Texas Bicycling Blog and News Digest April 8th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Results: Charter Reserve Stage Race 2014

by John Powell        www.voodooracing.net

Voodoo Racing had seven riders in the top 10 of various categories following the time trial, putting us in a great position for the crit races on the 2nd day. We woke up to find a strong storm cell parked over Tyler hitting the city with strong winds, cold temperatures and hard rain. The race promoters decided to keep everyone safe and cancel the crits.
This left Voodoo with the following top 10 GC results: …

Sprawling Houston sees increase in commuter cyclists

Madison Henry, Research director- Houston Business Journal


Last week,  Houston ranked among the country’s most sprawling cities— out-sprawling San Antonio, Austin and even Dallas and Fort Worth — in a recent report released by Smart Growth America. As vast as Houston is, it only barely made it into the top 10.
It will come to no surprise to regular commuters that Houston also ranks among the nations worst metro areas for commuters. Inrix, a data firm based in Kirkland, Wash., keeps a scorecard for the worst metro traffic areas  in the U.S., and Houston ranked…

Strava Revisited

Bike Noob

Okay, I have no integrity whatsoever. After bashing Strava several times on this blog, I am now immersed in the ride tracking program — big time.
Why the sudden change in feeling? Well, it’s all because of a new phone. I’ve never had a smartphone before. All my mobile phones were very basic. So when my wife and I sprang for new phones over the weekend, I knew I would want to try out some apps. And for a cyclist, what better app to try out than Strava?
Honestly, I thought I would use it to take the place of my Bike Journal entries, where I keep tabs online of my rides. Strava catalogs much the…

Mountain Bike Time Trials

San Angelo Bicycle Association

The mountain bike time trials are held at the San Angelo State Park. The park entrance fee is $3/person unless you have a State Park Pass. All MTB time trials start at what’s commonly known as the “playground.” Enter the south entrance off 2288 (about a mile from Arden Road) and continue straight until you see the playground on your left.
As we are holding 6 TT’s each, we are re-instating the rule of attending three events to qualify for end of the season recognition. We will also be able to establish most improved using three qualifying times and we will recognize perfect attendance. …

April Newsletter Published

Dallas Area Tandem Enthusiasts

The April edition of the DATES-Line Newsletter is published and available for download from the newsletters page. This month’s edition includes the following:
Blind Stoker Seeks Captain
Round and Round the Lake Ride
Impromptu Tandem Ride
Pete’s Impromptu Redneck Ride …

Interview – Ride for Heroes – Aledo, TX

www.Wheelbrothers.com

Hey Wheel Brothers! Has spring been treating everyone well? We hope everyone has had a chance to get out there and get started on their spring rides. If you are looking for another awesome ride, benefiting an awesome cause, you have got to check out our interview with the board members of the Ride for Heroes.
Why join your ride?
The Ride for Heroes is a well-organized ride that offers the right combination of scenery and challenge.  Our routes are well-marked and our law enforcement control of traffic is top notch.  We consider our rest stops to be the best in Texas.  You’ll find friendly, enthusiastic, and encouraging people. Plus, there’s even homemade cookies and more.  Lunch is included in the entry fee and you get your choice of a hamburger, veggie burger, or hot dog with chips and…

First BikeValet at Sunday Streets a Success

www.bikehouston.org


The premiere of BikeHouston’s BikeValet service at the Sunday Streets event in The Heights was successful. Despite the rain, people turned up with their bikes at the bike coral on White Oak Drive. They left their bikes and went to enjoy all the entertainment the neighborhood provides.
The BikeHouston’s volunteers also were enthusiastic about the arrangement. Of course they had to move their table with goodies around to keep everything dry, and next time they will ask…

How to make a trail map, creating a mountain bike trail map with free online tools

Shawn McAfee        www.texasmountainbiketrails.com

Today’s Bearded Bike Tip is answering a viewer question about how to create a trail map for the local MTB trail.
Luckily with today’s online tools and a cell phone it is easier than ever to create a great looking and functional trail map. …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcAVfxEGFs4&feature=player_embedded

More Progress On Central Trail South

Bike Friendly Richardson


We’ve been following the progress on the Central Trail South (what we are calling the DART Trail section between Arapaho Road and 635 LBJ) and we are seeing some great progress. The last time we checked, the biggest barrier – which was building the trail over some creeks and drainage systems (between Belt Line Road and Spring Valley Road) – was requiring some major, time consuming construction.
From our latest inspection over the past weekend, we discovered that most of that construction is…

Spring Races

by League Director in News        www.texashighschoolcycling.org

Wow, we really thought the main page had been updated long ago with the spring road schedule but guess not.  Sorry about that!
Check the race series tab to see the full schedule complete with results from the events that have already happened.
Remaining race weekends at this point are: …

Tweets

https://twitter.com/cnwracing/status/453537402439491584

Event Reminders

Where Was My Sail?

