Texas Bicycling News Digest March 25th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Flat Creek Open Saturday April 4th

www.austinbike.com


Flat Creek Crossing will be open for riding on Saturday, April 4th.  The gates open at 9AM and the fee is $10. Every rider needs to sign a waiver.  This is a great opportunity as Flat Creek is not open on a daily basis.

Chad is from Texas

A good day at the office

By Chad Haga        velonews.competitor.com


Haga got tangled with fellow American Ben King (Cannondale-Garmin) in Milano-Sanremo. Photo: Tim De Waele | TDWsport.com
When I was asked if I wanted to race Milano-Sanremo, I admit that I was woefully ignorant of the race’s history. I did not grow up dreaming of attacking on the Poggio, and “Via Roma” would elicit nothing more than a blank stare. I only knew that Milano-Sanremo is a monument. And very long. But I also knew that John [Degenkolb] could win and that we work well together, and I was not going to pass up that chance.
After Tirreno-Adriatico, I got to spend a few days riding around Sanremo on the bike path. It was there that I found the race museum-tunnel, featuring two kilometers (each way) of education. I emerged full of respect for the race and a bit intimidated by it, too. I then took to …

Congress and bikes: What’s going on and why it matters to you

Katy Hartnett, Director of Government Relations        www.peopleforbikes.org


The Highway Trust Fund, the bank account that pays for things like highways, roads and bike lanes, is running low on cash. The transportation bill that dictates how that money is spent is called MAP-21 and it expires at the end of May. This means that over the next month and a half, Congress needs to figure out if they’re going to pass the transportation bill with a quick fix or figure out something that will solve the problem long-term.
One of the programs in the bill, called the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), is the number one way that bike infrastructure is paid for at the federal level. As the number of people who bike continues to rise, we think it’s important that communities have the option to include bike infrastructure in …

B-Cycle sets records during SXSW

Michael Theis, Digital Editor- Austin Business Journal


Austin B-Cycle, the city’s bicycle-sharing system, had another record-breaking South By Southwest, with thousands of riders checking out bikes for short trips through downtown Austin, the epicenter of the annual tech, music and film festival.
According to a Wednesday announcement from the bike-sharing business, B-Cycle saw 21,177 total trips on its bikes during …

How Plano’s greenbelt, bike trails connect a city to a region

by Kelley Chambers-Crimmins        impactnews.com


Economic upswing helps expansion efforts
Plano resident Alex DuLaney likes to take the scenic route. With a map and mostly his memory, the avid cyclist uses the city’s trails to get just about anywhere without the stress of gas prices or traffic jams.
“Now that Plano has the connection under [US] 75, I can catch the trail just several blocks from my house and [take] the Bluebonnet Trail, go all the way around Bob Woodruff [Park] and back and it’s about a 24-mile ride,” DuLaney said. “And it’s great, I never have to be on the streets except from my house to the trail.”
Although Plano’s on-street bike route system was introduced four years ago, enhanced signage and signalization have added to its visibility. Like a bus route, each path is designated with a number. Given …

Kingwood resident participates in 30 years of MS 150 bike ride

by Jacque Havelka        ourtribune.com


On April 18 and 19, the annual BP MS 150 fundraising bike ride will be held. The event, organized by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society South Central Region, is the largest of the 100 Bike MS events in the United States, with 13,000 cyclists and 3,500 volunteers along the route from Houston to the finish line in Austin. In 2014, the BP MS 150 set a fundraising milestone by raising $20 million to support the National MS Society mission to create a world free of MS. For 2015, the fundraising goal is $21 million.
While the MS Society hopes to reach its milestone, Kingwood resident Tom Webster will be reaching his own milestone: 2015 marks his 30th consecutive year of participating in the MS 150. Webster wasn’t aware …

Loop Group Ride

San Angelo Bicycle Association

TX Dept of Transportation
4502 Knickerbocker – San Angelo
Date(s) – 04/02/2015
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Location:  TX Dept of Transportation
Categories:  Road Ride
When: Wheels rolling by 6:00 P.M.
Where: Meet in the TX Dot parking lot at the corner of Knickerbocker and Loop 306
A ride of 30, 25, or 20 miles depending on your preference or level of fitness. There are usually two different groups. One of the groups will ride at a pace of 18-21 mph and the other will ride at a pace of 14-18 mph. This is not a no-drop ride, but we tend to stick together in one of the two groups. If you are new to the area, or new to cycling we encourage you to come out and ride. We …

Can’t stop, won’t stop

by Benny Ontiveros        www.dvidshub.net


FORT BLISS, Texas – The military and Department of Defense recognize and provide great care for injured, ill or wounded service members. One of the supporting factors in the rehabilitation process is preparing soldiers to return back to civilian life. One wounded warrior is utilizing adaptive sports to transition herself back to a normal lifestyle.
U.S Army Sgt. 1st Class Katie Kuiper, Warrior Transition Battalion, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, suffered a head injury that proved to be challenging for her, but through the Army physical fitness and adaptive sports program, her goals are quickly being reached. Katie involved herself in …

