No Windbreak on This Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

The wind was punishing on today’s ride on the “Oakhurst – Cumberland – Valley Ranch” route. It was from the SSW at 15 mph with gusts of 23 mph although I think the 23 mph was happening more frequently than an occasional gust. The temperature was 84 degrees with partly cloudy skies. Despite the warm temperature I wore a long sleeve jersey for sun protection. One of these rides I will switch to short sleeve jerseys and use the sun screen. As long as I was going north on this 32.53 mile long route the wind helped me go at 20+ mph but other directions I bogged down to 15 or 16 mph. The south bound service road from Valley Ranch to Northpark Drive was particularly tough. There was no windbreak making pedal turning slow. I looked at my Garmin a couple of times and saw 12 mph or so. Sometimes I think I was slower than that. I should’ve changed to a lower gear on the rear cassette but I kept pushing it. I was in the 34 x 13. I hated to change to the 34 x 14. As a result my average speed suffered. It maxed out at 14.9 mph and ended up at 14.5 mph for the whole ride.

To give my legs a chance to recover I stopped at the Texaco station at the Valley Ranch entrance from the US59 service road. It felt good to sit and eat a couple of snack bars and drink the ice water. After about 15 minutes I rolled out into the stiff wind going south. A short stop at the traffic light at FM1314 in Porter gave my legs some rest but the rod from there is flat for about a mile when a gentle slope down comes in. This time the wind negated any downward help from the slope. The next relief came at Northpark Drive where I made a u-turn onto the north service road to get to Knox Street and turn towards Kingwood. At this point the trees provided a little refuge from the wind for the last 4 miles home.

I had to make this ride with the end time in mind. I have an appointment to take our Jeep Grand Cherokee to the dealer to see why the engine malfunction light is on. I left home at 11:06 about an hour earlier than usual and got home at 1:41.

I reached the 1209 mile point for the year. Last year I was at 1482 miles on this date. I am slowly getting back the miles I lost from the bad weather in January, February and March.

Weather at Valley Ranch in Porter

Weather at Valley Ranch in Porter

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Texas Bicycling News Roundup April 7th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

P&Z tables bike plan until June

By Brian Bethel        www.reporternews.com

ABILENE, Texas – The Planning and Zoning Commission Monday chose to table a Bike Master Plan for the city until June, expressing a desire to see the results of the May 9 bond election and to get more information about need, especially among people using bicycles to get to work.
“I want to know what part of the population we’re really talking about there,” said Commissioner Bruce Bixby. “I see the people use it for …

Cyclist likely to die after being hit by car in Lost Creek (4/2015)

by MichaelBluejay        bicycleaustin.info

Reposting what Chavela started in a different thread:
chavela wrote:
We have had another likely-fatal collision, and I have not seen ANY coverage in the paper.  Last Wednesday evening, a couple was biking in Lost Creek (the woman works in my company, which is how I have heard about this).  Man was heading down a long hill, woman a good distance behind him.  Car passed him, turned right into him.  He hit the car, was seriously injured, and I heard reports this morning that he was determined brain-dead and the family is dealing with the decision to remove life support.  I was told that the driver did not have a license, and that–at the time–was …

Frustrated? Inspired? Seeking Change? Austin, You Should Meet Your Bicycle Advisory Council

Austin On A Bike

Sometimes, inspiration strikes and all you can do is scream it to the heavens above and hope for a response.
Or, in the case of cycling-related inspiration related directly to our fair hometown, you can bring it to the attention of the Bicycle Advisory Council. Did you know we have one of those?
I’ll admit, until not too long ago, I didn’t either.
Unlike the city’s bicycle program, which consists of the paid city staff responsible for actually “planning, designing and constructing pedestrian and bicycle facilities”, the BAC is made up of 9 volunteer members of the community, with suggested representatives of “south Austin, central Austin, north Austin, the competitive bicycling community, the recreational bicycling community, and the utilitarian bicycling community”. All members may serve a term of …

