Texas Bicycling Daily News Roundup for October 29th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Fort Worth Trailwork Day – Gateway Park -11/02/2013
forums.mtbr.com/texas
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First workday of the season!
Lunch and drinks provided!

Spooky Cross Day 2
J.A. Hicks Photography
J.A. Hicks Photography: Spooky Cross Day 2 &emdash;

Cyclist Review: No Tricks, Just Treats at Trick It Up in Farmersville, Texas
www.wheelbrothers.com

This third annual Farmersville Texas Chamber of Commerce Trick it Up Bike Rally started at the Best Center just of south of downtown. It is situated across from the city park which is next to Onion Shed, where access to the North East Texas Trail is gained; to locals is known as the Chaparral Trail. With a population of approximately 3100, Farmersville is a rural community that takes pride in its enchanting historic downtown that features antique shops, eateries and parks that cyclists can enjoy pre or post ride. Quaint and charming are two words that best describe this small town. Located a short drive north east of the…

Race Preview – Cross Houston – Nov 2, 2013
texascx.com

Weekend number four of eleven finds us in Houston for one familiar (but unexpected) track and one brand new one.

Cross Houston is up first. We’ve been spending time at Houston Oaks for the past two years, but 2013 finds us in a familiar course to TXCX after a last-minute change. We asked long-time promoter Frank Karbarz about the track at the track.

Alkek Velodrome sees plenty of bikes goes over it. Will we be riding on the velodrome?

Not only will we be riding it, we’ll use the same finish line! That idea came from some…

New plan to connect all bike paths and trails in downtown Austin
by KRIS BETTS / KVUE News and photojournalist DATHAN HULL

AUSTIN — It’s good exercise, better for the environment and cuts down on traffic but cycling can also be dangerous and that’s where a new plan called “Your Path to Austin” comes in.

It’s a plan developed by Austin’s Public Works Department to connect trails and on-street bikeways all over central Austin with lanes that are protected by cars through barriers.

“It’s giving bicycles their own facilities, out of the way of vehicles, and it’s also providing more room on the roadway for other vehicles,” said Chad Crager with…

Walnut Wednesday Workday – Austin Ridge Riders
Wednesday, October 30, 2013 – 17:30 – 19:00
Walnut Wednesday Workday is back!

When:  Wednesday, October 30th from 5:30PM to 7:00PM

Where:  Walnut Creek Pool Parking lot

What:  We will be working at the Main Creek crossing doing some emergency repairs post flood.  There will be more than enough RichFit to go around.  If you got shovels, bring them.  Be…

Survivor of violence in Mexico ‘Pedaling for Justice’ in Texas
by Angela Kocherga, 11 News

EL PASO, Texas—A cyclist on a 701 mile bike ride across Texas is “Pedaling for Justice” to raise awareness about Mexican citizens fleeing violence and seeking a safe haven in the US.

“We had to go through something very cruel, difficult. We’re not here because we chose to leave,” said Carlos Gutierrez, 35.

Two years ago Gutierrez owned a successful food and beverage company in Chihuahua City. But when he could no longer pay thousands of dollars in extortion money, criminals cut off the lower part of his legs.

“I was tortured, mutilated,” said Gutierrez.

He survived the attack and fled across the border to El Paso where he is…

Annual Christmas Lights Ride
Dallas Area Tandem Enthusiasts
Sunday, December 8
Meet at 5:00 PM / Ride at 5:20 PM
Leaders: Kevin & Linda Vinson

We’ll meet in the Crate and Barrel parking lot at Knox and McKinney at 5:00 pm, December 8th. The ride will start at 5:20 pm. Headlights and tail lights are REQUIRED and decorative lights are always welcome. It’s an easy pace through the most stunningly festive streets in the Park Cities! We will try to limit the ride to 60 minutes of easy riding, or less if it’s cold.

Dinner after the ride will be at Chuy’s Mexican restaurant which is one block south of where we are parking. A white…

Veteran’s Day Ride on November 11th
Greater Dallas Bicyclists
Monday, 11/11/13    9:30 AM
Meet at Office Depot parking lot at Forest and Central Expressway (SW corner)

Phil Watson will lead our annual Veterans’ Day ride to the festivities at City Hall including a great parade.

If you have the day off, come join us. Veterans, bring proof of your…

Tweets

https://twitter.com/TourdeGruene/status/395096820101042176

More Route Adjustment Riding North

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Riding north was where I wanted to go today but I hesitated riding the same route from last Saturday. Most of my other choices involved riding on the southbound US59 service road through the Community Drive area. What overcame my concern was the traffic is usually lighter on the southbound side than the northbound. I wanted to go at least 34 or 35 miles so I checked my past rides and saw that the New Caney – Casey Ridge – Roman Forest one was that long. Another constraint was that I needed to be back in time for a 3:00 appointment. The last time I rode this route was July 29th and the mileage was almost identical. My average speed was the same too. Today I biked 35.48 miles at 15.5 mph average speed.

