Texas Bicycling News Digest November 12th

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Tucumcari motel is end point for 900-mile bike ride

By Steve Hansen, QCS Managing Editor        www.qcsunonline.com


Tucumcari’s Roadrunner Inn put out a big welcome sign, but still, it seemed a modest ending point for some monumental achievements.
Cyclists in the Ride Across Texas trickled in starting Friday to the Roadrunner Inn’s parking lot.  Tired, mud-streaked and proud, they cranked the pedals for that last mile down Route 66 after a week and 900 miles of marathon rides, rain, mud, 40-mile-an-hour headwinds and lots of “gravel grinding.”
As many as 30 riders may have ridden past the Roadrunner Inn sign and dismounted for the last time for the journey.  No one really counted.
The catch in the Ride Across Texas, labeled as an endurance event, was that it was designed to avoid paved roads as much as possible.  The riders started on Nov. 1 in Texarkana, Arkansas, then …

Taft Boy’s Letter Makes Big Impact on Wounded Vets

www.kristv.com


TAFT, TEXAS – In honor of Veterans Day, a group of vets, active duty military members, wounded heroes, and friends completed a 586 mile ride across the state of Texas.
The Warriors on Wheels took part in Ride Texas, a ride that began in Wichita Falls on Nov. 5 and traveled all the way to Corpus Christi on Nov. 11. The ride is an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for Operation Comfort, which assists Texas members of the United States Armed Forces.
The bike ride came to an end with a welcome party at Brewster Street Ice House in Corpus Christi Tuesday afternoon but before the riders arrived, they made a pit stop in Taft, Texas.
Taft ISD students lined up alongside Highway 181 to greet the veterans as …

Gnargasm and Gum Drop, if you ride Deception (Brushy Creek) you need to hit these…

by hunrugger        forums.mtbr.com

(3 videos plus comments)
West of Olsen Meadows, east of the dam, south of the creek. Not hard to find. Enjoy, but be mindful on Gnargasm, some exposure and very high penalty for failure.

Race Preview – Colonel’s Double Cross – 11.15-16.14

by joeyTWOwheels         texascx.com

No matter if we’re racing levees in Trinity Park or Gateway, or we find ourselves with the even steeper offerings just north in Ft Worth, you can be guaranteed incline pain.
Solid prizes and a huge note and reminder that we race in Texas – always run sealant.
Let’s talk to race director, Art Exum, about his perennial fan favorite course, and how it differs this year.
Trail Driver’s Park was on the schedule for Escalera Loca in 2011, a great venue in a “bowl” of a park. Tell us how you’ll use the terrain?
The terrain of this park is like a magical gift from the gods to a course designer.  The steepness of the grades will make for an incredibly fitness-intensive course without any effort from the designer. My job will to …

Texas Cup Action — Georgetown Cyclocross Festival

txbra.org


Brett Kinsey, Bicycle Sport Shop, enjoying the day at G’town!
Photo courtesy of Carla Jennings.

Special B/I/G Ride Event and Vegan Cooking Class

visitelpaso.com

November 23, 2014
10:00 AM
1060 Doniphan Park Circle #F, El Paso, TX 79922
Venue:    Reliance Outdoor Supply
Admission:     $5.00 donation request for cooking class; bike ride is free …

Construction work on Austin bike bridge delayed

The Associated Press        www.thenewstribune.com

AUSTIN, Texas — Construction on Austin’s planned bridge for cyclists spanning Barton Creek has been delayed a few months for a redesign.
The nearly $11 million, two-phase project began early this year with tree clearing near the creek and construction of some bike lanes, the Austin American-Statesman (http://bit.ly/1yyHD4C ) reported.
The first construction phase, over the creek, has been postponed because engineers want to redesign underground structures that would support the planned 14-foot-wide, 1,045-foot-long bridge.
Austin officials and engineers with the state’s transportation department say the problem is that limestone bedrock turned out to be farther underground than thought. Tests done beforehand had …

Palm 2 Palm Cross-Country Cycle Tour stops in Lufkin

By MEGAN WHITWORTH/The Lufkin News


Cancer survivor Brent Hayes rode into Lufkin on Monday with the 2014 Palm 2 Palm Cross-Country Cycle Tour. Hayes is riding for The Paley Foundation, bringing awareness to the organization known for “saving limbs and changing lives.”
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Oncor Cycling Team is Largest at North Texas Bicycle Rally, Breaks Own Record

