Texas Bicycling News Digest November 3rd

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Brownsville Community Foundation announces $95,000 in grants

BY STEVE CLARK | STAFF WRITER        www.brownsvilleherald.com


Seven non-profit organizations got a boost Thursday as the Brownsville Community Foundation presented $95,000 in grants to various non-profit community groups.
Representatives from each organization took turns having their picture taken with BCF officials and oversized checks.
Mary Lou Ryan Ray, BCF board president, called it a “great day” while admitting it wasn’t easy choosing among the numerous grant applications submitted.
“It was very difficult to pick,” she said. “We had such a hard time picking that we exceeded our budget. We just couldn’t say no.”
Grants were awarded to: Bishop Enrique San Pedro Ozanam Center and Good Neighbor Settlement House, $20,000 for a collaborative effort to transport homeless to and from the Ozanam after-hours shelter on the outskirts of town; Ex-Students Association of the University of Texas and Rio Grande Valley Scholars Program, $10,000 for…

Childress, TX to Comanche, OK – Part three of crossing west Texas

By Dirk Anderson        www.crazyguyonabike.com

Mostly rode on the shoulder of US287. Used to be a 4 lane no shoulder busy highway, but several years ago it was turned into a 4 lane divided highway with good wide shoulders. Similar to an interstate but still has small roads coming into and crossing it. Mostly a good ride, but one stretch of crummy chip seal. In towns it goes back to the 4 lane no shoulders so I would find a parallel side street to ride on. Moving ESE with a south wind, so a slight headwind.
Rode through the town of Quanha, named for Quanha Parker. Here is what Wikipedia has to say on him:
“Quanah Parker (Comanche kwana “smell, odor”) (ca. 1845 or 1852 – February 23, 1911) was Comanche/English-American from the Comanche band Quahadi (“Antelope-eaters”), strictly related also to the Nokoni band (“Wanderers” or “Travellers”), his mother’s people, and emerged as a dominant figure, particularly after the Comanches’ final defeat. He was one of the last Comanche chiefs. The US appointed Quanah principal chief of the entire nation once the people had gathered on the reservation and later introduced general elections. Quanah was a Comanche chief, a leader in the Native American Church, and the last leader of the powerful Quahadi band before they surrendered their battle of the Great Plains and went to a reservation in Indian Territory. He was the son of Comanche chief Peta Nocona and…

 

GO for a Mountain Bike Ride

Sunday, Nov 9, 2014, 8:00 AM

Meyer Park
Cypresswood Dr. Spring, TX

2 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

Check out this Meetup →

Central-Eastside Ride

Sunday, Nov 9, 2014, 8:00 AM

Bowie Highschool
801 South San Marcial Street El Paso, TX

11 Cyclists Went

Meet at Bowie HS parking lot, 801 S. San Marcial. Ride through Downtown, over Scenic Drive and Central/Eastside roads. Jim Weaver,[masked]

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Memorial Park Conservancy

GHORBA.org


Mark your calendars for the next three Public Update Meetings! Nov. 10, Jan. 12 and March 9! Each starts at 6:30pm.

Purchased a Strada Velo

by hubzone37        westtexasrecumbent.com

Found a 2014 Carbon Bluevelo Strada on Bent Rider Online and drove to Joplin and picked it up.

I have always wanted a velomobile and in August after I rode Dan’s the fever was on. Now velos are expensive with a long waiting list of 6 to 8 months to order one. So in order to afford one I would place advertisement on it but I still needed to purchase one, Utah Trikes sell a plastic Trisled Rotovelo and they are in stock and half the price of a Bluevelo.  I had talked to Steve of San Antonio Bike Tours and he had a Rotovelo for sale and I could come test drive it and I had contacted Velomobile USA in Midland to come visit him. I had told my…

