Texas Bicycling News Digest July 23rd

Texbiker.net Posted on by

2 women, 2 bikes 3,000 Miles to fight cancer

Story by Jana Eschbach / CBS 12 NEWS

TREASURE COAST, Fla. – A three thousand mile trek with 2 young women, all to spread their story of fighting ovarian cancer. Today Amber Hill and Jessica Terry have made it to the Treasure Coast, part of their east coast bike ride from Maine to Key West to raise awareness for ovarian cancer.
Both Texas women quit their jobs and jumped on a bike in May to pay homage to Amber’s mother Joy Hill, who died of Ovarian cancer in 2012.
Battling bug bites and humid, hot weather, the two are stopping at every state’s National Ovarian Cancer Coalition center along the way to share their stories with those who believe in fighting for a cure. â??We want to engage with as many…

2014 Texas 4000 Team Rolls Into Anchorage as Part of 4,000 Mile Cycling Trek

www.akbizmag.com

Students Embark on 70-Day Ride Raising Funds to Fight Cancer
AUSTIN, TEXAS (July 22nd, 2014) — The longest annual charity bicycle ride in the world, the Texas 4000 team, will be rolling into Anchorage on Friday, August 8, 2014 – after departing from Austin, Texas seventy days earlier. While in Anchorage, the 2014 Texas 4000 Team will celebrate and share Hope, Knowledge and Charity with friends and family before heading to home, school, or new jobs.
Seventy-nine, undergraduate and graduate, students from the University of Texas at Austin brave the rain, sleet, wind, snow, heat and will pedal over 4,500 miles in support of the fight against cancer. Along their journey, riders will volunteer at community events that contribute in the fight against cancer and visit with cancer survivors, patients, caregivers, and family members to make educational presentations about cancer prevention and early…

Bike Multiple Sclerosis Cactus Takes Place This Weekend in Texas

multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com

The next Bike Multiple Sclerosis Cactus and Crude event, a bike run hosted by the National MS Society to raise awareness on this disease, will take place this weekend at the starting line in Midland, TX gathering 200 to 250 cyclists that will ride a total of 150 miles in two days.
The 2014 edition is an anniversary year for the event, and the organization is “trying to make a huge deal” of it, explained Lyndee Groce, development manager for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society South Central Lubbock to the Lubbock Avalanche Journal.
After 25 years of success, the event is already a symbol of the efforts to make MS known. “We do a big…

Glafira Ledezma Killed on Eastex Freeway by Fatal Bicycle Vs. Car Accident in Houston, TX

By Michael Grossman        www.texas-wrongful-death-lawyer.net

Police have identified the man who died last Sunday (July 20, 2014) after his bicycle was hit by a minivan. It happened along the access road for Eastex Freeway and the driver later identified as Glafira Ledezma.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said that Glafira Ledezma was riding his bike along the access road for the highway at about 9:00 p.m. on Sunday night, headed north.
As he crossed through the intersection with Lauder Road, his bike was hit by a passing…

San Antonio park police officer laid to rest

by Sharon Ko        www.kens5.com

SAN ANTONIO — A long time san antonio park police officer who died in a biking accident was laid to rest at the San Jose Burial Park.
Nearly two weeks ago, 63-year-old Douglas Rivers was biking, when he failed to turn and died after slamming into a tree.
The San Antonio Park Police Association said Rivers was an icon in the law enforcement community and a mentor to fellow officers. A close friend of Rivers said…

If Stories Come To You

by Omar C. Garcia        Go Beyond

Morales Barber Shop in Falfurrias, Texas?
I love stories — particularly personal accounts that give me a keyhole-sized peek into locked and dusty inner rooms of the storyteller’s life. Each of us have stories like that, stories that we once told and retold so many times until there was no one new to tell them to. These are the stories that eventually end up locked away until someone comes along who prompts us to rummage through old memories until we find them and then tell them anew.
I stopped in Falfurrias this afternoon on my way to visit my Dad in South Texas. This small town changed years ago when the highway department decided to reroute Highway 281 to the edge of town. When that happened many of the little businesses along the old…

Tour de Tolerance

####
Sunday, August 24    7:30AM
The 8th annual Tour de Tolerance bicycling and running event, benefiting the El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center, is Sunday, Aug. 24, at Ardovino’s Desert Crossing, One Ardovino Drive in Sunland Park, with 100K and 50K rides and 5K run/walk. The 100K begins at 7:30 a.m. (4.5 hour time limit enforced) with run/walk at 8 a.m. and 50K bike ride at 9 a.m. Information/registration: 351-0048, ext. 24 or tourdetolerance.com. Registration at raceadventuresunlimited.com