By: Kris Spears        thewire.oncor.com


The Oncor Cycling Team’s inaugural ride in the North Texas Bicycle Rally brought out the largest team at this year’s ride hosted by North Texas Children’s Charities. The all-employee team donned new jerseys and also broke its own record with 28 riders at a single event. The rally is the primary fundraising event for NTCC. One hundred percent of all entry fees and donations are distributed to local and national charities that provide care and support for …

2014 BE KIND Fall Classic Ride

www.bekindtocyclists.org

Enjoy the beautiful rolling hills Northwest of Austin in this ride for all abilities. The ride is fully supported, offers 30 mile and 60 mile routes and finishes with a BBQ and some local beer. All proceeds will benefit Please BE KIND to Cyclists.
Location: Ben Brook Ranch Park, Leander
Date: November 15th, 2014   -   Time: 9am

Rave Preview – CX7s – 11.15-16.14

by joeyTWOwheels        texascx.com

There’s a new USAC race in Texas, CX7s in Austin.
It’s the second of three weekends in the ATXCXCup, and we spoke with Dan Carroll and Tina Thomas of High Five Events about the upcoming weekend.
How did your new race come about?
CX7s came from the idea of growing the cyclocross community in Austin. Having the event here was really important to us as we didn’t want people to have to travel far in order to race and spectate, and to help those who want to get into the sport for the first time.
One of the most important parts of the community is supporting the youth and giving them an opportunity to participate and grow their love of cyclocross. We are working …

Cycling Legend Mario Cipollini Visits The Woodlands

by Alan Charley        woodlandscycling.org


Italian cyclist Mario Cipollini came to The Woodlands this week, and Members of The Woodlands Cycling Club and other local enthusiasts were on hand to meet and greet the “Lion King”.
The accomplishments of this cycling legend are simply amazing.
Cipollini was the 2002 World Road Race Champion, was victorious in …

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets

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Event Reminder

Texas Bicycling News Digest November 11th

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An American Hero and a Bicycle

By Anne Clarrissimeaux        texasbikeracing.com


Dallas cyclist Kevin Campagna is on an epic ride to help veterans.
It was a desolate, 60-mile dusty road in the middle of nowhere that signified the end of this journey for him. No one was yet in sight, there would be no finish line, no pomp and circumstance, nothing to signify this life accomplishment he’d just concluded. The feelings along this lonely finishing stretch of the U.S. border-to-border bicycle race known as the Tour Divide was similar to one that Dallas cyclist Kevin Campagna felt when he finished his service with the U.S. Marine Corps. In ways, the bicycle race mirrored the magnitude of his time in the military, save for two distinctly different outcomes:
When Kevin left the Marine Corps and the dusty landscape of the Middle East, little did he realize that his path ahead was a circuitous and often treacherous one that would include battling…

http://www.meetup.com/HoustonCyclingClub/events/218615436/?a=ea2_grp&rv=ea2&_af_eid=218615436&_af=event

Critical Mass Houston

Friday, Nov 28, 2014, 7:00 PM

Market Square Park
301 Milam Street Houston, TX

15 cyclists Went

Houston CriticalMass @HoustonCMThe Houston Critical Mass is a bicycling event held on the last Friday of every month. We meet up at Market Square Park in downtown Houston around 7pm.criticalmasshouston.comalso:Critical Mass Houston is a casual bike ride starting from downtown Houston and going wherever. Cars rule the road every day, but one day…

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Tour de Cypresswood Saturday Ride

Saturday, Nov 15, 2014, 9:00 AM

Cypresswood Bike Path
1/2 Block East of Cypress Wood Crossing Blvd. Cypress, TX

4 cyclists Went

Tour de Cypresswood Saturday RideCome out and enjoy the trails of Cypresswood with us.Something to think about:• ” First of all, do not hang your bike up on hooks out of reach. This will make it difficult to take down and maybe an excuse not to ride’.• Second, ” Have your gear in a easy to carry tub or container in your car”.• Third, ” Use a v…

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Moutain Bike Rides?

