Long Sleeves + Short Sleeves = Just Right – November 1st Bike Ride

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At first I thought my long sleeve jersey and short sleeve jersey were going to be too much clothing but once the sun start going in and out of the scattered clouds I was glad I had them on. It was 75 degrees at the beginning and after riding for almost two hours the temperature had risen to 79. However the wind did not change much from the 15 mph at the start. This helped to make the shadows cooler and the riding harder when I was headed back after turning south at Roman Forest Blvd. Tomorrow it is supposed to be a few more degrees warmer and then Thursday it will go the opposite direction. Being the first ride of November the warm temperature in southeast Texas is not unheard of. According to Eric Berger of the Houston Chronicle, October was the first month since April where the monthly average temperature was below normal.

Normally I would be limited to riding in the dark by now but my circumstances (retired) do not require that . My mountain bike would be getting the miles (though reduced) and the road bike would be resting. I can’t say I miss riding in the dark but I did see somethings I would not see during the day. So I will have to be more inclined to ride the mountain bike if that is going to happen. With daylight savings time ending this Sunday this might be the thing that moves me to the mountain bike sans lights though.

I did manage to ride 29.69 miles today so November is off to a good start. In spite of the wind I was riding a solid average speed of 15.7 mph until I turned south and the wind slowed me down. There was a 6 or 7 mile stretch when I was riding northerly that I was able to crank the 50 x 15 gears for a 20 to 23 mph pace. Overall the average speed was 15.2 mph and max speed was 22.9 mph (from the 50 x 15 and 50 x 14 gears). Average cadence held up at 80.0 RPM even with the larger gears. Year to date miles passed over the 5,000 mile mark at 5013.19.

11-1-2011 Bike Ride Data and Route Map

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Link to the route map and ride data at RidewithGPS.com

11-1-2011 Home Weather End

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Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for October 31st

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The Only Extra Mineral Exercisers Need Is Salt
Dr. Gabe Mirkin’s Fitness and Health E-Zine
October 30, 2011
People who are serious exercisers can be harmed by the broad recommendations for all Americans to restrict salt intake. It is true that excess salt intake can cause high blood pressure, but heavy exercise usually helps to protect people from salt causing high blood pressure. The minimum salt requirement is 1,500 mg (1 teaspoon) of sodium a day. The average North American is told not to exceed 2,300 mg per day, but he ingests too much salt, between 3,100 and 4,700 mg of sodium per day.
http://theracingpost.us/images/Issues/Nov%2011%20cover.jpg
FITNESS DOES NOT REDUCE SALT LOSS: This month a study from Spain shows that being fit does not reduce the concentration of salt in sweat (European Journal of Applied Physiology, November 2011). A person who exercises in the heat can lose far more than 4000 mg of salt. So…

This next article is not specific to bicycling unless you have a crash or wreck. Since I am over 50 I have an interest in this.

Why bones break more easily after 50 (video)
by CNET News staff news.cnet.com
Here’s some bone-chilling news: The chance of breaking a bone increases significantly after age 50, especially for women. We know bones lose mass as they age. However, a scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory says what makes them become brittle is more complicated than that. …

November 2011 Issue of The Racing Post

TxDOT’s new Bike/Pedestrian Coordinator is our own Charles Riou
by Laura Scagno Austin Ridge Riders
This past September the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) announced the appointment of longtime ARR Member Charles Riou as the new Bike/Pedestrian Coordinator. Often seen on the trails with his loyal pup Pepper, Charlie epitomizes the responsible rider and for those who know him, the position seems like something designed with him in mind. Charlie has served on the ARR Board of Directors and as Coordinator of the Trail Steward Program for several years.A Professional…

Final Rider of the Year standings posted
Alkek Velodrome, Houston

2011 Alkek Awards Party
Mon. November 14th, 7-9PM
St. Arnold’s Brewery
200 Lyons Ave, Houston
Everyone is invited to the 2011 Alkek Awards Party! Come celebrate a great season of track racing in Houston as we present the Rider/Team of the year awards and trophies. …

Lion Pride – Ennis, Texas bicycle ride report
www.wheelbrothers.com
Harold was nice enough to put together a little ride report about the Lion’s Pride, bike ride in Ennis this weekend.

