The weather warmed up compared to yesterday, Easter Sunday. It hovered around 60 degrees then and threatened light rain. Today it was 82 degrees when I finished the ride at 3:06 and the sky was mostly cloudy. I did get a few sprinkles while I was on Fairlake Drive on the east side of Lake Houston but it last 2 or 3 minutes. Looking at the weather before I left home at 12:10 the wind was going to be a problem. It was from the SSE at 17 mph with 22 mph gusts. I could tell the wind was strong as I headed south on the usual “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route. I had difficulty getting above 17 mph but it was residential streets until I reached the west entrance to FM1960 over Lake Houston. I shifted to a smaller gear on the rear cassette as I rode east. I was able to ride at 19 to 20 mph and slowly increased my average speed. I never got it above 15.0 mph on the 32.86 mile route. For a long time after leaving the Huffman Chevron headed home I kept the average speed at 14.9 mph thanks to some side wind. Once I got into Kingwood the starts and stops pulled it down to 14.8 mph for the overall ride.
Several othr bikers were out. I saw some within the first 2 miles in Elmgrove Village in Kingwood. Later on the W. Lake Houston Parkway bridge over the San Jacinto another biker caught up with. I was on the main road shoulder and he was on the sidewalk to my right. We exchanged waves and stayed together for a few hundred feet until he had to slow for a jogger.
No dogs on today’s ride. I don’t miss them. Tomorrow the weather looks favorable for biking: 86 degrees and overcast.
by Michael Pincus      The Road Less Traveled
Yesterday would mark the second clinic I would be doing with Third Coast Training in Pasadena, Texas (Southeast Houston). After having much success with the first clinic I ran in 2014, Johnny (Owner/Coach at Third Coast Training) and I decided to give it a second go in 2015. Our plan was to build upon what we did the first time to make this workshop a better experience for riders of different skill levels.
I have been assisting in cycling clinics for a few years now – from small-scale club cornering clinics as a cat 3 with the Pearland Cycling Club, to larger clinics at the Driveway with Super Squadra, to spending a …
by Pam LeBlanc      www.mystatesman.com   (subscription required)
These bike rides will take you up hills, past flowers and to the best burger joints
Holy spinning bicycle tires, have you peeked outside? Now’s the season Central Texas bicyclists dream about nine months out of the year.
Do yourself a favor and pull your bike out of the shed, pump up its tires, dust off your helmet, squirm into your skin-tight cycling kit and climb aboard. Don’t dawdle, either. It’ll be blistering hot before you know it, and Lycra just isn’t as comfortable when it’s soaked in sweat. …
Prologue: Why Texas and the Big Bend – Now.
Saturday November 1, 2014
In recent years I have spent the month of November somewhere warm and dry – everything that where I live – isn’t! Last year it was Cuba, the year before that the Big Bend of Texas. I decided to return here not only for the weather but also to see more of the country, parts that I didn’t see previously and parts that I wanted to revisit. A shout out to Jerry Witherspoon who posts on CGOAB as his article on the Big Bend first got me interested in touring here.(https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?doc_id=7938) The plan was to fly into El Paso (the closest airport with easy connections) and take the Amtrak train to Alpine, Texas and begin cycling there and then taking the train back from Alpine to El Paso when done cycling. After starting in El Paso on the previous trip I had no desire to revisit I-10 and the country between there and Marfa. I had engaged those who frequent CGOAB on whether or not I could take my bike on Amtrak as Alpine was not a “Baggage” stop. The consensus was “No”. True to form I sided with the minority who thought “maybe”. I looked at car rental and buses, but neither was a very convenient option. I decided to take the chance on the train as I got the sense that Amtrak was trying to come …
By Wayne Andresen      www.crazyguyonabike.com
Day 17: El Paso, TX to Fort Hancock, TX: Riding through El Paso
Monday March 23, 2015, 57 miles (92 km) – Total so far: 927 miles (1,492 km)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 236’/518′
Last night we stayed in a motel on the west side of El Paso. Today we had about 20 miles of slow city riding to get to the east side of El Paso and back onto our normal secondary country roads. The parts of the city we saw were quite old and not in the best shape, but as I am sure with most older cities, there are newer areas that we didn’t see. Shortly after leaving the motel we did ride through an older, nice neighborhood of very fine and well kept stately homes. I really did not see enough of El Paso to come to any conclusions about the city as I indicated I would in last night’s blog.
