The day did not start with a bike ride likely because the weather forecast did not have the temperature going much above 60 but as the afternoon moved on my weather station showed 66 degrees and the the sun was warming the air so I started my ride later than usual at 2:35. With the later start I was limited to a shorter route and once I was out riding the stiff WNW 14 mph wind and 21 mph gusts amplified the chill in the air. To combat the wind and 65 degrees I wore shorts, leg warmers, short sleeve and long sleeve jerseys, windbreaker and full finger gloves. It might have been okay to wear half finger gloves but I wanted to wear them in preparation for tomorrow’s Gator Ride. They came through fine blocking the wind and keeping all of my fingers warm. I am not sure if today’s weather means March is coming like a lion or not but compared to Monday’s upper 70’s forecast I am leaning to the lion side rather than a lamb. When I got back home at 4:26 the temperature had dropped to 64.8 degrees and the wind slowed somewhat to NNW 14 mph with no gusts.
My route went south through Atascocita and on to Walden staying west of Lake Houston. The route was 23.4 miles long and with the stiff wind my average speed fell below 15 mph to 14.4 mph. I also did not want to tax my legs too much in anticipation of the Gator Ride. Going up over the Fred Hartman Bridge requires substantial effort. Now that March has arrived I have a new goal of 581 miles, a substantial increase over February. Last March I rode 20 days in March. Links to Garmin Connect and RidewithGPS.com for today’s ride.
The weather forecast for Baytown for tomorrow’s Gator Ride:
The 62 mile ride starts at 7:30, the 51/33 mile rides leave at 8:00 AM, and the 43 mile route starts at 8:30. I think I will ride 43 miles if I can brave the cold. By 8:30 maybe the sun will warm things up some. My planned wardrobe: leg warmers and shorts, three long sleeve jerseys, windbreaker jacket, full finger gloves.
Cycling Illustrated Pace Bend Road Race
by Kim Jennings
bicyclesoutbackracing.net
Pace Bend is a highlight race of the Texas road racing season, and with a field of close to 40 women, it was game on from the gun. The first 2 laps were fast and furious; a few breaks with the major hitters were quickly brought back, but what was really missing at this point were the counter attacks. Amateur women’s cycling is notorious for “negative racing†where most racers just chase anything to bring it back, regardless of what team or who is…
Texas Bike Lobby Day, March 25th
Bike Friendly of Oak Cliff
Want to do something that can actually make a difference for bicycling in Dallas? Attend Texas Bike Lobby Day on Monday, March 25th.
Bike Texas is organizing the event that takes place during our great state’s legislative session. This year, Bike DFW, our regional bicycle advocacy organization, is handling the registration process and organizing transportation…
 Free Skills Clinic at Walnut Creek
Austin Ridge Riders
Sunday, March 3, 2013 – 13:30
Clair Melton is the owner/principal of Facet Fitness with Clair. Clair is an experienced and well-known mountain biker who offers group and private MTB instruction. She has generously offered to help members and non-members improve their skills.
On Sunday, March 3 – Clair will be hosting a clinic in conjunction with the Sunday All-Level Ride at Walnut Creek (1:30 p.m. start time). This is for beginners and those who are already riding…
Successful KidsKup at STORM Hill Country Challenge
BikeTexas.org
Happy racers after the Hill Country Challenge KidsKupAfter a beautiful drive through the hill coutry to the Flat Rock Creek Ranch, the KidsKup Express (aka BikeTexas) arrived. After a gracious welcome at the ranch, they set up the KidsKup Race Booth, drawing an eager audience of young riders. After all of the kids had registered, the race course was opened…
Ride Report – Chihuahuan Desert Bike Fest 2013
by WB admin            The Wheel Brothers – Cycling in Texas
By Harold Darling
We arrived at Lajitas Resort and Spa on Tuesday to beautiful sunshine and balmy temperatures, mid 70s.The Fest was setting up at the Rec building in the Maverick Ranch RV Park. The rides were scheduled to start Thursday morning with 6 rides including the EPIC 2-day ride. We toured the river with the truck looking at the beautiful blue bonnets and the river, getting mentally prepared for tomorrow. Texas Parks & Wildlife co-sponsored the Fest and Thursday morning had many leaders at the start for the 4 TP&W guided rides. I rode the Contrabando loop and we had 4 TP&W guides, we were well lead and guided with an…
Tweeting Bikes Coming to South by Southwest
by Todd Wasserman         Mashable.com
Digital ad agency Razorfish will peddle its services at South by Southwest via some 20 self-tweeting bicycles.
