Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for July 17th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Moving to El Paso…how’s the cycling?
by tx_newbie            www.bikeforums.net
Hi all. I’m moving to El Paso and want to know what the (road) cycling culture is like. I’m relocating from Houston, and will be there at the end of July/beginning of August. I’m looking for advice on good bike shops, clubs for weekend rides, some good areas/routes, etc.

While I was shopping for apartments (I’ll be living up on N. Mesa), I saw a few shops (Crazy Cat Cyclery) and a few inroads off of Mesa that looked interesting (Argonaut drive, jutting up to 11% grade); there’s also the Transmountain Expressway, so I guess…

Upgrading to new bike
by WhiskeytangoM3        forums.mtbr.com
Like it says I’m looking into buying a new more capable bike, I have outgrown my trusty old faithful ’07/’08 Hardrock Pro Disc and I’m looking for a bike that I can buy that will keep me good to go for much longer, something I can just update components and what not.

So far I’ve come to the choices of a Stumpjumper FSR or Camber, both 29ers. I saw the brief reviews on the 2013’s and I’ve very excited!

My question to you guys is for riding in the DFW area which would be the best option. I’ve been thinking just a FSR Comp 29er as the best all arounder to handle everything this area has to offer and then some.

I typically ride Northshore (G-vine lake), Horseshoe, Oak Cliff Nature Preserve and since a buddy and I have started riding together we’re…

Grapevine and Beyond
Lone Star Cyclists
Pace: Easy, Touring, Fast option
Date: Saturday, July 21, 2012 – 8:00am
Location: River Legacy Park, 703 NW Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington
It’s time to make a loop up north to see DFW, Grapevine, and then Lake Grapevine. The longer ride will then continue west to see Southlake and Westlake, and part of Keller before arriving back in North Richland Hills and the Mid-Cities. The mileage options will be…

Doubling Down in Texas
by Steve A        DFW Point-to-Point
In my last post about rainwear, some commenters noted that during summer, getting wet isn’t so bad. Mostly, I agree, but I take a longer view when I’m “doubling down.” Illustrative of that is my tendency to stock up on winter wear round about this time of year. And this summer, I’m looking at feet and hands above all else.

You see, I have dual motivations. The first is the never-ending quest to “expand the riding envelope.” In Texas, summer is the affordable time to stock up on winter and wet weather gear. The second motivation is that I DO plan to go back home (Washington State) again. Home gets a LOT of wet and chilly weather. It won’t happen…

Bicycling rules for summer survival: be safe, be aware, drink lots of water, enjoy
by Ed Todd        www.mywesttexas.com
Crucial to safety and success of the bicyclists’ mission in this weekend’s Bike MS Cactus & Crude 150-mile ride out of Midland is situational awareness — knowing what is going on around you — preparedness and being geared for survival in a peloton or as a lone rider trailed by a SAG (support and gear) wagon.

“You want to be situationally aware of what is going on wherever you are,” Midland bicyclist Kent Crowell said in reference to the term “situational awareness,” that is rooted in the military and applicable to folks across the…

Sisters devoted to Bike MS event to find cure for debilitating disease
by Ed Todd        www.mywesttexas.com
Come daybreak Saturday, 200 West Texas bicyclists will head out as if in battle, routing the unseen and unpredictable foe with a hopeful, resolute and joyful heart.

More than merely challenging their mettle on the two-day Midland-to-Post 150-mile Bike MS ride under summer’s radiant sun, the riders and their support teams of 200 volunteers bearing the sustenance of encouragement, cooling water and nourishment will be heralding a singular message in blazing orange: “a world free of…

A Bike Ride in Texas
by sbegot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxP2saTBf6w
Clips from one bike ride in Texas on “dirt” roads. Emus, caliche roads, Boer billy goats, hills, over grazing, buzzards, and oak wilt.

Bike safety concerns escalate on campus
UPD-issued traffic citations continue to stack against cyclists
By Aaron Deering        www.thebatt.com
When driving around campus, it can be hard to find a parking spot. Or, the bus schedule might not meet your class schedule. One alternative is to ride your bike.

There are more than 2,000 bicycles registered at Texas A&M University according to Transportations Services. And riders of these bikes are under the same scrutiny as those driving cars.

