Texas Cycling and Bicycling News Digest September 5th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

2014 Hotter’N Hell ride/trip report…

by dstrong        www.bikeforums.net

I do these write-ups for my 89 y.o. mom and also to document certain events. Thought I’d share it here. This year involved a unique mode of transportation to Wichita Falls.
After all the planning and packing, Friday finally came. I called my ride partner and pilot John, around 1:30p, to let him know that I was ready to go anytime he was. He keeps his plane about 60 miles south of Austin, near his ranch, so after my call he headed for the airport, packed his stuff into the plane and took off for the short 30 minute flight to Austin-Bergstrom to pick me up.
He texted me just before take-off, which was my signal to pack up the van and head to the airport. I arrived at the General Aviation terminal at the south end of the airport, just in time to see him land and taxi to a spot on the tarmac just outside the terminal.
Plane on tarmac.jpg
The plane is a Mooney 252, originally manufactured (production run was ‘86 – ‘90) in Kerrville TX, about 45 miles southwest of Austin. It’s a four seater plane and it’s small! The 252 has a reputation for being both fast and economical. At cruise altitude the plane was consuming about 12 gallons/hour. They also have retractable gear which makes them pretty aerodynamic.
John’s bike was already in the plane. This model Mooney has only two openings: The passenger side door (open in the picture) and the cargo hatch, which you can see just behind the window. Both bikes had to have their wheels off in order to get them through the door. John sat on the wing facing aft, with his back to the door. I handed him my frame, which he coaxed through the door opening until I could reach it leaning in through the cargo opening to help guide…

Sep 8 – Club Meeting

Woodlands Cycling Club

The featured speaker at the next meeting of the Woodlands Cycling Club will be Richard “Gordy” Bunch. He will address a new initiative he has proposed to The Woodlands Township Council entitled A Plan Designed for People and Nature in A Sustainable Community. Every cyclist in Montgomery and north Harris counties will want to hear about this exciting initiative which will benefit all serious cyclists. Mr. Bunch will ask for input from the audience following his speech.
Mr. Bunch is a Director of The Woodlands Township and the Chairman of The Woodlands Visitors and Convention Bureau. He has been an active cyclist having completed both the BP MS150 and Ironman Texas. He is a major supporter of…

Look for BikeTexas at Siclovia San Antonio September 28

BikeTexas


BikeTexas is very excited to once again offer free bike rentals to participants at Texas’ largest open streets event. Over 70,000 people are expected to attend the next Síclovía, running along Broadway to Alamo Plaza, with a new added route connecting to the east side Dignowity Hill neighborhood.
Select Federal Credit Union is providing generous sponsorship to BikeTexas to…

Tweets

https://twitter.com/RelianceOutdoor/status/507927482394083328

Event Reminders

Oakhurst – Cumberland – Valley Ranch for Variety

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Today I rode a route for the 5th time out of the 155 rides this year. This route keeps me south of Community Drive and away from the construction on the US 59 service road at the Grand Parkway. I label this route “Oakhurst – Cumberland – Valley Ranch”. Leaving home at 11:23 I saw some dark clouds to the south but hoped they stayed away. They almost did until I was riding east on Northpark Drive and felt some sprinkles. I turned back to the west since the reason I went almost to US59 was to check out the service station under construction on Northpark just west of US59. Once I started back to Oakhurst the rain stayed behind and the wind helped too. I was slowly able to build up my average speed to 15.3 mph by the time I reached Cumberland Parkway where I turned back into the wind. From that point forward the average speed dropped down as I battled the wind. My legs just didn’t have what they needed to push into the wind from the southeast at 12 mph but I think the wind was gusting higher.

I stopped briefly at Stripes on FM1314 to refill my water bottle and then I rode through Valley Ranch to the US 59 service road. The wind was still slowing me down. When I finally reached Porter I took a break at the Star Stop Exxon. While I was at the Star Stop I was thinking to myself, why do I stop here? There is a big plywood patch over part of the glass window, the Powerade dispenser didn’t work until I asked a man to look it and then only one flavor worked. This is not a very good station. The problem is the other choices are not much better. I will try the Shell station across the street next time.

