Texas Bicycling Daily News Roundup February 17th

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More rain today in the Houston area. I was hoping some of the drier and warmer weather would wander over my way. Tomorrow does not look much better. Maybe I can bike on Sunday.

Austin Cycling Association E-News
February 2012
Greetings!

Only in Texas will you find snow on the weekend followed by temperatures in the 70s – almost 80! – just a few days later.  But we’ll take it because we know this presents more opportunities to ride our bikes! We hope you’re taking advantage of this very bike-friendly weather.

We also hope you’re as excited as we are about our upcoming meetings and programs. For the fourth consecutive year, we’re hosting the cycling community’s meeting with Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo…

Sharing a message from Jenny Abraham and Jake Carsten Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew
by Laura Scagno         Austin Ridge Riders
Hey all!
Thank you so much for taking part in the events this weekend! We were so pleased that everyone took time out on Friday afternoon to attend our Better Living Through Trails presentation.

And thanks to all who came out to the Saturday trail building school and put time in at the Walnut Creek trails reclaiming the eroded fall line section and cutting in the new section of trail. We had a blast working with all of you and hope you are pleased with your handiwork.

Please check out our blog post about the weekend, along with pictures on Flickr!. If you…

ACP 200K and 300K Brevets
Date     Saturday, February 25, 2012 7:00 am
Type of Ride     Non-Club Pay Ride
Location     Cleburne TX
Sponsor     Lone Star Randonneurs
Email Contact     gary.p.gottlieb@me.com
Phone Contact     817-675-0292
Website     www.lonestarrandon.org
The Lone Star Randonneurs offer longer distance rides to challenge experienced cyclists. Proper equipment and RUSA membership is required. Please see their web site or call for more details.

What Your Body Needs at Different Phases of Your Ride
by Kelli            lovingthebike.com
What kind of nutrition and hydration does your body need when you’re out cycling?  This is a question that all of us have and today our nutritionist, Kelli is here to provide her answer.

We received a question from Amy that came in as part of our “Ask the Sports Nutritionist” assistance, but the answer was just so detailed and necessary for all of us cyclists, that we’re making it into a full out post.

Here’s Amy’s question:
“I’m hoping you can give me a bit of advice!  I have just recently got into mountain biking, and have a quite…

The number of people living to 100 is increasing. Mr. Marchand does not sit at home. I hope I can still bike when I get to 100.

Centenarian claims hour record
by VeloNews.com            By UCI Communication Services and AFP
At the age of 14 he entered his first cycling event under a false name because he was too young: yesterday he established the first-ever best hour performance… in the category over 100 years.

And that pretty much sums up the personage of Robert Marchand. Full of energy and motivation, when he gets an idea in his head, nothing will stop him.

The centenarian rode 24.25 km (15.1 miles) in 60 minutes watched by crowds of cheering supporters at the International Cycling Union (UCI) velodrome in Aigle, Switzerland.

Two stories to make your Friday
by elliott            Austin on Two Wheels
Local ABC affiliate KVUE reported 2 stories yesterday that address the bane of cyclists existence: getting hit by a car and bike theft. These are not world changing stories but it’s good to know things work out sometimes.

Witnesses catch hit and run driver after cyclist injured

Arrest made after UT police use bait bike

Take a quick read then ride your bike and have a great weekend!

Austin Bike Zoo heads to West Texas and Mexico
By Pam LeBlanc            Fit City
Where better to pedal an 80-foot, six-seated giant rattlesnake of a bike than West Texas? And where else but Mexico to cruise around on a winged monarch butterfly bike with organza wings?

Next week, the Austin Bike Zoo makes its second trip to the Big Bend region, where it will unpack a slew of its pedal-powered works of art for spins around Terlingua and Presidio before crossing into the Mexican city of…

The SAW Paceline
We are in the process of updating some of our maps.  One of our members, Kelly Sile, agreed to take this project on and she’s done an outstanding job.  Please take a look at the new maps for the New Berlin ride.  You’ll see new maps for some of our current rides and maps for new routes in the coming weeks.  Thanks, Kelly!