Friday, Nov 14, 2014, 7:00 PM

No location yet.

2 cyclists Went

You didn’t get enough Mountain Bike training with Tommy? He rides and teaches outside of Houston Cycling Club. Please contact Tommy directly via email if you want to schedule a ride.What does the class cover?• Fundamental Riding• Gear Change / Position• Breaking• Hill Climb• Obstacles• Weight Distribution• Safety• Clothing• GearEmail @ …

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http://www.meetup.com/HoustonCyclingClub/events/218617508/?a=ea1_grp&rv=ea1&_af_eid=218617508&_af=event

CANCELED DUE TO SERVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS Harker Heights ,TX Dana Peak Park

Friday, Nov 21, 2014, 2:30 PM

Dana Peak Park Trail
3800 Comanche Gap Rd, 76548 Harker Heights, TX

4 cyclists Went

Harker Heights ,TX at Dana Peak Park, around peaks 8.9mi, long 20.9mi,1,800 ft. -1700 ft elevation (ft) 665 Average temp for that weekend is Hi 66 F, Lo 42 Record H 83 L 26 F Dana Peak Trail – This trail is located on Dana Peak Road before the main entrance to the park. This trail is designed for hiking, biking or equestrian use. Camping is NOT all…

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2014 Race Across Texas

Spinistry

Earlier in the year a great guy from the Dallas area named Kevin Lee agreed with other inspiring individuals to create a route across Texas that included as many back country dirt, gravel, and bike trail systems as possible and organize a ride called the “Race Across Texas”. The ride would take 8 days starting in Texarkana, AK and finishing in Tucumcari, NM. …

Texas Top 40, No. 12 Brazos Bend State Park

texashighways.com

Less than an hour southwest of Houston, the hardwood forests and alligator-rich waterways of Brazos Bend State Park create a welcome respite from big-city hustle and bustle.
Popular activities here include hiking, biking, and fishing in the park’s six lakes. (When you spy the abundant gators, you’ll understand why the park doesn’t allow swimming.) On Saturdays from 3-10 p.m., visitors can explore the skies (and stars!) at the park’s George Observatory—a satellite of the …

Bike sharing comes to downtown Dallas, but it’s a bit of a tease

By Alex Bentley        dallas.culturemap.com


Public bike sharing is currently a reality in Fort Worth and is on the verge of happening at Fair Park, but right now it’s a pie-in-the-sky idea for Dallas at large. That’s why it was a surprise to see a bike sharing stand pop up outside of the 2100 Ross building in downtown Dallas recently.
However, even though the sign next to the bikes entices with the line, “Need a bike? Borrow ours!,” the bikes are only available to the employees of Lockton Companies, a global insurance brokerage firm that prides itself on having happy …

Conservancy group seeks greenway trail funding

By Lindsay Peyton        www.chron.com


The Bayou Land Conservancy is looking for some help getting a project off the ground – and asking The Woodlands Township for an additional $30,000 in funding needed to construct an 11-mile off-road, hike and bike trail.
Jennifer Lorenz, executive director of the Bayou Land Conservancy, presented a request to the Township’s board in October.
The Township’s board of directors voted to table the request until it could obtain more information.
The board had previously approved an allocation of $25,000 in the 2014 budget to match a portion of …

Upcoming Rides

Houston Bicycle Club

When: Saturday 12/13/14 at  5:30 PMHermann Park Rose Garden Christmas Lights Ride! Ride through Houston neighborhoods with good decorations. We’ll stop somewhere for a light meal on the way back. Come with good lights, charged batteries and reflective clothes! Decorations encouraged.

Tweets

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Texas Bicycling News Digest November 10th

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Police: DWI suspect “almost killed” officers on bicycle patrol

by Action 4 News Staff        www.valleycentral.com

Officers on bicycle patrol were “almost killed” by a driver who was allegedly driving while under the influence.
McAllen Police Department was patrolling the downtown area of 17th Street on Halloween night when they heard tires screeching.
They then responded to the area, when they saw a driver of a 2014 Red Chevrolet “digging out”.
That’s when Neil Garza allegedly looked at the officer and then accelerated towards the officer in …

GO for a Mountain Bike Ride

Sunday, Nov 16, 2014, 8:00 AM

Meyer Park
Cypresswood Dr. Spring, TX

3 Bicycle Enthusiasts Went

Join us every Sunday at Meyer Park for a 1hour and a half (approx) ride for beginners and intermediate riders.Ride is 10 milesWe will be on the Cypresswood TrailAny questions please call us at the store:[masked]Bring a helmet, water bottle, spare tube and a positive attitude

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Bayou trails? Nice. Bayou loops? Way better.

