Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for March 11th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Repair a Ruptured Hydration Bladder with a Vacuum Sealer [Clever Uses]
via Lifehacker by David Galloway

If you do a lot of outdoor activities you may use hydration bladders or soft canteens made by Camelback, Nalgene, Platypus, and other brands. They’re great for carrying water, but if the plastic gets punctured you were out of luck until a clever person figured out you can repair damage by sealing the bladder with a food vacuum sealer. …

Houston Bicycle Club Rides

Vanessa’s Birthday Ride on Leon Creek Greenway
Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club
Start:    March 25, 2012 9:30 am
End:    March 25, 2012 11:30 am
Venue:    Valero Trailhead
Sunday, March 25th: Ride begins at 9:30 at the Valero Trailhead across from the Drury Inn Suites.  This is a 24 mile ride on a protected and shaded trail from the Valero trailhead to the Ingram Park trailhead and back.  An very good ride for beginners since you can turn back at any point and there is no traffic.  So come join us and help Vanessa celebrate her birthday.  The festivities will continue after the ride at Jim’s Restaurant at 11006 IH 10.  Directions: Exit IH 10 on the Frontage Road.  The parking area is adjacent to the Drury Inn parking lot. For more information contact ride leader Vanessa Leal…

The City of Allen Rolls Out New Bike Routes and Shared Lane Markings
by marc            Bike DFW
The City of Allen is one of the first in North Texas to install shared lane markings (sharrows) on city streets. These pavement markings are designed to help cyclists and motorists identify streets that are part of the city’s new bike route system.

From the city’s web site:
“Allen residents may have noticed new bike route markings (“sharrows” or “share the lane”) being implemented on some of the unmarked bike routes through our community. This project is a three-year initiative to mark select on-street bike routes throughout the city. These markings are intended to enhance…

SXSW does the social ride: Bike Hugger hosts two big this weekend
by CultureMap Austin
The Bike Hugger blog publisher from Seattle (who only goes by his last name, Byron), was organizing his sixth annual SXSW social bicycle ride — one of two that Bike Hugger is hosting this weekend. Last year, the ride was “magical,” Byron said …

Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for March 10th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Colnago Demos to be at 5th Annual LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour!
Colnago will be bringing demo bikes to the LBJ Ranch, in conjunction with the 5th Annual LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour coming up March 24. The event routes kick off at 9:00 AM, and the demos will be there during the day. Ranch gates open to vehicular traffic at 7:00 AM.  This “get up close and personal” opportunity with new bike models is presented courtesy of one of Colnago’s newest retailers, and a major sponsor of the LBJ 100 – Ride Away Bicycles – with three shops in San Antonio.
Come on out to the event, talk to Ride Away, check out a Colnago, and feel that awesome handling ability on those gorgeous Texas hills.

LAB 4th St/I-35 Underpass Mural
The Ghisallo Foundation is a small Austin, TX based 501(c)(3) non-profit born out of the desire to improve cycling in Central Texas and a love of bike racing. Created to unify multiple bicycle based projects under one parent organization, we work to enhance cycling and expand the cycling community through project based initiatives.

Sunday Roll Ride
www.greaterdallasbicyclists.com
The Ride Spotlight for March is the Sunday Roll. This is your opportunity to “Explore Dallas”. The route changes weekly. The Sunday Roll might cruise bridge demolition along 635. The Roll might “roll” down to view the new Calatrava Bridge. The Ride Leader might take us down to the Dallas Farmers Market for ice cream…or on a tour of various bike trails. We’ve also been
known to “roll” over to Oak Cliff and do a few hills!

This ride is not for beginners. No drops are intended, but you need to be able to keep a 15-16 mph flat cruising pace (thus the 2+ rating) to keep the group together, and to do some optional hills.

Inspired by Hurst
by Steve A        DFW Point-to-Point
Sometimes, it can get discouraging to be a member of a vanishingly small minority such as a cycling commuter. If I believe the US Census, we’re about 1 in a thousand amongst road commuters. We see dangers thoughtlessly placed in our paths simply because people don’t think about the one in a thousand very much, though children also ride bikes to school. One such case was noted a bit over a week ago. Here.

I was reminded yesterday that most people really WANT to do the right thing and when something is brought to their attention, they will do so. I received the following email at work yesterday. Now you understand the title of this post. Now, we won’t read of a child crippled someday by a dangerous grate, nor will we have some…

Pro Cyclocross Rumors & Rumblings Week of March 9th, 2012
Kat Statman weighs in with his latest Cyclocross Rumors & Rumblings, an opinionated round-up of the recent week’s happenings in the world of cyclocross in his
by Kat Statman            www.cxmagazine.com

This week we have some really great off-season news for you: Bart Wellens has been cleared of suspicions of doping on two counts; Katie Compton makes a quick transition and grabs a podium in Texas; Adam Myerson walked off a plane and won an early season bike race; Colnago with a disc brake road bike, are things in the works for a ’cross racer for next year? Amy Dombroski has been up to some off-season antics, and Tim Johnson starts training in anticipation of his Ride on Washington. …

Spring fitness calendar packed with runs, rides and more
By Pam LeBlanc            AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
You noticed it last time you headed outside, didn’t you? That warm, spring-has-arrived feeling that makes you want to hop on a bike, jump in a lake or lace up your sneakers.