When I finished resting at Star Stop I rode east on FM1314 to Loop 494 to go south and enter Kingwood via Adams Street. The wind tried to slow me down the whole way home where I arrived at 2:12. My legs were about done. The temperature was 90 and the sun was beating down mightily.

The ride today was 31.23 miles long averaging 14.9 mph. This week I rode 166.94 miles and 5348 miles year to date.

The mail person delivered my KMC Missing Link Tool this afternoon so I am ready to install my new KMC-11 chain. I plan using WD40 Dry Chain lube and hopefully this will stop the black stuff from getting all over the bike, mainly the rear wheel and right chainstay.

I was thinking about riding the Gatorfest bike ride tomorrow but it starts at 7:00 AM in Anahuac about 55 miles from home. That takes about 80 minutes drive there and I would have to get up at 5:00 AM. I am an early riser but that is too early even for me.

Garmin Connect and RideWithGPS.

Ride Route in Google Earth
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Texas Bicycle News Digest September 4th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

September Events

The Texas Bicycle Racing Association

September 1 Mon Texas Cup CANCELED: Tour of Austin (r) Austin
4 Thu PURE Driveway Series (r) Austin
4 Thu KingRacingGroup Thursday Night Crits (r) Dallas
5 Fri ATRA: Friday Night Omnium Series (t) Alkek
6 Sat ATRA: Atomic Time Trials (t) Alkek
6 Sat 2014 Iron Haus Time Trial (r) Castroville
6 Sat The Dragon Criterium Series (r) Southlake
7 Sun Texas Cup Chappell Hill Road Race (r) Chappell Hill
11 Thu PURE Driveway Series (r) Austin
11 Thu KingRacingGroup Thursday Night Crits (r) Dallas
12 Fri ATRA: Friday Night Omnium Series (t) Alkek
13 Sat Texas Cup Coleman Chevrolet Stage Race (r) Texarkana
13 Sat Texas Cup The Omnium (t) Alkek
14 Sun Texas Cup Coleman Chevrolet Stage Race (r) Texarkana
14 Sun Texas Cup The Omnium (t) Alkek
14 Sun University Oaks Criterium (r) San Antonio
18 Thu PURE Driveway Series (r) Austin
19 Fri ATRA: Friday Night Omnium Series (t) Alkek
20 Sat Texas Cup Clifton Surprise Road Race (r) Waco
20 Sat Counquer the Coast (r) Corpus Christi
20 Sat Source Endurance Track Clinic (t) Superdrome
21 Sun Texas Cup Clifton Surprise Road Race (r) Waco
21 Sun Source Endurance Track Clinic (t) Superdrome
25 Thu PURE Driveway Series (r) Austin
26 Fri ATRA: Friday Night Omnium Series (t) Alkek
27 Sat Texas Cup State Road Race Championships (r) Fort Hood
28 Sun Texas Cup State Road Race Championships (r) Fort Hood
30 Tue FWCX Clinic (c) Fort Worth, TX

 

Health Digest: Free bike helmet event planned, more

Longview, TX     www.news-journal.com

Free bike helmets
Members of the advisory boards for two state agencies will give away bicycle safety helmets during the 65th Annual Gregg County Fair.
The fair runs Friday through Sept. 13.
Members of the Gregg County Adult Protective Services and the Gregg County Child Welfare advisory boards will share a booth in Maude Cobb Activity and Convention Center, where they will give away 300 bicycle safety helmets as part of the Texas Medical Association’s program “Hard Hats for Little Heads.”
In addition, the board members will present information about the importance of immunizations. They also will give out stickers, crayons and stress relievers.
LeTourneau health fair
LeTourneau University’s annual Get it Together health fair will…

