Texas Bicycling Daily News Roundup August 25th

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Hit & Run in Fort Worth
by Doohickie        www.bikeforums.net
Then, as if a light snapped off, his world went black.

Next thing he knew, it was three hours later. He was in the emergency room at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth with a concussion, road rash on his face and body, and stitches in his lower extremities.

Zac, who is car free, was lucky and is already back on a bike. He is on a borrowed recumbent because he can’t ride a diamond frame yet due to his injuries. His bike was destroyed in the crash. Because it was a hit and run, he’s got a lot of medical bills. There will be a fundraiser for him on September 9. I’ll post more details as plans firm up. …

Walnut Creek Wednesday Workday
Wednesday, August 29, 2012 – 18:00 – 20:30
Austin Ridge Riders
Bringing back the Walnut Creek Wednesday Night Workday (WCWNW).  [NOTE:  We are going to have to think up a better acronym…]

In any case, the WC needs some love with trimming and lopping.  So, bring your long pants, gloves, hedge trimmers, and loppers.  If you have a weed eater and can bring it, we would love to have it.  But be sure to bring eye protection and gloves as the City will not allow use to use without the proper…

Wells Does Well In Wichita

Paul Wells wins the Cat 4 road race in the 2012 Hotter N Hell racing for Corinth Cycling/Harden Dental.

The Adam Bomb racing for Corinth Cycling/Harden Dental at Hotter N Hell.

Nearly 12,000 riders brave the Hotter ‘N Hell Hundred
By Alyssa Johnston            www.timesrecordnews.com
WICHITA FALLS — Thousands of people flood Wichita Falls every year for the largest 100-mile bike ride in the nation, Hotter’ N Hell Hundred.

They come from as close as down the street to as far away as Europe and other countries to experience the event in the hellacious Texas summer heat. This year, however, the heat relented, and highs never reached 100 degrees. …

Tracey Yukich, former “Biggest Loser” competitor, prepares for bike race across Texas
www.ksdk.com

KXAS – A Texas woman who lost 118 pounds during “The Biggest Loser’s” eighth season was one of the most-talked about contestants in the show’s history.

Tracey Yukich collapsed from heat stroke on a California beach during her first Biggest Loser challenge one year ago. After being airlifted to a nearby hospital, she woke up without…

https://twitter.com/Texas4000/status/239524357930643458

https://twitter.com/SillicomVally/status/239530885337190400

Hotter’N Hell Hundred 100K – August 25th Bicycle ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I drove toward Scott Street in downtown Wichita Falls to begin the 100K route of the Hotter’N Hell Hundred. The weather forecast called for milder than normal temperatures, 40% chance of rain and strong south-southeast wind. We arrived at our usual parking lot around 6:30 AM with many other riders already there. This spot is about a three block walk to Scott Street north of 7th Street. The 100K starting slot was well populated and I could see two of the pylons for the 100 mile riders further north on Scott Street. I mingled among the 100K riders taking some video while my wife held the Motobecane Le Champion CF bike. After putting on my shoes it was time for the Star Spangled Banner followed by 4 Air Force planes flying up Scott Street. Once the planes completed their mission the ceremonial cannon was shot and the ride began at about 7:07 AM. I waited until 7:37 for the 100K group’s turn to leave. I was off without any issues enjoying the nice tailwind. The temperature was 73 according to my cell phone.

The weather forecast did not hold true as far as the rain with no rain clouds to be seen. The wind part was true though. My cell phone’s weather app reported 16 mph wind but I think the wind gusts could have been 20 to 30 mph. Wind did not become an issue until the route turned east at the 3rd rest stop on the 100K route. It was not a headwind but strong from the right side. I rode at a higher speed than I thought the wind would allow. Up to that point I had kept my average speed at 16.2 mph and maintained this until reaching the 50 mile point in Burkburnett when the route turned south along I-44. From that point until the finish I battled the wind. At times I rode 10 to 12 mph and other times I got up to 15 mph but not for long. I kept looking for a pace line to grab onto but each one I tried rode off from me. The wind took a break when we turned east to Sheppard Air force Base. Once we got to the base we were back in the wind until the finish. that was a long 6 miles. My ride ended up at 66.67 miles. The 16.2 mph average speed dropped to 15.2 mph by the time I crossed the finish line about 12:50 PM.

Some riders were not as fortunate ending their ride with a crash. I saw at least 6 people laying on the road and one ambulance taking someone to the hospital. I saw one SAG wagon before hitting the wind but once I got the headwind several SAG wagons arrived. The SAG wagons only had 3 or 4 bicyclists on board which surprised me. Not so the side the road. A large number of riders stopped along the roadside and some looked sick or even ready to vomit from the effort.

I stopped at rest stop #7 at 57 miles because my feet hurt. This rest stop offered snow cones and it tasted great and cold. They also passed out Sam’s Club chocolate chip cookies. I ate several. My feet recovered but when I started to leave I could not get my left shoe clip to engage. When I looked the cleat I thought I stepped in gum but it turned out to be a Clif Shot Blok. Thankfully it dissolved when I peeled off the dead grass and most of blok and swished it in the runoff water from the spray mist. Now I got moving again with refreshed feet. Next stop Sheppard Air Force Base.