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Biking to Huffman today I almost flew on the way there but the way back was tough. A wind advisory was in effect. When I left home at 11:38 I could feel the wind from the NW at 21 mph and 29 mph gusts. On the way back from Huffman getting across Lake Houston on FM1960 was hard. I think my top speed was 11.8 mph. The lake had white caps on the north side of the causeway and the waves looked about 2 feet tall sometimes. Checking the weather when I got home at 2:32 I understood why getting back home was so hard: a WNW wind of 25 mph and 36 mph gusts. The wind advisory is supposed to end at 8:00 PM tonight.

Meanwhile the temperature was 68 when I started so I bundled up some thinking the wind would cool everything down. I wore leg warmers, short and long sleeve jerseys under a windbreaker jacket. I was warm and comfortable but I probably could have skipped the leg warmers. When I finished it was 74.

As I was biking I could see twigs and other small debris on the streets and roads. On the way back as I biked on Kingwood Greens Drive I heard a loud crash as a tree limb fell among some trees. Fortunately the limb stayed away from the street.

On the way to Huffman I stopped on Old Atascocita Road at the railroad tracks to wait for the Amtrak train to pass on the way to New Orleans. It leaves the Houston station at 12:10 so I figured it should get to Huffman by 1:00 of so but instead a freight train came through and then stopped before crossing FM2100 in Huffman so the Amtrak train probably took another track.

I rode 31.34 miles and averaged 15.0 mph which surprises me with all of the wind. So far I biked 222.4 miles in April, 68.29 miles this week and 1482 miles year to date. I have 555.6 miles to reach the 778 mile goal for April.

Tomorrow will be 77 degrees and clear with less wind, I hope.

Links to Garmin Connect and RideWithGPS maps and metrics.

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Texas Bicycling News and Blog Digest April 7th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Bicyclist killed on dark road in north Harris

By Dale Lezon        www.chron.com

A bicyclist died Sunday night when a car hit him as he tried to cross a darkened street in north Harris County.
The incident occurred about 9:30 p.m. in the 2600 block of West Mount Houston near Big John, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said Alejandro Benito was riding a bicycle as he tried to cross the road, failing to yield the right of…

Man rides bike to fundraise for cancer

By Hannah Hipp, Staff Writer        www.dailytoreador.com

Riding a bike for 10 hours straight and over 200 miles is a challenge few people would have the tenacity to take on.
Brian Alger, a Lubbock citizen and cycling enthusiast, was happy to welcome the challenge.
“I’m very competitive,” Alger said.
Alger rode his bike on a stationary setup to complete 10 hour-long cycling videos Saturday at Sun Adventure Sports.
Alger completed the videos consecutively, he said, with only 10-minute breaks in between, in order to…

Matagorda, Texas Bike Friendly Beach Camping, by Rideon

www.naturalbiking.com

Matagorda Nature Center on the Texas Gulf Coast provides fun beach camping for the entire family.  With most folks heading to Padre Island, Galveston and Surfside (respectively) we opted for a new area.
Approaching Matagorda to get our beach camping permit, which is good for the entire year at a very reasonable ten bucks I took one of our first photos of the trip.  A calm cool breeze settled in to the area and for seasoned south Texas campers it is very welcomed weather.  During the summer mosquitoes and…

Forgotten Path – Canyon, Texas

www.singletracks.com

Description
About half of the loop is asphalt sidewalk with a lot of overgrown grass. The rest is part of the park maintenance road that runs between ballparks and I made up the remainder of the path by riding around in the open field just trying to connect the loop.

