Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for April 20th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

No Suspense Here
by Steve A        Dallas Point-to-Point

One has to look carefully at eBay stuff, but THIS is the genesis of what I bought. I considered dragging this whole thing out, but then it occurred to me that my loyal reader might also be interested in a similar bike.

Yes, this IS a “fixed gear” bike. It also has three speeds in a close-ratio Sturmey Archer internal gear hub, with a…

Family and Bikes…The Rest is Just Stuff
by Darryl            lovingthebike.com
Yeah, it’s true.  There really are only two things that matter to me…..my Family, and Cycling.  Seriously, if I could fill my days with nothing other than these two things I would consider myself an utter success.  My Family and the Bike matter so much to me, that I’ve spent the past few years carving out a life that allows…

Bessies Creek 24 Hr Race Results – 2012 Edition
by Bike Brookshire
Bessies Creek 24 – Texas Ultra Cup ChallengeResults and split time for the the 24 hr, 12 hr, 6 hr and team events are now posted on Bessies Creek 24 website.
Overall Results Leaders
24 hr:
Standard Bike – Gentle, 398 miles
Recumbent -  Schlitter/Hafner, 411 miles…

Cyclist Census Locations Announced!
by UrbanPedal
This Saturday is the Cyclist Census in which photographers will be capturing photos of you and your bike in all your stylish glory between 10am and 2pm at the following locations: …

New cycle track debuts Monday
By Pam LeBlanc            Fit City
Big news, fellow bike commuters!

On Monday, the city will unveil the new Rio Grande Cycle Track, a two-way bike pathway separated from motor traffic by lane markings and…

Wounded warriors to ride into Johnson County
By Chris Vaughn            www.star-telegram.com
For four years running, they have been a fixture on Texas roads in April — dozens of disabled and recuperating young veterans pedaling and cranking their way north from San Antonio to Arlington.

The veterans, and many more supporting riders, are expected to ride into Eagle Stadium in Rio Vista this afternoon to the cheers of hundreds of students and residents of Johnson County. The rally for the Ride 2 Recovery participants marked one of the last events on their…

Road 2 Recovery: Cyclists tackle Texas challenge
By Colleen Flaherty            Killeen Daily Herald
FORT HOOD — Lt. Col. Patty Collins was biking to work at Fort Bragg, N.C., in 2006 when a car struck her and took her left leg below the knee.

But the lifelong cyclist didn’t let the injury stop her. Within six weeks of the accident, Collins was back on a bike — as she was Thursday during the annual Ride 2 Recovery Texas Challenge’s stop at Fort Hood.

Collins, 42, was among the first to reach III Corps Headquarters from the Shilo Inn, where the group of wounded warrior cyclists spent the night on their…

Meet the MS 150’s fundraising legend: He makes a bigger difference with every ride
By Tyler Rudick                houston.culturemap.com
In two short years, Michael Hurd has become a fundraising legend at the BP MS 150, the springtime Houston-to-Austin bike trek for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society that kicks off Saturday morning. The two-day, 180-mile journey — the “150” is a bit of a misnomer — is the largest charitable bike ride in Texas.

When Hurd launched his cycling group Team Standard Tube in 2010 with two close friends and the generous sponsorship from his employer, Hurd…

When To Shift Gears
by Shawn        Texas Mountain Bike Trails
I hear people all the time shifting at the wrong time. It’s a skill that you definitely have to acquire and it comes with much practice and experience. But once you are able to shift gears smoothly and at the right time, you will see a dramatic improvement in your riding ability both for mountain biking and for road riding.

So let’s start with a basic look at the parts involved so that you can follow along as I talk about each piece. …

Burma Loop
by Roy and Christine        Pedal Pushers

Forecast cloudy, mid 70’s, and wind from the south at 25-35 mph. Perfect training day–for what I am unsure unless it is for the Ballinger ride coming up soon. So a few of us chose to brave the wind and ride what is called the Burma Loop. Pictured are Rick, Velma, Loyd, Eddie, Curtis, Jesse, and Brian. Christine decided to go on a…

Red Poppy Bike Ride in Georgetown, TX
by WB admin            The Wheel Brothers – Cycling in Texas
The Red Poppy Bike Ride benefiting various organizations invites you to join their ride happening on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at Georgetown High School Annex, Georgetown, TX
We were lucky enough to be granted an interview with Bill McMillian of Red Poppy Bike Ride to ask some questions about their upcoming ride.

