Texas Bicycle News and Blogs Updates February 10th

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Wichita Falls City Officials Working on Becoming Bicycle Friendly City

www.texomashomepage.com

Wichita Falls is in the process of applying to become designated a bicycle friendly city.
Since Hotter’N Hell is an important part of the local economy, city officials want to expand and improve options for bicyclists.
To get the designation, the city has to show how they encourage biking.
They’re working on shared lane projects and will have many events in may for bicycle awareness month including speeches about bike safety at local schools and having a bike to work day.
Organizers say it’s important that drivers and…

Results Ray Porter Memorial 6 Hour

texasbikeracing.com

Results from the second annual “Race Against Cancer” at Tyler State Park on Saturday February 8, 2014. In light of our community’s recent loss, this year the Big Pig Cancer Foundation has officially renamed the event in honor of local endurance, mountain bike legend Ray Porter who passed away on December 27th after being diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma on November 13, 2013. Ray and his…

Why Dallas, Texas is the USA’s Worst City for Cycling

globalsiteplans.com

In 2012, Bicycling Magazine named Dallas, Texas the worst city for cycling for the second time. The lowest percentage of cyclists in the country and the lack of a single bike lane played a major role in the decision, but the title was given in great part because of the city’s failure to follow up on a citizen-developed bike plan from 2011.

Driven by grassroots efforts, an aggressive update to the city’s 1985 cycling plan rendered a new guide to modern cycling infrastructure in Dallas. The original plan built on the concept of training cyclists to feel comfortable in standard car traffic–negating the use of designated bike lanes.
In other cycle-friendly cities, a combination of cultural education and definitive infrastructure facilitates the easy…

HBC Columbus – North Ride

Houston Bicycle Club

Saturday 02/22/14     9:00am
Distances: 37(C), 42(C), 51(C) miles
Scenic, rolling countryside, worth the trip. Flat to rolling hills, open fields. Good roads and pretty scenery, very little traffic. Short route goes to Fayetteville and back. Longer routes miss Fayetteville, but go through Frelsburg (if it is possible to go “through” Frelsburg). …

Big Bend Tour

West Texas Cycling Association

Date: February 27, 2014 – March 2, 2014
Location: Big Bend, TX
Contact: Details: Ken and Carol will be hosting the Big Bend Tour this year which will be the first weekend in March. We will travel down on Thursday February 27, ride Friday and Saturday, and return on Sunday, March 2nd. Cost is $40.

What if they built bike lanes and only 5% of us showed up?

Michael Andersen, Green Lane Project staff writer        peopleforbikes.org

American cities have a chicken/egg problem. Many of their leaders (especially those who have seen bike-friendly cities in action) understand the benefits of bicycles. But only a handful of U.S. neighborhoods actually see enough biking for the public at large to get the idea.
American cities simply have far too few bicycles. There aren’t enough for people to reliably experience safety in numbers while riding, there aren’t enough for bikes to deliver on their economic promise and maybe there aren’t even enough to convince the public that improving biking is…

2014 Rocky Hill Roundup Race Report

www.turnincranks.com

Well now, lookie here! Race season is upon us! Yay!
I’ve been pretty anxious so far this year wanting to get out and race. This year I have moved up to Cat2 which means longer races. Twice as long as last year. Longer races and faster racers. I anticipated that I would go from competing for top 5 spot to a mid-packer. Given what I did know about other Cat2 racers in my age category, I felt that I’d be able to do okay, although I definitely wouldn’t be a contender by any stretch.
In the weeks leading up to this first race, I again followed the Time Crunched Training Plan in an effort to make the most of my limited training time. My typical weekly time is under 6 hours so I definitely have to make the most of what time I do have, which means lots of…

“Looks like you’re prepared for a flat tire”

An Old Guy On Two Wheels

Comedic pedestrians
That was the comment from a dude in the crosswalk that crossed in front of me.  I was on my way to Bicycle Recycle with another load of unusable tires.

