Texas Bicycling News Digest February 14th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

SCC 2015 SF Austin Training Ride

Schlumberger Cycling Club

SCC 2015 New Waverly Training Ride

Schlumberger Cycling Club

Baker Road With LSR

Fort Worth Bicycling Association

Club Ride
Saturday, February 21, 2015 8:00 am
Come join the Lone Star Randonneurs for a special first time event.  This is a RUSA Populiare that invites non-RUSA members to join in on a Randonneuring event.
We will ride the Lone Star Randonneur’s version of the Baker Road ride that goes both out and back on Baker Road and Airport Road.
This RUSA 100K Populaire is being held in conjuction with ACP 200K and 300K Brevets that follow the same route to Granbury.
Ride distance is 65 miles with shorter routes available on request.  Participants in the 100K event will be issued brevet cards and cue sheets and can turn in their …

Thurs evening “Zombies Love Slow Riders” ride

Thursday, Feb 19, 2015, 5:45 PM

Location details are available to members only.

3 Members Went

The Zombie ride is back! Let’s meet at 5:45 in the parking lot behind Dallas Bike Works (NW Hwy & W. Lawther) for a late afternoon/evening Thursday ride. For this ride, you need a helmet and lights on your bike. It should just be getting dark as we finish. Any bike shop can set you up with lights. For the expensive front lights, you can always get …

Check out this Meetup →

Day 11 – Clint: So flat!

By Alan Guo, Beaumont to San Francisco (Feb 2015)        www.crazyguyonabike.com

Friday February 13, 2015, 100 miles (161 km) – Total so far: 846 miles (1,362 km)
(Photos)
The initial start out of Van Horn was a little hilly. But as I gradually approached hwy 20, it became very flat, which was a relief. For some reason, my garmin deleted my 70 mile segment from Van Horn to Fort Hancock. Fort Hancock was my destination for the day, but I did not actually stay there. One thing I had not considered before hand was that Texas belongs to two time zones. It was a pleasant surprise that my extra hour of sleep was absorbed by changing time zones. Furthermore, Fort Hancock seemed like a rather desolate town, full of “For Sale” signs, boarded up …

Day 12 – El Paso: Pretty much Mexico
Saturday February 14, 2015
Here we are. From one end of Texas to the other

Tweets

https://twitter.com/FtWMntBikers/status/566721486077960193

Event Reminder

Humble Lions Club Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

When I left home at 7 AM the temperature on my home weather station showed 38 degrees. This is way below my bike tolerance level. I paid the $40 and knew it would warm up as the ride moved along though. The ride was scheduled to start at 8 AM but when I went inside the registration line was long. While I was standing in line (it turns out I didn’t need to) I handed out a few Texbiker.net business cards. The man in front of me was Mel. He said he knew about Texbiker.net and visited the site frequently. I snapped a few pictures and went back to the Jeep to get ready. Here are some pictures before the ride started. (Click on an image to enlarge it)

Walking to the registration
On the walk
Walk to the registration area
Registration area
Walking back to the Jeep
Weather before the start

The last picture shows the temperature is slightly warmer than when I left home, thankfully.

With the long registration line the start time was delayed until 8:11 AM. As we rolled away a pickup truck was parked square in the middle of the exit. I hear someone say it had been there all night. Early while I was waiting I had to move up in the crowd because a group of Cervelo riders were using profanity and the “F” bomb when they talked. I guess they don’t care what other people have to hear.

Once we got past the dead pickup truck we rode along about 1/2 a mile and stopped while the police got organized. I think they might have been waiting for all the riders to get on Will Clayton Parkway. According to a couple of ride marshals the police could only shut down traffic for 15 minutes. While I was stopped another biker pulled up beside e and asked if I was Texbiker. I said yes and Bruce told me he also visited Texbiker.net and had watched the video of me assembling (partially) the Stradalli RP-14 Carbon I was riding. He said he check the site for rides around Texas and was planning on doing the Lancaster Country Ride near Dallas that he found on Texbiker.net. I thanked him and we started to move again.

It was cold as I rode along. I was pretty well dressed for the cold except I chose to use half-finger gloves so I wouldn’t need to carry another pair. I wore two long sleeve jerseys, leg warmers (the tops under my shorts), a head scarf and a wind breaker jacket. I was cold for the a few miles but once I got warmed up I didn’t notice the cold. Fortunately we started with a tailwind. This lasted until the 15 mile point with a right turn on Ramsey Road. I had built my average speed up to 16.9 mph at that point. A tailwind is a good thing. But like riding in hills or mountains there is a time to pay back. From the that point until the end the wind was either in my face or trying to slow me down from one direction or another.

Waiting to Start
Waiting to Start
Waiting to Start
Waiting to Start
Waiting to Start
Waiting to Start

I stopped at the second rest stop at 15 miles to take some pictures before moving on. I am generally familiar with the route but checked the map just in case there were some changes.