1. Why participate in the Red Poppy Bike Ride?
The ride is in a great biking area east of IH10 with a variety of routes ranging 14 to 100 miles with frequent signage, regular rest stops, SAG vehicles with radio communication, motorcycle escorts in most sections and…

Mark your calendars!!!
by Il Pirate         Austin Ridge Riders
Monday May 7th is the the date for the first Rider LIke A Girl of the year!

It will be at Walnut Creek and the details for subsequent rides will be posted soon (we’re still working out all the specifics of locations, special events, etc.)

WTCA Post to Gail Ride
Date: April 21, 2012
Location: Post, TX
Contact: Steve Crowell
Details: Steve Crowell is hosting the Post to Gail ride. Meet at the Courthouse square in Post at 9:00AM. The ride is an out and back. Post to Gail is about 32 miles, so about a 100K round trip. However, since it is an out and back you can choose to ride as far as you want and Steve will be providing SAG support. The Fluvana road is at approximately 25 miles for a 50 mile round trip. It is a nice scenic ride with small teeny climbs up the Cap Rock. $5.00 charge to ride.

Weyer Will Ride The Mississippi
corinthcycling.wordpress.com
Longtime Corinth Cycling member Doug Weyer will take part in the Great Mississippi River Ride beginning on May 14th. He will pedal the 1,726 mile route from New Orleans, LA to Minneapolis, MN in honor of his friend and companion Donna McMullen. McMullen lost her lengthy battle with cancer last year.

The 25 day ride is meant to heighten people’s awareness of cancer research in support of those who have battled and survived cancer, as well as for those who have lost loved ones to cancer. Donna was a patient at Mary Crowley…

@MountainBikeTx            via Twitter
RACES: Monte Bella 6 Hour Race UPDATE: race has been rescheduled. NEW DATE: Sunday, 04.29.12

@Spinistry        via Twitter
Happy 4/20 everyone! Brett Ringger of Sherman, TX is our Syllamos Revenge winner. Also, we are postponing the 5/13 Bonzai Run to accommodate the FWMBA Fat Tire Festival as well as mothers around the world. We will announce the make up date very soon.

Rain Motivated – April 20th Bicycle Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

The two sides of motivation: positive and negative. Today’s bicycle ride produced a strong positive side: the rain. When I started at 1:12 PM the dark sky was to the south of me with the light sky to the northwest. The 5 mph west wind did not really get in my way as I rode to the north. The main reasons I picked a northerly route was the dark sky and I biked south yesterday. I knew there would be rain late afternoon so I thought there would be enough time to go 30 miles.

As I rode the sky to the northwest started to darken and the sky back behind lightened up somewhat. The wind shifted slight to the northwest. Around the 10.8 point when I turned onto Community Drive towards Loop 494 I wondered if I should turn west and shorten my route to around 25 miles. I biked at a strong speed up to this point so I decided I could make it to my turn around point at FM1485 about 2 miles further north and beat the rain. Up to this point my average speed was 16.2 mph which would come in handy to get back home dry. The positive motivation kicked in when I turned south on US59 and looked at the line of clouds coming my way. With the northwest wind helping my speed I raced to get back home and stay dry.

It was a little cooler today with the coming front and rain at 76 degrees at the start and 74 at the end. Initially I thought I might be under dressed but my extra effort warmed me up thanks to the Solo Classique Konig jersey I was wearing. This jersey continues to impress me with the fit and quality.

I stayed dry until I reached the golf course in Oakhurst and the light rain started to fall. I hoped I could ride out of it and at times it thinned out. I was still maintaining a good speed and the road was generally dry. I shortened the route by about 1/2 a mile and rode to the US59 service road and Kingwood Drive overpass. When I turned north on the service road I could see rain in the distance. More of that positive motivation kicked in as I pedaled hard to make the east turn into Kingwood and the back streets. At least now there were places I could stop if the rain started in earnest. It was still light enough rain not to stop but push on home. Usually the further east I get from US59 the rain drops off but it held steady and light until I pulled into the driveway. As I stood in the breezeway I could hear the rain hitting the patio cover fabric I knew it would get stronger before long.I did accomplish my goal of biking 29.67 miles (slightly over 30 if I did not take the 1/2 mile short cut).

With the rain motivation my average speed was 16.1 mph (rare event), 25.8 mph max speed, and 84.3 RPM average cadence. It took 1:50:41 to cover the 29.67 miles. Mileage standings after the ride:

  • 92.95 miles this week
  • 435.77 miles in April
  • 1655.13 miles YTD
  • only 4:13 minutes stopped for the whole ride (more rain motivation)
  • Garmin Connect data link

In the slideshow below there is a slide of the radar when I got home. There several weather alerts/advisories out but the line of storms should move through and not threaten the BP MS150 start tomorrow morning.