Fourteen USA Cycling Talent ID Camps slated for 2015

www.usacycling.org

Fourteen Talent Identification Camps will run in 10 states across the country from June to November to provide USA Cycling with junior talent evaluations while offering athletes a pathway to develop their cycling ability in road, track and mountain bike disciplines.
“Talent ID camps were created to provide a safe and healthy environment for each athlete to learn, progress and thrive within the sport of cycling,” said Kevin Dessart, USA Cycling Director Coaching Education and Athlete Development. “The camps are a great opportunity to identify up-and-coming athletes and provide them the opportunities and education to progress toward the elite ranks of the sport.” …

… Witchita Falls, Texas     Aug. 9-14, 2015     Road …

For outreach, Fort Worth B-Cycle partners with existing events

by April Corbin, PeopleForBikes equity writer        www.peopleforbikes.org


Fort Worth B-Cycle Executive Director Kristen Camareno and her staff don’t have the time to plan and execute their own outreach events. Luckily, they don’t have to.
The bike share has found success promoting usage of their system by partnering with existing organizations and events within their community.
“We’ve been in a reactional state—figuring out what works and what doesn’t work, getting used to the equipment and software,” says Camareno of the bike share system, which launched in 2013. “We …

Saturday 3/28 and Sunday 3/29 Rides

by Thomas        Steiner Ranch Cycling

This Saturday March 28 please join us for an expanded and more fun Dam Loop! This version will include such favorites as Mt. Bonnell and Cuernavaca for around 57 miles of awesomeness. As usual, depart from Cups & Cones at 8:30am.
Sunday March 29 will be the Coffee Shop Ride which also departs from …

Tuesday: Intermediate/Advanced Mountain Bike Ride at the Ant Hills

Tuesday, Mar 31, 2015, 6:15 PM

15200 Memorial Dr
15200 Memorial Dr Houston, Te

2 cyclists Went

This will be a medium to fast pace ride through the Ant Hills of Hershey Park! Bring WATER, spare tube/tire, snacks, etc…Helmets required. Call if you are going to be late so we can wait for you. Wheels rolling by 6:30! See you there

Check out this Meetup →

Shannon Wilson Documentary Ministries

Cyclists in the P1 and P2 groups start the first race of the day in the CyberKnife of Texas Cycling Race in Whitehouse, TX

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets

https://twitter.com/txbikeracing/status/580740960402866179

https://twitter.com/JuliaBikes/status/580726322860707841

Event Reminder

Some Opposite Directions Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I mixed the streets and direction on today’s ride on the “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route. Starting out I went on some different streets to get around Kingwood High School because of the 2:12 start time. I haven’t rode on these for over a year. On the east side of Lake Houston I went north on East Lake Houston Parkway to Smith Road and south on FM2100 to the Huffman Chevron. Normally I ride the other direction but today I took FM2100 south from FM1960 to Old Atascocita Road and then west and back to FM1960 on Fairlake Drive. Rarely do I ride this direction although most of the other bikers I see are going this direction. Everything looks different going the opposite way and being on the other side of the road I watched for surface irregularities.

The legs had difficulty whenever I was riding into the wind. I thought it was 6 mph or so but when I got home the weather showed 15 mph with 23 mph gusts. No wonder it took so much effort. This reverse route came to 32.19 miles with a 14.9 mph average speed. I did get the average speed up to 15.1 mph after riding west on FM1960 over Lake Houston with a nice tailwind. Two other bikers were out today along the route.

It was 84 degrees when I left home and 78 at the end. I decided to wear a long sleeve jersey just in case the wind was chilly; glad I did. Shorts were just right too.

Checking the mail at the end of the ride the new Continental Gartorskin Hardshell spare tire and tubes with 60mm stem arrived. Now I am prepared if I have a tire or tube problem. I did find out that a 700x23mm tire must be slightly smaller diameter than a 700x25mm. Inserting the 700×23 tire in the rear is much easier.

No biking on Thursday, taking my wife to the medical center. The weather forecast doesn’t look friendly for biking either: 89% chance of rain around noon, high of 68.

[iframe https://connect.garmin.com/activity/embed/729110128 465px 500px] [iframe https://www.strava.com/activities/274092376/embed/6aae858e95c9638dc4df40437284f56ff28b0519 590px 405px]

Texas Bicycling News Digest March 24th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Peary Perry teams up with inmates at a local prison to repair bikes and give them to any child who needs one

by Ken Hoffman        www.houstonchronicle.com


Peary Perry, 71, collects used bicycles for a prison program at the Carol Vance Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Inmates refurbish the bicycles, which are then are donated to under-privileged children during the holidays.
You know the saying.
To continue reading this story, you will need to be a digital subscriber to HoustonChronicle.com.

Double Lake Beginner Racer Clinic Round 2(no rain!)

GHORBA

Event category: Clinics
Saturday, April 18, 2015 – 12:00pm
GHORBA wants to put on an event to get new racers out to try mountain bike racing! This event will go over what you and your friends will want/need to know to tackle a race! Bring questions!!!! Coach Nathan Winkelmann will be on site to lead the clinic.

