Another gorgeous day for biking rolled in. Mostly cloudy sky but not enough to block out the sun. The temperature stayed in a tight range with 79 to 81 during my ride. After yesterday’s ride my wife and I worked in the backyard moving some rose bushes around and another plant I can’t remember. The reason I mention this relates to today’s 15 mph southeast wind. I did not notice that I used any different muscles working in the yard but today when I headed into the wind the leg muscles could not deliver the power I usually can call upon. To vary the ride I decided to bike in reverse on the route I use most often. It almost seemed like a new route when seen from the opposite direction.
Biking in reverse presented some interesting traffic changes since one of the reasons I ride the direction I do minimizes crossing over roads without traffic lights or make right hand turns instead of left ones. This required some extra thought as I approached the intersections. The cars and trucks did not present an issue. I will need to repeat this route direction again in the near future. The old route is pretty automatic so going in reverse I needed to plan the turns and streets. I don’t think I left anything out except for a 2/10 portion in the last 2 miles.
At around the 13 mile point I stopped to refill my water bottle at the Chevron station in Huffman. A Harris County deputy sheriff was removing all of the contents in the trunk of his car so that he could change the right rear tire. I did not realize all of the stuff they have back there. There were two big pieces of 3/4″ plywood and numerous other equipment. He read the instructions and proceeded to jack up the cruiser. He said the county maintenance service kept “banker’s hours” and had already closed so he needed to do this so he could return to patrol. A nail caused the tire puncture, he said. Without a good spare he said the next flat would put out of business.
Some of today’s ride numbers:
30.40 miles
14.8 mph average speed
2:00:03 biking time
21.7 mph max speed
77.5 RPM average cadence (reflects my tired legs?)
Review of the Best Bicycle Tail Lights in 2012
bicycles.stackexchange.com,
Testing bike lights
Taking some lights out for a test ride at night
Whether you bike to work every day regardless of how dark it is outside, or only let dusk catch you on the occasional evening ride, every cyclist should have lights. They’re required after dark by law in almost all regions, and are a crucial piece of safety equipment even where they’re optional.
Remember that although spending $30-50 on good lights may seem like a lot of money, the medical costs from a single accident would far surpass that initial investment. If you bike at night (or even bike on busy roads during the day – several of…
Solidarity. Not Charity
by katiejo         Austin on Two Wheels
The fog was so thick that if I squinted to look at the street lights in the darkness, I could pretend with minimal imagination that I was in a shire in Ireland. The artificial lights glowed orange and out of the thick humid air, a scattered group of runners appeared. At intervals they would emerge and be re-engulfed by the fog. An optical illusion that had me taking double takes each time I passed a runner, as they disappeared into the haze. As the road rules for running, each runner was heading forward onwards into traffic. At pre-dawn, I was the only traffic on the road, and they were running straight towards me or rather I was riding straight into them.
Despite our mutual surprise to suddenly appear face to foggy face, the surprise was replaced by a sense of solidarity. Biped and bi-pedal solidarity. Together, outdoors, pre-dawn. The will to arise before the sun does and…
We Support Jason Roberts for US Congress
by Christopher Curnutt         Biking in Dallas
In many circles Jason Roberts is simply one of the founding members of Bike Friendly Oak Cliff, but this is only one of his many accomplishments. It’s true that he helped put casual cycling on the map in Dallas, Texas (and beyond), and there’s no way to measure how many people he has directly or indirectly inspired to get on their bicycle and/or make their neighborhood and city a more livable, walkable, enjoyable place to call home.
Where many cycling advocates can sometimes take a shrill and even antagonistic approach, Jason’s style has always been reasoned and methodical. I’ve learned quite a bit just sitting on the sidelines and watching him work. I could go on and on about his accomplishment and selfless efforts, I’m sure others will do exactly…
Five new events join Fiesta lineup
By Stefanie Arias      www.mysanantonio.com
Fiesta fans can get an early start on the citywide party this year.
Though Fiesta San Antonio 2012 is 34 days away, a new event takes place before the April 19 kickoff. The UTSA Roadrunner Spring Football Fan Fest, a free spring football game at the Alamodome, is set for April 15. (Another early event, the San Antonio Lutheran Coronation, was March 3.) …
…and the Fiesta Wildflower Bike Ride, a multi-route race at Retama Park on April 22. It’s a benefit for Morgan’s Wonderland.
Race co-director Lynda Stewart said 1,500 cyclists are expected to participate.
“Come one, come all,†said co-director Jimmy Britton. “We have something for all ages and skill levels.†…
Cyclists stop off in Elgin during training run
www.elgincourier.com
A group of cyclists called the Livestrong Texas 4000 is training for a bike trip to Alaska to raise money for cancer research. They stopped off at Thomas Memorial Park and ate lunch at Meyer’s Smokehouse and BBQ. …
At the Bicycle Cafe, White Rock Lake
by (Chris Mathews)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â www.planobicycle.org
Looking for a new breakfast stop on your rides around White Rock Lake? Then check out the Bicycle Cafe on Northwest Hwy. But be cautioned: if you are looking for greasy eggs and beer batter biscuits, this is not the place. You will have to ride to the…
Is it all about the bike?