Today, including the ride through El Paso, we rode a total of 57 miles, and, …
Day 18: Fort Hancock, TX to Van Horn, TX: We ended the day with exactly 1000 miles ridden!
Day 19: Van Horn, TX to Marfa, TX
Day 20: Marfa, TX to Marathon, TX: Today’s Ride of Two Halves
Day 21: Rest Day: A Day Off at Big Bend National Park
Day 22: Marathon, TX to Sanderson, Texas: Easy Day!
Day 23: Sanderson to Comstock, TX: A very exhausting day. *
Day 24: Comstock to Brakettville, Texas *
Day 25: Brackettville to Concan, Texas: The desert is behind us! *
Day 26: A Day of Rest: The First Half of our C2C Journey is Complete! *
Day 27: Concan to Kerrville, Texas: Daughter Mindy and Husband Lance, from Seattle, Ride With Me Across the Halfway Point! *
Day 28: Kerrville to Blanco, Texas: Another Day of Hill Country Rollers *
Day 29: Road Block: Turmoil in Texas. *
By Scott Streater      www.crazyguyonabike.com
More Prep
Friday April 3, 2015
Taking the bike in today to get a complete tuneup. It will be going to Bicycles Inc. a great bike shop here in Hurst. The GREAT “Bird” will perform his bike mechanic magic. I will be riding my Surly disc trucker on the trip. Arkel panniers, I will travel light staying in motels and credit carding ( I think that might be a word, but you know what I mean) it along the way. I have talked with a cpl of other trekkers who have traveled my route but in the opposite direction. They say I will have nice roads to travel on. Room is booked at a nice casino in Shreveport. Really looking forward to having a nice weekend at the end of my first trip. Again, thanks for …
Bike’s at the shop
Sunday April 5, 2015
Took my bike in to Bicycles Inc. on Saturday, getting a tuneup and adjustment. Replacing the chain and setting the brake calipers. Everything else seems to be good. On my trip, I plan on riding 70 or so miles a day. I normally ride @ 16-18 mph. I have been doing some training rides @ 12-14 mph., that seems to be the pace I see in a lot of folk’s journals’ here. I often need to remind myself to slow down. Most of my rides seem to be an intense training ride and I am constantly pushing hard. It is very refreshing to slow down and enjoy the ride! I have not done a completely loaded training ride yet, but I have ridden with everything except my camelback. My camelback holds 70 oz. of water which is a little bit more than 1/2 gallon. Water weighs approx. 8 lbs. per gallon so I am missing only 4 lbs. on my rides. I will do several fully loaded rides before my trip to get the true feel of the weight. This being my first trip, I am very …
the surly biker      thesurlybiker.wordpress.com
Been busy, so this is a few weeks late, but here’s this year’s Bluebonnett Express post.
Last year’s BBX was brutal. The wind was blowing at almost 20, and gusting to almost 30. It was grey, and dismal, and it was enough to make me hate every mile of the 55 mile route.
This year, though, was much better. The weather held, the sun came out, and the wind, well, held off a bit more than last year.
Overall, it was a great ride. The rest stops were top notch, the volunteers were awesome, and the routes were great. I only did the 45 mile route this year, but enjoyed every minute of it. However, this year I wasn’t able to fall into a pace line as easily as last year. There were only two that passed me but they were really strong riders and I couldn’t keep up. I tried to fall behind a …
Navigating the East Side is easy, as long as you don’t follow the bike lanes or what’s still considered the Lance Armstrong Bikeway when you get east of I-35.
