Texas Bicycling News and Blog Digest July 17th

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Erwin Park Mountain Bike Trail | McKinney, Texas

by Zane        blazeshack.com


Erwin Park is a great trail located in McKinney, TX roughly 30 miles north of Dallas.  This is a fun trail with open field trails, whoops, roots, and much more.  Check out this video, and get out and ride Erwin.  If you need to check out a bike shop in the…

Bicycling, fitness center, rooftop bar coming to Clearfork’s Trailhead

By Scott Nishimura        fwbusinesspress.com


An 11,000-square-foot, two-story bicycling and fitness center is headed for the Trailhead at Clearfork on the Trinity River in west Fort Worth, Cassco Development said Wednesday.
Mayor Betsy Price helped make the announcement before her Wednesday Tour de Fort Worth bike ride, which began at the Trailhead, Cassco’s outdoor recreational venue on…

Third Thursday Time Trial Series Race 5

West Texas Cycling Association

Date: July 24, 2014
Location: Lubbock, TX
Contact: Brian Alger
Details: DATE CHANGE: JULY 24, 2014. Chapparal Cycling Club, as a part of the West Texas Cycling Association, will be hosting the 2014 Third Thursday Time Trial series. We will be looking for a few volunteers to help at each event as the series can not happen without you. No experience necessary. Meet at the intersection of CR7300 & CR3600 (Horseshoe Bend) at 6:00pm. Race starts at 6:30pm. The course is an 11 mile counterclockwise circuit heading east on CR7300, then north on CR3860, then west on CR6950 and finally south on CR3700 back to the start. Be sure to bring bug spray with deet as the mosquitos are thick after the recent rains.

Killer Hill Time Trial Series

Tyler Bicycle Club

It is time for the Killer Hill TT Series.  Again this year, we will be giving our riders a choice of one lap, 13 miles, or two laps, 26 miles.  We will have a volunteer supported “feed zone” for those who ride two laps.  The dates will be July 24th, 31st, August 14th and August 28th.  We will be giving away a Bontrager Aeolus D3 Carbon Clincher wheelset, sponsored by the TBC, ETT and Simpson’s Adventure Sports, to one lucky participant.  You must ride in three of the four events to qualify for the drawing.

Finish the Ride

by hubzone37        West Texas Recumbent


This is a dedicated ride to Aaron Ross a young man of the Tuila community who lost his life riding his bike.
Routes were also reorganized, and we were provided with excellent rest stops.2014-07-12 07.41.37
We started out heading east and I rode with Tom Speed for about the first mile or two. Our pace was good but I got the need for speed so I caught up with the pace group, and I was all smiles drafting the group while my music loud provided…

Join us for Bicycle-Friendly Fridays!

by   Rebbeca Clark        Brazos Valley Cyclists


Every Friday, a group of bicyclists meets up at the Blue Baker on Dominik Drive for breakfast and conversation about all things bicycling. We would love to have your company! People generally start appearing a few minutes after 7 am, and then filter out sometime between 7:40 and 9 am, depending on the amount of time it takes to get to work. Bike-Friendly Fridays are a great way to…

Road Bikers vs. Mountain Bikers

Bike Noob


A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned a conversation we had while on a mountain bike ride. Another mountain biker had stopped to chat with us, and we talked for a good 15 minutes before he moved on.
“That’s why I like mountain bikers,” said my friend Maggie. “They’re more sociable than road bikers.”
Are they?
The club we’re in is a road biking club, although some of the members mountain bike, too. We never organize any mountain bike rides to…

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets

https://twitter.com/jackmott42/status/489844751382740993

Event Reminders

Critical Mass Houston

Friday, July 25, 2014

Market Square Park
301 Milam Street
Downtown Houston Corner of Travis and Congress
Houston, TX

DORBA Beginner Clinic

Sunday, August 10, 2014

8:30 AM
LB Houston Nature Trail East Trailhead
Wildwood Drive, Dallas, TX

Hotter’N’­Hell Simulation Ride

Sunday, July 20, 2014

11:00 AM
Cycling Center Dallas
1373 West Campbell Road, Richardson, TX

Wednesday Walnut Creek Social – NEW TIME 7:00pm

Wednesday, July 23, 2014    7:00 PM

Wednesday Night Ride

Wednesday, July 23, 2014        5:45 PM

River Run Plaza OR Rio Plaza
1071 Country Club (River Run) or 6205 Upper Valley (Rio Plaza), El Paso, TX

Another Wet Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I cannot remember a year where I rode in the rain as much as this year. Today I set off to Huffman but I didn’t get there. As I rode by Kingwood High Scholl on Kingwood Drive I started to feel a few rain drops but I kept going thinking I would ride out of it. The streets weren’t wet yet as I went through Town Center and into Kingwood Greens. By the time I reached W. Lake Houston Parkway it was raining steady. I crossed W. Lake Houston Parkway to get in the parking garage at Kings Harbor. Waiting there about 10 minutes the rain stopped so I thought I would continue on to Huffman.

