Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for December 11th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

These lights fit right in with the western living in Texas.

Problem Solvers Brake Stud Light Mount Review
urbanvelo.org

Mounting your light down low has certain advantages — better depth perception, less chance of blinding oncoming drivers/riders with high powered lights, and free space on the bars. In my case bar space on my city commuter is not only in short supply due to my front cargo rack, but handlebar mounted lights can interfere with and are blocked by my typical cargo loads. In Urban Velo #33 we wrote up a…

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What’s Behind the Rise in Cyclist and Pedestrian Deaths?
by Angie Schmitt                streetsblog.net
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is out with traffic fatality data for 2011, and the news is not good for cyclists, pedestrians or, for that matter, anyone who uses U.S. roadways.

Last year, 677 cyclists were killed in the United States — an 8.7 percent increase over 2010. Photo: Bike Portland

While motor vehicle deaths declined to a still mind-numbing 32,000, cycling deaths were up 8.7 percent, and 3 percent more pedestrians were killed. The increase represented a break with recent trends, and folks all over the…

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Looking for places to ride on new years trip to Austin/San Antonio
by seancs14                    forums.mtbr.com
Thinking about spending the new years weekend on a quick trip from DFW (home) to Austin/San Antonio/hill country. We want to ride each day, but aren’t very familiar with trails outside of DFW. I’m already sure I want to go to Reveille Peak Ranch, but what are other good rides in the DFW to San Antonio corridor. We’re totally open other than we want to be in San Antonio for new year’s eve.

What are everyone’s suggestions on where to go? …(several replies)

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South Llano State Park this weekend…
by In-Yo-Grill                    forums.mtbr.com
Took the family to South Llano State Park for my son’s 17th birthday. We had a blast riding the trails and saw lots of wildlife. This place is known for it’s turkey population and it didn’t disappoint us. We saw/heard turkeys the whole time we were there. For anyone interested in some good trails to train in these are the ones. This park has 25 miles of single and double track with challenging climbs.

We also took a ride from the park into town and it was worth the 20 mile round trip. The city park has lots to do. Multiple basketball courts, volleyball, disc golf and of course fishing the Llano river.

It’s definitely on my list to go back during the summer so I can take advantage of the river. …

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Lindsey Four Endurance Race – January 5th, 10AM
by PinkFloyd                    forums.mtbr.com
The Tyler Bicycle Club is hosting a four hour endurance mountain bike race, The Lindsey Four, at Lindsey Park on Saturday, January 5th at 10:00 am. You can compete individually or as a team. We will have music and food throughout the race.

Tim McCellon is the race director for the Lindsey Four and you may contact him through email at…

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Ride East From the Oasis
Lone Star Cyclists
Pace: Touring (varied pace with frequent stops averaging 12-15 mph)
Date: Saturday, December 15, 2012 – 8:30am
Location: The Oasis / Lynn Creek Marina, Joe Pool Lake, 5700 Lake Ridge Parkway, Grand Prairie

Join us for a ride through Duncanville, Lancaster (almost), DeSoto, Glenn Heights, Cedar Hill, and Midlothian (if you do the long route) finishing in time to get home and spruce-up for the Holiday Party.

Let’s have lunch after the ride at the Oasis or On The Border (SE corner of Hwy 360 and Camp Wisdom Road).
Distances: 44 and 60 Miles

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2012 Holiday Boutique Ride – This Weekend
by UrbanPedal                Dallas Cycle Chic
Bike Friendly South Dallas, Bike Friendly Oak Cliff & Dallas Cycle Style present

If you haven’t been to Deep Ellum or Exposition Park in the daylight lately you’re in for a pleasant surprise. There are some real niche boutiques, owned by Dallas locals, nestled between all the great bars and restaurants. We have 8 on our list, including the…

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Kohl’s donates bike helmets
By Mollie Bryant        Amarillo Globe-News

Kohl’s donated $29,290 to Northwest Texas Healthcare System on Thursday to go toward 5,000 bicycle helmets for Amarillo Independent School District students who attend Windsor, Bivins, Ridgecrest, Belmar, Sunrise, Western Plateau, Glenwood and Olson elementary schools.

“The generosity they show and their effort to keep kids safe is amazing,” said Debbie…

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Hill Country Bicycling Touring Club Rides
December 16, 2012 9:00 am
Lone Oak Cafe
12237 Hwy 87 eastAdkins, TX78101

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

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PBA NEW YEAR’S DAY RIDE
Date:  January 1, 2013
Time: 10 am
Start/finish location: TBD (probably NW corner of Coit and Spring Creek, Plano)
Distances:  TBD (probably 3 distances, say 30, 40 and 50 miles)
Pace packs: TBD (probably more than 1)
Ride leaders: TBD
Maps: Maybe
After ride food provided by Andrew Hoodwin: TBD (BBQ would be good)

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Advanced ride Gruene, TX 30 or 55 miles river road and more
Austin Cycling Meetup
Sunday, December 16, 2012        9:00 AM
Gruene Hall
1601 Hunter Rd, New Braunfels, TX (map)
large parking lot across form gruene hall

This is a great ride at an 17+ pace.  Must be able to keep up as this is a Drop ride. We will regroup, but route is designed for quick stops and pedaling the miles.