I left home at 6:30 AM heading for Ennis and the “Lion Pride Bike Ride” sponsored by the Ennis FFA, arrived at Ennis High School at 7:30 AM to a dark cool (42F) morning that promised to be a beautiful day. There were few cars in the parking lot and the registration table was working with the other early arrivals. The volunteers were courteous and ready to check off your name, hand you a number and a ditty…

A funny thing happened on the way to …
by Gil Jones Musings of Captain Justice
We were about 40+ miles into the ride, and around 14 miles past the site of the Great Cherokee Burger Raid of Oct 29 when it happened. It was a gorgeous day with not even a whisper of a hint of condensed water vapor in the sky. “Severe clear” is sometimes the term used by the aviation weather folks in casual dialogue with pilots who ask the dumb question.

The route from the Bluffton area, over CR216 and on to TX16, is in seriously country, country. The recently refurbished church which now serves as the…

Support BIKE Fort Worth @ Fort Worth City Council Meeting
Lockheed-Martin RA Bicycle Club
BIKE Fort Worth Plan
– Fort Worth has truly embraced the BIKE Fort Worth Plan since adoption!
— W. 7th Street is completely re-done
— Bike Lanes (many through vehicle lane road-diets – Texas, W. 7th St, 10th, etc) continue to appear
— A Safe Passing Ordinance and a BIke Parking Ordinance have been adopted & educational videos and documents have been created.
— Bike Racks were purchased and are going in all-over Fort Worth (Note: tell your local business to ask for a set)
— Bus Lanes downtown are about to become Bus/Bike Lanes.

When the going gets tough, the tough get new ideas
By Lou Antonelli Mount Pleasant Daily Tribune
One thing we have not seen take root in Titus County is a bike trail or local bike race. We have a very scenic area with beautiful lakes; there are other …

I want the warm weather back – October 31st Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I want the warm weather back. If I complained about the heat I am sorry. Today’s ride was delayed until 12:35 PM while I waited for the temperature to get into the upper 60’s. As I was going out the door my weather station showed 71 degrees but it was still chilly when I rode in the shade. I was dressed in a long sleeve jersey with a short sleeve over that. No leg warmers and regular biking gloves. This was comfortable but I prefer the 80 degree temperature better. It is supposed to get there by Wednesday and Thursday. The sky was clear blue again with a light 5 mph east breeze. It was 78 degrees when I finished the ride.

My average speed ended up at 15.9 mph and at the 25 mile mark it was 16.1 mph. The last 4 miles have several stops so this pulls down the speed. The max speed was 24.3 mph and my average cadence was 82.5 RPM. I was able to ride in the 50 x 15 gear for a couple of miles as I headed west over Lake Houston on FM1960. With today’s 29.80 miles the total for October ends up being 742.16 miles. I believe this is the most miles I have ever ridden in a month. Year to date miles are 4983.50. During October I rode for a total of 48 hours and 42 minutes. Out of 31 days I rode on 26 of them.

A typical November consists of riding about 300 miles. I expect to meet or exceed that level.

10-31-2011 Bike Ride Data and Route Map

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Link to the route map and ride data at RidewithGPS.com.

10-31-2011 Home Weather End

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Texas Bicycling Daily News Roundup October 30th

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El Paso bicyclists may get new lanes to ride in
By Diana Washington Valdez \ El Paso Times

A proposal to add 21 miles of bicycle lanes in El Paso is likely to come before the City Council next spring, said Ted Marquez, deputy director of the city’s Transportation Department.

“There are four projects that we know of that will be presented to the city around March or April,” Marquez…

El Paso Bicycle Club Ride
Rose Garden Breakfast Ride
Description:     Meet at Rio Plaza, Artcraft and Upper Valley, for a valley ride to the Rose Garden for breakfast at a moderate pace, perfect for B/IG riders. Those who need more of a challenge or ate too much turkey can continue to Anthony Gap. Shelley Weaver, 373-2136.

San Antonio Wheelmen
Upcoming Rides and Events:
Saturday, November 5:  Tour de Gruene
Saturday, November 5:  Bullis County Park Ride
Saturday, November 5:  Life Time Fitness Gran Fondo
Sunday, November 6:  Castroville Ride
Saturday, November 12:  Soldier Ride San Antonio
Saturday, November 12:  Boerne Ride
Sunday, November 13:  Woman Hollering Creek Ride

6:30pm – Bicycle Path Time Trial Series
Corinth Cycling Club
by Scott Franklin
When: Wed Nov 9, 2011 6:30pm to 7:30pm  CST
Where: Denton Airport
Event Description: http://www.thebicyclepath.com/community The Bicycle Path will be hosting the Wednesday Night Time trials once again! All levels of riders are encouraged to attend and there is no cost. 6:30pm For more information visit www.thebicyclepath.com or come by the shop

Texas MTB (Video)
Uploaded by jarrodmaverickmoore on Oct 29, 2011

Double Lake Coldspring, TX