Second rest stop
Second rest stop
Second rest stop

Now the route was mostly to the south with a couple of sections going east or west. The wind was biting but I was staying warm. The next stop was in the middle of US 90 east of Crosby. Not a rest stop but I wanted to check the weather and get a picture of my Garmin stats.

The temperature increased by 15 degrees from the start and there was lots of sun but the wind was still cold.

After crossing US 90 and riding on some side roads I started to wonder if I had made a wrong turn. I followed the signs but several of the no longer showed the route mileage. I watched other riders in front and went with them. At the next rest stop in Crosby all of the signs showed the 46.6 mile route but no 51.1 mile route signs. I knew from past years this was the route but now I was wondering if I missed a turn. Looking at the map when I got home I saw that I should have rode on FM1492 some but I didn’t. Here are some shots at the Crosby rest stop.

I stayed the course on the route and followed the 46.6 mile route signs calculating in mind how far I would ride based on some guesses. At the last rest stop I took a break for some drink, trail mix bar and fruit bar.

Third rest stop
Third rest stop
Third rest stop
Third rest stop

While I was resting another biker told someone how far he thought it was to the finish. My estimate was a couple of miles longer but still short of the 51.1 miles I planned on. I got ready and started the last leg to the finish. It turned out my route was longer than the 46.6 but slightly shorter than the 51.1 coming in at 49.65 miles. This makes it the longest so far this year and the first organized ride as well. My average speed was either 15.5 mph (Golden Cheetah) or 15.1 mph (Garmin Connect).

I stopped my Garmin 510 at 11:57 as I rolled into the parking lot at the finish. People were eating lunch and swapping stories. I got some water and headed to the Jeep. A couple of pictures of the finish area.

Humble weather end of ride

On the way home the temperature according to the Jeep was 75 degrees. It felt nice after taking off the soaking wet jerseys and gloves. With this ride my mileage standings:

  • 161.69 miles for the week
  • 265.58 miles for February (about 100 short of my goal)
  • 407.08 for the year to date

RideWithGPS map, metrics and charts.

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Texas Bicycling News Digest February 13th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

The Hunt – Cedar Hill Race Report

by Andrew Willis        texasbikeracing.com


Saturday’s Road Race
Yesterday Jed (Rodgers) and I raced in the Cedar Hill Race Festival. 31 laps around a 1.9-mile course. 61-miles. Cedar Hill State Park. Course had one hill per lap. Just enough of a hill to force you to stand up and push pretty hard over the top, followed by a winding descent full of blind corners.
Loved the course. In my opinion one of the best race courses in Texas.
The wind was howling all day. Starting off in the 15-20mph range and up to almost 30mph near the end. With the wind and the hill and the downhill being so twisted you never really had a …

Freeze Your Fanny – Longview, TX, Feb 7, 2015

www.bicycle-stuff.com

Rode Freeze Your Fanny for the first time. Did the 64-mile route. Scenic and challenging course. Enjoyed the route…except for the signage. That was poorly done. There were two forks and one intersection that were not marked. I had to guess on the correct way to go and fortunately I guessed right and stayed on the course. I fail to understand why ride organizers can’t seem to get this right. Do they ride the course, or even drive it, to look for such things??? Not everyone has a GPS on their bike, and most printed ride maps look like they were done in crayon by a kindergarten student. I don’t need someone to hold my hand the entire length of the course. I need organizers to think about the course from the rider’s perspective and clearly mark any sections where there might be some confusion. Obviously someone’s driveway won’t be confused with part of the course, but a …

TPW TV: Ray Roberts Lake State Park Bike Trails

This is Passport to Texas

(Audio)

Looking for a place for two wheeled fun in North Texas? Then make a beeline to Ray Roberts Lake State Park, 20 minutes NE of Denton.
05— From the beginner to the expert, any type of biking that you’d like to do – Ray Roberts Lake State Park has it.
Learn about all the park’s trails on the PBS Texas Parks and Wildlife TV Show; park superintendent, Gary Waller.
10—We have everything from single track mountain bike trails, to fairly wide concrete trails for walking and mountain biking and …

Proposed Road To Cut Through George Bush Park

Cycling Space City

Last night another cyclist told me that the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT)  has approved a road connecting Highland Knolls Dr. with Briar Forrest Dr.  This new major thoroughfare would cut right through the North section of George Bush Park and effectively kill off a green space area and a multi-use path used by thousands of joggers, walker, and cyclist every month.
I’m still trying to get more details but this article gives some info.  The proposal is part of the West Houston Mobility Plan (link to plan) from the Galveston-Houston Area Council (whatever the hell that is).  This plan was finalized December 18th with the expectation that TXDOT will approve it this month.  What that means for actually getting built, I have no idea.  This is a terrible plan.  There are already …

