Recap And Pics From Last Weekend’s Bicycling Skills 123 Class

suburbanassault.org

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…

Actually, biking has been getting dramatically safer as Americans ride more

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…

Cibolo Ride Sunday November 2nd

Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club

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…

Riders and Their Rigs : Isaac Goodwin’s November

texasbikeracing.com

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! This year’s Pedal For Plenty kicks off on November 8.

Bike Friendly Fort Worth

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!

Will bike shops serve the changing market?

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…

A Ride Across America to End Severe Acute Malnutrition

by Luke Mysse        cyclecause.com

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 …

Boy And Father Bike Across Country To Raise Money For Cancer Research

www.myfoxphilly.com    (Video)

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…

 

Why is Texas roads agency ignoring bike, pedestrian needs?

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.

 

Trick It Up Bike Ride, Still Has A Few Tricks

By: Suzee Bolton        www.wheelbrothers.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…

BikeHouston needs volunteers this weekend for BikeFest and Sunday Streets

www.bikehouston.org

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…

2014 Enchilada Buffet – Blowout coming down Courtyard

by TC        Turnin’ Cranks

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…

2014 Enchilada Buffet Ride Report

by TC        Turnin’ Cranks

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…

Race Preview – Spooky Cross – 11.01-02.14

by joeyTWOwheels         texascx.com

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…

Halloween Weekend Is An Epic Time For Cyclists In Houston

Cycling Space City

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…

 

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

New Bike Event: Colonel's Double-'Cross Weekend – Fort Worth, TX: When: Sat Nov 15, 2014 10am to 3pm 
CSTWho: … http://t.co/Cjk4NfytY8

— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) October 28, 2014

New Bike Event: Colonel's Double-'Cross Weekend – Fort Worth, TX: When: Sun Nov 16, 2014 9am to 2pm 
CSTWhere:… http://t.co/4ph4rBTwEX

— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) October 28, 2014

Tweets

Cross Houston Day 1. http://t.co/xbIvcdsqCO

— Catherine Moore (@Pigtailracer) October 29, 2014

http://t.co/H4yKX15BjR http://t.co/8P9nL417TK

— GHORBA (@ghorba_org) October 29, 2014

3 people with bikes just got on the bus @ 1 stop. Based on the glare the driver gave me when I got on, I'd say he thinks we planned it.

— Su Wilcox (@cheekysu) October 28, 2014

Reminder: EAus- Hardcourt Bike Polo Matches @ Weekly from 5pm to 10pm on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday (Austin Bike … http://t.co/hTH1niG1wc

— AustinsCalendar (@AustinsCalendar) October 28, 2014

BIG NEWS! El Paso's new Bicycle Advisory Committee will meet for the first time tomorrow at 5pm – City 2, 4th Floor! #BAC #ItsAllGoodEP

— Bike Hombre – STREETS ARE FOR PEOPLE (@sbwhite) October 28, 2014

Are we a learning city? …Seattle to Build Bike Lanes Away from Busy Streets http://t.co/kGT9OnoZLa @houstontomorrow

— BikeHouston (@BikeHouston) October 28, 2014

Is it Friday yet?!- Upcoming weekend a big one for Houston bicyclists #cycling #houston http://t.co/sfh4piYAeQ

— Houston BCycle (@HoustonBCycle) October 28, 2014

Depending on your outlook, 3 days of bike events, or which streets to avoid. http://t.co/thCJdNBDBN pic.twitter.com/UFfqHZJ7Qq

— Dug Begley (@DugBegley) October 28, 2014

https://twitter.com/glitch_in_texas/status/526957054838054912

Chris Hopkinson wins the Texas NCOM 1000 mile ultra distance cycling race in just under 3 days! This is only 2… http://t.co/tWUUWfPmQO

— Binny@Falco Bike (@Falco_Bike) October 28, 2014

5 podium stops and 8 other top 10 rides last weekend at Cross Houston for the club! #TXCX

— BSS CX Club (@BSSCX) October 28, 2014

The Mendez, Martin, and Kealing middle school Bike Clubs have been taking it to the trails, bike paths, and streets! pic.twitter.com/PD5EyAY8Qs

— Ghisallo Cycling Initiative (@GhisalloFound) October 28, 2014

Reminder: Aus- The Tuesday Morning Ride by Social Cycling Austin @ Weekly from 8am to 10am on Tuesday (Austin Bi… http://t.co/hTH1niG1wc

— AustinsCalendar (@AustinsCalendar) October 28, 2014

Had to hit the roads early this morning to get the training in. Just me and my 7 series and probably… http://t.co/7KAvDO1E05

— Mario Arroyave (@marroyave35) October 28, 2014

Changed my flat tire. I had to get the tweezers to get the stupid thorns out. Hope I got them all!