A slew of fitness events has arrived right along with the warm air. Here are some of the highlights: …

Texas A&M Race Report
by Mitchell Sides            utexascycling.org

Last weekend was Tunis-Roubaix put on by Texas A&M, and it was also the first SCCCCCCCCC collegiate cycling conference competition compendium of the year! It also happened to be my first collegiate race weekend. Aside from one little problem and one other not so little problem, it was fantastic!! Collegiate race weekends, for the uninitiated, include 3 races: a road race, a time trial (or team time trial), and a criterium. Each road race is generally between 30 and…

Texas Hell Week (Bicycle Tour)
www.fredericksburg-texas.com
Date: 3/10/2012 TO 3/17/2012
Event Description: Daily 40, 70 and 100 mile bicycle tours for all skill levels around Fredericksburg and the Texas Hill Country. Headquarters at the Sunset Inn, 900 S. Adams. For registration and more information, please call (806) 499-3210 or visit  www.hellweek.com

Hill Country State Natural Area Mountain Bike Trail
Bandera, Texas
www.singletracks.com
Description: These are multi-use trails. Lots of single- & double-track, you will encounter some hikers and horses, but very few bikers. Most of the trails seem to be built for horseback so you will find many challenges, but overall, most of this trail system is very rideable. Beautiful Hill Country scenery in a pristine setting. The 5369.8-acre site was acquired by gift and purchase in 1976 and was opened to the public in 1984. The bulk of…

USA CYCLING SKILLS CLINIC, TEXAS
Power Team Coaching
Day one of a 1.5 day clinic was just as expected, Awesome! It is very rewarding to work with a divers group of coaches for any teaching day because we all have a story to tell and some tell your own story better. That is what makes for a GREAT learning environment.
OK but what the heck is with the weather. Forecast for today was spot on. Rain midday throughout the evening. We did not to let a little rain stand in our way to skills teaching and learning. Cool morning and a few sprinkles was good  and manageable. The morning session was built on skills we knew and a reformation of those skills so we…

Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for March 9th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

RACE: TX HS MTB Racing season opener is canceled
Reveille Peak Ranch
Texas High School Mountain Bike Racing has decided to cancel Sunday’s season opener race due to continued rain. “This decision was made with the safety of the student athletes in mind, ” says Vance McMurry, executive director of the league. Stay tuned for updates.

High School Mountain Bike League race cancelled
By Pam LeBlanc            Fit City
UPDATE:
The opening race of the Texas High School Mountain Bike Series scheduled for Sunday has been cancelled due to heavy rain and cold weather.

“This decision was made with the safety of the student athletes in mind, as well as the integrity of the trail system at our venue. Individuals that have already paid for their race may choose between a full refund of their race fees or to apply it to another race this season (more information on this coming soon). The first race of the…

The 2012 Great Escape Bicycle Ride Has Been Canceled
www.pearlandcyclingclub.org
The Pearland Cycling Club regrets to inform you that the Great Escape bike ride scheduled for this Sunday March 11th 2012 has been canceled. The current weather forecast is for thunderstorms both Saturday and Sunday with some forecasts of heavy thunderstorms and possible flash-flooding Sunday morning. Under the conditions currently forecast we believe the safety of our riders, volunteers and law enforcement officials could be put at to heavy a risk driving to the ride start before dawn from all parts of the greater Houston area and during…

San Antonio Wheelmen
The Road Riding 101 class on Saturday, March 10th is cancelled due to weather. The class has been rescheduled for next Saturday (March 17th) in Cibolo.

SxSWxBike
by elliott            Austin on Two Wheels
SXSW launches today, and with our downtown streets packed with conference goers, going by bike is the only way to go. In addition, there is lots of SXSW themed bike goodness going on as well including social rides that require no badges.

Getting around
The streets get crazy downtown, especially by the end of next week when there are four bands playing within spitting distance. Blow off the car and ride instead.

If you don’t have a bike with you, check out these rental options near downtown. …

Seen at the Tsunami Black Tie ride
by Christopher Curnutt        Biking in Dallas

I though you brought the bike locks, I didn’t bring the bike locks…

Dallas Cycle Style (formerly known as Dallas Cycle Chic) is quickly gaining a reputation for hosting intimate and very fun social rides and this one didn’t let anyone down.  This one was of course a themed ride and even I managed to dress the part.  We met at Main Street Garden and then made our way to the grand opening of Union Bear at West End Village for food and drinks. The perfect weather allowed us to spend most of our time on…

Goals lie ahead for San Angelo cancer survivor
By Bill Cullins            San Angelo Standard-Times
SAN ANGELO, Texas — A friend of mine just completed a grueling six-month regime of chemotherapy.