School bus driver charged in bicyclist’s death was headed to YES Prep

By Rebecca Elliott        www.chron.com

The school bus driver charged after the death of a bicyclist in southeast Houston was driving for YES Prep, a Houston-based public charter school system, a school spokeswoman said.
Three weeks ago, Phyllis Ann Booker, 54, was on her way to pick up students who attend YES Prep Southeast when she allegedly hit and killed a bicyclist, YES Prep’s communications and marketing director Trisha Cornwell said Monday.
No students were on board at the time of the incident, which occurred about 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 15.
Failure to render aid
Booker was driving for First Student, a…

November Newsletter Published

Dallas Area Tandem Enthusiasts

The November edition of the DATES-Line Newsletter is published and available for download from the newsletters page. This month’s edition includes the following:
Upcoming Rides
DATES Gunter Fall Ramble
DATES Annual Christmas Lights Ride
Upcoming DATES Meetings
Taste of White Rock
Ride Reports
Robson Ranch Ramble Ride
Gateway to Texas Tandem Tour
DATES Halloween Ride
Taste of White Rock
DATES Rides & Activities

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets

https://twitter.com/bicyclesplus/status/529337975130558464

https://twitter.com/HoustonBcycle/status/529323674516484096

Event Reminders

A Tailwind Followed by A Headwind

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Saturday and Sunday weather gave me a reason not to ride with Saturday’s high in the low 60’s and Sunday morning the low was 41. Later in the day it warmed up to 70 but by then I had a church meeting to attend. Today the weather was much better with 76 degrees. I was on the road at 12:08 under mostly cloudy skies. I wore a long sleeve jersey in case the 12 mph SE wind was chilly. It turned out to be a good choice not because the wind was that cool but the sky got cloudier as the ride progressed.

I went north on the “New Caney – Gene Campbell Road” route so I could vary the ride and take advantage of the SE wind. The wind was favorable helping me get my average speed up to 16.1 mph at the Gene Campbell Road and FM1314 intersection 20.2 miles into what ended up being a 36.55 mile long ride. I figured the wind would be in my face once I turned left onto FM1314 heading to Porter. I was able to keep my average at 16.0 mph for a couple of miles but the wind took its toll and it started to slowly fall. While I was waiting for the traffic light to change another biker rode by heading NW with the wind pushing him. We waved at each other.

A rest stop at Stripes on FM1314 helped me to get some energy back before riding the 11 miles home. While I was at Stripes I watched the large US flag stand straight out all the time I was there. Even sitting in the sun the strong wind felt cool and my jersey dried out. I didn’t want to stay too long at the Stripes store because of the two schools in Briar Tree would be getting out at 2:45. I left Stripes at 2:14 and made it past the schools without any problem. When I got home I looked at the weather and saw the wind had increased to 20 mph from the SE. No wonder pedaling was so hard.

It was good I took the rest at Stripes with the wind battling me all the way home from there. I was slowed enough to change my route back into Kingwood to avoid the school in Kings Manor and the dismissal traffic. To not lose some mileage I added a short semicircle on Kingwood Place Drive. There was one more school to get past in Bear Branch Village and I got there before they let out though a few cars were lined up.

With two days off I wanted to get a ride in before the rain arrives on Wednesday. Our daughter and son-in-law are visiting and I want to spend time with them before they leave on Wednesday.

Today’s miles is both the week to date and November to date numbers. Year to date I biked 6208 miles. 292 miles to reach the goal for the year, 6500 miles.

Garmin Connect and RideWithGPS metrics, charts and maps. Click on an image to enlarge it.

Ride Route – Google Earth
Today’s Ride Metrics
Home Weather End of Ride
List of Rides YTD on the same route
Week to Date
Year to Date

Texas Bicycle News Digest November 2nd

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center Mountain Bike Ride

North Texas Mountain Bike Patrol

November 23, 2014
Beginner Ride Starts: 10:00 AM
Advanced Ride Starts: 2:00 PM
2299 County Road 2008, Glen Rose, TX  76043
(254) 897-2960

Harry Hines Trail Building Project

North Texas Mountain Bike Patrol

Members of the NTMBP are currently working with Groundwork Dallas designing and building a new trail at a small park located on Harry Hines Blvd in Dallas.  If you would like to help with this project contact: Rick Buckley at buckley58@hotmail.com for the work schedule and location.
We work most Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Trail building tools are provided