Bike safety

www.chron.com Letters to the Editor

Regarding “Ups and downs” (Page B7, Saturday), I saw your thumbs down on the Tour de Houston because the 60-mile route went through a park named after a mayoral candidate supported by the mayor’s former aides.
I have another thumbs down for you: Why is a city-sponsored bike ride supporting reforestation of the city when it should support more and safer bike lanes throughout the city? It’s time for this event to get its priorities straight.
Louis Cioletti, Pearland

Big Southie pre-ride

Saturday, Mar 28, 2015, 9:00 AM

Dick Nichols District Park
8011 Beckett Rd Austin, TX

8 Mountain Bikers Went

9AM, Sat 3/28 at Dick Nichols park. This will be the last weekend for guided pre-rides before the official event on 4/4.Will be faster (10 mph) and casual (7 mph) groups.Day-of the Big Southie, there will be no ride leaders or sag support. https://thebigsouthie.wordpress.com/

Check out this Meetup →

Big Southie pre-ride

Sunday, Mar 29, 2015, 9:00 AM

Dick Nichols District Park
8011 Beckett Rd Austin, TX

4 Mountain Bikers Went

9AM, Sun 3/29 at Dick Nichols park. This will be the last weekend for guided pre-rides before the official event on 4/4.Hoping to have two different speed groups.Day-of the Big Southie, there will be no ride leaders or sag support. https://thebigsouthie.wordpress.com/

Check out this Meetup →

Celebrate Earth Day at Exploration Green April 25

www.yourhoustonnews.com

Saturday, April 25 from 8:00 to 2:00, Bay Area’s new Exploration Green will host its inaugural Earth Day Celebration at the 200-acre green space in the heart of Clear Lake. Free and open to all, festivities will include traditional outdoor games, running and walking, education and environmental activities and volunteer opportunities for visitors all ages. …

… Cyclo-Cross Exhibition – Witness the exciting sport of cyclocross with its challenging rough course races requiring riders to quickly dismount and carry the bike at times. Mountain biking beginners start at 10:30 a.m. and experienced mountain bike riders start at 11:15 a.m. …

Lancaster Country Ride on April 11th

by Marc Mumby        www.bikedfw.org

http://s3.amazonaws.com/ClubExpressClubFiles/747333/graphics/lanaster__2015_banner_2053885034.jpg
Make plans for a fabulous day of Texas springtime cycling in the beautiful countryside fifteen minutes south of downtown Dallas! For the 18th year, the Greater Dallas Bicyclists, together with the City of Lancaster, is staging the Lancaster Country Ride on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 9 am.
Join the Greater Dallas Bicyclists’ annual rally and cycle along the scenic back roads of Ellis County visiting the small communities of Ferris and Palmer. The routes traverse flats, rolling hills and some challenging climbs. Rest stops are situated every 12 miles with water, sports drink and fruit. The ride is …

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets

https://twitter.com/Recnik96/status/580106504163831808

https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/580521207621132288

Event Reminders

Biking New Caney – Grangerland – New Caney

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I rotated routes to the north for variety. I drove to Brookshire Brothers in New Caney to start north of the Grand Parkway construction. According to the paper the construction should be over sometime this year; the sooner the better for biking. Leaving Brookshire Brothers at 1:22 I rode north along the US59 service road to north of Patton Village where I moved to the road on the east of the railroad tracks. This was to add a little distance to the ride since I wasn’t sure how long this route would be. I was hoping for 30+ miles and ended up with 30.4 miles. For some reason the wind was tough going to the south and southeast. The weather showed it to be 6 mph but it felt like 15 mph. Maybe my legs are still recovering from yesterday’s ride.

To add miles I went north of Splendora to East River Road turning left under US59/I-69 to ride back to FM2090. From Splendora I rode west to Grangerland. The sign in Splendora says Grangerland is 12 miles but it is only 10 miles by my Garmin 510. At Grangerland I went left on FM3083 towards New Caney. At the FM1485 and FM3083 intersection I stopped at the Valero station to snack and drink some sport drink. The wind was drying me out. I figured it was about 8 miles from the Valero to Brookshire Brothers; it turned out to be 8.2 miles. I reached my 30+ mile goal. Average speed was 15.8 mph. Not riding through residential areas helps me get up to speed quickly and stay at a steady pace.

While I was inside the Valero I had a nice conversation with a lady while I was at the fountain machine. She asked how far I was riding and said she thought she saw me on FM2090 before. She said the Valero was 2.5 miles from her home and she walked there sometimes. Today she drove.

No other bikers today and no dog chases. I miss the first but not the second.

More nice biking weather tomorrow: 80 degrees and partly cloudy. I hope to be on the road. I tried to watch the Volta a Catalunya today but the TV signal was bad due to rainy weather there.

[iframe https://connect.garmin.com/activity/embed/728283147 465px 500px] [iframe https://www.strava.com/activities/273542621/embed/b9905375d556436b9f61d3ab3bfb70b023dce4a5 590px 500px]