Texas Bicycling News Digest August 22nd

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Police: $350-$400,000 worth of bikes stolen in Austin

www.texassentinel.com

Austin police are again requesting the public’s help to solve nearly 40 burglaries in which more than 115 high-end bicycles have been stolen.
Detective Evonne McGuire said Friday that the bikes are worth a total of approximately $350,000 to $400,000.
The thief or thieves appear to be targeting people who have expensive bikes and then stealing them from attached and detached garages during the night when the owners are asleep, McGuire said.
“This is not a crime of opportunity,” she said.
There was a lull in the thefts after police held a news conference in July to appeal to the public for help, McGuire said, but they started again at the…

Pranjal’s Heroics While Cycling Across Texas

by Ivangeethree        www.youtube.com


Pranjal managed to ride his bicycle from Houston Texas to Austin Texas…with a bum leg!!!

Mission Reach Bike Ride

Saturday, Aug 23, 2014, 8:15 AM

Location details are available to members only.

6 Nature Hounds Went

I know some of the Nature Hounds are cyclists, so here’s a chance for us to get together and go for a ride. We’ll meet in the dirt parking lot across Cevallos from La Tuna. This will be an “out & back” ride, heading south towards the Missions, so you can adjust the distance to whatever you’re comfortable with. I am planning to ride at a casual pace…

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Cycling team prepares for Hotter’N Hell heat

by Ethan Metcalf        thewichitan.com


The Hotter ‘N Hell Hundred is just one event on the cycling team’s calendar, but as the biggest sporting event in the city and one of the team’s few local races, HHH is an opportunity for the team to show off to local fans and practice racing in extremely hot conditions.
“There’s a degree of heat acclimation that they have to go through. The preparation for a race like this doesn’t start in August, it starts…

Robson Ranch Ramble

Dallas Area Tandem Enthusiasts

When:  Sep 21, 2014 08:30 AM
Where: Bicentennial Park – Southlake – Southlake
Category: DATES ride
Description
Ride:  Robson Ranch Ramble
Ride Leaders:  Nanette & Ronnie Bryant
When:  Sunday September 21st Meet @ 8AM ride at 8:30AM
Where:  Bicentennial Park – Southlake, TX  410 W Southlake Blvd – Park Behind Burger shack.
What:  Routes of 60, 45, and 21 miles

Photo Gallery from the Hotter’N Hell 100 in Wichita Falls

by Rick Ankrum

Tweets

https://twitter.com/just10walker/status/502963522280906752

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Texas Bicycling Blog and News Digest August 21st

Texbiker.net Posted on by

2014 Vernon Burnin’bike ride results

Vernon Jaycees

12 mile women under 18                         12mile Men Under 18                   62mile Men 40-49
1st Caroline Taylor                            1st Deante Sims                        1st Frank Banks
2nd Garret Pierce                              2nd John Luig
12mile women 18-39                            3rd Christopher Taylor                3rd Rene Nevarez…

Food expectations at races/rides?

by drmoreau    forums.mtbr.com

I’m the ride director for the Camino205 Gravel Grinder in early October. I’m working with a couple of caterers in Palestine trying to dial in the right menu. I tend to eat paleo and avoid simple carbs like white sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, wheat, etc. I eat a lot of raw fruit and vegies and meat and fish. Hell, we even cook squirrels that we shoot in…

NET RMA (North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority): Allow bicycles access to Toll Road 49

Petition by Rita Fryer Tyler, TX        www.change.org

Almost all of us have wonderful memories of riding our bikes as children. And many of us, along with our friends and family members, still ride our bikes for exercise and enjoyment. It’s a great activity, it lets us enjoy the outdoors, and it helps to keep us in shape. Right now, North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) is considering denying cyclists access to Toll Road 49. They have graciously agreed to consider arguments in favor of allowing cyclists to continue to use this road. We need everyone’s support to…

Hike and bike trails added

Laredo Times    (subscription required)

Officials from the City of Laredo and Webb County Drainage District said Wednesday they have collaborated to improve the storm water management and develop recreational and educational opportunities for residents of Freedom Park, Independence Hills a…

GO for a Mountain Bike Ride

Sunday, Aug 24, 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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Scholarship created to honor cyclist’s death finds new home at MSU

by Orlando Flores Jr.        www.timesrecordnews.com


WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Chris Baab’s life changed forever Dec. 15, 2011.
The Hurst, Texas-native’s daughter, Megan, was close to finishing her first semester of college at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina.
Baab said Megan — who began cycling at the young age of 8 once she completed the 35-mile Tour d’Italia in Italy, Texas, on a cheap five-speed bike — was well on her way to a…

Dirt Skirts Labor Day Ride

Monday, Sep 1, 2014, 8:00 AM

Trinity Park
2401 S University Dr Fort Worth, TX

8 Participants Went

**Ladies only unless accompanied by one of the Dirt Skirts**Instead of spending your day off sitting on the couch come get on your bike with us for a FUN ride on the Fort Worth Branch Trinity Trail!I have never rode this trail but Brandy tells me part of the trail can be on pavement, the levee, and crushed limestone.We are looking at doing a 30 …

