The weather dominated today’s bike ride. I delayed the ride because of some chores and watching some of the University of Cincinnati vs. Syracuse football game. The Bearcats seemed to score but not without giving up the football on mistakes. I was only going to watch the first quarter but when I started to get dressed to go riding I thought I heard some raindrops hitting the skylight in our bathroom. Indeed the raindrops came down but not much nor for very long. In the meantime I went back to the football game waiting for the rain to move on by. Before I knew it halftime arrived. Checking the clock I thought if I am going biking I better start now. So I pulled out of the driveway at 1:40 PM.
I checked the weather radar before I left and the rain was west of Harris county. The rain cloud dropping water on our house did not even show up on the radar. The sky was partly cloudy and the temperature was 82 degrees. I headed out on my usual route to Huffman and back. I decided to change the beginning by going the way I start when I ride to the north. This was to vary the route plus add a mile or so to the distance. As I turned south I could some dark clouds in the distant southwest sky but since I would be going southeast I thought I would ride away from them.
All went well until about the 6.2 mile point when I started feeling some raindrops but they did not last that long. The dark clouds now covered the south sky in the distance but to the southeast and east the sky was still partly cloudy. I picked up the pace a little to get further east on the route. Winding through Atascocita and Farmington Road the wind started to pickup some from the west and the clouds looked even darker. I began to think about altering the route so I could get back home before the rain caught me. My wife could not come and get me if I got stopped. I wanted to ride 30 miles today but I doubted if I could go that far and stay dry. As I reached the decision point east of Lake Houston on FM1960 a loud clap of thunder came from the northeast so I decided to ride to E. Lake Houston Parkway and then turn back to home.
As I rode over Lake Houston on FM1960 the dark sky in front of me looked threatening. Getting home dry looked doubtful but I turned right onto Atascocita Shores Drive and hoped I rode fast enough to beat the rain. I made it to W. Lake Houston Parkway and still no rain but the wind turned cooler and I thought the rain must be near. I was now on residential streets so my speed dropped down with the stops and starts. With about 2 miles to go I felt good that I would beat the rain. As I rolled into the driveway I felt a couple of drops and by the time I walked from the garage to the house I could hear rain hitting the patio cover fabric. Close call. The slide in the gallery of the radar shows how close the rain came when I got home. A light steady rain is falling as I write this.
With the route change I ended up riding 26.09 miles at 15.4 mph average speed, a 21.5 mph max speed and 79.9 RPM average cadence. No stops today other than for traffic lights. Riding time totaled 1:41:26 and only 4:13 time stopped. Garmin Connect and RideWithGPS.com agree with SportTracks pretty closely on the ride activity. Mileage for the week now totals 109.7, 59.02 miles so far for November and 5999.25 miles YTD. If I knew I was that close to 6000 I would have rode around the block or something.
Bike sales up $52 million over first nine months
by Steve Frothingham            Bicycle Retailer & Industry News
BOULDER, CO (BRAIN) — Wholesale sales to bike shops climbed by 6 percent during the first nine months of the year, while unit shipments were up 3 percent, according to Bicycle Product Suppliers Association’s September report.
Despite the overall good news, 26-inch mountain bikes sales are dropping like a proverbial stone, losing $35 million in sales so far this year. By category, 26-inch full-suspension sales are down $15 million and front-suspension sales are down $20 million.
On the bright side, mountain bikes’ larger wheelsize, 29ers, did $45 million more in sales this year than last, and 29er full-suspension bikes outsold 26-inch full-suspension by $20 million. The contention that 26-inch…
Goodbye Austin, Hello Grenada
by Darryl            lovingthebike.com
As you read this blog post, I’m on my way to (another) new life. This time it’s the Caribbean island of Grenada. We’re sort of a Gypsy Family and have moved around countless times over the past 8 years….but this time I’m really planning on planting my feet in the sand and staying there for a long, long time.
This Loving the Bike website is not even three years old, but Grenada will be the third place I’ve called home since we got things started in February 2010. Even back then, I was on the lookout for a tropical location where my Family and I could make a home and life for ourself. We’ve had a category on this website called “My Quest for the Sun†since the beginning so feel free to go back and check out some of the posts about how this search…
Cycling community helps fellow brother
Brian Lindquist is still in critical condition
by Calily Bien
AUSTIN (KXAN) – Members of the cycling community spent Thursday afternoon collecting donations for an injured cyclist and demanding harsher penalties for drunk drivers.
