Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for April 19th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Thursday Ride at Walnut Creek – Beginner/intermediate ride level
The Austin Mountain Bikers Meetup Group
Thursday, April 25, 2013        5:30 PM
Walnut Creek Park
12138 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX (map)

Back to normal summer hours
This will be a beginner ride and will be doing around 8 -10 miles.

If someone is willing to lead a faster group then we can have an intermediate group also.
Please be there and be ready to roll by 5:30 pm. We meet in the parking lot near the pool in the middle of the island.
Any question please call/text  me at…

Best Trail near E. Dallas?
by TxMatt            forums.mtbr.com/texas
I will be coming into Dallas (from Tyler) and thought I could get in a late afternoon ride. Where should I go? I grew up riding Tyler State Park and anything comparable would be nice. Thanks in advance

by beechnut
I would assume everything is wet and closed today (4/18/2013).

Primary trail on the East side would be Rowlett Creep Preserve. It is not really comparible to Tyler. The trail surface is clay/dirt/mud floodplane…

WCCRT TTR (All welcome)
Woodlands Cycling Club
Saturday, April 27, 2013, 07:30am – 10:30am
Meet at the Ashlane YMCA, wheels down at 7:30 am. This is a race team training ride, pace will be fast – but can also break into different groups of ability. There will be regroup points for brief stops to come back together as a group.

Although it is a race team training ride, all are welcome to come out and ride to experience riding with the race team. While we do look out for one another, know the route and be prepared – each rider is expected to be responsible for him/herself. We observe all the same safety protocols of the club – be prepared to stop at all stop signs, etc.

Ride route: MapMyRide (CLICK HERE)…

Time To Register For Armadillo Hill Country Classic
www.austincycling.org
Saturday May 11, 2013
Austin Cycling Association is proud to host its 19th Annual Armadillo Hill Country Classic ride benefiting cycling safety education programs, free helmets for kids and bicycle advocacy for all Central Texas cyclists. The Armadillo is an amazing ride for cycling enthusiasts of all ages. Enjoy the beautiful rolling scenery of the Texas Hill Country, see wildflowers, get a great ride in and support the Austin Cycling community all at the same time. We are planning record-breaking attendance this year, so register now!

Houston CycloFemme: May 12th, 2013
www.bikehouston.org

Join us as we celebrate mothers, bicycles, and National Women’s Health Week in a fun, healthy way! Bring your friends, mothers, daughters and sisters. Bring the woman you want to inspire to ride!

WE BELIEVE: That strong communities are built around strong women. That being on a bike brings you closer to your community, to nature, and to yourself. That from action comes change, and from visibility comes reality. And that independence, self-empowerment and personal strength are things we need every…

Bike Ride shows need for Complete Streets
www.bikehouston.org

State Sen. Rodney Ellis and District H Councilman Ed Gonzalez joined other government representatives, planners and bicycle advocates April 14 on 4-mile bike ride to see some great bike facilities and  discuss the potential for Complete Streets in the Houston region.

The riders, many using the new Houston B-Cycle bike share bikes, were able to use some of…

Do People on Bicycles Obey the Law?
www.bikehouston.org

There seems to be an almost universal perception that as soon as someone puts a leg over a bicycle, they stop obeying traffic laws. I think this is because the laws that are easy to break and get away with on a bicycle are much more obvious.

This studies written about in this article by Wisconsinbikefed.org found the opposite: that people riding bicycles tend to be more law-abiding than people driving cars. The percentage of people riding bicycles that made illegal maneuvers (ran red lights, rode on sidewalks, or rode…

The Bridge, the newest STCC Ride
Shawnee Trail Cycling Club
You asked for it, and here it is.  A ride to “bridge” the pace and skills of the 3 Cities Novice Ride with those required of the CPS.  This ride will follow the east and west routes of the original CPS, ranging from 27 to 30 miles.  The real difference is in the pace.  This advertised pace for this ride is 13-15mph.  No drop, as always.  This is an ideal ride to learn and practice safe group riding skills.  The start time is 8:00 am (spring & summer start time) on Saturdays, but watch…

Team approaches training methods as a science
By Bill Cullins        San Angelo Standard-Times
SAN ANGELO, Texas — Cyclists on the San Angelo high school Mountain Bike team are emulating professional cyclists by learning scientific methods as they train for mountain bike races.

They know that to be competitive, they’ll have to “train smart” and do more than just ride their bikes a lot.