By Andrea White        www.houstonchronicle.com

Good idea: Link the two sides of the bayous

Idea guy: John Haba, studio director at the design firm Gensler.
Idea: Hike-and-bike trails next to bayous are nice. But multi-purpose loops around our bayou system, with few stoplights or traffic crossings, would be even better.
Where the idea came from: As a cyclist and runner, Haba has logged 15,000 miles on the Buffalo Bayou bike trail alone. He doesn’t like cycling on the street. It’s not a fair fight: “Cars are huge, averaging 4,000 pounds. My bike and I are in the neighborhood of 175 pounds. The math is against me.”
He’s never been involved in an accident, he says, but “I’ve had enough …

Road Ride to Recovery

Sunday, Dec 7, 2014, 9:00 AM

AJ’s Cyclery
10019 W. Parmer Lane Austin, TX

11 Mountain Bikers Went

Please help pass the word, AJ’s Cyclery will be sponsoring a road ride to help raise money for a member of our mountain bike team, Justin Stoker. Last month Justin crashed and broke his shoulder socket, requiring 2 surgeries.We are offering a 55 and 22 mile road route out of the Parmer location and a 25 mile route out of the Georgetown location. …

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Westside Hills

Sunday, Nov 16, 2014, 8:00 AM

The Bagel Shop
985 N Resler El Paso, TX

1 Cyclists Went

Meet at The Bagel Shop, 985 N. Resler. Climb 3,000 feet on 30-mile ride up and down the West Side. Olac Fuentes,[masked]

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Veteran’s Day ‘RIDE TEXAS’ to Assist Military Families in Need Cycling Marathon to Challenge Riders Nearly 600 Miles in 6 Days

KSAB-FM

In honor of Veteran’s Day, Wish for Our Heroes is pleased to announce the 4th annual RIDE TEXAS, which has become a 6-day, 586-mile cycling endurance event, that raises funds for Texas members of the United States Armed Forces.
The ride will began November 5th in Wichita Falls, and will conclude on Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11) in Corpus Christi at Brewster St. Ice House in Corpus Christi (ETA 4-4:30pm). A total of 24 riders will cycle an average of 7 hours per day as a team, at a rate of 15-20 mph for more nearly 600 miles. The team will consist of veterans, combat-wounded heroes, and everyday citizens who want to give back to our troops.
We invite you to join us on Tuesday, November 11th – Veteran’s Day – at Brewster Street Icehouse- to …

All Level Ride @ Walnut Creek Spring/Summer hours

Sunday, Nov 16, 2014, 9:30 AM

Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
12138 North Lamar Boulevard Austin, TX

15 Mountain Bikers Went

New Spring/Summer hours to help when the weather gets warmer.  Starting 3/9 we go to 9:30 am.We know that this time change doesn’t work for everyone so we hope you considering hosting a ride for yourself and those who might want to ride at a different time or on a different day.You do NOT have to be a ARR member to attend most club riders. You wi…

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http://www.meetup.com/Make-Shift-Happen/events/218592284/

East Texas deputies keep honorable cause pedaling forward

by Michael Wesp Online Editor        www.ketknbc.com

Cooper, Texas (KETK) — Two deputies found themselves making a big difference in their small East Texas county over the weekend when they came across a struggling bicyclist.
Delta County Deputy Roque Villarreal said he and Deputy Marshall Lynch were on patrol Friday evening on FM 128 north of Cooper when they spotted a bicyclist. The man identified himself as Kevin Holzmacher. It appeared the man’s travel trailer hitch– carrying his dog — had broken.
What the deputies didn’t know is how their stopping to help would keep an honorable cause pedaling forward. Holzmacher is in the process of riding his bike from Long Island, New York to San Diego, California, to help promote the Wounded Warrior Project and the Michael J. Fox Foundation. The bicyclist is …

Cyclists ride across Texas for our veterans

news4sanantonio.com        (Video)

SAN ANTONIO – In honor of Veterans Day on Tuesday, 24 cyclists are riding across Texas to raise money for Texas military members.
“Wish For Our Heroes” rode from San Antonio to Beeville on Monday.
It was just one leg of the six-day, 586-mile cycling marathon.
Monday’s riders took off from the Whataburger on Southwest Military near Pleasanton Road.
They’ll complete the last leg of the marathon on Tuesday when they ride from Beeville to Corpus Christi.

