Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for August 21st

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Re: Final Plans for HHH Weekend
by jpriakos            www.northtexascycling.org

In case you don’t know which camper is NTC…look for this on the truck and a big one on the camper.  …

With An Urban Facelift, Vintage Bike Polo Picks Up Speed
By Hilary Stohs-Krause        Texas Public Radio

Several vintage sports have seen resurgence among young people lately: roller derby, kickball and even bocce ball. But one century-old sport hasn’t just found new fans; it’s getting an urban makeover.
Welcome to hardcourt bike polo. On a hot, sunny day in Roseville, Minn., the second day of the 2013 North American Hardcourt Bike Polo Championship is about to begin.
The game consists of teams of three riders that deftly maneuver around concrete courts on single-speed, fixed gear bikes as they…

What Do You Think About Austin Bike Lanes? This Survey Wants to Know
By Roy Varney        www.kutnews.org
How do Austinites feel about the city’s bike lanes and bike traffic? The Neighborhood Street Study aims to answer this broad question by focusing on two Austin bicycling areas located around Bluebonnet Lane and Barton Springs Road.

Researchers from Portland State University and…

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Counted 21 – August 21st Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

In order to ride 120 miles before heading off to Wichita Falls for the Hotter’N Hell Hundred I rode the New Caney – Gene Campbell Road route. Route options on this route allow different distances but today I biked 38.58 miles. This moved the total for the week to 103.17 miles. Tomorrow I plan on riding at least 25 miles. Add the 75 miles for the HH100 and the week’s total reaches 200+ miles even not riding 2 days this week (travel to and from Wichita Falls). The August miles total 582.13 which means the 721 mile goal is within reach. Year to date miles: 4833.

One thing I found out on this route is the lane constriction on the US59 northbound service road at Community Drive. Before the shoulder width allowed plenty of room without riding in the main lane. Now the Grand Parkway construction barriers take away the shoulder from the Community Drive exit from the service road to the driveway at the East Montgomery Improvement District/Library. So far the the orange barrels mark the lane restriction from the Community Drive entrance to the northbound service road so the shoulder still exists but is smaller. After the EMCID driveway the full shoulder width returns.

To add some thought to today’s ride I decided to count the number of Jeep Wranglers I spotted during the ride. I counted 21, 2 door and 4 door models. Nothing earth shaking but it gave me something to watch for. I drive a Jeep Wrangler is why I chose that vehicle.

The weather continues to moderate with the temperature range during the ride of 83 to 93.7. Humidity increased from yesterday to 46% and under scattered clouds. The change from last week’s higher temperature is well appreciated.

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Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for August 20th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Health and Economics Spurring Texas Cities to Promote Bicycle Use
by Aman Batheja            www.everythinglubbock.com

In Fort Worth, the mayor hosts occasional bicycle rides called “Rolling Town Halls.” The Dallas City Council may soon require new businesses to set aside space for bicycle parking. Over in El Paso, officials are developing plans for a bike-share system, which is expected to be the fifth such program in the state after Austin’s makes its debuts this year.
In car-clogged communities around Texas, a biking movement is gaining speed. Midsize and large cities are expanding bike trails and putting roads on “lane diets” to accomodate bike lanes.
“Biking has just exploded over the last year in Houston,” said…

Work Party – Memorial Park
GHORBA.org
Event category: General
Trail: Memorial Park
Saturday, August 31, 2013 – 9:00am
Work Party – Trimming
Saturday – August 31    9am to Noon
We will meet at the Dog Wash. We will go down Purple trail and head over to Orange and trim and clean as much as we can on Orange. If we have time we will also replace a couple of the boards that are broken on the bridge. …

DORBA Fall XC – LB Houston Results
www.cadencesports.com
Location: Dallas, TX
Date: 08/18/2013

Yin and Yang STCC Club Challenge
Shawnee Trail Cycling Club
We’re putting our Time Trial to bed for a couple months while we do something a little different.  The Yin and Yang Challenge is designed to just to have a little fun.  May be some giveaways, but it’s mostly boasting rights!

Many thanks to Bill Anderson, one of our members for this great idea for a little friendly competition.  This is actually two contests.  The first, “Scale My City”, challenges you to demonstrate how much climbing you can…

Big Steamer – Corinth Cycling
When: Tue Aug 27, 2013 6:20pm to Tue Aug 27, 2013 7:20pm  CDT
Where: 133 Garza Lane – Shady Shores, TX
Event Status: confirmed
Event Description: Corinth Cycling/Harden Dental Team Training Ride – Expect attacks and tight pacelines. 21+mph Experienced riders only. http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1046293

Tweets

https://twitter.com/COABikeProgram/status/369973339789357056

https://twitter.com/CanokieBee/status/369782183063728128

https://twitter.com/brad39shearman/status/369666029363802112

Big Heavy Clouds – August 20th Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I started earlier today rolling out at 11:26. Before I started I checked the weather radar and saw rain to the southwest but two counties away. I figured I could ride 30+ miles before this might come my way. Looking to the north the sky was blue with some white clouds. The south sky was blue above me but as I rode south on W. Lake Houston Parkway the clouds were starting to get a dark blue threatening rain. By the time I got to Aerobic Drive the sky had some big clouds. this was as far south as I planned on riding. Turning to the east riding through Walden the clouds in the east were not so heavy and I figured I could still get the 30+ miles in without getting wet. The temperature actually went a couple of degrees while rode; 89 at the start and 85 at the end.

The route I chose turned north at E. Lake Houston Parkway so I did not see the clouds behind except for an occasional glance in the rear view mirror. When I got to FM2100 and rode south the sky had darkened a lot and I wondered if I should take my usual break at the Huffman Chevron. Because I had been pushing the pace I decided to take the break and the chance the rain would catch me. I did not stay as long and got back on my bike to ride west on FM1960. Except for the brisk wind coming from my left I was doing good until I reach the edge of Lake Houston. As I rode onto the causeway I felt some light rain which figures since there is no place to hide until the west side of the lake. As I rode across the lake the little rain slowly went away but the wind didn’t. Sometimes I would get a gust from the left that tried to push me into the right hand barrier. Pedaling was hard and my speed slowed but I finally made it to the west side and took a right onto Atascocita Shores Drive with the wind behind me now. From there to home I rode fast to beat the rain. So far no rain at home as I write this.

My route totaled 33.45 miles and averaged 15.7 mph. August totals 543.55 miles.

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