September Bike Event Roundup

by Brandon Mulder        www.austinpost.org

Weekly Rides:
Bikin’ Betties: This Monday evening social ride is for women only. Rides range from 8 to 20 miles through a unique route every week, and the events usually end with a few beers. Keep up with the Betties on their Facebook page.
T&T Violet Crown Ride: Every Tuesday and Thursday at sunrise, the Violet Crown team hosts a morning ride. Meet up at 7 a.m. at Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop to get in some fast miles before heading to work. This NON-no-drop ride (meaning stragglers are left behind) plans to maintain a constant speed of 16 to 18 mph for about 20 miles, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. More info here.
Yoga Ride: On Tuesdays, at 7 p.m., complement salubrious cycling with a free yoga class led by instructors of Dawn Yoga, Elegant Ganesha Yoga, and Yoga Volta. The ride will warm up with some sun salutations atop Doug Sahm Hill in Butler Park then will follow with a no-drop ride ending at Barton Springs. More…

Memorial Park Master Plan Public Update Meeting

GHORBA

Find out the latest on the Memorial Park Master Plan!
Wednesday, September 17 from 6-8 PM at the historic Eldorado Ballroom (2310 Elgin St. Houston, TX 77004)
Memorial Park is going through a major planning process that will restore, preserve and enhance the Park for the enjoyment of all Houstonians for generations to come. During this meeting, hosted by Council Member Dwight Boykins and co-hosted by Council Member Robert Gallegos, Thomas Woltz (Nelson Byrd Woltz) and his team will share results of their research and analysis, as well as…

Revised VC Kit Designs

Violet Crown Sports Association


Here are a couple of new kit designs in the works for 2015. These designs have been updated since the ones displayed here in July. Carey Jung talked about the switch to a new clothing vendor, cost estimates, and status in the July meeting. Here is a link to the slides he presented at that meeting. The one with the stripe is the one that is the “winner” from…

Wednesday Night Ride

Wednesday, Sep 10, 2014, 5:15 PM

Rio Plaza, 6205 Upper Valley Road
at Artcraft (parking lot next to Little Caesars_ El Paso, TX

4 Cyclists Went

These are leaderless rides of 17-22 miles leaving from Rio Plaza, 6205 Upper Valley Rd (at Artcraft). The most popular route is a 19-mile loop to Gadsden H.S. Riders begin 5:15-6:00 p.m. this time of year.Optional dinner afterward at Hello Pizza, 1071 Country Club (River Run Plaza).

Check out this Meetup →

Wednesday Walnut Creek Social – NEW TIME 7:00pm

Wednesday, Sep 10, 2014, 7:00 PM

Location details are available to members only.

11 Mountain Bikers Went

We will be meeting at 6:45 pm to air up, tune and hit the Walnut Creek trail wheels down at 7:00 pm for a 10 to 12 mile circuit, this will be an Advanced Beginner ride for folks who want to ride Walnut at a group pace and we will do a varying loop of the trails.HELMETS AND LIGHTS ARE REQUIRED, NO HELMET NO LIGHTS NO RIDE!This is for your safety a…

Check out this Meetup →

Say ‘no’ to high-speed cycling in The Woodlands

By Thomas Sloan, M.D.Guest columnist        www.yourhoustonnews.com

Recently, our Woodlands calm, beauty and traffic have been strained. As road and construction projects wind down, we stand to regain our ambiance. Now we face a new threat from a small special interest.
Across America, communities have inserted bike lanes and been rewarded with clogged traffic, polarized residents, altercations, accidents and lawsuits. Many wish they had been more careful in crafting their cycling policy.
The Woodlands has already been honored as one of only four bike-friendly communities in all of Texas. Clearly our cyclists have a good thing. Though many car…

Gateway To Texas Get A Way Tandem Tour

Dallas Area Tandem Enthusiasts

When:     Oct 10, 2014 – Oct 12, 2014
Where:     Clarksville, TX – Clarksville
Category:  Tandem rally
Description
It is once again time to start registration for the 2014 Gateway to Texas Get-a-Way Tandem Tour. This will be our eighth anniversary for the tour! We had great participation this past June in the Ninth Annual Gateway to Texas Get-a-Way Tour, and we got to visit with a lot of our friends.  But, we are ready to see you again in October and make some new friends, as well. We are also looking forward to visiting with our friends that weren’t able to make it in June or just prefer tandem only events.
There are a few changes this year.  For those of you who remember the early years of the tour when we had cabins available, that is no longer an option as many of the cabins we formerly used have been sold or are now used as permanent residences.  However, there are still many great options for accommodations.  The Courthouse Inn and the Red River Inn have available rooms, although some rooms may have already been booked.  There are also several options available for anyone interested…