Big Bend Ranch State Park

by Crudcake        forums.mtbr.com

Day 1 – We thought we’d start things off with a leg burner from our camp at the Javelin Pens campground along the Javelin Road up to the Sauceda Ranger Station for some intel on the local springs along our bikepacking route and to pay our backcountry and camping permits. We’d arrived the previous day a little late and the office was closed so we needed to settle up.
Ranger Eileen gave us some great advice on the available water along our route and she recommended we start things off today by hitting the…

GHORBA Group Ride at Jack Brooks

Great Houston Off-Road Biking Association

GHORBA Group Ride at Jack Brooks
April 16, 2014 – 6:00pm
GHORBA Group Ride at Jack Brooks
April 23, 2014 – 6:00pm

Hamm Creek Park: Self-Contained vs. SAG

Lone Star Cyclists

Date: Saturday, April 12, 2014 – 8:30am
Next weekend’s overnight trip from Maypearl to Hamm Creek Park just got a lot easier to consider if you don’t have a touring bike that can haul loads of gear. New members Mark and Debra Metcalf have volunteered to provide a SAG for camping equipment. We’ll coordinate the meet location and time for those who would like to go but need assistance getting their gear to Hamm Creek Park. If this interests you, please email our ride coordinator Tim Williams so he can…

Cycling Skills Clinics

Plano Bicycle Association

Cycling Skills Clinics

Performance Bicycle Great Ride Series: W. Houston

Performance Bicycle

You’re invited to join our Saturday morning, beginners group ride starting from and ending at our W. Houston, Performance Bicycle store. The ride is for beginners and those getting back on the saddle. The average pace will be between 10 and 14 miles per hour and the ride will last approximately one hour. We’ll explore some of the local bike paths available to you and experience some residential riding as well. The ride leaves the store every…

George Bush Park

Katy Bicycle fun riders

Sunday, April 13, 2014    9:30 AM
George Bush Park
20710 Westheimer Parkway, Katy, TX (map)
Park in the lot by the soccer fields off Westheimer. There is a outbuilding, meet there.
We can determine distance there. …

Lancaster Country Ride

Dallas Cycling Trail Riders and Weekend Pub Crawlers

Saturday, April 12, 2014    8:30 AM
Town Square Realty
108 N Dallas Ave, Lancaster, TX (map)
I had a chance to ride last weekend with the Shawnee Trail cycling club and they were raving about this ride!  There are 23, 42, and 62 mile rides and the bluebonnets will be in full bloom!  And they have a beer tent after the ride.  I will most likely do the…

April Member’s Meeting!

Corpus Christi Cycle Club

When: Sunday, April 14th, 6:30 PM
Where: B&J?s Pizza – 6335 S Padre Island Drive
Please join us at B&J ?s Pizza for our first members meeting of the year!
We have some great things to unveil to our members as well as getting new ideas from our membership.
This is also a time to renew your membership and also to find out more about our club if you are new and would like to join.
Wed Night Hammerfest Time Change
When: 6:00 PM (Changed from 5:30 PM)
Where: Lamar Park – 3850 S Alameda St (corner of Doddridge & Alameda)

WTCA Caprock Escarpment Tour

West Texas Cycling Association

Date: May 17, 2014
Location: Crosbyton, TX
Contact: TBA
Details: The Caprock Escarpment will be held on Saturday, May 17th, at 09:00am starting from the Silver Falls Rest Area just east of Crosbyton. Silver Falls Rest Area is on highway 82 going east from loop 289. Just take the Idalou exit and follow Hwy 82 through Idalou, Ralls, Lorenzo, and Crosbyton to arrive at the rest area. The drive takes about 45 minutes from central Lubbock. The bicycle route continues east on hwy 82 until you arrive in Dickens. At Dickens, we will have a rest stop and then have you turn south
to Spur. We’ll refuel you in Spur and then send you northwesterly back to Hwy 82. We’ll have a rest area at the top of the hill before you turn onto hwy 82. At hwy 82, you will turn left, west, and head back to Silver Falls. The total mileage is 58 and the cost for the ride is $5 per person. …

Another Podium Finish in Tyler

Corinth Cycling

The Corinth Cycling/Harden Racing team had another great weekend in Tyler at the Charter Reserve Stage Race.
Darrell Hull and Stan Kruse finished 2nd and 3rd respectively in the 50+ cat 1-4 race!!!
In the 40+ division Derek Cooley kept his terrific spring rolling with a 4th place overall finish. Ray Healy finished eigth overall and Roland San Miguel took 12th.
Congrats to everyone who raced for Corinth Cycling/Harden Racing. …

Paceline April Edition

Fort Worth Bicycling Association

Our most recent Paceline (the club’s online newsletter) was last updated 4-7-14 and is available…