Members of the team were recently introduced to higher level concepts of exercise science during a visit to ASU’s…

Extensive system of biking trails offers residents transportation, recreational opportunities
By Jennifer Kimrey, senior living correspondent            www.chron.com
Houston’s extensive bikeways have acted as a useful means of transportation for local bicyclists, but the trails also have served as a beneficial recreational opportunity for active older adults.

The Houston Bikeway Network boasts more than 322 miles of on-street bike facilities and off-street shared-use paths, spanning 500 square miles. In addition to this expansive biking network, Houston has more than 80 miles of hike-and-bike and nature trails within the…

Sherman Kite and Bike Festival
By Lisanne Anderson            www.kten.com
Grab the kids and lets go fly a kite! Bring your bike for a bike rodeo and the kids can get a free bike helmet.
Saturday April 20
10am – 4pm
Pecan Grove Park West
3200 Canyon Creek Drive

BIKE HELMET GIVEAWAY AT KITE AND BIKE FESTIVAL
The Sherman Police Department and Sherman Parks and Recreation, in conjunction with Sherman family physician Dr. Maria Nieto, want to help ensure the safety of local children by giving away free bicycle helmets Saturday, April 20, starting at 10 AM, at the Kite and Bike Festival at Pecan Grove West Park. …

Jason Roberts Could Use Our Help
by Christopher Curnutt        Biking in Dallas

Jason Roberts is one of the most dedicated and well known cycling and neighborhood activists around these parts.  As one of the founding members of Bike Friendly Oak Cliff he was pressing for improved cycling infrastructure before doing so was cool.  His methodical and calm dedication and perseverance with City Hall helped created a template for working with the City, and not against it.  As many of you know he recently kicked cancer in…

Start Planning Your Bike to School Day Now!
BikeTexas
Image of brain activity after sitting and after walking. May 8 is National Bike and Walk to School Day! But you don’t have to follow the crowd: any day that is convenient for your school will be beneficial. Start planning now to have a Bike and Walk to School Day before the end of the school year!

Not sure where to start? We have you covered! Download the BikeTexas Safe Routes to School Event Manual, which gives parents, teachers, and youth community workers the tools and…

Tweets

Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for April 18th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Cycling For Libraries
Bike Friendly Richardson friend, Barbara Fullerton sent us an email wanting to share her cause:

My name is Barbara Fullerton and I live in and cycle in Richardson/Plano area. This summer three librarians from Texas are participating in the Cycling for Libraries event in Europe. About 100 cyclists around the world were accepted to participate in this event. We are cycling from Amsterdam to Brussels, visiting public and special libraries. Check it out here.

We have set up a fundraising page.

We are trying to raise around $1000 for traveling funds.

Thank you for your consideration!

I think this is a fantastic opportunity for these ladies, and I’d love to hear…

 

Rules for Eating and Drinking During Exercise
Dr. Gabe Mirkin’s Fitness and Health e-Zine
April 21 , 2013
Muscle tiredness and weakness during and after prolonged exercise are caused by lack of water, sugar, salt and calories. You do not need extra potassium, calcium or any other mineral. You don’t need to take protein during exercise lasting less than five hours to improve performance or to hasten recovery, but you will recover faster if you take sugar and protein within an hour after finishing exhausting exercise.

The rules for eating and drinking during exercise are quite simple. For exercise lasting:
Less than an hour — fit athletes do not need to take any food or drink, except they may need water on the hottest days.
More than an hour — Take sugared drinks just before you begin and frequently during intense exercise.
More than three hours — Take sugared drinks before you begin and frequently during intense exercise. Eat the food of your choice (fruit or sugar- added foods such as whole grain bars, etc.), plus a source of salt. We use potato chips or peanuts. You cannot get enough salt in a drink because it would taste awful.
More than five hours — You need water, sugar, salt, and protein and lots of calories. Up to ten percent of the energy to power your muscles during exercise is supplied by protein stored in muscles. However, you do not lose enough muscle to harm performance during exercise until you have been…

The Racing Post-April Issue

 April 28 memorial to honor fallen agent
bigbendnow.com
ALPINE – Big Bend Sector Border Patrol along with “We Remember” Memorial Trek Across Texas bicycle riders will host a small ceremony at the Alpine Border Patrol Station to remember fallen Border Patrol Agent David R. Delaney, who died while on duty in the Big Bend National Park on November 2, 2012.

