24 hours makes a difference. Partly cloudy skies, 82 degrees and 18 mph southeast wind contrast with the rain and drizzle on yesterday’s shortened route. I biked the route today I planned on yesterday. The headwind presented some challenges in the open areas but the tailwind allowed me to make up for the slower sections. I saw two other bikers out, one a mountain biker and the other on the road. The spring like weather encouraged me to pedal harder but the average speed does not reflect it. I almost hit the 30 mile mark on the route ending up at 29.77 miles. This week I could go over 150 miles if the weather holds like the forecast. Today’s ride statistics:
Mellows Johnny’s ‘in the epicenter’ of SXSW
Bicycle Retailer & Industry News
AUSTIN, TX (BRAIN) Mar 13, 14:43 MT—Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop is in the thick of Austin’s annual South by Southwest music, interactive and film festivals, which run from March 9-18. The festival brings thousands of people to the city each year and Lance Armstrong’s store makes the most of it, said shop spokesman Ted Arnold.
“We’re in the epicenter so to speak,” Arnold said. “We try to really embrace the event, hosting special events, doing extra rides, being ambassadors for not only Austin, but showing that bikes are a transportation solution for SXSW.” …
El Paso Bicycle Club Ride
Saturday, March 31
Ride With the Wind-8:00 am
This is the one ride you’ll be praying for wind. Meet at 8 a.m. at River Run Plaza to caravan by car to Columbus, N.M. Then bike back the 65 miles, hopefully with a typical spring westerly wind. Bike Club will provide a bike trailer for up to 12 bikes and a rest stop halfway back. Riders will need to arrange their own transportation to Columbus (with either a non-rider driving the vehicle back or splitting the driving/riding back with a friend). This is a ride-as-fast-you-can ride — the last two years, the group has averaged over 20 mph, thanks to the wind. Randy Limbird, 915-542-1422 or 915-328-4110 (cell).
Following the track portion of competition, where the U.S. racked up 11 medals over six days, four women and five young men took to the pavement this weekend to represent the U.S. during the road racing segment.
Friday: TIME TRIALS
First up were Friday’s time trials which saw the U.S. grab three medals. Amber Neben (Irvine, Calif./Specialized-lululemon) got to stand on top of the podium as the new Continental Champion after clocking a winning time of 26:60.096 in the women’s event. Then, Nate Brown (Covington, Tenn./Trek-Livestrong) andLawson Craddock (Houston, Texas/Trek-Livestrong) were second and third in the men’s U23 time trial. …
Ridden & Reviewed: Fairdale Bikes Parser Express
by djcurtin            It’s Time To Ride!
Our bicycle buyer Scott asked me to get in touch with Fairdale Bikes so I could spend a few days spinning on the Parser Express. Fairdale Bikes? I had never heard of them–and I spend a fair amount of time cruising the Internet looking for and reading about obscure bikes and cycling-related things.
As it turns out, Fairdale, headed up by former World Champion BMX rider Taj Michelich, is based right here in Austin. Fairdale’s website has a message from Taj that reads “Fairdale is the brand for all my friends who ask me what kind of bike they should get for just riding around town.†That sounds pretty good to me since despite…
Greet the Ride for Safe Routes “Ride Across America!”
by sooner1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Shawnee Trail Cycling Club
Shawnee Trail Cycling Club is organizing a group of cyclists to ride north and meet the four women riding across America in support of Safe Routes for cycling in our communities.
These four women are,
Jeanie Ward-Waller
Stephanie Palmer
Jane Ward, MD
Chelsea Ward-Waller
They left Key West, Florida on February 5th and are winding their way to San Francisco, California.
We’ve been communicating with this group for some time in anticipation of their arrival, and have helped with a route from southern Oklahoma. Assuming they follow the predicted path, they should be in Davis, Oklahoma on Tuesday night. They do plan to make a stop…
Spring Classic Driveway Opener 2012
by Ken            Texas Racing Life
On a whim, I traveled to Austin to fit in another race day. When all the cards line up perfectly, you just have to go race. Michael Pincus had texted me looking to ride together, and I agreed, as the trip would be much more bearable with good conversation.
Conversation in the car was good and a bit odd, ranging from cycling tactics to girls to food to handcuffs. You’ll have to ask Pincus about the last one!  We drove through some serious rain, and thanked our lucky stars to see blue skies upon entering the Austin “Happy Bubble.â€
As the course dried, I warmed up, thinking about the opportunities I get. I think I take my health and success in…
Rain behind and and drizzle in front of me. The overcast sky did not look that threatening when I started the ride but by the 2.3 mile point the rain started and I took refuge in the gazebo in a park on the route. After about 10 minutes the rain stopped and the streets dried off enough to get biking again. Things looked decent for about 6 miles then I started to get in some drizzle. Looking in my rear view mirror the clouds looked dark. I did not want to ride into more rain so I shortened the route and headed back home. The rain held off but there were a few patches of drizzle. About 45 minutes after I got home the sun finally showed up but it didn’t last long. The temperature now staying in the 70’s and should remain there or higher this week. At least I got some biking in. Maybe more biking tomorrow.
