Texas Bicycling Daily News Roundup January 2nd

Texbiker.net Posted on by

The Road to Ourselves: Cycling in the Texas Mountains
By Beth Nobles            BikeTexas.org

From the saddle, I whiz past mountains, yell “howdy” to ranch cattle, and glance up to see hawks circling a crisp perfectly blue sky. My saddle isn’t on a horse, but it doesn’t matter. I have the frontier to myself; the last car passed 30 minutes ago.

There’s something special about cycling the roads and trails of Far West Texas. Pick your speed; take things as slow or as fast as you want. Power yourself down mountain passes. Dawdle and you’ll spot the red blossoms of claret cup cactus. There’s time to look, think, sweat, imagine. You’re free, not confined to the metal box of a car…

Local gear swap/sale…
by In_Yo_Grill                forums.mtbr.com/texas
I’ve been riding for going on two years now. Like many of the guys on this site I’ve changed out parts on my bikes to find the sweet balance of comfort and trail effectiveness. Of course I’m sure I’ve given into some of the hype and marketing…lol

Anyways…let’s get down to the nitty gritty. I have many parts that I no longer use and want to see if we could get the guys together and see if we could help one another out. I guess we could just post up here and then try to organize a gathering of sorts.

Bike Recommendations for my son
by Marker 37            www.bikeforums.net
My son is almost 10 and I would like to buy a trail bike for his birthday. he is about 4’8″ and I am 6’2″. I grew a bunch after my sophomore year in high school, so I figure this bike will last him until he is driving. any suggestions on the size bike to buy and what type of gears, frame, etc, to look for. not looking to break the bank here but am comfortable with $500 on the high side. also would be interested in a used bike of the right kind. appreciate any help.

by DISCDS
I don’t know that it’s realistic to buy him a bike that will serve him well from age 10 to 16. In buying a bike, how it fits is the ultimate factor. (However, I have seen some pretty big kids riding really small BMX bikes and they don’t seem to care much that their knees are only millimeters from hitting the handlebars.)

My general recommendation is almost ALWAYS to go to a local bike shop (LBS) and be sure it fits before you buy. But, that advice is generally given with the thought that the bike is going to be used for quite some time. I don’t know that shelling out the price for new bike is the best way to go at his age. (But then again, I don’t understand parents dropping big money for Air Jordans for tiny kids that will outgrow them in a…

City Park Ride Pics – 1-1-13
by John                      AustinBike.com

What better way to start off the year than with a ride.  Although it was cold and had rained for most of yesterday, the trails at City Park drain well, and by the afternoon they were perfect (unless you were running a small block 8 on the back.

Five of us headed out for two laps and Brian caught up with us and joined in on the riding even though he…

Replacing a Bottom Bracket
by John            AustinBike.com

The bottom bracket contains the bearings that help keep your crank spinning smoothly. Modern bottom brackets now have outboard bearings meaning that they sit outside of the shell, not inside like years ago.  This makes them more durable and able to withstand more torque and pressure.  However, especially in the case of Shimano, the bearings are not really…

Replacing Crank Rings
by John                AustinBike.com

If you have a Shimano crankset and need to replace the rings, the job is not that difficult if you have the right tools.  I think the whole job took me under 30 minutes.

The first step in the process is to take off the chain.  I highly recommend either SRAM chains or getting a SRAM removable link on a Shimano chain.  This allows you to take a chain apart and put it back together without a…

Tuesday Ride at Walnut Creek – Intermediate ride level
The Austin Mountain Bikers Meetup Group
Tuesday, January 8, 2013        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.
Please be there and be ready to roll by 4:30 pm. We meet in the parking lot near the pool in the middle of the island.

Any question please call/text  me at [masked]
Intermediate level ride with no drop.
Ride at your own risk and helmets are required!

