Texas Bicycle News Digest August 14th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Cyclists to ride in 8-mile ‘Vigilance Ride’ on Sunday

Written by Faith Harper        www.tylerpaper.com

Cyclists will ban together Sunday to ride in support of several local riders who have been injured on East Texas roadways in the past month.
The eight-mile “Vigilance Ride” will begin at 3 p.m. at Elite Bicycles, 610 Shelley Drive, said Cori Moore, organizer of the event.
Mrs. Moore said the ride is not a protest, but rather a show of camaraderie within the biking community for its fellow riders.
“This is not a protest ride in any way, shape or form,” she said. “We are not coming out aggressively, and we are not trying to surprise anyone, and we are not trying to take up major roads for a long span of time.”
The route will bring the cyclists on Old Jacksonville Highway and Broadway Avenue, as well as utilize the city’s marked bike path for a portion of the ride. It will loop back to Elite, where there will be water for the riders.
The cyclists will be escorted by the Tyler Police Department to ensure safety and visibility.
Mrs. Moore said the pace will be lax, so inexperienced riders or those on…

Memorial Park Work Party

GHORBA.org

Event category: General
Trail: Memorial Park
Saturday, August 30, 2014 – 8:00am
WORK PARTY
When: Saturday – August 30
Time: 8am to Noon
Location Memorial Park – Green Trail (https://goo.gl/maps/QQ6tJ (link is external))
Where to park: Park along the fence on Crestwood (https://goo.gl/maps/wlUSi (link is external))
We will meet at the Green East entrance, you can park on Crestwood and Memorial. We will be trimming while we head out to the pump track area where we will work on all the ruts that have been left these past few weeks.
Tools to bring will be…

Discovering New Routes

Bike Noob

I’m in the middle of a two-week break before classes resume, and I’ve been getting out on the bike almost every day. Now, in my area, that could lead to a lot of repetition of routes. In fact, some cycling friends have complained about getting bored riding the same few routes over and over.
We’re somewhat constrained, geographically. There aren’t many roads to the west of us. To go south, we can take only one road. Going east or southeast is okay, although our route options are limited there, too…but we use those roads more often. A rugged creek valley blocks off our access to the north, and if we want to head for downtown or…

Wednesday Night Ride

Wednesday, Aug 20, 2014, 5:45 PM

River Run Plaza
1071 Country Club Rd El Paso, TX

1 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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Featured Cyclist – Ashley Knox

www.wheelbrothers.com


Every once in awhile, we hear a story that inspires us. A story that represents exactly what it means to be a true Wheel Brother, and an amazing cyclist. We heard Ashely’s story a few weeks ago, and were moved by her passion.  After signing up for the Cactus & Crude MS150 and training for only 2 days, she went out and dominated the race using a rental bike and running shoes! With such passion and determination, we just had to get to know this awesome athlete!
Featured Cyclist
1. How long have you been a cyclist (or other kind of athlete)?
I don’t know that I would call myself a cyclist, Tuesday before the MS150, Velocity Bike Shop in Lubbock was kind enough to loan me a fantastic bike for the ride, fit it properly and show me how to use the gears & brakes, etc. I have a very kind friend that loaned me everything else, aside from my own brooks running shoes. I did two training rides of less than 20 miles that week, and Saturday morning we drove to Midland for the Cactus & Crude with the Carney Men Team!
I was an athlete in high school, but that was years ago. In March of this year I decided to take charge of myself and change my lifestyle by beginning at boot camp in Lubbock with a great gym, Training Ground. I have made…

What I Do When Mountain Biking

by Shawn McAfee        www.texasmountainbiketrails.com

This video popped up a few nights ago and I thought it was awesome because of all the parallels between the video and my own experiences Mountain Biking.
My wife imagines me as a reckless rider sure to end up in the hospital, my parents think I’m mostly just riding around on sidewalks, but most accurately is the way I imagine myself
We’ve all been there, we have delusions of grandeur and imagine ourselves doing…

LCI Seminar in Austin

Bicycle Austin

The City’s Safe Routes to School Program is considering pursuing League of American Bicyclists, League Cycling Instructor (LCI) certification for some of their trainers.
At this time, we have 5 interested participants, but we need 8 to make the class.
Is anyone out there interested in becoming an LCI?
If so, please see additional details below and contact me directly if you have other questions.  You can also read more about becoming an LCI on the League’s website:  http://bikeleague.org/content/become-instructor
•    The course is $300 and…

PBA Eastside Ride…explained by Andrew, Ferd & Brad G.