[iframe http://ridewithgps.com/trips/603069 98% 700]

4-20-2012 Home Weather Station End

4-20-2012 Home Weather Station End

Notice of Meeting for SHNF Trails – April 24th at 7 pm

Texbiker.net Posted on by
Article category: 
Advocacy

Where: SHNF New Waverly Office Click here for Directions
When: April 24th @ 7 PM
Click here for the Public Notice letter

The Sam Houston National Forest (SHNF) is holding a collaborative meeting on April 24th at 7 PM to discuss the recent trails assessments relating to the “dead tree closures”. There will be discussion of the results of the assessments, what trails will re-open and which will remain closed, as well as discussion on plans going forward. GHORBA representatives will be in attendance as well as reps from other user groups, we highly encourage you to attend and make sure your voice is heard, especially as the Double Lake Mountain Bike Trail is directly affected by this.

– Justin Dunn
VP Trails

Posted in Uncategorized

Texas Bicycling Daily News Roundup April 19th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Route? Wimberley or Canyon Lake to San Antonio.
by Josh                www.bikeforums.ne
Looking for a good route from either location into downtown San Antonio. I’ll be making the trip soon. Everyone says once I get to SA all routes turn hellish, but I kind of don’t believe it, seems like there’s got to be a somewhat safe (if not pleasant) option?

And Now Dallas Has Had a Ciclovia…Will the City Take It On?
Bike Friendly Oak Cliff

While the wind whipped up and tried it’s best to wreck havoc on this past weekend’s first annual Ciclovia de Dallas, the people spoke and came out to enjoy a great event on an historic bridge!  With no cars to fight against, it was clear sailing the entire mile across the old structure, deemed possibly to be permanently car free once the new streetcar rolls over it’s surface.

Overall, we expected about 1,000 people to attend and we feel comfortable saying we hit our mark by the end of the day, and so says the Advocate!.  On a shoestring budget, a small and hard working core of volunteers, and shear…

A Quest for MTB Greatness
by mlinden             Austin Ridge Riders
When we are truly honest with ourselves and/or the trail teaches us this lesson, we realize we have gaps in our skillset. I consider myself an intermediate level rider and I know I have beginner level gaps on upward. In my quest to be the best mountain biker I can be for others, the environment, my bike and myself (mostly), I sought out training to fill the gaps. I learned of a national training program by BetterRide, owned and operated by Gene Hamilton, which promised to deliver the goods. After reviewing their website, seeing their name on other well known MTB websites and conducting my due…

Overview of the 2012 National Bike Summit
BikeTexas.org
From March 20-22, 2012, BikeTexas led the Texas Delegation at the League of American Bicyclists’ National Bike Summit. Over 800 people attended from 49 states at the largest gathering of bicycle advocates of the year. We were able to meet with staff from just about every Texas Representative’s office as well as both Senator Hutchison and Cornyn’s office.

After the visit, the House and Senate passed a clean extension of the federal transportation bill, ensuring a few more months of funding for…

Something OLD, Something New…
by Steve A            Dallas Point-to-Point
Richard Nixon was still President of the USA. On his way to whooping my own preferred candidate; George McGovern. That was the year that I last bought a bike with my own money. Earned with my own hands. I was working at the “A&P” (as in “Breaking Away”) in north Seattle. Now, that A&P is an “Apple Store.” Specifically, it was 1972.

But I digress.

The bike was bought at the store shown below. At THAT time, it was known as “Gregg’s Greenlake Cycle.” As it turned out, that purchase formed a defining moment in my life as a cyclist. You see, that was the LAST time I ever bought a bike for myself from a cycling store. The bastards screwed me, though it took me many years to…

Video: Austin Rattler 100 teaser
by Singletrack.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UwGurZyxeEE
Here’s a little of what you have to look forward to at the Austin Rattler 100.

Bear Creek Crit #1: Crash!
by Ken            Texas Racing Life

Yes, I crashed, it sucked. On the last corner, I was a bit overzealous and took the corner on the outside really hard. Coming out of the turn, I hit some dirt which threw me off my rhythm just enough for me to clip my pedal. In an instant I was on the ground.  My only thought was hoping that I would not take anyone else down with me. I felt pretty embarrassed about my momentary lack of bike handling skills, especially because I am normally good at cornering. Maybe in the excitement of the finish, I lost myself.  It was a pretty stupid and avoidable crash, but…

Austin Bike Culture Calendar Events: 4/19- 4/25/12
by elliott            Austin on Two Wheels
Here’s a quick run down of recommended events for the coming week from our comprehensive calendar of all cycling events. As always, if there is an event you know about that’s not on our calendar contact us, and we’ll add your event on and possibly add it to the weekly round up.