2 x 2 Paceline and designed as a winter training team ride.
Any questions please ask.
Please wear helmet, bring 2 full water bottles, snacks, and a bank card for…

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Tweets

https://twitter.com/BikePaulie/status/278678541959315456

As if you needed to read this one!

I had to post this one!!!

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Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for December 10th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Safe Passing Ordinance Heads to Council Next Wednesday
Bike Friendly Oak Cliff
The Vulnerable road users ordinance, as it’s officially called, easily passed the joint public safety and quality of life committee session this month. The biggest takeaway? More councilpersons went on record saying the city needs to implement more dedicated bicycle infrastructure. This time Hunt and Griggs were joined by Greyson and Kedane endorsing more separated, buffered bike lanes, where possible, on the official record.

Still though Davis seems confused by the whole thing, Alonzo kept mostly quiet, Medrano didn’t say a word and Caraway reminded us there’s not many bicyclists…

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USA Cycling announces 2013 Pro Mountain Bike Cross Country Tour calendar
by VeloNews.com
USA Cycling has announced its 2013 Pro Mountain Bike Cross Country Tour schedule.

The fifth running of the Pro XCT series will make nine stops throughout the country, beginning in Dripping Springs, Texas, with the March 2 Mellow Johnny’s Classic, a UCI Category 1 event.

The series makes three of its nine stops in California, two of which — in Bonelli Park and Fontana — form part of the U.S. Cup Triple Crown.

In addition to the Mellow Johnny’s Classic, two events — the Hammer Nutrition Missoula XC and the Subaru Cup — are UCI C1 races, while the Bonelli Park U.S. Cup, the Windham XC, and the series-ending Catamount Classic are…

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The next two articles seem to contradict each other.

Cyclists, Beware: Bike Deaths Take Big Jump
Rise 8.7% in 2011
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
(Newser) – Last year was a good year for road warriors—so long as they were on four wheels, not two. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today released its analysis of 2011 traffic deaths, and overall fatalities sank 1.9% to 32,367, outpacing the 1.2% drop in the number of miles driven by motorists. But while deaths…

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Bike, large truck deaths soar, bucking trend
By JOAN LOWY Associated Press            San Angelo Standard-Times
WASHINGTON (AP) Safety officials say deaths of bicyclists and occupants of large trucks rose sharply last year even as total traffic fatalities dropped to their lowest level since 1949. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that its analysis of traffic deaths in 2011 showed deaths of bicyclists jumped 8.7 percent and deaths of occupants of large…

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December Club Ride Rocky Hill Ranch 12/8/2012
Austin Ridge Riders

We had a great turnout of 42 participants! Thanks to everyone who came out.

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Cyclocross Cup Race 5 of 5 – SE Park
Date: December 16, 2012
Location: Amarillo, TX
Contact: Sun adventure Sports806-351-2453
Details: $20 entry fee with cash payouts. Any bike can race. Best 4 of 5 races count for the series.

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Tweets

https://twitter.com/FtWMntBikers/status/278330247148089346

https://twitter.com/FtWMntBikers/status/278327829375098880

https://twitter.com/JuliaBikes/status/278270238750023680

https://twitter.com/JuliaBikes/status/278252913040703488

https://twitter.com/BikeMS_DFW/status/278161576064851970

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Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for December 9th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Not too long ago I reported on a woman riding 70 some miles on her 70th birthday. The video below is not from Texas but I want to be as active as this man is at 70. Video link from James Webster.

Bonner at 70

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Houston Randonneurs
2013 Brevet Schedule

 

Date

 Distance Time Start Location Registration

Open-Close

 Host
Jan 5 200K 7:30 Brookshire 6:30-7:15 Bob Riggs
Jan 26 200K

300K

 7:30 Brookshire 6:45-7:15 TBD
Feb 16 400K 5:00 Brookshire 4:15-4:45 TBD
Mar 9 400K

600K

 5:00 Brookshire 4:15-4:45 TBD
Apr 13 300K

400K

 5:00 Brookshire 4:15-4:45 TBD
May 18 200K

300K

 7:00 Brookshire 6:15-6:45 TBD
Jul 20 200K*

300K*

 18:00 Brookshire 17:15-17:45 TBD
Oct 12 1000K 7:30 Brookshire 6:45-7:15 TBD
Nov 9 200K* 7:30 Brookshire 6:45-7:15 TBD

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LONE STAR Randonneurs
Promoting Long Distance Cycling in North Texas
Next Event: January 1 0730