Tuesday: Intermediate/Advanced Mountain Bike Ride at the Ant Hills
Houston Cycling Club
Tuesday, January 8, 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

Georgetown Cyclopaths January Rides

RIDE SCHEDULE – January 2013 Short Rides Long Rides
Day Date Time Meet at Miles Map Miles Map
Saturday 1/5/2013 9:00 AM Dale’s Essenhaus Restaurant in Walburg 32 miles WA7 46 miles WA8
Sunday 1/6/2014 12:00 PM Berry Springs Park 35 miles B65
Saturday 1/12/2013 9:00 AM Catholic Church in Andice 35 miles A12 48 miles A14
Sunday 1/13/2013 1:30 PM Berry Springs Park 32 miles B39
Saturday 1/19/2013 9:00 AM Liberty Hill Elementary School 32 miles L12 45 miles L1
Sunday 1/20/2013 1:30 PM Berry Springs Park 32 miles B68
Saturday 1/26/2013 9:00 AM Gravel Parking Lot in Weir 27 miles WE2 51 miles WE8
Sunday 1/27/2013 1:30 PM Berry Springs Park 36 miles B34

Somerset Big Bird Ride
Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club
Saturday, January 26th:  Wheels down at 9:00.  Meet at the Park and Ride across from Bill Miller’s at south loop 1604 and Hwy 16 South for a 30 mile ride over mostly flat terrain with some gentle hills. We will travel backroads between Somerset and Lytle and pass by an ostrich farm, where we hope to see Big Bird and his siblings. Several options for lunch: bar-b-q, Mexican, pizza.

The power of #bikeschool
by Darryl            lovingthebike.com
If you don’t already know about the absolute biggest and greatest online meeting place for cyclists, then you most definitely need to check out #bikeschool in 2013.  If you don’t know the whole #bikeschool story and what it’s all about, have a quick read through our description of this weekly cycling Twitter chat.

#bikeschool really has taken on a life of its own, and we have the incredible online cycling community to thank for this.  Although I was one of three people who first created and launched this fun-loving cycling chat, I’ve sort of stepped down from the weekly organizing and hosting.  Our #bikeschool community is so…

Seeing the South from a bike seat
Written by Kevin Kirkpatrick        www.desmoinesregister.com
Avid bicyclist Roger Netsch is preparing for a new cycling challenge this spring.

The former Indianola High School educator has ridden more than 30 Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, three Ride the Rockies and several other state rides.

In March, Netsch and five of his cycling friends will bike across the southern part of the U.S. The 3,010-mile bicycle ride will start in San Diego on March 1 and end more than a month later in St. Augustine, Fla. The cyclists will pass through Phoenix; El Paso and Austin, Texas…

Have Yourself a Merry Little Bike Ride
by Ken                Texas Racing Life
I lead an alternative lifestyle, because every year between Thanksgiving and New Years, I lose weight.  This is the heart of base training in cycling, and I believe can determine how your race season will go.  But I find it to be the hardest time of year to train, with no light and terrible weather. In the end, you just have to get out there and ride.

Last year between Christmas and New Years, I did a whopping 18 hours on the bike, which was around 4 more hours than I had ever done in a 7 day stretch. This year, I wanted to do more. …

Tweets

https://twitter.com/COABikeProgram/status/286551761563561985

https://twitter.com/FtWMntBikers/status/286467201890934784

https://twitter.com/FtWMntBikers/status/286466776924033024

https://twitter.com/MitchellGSides/status/286332104445423617

 

Texas Bicycling Daily News Roundup January 1st

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Texas bike tour organizers look for input from riders
www.cyclocamping.com
While most people already know that a bicycle tour can give them the opportunity to explore their natural surroundings, not everyone is aware that they may be able to influence where they ride.

Organizers of the Texas Fort Trails bike tour are now asking for participants’ help in choosing routes that will take cyclists throughout the Concho Valley region, according to the…

How Bicycling Is Transforming Business
By Jay Walljasper, Yes! Magazine
Cities across the US discover that good biking attracts great jobs and top talent to their communities.

“Biking is definitely part of our strategy to attract and retain businesses in order to compete in a mobile world,” says Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, as we glide across the Mississippi River on one of two bike-and-pedestrian bridges that connect downtown to the University of Minnesota. “We want young talent to come here and…

…Austin, Texas, is ambitiously expanding its bike infrastructure; its first green lane opened last spring, one of 10 planned for the city. Cirrus Logic, a computer chip company that depends on specially trained engineers, moved to downtown Austin last summer from an outlying location “to become more attractive as an employer,” says…

12 Things to Forget About 2012 in Mountain Biking
www.vitalmtb.com
It’s the last day of 2012. Here are some MTB fads, ideas and styles you can forget about as we …

1. The Wheel Size War

The Pedaler Newsletter – January Edition
San Antonio Wheelmen
I hope Santa brought you some great cycling goodies over the holidays. Undoubtedly, there were some cycling computers, wheels, saddles, arm warmers, gloves, jerseys,  shorts, or socks under some of the Christmas trees in the local area.  The Assos Chamois Creme that I received will certainly be used throughout the year!