Wall divides landowners

By Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe    Staff Writer        www.dentonrc.com


HICKORY CREEK — Not all of the land being cleared for the new, wider Interstate 35E is firmly in the state’s grip.
The Texas Department of Transportation bought many properties along the corridor between Interstate 635 and U.S. Highway 380 before construction began. One year into construction, the state is still in court with some landowners. One set of Hickory Creek condemnation cases pivot on the state’s plans for a 12-foot sound wall and a bicycle-pedestrian path to be built on the west side of the highway near the Lewisville Lake bridge.
Federal, state and local governments have the power to condemn property for public uses, such as the widening of a highway. In Texas, the state constitution…

Go for an easy beginner ride

Saturday, Nov 8, 2014, 9:00 AM

Performance Bicycle
7549 Westheimer Rd Houston, TX

3 Cycling Enthusiasts Went

You’re invited to join our Saturday morning, beginners group ride starting from and ending at our W. Houston, Performance Bicycle store. The ride is for beginners and those getting back on the saddle. The average pace will be between 10 and 14 miles per hour and the ride will last approximately one hour. We’ll explore some of the local bike paths a…

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What: Walnut Creek Workday

Saturday, Nov 8, 2014, 9:00 AM

Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
12138 North Lamar Boulevard Austin, TX

5 Mountain Bikers Went

What:  Walnut Creek WorkdayWhen:  Saturday, November 8th from 9:00AM to 11:00AMWhere:  meet in the pool parking lotWhat will we be doing:  This will be in combination with the APF education series,  we will be working several portions of the trail by doing some heavy trimming along sections of the creek.  You will need to bring gloves, long pant…

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Saturday Beginner Ride

Saturday, Nov 8, 2014, 9:00 AM

Performance Bicycle
4750 Fm 1960 Rd W Houston, TX

1 Bicycle Enthusiasts Went

Leaves from the store to Cypresswood, Cypress wood to TC Jester going north an then back.Please bring a helmet, spare tube, waterbottle, positive attitude 🙂

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Cloudcroft Rendezvous

Saturday, Nov 8, 2014, 8:30 AM

Starbucks
4535 Woodrow Bean Trans Mtn (at US 54) Northeast El Paso, TX

2 Cyclists Went

Meet at the Starbucks in NE EP (4535 Woodrow Bean at US 54) to caravan to Cloudcroft and tackle the Sunspot Highway. Start at Sunspot & Russia Canyon. Afterwards head to Shelly’s place at 25 Mamaw for refreshments. Non-riders welcome. Shelly Mansfield,[masked]

Check out this Meetup →

Spooky Cross | Dallas, Texas | Nov 1, 2014 Results

texasbikeracing.com

Spooky Cross • Day 1
M 1/2
Chris Drummond, Bike Lab
Dylan Postier, Evoke
Chris Carlson, Matrix / RBM
Matthew Davis, Colonel’s / ShoAir
Michael Kincaid, Colonel’s / ShoAir
Craig Virr, Trek Cyclocross Collective
Steve Dodge, Dallas Bike Works
Matt Gosling, Team Party Time
M 3/4 (top 10)
Ethan Storm, DBW
Chris Wright, Cadence
Bobby Etheridge
Hugo Scala, Jesuit Dallas
Toby Smith, DBW
Mark Rawlings, GS Tenzing
Cassidy Keeland, TYC
Pete Ridilla, Transitions LifeCare
John Larson, DBW
Jason Cameron, FCS Cycling…

Recruiting New Riders

Bike Noob

For some time, several of us in the club have been conducting “B”-level rides. That is, we’re not as fast as most of the folks who show up for the Sunday club ride, and it’s no fun being left behind.
Trouble is, we have a very small B group. Most often, the only ones to show up for the B ride are my pal Maggie and me. So Maggie got an idea: Why not schedule a “beginner” ride for people who we know are reading the club emails on our Yahoo group, but who for whatever reason don’t come out to rid with us?
She did one a month ago, and got my wife and one other person to join her. We haven’t seen or heard from the other person since. But not one to be deterred, Maggie posted another “beginner” ride for…