The ceremony will be held in front of the station on the grounds of the 9/11 Memorial at 4pm Sunday, April 28. The Big Bend Sector Honor Guard will present the colors, play taps and accept a…

Div West Soldiers participate in Ride2Recovery event
By Sgt. 1st Class Gail Braymen, Div. West Public Affairs

Six Division West Soldiers traded their baggy camouflage uniforms and bulky combat boots for skintight Spandex shorts and featherweight cycling shoes to ride in the Killeen-to-Waco leg of the Ride2Recovery Texas Challenge April 11.

“It’s truly a great experience to have all these people together and to feel the camaraderie,” said Sgt. 1st Class Connie Burt, a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Div. West, who regularly competes in triathlons and other athletic events. “It’s just a great ride to be on – it’s one of the…

Ride2Recovery: Texas Challenge passes through
By Daniel Cernero, Sentinel Sports Editor

Every year, bluebonnets and wildflowers pop up along Texas roadsides signaling the beginning of spring. In Central Texas and at Fort Hood, its own spring tradition continued in its fifth year as nearly 200 cyclists participated in Ride2Recovery’s Texas Challenge, an arduous bike ride of 340 miles across the Texas landscape over six days.

Riders began in San Antonio April 8 before finishing in North Texas Saturday, with a stop by the Great Place sandwiched in…

Prepping for Pace Bend
by TC            www.turnincranks.com

Well, the Pace Bend race is 4 short days away and my chances of making the race appear to be improving. Essentially I’m at the mercy of an unborn child. Not mine, mind you, oh heck no! My sister-in-law is basically due at any second, but she’s not feeling that it is imminent. If the little guy can hold off until Monday, then I’ll be all clear!

Even though I felt my chances of making the race were slim, I’ve been proceeding with my…

Tweets

https://twitter.com/bikenoob/status/325064466528083969

https://twitter.com/COABikeProgram/status/324984172122890241

https://twitter.com/FtWMntBikers/status/324858397252005889

Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for April 17th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

VR Cycling Studio Thursday Ride
Woodlands Cycling Club
Thursday, April 25, 2013, 11:00am – 01:00pm
Advanced beginner / intermediate ride – presented by VR Cycling Studio.

30 mile loop beginning/ending at VR Cycling Studio. No rider will be left behind, depending on rider fitness pace is 15mph & 20mph.
32303 Tamina Road
Magnolia, TX 77354…

 Trane Launches National Search For Race Across America Powered By Trane Endurance Team
online.wsj.com
Trane invites teams of two to compete for once-in-a-lifetime brand-ambassador internship on unstoppable cycling race

TYLER, Texas, April 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Trane, a brand of Ingersoll Rand (NYSE: IR), is launching a national search for an unstoppable duo to serve as its Trane Endurance Team brand ambassadors throughout the 2013 Race Across America (RAAM) Powered by Trane. The world’s longest nonstop ultra-endurance cycling race, RAAM is a competition in which cyclists race more than 3,000 miles from coast to coast over the course of several weeks.

Trane is sponsoring the 2013 race in celebration of its 100(th) anniversary as a brand of “unstoppably” reliable, comfortable and efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. The Trane Endurance Team members will represent the Trane residential business as they travel across the nation with athletes who will…

Tweets

Mistified – April 17th Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I was “mistified” on the ride today. When I rode out of my driveway I thought the moisture from the high humidity. As I rode to US59 the mist appeared and disappeared. Once I got on the northbound US59 service road I went in and out of some pockets of mist. Once I rode onto FM1485 the moisture let up enough I could not feel it. All was well until the FM1314 leg. Riding on this road was a wet one. The mist picked up and after I stopped at the Valero station at Sorters Road there was a 200 yard stretch of outright rain.

Normally I do not ride in the rain but if it starts while I ride I sometimes continue if the it is not too hard and cold. Those conditions describe today. The mist was not cold and wiping my glasses allowed me to go awhile before i needed to do it again. Approaching cars had their wipers running and my moving increased the rain collecting. My long sleeve jersey kept me warm and somewhat dry. I was glad when I got back home and the dry garage. The 75 degrees felt warmer than I expected.

I rode 35.03 miles at 15.0 mph average speed. I wanted to get to 400 miles for April and this ride added up to 404.06 miles. 1718.7 miles year to date look good. Alternate maps and stats at Garmin Connect and RideWithGPS.com.

[wppa type=”slideonlyf” album=”131″ size=”auto”][/wppa]