Biking From Texas To Alaska To Fight Cancer

By Abz Zeitler        thelala.com

I am a part of Texas 4000. We are the 2015 team who will make this year’s epic trek across the nation making our mark on the communities we ride miles to in hopes of spreading our mission.
I will be biking over 4,500 miles from Austin, Texas to Anchorage, Alaska. The Texas 4000 is a 70-day journey, founded in 2004 by Chris Condit whom battled Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. This bike ride was created with one goal in mind: to spread hope, knowledge, and …

Refuge International to host 6th Annual Chainge the World Bike Ride

www.gilmermirror.com

Refuge International is hosting the 6th Annual Chainge the World Bike Ride to be held April 18, 2015 in Gilmer Texas. Bike riders will have the opportunity to enjoy a picturesque bicycle ride through towering pine trees and rolling hills on the beautiful back roads of both Upshur and Camp Counties. Different rides will appeal to different levels of riders and include 10 mile, 20mile, 40 mile, and 100k rides. This is a fully supported ride with rest stops about every 10 miles. Registration will start at the …

Traffic Patterns in This Community Showcase the Urgency of Making a Safe Way for Cyclists to Share the Road — Before Anyone Else Gets Hurt

by Agatha Beins Assistant professor of women’s studies at Texas Woman’s University    www.huffingtonpost.com

In North Texas, March brings signs of spring: daffodils, lawn mower sounds, garden stores seedlings peeking out hopefully, and people walking and riding bicycles. I ride my bicycle in Denton throughout the year, commuting to work, riding to the grocery store and meeting up with friends. After living in New Jersey for six years, I love the slower pace of Denton and the way drivers tend to be respectful and courteous. They pass slowly, giving a wide berth. However, when I get to work, the scene is not so nice.
Although city laws require cars to give cyclists at least 3 feet when passing — and …

Teen Cyclist Struck in Southlake Dies from Injuries

By Todd L. Davis        www.nbcdfw.com


A teenager has died a day after he was struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle Monday night in Southlake.
James Malone, 16, was riding his bike in the 600 block of Byron Nelson Parkway when the car struck him, according to police.
Paramedics transported Malone to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in …

April Newsletter Published

Dallas Area Tandem Enthusiasts

The April edition of the DATES-Line Newsletter is published and available for download from the newsletters page. This month’s edition includes the following:
Upcoming Rides
“Informal” Willow City Loop Ride
Chisholm Trail Winery Ride
Tax Relief Ride – Round the Lake
Bluebonnet Ride
Southwest Tandem Rally
DATES Blue Ridge Ramble
Fresh DATES
Save The Date! – DATES Social
Easter Hill Country Tour
GDB Lancaster Country Ride
Honor Ride Clay Hunt
Ride Reports
Round and Round the Lake Rie
Dallas Shamrock Ride
Save The Date! – DATES Social
Southwest Missouri Tandem Weekend
DATES Rides & Activities

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets

https://twitter.com/BSS_Road_Club/status/585577622123458560

https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/585562132906954753

https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/585538797921816577

Event Reminders

Bike Route Mirror Image

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Figuring out the reverse of a route I rode hundreds of times is not easy. I was trying to think of some route variety today without packing the bike in the Jeep and riving somewhere. I decided to really ride the reverse of the route I do most often, Atascocita – Walden – Huffman. This changed to Huffman – Atascocita – Walden. Obviously I can’t ride on the wrong side of the road so some places I rode the same place but thinking of the turns and streets in reverse takes concentration. That house I see going the usual direction changes places and might even look different. Some houses I don’t see at all are now visible. Some turns are across traffic where before I kept on the same road. The ride distance wasn’t different at 33.01 miles. My average speed was a slow 14.5 mph, with a high of 14.9 mph.

The wind didn’t help with my speed. From the south at 10 mph with 18 mph gusts just seemed to get in my face no matter which road I was on. The temperature was a pleasant 83 in Huffman when I stopped at the Huffman Chevron. The ride began at 12: 10 and I was back home at 3:06 where the temperature was 86 degrees. The mostly cloudy sky limited the sun exposure.

With this reverse I was at the Chevron with fewer miles that normal; 16 miles today versus 21 in the usual direction.

