At 1:45 PM I did not think I would bike today. By 2:15 I changed my mind as the temperature hit 63 degrees and the sun punched through the overcast sky. I got a late start but it was worth it. With the chilly weather outside I decided the bike would be my mountain bike. I ended up biking 19.98 miles on my mountain bike. Today’s route was mostly on streets which allowed for faster speeds. On one 5 mile split I got the average speed up to 14.8 mph, close to my road bike bottom averages. To go along with this my max speed hit 23.6 mph and my average cadence increased to 79.8 RPM, also near my road bike efforts. February miles: 90.72, YTD miles: 357.97.
The temperature at the end increased to 65 degrees and the wind was 7 mph from the north. Being the temperature wimp that I am my attire leaned to the bundled up side with a windbreaker, leg warmers, long sleeve jersey, short sleeve jersey and full finger gloves. This setup kept me warm because the wind had a chill to it. My ride time seemed to coincide with school dismissal so kids were out on the trails and bike paths. This always requires extra caution since they don’t pay attention all the time.
As I am writing this I am listening to the Mountain Bike Whisperer podcast from the Forth Worth Mountain Bike Association. They are reviewing some of the DORBA rides and races coming up.
Tweet from TX Adventure Racing (www.twitter.com/txarclub)
Check out how amazing our teams did this weekend at the Terra Firma Promo Dirty Dozen (well, Dirty Eight-Hour)…
Road Diets now proven safety measure; Q&A with FHWA Associate Administrator Furst
League of American Bicyclists
In January, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Safety placed Road Diets on the official list of Proven Safety Countermeasures. States are actively encouraged to use the listed safety countermeasures and FHWA provides guidance on their application. Road Diets slow traffic by reducing car travel…
What a Difference a Year Makes
by Steve AÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â DFW Point-to-Point
It was a year ago this week that I last drove to work. You can judge the conditions from the banner at the top. That shot was taken a year ago as of Saturday. And that was better than previously, where ice led to uncontrollable spills. In the news, ice slid off Cowboy Stadium and THAT was major cause for…
Riding the rock at Reveille Peak Ranch
By Pam LeBlanc         Fit City
Turns out you don’t have to travel all the way to Utah to ride slick rock.
I finally made it out to Reveille Peak Ranch over the weekend, to check out the Hill Country’s version of mountain biking on wide open rock.
In a nutshell? Great terrain. Lots of trails to ride. And tons of stuff to challenge expert riders.
Definitely take the trek up to Decision Point, where you can see Lake Buchanan in the distance. Some of the higher trails include stretches across a big open slab of granite. It’s not quite Enchanted Rock, but it’s close. …
Money for trails could disappear
By Vianna Davila, EXPRESS-NEWS STAFF
If you have ever walked, jogged or bicycled along the trail that parallels the San Antonio River south of downtown, connecting the city’s Spanish colonial missions, you’re making use of a project paid for partly with federal money.
Similar federal contributions could be jeopardized in a $260 billion federal transportation bill winding its way through Congress. Tempers are flaring, fingers are…
Mountain biking in Texas state parks picking up steam
By Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
AUSTIN – Mountain bikers throughout the state – from novices to experts — are increasingly pedaling the numerous trails found at more than 40 Texas state parks.
From beach and woodland road rides to hair-curling downhill descents in mountain and Hill Country parks, state parks from El Paso to Mustang Island offer bikers of all skill levels a multitude of diverse mountain biking adventures.
“Many trails in Texas state parks provide great opportunities for all levels of mountain-bike riders to test and develop their biking skills, get…
The trails are the most vulnerable to damage when they are wet and muddy. For that reason, the International Mountain Bike Association has put out a set of guidelines to help preserve our trails. Here is a listing as outlined by IMBA. …
The temperature hovered around 60 degrees. Two weather stations showed below 60 degrees, my cutoff number, but my home weather station showed 62 degrees. This edged up to 63 by the time I finished the ride an hour 53 minutes later. After Thursday’s ride in the rain today’s sunshine drew me to the bike. So on the bike I went dressed warmly with two long sleeve jerseys, a windbreaker without too many vents, leg warmers and full finger gloves. I probably could have dressed a little lighter but the warmth felt good. I passed another biker who lacked the leg warmers but had a jacket on. With the temperature at 63 the light wind 4.6 mph helped keep the chill factor low.
