Texas Bicycling Daily News Roundup May 23rd

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Question for those who did the Real Ale ride.
by canemaster            www.bikeforums.net
Did you feel like there were WAY too many riders for staff to handle? I’ve done this ride for the past couple of years and this year was by far the most attended. The pit stop areas, mechanic help, # of bathrooms, and food/beer tents seemed to stay the same from past years but the number of people more than doubled. I needed a RD adjustment after the first stop but didn’t feel like waited 30 minutes to get it. It was just a minor annoyance but I…

Updated: Local Discounts for Bicyclists!
Bike Friendly Oak Cliff
BFOC is proud to have partnered with several local businesses to offer discounts for anyone who rides a bicycle to the merchants listed below.  This discount program has been recently updated and expanded.  The list of merchants is permanently on the right side of our homepage.  If you see the sticker above on a…

Locals Mourn Deaths of Cyclists Hit and Killed While Riding Bicycles
By Jen Kastner        NewsWest 9
PERMIAN BASIN- The Basin’s been described as being notoriously unfriendly to cyclists. The number of deaths and near misses have local cyclists on-edge. On Wednesday night, they rode in silence to honor those who were killed while riding on the streets of Midland and Odessa.

David Ham is the owner of Peyton’s Bikes in Midland. He’s lost fellow riders who were also good friends. “We’ve had to identify a couple of them because they didn’t have identification and we knew what kind of…

Georgetown grand turn 7 crash at 4th & Main

The guy who caused the crash? has apologized to everyone and they were fine with it. That’s bike racing, even in the Cat. 4’s!

@DrivewaySeries        via Twitter
Tomorrow night kicks off The Austin BodyWorker Clinical Massage Therapy Masters 35+ Series at the Pure Austin…

@BikeEdinburg        via Twitter
I posted 17 photos on Facebook in the album “BE Productive Ride” fb.me/1PfYHpE1W

Alkek Velodrome
Dates set for the Time Trial Series!
Sunday June 3rd
Saturday Jume 30th
Sunday July 29 (tentative)
(All morning sessions)
200m, 500m, Kilo, Pursuits! All officially timed for your training program and personal glory!

Let’s Talk About the $70 Bottle Cage
by Darryl            lovingthebike.com
For this segment of our “Let’s Talk” series, we’re asking you to post your comments, opinions, and thoughts on the $70 Bottle Cage.  Yes, most local bikes shops will carry a carbon bottle cage somewhere in the neighborhood of $70…what do you have to say about it?

As always, this “Let’s Talk” post will be built by our readers so be sure to jump in and voice your opinion in the comments section below.  Have a look at this short video to get you in the spirit and then…

Recreation calendar, camps & clinics
www.mysanantonio.com
CALENDAR
Bicycling: Today, 8 a.m., Wheelers Senior Ride, 30 miles, Floore’s Country Store, Helotes. 210-643-0314.

Running: Today, 6:15 p.m., SARR Wednesday Night Zoo Run, Brackenridge Park. 210-286-6291.

Bicycling: Saturday, 8 a.m., Woman Hollering Creek Ride, 26 to 70 miles, Judson High School, Converse. 496-693-8247. …

The Greensheet Pumps Austin Bike Promotion
HOUSTON (MMD Newswire) May 23, 2012 — Bike Month may have just ended, but the chance to get a great deal on classified bike ads extends all summer long.

The Greensheet, the original classified publication of Texas, is reaching out to specific Austin groups to place free classified ads for bicycles and bike products in Austin from now through September. The promotion applies to both individuals and certain businesses chosen by The Greensheet Classified Department.

“Austin is one of America’s major bike cities,” said Kathy Douglass, CEO of the The Greensheet. “We are happy to promote exercise, healthy living and the cycling…

The Weekend in Pictures
by djcurtin            It’s Time To Ride!

It was a great weekend to get on a bike. Events abound for every rider.