In order to avoid the northbound service road at Community Drive I rode the “back” exit from Kingwood. This shortens the north routes about 3 miles from the normal route I take out of Kingwood. Loop 494 does not seem to have gained any traffic from the construction but this might be influenced by the time of day. I wondered what the southbound service road would look like at Community Drive and as I approached the right shoulder had the orange barrels until about 100 yards from where the old right turnoff to Community Drive was. The service road was closed and all the traffic moved to this turnoff but only one vehicle accompanied as I made the semi-circle back to the service road. The dirt mound that led up to the overpass is being removed or modified in preparation for the Grand Parkway exchange with US59/I-69.

Once I passed the work area the road was back to normal. When I reached Porter I went to the McDonald’s for a Diet Coke, not my favorite but the $1 cost was. While I ate a Kashi Trailmix bar and cookies I watched the traffic drive by. It didn’t take too long to see that a number of drivers need instructions on how to drive.

No need for two jerseys today. Mostly cloudy skies, 58% humidity and a temperature range of 78 (start) to 83 (finish) meant a warm ride. My first stop to refill the water bottle was in New Caney at the Chevron after coming out of Roman Forest. I wore my wrist bands just in case perspiration got heavy. They were damp when I finished but my bandana was wet.

I crossed the 300 mile mark for October with this ride increasing the miles to 329.09. Year to date I rode 5546 miles. To hit 400 miles this month the next two days will need to be 35 miles or better. Wednesday looks iffy and Thursday as well with 70% and 80% chance of rain, respectively.

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Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup

Texbiker.net Posted on by

ROTHE Training shared Rancho Morales’s photo.
RT athlete AMY PARKINSON on her way to winning the 2013 MC Supercenter Bicycle Division CACTUS CUP in Laredo, TX this past weekend. She repeated her win from last year!

Bike Love In Oak Cliff
Suburban Assault

If you live near Dallas, you know how local neighborhood, Oak Cliff, is working hard to be bike friendly. Although they aren’t there yet, they have a very strong bike community which has come a long way. Even when you aren’t…

DORBA DIRT DAYS AT Frisco NW Community Park Trail
Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association
Sunday, November 3, 2013        1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Frisco MTB Trail
Teel and Gloryview Rd, Frisco, TX (map)

Join us for the next Dorba Dirt Days on Sunday, November 3rd at the Frisco trail from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm

Trail Ride, obstacles, and hamburgers/hotdogs provided (bring side dishes)

We need volunteers to help in ALL areas!
Come spend the afternoon at the Frisco Trail!
Come early sign a waiver and get a raffle ticket!

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tweets

https://twitter.com/BikePaulie/status/394580620640124929

https://twitter.com/bicyclesplus/status/394875034516205568

Up In Smoke

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Before today’s ride I adjusted the handlebar to rotate the brake levers up some to lessen the reach. The new position felt much better and the stretch was reduced. I don’t ride that much on the drop portion of the handlebar, old age I suspect, and the adjustment rotated the drop further forward. I will ride this way several days to see if this is the best position.

I rode to the Huffman today going through Atascocita and Walden on Lake Houston. Starting a few minutes after 11 AM I decided to wear short sleeve and long sleeve jerseys. I did not experience any chill since the temperature climbed from 73 to 80 at the end of the ride. At first the sky only had a few clouds in the distance to the south but as the ride progressed the clouds increased some. I stopped in Huffman at the Chevron station for a rest and Diet Sunkist soda. I needed to get back home for an afternoon appointment in Humble so I did not stay too long. I got home at 1:52 with just enough time to shower and start on today’s ride report.

Earlier this morning I read in the Houston Chronicle that a mini storage facility had caught fire around 2:50AM this morning. The location was in the 22500 block but I did not think my ride would go past there. When I turned right onto Upper Lake Drive the Atascocita VFD was spraying water on the debris. The damage was extensive and arson was suspected. The police arrested a man on suspicion of setting the blaze. Two pictures I took of the damage. Many people lost all the contents in their storage boxes. One lady said she lost all of her Christmas decoration and priceless family photos.

10-28-2013 Storage Fire A-small 10-28-2013 Storage Fire B-small

After the scene of the fire I proceeded across FM1960 to ride to Walden on Lake Houston.

I was getting warmer and I almost thought I was over dressed with the two jerseys. No problems the rest of the ride but the road construction signs are still on FM2100 with no signs of activity.

When I got home my bandana was soaked reminding me of summer. There are supposed to be several days in the days this week.

My ride lasted 33.38 miles and I hoped this would get me to 300 miles for October but I fell about 7 miles short at 293.61. I did not ride yesterday (Sunday) because of rain. The home weather station recorded over 1.63″ and the roads did not dry out until late afternoon. I took the time off to rest up from Saturday’s ride.

No Garmin Connect data today. The website is down for maintenance.

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