As I rode the route came together and I ended up biking on some roads and trails that I had not been on before. This and the warm feeling enabled me to ride a rather long 22.91 mile route (for a mountain bike ride that is). The new section was from mile 9 through mile 10. My average speed increased somewhat to 12.1 mph, max speed got to 20.6 mph and average cadence settled at 77.0 RPM. February miles are 70.74, YTD miles are 337.98. If the weather cooperates February could be a good biking month. The long term weather guy thinks the temperature will not drop below freezing any more until the fall. Tomorrow could be a repeat of today.
Houston Bicycle Club Fulshear Orientation Ride
An easy paced 23 mile ride on flat roads with lots of pretty scenery and a cut through on pecan tree covered Hunt Road. Two stores along the way to stop and rest. Road bikes preferable, 8 – 13 mph. Need helmet, water bottle, patch kit or spare tube. Additional ride to coincide with “O” Ride. Ride goes west and south to Orchard and Wallis and is about 36 to 40 miles long. Maps available. If you want to ride with the club, but not with the “O” Ride, this is for you.
Local Cyclist and Artist to present art show at Caffe Meddici
Austin Cycling Association
Local cyclist and artist Bethany Bauman is showing a body of original work entitled Re:memory: regarding all cycles Saturday, February 25th at Caffe Medici downtown Austin,on Congress + 2nd. The pieces will be available for free public viewing from 6-11pm, then will be featured in a silent auction from 7:30-9pm. Sale of the work will help offset medical bills incurred from her accident. Bethany was the victim of a hit-and-run in east Austin last July, where she was thrown from her bicycle and suffered a…
The Spinistry
ww.twitter.com/@Spinistry
I posted 352 photos on Facebook in the album “Texas Chainring Massacre 2012”
Double the MoSo
by Byron      Bike Hugger
Announced yesterday that we’ve added a second date to our Mobile Socials at SXSW. We’re riding social twice. The first ride is on Saturday with Tweet House and arrives at Mellow Johnnys. The second is on Sunday and that’s around Austin with Social Cycling ATX and Tern. …
Hike-bike mandate in transportation bill fuels anger
Houston Chronicle
When the bill goes to the U.S. House floor this week, legislators will consider getting rid of a provision that requires states to dedicate a percentage of highway funds for to build trails for bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as other enhancements. The proposed federal cuts come just as San Antonio has tried made more concerted efforts to become a bicycle friendly city, adopting a bike master plan and complete streets policy last…
Report from the 2012 Texas Trails & Active Transportation Conference
by Adam         Bike Friendly Richardson
I spent the latter half of last week down in sunny (and humid!) San Antonio with hundreds of other cycling advocates, public officials, and planning and design professionals. This conference is put on every other year by two state-wide organization—BikeTexas (a cycling advocacy organization that spends the odd years lobbying the state legislature) and the Texas Trails Network (an organization dedicated to the provision of linear trails for transportation and recreation uses).
As always, the conference was excellent. Beyond the great job the two organizations do planning and running the event, the caliber of presenters and speakers is unparalleled, in my opinion. Plenary speakers included John Burke, president of Trek Bicycle Co.; Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis, D-Houston; Congressman Jim Oberstar, …
OTC Annual Banquet 3/1/2012 @ 6:30-8:30pm
Old Tascosa Cycling Club
We will be holding the annual banquet this year at the Coffee Memorial Blood Center meeting area. We ask that you bring a side dish or desert, and the meat will be provided by the club. Come hang out with your fellow cyclist and eat some grub! We will have Canari fit kits available, for the OTC cycling kits, to try on and place orders at the meeting. All who sign up for memberships or renew will receive a pair of OTC socks! We will be posting in…