By Andrew Hoodwin        Plano Bicycle Association

Most of us know about the OAS ride, that it’s been in existence for quite a long time and only really has had two leaders. First there was Mike Boyle and for the last 18+ years, Alan Hasty has been in charge, a true Ironman.  They probably go much faster and longer than most of us, sometimes travelling 70 miles.  Those of us that have/had inspirations and goals would someday like to at least start with their group… OAS is no secret to this club.
On the other hand, not too many know of a weekly ride we host that has been around for almost as long as OAS and has quite a long history of graduated riders and many tales to boot. It’s been around since at least the early 90’s and is featured not only on our website but also on GDB’s list of rides.  No one on our…

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets

https://twitter.com/garyklingemann/status/498222708824358912

https://twitter.com/JerryDusterhoff/status/499939881125441536

https://twitter.com/txbikeracing/status/499929124748943361

Event Reminders

Not Quite As Hot As Usual For August Biking

Texbiker.net Posted on by

A small amount (0.16″) of rain fell during the night lowering the temperature this morning to 70 degrees around 7 AM. By the time I started riding at 10:30 it had warmed up to 89 with scattered clouds. I could feel the coolness as I warmed up in the early miles. I am beginning to wonder what it will be like in Wichita Falls on August 23rd for the Hotter’N Hell Hundred. Looking at the 10 day forecast on Wunderground.com Wichita Falls will be 99 degrees and clear. No quite the 100+ but getting close.

The route today went through Atascocita as usual but I took Kings Parkway to FM1960 and then south of Atascocita Road. Riding through this area adds some distance to the route and some different scenery. On W. Lake Houston Parkway another biker was riding south as I waited at Bens Branch Drive to also go south. He continued on W. Lake Houston Parkway when I turned into Kingwood Greens to loop back to W. Lake Houston Parkway. I like to take this loop to not ride on W. Lake Houston Parkway and miss some of the traffic. The south exit from Kingwood Greens puts me a few hundred feet from the bridge over the San Jacinto River which has a nice but debris cluttered shoulder. With this extended route I rode 34.24 miles and averaged 15.2 mph.

I should’ve averaged more but for some reason the wind seemed to slow me down even though it wasn’t that strong. Riding east over Lake Houston I had trouble getting my speed above 16 mph. Once I turned onto Fairlake Drive and amongst the trees the wind was not as much of an issue but when I rode onto Old Atascocita Road to FM2100 the wind returned and slowed me down. I hoped biking north on FM2100 the wind would be more friendly but it wasn’t.

This made me appreciate the rest stop at the Huffman Chevron. I got there around 12:10 at the 22+ mile point. I stayed about 30 minutes drinking some Powerade and eating Kashi snacks. This time the breeze was moving under the pump canopy and it didn’t take long for the sweat to evaporate. The last few rides I started wearing wrist bands to keep the sweat from soaking my gloves. They work good but I may have some rings on my arms from the sun not tanning where the bands are. Maybe the sunscreen will minimize this.

A couple of days ago I ordered two Camelbak Chill waterbottles thinking they were the new design. On closer inspection they are the previous model so I am waiting for the USPS to deliver them so that I can return them. I am thinking I will buy the new version at the Hotter’N Hell Hundred Exposition. The new version is supposed to have better insulated.

Mileage standings:

  • 163.67 miles for the week (this week could be the highest for the year thanks to the metric century on Monday)
  • 488.79 miles for August (356 miles to reach my goal for August)
  • 4701 miles for the year

Tomorrow’s weather forecast: 94 with partly cloudy sky. Nothing to stop me from biking.

Links to Garmin Connect and RideWithGPS.

