The First Back-to-Back Biking Day – January 15th Bike Ride

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Today was the first back-to-back biking days for 2012. I was planning on this happening earlier in the month but I will take this. I was thinking the weather was going to be better than it turned out. When I started the temperature was 67 degrees and there was some sun in the sky but not long after the clouds thickened up and when I got back home the temperature was down a couple of degrees to 65. At the airport the wind was a brisk 20 mph as I began the ride but it dropped to 11.6 mph by the time I finished. With all of the clouds I never really was feeling that warm even though I was dressed just like yesterday with a long sleeve jersey, leg warmers and windbreaker. The cloud cover and wind must have made the difference.

I encountered numerous bikers on the trails. One couple must have been on the way to the grocery on their bikes. I rode behind them for about a mile because the traffic noise drowned out my “on the left” call. The route included some dirt trail again. The trail was still muddy in places from the heavy rain we got last Monday but I found spots to avoid the mud.

For a change all three of my GPS data calculators were in close agreement on the distance (16.42 miles), average speed (11.4 mph), max speed (21.3 mph) and average cadence (75.1 RPM). January and YTD mileage is now 75.65 miles. Tomorrow’s weather is stilling looking like a bike ride kind of day with 76 degrees and mostly cloudy.

Bike ride data Garmin Connect Link.

Bike Ride data RideWithGPS.com Link.

1-15-2012 Bike Ride Data and Route Map

 

1-15-2012 Home Weather Station End

Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for January 14th

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It is the early part of winter and thinking of heat is just a dream. Summer will return and planning ahead is good.

Fluid Intake While Cycling
by Kelli        lovingthebike.com
During the summer, I got in the habit of weighing myself before and after training to monitor my fluid losses.  When it was hot, I lost 35-40 oz. per hour – this seems like too much to try to drink while riding.  What are your thoughts?

Great job with weighing yourself to monitor fluid losses – this is a great practice to determine individual fluid needs!  That said, it doesn’t mean that you need to recover all these fluids while riding, but a combo of during and after riding.  While riding, do aim for ~16-24 oz. per hour with average conditions, and up to 32 oz. per hour…

April is Dallas Cycle Chic
by Christopher Curnutt        Biking in Dallas

April in Dallas means only one thing – Dallas Cycle Chic mania!
Mark your calendars because Dallas Cycle Chic is busy planning their annual series of events for April, 2012.   This year is going to include a cycle themed fashion show, and more.  We’ll be bringing more details and such in the near future (and seeking sponsor support too).  But for now here’s their initial announcement: …

Watch your head – Dallas isn’t Copenhagen.
by UrbanPedal
I’ve finally settled into the harsh reality that Dallas isn’t Copenhagen. And have therefore decided to wear a bike helmet more often.

The Bishop Arts District and N Oak Cliff are pretty dreamy. …

Texas Independence Bicycle Tour set for Jan. 28
By RICHARD TEW            www.yourhoustonnews.com

Going on their third year hosting the Texas Independence Bicycle Tour, the Deer Park Rotary Club hopes to build upon the success of the previous two years.
The bike tour was conceived as both a fundraiser for the Rotary Club’s scholarship fund, which benefits Deer Park seniors each year, but also as a chance to promote Deer Park. …

Cops and Kids Go On Community Bike Ride
Members of the College Station Police Department Bicycle Unit and area families went for a bicycle safety ride at Bee Creek Park.
Reporter: Clay Falls         www.kbtx.com

Cops and kids hit the pavement Saturday to learn about bicycle safety.
More than 20 kids received new bicycles and helmets around Christmastime thanks to the College Station Police’s Badges and Bikes Program.
On Saturday those kids, family members and anyone else who wanted to participate, went for a two mile bike ride around Bee Creek Park. …

After a couple of cold weather days (by my definition anyway) – January 14th Bike Ride

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After a couple of cold weather days (by my definition anyway) today was a biking day. The temperature made it up to 65 degrees at the start and dropped back to 63 at the end of the ride. The sky was blue and the wind was light at 6 mph from the southwest. Unlike my last ride I was not overdressed for this one. I started with leg warmers, long sleeve jersey and windbreaker jacket. I could’ve used full finger gloves because when I was in the shade the wind was a little chilly on the hands.

I am still riding my mountain bike but maybe I will get the first road ride in on Monday when the temperature could get into the low to mid 70’s. I passed several other bikers on the trails but the there was a woman biker who must have thick skin. I was dressed with not much skin uncovered and she was wearing a short sleeve jersey and biking shorts. I guess I am a weather wimp.

Today’s route included a short stretch on dirt but mostly on concrete trails and some sections of street. This was 22.17 miles long according to SportTracks but Garmin Connect and Ridewithgps.com had different numbers slightly higher. Average speed was 12.2 mph which was better than my last ride. The max speed was 21.7 mph with no downhills to help. The light breeze helped compared to the 21 mph gusts on the last ride. My average cadence was up almost 4 RPM at 78.2 RPM. For the year to date I am now at 59.23 miles. The weather is supposed to repeat tomorrow so I plan on biking again.