Join the Wheelmen’s Tour de Cure team and ride in the event on May 19th!  This event is an excellent opportunity to join fellow-Wheelmen riders for a great one-day ride in support of the American Diabetes Association.  Through February 20th, you can register…

Horseshoe Trail Mountain Biking in Grapevine Texas
by Shawn            Texas Mountain Bike Trails
Tucked off of the southwest corner of Grapevine Lake, Horseshoe trail is the sister trail of the incredibly popular Northshore. This trail has a very moderate skill requirement that is great for a beginner.

The terrain at Horseshoe is not nearly as rugged as Northshore, instead it is somewhat flat with optional technical sections and two solid but doable climbs at the very end. The trail does feature the tightest tree-gate I have ever come across. To make it even more interesting, that tree gate was placed right in the middle of a…

Great Texas Bicycling Guides

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By Sandra Evans
Bicycling guides provide you with an easy way to learn about the best routes in the state, both urban and rural. And because they contain route maps and advice, they are great to take with you on rides for reference. With a guide, will be able to learn what to expect before you hit the road.
Listed below are five of the most popular Texas bicycling route guides:
1.    Best Bike Rides Texas- Written by Andy White, this book contains biking routes from all over the state. Route lengths range from 15 to 100 miles, making this book perfect for cyclists of all levels. Informational route maps are included. Available at Barnes and Nobles and Amazon.com.

2.    Mountain Biking Texas- Written by Christopher D. Hess, this guide also contains maps for suggested routes throughout the state of Texas for all cycling levels. Also included is insider advice about each region’s trails, historic background information, trip preparation and trail ratings for physical and technical difficulty. Available at Barnes and Nobles and Amazon.com.

3.    Mountain Biking Central Texas- Written by Rick and Becky Youman, this guide is unique, because it includes directions to each route’s nearest swimming or refueling spot. With over 50 trails, this book contains bicycling options for all levels with maps and descriptions. Available at Amazon.com.

4.    Mountain Bike! Texas and Oklahoma- Written by Chuck Cypert, this guide contains great bike routes in Texas and Oklahoma. Because this book carries a more conversational and humorous tone, you will find it both educational and enjoyable to read. Contains historical side notes for each trail. Available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com.

5.    Hiking and Backpacking Trails of Texas: Walking, Hiking and Biking Trails for All Ages and Abilities- Written by Mickey Little, this book contains detailed information for hiking, backpacking and biking through the Texas rural landscape. Though it is not specifically a bicycling guide, it is a good beginner guide for hikers who enjoy occasional biking. Available at Barnes and Nobles and Amazon.com.

Sandra Evans owns the website Sports Management Degrees. In her leisure time, she enjoys playing tennis and writing.

Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for February 16th

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Austin Rattler 100/Leadville Qualifer, Pre ride
by Il Pirate        Austin Ridge Riders

Austin Rattler 100/Leadville Qualifer, Pre ride
When? February 22nd at 8:30 am , Where Rocky Hill Ranch
Who? Well, David Wiens 6 time Leadville 100 trail winner will be there and anyone else who is interested in seeing the coarse that we will be using. We will do a slow first lap, followed by a more painful second lap.   And,  this day of riding will be…

Dates & locations for 2012 American MTB Challenge revealed
www.usacycling.com
The 2012 American Mountain Bike Challenge starts March 18 in Gainesville, Fla.
USA Cycling announced Thursday the dates and venues for its 2012 American Mountain Bike Challenge (AMBC). All AMBC events will serve as qualifiers for the USA Cycling Mountain Bike Cross-Country National Championships.

Entering its 16th year in 2012, the 23-race AMBC series will visit 16 states in a six-month span. Racing begins with the U.S. Cup East Southeastern Regional Championship Series (SERC) #1 in Gainesville, Fla., on March 18, and concludes with the Camp Eagle Classic Mountain Bike Festival in Rocksprings, Texas on Sept. 1-2. The complete AMBC calendar is as follows: …

Corinth Cyling / Harden Dental Looks to Build On Win
The Corinth Cycling/Harden Dental race team kicked the 2012 season off in style on Saturday as Bob Baatz (ET) took home the win in the 4/5 category. The race, on a closed circuit course, saw both CCHD and Sun & Ski attacking the field. The second attack split the field with Bob and a Sun & Ski rider forming a two man break that would stay away. After working together for a few laps, Bob was able to drop his challenger…

The March ride list is up. Please go to the Ride Events page for all of the exciting details!
Fort Worth Bicycling Association Club
Burleson and Beyond, Burleson TX (details)     Thursday, March 1, 2012 9:00 am
The Rusty Chain Gang Romp, Benbrook TX (details)     Thursday, March 1, 2012 9:00 am
Weatherford Pedal Series, Weatherford TX (details)     Saturday, March 3, 2012 9:00 am
Joe Pool Lake, Grand Prairie TX (details)     Saturday, March 3, 2012 9:00 am
Ride Across Johnson County, Burleson TX (details)     Sunday, March 4, 2012 9:00 am
The Rusty Chain Gang Ramble, Fort Worth TX (details)     Tuesday, March 6, 2012 9:00 am…

The snow is foreign to Houston but I don’t miss it.