Instead of telling him they were useless tires, I just grinned and offered a half-hearted chuckle.  Ten thousand comedians looking for work and this dude is trying out material on poor tired bike cargo riders.
Of course I’m not really sure if the local comedy club has an open mic night so he might…

Tweets

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Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup February 9th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

CYCLING IN LAREDO IS GROWING

Lrd Sportswire

Laredo composite with team Rebelution, Level X and Mc MC Supercenter Cannondale representing Laredo Tx

Sansom Winter Ride

from Brian

6 Feb 2014, Marion Sansom Park, Fort Worth TX

Family seeking answers in bicycle death

By Bob Hallmark            www.ktre.com

LONGVIEW, TX (KLTV) – An East Texas family is still asking for answers in the death of a family member who was killed in a January accident.
It happened January 13th, when 54-year old Ivory Van Jackson senior was hit by a van as he was riding his bicycle in the 700 block of Mobberly avenue in Longview. He died of his injuries and his family is still mourning his loss.
“When he wasn’t stopping by , he’s calling to check on us. He had 4 children and 15 grandchildren,” says daughter Tamiko Richardson.
Family says he was riding his bicycle home when he was hit by a van.
‘My brother called and told me that my dad had been in…

Upcoming Rides and Events

San Antonio Wheelmen

Boerne Ride 02/15/2014     9:00 AM-12:00 PM Boerne City Hall
Elmendorf Ride 02/16/2014     9:00 AM-12:00 PM Hwy 181/1604 intersection
Comfort-Ladybird Ride 02/22/2014     9:00 AM-12:00 PM Comfort City Park
New Berlin Ride 02/23/2014     9:00 AM-12:00 PM

Tuesdays Lunchtime Rides

Beginners Road Cycling to train for BPMS150

Tuesday, February 18, 2014  12:00 PM
Define Training
1005 A Sawyer St, Houston, TX (map)
1 to 1 1/2 hour ride around Bayou area. Sometimes will go into Heights, River Oaks or Memorial area

Pedal Hard Training Center

Today was a great day to practice climbing the hills. Thanks to all you attended. — with Brant Speed.

February 15th and 16th!

Steiner Ranch Cycling Club

WEEKEND RECAP
I missed Saturday but was told there was 15 riders and the ride started cold but everyone warmed up quickly.  Sounds like everyone had a great ride.  I heard it was a fast ride and most everyone averaged around 19mph.  The route Saturday was changed to Triple B’s so we will do the Scenic Route this Saturday.  Sunday was a great social ride and we had 8 people in attendance and we did the Tour de Steiner Ranch and averaged about 14 mph.
NEW KIT FITTING PARTY
Here is another opportunity to mark your calendar for February 26th at The University of Texas Golf Club in Steiner Ranch in the Santa Rita room.  We will be doing fittings from 6pm until 8pm.  Afterwards feel free to stick around and socialize in the bar area.  I’ll pre…

What’s Coming Up?

Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club

17th Annual Garner State Park Weekend- 2/14/2014 – 2/17/2014
Join us for a weekend of camping, hiking and, of course, biking. For those of you without RVs or tents, there are cabins to rent for the weekend. Ride Leader: Vanessa Leal
Spring Club Picnic- 3/22/2014
Join us for our semi-annual club picnic at Southside Lions Club Park. There will be various routes and distances to choose from, followed by food and fun. Bring your outdoor toys (kayaks, canoe, fishing, etc…). Ride Leader: Amanda McCoy

Intermediate & Faster Ride – Montgomery

Woodlands Cycling Club        by Cindy Ellis

Saturday, February 15, 2014, 08:30am – 11:00am
Montgomery High School
Address:  22825 W. Highway 105 W.  Montgomery
Directions:  I 45 N  Exit 87, left on 105 W for about 10 miles, go thru Montgomery about 1 mile past FM 149, The school is on the left across from the Sports Complex
No restrooms available.
Routes from 30 to 50+ miles.  Helmet and hydration required.
Intermediate group:  average 16-18 mph
Faster Group:  18-20+ mph
Route is generally decided at the beginning of the ride based on the group and…