by Shawn         Texas Mountain Bike Trails
You hear mountain bikers on the trail talk all the time about how much faster they would be if they were on a newer, shinier or more expensive bike. One with Sram XX components or the latest Fox fork. They moan and complain about their old bike and blame problems not on themselves, but on the bike. So is it all about the bike? …
Spring in March continued today. Normally I would think this abnormal but when Michigan reports 80 degrees and above it makes our weather seem cool. I took advantage and biked 29.64 miles. The clouds looked threatening for awhile but no rain made it on my ride. Humidity is higher than I prefer but still tolerable. The temperature hit 81 degrees at the finish. Later after the ride I noticed the temperature increased to 83. When I headed back to the south after the turn around the 13 mph (20.7 mph gusts) wind greeted me. I did not notice the 20.7 mph gusts before I left otherwise I might have chosen a different route. I maintained my speed at 15 mph or above even with the wind. Riding in the middle of the day has its advantages as well. School is out this week so the traffic around the schools was non-existent. I did not see any other bikers today. My road bike (Motobecane Le Champion CF) rides smooth and I experienced how it handles rough road when I went over a short section of broken concrete around a storm drain. Normally I ride around this one but there was a car moving along with me and I did not want to move over into the car’s path. Tomorrow’s weather should repeat today’s.
Today’s ride statistics:
1:56:21 ride time
15.3 mph average speed
21.4 mph max speed
80.1 RPM average cadence (3 days in a row at the exact same average)
Two weeks ago, we were pleased to learn that thanks to the tireless efforts of advocates from across the country, the Cardin-Cochran amendment for local transportation control was incorporated into MAP-21, the Senate transportation bill. The amendment ensures that local governments, school systems, and metropolitan planning organizations are able to access funds to make biking and walking safe and accessible in our communities. …
Women Cycling Forum presents: Elysa Walk
Alliance for Biking & Walking: People Powered Blog
Elysa Walk, General Manager of Giant Bicycle Inc, will be a panelist at the National Women Cycling Forum on March 20.
Who or what inspired you to start cycling?
A friend inspired me to start cycling. I think that women have such powerful relationships with their girlfriends and enjoy riding together in non-competitive, fun adventures.
What’s your favorite memory or proudest moment on a bike (or in bicycle advocacy)? …
Hold a Line – Or NOT?
by Steve AÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â DFW Point-to-Point
OR – Hold His Line? Photo from Google Maps
This morning, I encountered an interesting situation prompted by some motorist misjudgement. At no time did it rise to the level of being actually risky or a “close call,” but I’m interested in hearing what my loyal reader might have done.
Since we’re now in the “George W Bush ridiculously early Daylight let’s pretend we’re savings time,” I was riding in to work in the predawn darkness. I had my usual lighting and reflector, and the “flame thrower”headlight all lit as I waited in the “left turn only” lane on Bellaire at the red light. My intention was to turn left on to E Hurst Blvd and then to upset Rantwick’s mom by taking a…
Life as a bike jockey: The (near) victory salute
by Singletrack.com
…Texas roundup
The ProXCT season started earlier this month with the Mellow Johnny’s Classic in Texas. It being my first cross-country race of the season, I didn’t know how I was feeling going into the race. And the women’s field was chock-full o’ champs: a world champ, a few national champs and the reigning ProXCT champ.
I was at the start line thinking that I could be in good form or I could be getting ready to stink up the joint. Fitness can be that fickle. All I really knew was that I wanted to be in good position going into the…
Saddle sores, endurance cycling and RAAM
By Pam LeBlanc         Fit City
What’s the best strategy to avoid saddle sores when bicycling 3,000 miles across the country?
Keep your shorts dry and change them often — as in every four to eight hours. Even better, rotate through several brands of shorts, each with a different chamois pattern.
If your buns do get irritated, layer on two pairs of bike shorts. If that’s not enough, put a gel saddle cover on your bike seat. And if you’re still sore, add a…
Bicycles for Justice
Austin collective builds bikes to donate to others
By Ramon Martinez, Â Â Â Â Â Â www.austinchronicle.com
It’s early January, and several members of Austin’s Bikes Across Borders have just arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border in Southwest Texas. Ciudad Acuña is one of the border’s fastest growing transnational metropolitan areas. The group has biked nearly 225 miles from Austin to the border crossing at Piedras Negras and then on to Acuña with the intent of donating their bikes – hand-built and refurbished from bicycle parts pulled from the waste stream. On this almost-annual ride known as the “migration,” Bikes Across Borders comes to support its host…
Big Thicket Bike Ride expecting huge turnout in Southeast Texas
www.cyclocamping.com
If you’re not the kind of person who enjoys bar crawls and copious amounts of spring beer, there are far more productive things you can be doing with your time on St. Patty’s Day. For bike enthusiasts looking for a big challenge, the Southeast Texas Big Thicket Bike Tour could be a great…
Ride Ataxia Dallas in Denton, TX
The Wheel Brothers – Cycling in Texas
The Ride Ataxia Dallas 2012 benefiting FARA – a nonprofit organization dedicated to research leading to a cure for Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) invites you to join their ride happening on March 24, 2012 at Apogee Stadium, University of North Texas
We were lucky enough to be granted an interview with Kyle Bryant, Founder/Program Director of Ride Ataxia Dallas to ask some questions about their upcoming ride.
Why join the “Ride Ataxia�
Join Ride Ataxia to contribute to the movement that has traveled over 6,500 miles and raised $1.6 million for research for a disease that has no treatment, no cure, no hope…until now. You’ll also get a well supported ride…