— Su Wilcox (@cheekysu) October 28, 2014

Event Reminders

2 Day Alert: Weeknight Cyclo-cross Races – Richardson, TX, Oct 30, 2014 05:30PM – 3400 E Renner Rd, Richardson, TX 75082, USA(CST) http:

— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) October 28, 2014

2 Day Alert: Spooky Bike & Ball – Fort Worth, TX, Oct 30, 2014 06:00PM – Fort Worth Water Gardens, 1502 Commerce St, Fort Worth, TX, Uni

— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) October 28, 2014

Half-way there: 9-year-old bikes across America for cancer cure

By Matthew Costa        www.yourhoustonnews.com

Very few people would ever consider riding a bike across a state. Some might even believe going across a county is impossible.
For 9-year-old CJ Burford though, going a far distance on his bike is just another day’s goal.
But Burford isn’t just going across the state of Texas, he’s biking with his family across the entire United States in an effort to raise funds to help fight cancer for children.
“God told me to do this when I was 5-years old,” Burford at a stop in Conroe. “I asked my mom if I should ride my bike for Jesus, and she said, ‘Yes you…

Ups and down

www.chron.com

Our mobility edition for the perfect fall weather.

The AC’s off and the Thumbs-cycle is back on the road. In that spirit:
[Up] Mama said to start on a good note so despite too many fatalities, pot holes and “sliver-thin bike lanes,” the website of Bicycling magazine carried this headline on a story about riding in Houston: “Thanks to a bike-loving mayor and tireless advocates … a sprawling, traffic-clogged city transformed itself into America’s most improved cycling town.”
[Up] And there’s more good news ahead. Our first protected on-street bicycle lane opens by the end of the year when barriers are off of back-order. This trail will take riders from the east side of downtown to the magnificent Buffalo Bayou Park.
[Down] But we’re here to help make things better, so why does the city of Houston allow trash cans to be placed inside bike lanes? This wouldn’t be an issue if the good mayor and her security detail commuted to…

CS City Council Position 5 Candidates address transit questions

brazoscyclists.org

The BVC bicyclists recently contacted two of the College Station 2014 City Council Candidates for Place 5 to gain perspective on how they plan to address bicycling and other transportation issues as City Councilmembers. Here, in order, is the message we sent, as well as the candidates’ replies, in the order received:
Dear Ms. Schultz and Ms. Harvall,
On behalf of the Brazos Valley Cyclists, a local association of bicycling enthusiasts (http://brazoscyclists.org), could I impose and ask for a few minutes of your time to answer a question we have?  I’ll send your responses to our listserv and post them on our blog.
The question is:  What do you see as the largest transportation challenges that you will work to address as a city council member, and how will you address those transportation challenges?
The questions we are not asking (but which offer a sense of cyclist sentiment) included
– would you fund bike lanes and bicycle-specific detection at intersections?
– would you support regulations that punish car drivers who hit cyclists rather than just chalking it…

A Better Way from Downtown to the Pedestrian Bridge is on the Way

Austin on a Bike

I swear, it’s like every year the city gives or takes away my favorite way to get to the pedestrian bridge from downtown. This year, thankfully, it’s giving and not taking away.
No, it’s not that sweet, bike-only path, but instead Seaholm Drive, which cuts downhill from 3rd street (west of that rickety bike/ped bridge) to the part of 2nd street that you didn’t really realize existed. Simply put, we won’t have to ride down that terrible concrete barrier bike lane anymore and we won’t have to brave the skinny sidewalk on Lamar either.
According to the email from the city, construction should be complete around November 3rd (my birthday is the next day, in case you were wondering – and also when that underpass bike path has opened or closed over the past…

Race Preview – BCRCX – 11.01.14

by joeyTWOwheels        texascx.com

Remember Escalara Loca in Fort Worth in 2011?
Or the brilliant dash up the side of the hill at Spotts Park at BCRCX 2013?
Either race will remind a cyclocross racer that stairs are legitimate obstacles. In fact, the more the merrier.
We caught up with local fast men Scott Minard and Nathan Mills of BCR (the director and marketing chief, respectively) about this year’s BCRCX:
2014BCRCX2Tell us about your infamous, compact course and how it might vary this year.
It will be very similar to last year. Lots of fast sweeping turns, a high speed sand pit, a little bit of elevation and of course the infamous stairway to heaven, which is six flights of pain per lap. The only…

Race Preview – Give Me Some Sugar CX – 11.02.14

by joeyTWOwheels        texascx.com

Boo!
GiveMeSomeSugarCX_2014flyerHalloween Weekend is upon us and we have four big races to choose from. Here at TexasCX.com we’re writing em up as they come in. First up, Give Me Some Sugar CX in Houston.
We spoke with veteran cross course designer and event Director, Bryan Voytilla of Kolo Promotions, about this event.
So, let’s cut to the chase. You built a giant flyover. HUGE. Tell me about this over-engineered beast.
Well first off major credit for the course design goes to Joey Martinez and Rob Sisk. These guys are brilliant when it comes to putting a course together. The fly-over credit goes to Joey Martinez (check him out on Instagram @jamzilla84), this guy can build anything and he’s one fast single speeder. We wanted to do something that would raise the bar. Sugar_FlyoverThis is the Texas Cup series after all, and we feel people need to…