Brian Lindquist , 27, was struck by an alleged drunk driver last month as he was cycling on Guadalupe Street near 17th Street. Lindquist is still in critical condition at University Medical Center Brackenridge with serious head injuries
Police said the driver, Truett Jones, 25, struck Lindquist and then…
This post showcases much of the scenery on the ride with some great pictures.
Pineywoods Purgatory
by Roy and Christine         Pedal Pushers
Lufkin, Texas
October 6, 2012 (Two days before “The Crash”)
Back when our life was pleasant and simple, we had registered for the annual Pineywoods Purgatory in East Texas.
Still short of the first rest stop, we met up with Mark again. Earlier at the start line, Mark said he was shooting for the 100 mile route. There were also a 72, 50, and 25 mile course options. Christine and I had already decided to take the 50 mile route (53.14 miles), so we had no pressure.? …
Ride Leader Happy Hour
by Chris Mathews         Plano Bicycle Association
Weds, Nov 14, 2012
5:30 – 8:00
Mexigo
6205 Coit Rd. (at Spring Creek)
Time to Get Rolling: Everyday Bicycling is here!
by Elly            Taking the Lane
I’m very excited to be able to share that my new book exists: Everyday Bicycling: How to Ride a Bicycle for Transportation (Whatever Your Lifestyle).
I’m particularly excited that this book exists because — well, it’s really needed. Something like 70% of people in the US want to ride a bicycle more often. Most of us are craving concrete actions we can take to feel better physically and mentally, bust out of some of the confines of our lives, save some cash, and make tangible progress in improving the world around us. Bicycling does all that, along with being seriously fun. I started to…
Rowlett Creek Preserve Race Recap
by Shawn McAfee            Texas Mountain Biking Trails
Rowlett Creek Preserve, what a blast! First up, let’s get you hooked up with pictures from the race. Here’s a slideshow of the CAT 3 pictures and there are links below it to each photo set.
Also, here is a link to the results from the Rowlett Creek Preserve race.
Rowlett Creek Preserve: DORBA Fall Series 2012
Similar to the Erwin Park race, Rowlett Creek Preserve was scheduled to be a couple of weeks prior to when it was held. The trail at RCP is very sensative to water and the original date of October 14th was rained out. So it got pushed back 2 weeks to October 28th.
October 28th happened to fall in the midst of the first real cold front we’ve had this year and temperatures at the start of the Cat 3 race had plummeted down into the mid 30’s to low 40’s. Keeping my feet warm proved to be the hardest part of my morning as I ran around taking pictures. Finally, I wisened up and tossed on my Pearl Izumi Elite Barrier Mtb Shoe Cover. These shoe covers are just about the greatest thing on earth. I constantly have cold toes, right now I have on 2 pair of socks and a pair of thick leather boots and still my toes are freezing. While I’m riding if the temperatures dip into the low 50’s my toes go completely numb and I lose feeling. But…
Moving to Austin, can I race every weekend?
by bikingman         www.bikeforums.net
I’m 25 and LOVE racing bikes. I’ve been doing well up here in the Northeast. My vegabond livestyle is calling again and I’ve got the travel bug. I’m thinking of moving to austin for a year or so.
I’m a not-for-profit professional with many years wrenching. bleh bleh
If I were to move to Austin, would I be able to expect to race EVER weekend, respect to days off work etc? …
2013 Pivot Cycles Demo Coming to Texas (Dallas & Waco – Nov 17-18)
by blk02Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â forums.mtbr.com
It looks like the guys from Arizona will be hitting up Dallas and Waco with their 2013 demo fleet on November 17-18. On Saturday, November 17 (8am-3pm) the demo will be at Big Cedar Wilderness Trail in Dallas, TX. Then on Sunday, November 18 (8am -3pm) the demo will be at Cameron Park in Waco, TX. I am going and I cant wait to throw my leg over a 2013 Mach 429 Carbon, 5.7 Carbon, and Les. Just thought I would spread the good news. They seem to only come around to Texas once in a blue moon.