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Texas Bicycling News Digest August 13th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Riders and Their Rigs : Aaron Mathes’ Santa Cruz

texasbikeracing.com


Aaron Mathes’ Santa Cruz Nomad built by Matt Willmont
2015 Santa Cruz Nomad Frame
2015 Fox 34 Float Fork
SRAM Shifters & Derailleur
Shimano Saint Brakes
Cane Creek Double Barrel Air Shock
Chris King Hubs & Headset
Mavic 321 Rims
DT Spokes
KS Lev Integra Seat Post
Straightline Stem
Funn Fat Bars
Mavic Crossmax Tires
Crank Bros DH Mallet pedals
Specialized Seat
What are you riding? Tell us a little bit about your pride and joy. Send…

Blackland Classic to race through downtown

By Brad Kellar        ketr.org

There will be a lot of traffic downtown this weekend, mostly of the two-wheeled variety.
Multiple streets will be closed between lunchtime Saturday and Sunday afternoon for the inaugural running of the Blackland Classic.
In June, the Greenville City Council provided Dallas Racing Criterium Series, a non-profit organization, $10,000 in tourism funding.
The event will consist of two days of bike races through downtown Greenville, starting…

Ride the anthills

Friday, Aug 15, 2014, 6:30 PM

5 Dirty SOB’s Went

Check out this Meetup →

Tour de Cypresswood Bike Path

Friday, Aug 22, 2014, 6:00 PM

Cypresswood Bike Path
1/2 Block East of Cypress Wood Crossing Blvd. Cypress, TX

14 cyclists Went

Tour de Cypresswood Bike PathIf you’re wondering what to do about that mountain bike hanging up in the garage, Come out and enjoy the trails of Cypresswood with us.People ask me sometime, “Tommy, It’s so difficult to get out and ride my mountain bike”. As an Expert Rider, I tell them, ” First of all, do not hang your bike up on hooks out of the w…

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http://www.meetup.com/Beginners-Road-Cycling-For-BPMS150/events/188262312/?a=me2_grp&rv=me2&_af_eid=188262312&_af=event

Tour de Ted Cycling Event to Benefit Ready or Not Foundation

texas.icito.com

CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) – The Ready or Not Foundation announced Wednesday that it will be the beneficiary of the Corpus Christi leg of Tour de Ted: Ride the Lone Star, a national bike riding event sponsored by Edward Jones Investments.
Tour de Ted is a nine-city cycling event that raises money for cancer research. At each location, a different charity is selected to receive the funds that are raised. Money raised in the Corpus Christi leg of the…

Bike tour proceeds to benefit Ready or Not Foundation

by Monica Lopez        www.caller.com


CORPUS CHRISTI – A local organization that raising funds for pediatric brain cancer research will receive some help from a charity bicycle ride that will tour nine Texas cities.
At a news conference Wednesday, Barbara Canales announced the Tour de Ted — Ride the Lone Star, will raise funds for the Ready of Not Foundation.
Canales created the foundation after her then 6-year-old daughter, Jackie Black, was diagnosed in 2006 with a brain tumor. The organization’s mission is…

Tour de Cypresswood Bike Path

Thursday, Aug 28, 2014, 6:00 PM

Cypresswood Bike Path
11502 Cypresswood Dr. Cypress, TX

5 cyclists Went

Tour de Cypresswood Bike PathIf you’re wondering what to do about that mountain bike hanging up in the garage, Come out and enjoy the trails of Cypresswood with us.People ask me sometime, “Tommy, It’s so difficult to get out and ride my mountain bike”. As an Expert Rider, I tell them, ” First of all, do not hang your bike up on hooks out of the w…

Check out this Meetup →

Tour de Cypresswood Bike Path

Thursday, Sep 4, 2014, 6:00 PM

Cypresswood Bike Path
11502 Cypresswood Dr. Cypress, TX

4 cyclists Went

Tour de Cypresswood Bike PathIf you’re wondering what to do about that mountain bike hanging up in the garage, Come out and enjoy the trails of Cypresswood with us.People ask me sometime, “Tommy, It’s so difficult to get out and ride my mountain bike”. As an Expert Rider, I tell them, ” First of all, do not hang your bike up on hooks out of the w…

Check out this Meetup →

*** CANCELED DUE TO WET TRAILS *** Tour de Cypresswood Bike Path

Friday, Sep 19, 2014, 6:00 PM

Cypresswood Bike Path
1/2 Block East of Cypress Wood Crossing Blvd. Cypress, TX

9 cyclists Went

*** CANCELED DUE TO WET TRAILS ***         *** CANCELED DUE TO WET TRAILS ***               *** CANCELED DUE TO WET TRAILS ***Tour de Cypresswood Bike PathIf you’re wondering what to do about that mountain bike hanging up in the garage, Come out and enjoy the trails of Cypresswood with us.People ask me sometime, “Tommy, It’s so difficult to get …