The bikes, which will be planted strategically or “bike bombed” at events during the Interactive portion of the festival, will include GPS devices that will transmit location data to Razorfish’s social media team. Each of the 20 bikes will have its own Twitter ID (“PennyTheBike” is one) and will tweet in its own personality. In…
Tweets
We have Lake Murray State Park for the weekend of 4/27-4/28. I know that we'll be doing one of our endurance… http://t.co/iYD7ovGlMv
El Paso Bicycle Club Upcoming Rides
Saturday, March 2
+ * 3-in-1 Ride-8:30 am
Sunday, March 3
+ * Bike to the Border-8:30 am
Saturday, March 9
+ * Cookie Ride-9:00 am
Sunday, March 10
+ * Spring Forward-9:00 am
Wednesday, March 13
+ * Wednesday Night Ride-5:30 pm
Saturday, March 16
+ * Get thee to the Gap-9:00 am
Sunday, March 17
+ * St. Pats Pedal-9:00 am
Wednesday, March 20
+ * Wednesday Night Ride-5:30 pm
Saturday, March 23
+ * Berino and Back Ride-8:00 am
Sunday, March 24
+ * McKelligon Canyon Challenge-9:00 am
Tuesday: Intermediate/Advanced Mountain Bike Ride at the Ant Hills
Houston Cycling Club
Tuesday, March 5, 2013 6:15 PM
15200 Memorial Dr, Houston, Te (map)
Look for group and ask if it’s us! call me, Jeff @ [masked] if you have any questions or are going to be late.
This will be a medium to fast pace ride through the Ant Hills of Hershey Park! Bring WATER, spare tube/tire, snacks, etc…Helmets required. Call if you are going to be late so we can wait for you. Wheels rolling by 6:30! See you there
The March club meeting of the Fort Worth Mountain Bikers’ Association will take place at Backwoods (2727 W7th Street, Fort Worth, Texas 817-332-2423) on Tuesday, March 5, 2012 at 7:00pm. Meet upstairs at 7:00pm.
Topics of discussion will be. . . .
– 2013 Fat Tire Festival Planning. Bicycles Incorporated has stepped up BIG time to be the primary sponsor of the festival. We’ll talk about the events and schedule of what’s up at this year’s epic festival of all things mountain bike.
– Facebook and The Demise of Volunteerism. The FWMBA Facebook page has been very popular. Unfortunately, FWMBA volunteerism has fallen off precipitously as more and more people rely on Facebook instead of the FWMBA website. Join in on the discussion on what to do.
– The president of FWMBA has been appointed to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Recreational Trails Advisory Board. The RTA Board controls over $3,000,000 to be allocated for public recreational trail projects in Texas. What does this mean for FWMBA?
– More news on the FWMBA Community Center on Beach Street.
Saturday, March 2nd,
Paradise Canyon Ride
9:00 AM
Meet us in Castroville for a challenging 30 mile moderately paced group ride over rolling and one very large hill near Paradise Canyon. Not suitable for beginners. Map W9. Join us for lunch nearby. …
Sunday, March 3rd,
Good Time River and Town Tour
9:00 AM
Don’t miss the original river and town ride with great scenic views. This easy paced ride will start at Lions Field Senior Center, 2809 Broadway. After we travel along the river and through town, we then get on the Mission Reach Trail next to Blue Star Brewery, then on to Mission San Jose. Return…
Texas Flyers Cycling Club of Flower Mound Rides
Bluebonnet Ride (Sunday)
Ride Name Bluebonnet Ride
Day / Time: Sunday 8:00am;
Location: This ride leaves exclusive now from the north Marcus High school parking lot, also, the social group leave at the same time.
Pace 15 – 18 mph (Intermediate Riders)
Description 40+ miles at a moderate pace. A few “friendly” sprints along the way and a few regroups to follow.
Saturday “Mad Duck” Ride
Ride Name Mad Duck Ride.
Day / Time: Saturday 9:00am – eff 4/12/2008;
Location:
Mad Duck Bike Shop in Grapevine; there are two alternate starts beginning 1/2 hour before and riding to Mad Duck.
First alternate start is at Burger King on Main St. Lewisville
Second alternate start is at Bicycles Plus in Flower Mound.
Pace 17 – 21 mph (intermediate to advanced riders)
Description: This ride varies from 40-50 miles when beginning and ending from Mad Duck. This ride is a normal training ride for several area race teams and can get fast paced. When there are larger groups (read warmer weather), the group will split into an advanced and intermediate group.
Women 1/2/3 with Lauren Stephens (FCS/Zngine p/b Mr. Restore), Christina Gokey-Smith (ROUSE/OOGIE RACING), and Ginny King (KingRacingGroup) attacking two laps in and holding off the field for 1-2-3.
Photo courtesy of Lee McDaniel.
Texas Independance Day
by beechnut forums.mtbr.com/texas
Meet at the gas burn-off turn in. fort worth – Google Maps
Tools, Lunch and drinks provided. Just bring us the bodies!
Come on out and see what we have coming soon on the East side. It’s a great opportunity to share your thoughts on the trail, and influence things to come.
Memoril Park, Houston – Maintenance
by hollar1211 forums.mtbr.com/texas
Hey guys, I ride Memorial about 2-3 times a week as was wondering what it would take to rehab some of the trails. The recent wet weather and trail clearing / maintenance has eroded some of the trails and they could use a little touch up, especially the green trail.
I’m pretty sure we can’t just go back there with rakes and shovels and start patching up divots and covering roots. Who should I get in contact with? If anyone else here is interested in meeting up, me and a buddy work right up…
Biking across America
It’s likely a childhood bike ride with her sisters from Lazy Day Villa Resort in Alexandria to Carlos Corners inspired Megan Ausen to tackle a bike ride across the country in adulthood.