Check their website for updates as the date gets closer
Demo | Pivot Cycles – Mountain Bikes for XC, Trail, Downhill …
ACA Holiday Party! Save the date!
This year’s Holiday Party will be held at Scholz Garten from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Sunday, December 9th. There will be a ride planned to bring you to the party so watch the website for more details. It’s a great time to see old friends and meet new ones as well as enjoy a fun cycling program and meet the new Board of Directors.
November Club Meeting
by Renee O’Neal         The Woodlands Cycling Club
Please join us on November 5th at 7:00pm for the monthly meeting at Rico’s (Sawdust location).
Our featured speakers will be Mike and Judy with Cannondale . They will be sharing the latest and greatest products that are available from Cannondale.
We always have great door prizes at our meetings provided by BikeLane.
Help me out with a few good spots!
by MTBShane            forums.mtbr.com
Just moved here and have NO idea where to go riding. Any recommendations or advise? I ride both road and MTB but I am no good at either. I just really enjoy being outside and am dying to get out again ASAP.
I live south of Austin near Circle C (just below in fact in the Meridian sub-division). Thanks for any info you folks can offer! (many comments)
Dust Bunnies After Dark!
Fort Worth Mountain Bikers’ Association
Once daylight savings time ends this Sunday, our Tuesday night rides officially become Tuesday “night” rides. A good light system will be necessary.
If you’ve never ridden in the dark before, this is a great opportunity to check it out. It’s really cool to watch all the lights floating magically through the woods. Post up if you need to borrow a light because I may be able to hook you up.
The rides will begin at 6pm at the River Legacy trailhead on the following Tuesdays:
Nov. 13
Nov. 27
Dec. 11
Fall Fiesta
www.greaterdallasbicyclists.com
The Fall Fiesta 2012 was a huge success this year. Thanks to Ken Wilson for being Ride Leader any given Sunday. Thanks to Two Rows Brewery for having a great feast our Sunday Roll Riders. They showed up to start cooking before 10:30, and no one had to wait for burgers. Riders were given a choice of a vegan, veggie or half pound of beef as burger selections. Sides were broccoli salad and potato salad. Back by popular demand, the dessert contest was well represented by members of the club. There were a lot of great desserts. Club members spend time making and baking these desserts, and it’s always fun to see the events’ crop of desserts. Thanks to the judges for giving it their all and sampling all of the desserts. 3rd Place goes to Tom Booth and Liz Olynyk. Who can resist a big chocolate cookie iced with a GDB jersey? 2nd place went to Tracy Lucus for her delicious Oreo cake. 1st place went to Princess for her seasonal…
Santa Sleigh Ride Saturday, Dec. 15, 4 pm from Elite Bicycles
2012 Texas Fall Cup Mountain Bike Series:Â 2012 Tyler Speed Waves
Mountain Bike Ride
Christmas parade:
November 29th, 2012 6 p.m. Downtown Tyler. The TBC will be riding our bicycles in the Christmas Parade this year. So decorate your bikes and come join us. We need as many people as possible to participate.   We will need to be downtown by 5:00 pm to get ready. As soon as we find out the details, like where to park and where to meet, we will post that information on the fb page and the forum.
Jason Roberts mentions BFR
by bergerandfries            Bike Friendly Richardson
The upside is the amount of traction he’s gotten in local politics. He’s also running for US Congress (I’d vote for him). The downside is that the “just go do it, legal or illegal†is creating a backlash, of course, targeted at cyclists, the easiest and most visible folks to lash out at. Someone is now painting shared lane markings on Dallas streets, and angering Dallas City Staff and now Council too. So you are left with a Dallas Mayor that is a bicyclist, with a council and staff that are telling him it is a no go on bike infrastructure. I’ll keep riding in Dallas, don’t worry, but I don’t expect much company to join me soon…
Event today to raise awareness about cycling fatalities
By Pam LeBlanc            Fit City
Sixty-seven crosses and several bicycles will be posted in front of Bouldin Creek Coffeehouse today to raise awareness about traffic fatalities – especially those involving cyclists – in Austin.
Cyclistlaw.com, Please Be Kind to Cyclists, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, Yellow Bike Project and Bike Austin all are participating in the event, scheduled for 3 p.m. today at the coffee shop, 1900 S. First Street.