He’s now “off the sauce” and we’re going to do a bike ride in the near future to celebrate the occasion.

The friend I’m referring to is Shirl Koenig, a longtime San Angelo cyclist, runner and triathlete who has been racing local endurance events longer than many of you…

Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for March 8th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

The problem watching Paris-Nice and Tirreno – Adriatico races did not happen; EuroSport (English) finished Paris-Nice before GazzettaTV (Italian) began streaming Tirreno – Adriatico.

Tour Dallas Bike Ride Looking for Volunteers
With the Tour Dallas Bike Ride, (www.tourdallas.org), falling on Easter weekend this year, (Saturday, April 7th), the organizers are experiencing a critical shortage of volunteers to help put on the ride.

They are needing volunteers to help with the pre-event activities, day of event activities, and post event activities.  Their greatest needs are at the break points and on the route corners on the day of the event.  They are also looking for help with the pre and post event Work Crews.  A list of the volunteer opportunities can be found at www.tourdallas.org, and then clicking on the “Volunteer Opportunities” link.

Bonus – Work and then ride for Free
As a special incentive, volunteers who work on the day of the ride at one of the break points or out on the route, qualify for a free registration for the Collin Classic, scheduled for June 9th in McKinney, TX.

Please share this with your family, friends, and fellow cyclist.  You don’t have to be a cyclist to help, and no experience is necessary.

Interested parties should go to www.tourdallas.org, click on the “Volunteer Opportunities” link, and then scroll down to the bottom of that page to register as a volunteer.  You can also contact Fred Miller, Tour Dallas Route Coordinator, at fred.r.miller.jr@gmail.com, for more information or if you have questions.

The Whole Damn Loop Mountain Bike Series – Race 1
Graded Cheese Racing
Date: March 11, 2012
Location: Lubbock, TX
Contact: Chase Wesley
Details: The Whole Damn Loop mountain bike series begins at 3 pm at the MLK parking lot. Everybody rides the same course. Enough challenges to keep the skillful people honest and the beginners attention. Lap is approx 12ish miles.

Fredericksburg 300k
Hill Country Randonneurs
Date: March 24, 2012
Start time: 6:00 am
Starting location: 3108 Creeks Edge Pkwy, Austin, TX 78733
Due to the lack of volunteers, this will be a lightly supported ride. The rider check-in will be open from 5:00-6:00am.   You must have a helmet. A tail light and a head light are required if you cannot finish before dark.

The course is very hilly so be prepared for a real Texas Hill Country ride. The scenery is beautiful and the roads are mostly kind to cyclists. The wind can be a factor at this time of year. …

Community Bike Shop Gathering at National Bike Summit
Alliance for Biking & Walking: People Powered Blog
The Alliance is hosting a meeting of leaders from community bike shops from across the country during the 2012 National Bike Summit. We invite leaders of community bike shops from across the continent to attend this gathering so your voice can be heard.

Register for the meeting here.

While community bike shops play a critical role in getting more people on bikes, and engaging people and communities whose needs are often not addressed by traditional advocacy groups, there has not been a clear avenue for community bike shops to engage with…

Cycling for Better Health
by Victor Jimenez, Darryl Kotyk, Rob Grissom        Cycling 360 media
We all know that cycling is a great way to increase your fitness level and overall health.  But there are a lot of people who buy a bike with that thought in mind, but just never seem to figure out how to get the full benefit of riding.

Some new riders will go out on a weekend and take a nice leisurely ride, and then wonder why the pounds are not just melting away.  Does this sound like you?  If so, then here are some easy ways for you to get more out…

Austin Bike Culture Calendar Events: 3/8- 3/14/12
by elliott            Austin on Two Wheels
The annual SXSW madness descends on our fair city for the next week. If you go anywhere near downtown in the next 10 days, leave the auto at home and ride your bike. You’ll be glad you did! And if you are downtown on your bike Saturday or Sunday evening, be sure to join in BikeHugger’s Mobile Social ride. No badges required.

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…

Downtown bike parking for SXSW
By Pam LeBlanc            Fit City
Planning on riding your bike to SXSW but don’t want to deal with it once you’re downtown? (Or don’t want to lock it to a metal fence, as some SXSW fans did last year?)

Here’s an option — a staffed parking lot just for bicycles. …

Cycling Notebook: New trails offer more options
By Dale Robertson        Houston Chronicle
All is not perfect on the local cycling scene – road, highway and bayou drainage projects continue to muck up the works for pedal-powered commuters – but I’m here to report some good news today courtesy of Dan Raine, …

Bike bridges to help link Southwest Austin to downtown
by Austin American-Statesman
The alternate bike route will also clear the way for the Texas Department of Transportation to add a vehicle lane to southbound MoPac in that area. The council today will consider spending $1.4 million for an environmental study and final engineering …

Spinistry via Twitter
The Dorba Boulder race is postponed due to the weather again but rain only makes the gravel that much more fun….