July 26 – August 10 [Ride Leader Vacation]

Steiner Ranch Cycling

Please note for the next three weekends there will be no updates to the website for upcoming bike rides but that does not mean that there are not going to be any rides.  Just join the email group by clicking on the link on the side bar for up to the minute posts on ride options or just show up at Cups & Cones at 7:30am on Saturday and there will be people there.  Also there will continue to be Coffee Shop and Babes on Bikes rides at…

Bike League’s Andy Clarke Visits North Texas

by Richard Wezensky        www.bikedfw.org


We are very fortunate to have a League of American Bicyclist board member, Gail Spann living in north Texas. Her dedication to cycling and bike education is an inspiration for many bicyclists, advocates and enthusiasts. This past weekend, she and her husband, Jim, hosted a visit from the League’s president, Andy Clarke, who came to talk to us about Bike Education and the Bike Friendly Communities Program in north Texas.
Given that our time with Andy was limited and wanting to keep this visit focused, we set up two meetings with just a few key instructors, advocates, industry leaders and city officials.
Bike Education:
The first meeting – which was held Sunday evening at Gail’s house – was about the current…

Easy After Work Ride

Tuesday, Jul 29, 2014, 7:00 PM

Croos Creek Apartments
7401 Alma Dr Plano, TX

3 Members Went

Come join us for an after work ride. The ride is at an easy pace 12-13 mph and we will ride 13-15 miles. This ride is mostly concrete trail with just a little bit of residential street. All bike types are welcome on this ride. We can met in the front parking lot of the apartment complex by the office.

Check out this Meetup →

Tuesdays Morning Rides Brays Bayou

Tuesday, Jul 29, 2014, 9:00 AM

Bayou Parkland Parking Lot
6520 Almeda Road Houston, TX

1 Cyclists Went

1 to 1 1/2 hour ride starting at Bayou Parking lot off of Almeda . See  map: http://www.meetup.com/Beginners-Road-Cycling-For-BPMS150/photos/20541122/We have changed the meetup point to make it easier and to circumvent traffic.Good in town training ride for MS150

Check out this Meetup →

MTB RIDE

Sunday, Jul 27, 2014, 8:30 AM

8 Dirty SOB’s Went

Check out this Meetup →

Walnut WEDNESDAY Workday

Wednesday, Jul 30, 2014, 5:30 PM

Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
12138 North Lamar Boulevard Austin, TX

3 Mountain Bikers Went

Trail Workday NoticeName: Walnut WEDNESDAY Workday, Wednesday, July 30th from 5:30PM to 8:00PMWhat: Walnut WEDNESDAY WorkdayWhen: Wednesday, July 30th from 5:30PM to 8:00PMWhere: We will meet at the LINCOLNSHIRE entrance (far west side of the trail) and walking in from there.What will we be doing: We will be working on a full scale trimming…

Check out this Meetup →

Tweets

https://twitter.com/txbikeracing/status/491979451417120769

Event Reminder

Grand Parkway Work Moves South

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Another day in the saddle riding to the north on the “New Caney – Gene Campbell Road” route. I have biked 9 days in a row and kind of feel like the TdF bikers. Obviously I don’t ride the distances or mountains they do but the days in a row can affect the body. I have been experiencing some tired and sore leg muscles. Before leaving on the ride I took some ibuprofen and the muscles were not so tired and sore while I rode. I was thinking today might have to be an easy day but I was able to average 15.8 mph over the 34.29 mile long route. We’ll see how tomorrow goes.

This route gets me around the Grand Parkway construction at Community Drive by staying on Loop 494. Traffic wasn’t too bad on Loop 494 and the other roads. Riding in the middle of the day on Wednesday probably helps to avoid some traffic. I have noticed some work to the north of FM1314 just west of Cumberland Drive. Today there was a big logging truck coming from the work site loaded with big old trees. The work is clearing the right of way for the Grand Parkway. At some point the construction will reach FM1314 and an overpass should go up. Hopefully this doesn’t disrupt my route too much.

The weather was hot today. When I stopped at Stripes on FM1314 around 12:40 it was 92 according to the app on my phone. I had biked a little over 23 miles up to there. I took a half hour break to cool down to eat a couple of Kashi trailmix bars and drink some cold Powerade. The perspiration was heavy and the Greensheet I sat on was wet when it came time to leave. I watched today’s TdF stage before leaving on the ride at 11:05. I got back home at 1:59.

