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

Monday Ride to Huffman

Texbiker.net Posted on by

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.

Weather while at the Huffman Chevron

Weather while at the Huffman Chevron

[iframe https://connect.garmin.com/activity/embed/739297370 465px 500px] [iframehttps://www.strava.com/activities/280520432/embed/540b32c5bdb5c7db8606afc3e84a84255179db3e 590px 500px]

Texas Bicycle News Digest April 5th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

red river riot 2015

by James Peel

Bike Handing Clinic #2 with Third Coast Training

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 …

Four favorite bicycle routes near Austin

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. …

The Big Bend – Again

By Bill Smith        www.crazyguyonabike.com

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 …

2015 Coast 2 Coast

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. *

My First Bike Tour: Hurst, Tx. to Shreveport, La.

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 …

2015 Bluebonnet Express – Waller, TX

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 …

Austin On A Bike’s Alternative Bike Routes: The East Side

Austin On A Bike

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 …

Possible trail progress through TAP grants

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 …

Wounded warriors get renewed sense of purpose at 2015 Army Trials at Fort Bliss

By David Burge / El Paso Times


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 …

Cyclists travel 9,000 miles to fundraise for national parks

By Bailie Myers        amarillo.com


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

Tweets

https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/584845609494020097

https://twitter.com/E_Lopez_E/status/584058192675540993

https://twitter.com/BSS_Road_Club/status/584780506425876481

Event Reminders

Texas Bicycling News April 4th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Bayou Greenway Day celebrates effort to link Houston’s hike and bike trails

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.
To continue reading this story, you will need to be a digital subscriber to HoustonChronicle.com.

Everyone’s German in Muenster

www.dallasnews.com

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 …

Phase One Hike & Bike Trail

www.texasbids.net

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 Entrance Intermediate level – technical Ride )

Tuesday, Apr 7, 2015, 5:00 PM

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.  I would estimate the ride to be 10-13 miles in 1 1/2 to 2 hrs.  Please ensure you have an extra tube for the ride.All riders must bring…

Check out this Meetup →

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets

https://twitter.com/CitizenHays/status/584472556024930304

https://twitter.com/thejurgy/status/584428907899813889