Check out this Meetup →

Beginner/Intermediate Group (B/IG) Rides

Tuesday, Aug 19, 2014, 5:45 PM

River Run Plaza
1071 Country Club Rd El Paso, TX

4 Cyclists Went

The El Paso Bicycle Club’s Beginner/Intermediate Group (B/IG)  training program for beginning and intermediate riders runs Tuesday evenings through early September at River Run Plaza, 1071 Country Club (one block east of Upper Valley Rd.). Riding groups are paced for beginner, beginner/intermediate and intermediate riders. Helmets required. More in…

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Hart Elementary – Volunteers Needed

Bicycle Austin

The City’s Safe Routes to School Program is kicking off an amazing and exciting new pilot program for Hart Elementary.  Every 3rd, 4th, and 5th grader who wants to participate will win a free bicycle, helmet, and lock if they ride to school for the month of September.  Help them fulfill this goal by volunteering to lead the bike train across the new North Acres Bridge to Hart Elementary.
Volunteer cyclists are needed to ride with students to or from school each day from…

Tweets

https://twitter.com/JuliaBikes/status/499641662755188736

https://twitter.com/bikenoob/status/499557857004904448

Event Reminder

August Coolness While Biking to Roman Forest

Texbiker.net Posted on by

When I started the ride today I could feel the difference in the air temperature. The promised “cool” front must have arrived. It was pleasant to ride with a wind that was not searing hot. By the time I got to 5 miles I was warmed up enough that the cool air was not noticeable. I biked up US59 using some side roads where needed to Roman Forest Blvd. When I got there I saw the Tavalo clock tower is coming together. The sections are now stacked up and the stone work is getting installed around the base.

Getting to Roman Forest Blvd. took extra effort today with the NE wind trying to slow me down. Loop 494 does not have enough trees to break the wind. I did not ride in the normal gears until I made the turn around at Roman Forest Blvd. going south on the US59 service road. I was able to ride at 20+ mph then. The route came to 33.45 miles long and I averaged 15.4 mph.

With all of the construction south of FM1485 the service road shoulder is littered with lots of dirt and gravel. Throw in a few warning signs standing in the shoulder area and I have to pay close attention. I noticed at the Valley Ranch Parkway and Valley Ranch Bend intersection it is now blocked off to the right. The construction has begun to extend Valley Ranch Parkway north to the Grand Parkway. There is a big sign there with a map showing the future development and I stopped to see what is coming up. They made a few changes from the last time I read it; deleted the wrong New Caney HS label is one.

A stop at the Stripes station at FM1314 was in order to take in the blue sky and breeze. This what I saw:

Flag at the Stripes Station on Valley Ranch Pkwy. Looking NE

Flag at the Stripes Station on Valley Ranch Pkwy. Looking NE

I got some Gatorade and sat out by the pumps to eat some granola bars. The shade was welcome as I watched the people come and go at the station. This was at the 22.25 mile mark in the ride. The last leg is about 11 miles to home. After about 30 miles I headed out to Briar Tree and Oakhurst on the way to Kingwood.

No other bikers today although I did follow an older man riding an e-bike on the trail along Kingwood Drive going east. I passed him before getting to the BBVA Compass bank.

I need to lube my chain again soon. It makes some noise and the Chain-L #5 oil quiets it. I plan on changing the chain when I get to 4000 miles which is 348 miles away. Then I will switch to paraffin was which not as messy.

The Garmin Connect Like Tracking feature is working as it should. My wife said she checked the website a few times and saw my riding route.

My mileage markers:

  • 129.43 miles this week
  • 454.55 miles for August (390 miles left to reach my goal)
  • 4667 miles for the year to date

Yesterday I was having a problem with my Acu-Link weather center updating to the web on both my personal weather page and Weather Underground PWS. For some reason at 1:29PM my Asus router port # stopped working. At the time I couldn’t figure out what was causing the problem until I moved the cable to another port. All is working now.

Thursday looks great for riding: 93 degrees and clear.

[wppa type=”slide” album=”391″ size=”auto”]Any comment[/wppa]

Link to RideWithGPS.

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