview.blogspot.com

Nutrition tips, cycling tips and how to set goals for cycling.
With my busy schedule, I have not had the opportunity to sit down and compose a thought on this blog page until today, so I apologize to my readers for leaving you hanging. With the Collin Classic coming up in June as well as Hotter N’ Hell in August, I have been using the little time I have to exercise and do some actual riding. However, I have posted some new videos on my YouTube channel for my subscribers to enjoy. The following videos go into some depth regarding nutritional advice, tips for more efficient climbing and my views on …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVel2l5yKdU

Crosby student struck and killed while riding bike to school

abc13.com

CROSBY, TX (KTRK) — The Crosby community is grieving after a middle school student was struck and killed by a vehicle on his way to school Friday morning.
It happened at around 6am along Highway 90 near Bohemian Hall. We’re told the 13-year-old Crosby Middle School student regularly rides his bicycle to school.
According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the driver who hit him initially didn’t stop, but did come back to the scene and talked to deputies.
The tragedy has shaken up the small town of Crosby.
“In our community, I think the ties are …

Tomball and Magnolia residents particpate in annual ride against MS

By Petrina J. Johnson        www.yourhoustonnews.com


For Alan Peterson, one of the most unselfish things a person can do for others is bring hope to those who live with multiple sclerosis.
The Tomball resident will join in the fight against the disease during the 31st annual BP MS 150, a two-day fundraising bike ride organized by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, from April 18 through the 19. An estimated 13,000 cyclists will participate in the 180-mile journey from Houston to Austin in efforts of creating a …

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets

https://twitter.com/bikenoob/status/586654815712894977

https://twitter.com/jackmott42/status/586608039001661440

https://twitter.com/COABikeProgram/status/586549759281737728

Event Reminders

Texas Bicycling News Digest April 9th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Cavalier roundup: Mountain bike team chasing 3rd state title

Lake Travis View Staff        www.statesman.com


Lake Travis has long been the group to beat, shutting out every other Texas high school mountain bike team in 2014 and earning two state championships in program’s history.
In a recent race at Dinosaur Valley State Park, Lake Travis slipped 46 points and allowed St. Stephen’s cyclists a first place win. The Cavalier, still the overall 2015 points leader, took …

Far and Wide | SRAM GX

Words by Morgan Meredith, Video by Mind Spark Cinema, Photos by Adrian Marcoux        www.bikemag.com


Austin, Texas is known for a lot of things: live music, barbeque, and the Longhorns. We found all those things, but we also found a cycling rich town with a small, but quality trail network.
I can’t seem to forget a damn thing. There’s the random item or two that I’ll lapse on at the grocery store sometimes, but really that’s it. If I tell you I forgot something, I might be lying. My mind is a trap filled with smells, faces and unfinished birthday texts to friends. It’s sometimes an exhausting burden that, even as I get older, I can’t seem to …

Bike-Athon BIKE Ride For Texas Taco Music Fest

heyevent.com

Benefit ride to support the Texas Taco Music Festival. Come here to find out details on the ride, how to participate, and about the entry fees.
Bike Ride Time: Bike Ride Meets at Saturday (April 18) – 9 AM and departs at 9:30 AM.
Bike Ride Meets/Starts/Ends: at southern corner of Navigation and N. St. Charles Street (across from Meridas restaurant).
How to Sign Up: …

Dallas officer who collapsed, nearly died while on bike patrol released from Baylor Dallas

thescoopblog.dallasnews.com


A Dallas police officer who collapsed and nearly died while on bike patrol is headed home after just two weeks of treatment at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.
But saying Senior Cpl. Jimmy Thongrivong nearly died is somewhat misleading, because his doctors say he was dead for a short time before he could be revived at the hospital. Thongrivong said it was a miracle he survived the cardiac episode.
“I have a second chance,” he said at a …

Double Lake Work Day

GHORBA

Event category: General
Trail: Double Lake Recreation Area
Sunday, April 19, 2015 – 9:00am
9am meet up at bike parking area. Free entry for trail workers. Three hours of face slapper work on the BRC course. Wear long sleeves and bring loppers if …

Were you ‘Seen’ at Bicycle Sports?

By Jake Daniels        www.beaumontenterprise.com


Tom Luxton poses for a photo with his 1995 Gary Fisher mountain bike Wednesday. Cyclists gathered at Bicycle Sports for a conversational bike ride Wednesday evening. Photo taken Wednesday 4/8/15 Jake Daniels/The Enterprise Photo: Jake Daniels …

Cyclist dies after Lost Creek collision

By Katie Urbaszewski / Austin Community Newspapers Staff


A bicyclist has died at the hospital, one week after a crash with a pickup truck in Lost Creek, Department of Public Safety officials said.
Thomas Wilkinson, 53, died Tuesday in the hospital, DPS said.
photo
The crash investigation is ongoing, so troopers have not decided whether to charge the pickup truck driver, spokeswoman Robbie Barrera said. The driver has not been ticketed.
Around 5:30 p.m., Wilkinson and the truck driver were heading toward each other on Lost Creek Boulevard when the pickup truck driver, who didn’t see the cyclist, turned onto Whitemarsh Valley Walk. The bicyclist hit the right rear corner of the truck because the driver failed to yield, DPS said. The truck driver stopped to help.
The cyclist was unconscious when first-responders arrived, according to the …

Man on Bicycle Killed after Accident on Agnes in Corpus Christi, TX

By Michael Grossman        www.texas-wrongful-death-lawyer.net

Video

Corpus Christi, TX — Officers with the CCPD said that a man, 56, was killed when his bicycle was hit by a car along Agnes Avenue in an accident this week. They declined to name the man, but said the accident happened around 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening, April 8, 2015 near North Port Avenue.
According to their reports, the 56-year old man was riding his bike along …

Bicyclist injured in crash on S. Lamar Boulevard

By Calily Bien        kxan.com


AUSTIN (KXAN) — A bicyclist was rushed to the hospital after she collided with a car in South Austin on Thursday afternoon. According to Austin police, the crash happened just after 2 p.m. in the 2100 block of South Lamar Boulevard.
Initial information indicates the vehicle hit the bicyclist, a woman in her …

Saturday 4/11 and Sunday 4/12 Rides

by Thomas        steinerranchcycling.com

Well this weekend’s weather looks iffy, but Saturday keeps looking better and better so we may be ok!
Saturday 4/11 you have two fantastic options to enjoy your bike and the outdoors. First, Dante has suggested a nice 60+ mile route to downtown and back that is as flat as possible (no Mt. Bonnell, etc). That ride leaves, as usual, from Cups & Cones at 7:30 am (NOTE THE …

New bike, pedestrian pathways approved for Hwy 277 & Clack area

By Mari Cockerell        www.ktxs.com

ABILENE, Texas –
Abilene City Council approved Thursday the construction of new bike and pedestrian pathways along U.S. Highway 277 from Clack Street to Rebecca Lane.
The project also includes a bicycle and pedestrian pathway down Texas Avenue, and sidewalk stretching down …

MoPac closes to install bicycle, pedestrian bridge

www.kvue.com

AUSTIN — Southbound MoPac Expressway between Parmer Lane and Braker Lane will close starting 8 p.m. Thursday as crews install the first piece of a 525-foot-long bicycle and pedestrian bridge.
The bridge will be installed over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks south of Duval Road. After the bridge …

Tweets

https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/586171029258657792

https://twitter.com/FtWMntBikers/status/586153509608824832

Event Reminders