DATES Halloween Ride

Dallas Area Tandem Enthusiasts

October 25-26, 2014
Ride Start at 9:00 AM
START LOCATION: Purtis Creek State Park (Eustace, TX) to Tyler
ROUTE OPTIONS: Saturday is 51 or 57 miles and Sunday is 47 or 60 miles
RIDE LEADERS: Scott and Mindy Mashburn
CONTACT INFO: smashfamily@sbcglobal.net
Mindy 214-395-xxxx,
Scott 214-641-xxxx
It’s time for the annual Halloween Ride through beautiful east Texas to Tyler. We will meet in Purtis Creek State Park in Eustace (62 miles from Dallas) and ride to Edom for lunch at The Shed. There are funky little art galleries and shops there as well. We will then continue on to Tyler, staying at the Comfort Suites Hotel.
As always, we will hold a happy hour there, so bring your snacks to share and your beverage of choice. WARNING!! Tyler is dry, so you will have to tote your precious cargo with you. There is a winery in town and they are the exception to that rule, and can sell their own wine there. We made
a stop there last year and it was a fun side trip (and the wine was not bad either!). There are quite…

But Sometimes, You Can Handle it Yourself

Bike Noob

Huh? The headline refers to a post earlier this week, when I gave up on a repair and decided to take my bike to our club mechanic. Sure enough, he did the repair in his driveway in about five minutes. Total cost: $5 for his labor, $3 for a new brake cable. A bargain, I thought.
But guest poster Don Blount is more adventurous than I. He chimes in with his own view on doing your own work.
The latest Bikenoob post got my attention. I changed the shifters and brakes on my bike a few weeks weeks ago. I had Shimano 105 shifters that earlier this summer a mechanic had pointed out were in need of replacement. This was not an imminent need but something that could wait until winter. And then I came across a sale at Probikekit, the Internet retailer, for Shimano 105 shifters with internal cable routing.The cost was about $160, or about 55 percent off regular price. I consulted with a bike mechanic who…

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets

https://twitter.com/txbikeracing/status/507683484882980865

https://twitter.com/txbikeracing/status/507538950345748482

Event Reminders

Lawn Chair in the Shade

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Sitting in the shade at the Huffman Chevron I started thinking with the wind and shade this would be a great day to grab a lawn chair and enjoy the weather. The wind and shade were more than enough to counter the 93 degrees. Lots of blue sky only adds to the pleasure. Then I had to get on the bike and ride home. The wind was from the SE at 24 mph with 30 mph gusts which explains why I had to put out so much effort getting my average speed above 15 mph. The highest I could get my average speed was 15.5 mph on the 32.82 mile ride. Once I hit the residential streets it dropped to 15.4 mph overall.

I wasn’t sure I would get to bike today but things worked out and I headed out on my “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route. With today I biked this route 45 times out of the 154 rides this year. (See the slide below) I did see one other biker today while I was on Fairlake Drive. We exchanged waves as we passed.

So far this week I rode 135.71 miles. Year to date stands at 5317 miles.

As I left the Chevron station in Huffman I spotted the Action Sign time and temperature ticker. The first time I read 160 degrees and the next pass it dropped to a much cooler 136 degrees. Apparently the sensor is in the sun. It was hot but not quite that hot. Sweat was dripping from about all of my pores when I was resting at the Chevron. I soaked a bunch of paper towels and the Greensheet newspaper I was sitting on. Thanks to the strong wind it didn’t take too long to evaporate all of that moisture.

Riding today and watching my average speed reminded me of the old Avocet bike computers. They had an arrow that would indicate if you were biking above or below your average speed. It was like a nag if you fell below the average speed but I found it helpful. My legs are still adjusting to my new found attention on average speed.

Friday weather could repeat today. I plan on biking if it doesn’t rain. There is a possibility in the afternoon.

Garmin Connect and RideWithGPS

Ride Route Google Earth
Ride Metrics
Huffman Weather
Home Weather Ride End
Ride Comparison on this route
Week to Date
Year to Date