Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for January 23rd

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Jan. 4: Pleasant on the Way, Pleasant Stay, in Shepherd TX
By Steve            biketourdelife.org
January 4th was a nice respite from the rather difficult physicality of the previous days’ rides, which contained lots of miles, headwinds & hills.

This day was one of subdued headwinds, even tiny tailwinds at times, and the route even became more serene & beautiful as it went along, as the road went straight through the middle of Sam Houston National Forest & other various natural & rural landscape scenes filled with big trees & big farms. On top of everything else, the route of this day was substantially less…

HBC Pattison – Hempstead Ride
Houston Bicycle Club
February 4, 2012
Distance: 32(A), 43(B), 49(A), 55(C) miles
Training ride ( ride hard! ). No hills, but smooth road, mostly paved shoulder, stores at Monaville and Hempstead.  Good food  at Hard Times BBQ after the ride

Team Chipotle gathers for team camp in Texas
By: Neil Browne            www.cyclingnews.com
Tactical training on tap for young riders

The Garmin-Barracuda development team  – Team Chipotle – gathered in Wimberely, Texas for its pre-season training camp. Surrounded by the Texas Hill Country, Wimberely offers some great training opportunities and is an area team director Chann McRae knows well calling it his “home roads”. Also the local weather calls for warm temperatures – an added plus.

In addition to the standard long training rides, the development team is going to take part in some tactical training, otherwise known as a paintball fight. “We are going to have some military personal out there and we’ll be dividing…

El Paso Bicycle Club Rides
Tour de La Mesa        February 4, 2012
Description:     Meet at parking lot across from Eagle Grocery on Hwy 28 in La Mesa. Interesting loop to Vado, a small scenic climb up the east mesa and down to the rollers to Cruces and back on Highway 28. 40 miles, moderate pace. Linda Price 915-433-4188.
Super Bowl Warm Up        February 5, 2012
Description:     Meet at Crazy Cat Cyclery, Redd Road at I-10. Ride out the rollers and up Anthony Gap and back on the rollers. 30 miles, moderate pace. Charlie Gallarzo, 915-241-3373

Alliance Benchmarking Report Ranks Cities and States on Bicycling and Walking
Alliance for Biking & Walking: People Powered Blog
imageIn a new report, Bicycling and Walking in the United States: 2012 Benchmarking Report, the Alliance ranks all 50 states and the 51 largest U.S. cities on bicycling and walking levels, safety, funding, and other factors.

This report comes at a critical moment, as Congress takes up the imminent passage of the next federal transportation bill, which dictates how billions of tax dollars will be spent over coming years. The Benchmarking Report reveals that, in nearly every city…

Duzer is Blowing Up
by Darryl            lovingthebike.com
This new People for Bikes video featuring my good buddy, Ryan van Duzer has totally blown up on the internet since being released a few days ago.  I’m sure you’ve already seen it because it’s everywhere right now, and I’m so happy that Ryan is getting such awesome exposure with it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWetqrc4mKQ
Here it is, just in case you’re one of the few who hasn’t already watched the “S$&t Cyclists Say” video.  Below that video is one that I made while Ryan was visiting me here in Austin this past November so you can see…

Time for a Bicycle Art Kick Starter Campaign?
by katiejo            Austin on Two Wheels
This is not the first time around the block for me: it’s no secret that I like bikes and I like art too. I thrive off of the feeling of inspiration that each generates in my life. I especially like when the two worlds of bicycle and art merge.

I recently shared that I had a visit to the Bike Mecca of North America last week. There’s something about a physical change in location that makes my life feel like a spot light is shining and highlighting the mundane into…

Wheels That Heal: A Bike Benefit for Liberty Kat
by dickdavid            Bike Friendly Richardson

A fellow cyclist has fallen and needs your help. From their Facebook page:
We are working on a fundraiser for our fellow cyclist Misty “Liberty Kat” who was seriously injured on a group ride recently. She sustained broken bones and even a fracture in her neck among other things–she was wearing a helmet or the damage might have been worse. We’re happy to report that Liberty is out of the ICU where she was Care Flighted and she seems to be recovering quite…

I Got Recognized!
By Justin            The Plano Cyclist
So since it was so beautiful yesterday, I made sure to ride my bike today – and got recognized by a fellow train rider. I was just trying to be anonymous behind my monstrous beard and clear sunglasses on the train when a lovely young woman boarded, pushing a very nice red and white mixte bike with BFR spoke cards. She and I chatted a little bit about bikes, local parties we might attend, and internal hubs as the train hurtled down the tracks. After we talked gadgets for a few minutes, she demurely brought up this very corner of the web, and asked “Are you a blogger – I think I’ve read your blog. “. I waved my hand modestly and…

The Coolest Bicycle Shoes Ever Made – Chrome Pro Series.
By Justin            The Plano Cyclist

I like to use clipless pedals for my commuter. I actually built the Bloggipede up with regular flat pedals, and that is fine for running around the neighborhood, but I don’t care for unsecured feet when riding any sort of distance. I wear a pair of Shimano “commuter” shoes now, but everyone tells me they look terrible, and I’m inclined to agree. They do the job I need them to do, but they are certainly not stylish in any way. (Much like the dude wearing…

When is it Time to Buy a New Bike?
by Shawn            Texas Mountain Bike Trails
This post comes very unexpected to me, but it is something that I lived out this past weekend. I finally purchased a new mountain bike, and I want to share my experience plus a few tips I have gathered along the way.