Think about it – take the bike lanes and you’ll be going north (or some version of it) on Chicon or Pleasant Valley / Chestnut, both of which are mediocre coming south, but sorta roller-coaster-y and uphill (not gradually so) going north. The same goes for 12th Street going east. And as for 5th, that aforementioned section of the Lance Armstrong Bikeway, I don’t think that thing has been repaved in 20 years, at least. It’s a nightmare.
That said, here are a couple of alternative routes when you’re on the east side that will help you avoid the steeper hills and take you generally out of the way of traffic and shitty road surfaces.
Oh, and for our purposes here, the East Side is generally defined as north of the river and …
by Claire Kowalick      www.timesrecordnews.com
Wichita Falls would make huge strides in finishing the Hike and Bike Trail with the approval of grants through the Transportation Alternative Program.
In January, the Texas Department of Transportation announced a call for projects that fall under TAP. The program provides money toward on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities, access to public transportation, projects that enhance mobility and safe routes for children walking to schools. About $52 million will be funded toward TAP projects throughout Texas.
Wichita Falls is trying to …
FORT BLISS >> The wounded warrior-athletes who competed last week at the 2015 Army Trials at Fort Bliss wanted to win, impress each other with their athletic prowess and possibly earn a spot in the upcoming Department of Defense Warrior Games.
But there was also a higher purpose than all that.
For the 80 wounded, injured and ill soldiers and veterans who competed in seven different sports, the trials were a way to find a renewed purpose in their lives, make some new friends and feel like a part of the Army team and family once again, they said.
Fort Bliss held the Army Trials in track and field, archery, sitting volleyball, air pistol and rifle, swimming, wheelchair basketball and cycling. Spots at …
Six cyclists are travelling 9,000 miles from the southernmost to the northernmost points of the U.S. to raise funds for the National Park Conservation Association and awareness of national parks.
The cyclists came to the area on Saturday and stayed for the weekend with Amarillo hosts Jake and Robin Splawn to take a quick rest before beginning the next leg of their …
New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar
New Event Ascend Afton – El Paso, TX Meet at River Run at 7:30 a.m. and ride through the valley to Afton Road. Aft… http://t.co/PWjbhyLqHD
By Molly Glentzer      www.houstonchronicle.com
Walkers try out a new stretch of hike and bike trails along Brays Bayou at Mason Park. The trails will eventually span 30 miles.?
Plop. It was quiet enough to hear a fish jump.
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Muenster: 84 miles north-northwest of Dallas
It’s time to entertain your inner German. Not German, you say? Everyone’s German in Muenster the last weekend of April, during Germanfest. Bring your bicycle for the 100-kilometer bicycle rally, lace up your running shoes for the 5K or 15K run or work your way up a rock-climbing wall.
Then there’s dancing or oohing and aahing over the arts and crafts. When the aromas from the barbecue cookoff perk up your taste buds, chow down on German sausage, apple strudel, cheeses, homemade bread, cakes, pies and …
Bid Date & Time: 04/17/15 10:00 AM
Owner Solic Number: 05900-829-1-OTH   Status: bidding   Report: 6233083
Country :United States    State: TX   County: Harris
Location: Harris County
Scope: Construction of hike & bike trail.
Notes: Bids will be received at Van De Wiele & Vogler, Inc., 2929 Briarpark, Ste. 275, Houston, Texas 77042.
Plans: From CivCast USA / Amtek Information Service, Inc. PO Box 692303, 4001 Sherwood Lane, Houston Texas 77092. Ph:713-956-0100.
Outside Link: https://www.civcastusa.com/projectdetails.aspx?projectid=4855
Owner Type: Public
Buyer: Harris Co Municipal Utility Dist. 82
Address: 2300 1st City Tower
City: Houston   State: TX   Zip/Postal Code: 77002
Designer: Van De Wiele & Vogler, Inc.
