Fall weather has surprises. As I was getting ready to leave on the ride I noticed the wind. It was from the north at 14 mph with 22 mph gusts. Last night I thought about riding to the north but today I changed my mind and rode the “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route. While the wind was strong the clear blue sky was beautiful and the 77 degrees was about right. I wore a long sleeve jersey thinking the wind would be cool and the choice was a good one. I left home at 12:04 and returned at 2:45 just in front of the Kingwood High School dismissal and the traffic on Kingwood Drive that I have to cross. By the time I got home the wind had stepped up a notch to norht at 18 mph and 23 mph gusts. I could tell it whenever I tried to ride north and my legs would spin slower.
No other bikers spotted during the ride. The ride was 33.44 miles long. Average speed was as high as 15.5 mph. When I got to 31 miles I had to ride slower through Kingwood and the average speed settled at 15.4 mph.
In preparation for the ride I aired up the tires last night. The rear tire didn’t want to cooperate and I had to put the nut on the Presta valve stem to keep the tube high enough to get the air chuck on it. The ride today was firm with the 110+ PSI and the wheels moved smoothly over the concrete and asphalt.
As the last day October the next two months activity usually slows down with the cooler weather and sometime increase in rain. I ended up biking 640.1 miles in October. The year to date miles are at 6171. I will need to ride 329 miles by the end of the year to reach my 6500 mile goal. In the past I usually ride 200 miles each of the last two months. I am a weather wimp.
Timothy Dow Adams, born John Middleton Dow Adams, in Monterey, California on December 11, 1943, was killed October 25 car while on a bicycle ride in the country near his Florence home. His parents, Colonel Lorenzo Dow Adams and April Amis Adams, preceded him in death as did his younger brother, Christopher Amis Adams, and his beloved parents-in-law, Paul and Edna Galloway.
Tim once said that everything he loved started with the letter B: blues, bar-b-que, basketball, and bicycling. When his wife questioned this line-up, he quickly added: Oh,, my Baby!. He looked untouched in death for which we are grateful; only a bruise on his forehead told of his end. He was such a smart man, and so funny, and for a natural loner he had many friends who valued his intellect, enjoyed his humor, and cherished his ability to make memories.
As an Army brat he moved often living in California, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia, Texas, Tokyo, and Ankara among others. For each post there was a story, an adventure, a memory. Moving to Fort Hood was…
Bike Ride
Monday, Nov 3, 2014, 9:30 AM
Katy Family YMCA 22807 Westheimer Pkwy Katy, TX
1 Katy bicyclist fun riders Went
I’m a member of the Y, I may be inside taking a class, until 9:30. If you need to get a hold of me, you can leave mea message, on my cell-[masked].I’ve had a couple people ask me to schedule a day ride. I hope you can make it!
We started off in a mass, with almost 130 riders hitting the trail at the same time While the snake wound its way through the trails it was a bit eerie to see so many riders at once as well as so much light on the trail. Somehow I ended up in the fast group, which was both a blessing and a curse. The best comment of the day started early when we got to the main creek crossing and the rocks forced everyone to dismount and walk a short distance. “We’ve hardly started the ride and we’re already walking Walnut Creek …â€
We hit the streets and started heading for Shoal Creek as a mass of bikes. The lights allowed us to regroup slightly, so the pack was tight and moving quickly. When we got down below 2222 I saw the group from Big Pig racing all on singlespeeds. They were spinning like crazy trying to keep up with a group that was moving at 15-20 MPH. When we got to the greenbelt, the first bottleneck occurred. Everyone was trying to hit the stairs and the smart people realized there were several ways down. I followed a group of…
The Enchilada Buffet is the most grueling ride in all of Austin. It encompasses 5 of the most popular local trails and all of the connecting roads between them. I specifically waited until after I finished the ride to share this list. I have mainly accumulated this knowledge from other riders, but wanted to make sure that it was really applicable first. This is targeted at first timers who are not sure what to expect. With the right mindset and some effort, you can finish the ride, but it’s pretty difficult to just show up and finish.
This blog has tips for how to prepare for and survive your first buffet.
Your Bike
Seat – You’re going to be on it for hours, make sure it is comfortable. I tried a different seat during my training rides and ended up with a rash that took a week off the saddle to recover from.
Lights – Depending on how fast you ride, you may only need them in the morning. If this is your first time, err on…
Today I needed to get myself a pound of butter at ALDI, along with other weight gain nutrients, so I decided prior to getting fat gain enablers, I’d go to Arlington to the Village Creek Natural Historical Area to check in on the Indian Ghosts on the day before one of their favorite holidays.
Halloween.
All of which explains why you see my handlebars parked on the Village Creek paved trail.
Upon arrival at the Natural Area’s paved parking lot I saw an Arlington Animal Control Officer releasing several opossums back to the…
More than 3.5 miles of new pedestrian and bicycle routes were recently completed in Sugar Land.
Many of the improvements are bike lanes on city streets that connect to the city’s trail network. These include:
1shared bike lanes and a side path on Alston Road;
1buffered bike lanes on Grants Lake and Sugar Lakes Boulevards; and
1side paths along University Boulevard that connect existing bike lanes to Telfair Avenue.