Four simple lessons from Austin’s brilliant bike plan update

Michael Andersen, Green Lane Project staff writer        PeopleforBikes

In the tech boomtown of Austin, data is king — and city staffers are making some of the country’s strongest data-driven arguments for better bike infrastructure.
A new slideshow by Austin engineer Nathan Wilkes spells out the virtues of a $140 million protected bike lane network that would, he and colleagues calculate, increase the street capacity of congested central Austin by 7 percent.
Wilkes says that’s the sort of analysis needed for a shift away from thinking about bike projects one street at a time and toward thinking about networks.
“Isolated protected facilities are like coming up for air,” Wilkes writes. “But only when facilities and networks are cohesive will we see big change.”
Networks are already bringing big change to auto-jammed cities like Seville, Spain, where the citywide share of trips by bike leapt from 0.5 percent in 2006 to 7 percent in 2012 after the city added a bike…

April 2014 Trash Pickup and Ride

Nacogdoches Bicycle Club

It was a bit cool and the grass was very tall as the two groups collected four bags of trash and a bean bag chair.
Ron was surprised when he rode up on us because he thought we were on the other side of town!  What a funny guy!
It was a good turn out by our members and some brought their families.  Cater rode his bike and did a quick Tour De Overlook before he left to help his parents with trash pickup.  Brian and his new bride, Jennifer, brought his step-daughter Kayley and she was a big help.  Tim O. demonstrated his new trash “picker-upper” and…

Seer Sucker Spring Picnic Ride Sat April 26th

by The Announcer Guy        Biking in Dallas

Our Spring compliment to the Fall Tweed Ride! Finally!
April’s perfect weather for a Seer Sucker suits, dresses, shirts, pants, jackets, hats and umbrellas…
Sat April 26th 11.30am-4pm
Meet at 11:30 am and we’ll leave from Klyde Warren Park and bike up through Greenville Ave, meet our East Dallas friends at the Sprouts market at Henderson (and pick up extra wine and cheese) and then head to White Rock for a sunny afternoon picnic.
It’s a pretty informal event, but we’re encouraging folks to BYO picnic and booze, musical instrument to…

Seen at Bike Swap at the Brewery

by Christopher Curnutt        Biking in Dallas

I haven’t been to a bike swap or visited Fort Worth in ages, so when I saw Rahr and Sons Brewery Company was hosting a bike swap I had a good excuse to check two things off my list.  As you know the weather was crappy on Sunday and the further west I went the harder the rain was coming down, yet I somehow managed to not wuss out and make it there.   I’m sure the weather kept some people home that day but they had quite a crowd and numerous tables filled with frames, full bikes and…

Tweets

https://twitter.com/danielcurtin/status/453356397905055744

https://twitter.com/SheaHargis/status/453134055492833280

https://twitter.com/GranFondoGuide/status/453172125356924930

Event Reminders

Greeted by a Siren

Texbiker.net Posted on by

As I pulled into the driveway at the end of the ride I heard our security system siren blaring. My wife had left before I got there so I hurried inside and turned the alarm off. I called the monitoring company to tell them I was home and the alarm was a mistake. I suspect my wife hit the wrong button as she left. Not too much longer two Houston Policemen walked up to the front door. Greeting them asked for my driver’s license. Once I showed the license and thanked them they went back to the cruiser.

The ride was to the north today going to New Caney and then left to Gene Campbell Road, FM1314 to Porter. I made my usual stop at the Stripes station on FM1314 at Valley Ranch Parkway. At that point I biked just over 25 miles so rest and snack was in order. Sitting in the sun felt nice with the temperature showing 72 on my phone, Wind was at 9 mph from the west and the sky had puffs of clouds floating but not enough to really block the sun. My wardrobe might have been heavier than needed but I was comfortable with shorts, short and long sleeve jerseys covered by a windbreaker jacket. At times in the shade I felt a coolness that made me appreciate the clothes.

Riding today took me 36.95 miles averaging 15.6 mph. I did not see any other bicyclists until the 1/4 mile of the ride when I was riding on the trail and almost home. April mileage now totals 191.06 with 587 miles to reach the 778 mile goal. Year to date totals 1451 miles.

I delayed the start of the to wait on the sun to burn off the clouds and to warm up to 72 degrees. I left home at 1:34 and finished at 4:38. With this later start I missed all of the school traffic.

Links to Garmin Connect and RideWithGPS maps and metrics.

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