Bicycle Dreams Part 2
by Steve A        DFW Point-to-Point

At the end of my first night dream, Buddy had simply gone off with someone and was nowhere to be found. When I awoke, this was disturbing, but I knew the bike was not really gone. Or at least so I though. I didn’t actually go check.

Then, the following night, I experienced a continuation of the dream. As mysteriously as it went away, the bike simply came back. And, as strangely, it’s return seemed simply ordinary. At the end of it, I concluded that bike…

Volunteers
GHORBA
If you ride the trails around Houston, then you need to contribute to trail maintenance. Without volunteers, there would be no off-road bike trails in this city.

One of the greatest assets we have to offer land managers is our ability to organize volunteer labor for trail building and maintenance. This means we need you!

‘Nuf said, we think, apart from to mention that trail work parties are posted on our Trail News, Calendar and Trail Conditions pages. …

Bicycling and Walking Around Kirksville
Walking and bicycling for transportation, fitness, and fun in and around Kirksville.
By Rachel Ruhlen            www.kirksvilledailyexpress.com
Kirksville doesn’t have a bike shop…yet. I know someone who is planning on opening a shop and I will do my best to help him advertise because I would love to see a bike shop succeed here. In the meantime, here are some resources.

There are two bike mechanics in town, Ivy Fixes Bikes and Kirk Ranson. Both of them do great work. …

Cycling advocate gets shot down at Texas Transportation Forum
By Michael Lindenberger/Reporter        Dallas Morning News
I am at the Texas Transportation Forum in San Antonio, which is the state’s annual gathering of politicians, lobbyists and government engineers.

Some brave soul just stood up and asked a speaker from Illinois whether the transportation advocacy group he has just finished touting as essential speaks up in favor of pedestrian and cycling options?

“Your blunt-speaking mayor of Chicago , Rahm Emanuel, took office and said the city was going to build 100 miles of (dedicated) bike lanes. F Portland, except he said the word. I’d like to ask” … if your group stands up to support bike lanes and other pedestrian friendly improvements. …

Biking in February in southeast Texas requires patience – February 16th Bike Ride

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Biking in February in southeast Texas requires patience. The weather seems to go against the forecast almost every day. Yesterday started with fog, moved to rain and ended with more fog. Today if I believed the forecast by afternoon the clouds would thin out and sunshine would appear. About the only part of the forecast that came rue was the afternoon part. The sun never arrived thanks to the overcast sky. When I started the ride the weather station showed a double 68 for the temperature and humidity. I decided to wear leg warmers because when I started to get ready the temperature stood at 69 degrees so the trend looked downward. I figured I would rather be too warm than too cool. The rest of my apparel include a windbreaker, long sleeve jersey, bike shorts and half finger gloves. With this outfit I rode in comfort not counting the physical effort.

With the 8.1 mph wind from the north I chose the north bound route to bike into the wind at the first part of the ride. Since the wind was not that strong I did not have any real resistance but I can tell the legs need a more consistent workout. The first 5 mile split recorded a 12.9 mph average speed. I got this mainly because I followed another biker for about a mile at a very low speed and I could not pass him due to being on the bike path. By the time I got to the next split I was over 3 minutes behind a 15+ mph average speed. I did make up some of the lost time to get the final average speed up to 14.9 mph over the 25.75 mile route. Max speed was 20.8 mph and average cadence was 80.0 RPM just .5 RPM below Tuesday’s ride. February miles now total 168.08 and YTD miles reached 435.33.

The coming weekend includes several area rides but the weather forecast of 70% rain and a high of 61 degrees will keep me indoors. Remember my opening line in this post?

2-16-2012 Bike Ride Data and Route Map

 

2-16-2012 Home Weather Station End