Bicycle traffic deaths soar; California leads nation

By Jerry Hirsch        www.latimes.com

If you are going to be killed by a car while riding a bicycle, there’s a good chance you are male, older than 20 and living in California or Florida.
That’s the finding of a report issued Monday by the Governors Highway Safety Assn. that also noted that between 2010 and 2012, U.S. bicyclist deaths increased by 16%.
California, with 338 cyclists killed in collisions with motor vehicles, and Florida, with 329, had the highest totals during that period, the report said.
They also had the largest increases in annual cyclist traffic fatalities from 2010 to 2012. Florida’s deaths rose by 37 to 120 in 2012 while cyclist traffic fatalities in California rose by 23 to 123. California had the most bicyclists killed of any state in 2012.
Nationally, cyclist traffic deaths jumped from 621 in 2010 to 680 in 2011 and 722 in 2012. The 16% increase was far greater than other…

Firefighters/cyclists honor fallen firefighters

Kevin Reece, KHOU 11 News         www.khou.com

The families of four fallen Houston firefighters each received a $2,000 donation on Monday. But the money wasn’t as important as the gesture and the promise that their loved ones memories are being kept alive.
The Brotherhood Ride is a group of firefighters, police officers and EMT’s who hold annual bicycle rides across the country to honor the fallen. Their first ride was in 2007 after the deaths of 9 firefighters in Charleston, South Carolina. Since then the cyclists have logged more than 3,600 miles through 14 states and raised more than $118,000 in donations.
Earlier this year riders traveled 760 miles in 9 days from Plaquemine, Louisiana to…

2,700 Miles, 27 Days, 27 Million Lives

www.bicycling.com

Riding 2,700 miles in 27 days—from Los Angeles to Charleston, South Carolina—may seem a little crazy. Add in the fact that Luis Leonardo is stopping in towns along the way to challenge law enforcement officials and other local luminaries to do a 27-second plank with him, and you have a recipe for one tired man at the end of the month. Oh yeah: He’s making the trip on a singlespeed.
He’s also raising awareness for the new nonprofit Hope and Rescue Foundation and its Hope27 campaign, with the end goal of ending human trafficking. The project gets its name from the 27 million people worldwide that the US estimates are working in slavery—a figure that includes child soldiers and those who have been forced into sexual servitude or domestic or manual labor.
Bicycling spoke with Leonardo 2,000 miles into his journey, which was scheduled to finish October 27, and found him in high spirits.
Bicycling: How far in are you right now?
Luis Leonardo: I just passed the 2,000 mile mark, so getting there! Only 700 more to go…
It’s great when 700 miles seems like a small amount.
Isn’t that crazy? I’ve been averaging 100 miles a day, and on a good day when there isn’t much wind or…

Tweets

If you haven't seen, we've finally gotten around to updating our events page. If you know of an upcoming event… http://t.co/wSMjxeHuw0

— MountainBikeTx.com (@MountainBikeTx) October 28, 2014

.@Albertsons is that a cart rack or a bike rack? Just want a proper place to park my bike while I shop… pic.twitter.com/Wm9KVfJ0yP

— Bike Hombre – STREETS ARE FOR PEOPLE (@sbwhite) October 28, 2014

Ride Schedule for week of October 80

*Tuesday – Mandatory ID's & Lights
Meet : 6 pm Album Park to ** Ft Bliss… http://t.co/5Kw8RAIJ0m

— EP Cyclists (@EPCyclists) October 28, 2014

Event: El Paso Bicycle Advisory Committee First Meeting – When: Wed Oct 29, 2014 5pm to 6pm  CDT Where: 218 N Camp… http://t.co/DRNMHzpdjP

— BikeTexas (@BikeTexas) October 28, 2014

I joined neighbors & friends at Bikefest to open the new Southern Walnut Creek Trail on the East side: @KVUE story: https://t.co/lHUSc4oAuI

— Lloyd Doggett (@RepLloydDoggett) October 27, 2014

Ride the BikeHouston Moonlight Ramble? Pls complete our survey & help us make it 2015 better http://t.co/5qzRuswQkM pic.twitter.com/tvBzZpVtW2

— BikeHouston (@BikeHouston) October 27, 2014

To members and friends of the Texas High School Mountain Bike League,

Come and join us at Reveille Peak Ranch on… http://t.co/xUI1gQTMyi

— Reveille Peak Ranch (@RPRTexas) October 27, 2014

Join the Austin Ridge Riders Mountain Bike Club for a group ride at RPR Dec. 13! All mountain bikers are welcome,… http://t.co/WFQYz4wuFi

— Reveille Peak Ranch (@RPRTexas) October 27, 2014

https://twitter.com/bikenoob/status/526742725925027841

A couple members of our Bike Friendly Fort Worth Board of Directors helped to teach a bicycling safety class in… http://t.co/A2v2clk48M

— Bike Friendly FW (@BikeFriendlyFW) October 27, 2014

We are officially closed for hunting season. Was a great year. See everyone January 1st. pic.twitter.com/0mNoYh2DoL

— Flat Rock Ranch (@jdreiss) October 27, 2014