In 2013, voters approved a $31.5 million bond referendum that included approximately $10 million for a connecting network of nearly 10 miles of…
City Park Slow Pace Intermediate-Level Ride
Sunday, Nov 2, 2014, 1:45 PM
City Park – Emma Long Motorcycle Trails 7548 Oak Shores Dr Austin, TX
2 Mountain Bikers Went
Let’s try this again, and this time I will be careful to avoid breaking the key off in my front door as I leave the house.For those who haven’t ridden City Park, it is definitely not a beginner-friendly trail. It was originally designed for off-road motorcycles, so it basically goes straight up the bluff, then straight down, then straight up aga…
Name of product:
DBINLINE Rear Shock
Hazard:
The shock absorber is marked with graphics that incorrectly identify the adjustment directions for High Speed Rebound (HSR) damping. Following these directions will cause unexpected behavior by a bike’s suspension and pose a fall hazard to a rider. …
Today, weather-wise, is just about as perfect as perfect can get at my current location on the planet.
One in the afternoon with the outer world warmed to 70 degrees, clear blue sky, little wind.
Perfect.
For a bike ride.
On Monday I aborted a bike ride when I discovered my rear tire had…
LGT – Overlook Rd
Sunday, Nov 2, 2014, 9:00 AM
Lake Georgetown – Overlook Park 598 Lake Overlook Rd Georgetown, TX
By Michael Grossman      www.texas-wrongful-death-lawyer.net
Georgetown, TX — A man from Florence, 70-year old Tim Dow, was killed over the weekend after his bicycle was in a fatal accident outside of Georgetown. Police said that this happened on Saturday evening, October 24, 2014 at about 5:45 p.m.
Dow was apparently riding his bicycle along County Road 289 that evening when he came upon the intersection with Ronald Reagan Boulevard.
The details aren’t clear, but it appears that a car headed south on Ronald Reagan Boulevard crashed into…
Tweets
I'm trying to teach my intern Andre how to get rad! It took him a few tries but he got it. pic.twitter.com/yeoLitdCKx
Last weekend, BikeDFW was asked to help out a local Boy Scout troop earn their merit badge in cycling, so we held a Bicycling Skills 123 clinic in Allen, Texas. Not only did we have the opportunity to teach some great kids, but also their parents. We wanted to leave this group with some good bicycle knowledge, so that the whole family can work together to ride safely. I feel that if the parents are safe riders, the kids will pick that up from them.
It was great to see the progress these kids have made, especially since many of them couldn’t even ride a few weeks ago. They were part of our…
Michael Andersen, Green Lane Project staff writer      www.peopleforbikes.org
The Governor’s Highway Safety Association released a report Monday that, the organization claimed, showed that the ongoing surge in American biking has increased bike fatalities.
Transportation reporters around the country swung into action.
“Fatal bicycle crashes on the rise, new study shows,” said the Des Moines Register headline.
“Cycling is increasing and that may be reflected by an increase in fatal crashes, the report said,” wrote NJ.com.
“Bike riding, particularly among urban commuters, is up, and the trend has led to a…
Sunday, November 2nd: Ride starts at 8:00 a.m. at the St. Paul Evangelical Church’s parking lot (the gravel part in the back) adjacent to Harmon’s BBQ for a 30 mile group ride at an easy pace. Ride will proceed southeast through rolling farm country to New Berlin, then northwest by Zuehl and Hackerville Road back into Cibolo. The 20 mile ride will cut over at Gin road between Santa Clara and Zuehl. See Map #506. Directions: To get to St. Paul’s (108 S. Main) in Cibolo take IH35 north. Take exit 175 and turn right on Roy Richard Dr. (FRM-3009 S). Drive 3.2 miles and turn left onto Seguin Rd (FM 78). Drive 1.4 miles and turn left onto W. TX-539 Loop. Turn left on…
November Hot Buns
Isaac Goodwin, Austin, Texas
Frame: November Hot Buns, size 56
Shifters: Sram Force
Rear Derailleur: Sram Red
Crankarms: Sram Force 22
Chainring: RaceFace Narrow/Wide 40t
Stem/Bar: Ritchey WCS
Brakes: Avid Shorty Ultimate
Wheels: November RFSW carbon tubular, 50mm deep, 23mm wide
Tires: Challenge Grifo 32
I absolutely love riding wide wheels; every wheel I own for both cross and road is at least 23mm wide. The ride is better, and the added bonus for cross is extra gluing surface. I’ve been dabbling with…
It’s coming! Spread the word!! Cyclists pedal to support the Tarrant Area Food Bank! Our goal this year is to collect 2,000 lbs of non-perishable food. Collection begins November 8th! Collection Celebration: December 6th. Be there!
by Fred Clements      www.bicycleretailer.com
A blog by NBDA executive director Fred Clements
Editor’s note: This blog post was written by Fred Clements, executive director of the National Bicycle Dealers Association. Clements’ previous blog posts can be read on bikedealerblog.wordpress.com.
One of the most important metrics for bike shop success is store traffic. Living and breathing visitors are a necessary part of the retail business model for brick-and-mortar stores. Without them, retailers would be left trying to sell bikes to air, and that is very hard to do.