Suspect on bicycle attempts to evade police after string of burglaries

by Grayson Edds        www.connectamarillo.com

AMARILLO, TEXAS — A man attempted to evade police by bicycle and on foot after police began investigating a string of early morning home burglaries.
Today, at 6:37 a.m., officers responded to a burglary alarm at a home in the 1900 block of S. Virginia. No one was in the home at the time. At about 6:46 a.m., responding officers saw a man on a bicycle, riding away from the area, and tried to make contact with him. He fled and officers lost sight of him.
Officers continued to search the area. At about 6:58 a.m., officers found a bag taken in the …

Scott recalls some Vanish Evo helmets because they don’t meet impact standard

by BRAIN Staff        www.bicycleretailer.com


SALT LAKE CITY (BRAIN) — Scott USA is recalling about 1,450 Vanish Evo bike helmets because they do not meet the CPSC’s impact requirements.
The relevant helmets came in three colors and were sold between July and December last year for about $200. Consumers are being told to not use the helmets and to return them to a Scott dealer for a …

Boy riding bicycle struck by SUV in Fort Bend County

By Alexander Supgul, Senior Digital Platforms Producer        www.myfoxhouston.com


SUGAR LAND, Texas (FOX 26) –
A child has been taken by Life Flight medical helicopter to Memorial Hermann Hospital after he was stuck by a sport utility vehicle as he rode a bicycle in Fort Bend County.
Deputies are …

Musashi

HubZone37        West Texas Recumbent

I have 940 miles on the Strada since November 1st. and have not ridden anything else. The Strada is fast but it is heavier and slower to take off from stops and by the time you have to reach the point between rolling speed and aerodynamic speed its time to stop again so in town commuting you are not that fast.
The Musashi being 1/3rd the weight its like a bullet on take off’s, smoother rolling but …

http://www.meetup.com/HoustonCyclingClub/events/220501188/?a=ea2_grp&rv=ea2&_af_eid=220501188&_af=event

http://www.meetup.com/HoustonCyclingClub/events/219562825/?a=ea2_grp&rv=ea2&_af_eid=219562825&_af=event

Memorial to Downtown Market Square Houston and Back MTB Guided Tour

Saturday, Mar 28, 2015, 9:00 AM

Memorial Park
N Picnic Ln Houston, TX

11 cyclists Went

“Memorial to Downtown Market Square Houston and Back MTB Guided Tour”If you’re wondering what to do about that Mountain or Hybrid Bicycle hanging up in the garage, Come out and enjoy the scenic routes to downtown Houston Market Area from Memorial Park.This bike tour will pass through some of our most fascinating and historic places with lush and …

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It’s My Park Day | Walnut Creek Trail Maintainence

Saturday, Mar 7, 2015, 9:00 AM

Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
12138 North Lamar Boulevard Austin, TX

9 Mountain Bikers Went

Details & RSVP here to get your T-Shirt size, etc.  :http://www.austinparks.org/multi-project-list.html?eventid=861&pid=bccfb20db22e6320&action=selectprojectIt’s My Park Day | Walnut Creek Trail MaintainenceMEET AT Pool Parking LotGet to know this amazing park by spending some time lending a hand! This park has so much to offer. We will be do…

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New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets

https://twitter.com/haileerochelle/status/566307373745061888

https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/566251981220896768

Event Reminders

Two Goal Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Today’s ride had two goals: register for tomorrow’s Humble Lions Club ride at Bike Werks in Kingwood and get my leg muscles warmed up for tomorrow’s ride. It was a little chilly and since I was staying in Kingwood I rode my Motobecane 700HT MTB. I rode 13.08 miles which is the long way to Bike Werks. I didn’t ride yesterday and it was important to get some miles in to be sure I had recovered from the soreness I had after Tuesday and Wednesday.

The temperature hovered in the low 60’s today delaying any thought of a longer road bike ride.

Pushing the pedals on my MTB has a very different feel from my road bike. It probably is a result of the weight of the bike (I guess twice as heavy as my road bike), wide tires, and lower gears. I pedal around the same cadence but the effort seems to be higher with less results. One thing I miss on the MTB is a variety of hand positions. I have two positions with the bar extensions while the road bike has 4 or 5.

I tried to register earlier today when I was out but no one from the Lions Club was at Bike Werks. I called first and they said they would be there until 7 PM. Even with a late start (2:46 PM) I had plenty of time. I had to think of a good route to avoid Kingwood HS when they let out at 2:45 and the following traffic that takes 30 minutes to thin out. My timing was good and the HS traffic was gone by the time I rode by on Kingwood Drive. I asked the lady at the registration how many riders they expected and she said about 1,000. That is a good turnout. I will get there around 7:15 to pickup a T-shirt, map and take some pictures. She said there will be breakfast (I will eat at home but check out what is there) and fryed turkey after the ride. I plan on riding the 51 mile route (longest one). The weather should start out cold (high 40’s) and get up to 70 or more with a clear sky.

Mileage standings:

  • 112.04 miles this week
  • 215.92 miles for February
  • 357.43 miles year to date

RideWithGPS map, metrics and charts.

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