Address: 2925 Briarpark Dr, Suite 275
City: Houston   State: TX   Zip/Postal Code: 77042 …
Barton Creek Greenbelt – 360 Access 3755 S Capital of Texas Hwy. Austin, TX
9 Mountain Bikers Went
The trail is more technical than Walnut creek. there are more rocks, drops, and roots, so it will wear you down fast. would recommend knee and elbow pads to accompany your helmet.Bring your lights just in case. Â I would estimate the ride to be 10-13 miles in 1 1/2 to 2 hrs. Â Please ensure you have an extra tube for the ride.All riders must bring…
As I was getting dressed to ride I laid out the route in my mind. It was a little cooler than the last few days so I donned a long sleeve jersey and then a short sleeve over that. It wasn’t quite cool enough for leg warmers so I wore shorts. I loaded the Stradalli in the Jeep and headed for Brookshire Brothers in New Caney. At home my weather station showed 76 degrees and the Jeep showed 70 at first and then edged up to 71. While I was driving on US59 the Jeep thermometer started to go down settling at 68 when I reached New Caney. I had not dressed for that temperature and to top it off the wind was brisk. I added my riding gear and put the wheels on the Stradalli and felt chilled.
The route in my mind was FM1485 west to FM3083 to Grangerland. In Grangerland I would ride east on FM2090 to US59 and then south to New Caney. Riding on FM1485 before I was warmed up I started to think of how to shorten the route and stay warm. It took about 20 minutes of riding for me to get warmed up on the inside. The wind kept blowing from the NE which seemed to be a headwind all the time. When I got to SH 242 I was tempted to take a right and ride to US59 but stuck with my original route going on FM1485. At the FM1485 and FM3083 intersection I stopped at the Valero store to check my rear wheel alignment. On the last ride I didn’t have the quick release tight enough for the first 11 miles and it rubbed the inside of the left chainstay until I corrected that. Today it was tight and no rubbing. After a few minutes I decided to not ride to Grangerland on FM3083 but to take FM1485 north to FM2090 to ride to Splendora. This shortened the route by about 4 miles.
Once I was on FM2090 the wind was from the left front quarter, not a direct headwind. There are a lot of trees along FM2090 which helped to break the wind up some. I managed to up my average speed while riding to Splendora even with the wind. I was on the right shoulder and with my recent dog sprint epidemic I watched each driveway for a potential dog. It went well until I was east of Splendora High School around the 18 mile point when I must have let my guard down. A large brown dog came charging out of a driveway chasing me on the right. He matched my speed and I started yelling at him. I don’t think my yelling had much effect but after several hundred yards he slowed to a stop. After this latest dog sprint I thought of what I should do. Several things came to mind: cattle prod, paint gun, pepper spray. Each of these has pluses and minuses. My favorite is the cattle prod. I have had a run in with one of these when I was a teenager and it has stuck in my mind. Maybe the dog would remember his run in and leave me alone.
Originally I thought my route would be close to 30 miles but with the changes I made it ended up at 25.67 miles. Today was one of those rare rides that ends with a nice tailwind. When I turned right onto the southbound US59 service road in Splendora my average speed was 15.9 mph. With the help of the tailwind I raised that to 16.2 mph by the time I got to New Caney. After waiting at the FM1485/US59 stop light it dropped to the final average speed of 16.1 mph. Not bad considering the chilly wind and the time it took to get that speed. It felt like it took less effort to ride at 20+ mph from Splendora than riding 16+ mph into the wind.
The weather screenshots from New Caney.
At the start of the ride
At the end of the ride
Tomorrow is Easter and I will take the day off. The weather looks iffy again too. We may go to my brother-in-law’s for a family and friends get together in Splendora. Way too much food and lots of talking.
Mileage standings: 171.81 miles for the week, 101.03 miles in April, 1111 miles so far this year.