Tweets

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Time vs. Temperature

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Time ran out to ride this week. The title sounds like a scientific equation while it really was the decision I made to ride today. My normal cutoff is no biking when it is below 60 degrees. With the cold weather this past week I stayed inside off the bike. I wanted to get ride some miles this week. The forecast was for 68 today but my schedule did allow the luxury of waiting for that to happen. After church I waffled a bit on whether to ride but I finally thought with another cold front coming through Monday and Tuesday if I am going to have any chance to reach the 370 mile goal for February I need to log some miles this week.

At 11:49 I pulled out of the driveway on my Motobecane 700HT MTB to ride on the Kingwood trails. The sky was overcast and the temperature was 57. I bundled up with 2 long sleeve jerseys, leg warmers, shorts, windbreaker jacket and full finger gloves. The first mile I felt chilly but as I built up some body heat the ride became comfortable. With my limited time (meeting at 2:00) I knew the ride would be short. I stepped up the intensity having read several times that if you lack time increase the level of energy.

The ride on the Kingwood trails ended up 14.57 miles at a 13.0 mph average speed which a little higher than I usually go on my MTB. For about 2 or 3 miles I followed another biker (road bike) on the trail om W. Lake Houston Parkway and then Kingwood Drive. One of the blind turns we had a close call with another rider coming the opposite direction but we all braked and avoided any problem. Not too long after that the guy I was following went right into one of the villages and I was on my own. I made it back in time for a quick shower and a fast snack before heading for my meeting.

February miles total 45 with a 370 mile goal. I don’t know if I am going to reach my goal.

Next Friday and Saturday the forecast shows 70 degrees. On Saturday the Humble Lions Club bike ride takes place and I plan on riding if the weather behaves itself.

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Texas Bicycling News February 8th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Corinth Cycling Group Rides

www.corinthcycling.com

When: Sat Feb 22, 2014 8am to 11am  CST
Where: Ronny Crownover Middle School
Event Status: confirmed
Event Description: Corinth Cycling Saturday morning group rides. Please visit http://www.corinthcycling.com/cccriderules.pdf for additional information.

8:00am – Sunday Group Ride
When: Sun Feb 23, 2014 8am to 10:30am  CST
Where: Ronny Crownover Middle School

8:00am – “B is for Breakfast”
When: Sat Mar 1, 2014 8am to 10:30am  CST
Where: Ronny Crownover Middle School

Stuck in the middle with you

An Old Guy On Two Wheels

Transportation oxymorons
I was in the executive reading room this morning, scanning through the recent edition of Community Impact.  One particular article caught my attention:  I-35 Mobility Plan. Talk about oxymorons.  Not sure how other people understand the word mobility but I am sure I wouldn’t use it together with I-35.  This “transportation” corridor is a perennial favorite in the worst places to drive list.   Trying to squeeze more cars and trucks into this confined space, or making them flow any faster, seems quixotic somehow. All joking aside, I wish them luck, all the while wishing for some out of the box thinking.
Clogged arteries
What interested me in this article was the sidebar discussing planned changes (I can’t call them improvements with a straight face) for three interchanges near my house.  From…

Another Week in Texas

By Mark Sullivan

Introduction: Getting ready for another week of riding across the country
In about a little less than one month we will be riding again. This will be our fourth trip. Here are the journals for the other trips:
1) San Diego to Phoenix
2) Phoenix to El Paso
3) El Paso to Bracketville
We are having fun doing this and I encourage anyone who dreams of a cross country bike journey but doesn’t have 6 weeks or more to do it all at once, to break it up into segments. We will be more than…

Tweets

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