The weekend of bikes kicked off on Friday morning, with National Bike to Work Day, promoting the fun and benefits of getting to work by pedal power. It was a perfect morning to ride—and stop for breakfast at one of many breakfast stations around town. And the cruise home was made better by happy hours for bike commuters around town, including stops at our…

Bike the Bricks III
McKinney Velo
The big night is almost here!!!  Don’t miss the 3rd annual, Bike the Bricks in historic Downtown McKinney.   Brought to you by the City of McKinney, Fiat of McKinney, Richardson Bike Mart, any many more…(Full Sponsor Listing). McKinney Velo will be well represented…

Memorial Day Ride 2012
by sooner1        Shawnee Trail Cycling Club
Another holiday, another chance to ride a route we rarely see.  Shawnee Trail is again doing our popular routes that go west to Oak Point, Aubrey and Sanger.  We’ll see horse farms, lakes, creeks and – yes – a few hills.  the short route gets the priveledge of climbing Blackjack Hill while the longer routes will have their own challenges.  We’ll have a couple of breakpoints and the ride/pace options will depend greatly on…

21st Annual Collin Classic in McKinney, TX
by WB admin
The 21st Annual Collin Classic benefiting various organizations invites you to join their upcoming ride happening on June 9, 2012 at McKinney North High School

We were lucky enough to be granted an interview with Mike Keel, Event Coordinator of Collin Classic to ask some questions about their upcoming ride.

21st Annual Collin Classic

Why join the Ride?
To enjoy a day of cycling in a pleasant rural setting.

How long has the event been around? …

 

Wall of Wind – May 23rd Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

My route rotation pointed to a south route for today’s ride. This meant going on FM1960 over Lake Houston where one east bound lane is closed for road work. My plan put me on the west bound shoulder for about a mile until I got past the barriers. I moved over to the west shoulder and headed east. The light west bound traffic did not present any issues and I switched back to the east bound shoulder as planned. I will repeat this on future rides until the repairs end.

Going south looked like a good idea because the south 8.1 mph wind did not present a problem and should help on the return leg. As I rode I noticed the wind got stronger and when I turned into it my speed slowed. This really came up on southbound FM2100 after turning off Old Atascocita Road. At first I kept biking at 15 to 6 mph but then I looked down at my Garmin Edge and the speed showed 12 or 13 mph and my legs couldn’t give any more speed. This lasted about 2.5 miles until I turned onto Stroker Road going east. Even then the wind did not make it easy to get my speed up but I increased my effort and speed. Once I turned north onto Ramsey Road the wind changed to a tailwind and my speed hit 20+ mph.

The nice tailwind stayed with me until I moved onto Old Atascocita Road headed back to FM2100. The wind presented some resistance but I could keep it in the 17 to 18 mph range. Around the 23 mile point I looked up to see an 18 wheeler going towards me in the other lane. I did not think too much about this but I did grip the handlebar tighter. Good thing. When the truck got almost to me a wall of wind hit me and shoved me to the shoulder. For a second I thought I might go into the grass but just as fast as it arrived the wind wall got blocked by the trailer and I regained control. When I got home I found the wind increased since my leaving to 16.1 mph with 21.9 mph gusts. About 2 hours after my ride I checked the wind again and it increased even more to 31 mph gusts.

With the low humidity (37%), scattered clouds and 93 degrees I rank today as a great day to bike if it wasn’t for the wind battles. The wind can be friendly as well. While I stopped in Huffman at the Chevron station sitting under the fuel island cover the wind blowing through felt great. I almost did not want to get back on the bike but I did. I covered the 37.12 mile route in 2:22:02 at an average speed of 15.7 mph. At some point my max speed got up to 26.1 mph, I guess when I rode with the tailwind. Average cadence was 80.8 RPM. This week’s miles now total an even 100.00 while now shows 642.58 miles and YTD is 2578.35 miles. Links to Garmin Connect data and RideWithGPS.com data views.