But man, I am so happy that I finally upgraded to a new bike.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7hzf9BxhfY
I have had my Felt Q620 mountain bike since the spring of 2008, 4 years ago now. I love that bike and it has been with me through an awful lot. My first races, my most tragic falls, meeting new friends from all over…

A Sea of Large Yellow Boxes – January 23rd Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I did not bike yesterday. It was too dreary and the wind kept blowing at 23+ mph. I was out today though. The wind died down to 6.9 mph from the NE and the clouds thinned out to mostly cloudy to overcast at times. The weather forecast was a little optimistic on the temperature reaching 72 with 69 at the start of the ride and 70 at the end. I stuck to my guideline and rode into the wind at the start and the tailwind was nice on the way back. I paid the price speed wise until the turnaround at 12 miles or so. I was averaging under 15 mph up to that point. Tomorrow afternoon rain storms are supposed to roll in so I will have to get out ride earlier than today.

For a change I guessed right on my attire.: long sleeve jersey, leg warmers and windbreaker. It was warm enough that half finger gloves were comfortable. Add sunscreen and I was all set.

The 29.89 miles I biked today moved the January total 231.67 miles. I am almost up to December’s 269.41 miles. I looked at my old spreadsheet biking log and learned that my January average miles has been 209 for 1988 to 2009. The average speed landed at 15.3 mph which means the leg headed south more than compensated for the slower northbound one. I sped along with 80.6 RPM cadence which allowed a max speed of 23.1 mph. Towards the end of my ride I got to observe the school buses shuttling students. I did not realize the fleet activity for this. It was a sea of large yellow boxes on the road. I did not see other bikers.

Garmin Connect data link.                             RideWithgps.com data link.

1-23-2012 Bike Ride Data and Route Map

 

1-23-2012 Home Weather Station End

Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for January 22nd

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Hill Country Randonneurs is an organization to promote randonneuring throughout central Texas.   Come join us for some great scenery, enjoyable company, and pleasurable rides.

This year we will have a populaire in March, so if you are a newbie who is thinking about trying randonneuring, this is the perfect ride for you. It is a shorter distance (only 62 miles) and will give you an opportunity to talk to some seasoned randonneurs and find out more about the sport. …

Biking woman thwarts child kidnap attempt
by bikedenton

Saturday’s DRC police blotter reports that a biking woman riding thwarted a man’s attempt to kidnap a child on Cooper Creek Rd. I don’t know the details, but that is a popular route to ride up towards Lake Ray Roberts, the Greenbelt, and the Clear Creek Nature Preserve.

2700 block of Cooper Creek Road — A woman riding her bike Friday helped a teenage girl in…

Is Fort Worth’s plan to install showers for city workers all wet?
By Dave Lieber            Fort Worth Star-Telegram
A Fort Worth City Hall employee tipped The Watchdog that the city is spending almost $50,000 to build five showers so city workers can clean up after biking to work or exercising at lunchtime.

“I have nothing against riding a bike to work,” the tipster wrote. “What I do take issue with is the city, in such dire straits, on a dead run to spend money to build showers so that folks can ride bicycles to work at City Hall. …

Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for January 21st

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Hang onto those old bikes.

Bike Frame Bike Rack
blog.makezine.com

This colorful bike rack made from old bike frames was spotted in New York City by a BikeHacks reader. According to him, they were made by a local metal fabricator in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn. What an excellent way to put scrap frames to good use!

Swap Meet
by Steve A        DFW Point-to-Point

Last year I went and found, among other things, a very nice Topeak mini pump for 50 cents, and other good stuff. Last year it was in January. Anyway, it is good to have on one’s calendar…

5th Annual Great Southwest Bike Swap – March 4, 2012
by dickdavid            Bike Friendly Richardson
For some reason, I always miss this event. This year, I’m going to do my best to make it out to the 5th Annual Great Southwest Bike Swap Meet. This is a one-day event where bicycle shops, frame builders and independent bike geeks can buy, sell, trade and show bicycle stuff. Sounds like a perfect way to spend a Sunday.
Date: Sunday, March 4, 2012
Time: 9:00am – 2:00pm
Location: RESOURCE CONNECTION OF TARRANT COUNTY
1100 Circle Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76119-8111
The Resource Connection of Tarrant County Campus is located on the south side of…

Texas A&M Cycling MLK Century
David Riggs