Corinth Cycling/Harden Dental race team
The Corinth Cycling/Harden Dental race team continued its strong start to the season with a fine showing in the Denton Criterium on Saturday. Despite the steady rain and 50 degree temperature, 21 racers took the start in the Cat 4 race.
The pack huddled together for the first 20 minutes of the race as the rooster tails shot 20 feet up into the sky. About halfway through the crit, CCHD riders Bob Baatz and Devon Coetzer attacked the field on the short hill just before the start finish line. One rider tried to solo across the gap but couldn?t quite make it. Working together, Baatz and Coetzer were able to extend their lead over the peloton to almost one minute. They crossed the finish line together with Bob taking the win and Devon finishing second.
Congrats to Mark Manning and Roland San Miguel for also finishing in the Top 10. It was a great display of teamwork and determination in the harsh conditions.
Fair Oaks Ranch Ride
Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club
Start:Â Â Â Â Â Â April 22, 2012 8:00 am
End:Â Â Â Â Â Â April 22, 2012 12:00 pm
Venue:Â Â Â Â Â RSQ Equipment Rental
Address:Â Â Â 29880 IH 10 west, Boerne, TX, United States
Sunday, April 22nd: A lovely 34 mile ride in Fair Oaks Ranch on flat and slightly rolling hills. It is mostly back roads and residential except when we leave the shop and return. There is a restroom and ice available “only†at the start and finish (bring plenty of water). The ride will start at 8:00 am, at RSC Equipment Rental (29880 I-10 W, Boerne, TX 78006. – don’t use Google map because it will have you on the wrong side of the freeway) Directions: Go out I-10 West take exit 546, Fair Oaks Ranch/Tarpon Exit, go straight 1.5 miles (right before you get to the shop you will go down a big dip and…
Dallas Urban Ride III
Lone Star Cyclists
Pace: Touring
Date: Saturday, March 31, 2012 – 9:00am
Location: Bishop Arts District, 419 N Bishop Ave, Dallas
It’s the second sequel to our Dallas Urban Ride. Using a combination of tree-shaded streets and bike paths we’ll explore Oak Cliff, downtown Dallas, Swiss Avenue, White Rock Lake, North Dallas, Preston Hollow, and Highland Park, with two rest stops on a 40ish-mile route. We’ll return for lunch at one of the many restaurants Bishop Arts District has to offer. Park on Bishop Avenue, West 7th or West 8th Streets just south of Davis, SW of downtown Dallas.
Maps with cue sheets will be provided. A link to RideWithGPS will be posted when I have finalized the route.
Ride America for Safe Routes
by marc         BikeDFW
Four dedicated women are riding across the United States to raise awareness of the need for safe, bike-friendly roads in communities all across America! They plan to ride from Frisco to Dallas on March 15 (Thursday), and then head towards College Station on the 16th. They are inviting area bicyclists to join them on the way to or from Dallas.
Four ambitious women are undertaking a cross country endurance ride that will kicked off in Key West on February 5, 2012 and culminates in San Francisco in late April. Two sisters, Jeanie and Chelsea Ward-Waller, their mother, Jane, and close friend Stephanie Palmer are riding across America to benefit the bicycle safety…
Save the Anthills Trails – March Update
by Veljko Roskar      GHORBA
A City of Houston / Public Works & Engineering meeting will take place next Monday evening, March 19. This time there is capacity for 800 people. …
Team Brownie’s Battenkill Prep Continues.
by Doc            McKinney Velo Club
On April 14, 2012, MV’s Mike ‘Brownie’ Brown and Russ Emerson ‘Fittipaldi’ [not an authorized nickname] will team with Austin Bikes racers John Ashe, Cord Offermann and Kevin Schaefer to battle a 150 rider 40+ field at “America’s Toughest 1-Day Race” – the Tour of the Battenkill. As part of their Battenkill preparations, Brownie and Emerson travelled to Louisiana today for the always difficult, 100+ mile Rouge Roubaix. The RR road race is perfect for Brownie and Emerson because its run over roads that are similar in condition to what…
Spring Six Pack MTB Race Series
Old Tascosa Cycling Club
Spring MTB race series @ Palo Duro Canyon and Girl Scout Trails. Cat 1,2,and 3 with age groups. $ payouts in each cat and age group, $ for end of series top finishers in each cat and age group. 25$ entry and you can drop one race in series standings, only five races count towards series totals.
Race # 1, 3/25@Girl Scout
#2, 4/1@PDC
#3, 4/15@Girl Scout
#4, 4/29@Girl Scout
#5, 5/6@PDC
#6, 5/20@PDC
Race flyers soon to come, or stop by or call Sun Adventure for more info!
MON NO DROP RIDE & WED OTC RIDE FROM GANDER
Old Tascosa Cycling Club
Events person Nugget says that we will start the OTC rides up next week from Gander Mountain @ 6pm. These rides will change to 6:30 later in the summer!
Mondays-No Drop Ride @ 6pm from Gander Mountain parking lot. This ride is an easy pace to hang out and help introduce new riders to cycling!
Wed’s-OTC group ride from Gander Mountain @ 6pm. This is a ride where you can group up with riders of your level. There are usually many different pace groups to join in on this ride, from easy to hard.