Link to my Garmin Connect data.

Link to my RideWithGPS.com data.

1-14-2012 Bike Ride Data and Route Map

 

1-14-2012 Home Weather Station End

Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for January 13th

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San Antonio Wheelmen Schertz to Gruene Ride
Date:     01/16/2012
Time:     09:00 AM
Details: Please join me on MLK Day for a ride from Schertz to Gruene.  Our pace will be about 16-17 mph.  We’ll ride through Garden Ridge and make our way to Gruene.  Yes, there are a few hills in the route.
Meet at Schertz Library at 798 Schertz Parkway.  From 1604/35, head north on I-35 and take the Schertz Parkway exit.  Head east (turn right) on Schertz Parkway and continue for about 2 miles.  The library will be on your left at the intersection of Elbel and Schertz Parkway.
Contact: Tony Beauford
Phone:     210-865-2645
Email:     tbeauford@gmail.com

Mellow Johnny’s race expands in fourth year at new venue
Bicycle Retailer & Industry News
AUSTIN, TX (BRAIN) — Lance Armstrong’s bike shop, Mellow Johnny’s, continues to support the Mellow Johnny’s Spring Classic, which is the kick off event of USA Cycling’s Pro XCT series. The race is March 3-4.

This year the race is not going to be held at Armstrong’s Juan Pelota Ranch, because the Tour de France hero has sold the spread. Instead, the race will be about a mile away at the Flat Creek Crossing Ranch. Flat Creek features eight miles of singletrack and has hosted events in the Texas Mountain Bike Series for years. …

Gore Professional and Low Friction brake cables recalled
by VeloNews.com
Gore is recalling all cables from their Low Friction and Professional road kits.

According to Gore, “When the affected cables are installed in a brake lever using the Campagnolo style termination, it is possible that the termination end of the cable may detach from the cable. We have received only one report of such detachment and no injuries have been reported. However, because the quality and safety of our products is paramount, we are halting sales and initiating a voluntary recall of all affected cables.” …

Trail Hazard Alert – Ice On Owens Trail
by dickdavid        Bike Friendly Richardson

BFR friend Mike Freiberger sent us a note warning us of some dangerous ice conditions on the Owens Trail just west of the bridge (GPS coordinates N32.985141,W-96.690661). Based on these coordinates, it’s the part of the trail between Lookout Park and Sherrill Park Golf Course. According to the city, the problem is a drainage issue. …

el Tour de Taco Sunday the 15th
by The Announcer Guy        Biking in Dallas
So here’s the plan: meet up for a bike ride, log 20 or so miles, find a taco stand and enjoy.
Afterwards we can always go find a local Ellum watering hole to hoist a pint and talk about how good/ bad the last particular taco stop was. I’m gonna get off my bum and start trying to host one of these every month on the middle Sunday with a few ground rules:
The ride will be around 20 miles with a leisure pace and we won’t leave you behind. …

Corinth Cycling Club Rides
8:00am – Cup o Joe
by Scott Franklin
When: Sat Jan 28, 2012 8am to 9:30am  CST
Where: Ronny Crownover Middle School
Event Description: The Cup o’ Joe is a beginner level ride of around 15 miles. The ride heads south to Hickory Creek and stops for drinks at Starbucks on the way home. The ride leader for this ride is Bob Troyer.
8:00am – Harden Dental Team Ride
by Scott Franklin
When: Sat Jan 28, 2012 8am to 11am  CST
Where: Ronny Crownover Middle School
Event Description: This is the weekly training ride for the Corinth Cycling/Harden Dental race team. This is a 62 mile loop on an established route. Expect a fast pace and be prepared to fix your own mechanicals. There are no stops on this ride.

Chihuahuan Desert Dirt Fest set for Feb. 16-18
By Pam LeBlanc            Fit City

A little over a year ago, I spent four days under the big skies of West Texas, shredding the skin on my legs and blasting my quad muscles on a four-day bike ride through Big Bend Ranch State Park.

That trip made one thing obviously clear: Big Bend Ranch boasts some seriously awesome mountain bike terrain, and there’s no better camping sites than the ones perched atop mesas bristling with cactus in the…

What do primary elections and tandem bike racing have in common?
by Sheryl Devereaux, Houston Political Buzz Examiner
Have you ever ridden a tandem bike?  If so, you know that the most powerful teammate, the Stoker, sits in the rear position. While the Captain, in forward position is responsible for steering , warning  of hazards ahead and balance, the Stoker, in the rear position is the engine—the power of the team.  Most of the forward thrust is dependent upon the stoker because the total weight of the team and their bike requires the most strength to propel the entire tour fastest and with the…

Developing a Habit of Consistent Exercise
by Shawn            Texas Mountain Bike Trails
Welcome back to the third part of this series on how I lost 40 pounds and obliterated my competition. If you didn’t catch part 1 or 2 you can find the links below. Here is the basic breakdown of how this weight loss plan is laid out. Pre-Planning Easily changing your diet in a drastic…