Tweets

https://twitter.com/thejurgy/status/531965939638497280

https://twitter.com/txbikeracing/status/531843970167349248

https://twitter.com/FtWMntBikers/status/531810190082183168

https://twitter.com/danielcurtin/status/531780204231163904

Event Reminders

Motivated by the Weather Forecast to Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

After being a couch potato yesterday I was a motivated biker today especially after reading the weather forecast starting tomorrow (Tuesday). Today’s weather was a big draw to be outside. When I got up this morning the temperature was 46 but by the time I left home biking it was 77. The 31 degree move happened in 3 hours. I was out the driveway at 11:43 and back home at 3:02.

Tuesday between 9 AM and noon a cold front is supposed to move through the Houston area dropping the temperature for the rest of the week into the 50’s for highs and maybe the 30’s for the lows. Since I am a cold weather wimp this means today was probably my only shot at biking this week if I believe the weather forecast.

The big factor in today’s ride was the wind. When I started out it was from the SSW at 14 mph with 21 mph gusts. Whenever I got in an open area I could feel the wind trying to move me around. Deep dish rims do not help. By the time I got home it had changed to the south at 9 mph and 18 mph gusts.

I chose a longer route to take advantage of the sunny sky and warm temperature. I wore a long sleeve jersey just in case the wind was cool but it wasn’t that cool until I was riding west over Lake Houston. Sometimes I though I was overdressed except for going over Lake Houston. The “Stroker Road – Huffman” route has some places when I was the tallest thing around and the wind was both a hindrance and a helper. I rode 40.92 miles on this route. This is a mile longer than usual because I took some extra streets in Kingwood to add mileage. With the wind it 20 miles or more before I got my average speed to 15 mph. Once I got there I was able to keep it there and add a little to it. The turning point was when I turned off of FM2100 onto Stroker Road. This put the wind to my right until I reached Ramsey Road and turned left. On Ramsey Road I was able to ride at 20+ mph. My average speed increased to 15.3 mph until I started going west on Old Atascocita Road to FM2100. This was into the wind again. This is where I passed another biker going opposite of my direction.

Back on FM2100 I saw many signs put out to honor our veterans. They were on both sides of FM2100 for several miles. I am not sure who puts these out but each sign has a yellow ribbon and the veteran’s name. With the wind they were getting blown around a lot.

I stopped at the Huffman Chevron to rest my legs and eat some snacks and Gatorade. Sitting in the sun I was warmed while the wind blew. This was at 39.2 miles. My average speed was now 15.1 mph. After resting I got on FM1960 and headed west. The wind was determined to make me pay for every tenth of a mile and my legs were suffering. I was relieved when I got over Lake Houston and turned north on Atascocita Shores Drive. This put among houses and the wind kind of at my back. From that point it was about 8 miles to home. Weaving through Atascocita the wind tried to slow me down and sometimes it did. Going north on West Lake Houston Parkway helped me keep my speed up and I increased my average speed to 15.2 mph until 38.6 miles when I reached Kingwood Drive and the many stops and starts to get home.

This is the tenth time I rode this route this year. The ride comparison is in the slides below.

November miles are up to 92.9. Year to date stands at 6264 miles. 236 miles to reach my 6500 mile goal. With the weather the Spirit Ride in Livingston does not look good. Maybe the weather man is wrong.

Garmin Connect and RideWithGPS metrics, charts and maps.

Ride route- Google Earth
Today’s ride metrics
IAH Weather beginning of ride. Note the wind and temperature forecast
Home weather ride end
Rides on this route year to date
Week to date
November to date
Year to date rides