Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for December 18th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Carpool to Chihuahuan Bike Fest Feb 13-17th 2013?
Austin Ridge Riders
by Ken Reed
Hello Everyone,
I am looking to car pool to the Chihuahuan Bike Fest Feb13-17th (http://www.desertsportstx.com/mountain-bike-event/), none of my mtn biking buddies are able to make it. I want to do the 2 day epic ride into the Saucedo ranger station, but the Dirt Fest has different rides going on simultaneously so we don’t have to do the same route. Whoever car pools should share transportation costs. Let me know if you are interested.

I am brand new to this forum so let me tell you a little about myself.  I have been an ARR member for a little over a year.  I like to think I am a pretty good mtn biker for being 50 yrs old. I love to do the full circuit at Reimer’s and the…

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Norco and Wilier recall bikes
by Steve Frothingham
The 26-inch Norco Havoc

WASHINGTON, DC (BRAIN) — Norco and Wilier Triestina each separately issued bike recall notices Tuesday in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Norco is recalling some 24- and 26-inch-wheeled dirt jumping bikes because the frames can break. Wilier is recalling about 200 road bikes because the fork steerer tubes can break.
Norco recalls Havoc bicycles

Norco is recalling about 90 2011-model Havoc 24- and 26-inch bikes. The frames can break were the toptube meets the downtube. The company has received three reports of cracked frames, with no reported injuries.

Frames included in this recall have serial numbers that begin with K10DQ, K10FQ, K10IQ, K10KQ P10K, P10F or P11B. The serial number is stamped on the underside of the bottom bracket, below the word “Havoc.”  The 24-inch bikes were sold with semi-matte gray paint and the 26-inch model had semi-matte…

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Friday Night Ride: Checking out the Christmas Lights Around Edinburg
by Ray Garza                Ciclistas Urbanos

Tour de Holiday LightsThis Friday night CU is rock’n & roll’n around the Christmas Tree and headed-out on a tour of holiday lights (Christmas lights) in Edinburg. Cyclists will gather at Mark and Michelle Peña’s home and ride out at 7pm. Everyone is encouraged to decorate and light-up their bikes for this holiday night ride. After the ride, all are invited to the Peña’s for holiday libations, snacks and fun.

Make sure to prepare your bikes for night riding. State law requires at least a front white light and a rear red reflector. Both front and rear lights are highly recommended. Cyclists are also encouraged to wear helmets, brightly colored clothing, and bring a water bottle. Make sure to…

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Club Rides
Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club
January 1, 2013 10:00 am
New Year’s Day Family Ride
Ingram Road Park and Ride
San Antonio

January 5, 2013 9:00 am
Castroville-Lytle Ride
Sammy’s Restaurant
202 US Hwy 90 East, Castroville, TX, 78009

January 6, 2013 9:00 am
Good Time River and Town Tour
Lions Field Senior Center
2809 Broadway, San Antonio, TX, 78209

January 12, 2013 9:00 am
Comfort “Country” Ride
Comfort City Park
Comfort, TX, 78013

January 13, 2013 9:00 am
PoPo’s Ride
PoPo’s Restaurant
829 FM 289 , Boerne, TX, 78006

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The Great Debate: 26 vs 29ers
by Shawn McAfee                Texas Mountain Bike Trails
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Nu3j8sDFJQ
This is an update from one of the Texas Mountain Bike Trails readers who shot this video and shared  his thoughts on the 26 vs 29er debate. Having just switched from a 26 inch bike to a bike with 29 inch wheels, G$ tells you a little about what the switch to his new larger bike is like.

Well this all started for me about six months ago when a coworker asked if I wanted to go for a bike ride. I did not own a mountain bike but was willing to spend a couple bucks for a little fun. So like any mortal man I started looking around reading some blogs about local trails, what was out there and where to start. I was…

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Texas Cup — Outback Cyclocross Race
www.txbra.org

Bicycles Outback and Bryan Fawley created a superb race course. Bryan Fawley, Kevin Fish and Colton Jarisch lead the Pro 1/2 field on Lap 1 through an inflated arch with run-up. Photo courtesy of Corvin Alstot.

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Tweets

https://twitter.com/BikeMS_DFW/status/281159282706219008

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Will This Weather Last? – December 18th Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

As I rode with my hands on the brake hoods I could see the clear blue sky in my rear view mirror. The 78 degrees completed the ideal biking weather today. It is hard to believe this is December. We probably will have one more day of this weather before the next cold front arrives early Thursday morning. A 12 mph south wind was not chilly like yesterday’s wind.

After riding south yesterday I wanted to go north and the south wind helped ride at good clip as evidenced in the ride summary below. Normally the first 5 mile interval is below my target 15 mph but today I averaged 16.1 mph in the first interval and even higher on the next three intervals. I did shorten the New Caney – Gene Campbell Road route by about 4 miles when I rode the “back way” out of Kingwood on Mills Branch Road and Ford Road to get to Loop 494. These roads don’t have stop signs so I can maintain a steady pace to hit the 16 + mph speeds. This route came in at 32.26 miles while the longer version is 37 miles or so. This is the first I went this way this month. No changes on the road and stopping at the Star Express Exxon in Porter gave me time to sit and soak up the bright sun. The 44oz Diet Pepsi cooled me off for the remaining 10 miles back home.