200k ACP Brevet
100k RUSA Populaire (10a)
Dan’s House

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San Antonio Cycling Club Ride Schedule
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
25
8:00a: Lonesome Oak Ride, 2…
26
4:30p: Donop Road Ride…
27
9:00a: Leon Creek Trails, M…
28
4:30p: Afternoon ride…
29
9:00a: Leon Creek Trails, M…
30
8:00a: The Amigos Ride…
1
8:00a: Mission to Mission C…
2
9:00a: Good Time River and …
3
4:30p: Donop Road Ride…
4
9:00a: Leon Creek Trails, M…
5
4:30p: Afternoon ride…
6
9:00a: Leon Creek Trails, M…
7
9:00a: The Amigos Ride…
8
9:00a: Bullis County Park R…
9
All Day: Hannukah (also calle…
9:00a: Bill Miller’s ride, …
10
4:30p: Donop Road Ride…
11
9:00a: Leon Creek Trails, M…
12
4:30p: Afternoon ride…
13
9:00a: Leon Creek Trails, M…
14
9:00a: The Amigos Ride…
15
9:00a: Hwy 471 Ride, 33 or …
16
9:00a: Leon Springs Ride…
17
6:30p: Vern’s Annual Windcr…
8:00p: Annual club meeting…
18
9:00a: Leon Creek Trails, M…
19
4:30p: Afternoon ride…
20
9:00a: Leon Creek Trails, M…
21
9:00a: The Amigos Ride…
22
9:00a: Helotes to Seaworld …
23
9:00a: Elmendorf Ride, 21, …
24
4:30p: Cancelled….Donop R…
25
All Day: Christmas…
26
4:30p: Afternoon ride…
27
9:00a: Leon Creek Trails, M…
28
9:00a: The Amigos Ride…
29
9:00a: A&M, Applewhite …
30
9:00a: Lonesome Oak Ride, 2…
31
4:30p: Cancelled…Donop Ro…
1
10:00a: New Year’s Day Ride …
2

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Christmas en el Barrio in need of bike, toy donations
By Andy Atterbury San Angelo Standard-Times
SAN ANGELO, Texas — Abel Galvan has a surplus of counter space this December when he would rather have toys filling his house to the rafters.

For 15 years, Galvan has played Santa and given bicycles and toys to children in need by leading Christmas en el Barrio.

“This year is looking bad,” he said. “I only have 75 bikes and not one toy yet. Maybe people can’t afford to give or…

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Volunteers bring mountain-bike trails to Gateway, Marion Sansom parks
fortworthtexas.gov

The Fort Worth Mountain Bikers Association is blazing the trails at local parks.

The non-profit Fort Worth Mountain Bikers Association (FWMBA) volunteered time to bring mountain biking to the city by carving trails at Gateway and Marion Sansom parks, giving cyclists a place to take their wheels off road.

By building relationships with public and private land owners, FWMBA has been able to gain land access at…

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Christmas 2012 Bike Build
by Chris Mathews            Plano Bicycle Association

The Plano Bicycle Association Bike Build was held on Saturday, December 8, at the Maucieri Warehouse. The PBA will present 26 bicycles of assorted sizes to the Boys and Girls Club at their holiday party on Friday, December 21. The remaining 14 bicycles will be donated to City House, a shelter for children. Lori Maucieri says, “We had over 50 elves assembling and hauling 40 something bikes for the…

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Accident in north Austin sends two cyclists to hospital
www.kvue.com

An accident in north Austin Sunday afternoon sent two cyclists to the hospital.

Around 3:00 Sunday afternoon Austin police say two women were riding bikes on the shoulder of Parmer Ln. near Lakeline when a car hit them from…

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Tweets

https://twitter.com/BBQ44/status/277886034480599041

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Last Ride Before the Cold? – December 9th Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Overcast sky and the warm temperature waited as I rolled out the driveway. Some stray rain clouds showed on the radar so I decided to ride the mountain bike and stay on the Kingwood trails. No rain while I rode but later today when the cold front arrives the probability of rain goes to 70%. With the above normal warm weather numerous people joined me on the trails. Plenty of joggers, some walkers and some other bicyclists passed me along the way. The ride started out at 75 degrees and it felt a little chilly amongst the trees but as I warmed up it became less noticeable. By the time I got home my home weather station showed 79 degrees, the same as Bush Intercontinental Airport station. A light south 9 mph wind tried to move in the trees but I barely felt it except when I came out of the woods. No dirt trails rode today. The allotted time did not allow for that.

With pending cold front I probably will not ride until Thursday when it might get up to 65 degrees. Below 60 degrees is my cutoff point.

Today I rode 14.65 miles (SportTracks) while Garmin Connect shows 15.2 miles which the Golden Cheetah program confirms (see the slide below). I am not sure why there is a difference. Riding time was 1:11:40 and 4:07 time stopped. My mileage standings: 111.48 this week (I wanted to get over 100), 169.38 for December and 6446.53 YTD.

The new handlebar and stem I installed makes riding less difficult because I can move my hands around. when thee is only one position my hands get sore or numb. It looks better with the Garmin Edge 500 mounted on the stem too.

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