HBC Ride Schedule

Houston Bicycle Club

Saturday 11/08/14 Hempstead Melon Trail 8:00am Ronald & Lilette Britsch r.britsch@icloud.com 832-288-2637
Saturday 11/15/14 Columbus – Weimar Loops 8:00am Ronald & Lilette Britsch r.britsch@icloud.com 832-288-2637
Sunday 11/16/14 Urban Challenge Ride 9:00 a.m. Dan Lyons danjoe@aol.com
Saturday 11/22/14 Sealy West 8:00am Ronald & Lilette Britsch r.britsch@icloud.com 832-288-2637
Saturday 11/29/14 Brenham 8:00am Ronald & Lilette Britsch r.britsch@icloud.com 832-288-2637
Saturday 12/06/14 Pattison – Hempstead 8:00am Ronald & Lilette Britsch r.britsch@icloud.com 832-288-2637

 

Jury to decide fate of Lufkin woman in hit-and-run fatality

By RHONDA OAKS/The Lufkin News

Mireles has confessed to hitting man on bicycle late Christmas night
A jury will decide the fate of a Lufkin woman this week for her role in the death of a bicyclist on Christmas Day last year.
Subscription Required

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets

https://twitter.com/rolandsanmiguel/status/528982185521733632

https://twitter.com/danielcurtin/status/528958372372942848

Event Reminders

Texas Bicycling News Digest November 1st

Texbiker.net Posted on by

There is no age, altitude limit for cyclists

by Bill Cullins        www.gosanangelo.com

It takes a special kind of cyclist to enjoy pedaling for a week through Colorado’s high country, with each day’s ride being 60-100 miles over routes that include long leg-burning climbs up steep mountain roads.
Lynette Havens, a longtime friend and former faculty colleague at Aims College in Greeley, Colorado, is one of those special cyclists.
She’s the perfect role model for anyone who wants to challenge themselves with a lofty cycling goal and then work hard to accomplish that goal while overcoming any obstacles that might arise.
Havens has completed the week-long Ride the Rockies bike tour twice (2008 and 2012) and has also ridden numerous…

2014 Enchilada Buffet – Austin Mountain Biking

Turnin’ Cranks

Trick It Up Bike Ride, Farmersville, TX Photos

www.bicycle-stuff.com

Corinth Cycling


Roland San Miguel prior to the start of the Race Across Texas this morning

Spinistry


Relay leaders Doggett Crixell

Lubbock to Plainview, TX

By Dirk Anderson        www.crazyguyonabike.com

Wolfforth to almost Shallowater: A head start
Thursday September 25, 2014, 10 miles (16 km) – Total so far: 10 miles (16 km)
This is, once again, a section of my cross USA bike ride, picking up where I last left off near Lubbock. In this case, the plan was to ride from Lubbock to Comanche, OK, but I overestimated what I was in condition for, so a middle section was cut out and left to be completed on another trip. So, I here have Lubbock to Plainview. I will then write up the Childress to Comanche section, and next year go back and complete the Plainview to Childress section and write it up. Got that?
Also, this is, once again, a solo supported trip, meaning my wife is along with the car and we meet at beginning and ends, and we have cell phones, but she does not follow along. We stay in motels.
We drove from Dallas to Lubbock on 9/25. Actually, we stayed at the same motel in Wolfforth, just to the southwest of Lubbock, that the last west Texas section left…

Spoke&Word #8 is Out

BikeHouston.org


BikeHouston presents its latest issue of the monthly newsletter Spoke&Word, with stories about the Ramble, our newest staff member and more. If you want to…

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets

https://twitter.com/Tyson_Haus/status/528674668677722113

https://twitter.com/danielcurtin/status/528674045345423360

https://twitter.com/lukemysse/status/528653285201575937

https://twitter.com/joeyTWOwheels/status/528648116996960256

https://twitter.com/txbikeracing/status/528633090001100800

Event Reminder