5-23-2012 Bike Ride Data and Route Map

5-23-2012 Bike Ride Data and Route Map

Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for May 22nd

Texbiker.net Posted on by

@TourduRouge        via Twitter
I posted 37 photos on Facebook in the album “2012 Tour du Rouge Day 6” fb.me/1USM9j5hW

@BSS_Austin        via Twitter
It’s hot and the trails should be great for the Wednesday night ride at Walnut Creek with @ATXCyclingTeam. Join us! Wheels down at 6:30.

@realaleride        via Twitter
A few teaser pics from the ride on Saturday! facebook.com/media/set/?set… Thanks again for coming out to ride! cc: @RealAleBrewing

@bikedenton        via Twitter
spotted @Nichels of Midlake wearing a bikedenton shirt at Cinco fest. Too big a smile to not share.
http://t.co/sN5VbTAB

@GeorgetownGrand        via Twitter
Nice shot of the Elbowz Racing Elite Cycling Team Shimano Cycling Grand Prix P12 win! fb.me/25q8B6XRw

@AlkekVelodrome        via Twitter
So much new stuff now up on the website! Up to date results, race schedules into July, Flyer and bikereg link… fb.me/ys54l5W5

@bkindtocyclists        via Twitter
Story behind Please BE KIND to Cyclists. Please share! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcUN1Cth9Zg&feature=youtu.be

@BSS_Austin        via Twitter
Super Squarda grabs 2 top 10s in the P/1/2 races @GeorgetownGrand, another in the Cat 2 race, & first and second in the under 23 race! Nice!

@CyclingATX        via Twitter
The weather looks good for some MTBing Wednesday evening. Join Team Brain and Spine Cycling at Walnut Creek, wheels down at 6:30.

@bikedenton        via Twitter
That Penn Dr. commission meeting is likely to be fiery. Strong opinions on both sides. Parking vs bike lanes. Not ideal bike plan start, IMO — Bike Friendly Denton

2012 Bicycle Friendly State Rankings Just Announced
Alliance for Biking & Walking: People Powered Blog
This morning, the League of American Bicyclists released the 2012 Bicycle Friendly States ranking. For the fifth year in a row, Washington continues to lead the nation, with outstanding performance in all categories…

How to Create a Bike to Work Day Event
by jennyrilling            Bike Friendly Richardson

Now that Bike Friendly Richardson has successfully held our very first Bike To Work Day event, we’d like to share the steps we took to make it happen. One of the goals for this year’s event was that it could serve as a template and an inspiration to other  bicycling groups, cities, and organizations for next year and the years to…

2012 Real Ale Ride
by donbynum            Don Bynum’s Blog

The 2012 Real Ale Ride is now in the history books (recorded with gallons of muscle burning lactic acid!) and as the pain fades it is becoming a legend that my grandchildren will tell their children around the campfire (providing heat from a ball of solar and wind powered magic, but extremely green, plasma on the cold, still, nights on the plains).

Five of us from the Hillybikers Cycling Gang out here in Llano and Burnet Counties made the trek down to Blanco this year to join with about 1,400 other nutjobs on the ride starting from the Real Ale Brewery in Blanco.  Our gang rode the 65 mile route that a couple of us had ridden before.  I rode it last year along with a…

Cyclists get discounts during Bike to Eat Week
By Pam LeBlanc        Fit City
Need another reason – besides feeling generally awesome and looking cool – to ride your bike?

Here’s one: Cyclists who ride to participating restaurants get a 10 percent discount on food and drink during Bike to Eat Week, Sunday through Thursday, May 27-31.

Cyclists must arrive at the restaurant by bicycle and may be required to show proof they pedaled (helmet, bike…

Traveler’s View: International Mountain Bicycling Association Shouldn’t Twist Facts To Raise Funds
by NPT Editors             www.nationalparkstraveler.com
With hopes of raising money to further its efforts to gain access for biking trails, the International Mountain Bicycling Association is smearing the Traveler as the evil villian.

Unfortunately, IMBA’s PR machine is twisting the facts and casting aspersions.