2012 was another great year for cycling in the local area.  We added a new location, Adkins-Junction, to our list of rides, updated some of our routes, and created new maps.  We also started offering GPS files for some of our…

Race Preview – TX State Championships – CycleHaus Tough CX – Jan 5-6, 2013
by joeyTWOwheels        Texas Cyclocross
This is it!

Last call to race your CX bike in the great state of Texas. And what a fitting location for the Texas State Championships than CycleHaus. Last year’s event was phenomenal:

San Antonio trail maintenance
by utsamtber            forums.mtbr.com
Happy new year everyone!
I was wondering how we could get a trail maintenance day set up. A lot of the trails have branches hanging infront of the rider, a lot of dirt is washed out. I think it would be cool to organize a few hours where we can go trim the bushes and trees and rework some of the washed out areas. We can really improve our trail system I think. What do you guy think? I’m talking about the Leon creek trails primarily.

Tweets

https://twitter.com/BikePaulie/status/286282410092535808

https://twitter.com/danielcurtin/status/286199679958532096

https://twitter.com/danielcurtin/status/286189259457695744

https://twitter.com/BBQ44/status/286124014617886721

https://twitter.com/FtWMntBikers/status/286122473903230976

Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for December 31st

Texbiker.net Posted on by

LMRA Bike Club Evening Ride: Benbrook Routes – 5:30PM
Event: Jan 09, 2013
Be a Positive Ambassador:
STOP – LOOK – and BE SEEN
Start at Benbrook YMCA Ballfield parking lots 5:30pm
Ride out along Lake Benbrook park roads and beyond.
Routes for cruiser, pacer and swifty groups ranging from 17-35 miles.
$1 or yearly pass required for Corps of Engineers lake road gate entry.
Headlights and taillights are needed.
Standard routes: Benbrook all-in-one cruiser, pacer, swifty
Alternate routes will ride to White Settlement or through Westover Hills

Good Time River and Town Tour
San Antonio Cycling Club
Where: Meet at Lions Field Senior Center at 2809 Broadway (across the street from Goodtime Charlies) near E. Mulberry Ave.
When: Jan 6, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Description: Don’t miss this ride with great scenic views. This easy paced ride will start at Lions Field Senior Center, 2809 Broadway. We will travel south as we go through town, then get on the Mission Reach Trail next to Blue Star Brewery, then on to Mission San Jose. Return trip will be through HemisFair Park and Sunset Station. Approximately 20 miles. Ride leaders, Vern,210-275-5637, vjeys@satx.rr.com, or Heidi, 210-842-2383, cycle_tx@yahoo.com. Stay for lunch. Guests are welcome. This will be a combined ride with the Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club.

Goodbye 2012; And Good Riddance
by Bryan            Biking to Live
2012 had both ups and down. Well, probably more downs than ups (kinda like the stock market). Goals were missed, miles weren’t ridden, and weight wasn’t lost. I’m really starting to sound like a broken record aren’t I?

I had a pretty decent year in 2011 and that lead me to create some pretty big goals for 2012. You can read about my 2012 goals here. I can say that I was 100%…

Most Awesome Cross – Cat 4 Start

TXBRA Cyclocross Race sponsored by Team Super Awesome and Richardson Bike Mart, Cat 4 Start from the first Barriers with some Heckling!

Tweets

https://twitter.com/JuliaBikes/status/285830331330867203

https://twitter.com/JuliaBikes/status/285805095646539776

Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for December 30th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

New Year’s Detox Ride – Canceled
AustinBike.com
Update – Based on impending rain/cold weather and the option for a better ride in the afternoon/evening, I am going to merge the annual detox ride into the kickoff R&I:

http://www.bikemojo.com/speak/showthread.php?t=94240

Yes, it is that time of year again.  And, even though it has been at least a week since I have stopped drinking in Russia, I believe that I still have a large amount of vodka in my body.