By: Amy Chaffins, Alexandria Echo Press
It’s likely a childhood bike ride with her sisters from Lazy Day Villa Resort in Alexandria to Carlos Corners inspired Megan Ausen to tackle a bike ride across the country in adulthood.
“We would really get into this eight-mile bike ride,†Ausen told the Echo Press. “My sister, Sonja, even strapped a portable radio to the handlebars of her bicycle to provide us with music while we rode.â€
Ausen, now 26 years old and living in New York City, will depart for a cross country bike ride on…
Bike lanes are key to the success of this Austin subdivision
People for Bikes Blog »
The first thing that struck me when I walked into the main administrative building for Austin’s Mueller subdivision was the mounted bicycle hanging in the window. I was meeting with some representatives from Catellus Development Group, the master developer of the Mueller subdivision, to find out what motivated them to put green lanes on their streets.
Carl Paulsen, vice president of construction for Catellus, led me into a room while I noted the bicycle on the wall. “Does that inspire you to bike to work?” I asked. “I just got a bike for Christmas so we’ll see what happens,” said Paulsen. He claimed in the past he’d felt uneasy sharing the road with automobiles. Mueller is…
Race Clinics
GHORBA.org
Trail: Memorial Park
Saturday, March 9, 2013 – 9:00am
Whether you’ve never raced or you’ve raced many times but have yet to stand on the podium, we’ve got some help for you to make it happen.
Come on out to Memorial Park on Saturday March 9th from 9 AM to Noon for a fun, informal Race Clinic that is sure to give you an advantage over your competition. The Big Ring Challenge is just a…
Tuesday Ride at Walnut Creek – Intermediate ride level
The Austin Mountain Bikers Meetup Group
Tuesday, March 5, 2013Â Â Â Â Â Â 4:30 PM
Walnut Creek Park
12138 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX (map)
Getting dark earlier so starting this at 4:30 pm so we have time to get a full loop in. …
Tuesday: Intermediate/Advanced Mountain Bike Ride at the Ant Hills
The Houston Mountain Bikes Meetup Group
Tuesday, March 5, 2013Â Â Â Â Â Â 6:15 PM
Terry Hershey Park
15200 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX (map)
Look for my red Jeep with bike rack on back. Or call me, Jeff @ 713-459-4622
This will be a medium/fast pace ride through the Ant Hills of Hershey Park! Bring WATER, spare tube/tire, snacks, etc…
Texas A&M students build vaccine-refrigerating bicycle
by Ted Purlain         vaccinenewsdaily.com
Four engineering students from the University of Texas A&M recently created a more effective means of refrigerating and transporting vaccines.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering students were able to turn what started as class project into a more effective means of getting critical vaccines to remote areas in the developing world, according to TheBatt.com.
Devesh Ranjan, an assistant professor, assigned his thermal fluids class the project to aid them in…
Bike plan rolling along in Burleson
by JULISSA TREVIÑO      www.burlesonstar.net
City officials met with residents last week to discuss a proposed bike plan that could be presented to City Council within a couple of months.
After having initial talks of a bike plan in September, the city now has a preliminary plan of proposed bike routes that could connect residents between various points of interest throughout the city via bicycle.
The network of proposed bike routes, including residential shared bike lanes and off-street trails, could help improve transportation options for Burleson residents, said Jeff Whitacre of Fort Worth-based Kimley-Horn and…
With the approaching cold front and the wind switching from the SW and W I wanted to get an earlier start on today’s ride so I pulled out of the driveway at 12:14 under a nice sunny sky, 71 degrees and a stiff 13 mph W wind with 26 mph gusts. My riding guidelines say ride into the wind at the start of the ride and with the wind on the way back home. Following this guideline I paid the price because the headwind stayed that way almost the whole time until around mile 21 I turned left onto FM1314 headed back to Porter and then home. I thought the wind was getting stronger and when I got home and checked the wunderground.com website I saw a 22 mph NNW wind with 28 mph gusts. To add to the effort the temperature dropped a few degrees as I rode ending up at 68 when I finished at 3:09.
I rode my New Caney – Gene Campbell Road route in order to get enough miles to reach my February goal of 369 miles. I tweaked the route a little and ended up riding 38.07 miles at a surprising 15.2 mph average speed. If you look at the average speed for the 5 mile intervals most of them are below 15 mph but two are 17.5 mph and 17.8 mph which offset the slower ones enough. The 71 degrees dictated a lighter wardrobe today so I had on shorts, a long sleeve and short sleeve jersey and windbreaker jacket with half finger gloves. I was comfortable most of the ride but after I stopped at Stripes for a rest and Diet Pepsi it took several miles to get warmed up again since the wind felt chilly from the change in direction and increased shadows.
I did reach February’s goal with the miles totaling 372.2 after today’s ride. The weather is supposed to be cooler tomorrow at 61 degrees for the high. Saturday is still looking very cool for the Gator Ride in Baytown.