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Wednesday Night Ride

Wednesday, Aug 27, 2014, 5:45 PM

River Run Plaza
1071 Country Club Rd El Paso, TX

7 Cyclists Went

These are leaderless rides of 17-25 miles leaving from River Run Plaza 1071 Country Club Road.Ride options vary — most involve going up Upper Valley to Borderland to Strahan to Bosque Rd to Vinton Road. Various options include taking N. Vinton to Westside Dr. to Washington to Gadsden High, then returning on Hwy 28 (note: recent chip-seal paving …

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The Austin Mountain Bikers Meetup Group

Austin, TX
3,937 Mountain Bikers

Meet other local mountain bikers to organize rides, review trails, gear and trade tips. All skill-levels welcome. We’ll try to organize rides that fit all experience levels. M…

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A Morning Quickie

Bike Noob

No — not that kind of quickie. I’m talking about getting your day started with a short ride.
It was my wife’s idea. She had  a big day coming up at work, and wanted to ride to clear her head. I didn’t have to start at work until 10 a.m., so I was happy to volunteer to ride with her. All we had to do was make sure we were ready on time.
Not too tough to do in our house these days. We have two dogs, and our beagle is always ready for her breakfast at 5:30 a.m. Trouble is, the beagle eats only one meal a day, and it’s not breakfast. But I rolled out of bed to feed our other dog, a chihuahua mix. That got us going, and…

Trail closure at Longhorn Dam

By Pam LeBlanc        www.austin360.com


Heads up, trail users.
The Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail is closed to foot and bike traffic where it crosses Longhorn Dam.
The closure, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, is expected to last until Sept. 15. In the meantime, a southbound lane of Pleasant Valley Road will be blocked to vehicle traffic and…

Saturday August 23rd [Scenic] & Sunday August 24th [Steakhouse J&A] Rides!

steinerranchcycling.com

Saturday most of the group road the Tour de Cure Texas Beef Team training ride.  We all had a great time.  There was a nice 20 mile ride led by Jason and the 50 miler lead by Thomas and then I lead a 43 mile ride.  Thanks again to Texas Beef Council for sponsoring breakfast tacos and brisket afterwards.  Remember to join our Tour de Cure team at http://main.diabetes.org/goto/TeamBeef
OASIS OFFICE SPACE:  None cycling question.  I’m considering taking down some office space in the Oasis new office complex.  There is this great suite on the 4th Floor with two private balconies and views of the lake and hills.  It is a really great deal but there is too much space for my company to take down and they told me I could sublease so I was…

Tweets

https://twitter.com/Jarredliketacos/status/502607323857424384

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https://twitter.com/jolenechestnut/status/502588898158346241

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Two Goals for This Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I had two goals for biking today: go at least 25 miles and keep me loose for the Hotter’N Hell Hundred on Saturday. I accomplished the first by biking 29.38 miles and the second by riding. I rode to Huffman on the shorter route skipping the Walden leg. Starting at 1:39 in the afternoon was kinda like riding in a convection oven. It was 96 degrees with a 107 heat index. The wind was out of the SW which usually heats things up with no moisture from the gulf. I didn’t think it was that windy but the IAH airport reported 12 mph with 17 mph gusts. My perspiration also confirmed the heat. I had my head scarf pulled down too far on my forehead and sweat ran down on my glasses aggravating my nose. I kept trying to wipe it away but to no avail until I stopped at the Huffman Chevron (why not?) and wiped the sweat off and cleaned my glasses. I adjusted the head scarf and had no problem the rest of the ride. I thought pulling down a little further would help; so much for that theory.

The legs feel ready for 75 miles on Saturday. I got a taste of riding into the wind going back home over Lake Houston. I was going into the SW wind but still managed to keep my speed above 15 mph.

Riding the 29.38 miles today means I should go over 200 miles for the week after biking 75 miles on Saturday. I am thinking of biking 20 miles or so on Sunday before we leave for home. It should be cooler in the morning. Several times over the years the day after the HHH welcomes a cool front. One year the high for Sunday was in the 50’s or 60’s. I was watching a criterium in downtown Wichita Falls and had to bundle up to keep warm.

After today’s ride I washed the Stradalli so it will be presentable at the start on Saturday. I squeezed the tires and they feel hard so I didn’t add any air.