The event will double as a fund-raiser for Brian Lindquist, 27, who was injured when he was struck by a car at about 4:30 a.m. Oct. 12 at Guadalupe and 17th streets. Lindquist was riding his bike to work. The car that hit him fled the scene, leaving him on the street and…
Event LIGHT | NIGHT will give out free bike lights
By Jasmin Carina Castanon         www.dailytexanonline.com
There are 11,563 registered bikes at UT, according to Parking and Transportation Services. While biking without a helmet is legal in the state of Texas, biking at night without a bike light is still against the law.
LIGHT | NIGHT, “the bike light dance project,†raises awareness about bike safety at night through an abstract dance performance that includes hula hoopers, jugglers, baton twirlers and, of course, dancers all in costumes that incorporate LED lights. As the sun goes down Saturday, the student dancers will only be visible by the lights that illuminate their bodies.
Two hundred and seventy bike lights will be distributed to students, faculty and staff holding a valid UT ID at the event. Another 200 bike lights that were…
Fort Report: Mayor Price’s Spooky Bike Ride
We’ve all heard that “all politics are local,†but a quick look at voter turnout in recent elections shows that people aren’t so engaged in local politics.
Mayor Betsy Price has been working to change that – and get people healthier at the same time – with rolling town halls. The bike ride series ended Oct. 26 with a Halloween-themed costume ride through downtown Fort Worth, and Fort Worth Television was there to talk to the riders.
The costumes ranged from the simple to strange, but these serious cyclists showed that they know how to have a little fun while getting…
Another summer like day in southeast Texas, just right for biking. The ride started at 12:08 as I rolled out the driveway with 80 degrees, partly cloudy skies and a light breeze of 3.5 mph. A great beginning for November I just hope it hangs around longer. with daylight savings time ending Sunday morning the evening sun will disappear quickly so I will need to start my rides a little earlier. No need for a long sleeve jersey today. In fact the sun called for sunscreen. when I pulled into the driveway at 2:17 the temperature showed 86 degrees with 43% humidity. With this level of humidity I thought I would perspire more but the wrist bands were barely damp and my bandana was not dripping. No rain in the forecast for several days out. Tomorrow is an off day with a trip to the Texas Medical Center with my wife.
After going south yesterday I thought the opposite direction offered some variation in the scenery. So I went up US59 to New Caney then north on FM1485 turning left onto Gene Campbell road past the giant WalMart Distribution center. Before WalMart build here this road did not exist and now several companies located nearby. There must be some expansion ahead because the water utility spent all summer putting in water mains along Gene Campbell Road. Today a man walked in the construction area throwing out what looked like deer corn. Not sure what the purpose was.
My Garmin Edge (Garmin Connect agreed) reported an even 33.0 miles (SportTracks says 32.93 miles and RideWithGPS calculated 33.0) for the route. This moves me closer to the 6000 mile mark for the year. I checked my average speed at 26 miles and saw 16.3 mph. I kept most of that with the final average speed of 16.0 mph. My max speed hit 21.3 mph with 81.0 RPM average cadence. With this nice average speed the riding time was a little lower at 2:03:30 plus 5:34 time stopped. The time window was close today so no stopping except for traffic lights and one convenience store to blow my nose. I sneezed in New Caney and my nose would not quite running despite the warm weather. So I stopped at the Texaco station on FM1314 just after I turned from Gene Campbell Road. I tired another store back in New Caney but they did not have any towels at the pumps. This helped me keep a high tempo all the way to Old Sorters Road and thus the 16.0 mph average speed
Riding through the Briar Tree subdivision I changed my normal route by turning left on West Wallis Drive and going to the southbound US59 service road. This avoids a number of stop signs which slow me down and lowers the average speed. All of the 5 mile splits were 14.3 mph or faster with 3 at 16.0 + mph and 1 at 17.0 + mph. This table shows the time and distance I rode in different speed zones. Notice how much time I rode in Zone 3.
With a new month today’s ride mileage is all there is so far. The week’s mileage totals 83.62 and 5973.16 miles YTD. Some October monthly statistics: riding time 41:31:16, 3:45 pace per mile, 79.4 RPM average cadence, 15.5 mph average speed, 19 riding days.