Just like the annual post thanksgiving ride, we also have an annual detox ride in this town.  The greenbelt is the only appropriate place to…

Houston Bicycle Club Houston Sans Car Ride
Sun 01/06/13        9:00 am
This is an informal, leader led ride, at a leisurely pace ( Ride speed:  11 to 14 mph )  for those who want to know Houston  and many of its special places, by bike.  Learn basic bicycle commuting safety with a friendly group.  Rest stop will include one of the city’s independent coffee houses.  This ride is normally scheduled the first Sunday of each month and the route will vary at the whim of the leader, but will generally include a “figure 8 pattern” so that riders who do not wish to do the entire ride can easily return to the ride start.

El Paso Bicycle Club Ride
Sunday, January 27
Westside Fingers-9:00 am
Meet at Cimarron Park (Northern Pass one block east of Resler), for the ride you love to hate. Climb all your favorite hills in the Westside neighborhoods. 25 miles, moderate pace. To get there, take Resler north past Helen of Troy and turn right on Northern Pass. Rick Rivas, …

Lone Oak Ride
Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club
12237 Hwy 87 east, Adkins, TX, 78101
Ride starts at 9:00 a.m.  This is a 27 mile and slightly hilly but very scenic ride on the east side of San Antonio.  Bring plenty of water and snacks as this ride is mostly along country roads without service station stops.  Meet at the Lonesome Oak Café (closed except for the parking lot).  Directions: Take Hwy. 87 East towards Loop 1604.  Turn left at the stoplight by the service station and go one block to the service road.  Turn left on the service road to Lonesome Oak café, on the right. For more information contact ride leader Yoli Sanchez at…

McAllen Police Cycling Team

Come ride with us every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30 pm
Start/Finish at Bicycle World McAllen

Ibuprofen Harms Intestines during Exercise; Aspirin Does Not
Dr. Gabe Mirkin’s Fitness and Health E-Zine
December 30, 2012
A study from the Netherlands shows that taking Ibuprofen before intense exercise increases bleeding from the intestines (Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, December 2012). This can interfere with a person’s training program by delaying recovery from intense exercise.

BLOOD TEST MEASURES INTESTINAL DAMAGE: When intestines are damaged, blood leaks from the intestines into the bloodstream. This can be measured by a blood test called “Intestinal Fatty Acid Binding Protein I-FABP). The author demonstrated that blood levels of I-FABP rise during intense exercise and remain elevated only for up to one hour after a person finishes exercising intensely. This shows that the damaged intestines heal within an hour.

STRENUOUS EXERCISE CAN DAMAGE INTESTINES: Strenuous exercise itself, without Ibuprofen, can damage the intestines. For example, cyclists who rode hard and fast for an hour immediately developed elevated blood levels of I-FABP (PLoS One, July 2011;6(7):e22366).

During intense exercise, large amounts of blood must be pumped to bring oxygen to muscles. The body gets the extra blood by shutting off blood flow to the intestines. The decreased blood flow to…

This next article is getting more important to me every day.

Healthy Older People Can and Should Compete in Endurance Events
Dr. Gabe Mirkin’s Fitness and Health E-Zine
December 9, 2012
An editorial in the January 2013 British medical journal, Heart, states that “Running too fast, too far, and for too many years may speed one’s progress toward the finish line of life.” The author bases his opinion on two recent reports presented at medical meetings:

• DISTANCE: One study of 52,600 people followed for 30 years showed that runners had a 19 percent lower death rate than non runners, but those who ran more than 25 miles a week did not live longer than non-runners.

• SPEED: Another study showed that runners who ran slower than eight miles per hour lived longer than non-runners, but those who ran faster than 8 MPH did not live longer.

These two studies are far too limited to make you think that older people should limit how much and how intensely they exercise. THEY APPEAR TO SHOW THAT INTENSE OLDER RUNNERS DO NOT GAIN AN ADVANTAGE OVER NON-RUNNERS. THEY DO NOT SHOW THAT RUNNING IS HARMING THEM. No reasonable physician should use just this data to recommend limiting exercise in older people. Overwhelming evidence shows that exercise helps prevent and…

New Year’s Day Ride
Fredericksburg Cyclists Club
What better way to start a new year than go for a bike ride. Put on your cold weather gear and join us for the first FCC ride of 2013. We will start from Bethlehem Baptist Church (4700 Massaponax Church Road, Fredericksburg). This is the same location as our usual Saturday morning ride. Avaliable route options are 16,30,42 and 53. Please park along either the front road or spaces nearest the trees and leave the spots near the church and the middle rows available for the church. We will plan to go as long as it is not raining or snowing and the starting temp is above 35°. Ride leader is Steve Jakubowski

Tweets

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