Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for August 17th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Anthills Trail Work Party, Saturday, 8/24, 8:30 am
GHORBA.org
Trail: The Anthills (Terry Hershey Park)
Saturday, August 24, 2013 – 8:30am
The Wilcrest bridge needs some love! It appears to be subsiding on the east end a bit so we will provide some additional support under that end and also place some rocks and cement bags along the chute under it to keep erosion in check. We will meet at the bridge which is on the southwest corner of the intersection of Wilcrest and Buffalo Bayou. Unfortunately parking is awkward here. There is room for 2 or 3 vehicles to park on the grass next to the…

Bicycling for Thinner Texans and New Businesses
By AMAN BATHEJA        www.nytimes.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 debut this year.
In car-clogged communities around Texas, a biking movement is gaining speed. Midsize and large cities are expanding bike trails and…

El Paso bike rider struck, killed by off-duty Border Patrol agent
By Aaron Martinez / El Paso Times
An El Paso bicycle rider was struck and killed Saturday morning by an off-duty Border Patrol agent near Anthony, N.M.
Floyd Hancock, 47, was riding his bike on New Mexico State Road 136, the Pete V. Domenici Highway, at about 7:40 a.m. when a vehicle tried to pass him.
Border Patrol Agent Anthony Aragon, 29, told investigators that he thought he had enough room to pass but Hancock swerved to…

September Club Ride @ Flat Creek Crossing Ranch
Austin Ridge Riders
Saturday, September 14, 2013 – 09:00
Sure Johnson City is a bit of a drive but when the trails have so much to offer you can get up a little early! We’ve also invited the fun ladies of Ride Like A Girl to join us so expect lots of smiles.

Riders will break into groups based on skill level, length of ride and whether one wants to rips up the trails or ride at a social pace and smell the flowers. “No Drop” policy in effect so no one gets left behind or lost. Bring plenty of water and don’t forget your helmet!!

CARPOOLING is strongly encouraged and everyone is invited to…

Tweets

https://twitter.com/USACjuniors/status/368767488143552513

https://twitter.com/COABikeProgram/status/368803529139294208

Where Did 71 Degrees Come From? – August 17th Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I put back the short sleeve jersey and pulled out an orange long sleeve one for this morning’s ride. The 71 degrees caused me to make this change. Evidently the thunderstorm that came through last evening brought some cooler weather with it. I met Ronnie Clark at 7:45 for the ride and we set off to the north enjoying the cooler weather, sunny sky and light breeze.

Our route was north along US59 but on the some side roads. This helped to keep us out of the wind which was not that strong and in the shade. As we made our north the pace was solid but not overly fast. Once we reached SH242 and turned to the west the pace stepped up. We stopped at SH242 and FM1485 for a nose break for me and to refill our water bottles. Ronnie had a Powerbar and we resumed the ride toward FM1314 where we turned left.

At FM1314 we expected a tailwind but due to the various bends in the road it was mostly a cross wind. This did not slow us down too much. Intervals 5, 6 and 7 all exceeded 18 mph average speed. After the earlier stop our plan was to continue on home but riding along FM1314 the pace took it’s toll so we stopped at the Stripes station for a break before tackling the last 11 miles. I checked my average speed at Stripes and read 17.2 mph. I don’t get to that speed very often and I have to credit riding with Ronnie as the catalyst. We both took turns pulling as we biked on FM1314 and earlier.

From the Stripes station the wind generally came from our back so the much wanted tailwind did appear but too late to help our legs much. We made our way through Briar Tree, Oakhurst before rejoining the US59 south bound service road north of Kingwood Drive. At that point we went north into the light wind until turning into Kings Manor and the residential streets.

Overall I rode 44.66 miles and the final average speed was 17.0 mph. When I got home at 11:02 the temperature increased slightly to 82.8 and the humidity was 58%. After the two stops it took a couple of miles for me to get warmed up from the cool wind blowing through my damp jersey. I haven’t had that problem in several months. August miles continue get closer to my 721 mile goal at 450.43. This week I biked 165.63 miles even with the interruptions of the workers. Year to date is at 4702 miles. It is different to ride 44 miles and be back home not that much later than when I leave for my daily rides. I need to try this more often. Retirement can be busy too.

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Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for August 16th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Forums   » Bike Lanes / Facilities  » best bike tail light ever, ride with laser lane
by zhephyr00        bicycleaustin.info

Very few people know that traffic law indicates that bicycles must maintain at least 1.5m lateral distance when overtaking bicycles.
This light should help (at least overnight) people to visualize it.
Features:
1.The Tail light was built to improve the security of night riding and cycling entertainment. Two dual light lines on the road send by the laser indicator to…

Walnut Creek Workday August 14
Austin Ridge Riders
Walnut Creek Workday Status: HUGE turnout last night with 22 volunteers putting in 66 hours to finish Phase 1 of the Lacerated Liver/Spleen rehab. There was more than enough RichFit with dirt moving, water buckets, and digging. In two weeks we will begin brining in the rock for the armoring. Plenty of RichFit then as well.

Thursday Ride at Walnut Creek – Beginner/intermediate ride level
The Austin Mountain Bikers Meetup Group
Thursday, August 22, 2013        5:30 PM
Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
12138 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX (map)

Back to normal summer hours
This will be a beginner ride and will be doing around 8 -10 miles.
Chris is willing to lead a faster group so…

DATES Ride Event
Dallas Area Tandem Enthusiasts
Title: Round and Round the Lake Ride
When: Sep 11, 2013 06:00 PM
Where: The Lot Restaurant – Dallas

Description
Round and Round the Lake – Wednesday, September 11th
Ride Start: The Lot Restaurant, 7530 E. Grand Ave (at Gaston), Dallas
Meet Time: 6:00 PM
Ride Time:  6:15 PM
Ride Leaders:  Ernie & Regina Coose
Distance: Two loops around White Rock Lake

Our DATES visit to the Lot in July was a success, so we’re going to fall back on a good thing rather than break new ground on this ride. We’ll saddle up in The Lot’s parking lot, then hop on the…

Next Steps for El Paso Bike Share are Up to You
BikeTexas.org
El Paso cyclists enjoy a post-rain ride.By Scott White

Just a few days ago it appeared the city of El Paso was well on its way to launching a city-wide bike share program. Now, some are asking if the program is dead.

Earlier this week I was all set to attend the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority (CRRMA) monthly meeting, where the board was expected to give authorization to contract out the program to get things rolling. I was excited and had even scheduled a…

Tweets

https://twitter.com/LA_Underhill/status/368436316880396288

Afternoon Heat – August 16th Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Today was an afternoon ride. My wife celebrates her birthday today and wanted to go shopping so I stayed home to watch the remodeling workers. I left on the ride at 1:36 under partly cloudy skies, 93 degrees, 47% humidity and almost no wind. I headed to Huffman to get 30 miles or more in. Even though it was hot the the heat did not feel the same as earlier in the week. I think we might turn the corner on hot.

The route went as planned. I stopped in Huffman at the Chevron station for a break. While I was there two freight trains went through which is unusual. Normally no train goes past. After I left Huffman going back home I started to watch the sky and it was getting a dark blue cast to it and I thought rain could be coming. When I got back home I saw a severe thunderstorm alert was issued and as I write this (6:02) I can hear thunder in the distance and some rain is falling. My timing getting home was good arriving there at 4:14.

I rode 32.3 miles at 16.0 mph average speed. August miles: 405.77. Week miles: 120.97. Year to date: 4657.

Tomorrow forecast: 93 with partly cloudy sky.

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