Riding through Sheppard Air Force Base is special with all of the Air Force personnel lining the street after the on base rest stop. You can see this on the video below.

Overall I think my recent training rides helped prepare me for today enabling me to not need to stop until the 41 mile rest stop. I could have continued to the next rest stop except I needed to refill my CamelBak. Riding time was 4:21:53 and the total time was 5:14:15. With the help of some hills I hit 30.6 mph maximum speed. At the end I walked to meet my wife without any problem. I probably could have biked further. Since I do not have access to SportTracks at home I am only including the Garmin Connect and RideWithGPS.com data and map.

The video highlights my 100K ride. This is the first I rode the 100K because the 100 mile route changed and eliminated the Hell’s Gate turn off in Burkburnett.

Some photos before the 100K ride starts.

Me Getting Ready to Walk to the Start Area
100K Start Area Riders
100K Start Area Riders
Rider taking a picture
100K Start Area Riders
Air Force Planes fly over Scott Street after the Star Spangled Banner

[iframe http://connect.garmin.com/activity/214873595 98% 875]

Hotter’N Hell Hundred Activities on August 24th

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We drove to Wichita Falls on Friday, August 24th. This year I decided to use my Flipcam to record some of what we saw. There are three videos. The first one shows some of the cars along US287 on the way to Wichita Falls. These come in all shapes and sizes. some carry one bike and others have a whole team on the back.

Once we got to the MPEC area the first job was finding a parking place. We drove through the parking lot around the building but ended up in a grass lot across 5th Street. Walking from there to the MPEC building did not take long as we passed a multitude of vehicles most with a bike or more somewhere on them. Inside the building the people were going in all directions and purposes. My three goals were to pickup my registration packet, walk around the consumer expo to see what was there and find new gloves, and then pass out Texbiker.net business cards. I was successful in all of those. I found some fantastic Pearl Izumi gloves on sale at Sun & Ski Sports. After I cruised the expo I camped out at one of the exit doors to hand out Texbiker.net business cards. I handed out 250 cards, the most I have ever handed out at a ride. This video walks through the registration and expo.

After handing out the Texbiker.net cards we walked over to the criterium course. This next video captures some of the women’s race and the spectators.

Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for August 24th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Any San Marcos riders out there?
by keithrad            forums.mtbr.com
Anybody out there live in or close to San Marcos?

Looking at possibly relocating my family to the New Branfels / San Marcos area, and being able to transfer within my job there, I am curious about the area.

We live in North Texas, 35 miles south of Fort Worth in a small town, where the closest trail is 20 miles (Cleburne state park) and the next closest is 40+ miles (Dinosaur Valley state park in Glen Rose). Both are challenging, rocky and scenic with small lakes and a…

“Let’s Duet Together”
www.riverrockets.com
P.A.C. Against Cancer Challenge
Parent and Child Duathlon
What:       Adult and child running and cycling event; helmets are required for each participant!
When:       October 13, 2012; 8:00 am
Where:  Brownsville Events Center; Paredes Line Rd., Brownsville
Cost:       $35 per team; $40 after October 06
Three categories:           Adult/high school child:  3mi run, 8mi ride, 1mi run
Adult/middle school child: 1-1/2mi run, 3mi ride, 1mi run
Adult/elementary child:  1mi run, 2mi ride, 1/2mi run…

New Bike/Ped Advisory Committee Resource
Alliance for Biking & Walking: People Powered Blog
Working from different sides of the policy table, advocacy organizations and bicycle and pedestrian advisory committees (BPACs) both help guide decision makers toward better outcomes for bicycling and walking. A new Advocacy Advance report discusses the benefits and responsibilities of BPACs in the process of planning and implementing bike- and walk-friendly policies and projects.

Written by Matt Wempe, the League’s State and Local Advocacy Coordinator and Advocacy Advance team member, Making Bicycling and Walking a Norm in Transportation Agencies: Best Practices in Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committees is available now…

Six ways to ride more
People for Bikes Blog
It’s pretty rare go for a bike ride and end up regretting it. Even if you don’t feel like riding when you hop on your bike, chances are by the time you park it at your destination, you’re feeling better than when you started. The endorphins, sunshine, fresh air, conversations, time for contemplation, and sights and sounds of the road all can bring great pleasure.

Last spring we surveyed members of PeopleForBikes.org, and 73% of you said you don’t ride as often as you like. With all the family, work, and social obligations out there, sometimes it can be hard to make time for a bike…

The B/IG Century-6:30 am – El Paso Bicycle Club
This is the climax of the Beginning/Intermediate Group season, with 100 miles of pure cycling fun. The rides departs promptly at 6:30am from Rio Plaza at Artcraft …

Where heaven meets Hell
Finish Line Village offers folks at HHH food, fun, more
By Lana Sweeten-Shults            www.timesrecordnews.com
The country roads will take Hotter’N Hell riders and racers home Saturday and right smack dab into Finish Line Village.

It’s where the village people — actually some of the 3,500 to 4,000 HHH volunteers — won’t be singing about the YMCA but will instead offer Nebraska roots music, Texas country sounds and a little Texas soul. The idea is to heal more than a few weary souls bound to be exhausted after tackling the ornery 100-mile and…