Today’s ride metrics:

8-21-2014 Ride Metrics (Golden Cheetah)

8-21-2014 Ride Metrics (Golden Cheetah)

A comparison of rides on the same route this year:

8-21-2014 Atascocita-Huffman Ride Comparison

8-21-2014 Atascocita-Huffman Ride Comparison

Mileage standings:

  • 140.71 miles
  • 721.74 miles for August (123 miles left to reach the August goal of 845 miles)
  • 4934 miles for the year

Link to RideWithGPS.com

[iframe http://connect.garmin.com:80/activity/embed/570654037 465px 550px]

Texas Bicycle News and Blog Digest August 20th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Seventeen national champions crowned on day one of Masters Track Nationals

www.usacycling.org

Redmond, Wash. (August 19, 2014) – Seventeen Stars-and-Stripes jerseys were awarded on Tuesday as the 2014 USA Cycling Masters Track National Championships got underway at the Marymoor Velodrome in Redmond, Wash. …
Women 45-49 Individual Pursuit
1.      Jane Evely (Carnation, Wash.)           Kenmore Velo       2:46.970
2.      Neva Day (Manhattan Beach, Calif.)      South Bay Wheelmen Foundation       2:48.269
3.      Kelly Grant (HOUSTON)                   Northwest Cycling Club       2:51.604 …

Exploring the Rio Grande Valley on a Bike

by Ray Garza        rgvcycling.com

Cycling this year has been different for me. Aside from the usual bike routes, I have started to venture out and explore the Valley on my bike. It started when I passed up a road that I’ve never been on that was going through resurfacing. Passing it several times on my outings I always wondered where it led to. I knew it was in the general vicinity of a 900 year old tree but I never knew exactly where it was. It wasn’t until one day, when I was doing my usual route, that I noticed that the road was finished and open to traffic. On the way back I decided to make that turn and go look for that old tree. It was then that I began exploring the Rio Grande Valley on my bike.
So far it has been fun riding places to check things out. Sometimes I go by myself and other times I create an event on Facebook and invite others to join me. Many cyclists go out riding for either speed or distance. They get their workout in and hang up the bike until…

Annual XC Racing Clinic

Saturday, Aug 30, 2014, 9:00 AM

Boulder Park
6600 Pastor Bailey Dr. Dallas, TX

37 Participants Went

2013 Cat 1 National Champion, Jessica Rawlins, and her husband Tim Rawlins (Cat[masked]) have volunteered to host this years annual XC racing clinic!It will cover all aspects of cross country mountain bike racing for beginners and will be open to any questions you may have!This clinic is open to everyone and there is no charge.Day of waivers are…

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St Ed’s hill repeats

Tuesday, Aug 26, 2014, 6:30 PM

St Edwards Park
7301 Spicewood Springs Rd. Austin, TX

6 Mountain Bikers Went

Hill repeats hosted by 512-Racing. Must have helmet, water, and appropriate tools to address any minor issues. This will be a self paced no drop ride. We will ride up and meet at the top and ride down and meet at the bottom. My name is Justin, I will be in a 512-Racing kit with yellow shoes and helmet.

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Erwin Park MCDC Grant Work Day

Saturday, Aug 23, 2014, 7:30 AM

Erwin Park
4300 County Road 1006 McKinney , TX

8 Participants Went

What: Erwin Park Workday EventWhen: Saturday, August 23 from 7:30AM to 11:30AMWhere: Erwin Park, meet in the upper parking lotWhat do I need to bring: Gloves and comfortable clothesWhat will we be doing: A full trail reroute in the North field as well as reclaiming the old trail. We will be using $2000 worth of new tools from the MCDC Grant.We…

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Sister Grove picnic and night ride Aug 23

Saturday, Aug 23, 2014, 7:00 PM

Sister Grove Park
County Road 562 Princeton, TX

3 Participants Went

A repeat of our successful first SG BBQ and Night Ride event. Not sure what the food will be, but probably something easy like deli sandwiches. Also posted in Greenville Texas Bicycle Transportation.

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City Park Slow Pace Intermediate-Level Ride

Tuesday, Aug 26, 2014, 6:00 PM

City Park – Emma Long Motorcycle Trails
7548 Oak Shores Dr Austin, TX

4 Mountain Bikers Went

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 again many times over the course of 6-7 miles.  Most of the obstacles take the form of ledges about a foot high (often in seque…

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6:00 Mesquite Moderate

Greater Dallas Bicyclists

When:     Tuesday, Sep 9, 2014, 6:00 PM
Where:     Poteet High School
3300 Poteet Drive
Mesquite, TX  75150
Category:     GDB Mesquite Moderate Ride
Registration:     Not Required
The ride leaves from the Poteet HS parking lot (park in NW corner) at the corner of Galloway & Americana.
Distance: 20+
Pace: 16-17 mph
Hills: Some
Breaks: 0
Drops: No
Leader: Paul Brown
Contact: Paul Brown
Tuesday ride with a 6PM rollout, no drop, typical rolling pace 16-17 mph, group-dependent.  We’ll do whatever mileage daylight lets us get in.  Lights not required, but…

Cycling tour: 4th annual Oryx Challenge benefits USO El Paso

By Victor R. Martinez / El Paso Times


Marc Cattapan, the adaptive sports coordinator for the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Bliss, knows the psychological benefits of cycling.
“A lot of the guys who come back with PTSD have anxiety-related issues and the deep breathing from cycling is actually very beneficial,” he said. “It increases the amount of oxygen in their system and getting a good breathing rhythm during and after the ride helps relax the body and the mind.”
Which is why Cattapan is excited about having some of the soldiers in the program take part in the USO El Paso’s 4th Annual Oryx Challenge Bike Tour on Sept. 14 starting and ending at…

Tweets

https://twitter.com/BBQ44/status/502264063313711105

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