The mileage progress to date:

  • 115.4 miles this week
  • 608.99 miles for the month (107 miles to reach July’s goal)
  • 3984 miles for the year

Links to Garmin Connect and RideWithGPS.

Tomorrow the forecast calls for 95 degrees, clear and 20% chance of rain. I should be able to ride with that weather.

[wppa type=”slide” album=”373″ size=”auto”][/wppa]

Texas Bicycling News Digest July 22nd

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Annual Tour de Goatneck bike race set for Saturday

By Nicole Luna        www.cleburnetimesreview.com

Event attracts out-of-towners
As cyclists at the Tour de France finish their race, cyclists from all over Texas will compete in Tour de Goatneck.
The 27th annual Goatneck Bike Ride begins at 6 a.m. Saturday with registration at Cleburne High School. The race benefits local nonprofits such as the Children’s Advocacy Center, Family Crisis Center, East Cleburne Community Center and more.
“Last year we gave away $27,000 in donations to many local charities,” said Jennifer Jones, one of the rider’s organizers. “We don’t really set a goal but every year the amount…

Munson: Texas mayor serious about biking for public health

by Kyle Munson        ragbrai.com


TERRIL, Ia. — Y’all may not believe this, but I’m willing to bet that the mayor of Fort Worth, Texas, puts most RAGBRAI riders to shame in terms of pace and fitness.
Mayor Betsy Price, 64, downplayed her Lone Star grit Monday as I huffed and puffed behind her and her carbon-framed Cervélo bike into Terril early in the second leg of the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa.
“It just happens to feel really good this morning,” she claimed.
She also runs half-marathons.
And what about Monday’s heat index that was predicted to…

 

Ride Interview – Miles 4 Marce – College Station, Texas

www.wheelbrothers.com

Why join your ride?
Have you ever cycled a course raced by Cale Yarborough and A.J Foyt? Miles 4 Marce is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Held at the Texas World Speedway, it is the best Texas cycling venue for 2014! Perfect for first timers, experienced riders, and those training for longer rides like the Hotter N Hell. No cars, traffic, construction, or stop signs on the three mile loop keeps you rolling at top speeds, but always close to restrooms, food, and great bike support.
How long has your ride been around?
This is the inaugural year for Miles 4 Marce, and likely the last time this venue will…

 

Rapha Women’s 100K Bicycle Challenge

by De Mis Ojos / Nicole Ortega        texasbikeracing.com


75+ Austin lady cyclists of all ages joined thousands around the world to promote solidarity and the love of long distance riding. With freshly pumped tires and the route mapped, together we pushed off from Cycleast Bike shop to embark on a central Texas spin. Our halfway point/waterstop was full of healthy fuels to keep us on the path to completion. Women of all ages pushed hard and finished the…

 

Bicyclist visiting from China struck and killed by pickup in Plano

By Valerie Wigglesworth        planoblog.dallasnews.com

A bicyclist from China who was visiting relatives was killed on Friday after being struck by a pickup truck in Plano, police reported Tuesday.
Plano police responded to the intersection of Alma Drive and West Spring Creek Parkway at about 4:45 p.m. Friday. Investigators said a pickup traveling southbound attempted to…

 

Getting Hot

Bike Noob

We’ve had a real break so far this summer. It wasn’t until last week that we had our first 100 degree (38C) days of the season. We had enough rain in June that the grass in my yard is uniformly green.
These conditions are markedly different from the summers we’ve had around here in recent years. The worst was the summer of 2011, when we hit 100 nearly every day for three months straight.
The problem is, the severe drought conditions that began that year have never abated. We’re still in extreme to exceptional drought conditions. But riding has been great.
We decided to add some miles to our usual B ride, and go south to 5-Mile Dam. That’s a county park on the north edge of San Marcos, about 28 miles south of Austin. We knew the heat would be a…

Escaping The Humidity Via Bike Enabled Wind Chilling In Arlington’s Interlochen

Durango Texas


I was unable to get humidity relief via the swimming method this morning because the pool is getting a shock treatment. It takes about a day for the pool to get over being shocked.
To get myself some outdoor wind chilling I used the rolling my wheels method.
That’s bike wheels, not motorized vehicle wheels with windows down and A/C at full blast.
The wind is cooling whilst pedaling, til one stops for a…

Monday Night Social Ride and Picnic Fun

Brazos Valley Cyclists


Thanks to Karen and Klayton for organizing, and for everyone who came out last night. We had a good time at my final Monday Social Ride and the picnic afterwards.