Thursday, April 19
Driveway Crit Series
5 PM, The Driveway, 8400 Delwau Lane
Weekly Thursday night road racing through October that takes place on the closed car-free driving course at the Driveway. Races include Cat 3/4 women’s and juniors race at 5:00, Cat 3/4 Race and Women’s Open at 5:30, Kids Fun Lap at 6:20, Cat 4/5 Race at 6:25, and Pro/Cat 1/2/3 at 6:55. Races registration Weekly: Men…

BP MS 150 bike ride rolls off this weekend
By Pam LeBlanc            Fit City

A few years ago, I joined the rolling road party known as the BP MS 150, pedaling 180 miles (yep, that 150 thing is a misnomer) between Austin and Houston over two days to raise money to support people living with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects the central nervous system, affects more than 400,000 people in the United States. Last year the ride raised nearly $17 million for the Lone Star chapter of the National MS Society. …

Notice of Collaborative Meeting for Sam Houston Trails – April 24, 2012 at 7 pm
GHORBA.org
Where: SHNF New Waverly Office
When: April 24th @ 7 PM
The Sam Houston National Forest (SHNF) is holding a collaborative meeting on April 24th at 7 PM to discuss the recent trails assessments relating to the “dead tree closures”. There will be discussion of the results of the assessments, what trails will re-open and which will remain closed, as well as discussion on plans going forward. GHORBA representatives will…

Spoke up: MS 150 jerseys say it all
By Ken Hoffman        www.chron.com
This weekend, about 13,000 bicyclists of all ages, shapes and lung capacity will pedal from Houston to Austin in the annual BP MS 150, raising millions for the Lone Star Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Most will wear the most artistic fashion statement in sports – the form-fitting bicycle jersey.

Bike jerseys make NASCAR racing suits look like a little black dress.

Saturday morning, more than 100 loosely banded bike teams and a few thousand stragglers will begin the two-day journey to Austin. Each team will have its own distinctive colorful…

Dallas Griffin stays positive, rides in BP MS 150
www.foxsportshouston.com
…On Saturday, Griffin will begin a bike ride from Houston to Austin, as a participant in a two-day event called the BP MS 150. The event raises money for research, treatment and, hopefully, a cure for multiple sclerosis. The largest event of its kind in North America, it raised $16.9 million last year and organizers believe they’ll top that this time. …

Cyclists to challenge Davis Mountains roadways
bigbendnow.com
FORT DAVIS – The Fort Davis Hammerfest Bicycle Race returns on Saturday and Sunday, April 28-29 and between 300 and 400 racers – and their families – will challenge the Davis Mountains roadways and enjoy the Far West Texas scenery and hospitality.

Hammerfest is sanctioned by USA Cycling and is a State Level Race with the Texas Bicycle Racing Association, so it will draw the best racers from Texas and…

Father and son to Ride for Heroes this weekend
by Judy Sheridan        weatherforddemocrat.com
ALEDO — When Aledo resident John Gebhardt commits to something, it’s a done deal.

Two years ago, when rain drenched the Moritz Chevrolet Ride for Heroes, dampening enthusiasm and dropping attendance, Gebhardt pedaled on, through the sprinkles, despite the downpours. He will again ride in the event this Saturday.

The 30-mile route he chose had to be diverted because of the weather, he said, extending the course by seven miles and…

Sweating for your art: FotoFest bike tour provides a whole new, free perspective on the stunning photos
By Whitney Radley            houston.culturemap.com
FotoFest is racing toward end of its massive 2012 Biennial. Feel like you haven’t taken advantage of the countless events and photography exhibits?

We have a solution: The FotoFest Bike Scramble.

Beyond offering a behind-the-scenes tours of participating spaces by FotoFest exhibitions coordinator Jennifer Ward, guests receive a fast-track admission into participating galleries and a street-level experience of the city. And it’s completely free.

The requirements are few (a bicycle, a helmet and a little bit of stamina), and FotoFest press and website coordinator Vinod Hopson follows in a support…

National Park Service’s Handling Of Multiple-Use Trail At Big Bend National Park Criticized
by Kurt Repanshek            www.nationalparkstraveler.com

Questions are being raised over whether the National Park Service’s approach to the multiple-use trail in Big Bend National Park was preordained to satisfy the International Mountain Bicycling Association.

At the same time, a regulatory flub that had crews working to construct the trail before the requisite paperwork was made public is being…

@Texas4000            via Twitter
Looking forward to the Century Test on Saturday! Every 2012er must do 100 miles to Johnson city & back in under 10 hours.