The first cross traffic change was a left turn from W. Lake Houston Parkway onto Kings River Drive. The normal direction is opposite of that. I also found some of the traffic lights do not change when I am on the side street turning onto a major road. This can be aggravating. A couple of times I motion for a car behind me to move closer to trip the light. They don’t always understand what I want them to do. I thought that was going to be a problem at Atascocita Shores Drive where I normally exit FM1960 to Atascocita Shores. Today I was waiting on Atascocita Shores to turn left onto FM1960 to cross Lake Houston. The wait was getting long for the light to change and the pickup truck behind me was not on the trip area but finally the light changed. This is an uphill spot and getting started is difficult and slow. Fortunately no one was honking and the light stayed green long enough for everyone to get through.

Other than the direction change no unusual happenings today. No dog sprints.

Weather when I stopped at the Chevron station

Weather when I stopped at the Chevron station

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Texas Bicycling News Digest April 6th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

No Country for Old Men

texasbikeracing.com

Have you ever finished a 100 mile road race and thought to yourself, “well, I wish I still had 900 miles to go?” If so, then “No Country for Old Men” might be for you.

Grand Prairie’s mayor paving way to wellness with stroll, bike rides

By NANETTE LIGHT        www.dallasnews.com


GRAND PRAIRIE — Mayor Ron Jensen grew up riding bikes.
When he was a kid, his two wheels took him down Skyline Road to Grand Prairie’s old downtown.
He’d pass Uptown Theater — now restored as a performing arts center. Its vintage red vertical sign remains a landmark on Main Street.
Across the street, he’d stop at the old Millar Drug for a hamburger. Now, it’s Tuscany’s Pasta and Pizza.
Jensen noted the downtown transformation recently during a 2-mile walking tour that the city has named Strollin’ With the Mayor. He also announced plans to hold six …

City has Plans for a Possible Bike Path Funded Through TxDOT Grant

www.bigcountryhomepage.com


The City of Abilene is pursuing a grant through TxDOT’s Transportation Alternatives program that would allow them to upgrade sidewalks and install bike lanes around US 277 to make the area more accessible to pedestrians and bicyclists.
The US 277 Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Project includes a proposed path along US 277 that would span from South Clack Street to Rebecca Lane. They also plan to add a bike lane on Texas Ave from US 277 to Dub Wright Blvd along with other improvements.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $2,043,562.26, but most of it would be covered by the grant. The City is only required to pay 20%, about $408,712.45, which will come out of the sidewalk portion of …

Cedar Park Off-Road Park for Mountain Bikes

by Lumberjack        www.texasoffroad.net

Many of us who like to ride dirt bikes also like to ride mountain bikes. It is a great way to exercise, tone your skills, and be one with nature. I have always said that I love anything on two wheels and I do!
There are many places to ride mountain bikes around the Austin area. I do not need to list all of the places to ride mountain bikes for those of you that do. However, there is one place I would like to mention and that is Brushy Creek that begins in Cedar Park and ends in Round Rock.
Myself and others have long wanted to convert nature area’s in Cedar Park to hike and bike trails, some jeep roads if you will, and others single track. We will like to convert these single track trails to the beginning of the Brushy Creek Trail that begins at Cedar Park and ends at Round Rock.
I ask you to help me and my friends to come and support us to make this happen. We need warm bodies and people who are willing to step up to the microphone to state that you support what we are trying to do!
I believe that this will provide …

Road Rage On The Bike Path

Cycling Space City

So commuting by bike is supposed to be my healthy alternative to the madness that is commuting by car in Houston, but tonight I got in a bit of a row on my commute home.  This happened where the shared use path around Barker Reservoir ends at Sergeant Hatch Park.   You know where people who drive their cars, to go ride their bikes, end up parking.  So I am coming upon the exit of the path and there is another rider approaching from the other side to enter the path.  There is only room for one bicyclist at a time to pass.  So who has right of way when two cyclists are approaching at nearly the same time?
My first rule is if there is a brutal wind whoever is eating the …

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets

https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/585213119070343168

https://twitter.com/BikePaulie/status/585152237686521857

https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/585091638600531968

Event Reminders