Normally I ride on the W. Lake Houston Parkway bridge shoulder but I decided to ride on the trail/sidewalk on the northbound side. By the time I got to the bridge it was raining lightly and as I crossed the river/lake it did not let up. When I reached Kings River Drive I turned around and headed back home. It sprinkled on me all the way. As I write this it is raining heavier than when I was biking so I am glad I turned back.

I keep drying out my bike shoes and I hope they can survive all of the water I am putting them in. For myself, mildew may be a problem. Tomorrow (Friday) the forecast calls for more rain maybe as much as 5″ in some areas.

The route I did manage to ride came to 15.62 miles. I include the ride metrics but this was not much exercise.

7-17-2014 GC Ride Metrics

Texas Bicycling Blog and News Digest July 16th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Teenage cyclist hit by car in Austin

By Brett Boese        www.postbulletin.com

AUSTIN — A teenager was injured Monday when he was hit by a car while biking in Austin.
The 14-year-old boy was traveling the wrong way down West Oakland Avenue with a group of friends on bikes or skate boards when he was struck by a 57-year-old man who was attempting to turn onto the road from 7th Street, according to Austin Police Chief Brian Krueger.
The boy was transported to Mayo Clinic Health System — Austin via…

http://www.meetup.com/Beginners-Road-Cycling-For-BPMS150/events/190386902/?a=me2_grp&rv=me2&_af_eid=190386902&_af=event

Rio Grande Valley, TX Navigating MAP-21 Workshop

www.bikewalkalliance.org

Friday, August 01, 2014 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Event Details
Join the Advocacy Advance team for a Navigating MAP-21 Workshop in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
Brownsville, TX

Horseshoe Trail Mountain Biking | Grapevine, Texas

by Zane        blazeshack.com

Townsen Park and Ride could receive bike improvements

Susan McFarland        ourtribune.com

At the recent Metro Board of Directors Strategic Planning Meeting, recommendations were presented to enhance the bike facilities at the Townsen Park and Ride to include a trail extension project, new bike lighting, security, access and parking. The enhancements are part of the Metro Bike and Ride Access Plan approved in March, which recommends partnerships with local organizations, such as Harris County Precinct 4, to integrate bike access with transit facilities.
The enhancements are subject to funding approval. According to Metro Senior Media Specialist Margaret O’Brien Molina, Harris County Precinct 4, as part of their larger Spring Creek Trail development, worked with Metro representatives to develop…

Annual Moonlight Bicycle Ramble

Saturday, Oct 25, 2014, 11:30 PM

George R. Brown Convention Center
1001 Avenida de las Americas Houston, TX

37 cyclists Went

Since 1973, thousands of riders have lit up the streets of Houston for this amazing fully-supported bicycle ride. Starting from the George R Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston at 11:59 pm the ramble will have an 8-mile and 20-mile route. Prizes awarded for best costume and best lighted bike. All riders are required to wear a bicycle helmet…

Check out this Meetup →

Rowlett to Fort Worth without a car is time-consuming, but the view is hard to beat

By Ben Schwab        transportationblog.dallasnews.com


On Monday, a friend from Frisco wanted to meet up with another friend living in Fort Worth. I told him I’d see him out there – but I’d be taking the train.
I looked up the Trinity Railway Express schedule online and immediately headed out. The TRE goes from Union Station to Downtown Fort Worth in just shy of an hour.
Bike and bus lane on Houston Street in Downtown Fort Worth. (Ben Schwab)
I pumped up my tires, rode to DART’s Downtown Rowlett Station and bought my regional day pass for $10. From there, it took a little less than 45 minutes to get to Union Station where I hopped onto the TRE with my bike.
It was truly exciting being on a bona fide train in Texas. Admittedly, I was a bit giddy. I sat down in the seats with a table to write my next post, but there was little time for that. Immediately I struck up a conversation with the person sitting across from me. She was from Arlington and suggested that if I go beyond the amusement parks and stadiums, there…

Sunday Trail Ride about 12 miles Coppell

Sunday, Jul 20, 2014, 1:30 PM

parking lot
601 canyon drive coppell, TX

5 Members Went

Casual ride mostly trails. Cruisers, Road bikes, and Mountain Bikes welcome. We will ride between 10-12 miles. Parking details will be provided after you plan to join. Margarita’s likely after the ride.