In a fund-raising e-letter it sent out to its membership, IMBA claims that “the National Parks Traveler website erroneously asserted that an IMBA-led trail project at Big Bend National Park will be built in an inappropriate piece of backcountry Wilderness. In fact, the trail is adjacent…

The latest news from the USOC
www.foxnews.com
…CYCLING
Daniel Gay (Temecula, Calif.) and Payton Thomas (Grapevine, Texas) topped the men’s and women’s sprint standings of the USA Cycling National Track Calendar after their stellar performances at the…

May Happy Hour
Plano Bicycle Association
Happy Hour News Flash
Procyclist and TV personality, Geoff Godsey, will be attending Wednesday’s Happy Hour. Geoff, a PBA member, is the 2012 Masters Texas State Criterium Champion.  Come out to meet him and ask for pointers.  He not only donated…

Bring your bike and wetsuit!!  TriShop is allowing us to hold our Happy Hour at their store.  During this time, you will be able to test drive their training equipment, which includes riding on the Computrainers and swimming in the Analysis Pool**.  They are also extending a 20% discount on most items.  Come mix and mingle as you browse the store!  Following this event, join us at…

Ridley recalls 4ZA carbon stems
via Bicycle Retailer & Industry News
WASHINGTON, D.C. (BRAIN)-Ridley Bicycle is recalling about 105 carbon fiber threadless stems because they can crack or break. So far the company has received one report of a stem breaking in use, resulting in minor injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The 4ZA threadless stems were manufactured in Taiwan and sold as aftermarket products. The affected stems are intended for use with 31.8-millimeter handlebars, are black and have the words “4ZA Cycling Performance” painted on the carbon extension between the steerer clamp and handlebar clamp. The recalled stems range in extension lengths from 90 to 130 millimeters. …

Try A Tandem
www.greaterdallasbicyclists.com
Ever think about trying a tandem? They are great fun for couples and families. This coming weekend, the Dallas Area Tandem Enthusiasts (DATES) will be at Plano Cycling & Fitness (Saturday, 5/26, 12-4:00pm) and Richardson Bike Mart in Richardson (Sunday, 5/27, 12-4:00pm) to answer any questions you…

Not Lost and a New Route Combination – May 22nd Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

This time I did not get lost taking my new exit route from Kingwood. I looked at my route notes a couple of times to verify the streets to turn on and made it to Mills Branch Drive and then onto Loop 494. This route is about 3 miles shorter than my old way so I need to take that into account. Today I wanted to ride at least 30 miles so I went north on US59 to SR242 before turning south. There is a new housing development under construction on the US59 south bound service road south of FM1314. Recently they have cut a new road to connect with Briar Lodge Drive. I use Briar Lodge Drive on most of my rides going north so I rode through the new development. If there is a housing slowdown they haven’t heard about it in Auburn Trails. There were a dozen homes being built on several streets.

Daytime traffic is lighter than when I used to bike in the evening after work. This might change when school recesses on June 1st. Maybe everyone will gather at the pools and not be out driving.

Today’s route consisted of streets not biked before along with some old regulars. The route distance came up to 31.13 miles meeting my goal. The biking weather cover our area with scattered clouds, a variable 6 mph breeze, a low humidity of 36% and 94 degrees at the conclusion of the ride. Whenever I hit the shade I could feel the evaporation working on my jersey. One street along side the railroad tracks after Roman Forest Blvd. offered tree cover almost the entire way to Woodbranch Drive. Quite refreshing.

With the variable breeze I hit a headwind from time to time but I still managed a 15.6 mph average speed with 35.9 mph max speed. I am not sure where that max speed came from but SportTracks shows it. Garmin Connect shows a more likely 20.5 mph max speed. An 81.2 RPM average cadence shows good leg speed. This table breaks out time and distance for speed zones.

With today’s ride the week miles total 62.89, 605.56 miles for May and 2541.23 miles YTD. So far I biked 18 days this month for a total time of 38:43:52.

 

5-22-2012 Bike Ride Data and Route Map

5-22-2012 Bike Ride Data and Route Map

Links to other data and map views. Garmin Connect and RideWithGPS.com.