City OK’s plans for new hike and bike trail

By Manuella Libardi        www.beaumontenterprise.com


Runners, walkers and bicyclists will soon have the option to go from the Gulf Terrace Hike and Bike trail behind West Brook High School onto a new trail linking Major Drive to Dowlen Road along Folsom Drive’s south side.
The trail isn’t a straight line between the two thoroughfares. Folsom runs 1.3 miles between Dowlen and Major.
Beaumont council members on Tuesday approved construction for the new 2.44 miles trail, which will curve around…

DORBA Dirt Day – RCP

Sunday, Aug 3, 2014, 8:30 AM

Rowlett Creek Preserve
2525 Castle Drive Garland, TX

60 Participants Went

The next D3 will be at Rowlett Creek Preserve in Garland on August 3rd at 8:30 a.m.All skills levels and ages welcome to this family friendly event to check out one of our longer trails at over 16 miles long and built on a staked loop system. For full description of the trail go to: http://dorba.org/trail.php?t=22Be there between 8:15 to 8:45 to …

Check out this Meetup →

Kaylee’s Kid’s Day

Sunday, Jul 27, 2014, 9:00 AM

Frisco NW Community Park Trail
1506 Gloryview Road Frisco, TX

8 Participants Went

Join DORBA and Cadence Cyclery for a kids mountain biking day!Grab your kiddos and your bikes for a fun filled morning including a kids clinic, ride, and picnic.We are trying to beat the heat but be sure and bring plenty of hydration and sunscreen as well as folding chairs and a side or dessert to share to go along with the hamburgers & hot dogs …

Check out this Meetup →

Bicycle brunch ride from La Madeleine SMU area.

Saturday, Aug 16, 2014, 8:30 AM

La Madeline
3072 Mockingbird Lane Dallas, TX

11 Members Went

Hello group will be leading and easy paced brunch ride starting and finishing at La Madeline near SMU. Start at 8:30 am and ride a through the Park cities Estates touring the homes. Hope to finish around 10:00am ish”. Have brunch at La Madeline afterwards.                                                                                           Dis…

Check out this Meetup →

Hot and Cold Ride

Thursday, Jul 24, 2014, 6:30 PM

Dallas Bike Works
4875 W Lawther Dr Dallas, TX

12 Members Went

Hot ride and cold drinks – twice around the lake at a moderately quick pace followed by cold drinks at The Lakehouse.

Check out this Meetup →

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets

https://twitter.com/txbikeracing/status/491662447447531520

https://twitter.com/COABikeProgram/status/491576148040511489

https://twitter.com/MitchellGSides/status/491450166126596097

Stroker Road and the Grass Farms

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I biked the “Stroker Road – Huffman” route with the intent to get close to 40 miles in. I ended up riding 40.84 miles averaging 16.0 mph. In addition to the miles I also wanted to check out the road work Harris County Precinct 2 did on Old Atascocita Road. These pictures show the work:

[wppa type=”slideonly” album=”372″ size=”auto”][/wppa]

Looking from FM2100 east it appears the road was resurfaced shoulder to shoulder but about a mile or so east of FM2100 the resurface work was only about 4 feet wide from each shoulder with some areas both shoulders and others only one shoulder. Riding west on Old Atascocita the repairs fixed the road to a smooth ride from the dips and bumps from before. The east bound lane appeared to get less repairs and another ride will check that out.

Before I got to Old Atascocita Road I was on Ramsey Road which splits a number of grass farms. I noticed several sections of grass gone and the recent rains and heat probably caused the grass to grow. The way Saint Augustine grass is harvested is to skim the grass and roots from the dirt. Over time the land gets lower and lower requiring dirt to be added or grass not grown. One farmer had his tractor mowing some high grass in a field beside a house. I wonder if it will be baled for use.

Weather was hot with 87 degrees when I left home at 10:58 and 93 as I rolled back into the driveway at 2:14. The humidity has still not let up. When I stopped at the Huffman Chevron before I went inside I sat down with a bunch of paper towels to dry off some. The perspiration did not cooperate though until I got a cold drink, ate and sat there for 20 minutes or so. There was a light breeze under the gas pump canopy which helped to cool me down some. I did see one other biker on Fairlake Drive as I was going south.

Mileage standings:

  • 81.11 miles this week
  • 574.69 miles for July (141 miles left to reach July’s goal)
  • 3949 miles for the year

Links to Garmin Connect and RideWithGPS.

[wppa type=”slide” album=”371″ size=”auto”][/wppa]