Check out this Meetup →

Corpus Christi Cycle Club Newsletter

Corpus Christi Cycle Club

H-E-B’s Spirit of Giving $10,000 Donation…
Lake Mathis Ride? Let’s Do It!…
New Ride! NO DROP WEEKY ISLAND RIDES…
Coming Events- Local…
Warriors on Wheels…
GEAR SWAP – FLEET FEET…
Silent Auction…

Plano East Side Ride on August 16th

Greater Dallas Bicyclists

The GDB Board would like to highlight all the great GDB Rides by selecting a different Ride each month & encouraging all members to check it out. For the month of August we will be at the Plano East Side Ride. Saturday, Aug 16, 2014 at 8:00 AM please join us & try something new.
When: Saturday, Aug 16, 2014, 8:00 AM
Where: Near Plano Cycling and Fitness
661 Eighteenth Street
Plano, TX
Description: Distance: 30-55 miles
Pace: 14-16 mph
Breaks 2
Meet 661 18th Street, Plano.
Speed varies depending on skill of the riders. Multiple groups, frequently
two doing different distances.
Optional lunch following ride.

Houston mountain biking. HUGE crashes!

by Alex Hernandez


Riding around memorial park with some friends.

Not Rolling Over A Mallard Cove Cactus Patch While Texting About West Texas Roughnecks With The Queen Of Wink

Durango Texas


Today I decided to use my motorized vehicular transport device to take my non-motorized transport device to Mallard Cove Park to roll my two in-line wheels for a few miles.
In the picture, as you can see, my handlebars have screeched to a halt before running into a huge cactus patch.
My handlebars, well, actually it is the brakes and the wheels which do the screeching, …

Saturday July 19 [Dustin Dinh/C&C Ride] and Sunday 20 [Coffee Shop/Bakes on Bikes/Jay’s B Day] Rides!

Steiner Ranch Cycling

Saturday we had 16 riders show up and we had 11 of us do a really nice 40 mile route and we all had a great time. The others went out and did the 70+ mile ride.
Sunday was the “Babes on Bikes” and “Sunday Social” rides had a great turn out and it looks like it is going to be a great Sunday ride for everyone.
Tour De Cure Please make sure you join our Tour de Cure team which we do every year and it has been tons of fun.  Cycling, Food and Beer and all for a great cause: http://main.diabetes.org/goto/TeamBeef
NEXT WEEKENDS RIDES
COMMAND 2 GUT & GRILLING – Saturday July 19th at 7:30am at Cups & Cones
This weekend there will be three rides you can choose from. One ride will be leaving…

Bike/car collision at HEB (Hancock) exit on I-35 frontage road

Bicycle Austin

Around 7pm tonight there was a bike/car collision at the eastern exit of the Hancock HEB where it meets I-35.  I got there (coincidentally) minutes after it happened.  According to the driver, whom I spoke to, he was exiting the HEB parking light in his white Prius on a green light when the cyclist slammed into him at a high rate of speed.  Given that the right side rear part of the car was hit, I assume the cyclist was riding southbound on the service road, but in theory he could have been on the sidewalk (whose crossing is not signaled).  The driver was also slightly injured; I could see his arm bleeding.  He said it was from flying glass.
The cyclist was face down, and moving his legs, but according to the driver, was “in pretty bad shape”.  The driver seemed very concerned about the cyclist being hurt.  A witness who’d been driving an older…

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets

Event Reminder

A New Headband Sweat Test

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I tried a different exit from Kingwood on the way to New Caney. I really just mixed the streets up before getting to Mills Branch Drive. In New Caney I went under US59 at Caney Creek to add another mile. This added about two miles to the typical “New Caney – Gene Campbell Road” route. I biked 35.27 miles averaging 16.0 mph.

The weather was more cooperative today with no rain. Mostly cloudy skies kept the temperature around 88 degrees and the humidity was 96% at the start (10:30) and 91% at the end (1:19). The wind was less than 4 mph most of the time.

Yesterday I wore my new Headsweat headband hoping to test it with the heat. Instead the heat never was a factor. Today it was warmer and I wore the same headband. The sweat stayed away from my eyes and I did not have to dip my chin to drain the excess water away. Granted it wasn’t 90+ degrees so that might change. I noticed when I stopped at Stripes for a break that I could feel sweat dripping on my neck as the Headsweats headband dried. Also when I was riding on FM1314 southeast I could feel a coolness as the wind blew across the headband. This probably happened other times too but when I was riding into the wind while on FM1314 I had a slight tailwind. So far I am pleased with the headband and will keep trying them out. I bought two headbands and a skull wrap. I am waiting on two other possible aids like the $19.95 head scarf/wrap advertised on TV. I ordered mine on TV and only spent $7.62 total. All of these headbands are made of Coolmax material. Years ago I had some jerseys made out of Coolmax. They were cool in the heat but the fabric was prone to snagging and pilling. Maybe headbands are a better use.

Traffic was heavier than usual today and I did not see any other bikers. I stopped at Stripes on FM1314 for a break at 24 miles. The ride metrics:

7-16-2014 GC Ride Metrics

Mile markers:

  • 69.49 miles this week
  • 376.56 miles for the month (340 miles left to reach my goal)
  • 3751 miles year to date

[iframe http://connect.garmin.com:80/activity/embed/542913196 465px 550px]

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