Lt. Allan Baron, of the A&M University Police Department, said he…

No Stopping Until… – July 17th Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

The unusual thing about today’s ride: not stopping until the 21.4 mile point. The route today minimized the number of traffic lights and where I did encounter one the green light cooperated until I got to FM1485 and US59 in New Caney. I tried to time my arrival but green light was slow in coming. I started at 9:12 AM and the riding time totaled 2:11:03 and 33.87 miles. The last time I rode this route was June 5th. I was a little slower today than the last time. Today My average speed was 15.5 mph, 4/10 mph slower. My max speed today was higher though hitting 25.7 mph. I didn’t see any other bicyclists but a car with a bicycle on a rear carrier did honk at me on FM1485. I did not realize they carried a bike so I did not wave since they were past me by that time.

Weather was mostly a repeat of yesterday: temperature range of 80 to 91, scattered clouds, light 4 mph SE breeze, humidity 84% to 60% at the end. No rain in the sky but some fluffy clouds moving slowly by. Tomorrow should repeat today. My body produced plenty of perspiration soaking gloves, jersey and shorts.

Riding time was 2:11:03 plus 31:28 time stopped in Porter drying out some and drinking a Diet Pepsi. Mileage standings after the ride: 66.25 miles this week, 232.42 miles in July and 3545.83 YTD. Link to RideWithgps.com data and route map. All of my 5 mile splits except the last one showed an average speed of 15.0 mph or more. This table shows the time and distance spent at various speed zones.

The 26.56 miles riding 16.7 to 22.0 mph explains why I averaged the speed I did and the impact of the 7.25 miles riding less than 16.7 mph. The 7.25 miles mostly runs through residential areas with many stops and starts.

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Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for July16th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Reveille Peak Ranch?
by Lenny7            forums.mtbr.com
Thinking about going there the 28th and 29th. Will it be miserable this time of the year? I’m from Dallas so the heat is nothing new. Wondering about the exposure and such. …

August 11 ARR Ride @ Pace Bend
Saturday, August 11, 2012 – 09:00
Come ride with the Austin Ridge Riders and Ride Like A Girl. We are joining the ladies on a weekend co-ed ride at Pace Bend Park in Spicewood.

Riders will break into groups based on skill level, length of ride and whether one wants to rips up the trails or ride at a social pace and smell the flowers.  “No Drop” policy in effect so no one gets left behind or lost. Bring plenty of water and don’t forget your helmet!!ARR will host a post ride lunch.ARR will be providing the main lunch fixings and beverages (adult and unleaded) but…

Westside Hills
El Paso Bicycle Club
Saturday, July 28, 7:30 am
Description:     Meet at Cimarron Park (Northern Pass one block east of Resler). Explore the ups and downs of the West Side, including various Ridges and other challenging climbs. 25 miles, moderate pace. To get there, take Resler north past Helen of Troy and turn right on Northern Pass. Blanca Harp

CapMetro to Offer More for Cyclists
by Susan Wilcox            BikeTexas

CapMetro in Austin will be adding three-place bike racks to ten of their buses later this summer in a pilot program to see if the larger racks are feasible. All buses in the CapMetro fleet are currently capable of carrying two bicycles, but CapMetro has been considering the larger racks for a while. Misty Whited with CapMetro says, “We haven’t been able to do this before…

Review – Paris Packs by Eliot Landrum
by Eliot Landrum        Biking in Dallas

For utilitarian cycling, a good pair of panniers are essential gear for a great ride. Unfortunately, there are a lot of lousy panniers out there. My first set broke down within a few days. A lot of sets I was looking at were really expensive. There’s also a huge variety of styles to pick from. Some are huge, some are like backpacks, some are beautiful, some are wide, some are skinny, and some are made of leather. All that to say…

Early Start and No Rain – July 16th Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I got an earlier start today leaving the house at 9:07 AM. The sun was shining for a change from the recent spat of rain. Temperature ranged from 76 at the start to 90 at the end. Not surprisingly the humidity felt like 100% but really was 86% falling to 61% at the conclusion. I think my body built up a reserve of water waiting for when I rode next to let it flow out of every pore. My gloves dripped water and I squeezed them several times trying to get some dryness. When I got to the Huffman Chevron it took 6 or 7 paper towels to absorb all of the water. I sat on a newspaper while I drank my Diet Pepsi which got soaked. At home when I took off my shorts they felt like I just got out of the swimming pool dripping water.

By the time I got home clouds started to move in and block out the sun but not the heat. No rain just clouds. The forecast for tomorrow mirrors today so a low chance of rain. With at Tour de France rest day I hope to get an even earlier start.

After yesterday’s shortened route I rode the full route I planned with 32.38 miles at 15.5 mph average speed. Max speed came in at 20.9 mph and average cadence at 80.2 RPM. This brings July miles up to 198.55 and YTD stands at 3511.97. Riding time totaled 2:04:57 plus 21:20 time stopped. No other bicyclists crossed my route.

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