Tomorrow is an early rise day to meet with some other men from my church. We meet the third Wednesday each month at 6 AM at the Denny’s in Humble, TX. I will need to get up at the time I did when I worked. I am out of practice but at least I do not have to battle the traffic.

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Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for December 17th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Tuesday Ride at Walnut Creek – Intermediate ride level
The Austin Mountain Bikers Meetup Group
Tuesday, December 18, 2012        4:30 PM
Walnut Creek Park
12138 N. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78758

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 51…

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Velocity Bike Shop

GET READY!!!!! We are happy to introduce the Twin Wheel Cyclocross Series presented by Velocity Bike Shop!!! A portion of the proceeds go to supporting the Lubbock High School Mountain Bike Team! Completely new course set to UCI regulations with plenty of elevation change. This is going to be a great time for the whole family so come on out!

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Introduction to Road Riding Adult Classes
The San Antonio Wheelmen Rider Education Series (RES) program started in 2006. The adult introduction course, which was originally called the Beginning Rider course, was changed to the Introduction to Road Riding courses in late 2009. Introduction to Road Riding is divided into two courses (Road Riding 101 and 201) with a two-week break between. Road Riding 101 prepares students to do the shorter routes at the weekly Wheelmen rides. Road Riding…

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All Level Ride @ Walnut Creek Fall/Winter hours
The Austin Mountain Bikers Meetup Group
Sunday, December 23, 2012        1:30 PM
Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
12138 North Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78753
Cooler weather hours are in effect starting on December 2nd!!
It has been a little bit chilly in the mornings so it is time to change the start time of our ride to 1:30 p.m. Look for a change back to mornings sometime around March 10, 2013.

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HBC Montgomery Ride
Houston Bicycle Club
Saturday 12/29/12     Montgomery    9:00am
Distances: 26(A), 46(B), 58(C) mile
Ride through the beauty of the pines in Sam Houston National Forest to Dobbin, Dacus, Richards, and Anderson. Expect hills and country roads.
Montgomery High School, one mile west of the town of Montgomery on TX Hwy 105 (on the left coming from Montgomery). Montgomery is 15 miles west of Conroe on Hy 105 or from the south, 23 miles north of Tomball on TX Hwy 249 and FM 149.

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Mansfield Miles
Lone Star Cyclists
Pace: Touring (varied pace with frequent stops averaging 12-15 mph)
Date: Saturday, December 22, 2012 – 8:30am
Location: Katherine Rose Memorial Park, Mansfield (Walnut Creek Dr, north of E Broad St)
Join us for a ride from Mansfield southwest to Alvarado (and beyond for the 58 milers).

Lunch after the ride at Napoli’s Pizza and Fresh Pasta, 2771 E Broad Street (located across from Methodist Mansfield Medical Center). 817-453-3333. http://napolimansfield.com/
Distances: 39 and 58 Miles
Ride Leader: Determined on-site

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Greater Austin Texas Chapter
Austin Autism Bike Ride Public Meeting
Interested in being involved in our 6th Annual Autism Awareness Bike Ride scheduled to take place on Sunday, April 21, 2013?

Come out and join us as we talk about the ride itself, logistics and planning, marketing, sponsorship, and most importantly, volunteers!

If interested in attending, please let Fran know at…

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North Texas Cycling Tours
This group is for anyone that is interested or wants to learn about weekend cycling adventures touring Texas. Bicycle camping using self sustained backpacking gear. The challenge of riding 100 to 200 miles in a weekend and camping overnight. All age groups, not a fast pace. Mainly honing touring skills for future bigger tours.

100 mile ride Isle of Du Bois Lake Ray Roberts from Carrollton TX
Saturday, December 29, 2012 9:00 AM to Sunday, December 30, 2012, 3:00 PM
This location is shown only to members

A 100 mile 2 day event starting in Carrollton Texas utilizing local roads and the Greenbelt Trail. Over night camping at Isle of Du Bois. Self supported. Email me if you have any questions on equipment.

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Tweets

https://twitter.com/JuliaBikes/status/280761607959744513

https://twitter.com/BBQ44/status/280697326396403712

https://twitter.com/JuliaBikes/status/280692391034355713

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Biting Northwest Wind – December 17th Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

The overcast sky left and took the rain with it. This mans a nice clear blue sky and 70 degrees. It took several hours after the sun came up to get to 70 though. When I started getting ready to ride I took my leg warmers out of the closet but when I saw the 70 on my home weather station I did not bother wearing them. I did decide to wear a short sleeve jersey, long sleeve jersey and windbreaker jacket. The 12 mph NW wind was biting in the shade and the windbreaker was greatly appreciated.

After riding my mountain bike last week I really wanted to get back on the road bike. The clear sky and somewhat warmth was just the right stuff so on the road bike I went. I did not see any other riders until the 25 mile point as I was going north on W Lake Houston Parkway over the San Jacinto River. there were two riders on the trail while I rode in the main lane shoulder.

I chose the Huffman route and ended up at 30.11 miles. The average speed increased from my mountain bike one. See the slides below for ride metrics, December and YTD summaries.

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