Getting people into the store is becoming a greater challenge, though. New research shows that consumer traffic at bike shops is declining across the board. While this is distressing news at first glance, there are also clear opportunities to reverse the trend.
The 2014 American Bicyclist Study, conducted by the Gluskin Townley Group, examined the demographics of adults who are current owners of bicycles. The fieldwork was done in February 2014 representing the 2013 calendar year. Results were then balanced to…
Cycle Cause will be stopping in Austin TX and participating in two local group rides. Come out and ride with Luke, meet the family and support a great cause. All riders will receive a limited edition lapel pin.
Saturday Nov 1st
Bicycle Sport Shop, Parmer
Saturday morning group ride leaving at 8:00am from the Parmer location at 9900 W. Parmer Lane Austin, Texas 78717
Click here for more info about the ride.
Sunday Nov 2nd
Jack & Adams Bicycles
Sunday morning group ride leaving at 8:30am from Jack & Adam’s Bicycles. 300 S Lamar Unit L Austin, TX …
BRENHAM, TX–He’s only 9 years old, but one little boy is already taking a stand against cancer.
CJ Burford and his dad are riding through Brenham, Texas, as part of their cross country bike ride for the National Children’s Cancer Society. The goal is to raise money and awareness for cancer research.
CJ says he’s riding for his grandmother, who is a cancer survivor. He’s also riding for…
By Robin Stallings      www.houstonchronicle.com
Why is TxDOT unwilling to address the critical safety concerns of Texans who walk and bike? The question is urgent as the agency considers withholding federal money intended to build infrastructure that will make walking and biking safer.
To continue reading this story, you will need to be a digital subscriber to HoustonChronicle.com.
The Farmersville Chamber of Commerce Fourth Annual Trick It Up Bike Ride still has a few trick up its sleeves. Most awesome, while others are questionable depending on your skill level. With a population of approximately 3300, Farmersville is a rural community that takes pride in its historic downtown. The city is diligently returning each store to the historic period beauty and doing a very nice job. Charming antique shops, restaurants and a center gazebo makes a browse downtown delightful.
This is the last local rally of the season for the Dallas metroplex cyclist. Farmersville has earned the reputation as a cycling friendly destination. Trick It Up is one of the reasons and the other is access to the North East Texas Trail. The start was at the small Onion Shed situated across from the city park, where access to the…
After a very successful BikeHouston Moonlight Bicycle Ramble BikeHouston goes back to basics. Our mission is to make Houston more bike-friendly and a much better place to live, work and have fun. To achieve that we need to unite all cyclists to make ourselves heard at City Council, City Departments and all around Houston. You can help us.On Saturday November 1st BikeHouston presents itself at HTX Bikefest. We ask our volunteers to come out to talk about BikeHouston’s goals and mission, help signing up new members and…
Had a puncture blow out while coming down the Courtyard descent during the Enchilada Buffet. Orange Seal didn’t do the job… back to Stan’s for me…
The Enchilada Buffet is a grassroots Austin born event. Somewhat sadistic, it is a roughly 80 mile ride covering 5 Austin area trails worth about 40 miles of singletrack and another 40 miles of roads to connect them. It is an annual event on its 5th year.
It is quite an epic day in the saddle, and an ambitious one at that. Some of the trails covered are some of the tougher trails in Austin, including some Barton Creek Greenbelt back trail gnar, the always technical City Park, and everyone’s favorite trail to hate, Thumper, so named for the Thumping you will receive while riding it.
I first heard about the EB 3 years ago and decided then that it was something I wanted to…
If you’re looking for the only race in Texas that promises to bring the costume party, then look no further than the legacy events this weekend in Dallas. Spooky Cross is here, and it promises to be outlandish as the past events.
Race Director, Zac Lytle, gives us his take on the world-famous Halloween races.
The past few years we’ve seen Spooky Cross at Rosemont Elementary and Dallas Heritage Village. This year is the same as far as location, but will the courses be similar to years past?
We have the same great locations as the past two years. We will be keeping both courses very similar and will make a few tweaks to them based on racer feedback. For instance, at the school course we are going to…
This weekend is shaping up to be an epic weekend. Critical Mass is on Halloween night and that has to be a blast. The next day we have the HTX Bike Fest and Bayou City Racing Cyclocross at Spotts Park in the Heights. And Sunday has Sunday Streets
I hate to admit it but I’ll be trick-or-treating with the kids and will miss Critical Mass. Thousands of people riding their bikes through Houston while in costume! Now that they have smoothed out the issues with the police, and the route, I am sure it will be…
City Park Slow Pace Intermediate-Level Ride
Sunday, Nov 2, 2014, 1:45 PM
City Park – Emma Long Motorcycle Trails 7548 Oak Shores Dr Austin, TX
2 Mountain Bikers Went
Let’s try this again, and this time I will be careful to avoid breaking the key off in my front door as I leave the house.For those who haven’t ridden City Park, it is definitely not a beginner-friendly trail. It was originally designed for off-road motorcycles, so it basically goes straight up the bluff, then straight down, then straight up aga…
