Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for September 18th

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The injustice of auto dominated streets
by elliott        Austin On Two Wheels
I attend church at the University United Methodist Church, and in recent months, there has been a new part of the service created to highlight an injustice in our society and to recommit as a congregation to fight against injustice in the world. This week, I was asked to lead this part of the service, and I decided to share the heart breaking story of Raquel Nelson.

While this particular injustice is about pedestrians, as equally vulnerable and often harassed road users I think this story will speak to cyclists as well. Here is what I said:…

Accommodating cyclists is a Near Term Action Item of the Richardson City Council
by jennyrilling        Bike Friendly Richardson
I’m signed up for the Week In Review email sent out by the city of Richardson every Friday. From the September 16th email:
“City Council Discusses Near Term Action Items
The Richardson City Council continued discussion on its 2011-2013 Near Term Action Items at its meeting Monday night. The Council reviewed the latest revisions and suggested several changes, additions and deletions. Among the top items proposed are: a charter review to evaluate the selection of Mayor, finding ways to make Richardson more accommodating to bicyclists, and enhancing signage and making other improvements to make City Hall more customer friendly.
The Near Term Action Items have been discussed at previous meetings and are on the agenda for next Monday’s work session. The Council hopes to officially…

 I am including the following in case you are not familiar with this website.

Ft Hood A Bike Ride in Austin Texas 78729
98.3 miles A bike ride in Austin, Texas 78729, US, +3792/-3706 feet elevation gain/loss. Created by: Bruce Brase — Ft. Hood.

Find Meetup Groups in Austin, TX, about Cycling.
Wednesday, Sep 21, 2011     5:30 PM
a Meetup of: The Austin Mountain Bikers Meetup Group
Austin, TX
5:30 Wednesday INTERMEDIATE/NO DROP Greenbelt Ride at Barton Creek Greenbelt – 360 Access (beside brick office building) in Austin, TX
4 attending
Friday, Sep 23, 2011     5:30 PM
a Meetup of: The Austin Mountain Bikers Meetup Group
Austin, TX
Friday night beginner ride – Bull Creek area at Bull Creek in Austin, TX
5 attending
Sunday, Sep 25, 2011     8:15 AM
a Meetup of: Austin Cycling Meetup
Austin, TX
Our favorite: Jack and Adam’s Steiner Steakhouse Ride at Steiner Ranch Steakhouse in Austin, TX
10 attending
Saturday, Oct 1, 2011    7:45 AM
a Meetup of: Austin Cycling Meetup
Austin, TX
Steiner Ranch – Jollyville – Spicewood Lollipop Ride at Steiner Ranch Welcome Center in Austin, TX  and more…

Major Progress With The Trail Under Renner Road
by dickdavid        Bike Friendly Richardson

It’s been a few weeks since we reported on the Spring Creek Trail construction under Renner Road. When we checked on Labor Day, they had started to back-fill the area inside of the retaining wall. But, last week, it actually looked like some of that was dug back up. …

Tyler Adventure Sprint – Tyler, TX

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Tyler Adventure Sprint 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011    Start Time: 8:00 am
Location: Tyler State Park , Tyler, Texas          Event Director: Rodney Skyles
Two Race Options!
–Tyler Adventure Sprint Race
Approximately 4 hours and 20 miles
Solo, 2, 3 and 4 member teams are welcome to come test their skill and endurance in this non-stop adventure race.

The race will include easy navigation with a map and compass, but don’t worry if you don’t know how. We’ll be glad to help!  The navigation in this race will be MUCH easier than in our Pain in the Pines Adventure race and is made for beginners.

Please note that this is not a triathlon or duathlon.  Adventure racing teams are self-sufficient and required to provide their own food and drink on the course.  No assistance is allowed.
Schedule:
7:30 am Pre-Race Meeting
8:00 am Race Start
3:00 pm Race Cut-off (7 hours should be plenty of time)
Approximate Distances:
Mountain Biking 10-15 miles;
Trekking 3-5 miles;
Paddling 1-3 miles;
Team Challenges ????
Ropes course????

–Tyler Adventure Sprint Race SHORT
Approximately 2 hours and 10 miles
THREE member teams are welcome to come test their skill and endurance in this non-stop adventure race.  Only three-person teams for this race, due to built in equipment rentals!  Team price for this race is $180, if paid by Sept. 11, 2010, or $225 after.

The race will not include navigation but you will be given a map and need to bring a compass, but don’t worry if you don’t know how use it, we’ll be glad to help!  The entire race does not consist of navigation (except for one really small section, i.e. you may have to locate a building on your map or something like that and go to it) and the course will be easier than Tyler Adventure Sprint (going on at the same time) and is made for beginners.  Teams should finish in around TWO hours!

Adventure racing teams are self-sufficient and required to provide their own food and drink on the course.  No assistance is allowed.
Schedule:
7:30 am Pre-Race Meeting
8:00 am Race Start
12:00 pm Race Cut-off (4 hours should be plenty of time)
Approximate Distances:
Mountain Biking 6 miles;
Trekking 3 miles;
Paddling 1 miles;
Team Challenges ????
Ropes course?????

The Heart of Texas Recumbent Rally – Austin, TX

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The Heart of Texas Recumbent Rally
Come join Easy Street Recumbents along with the Texas Big Cats for the Heart of Texas (HOT) Recumbent Rally, a gathering of recumbent cycling enthusiasts for a weekend of riding, learning, and shooting the breeze with fellow Bents. This year, the HOT is taking on a new format. The previous HOT rallies were Catrike exclusive events. Our other laid back friends wanted in on the fun, so we said “Y’all come.” This year we are switching over from a small affair to a big party. All bents are welcome! If you love recumbent triking and biking then come goof around with those who share your addiction.

$25 — now though February 11
$30 — February 12 – March 2
$35 — Day of the Hot

Saturday morning ride choice:
Warriors = 25-30 miles @ 16 mph + pace)
Slackers = at Austin Veloway (3+ miles) and surrounding neighborhood @ whatever mph feels good

Location
Easy Street Recumbents
5555 North Lamar Blvd.
Building C, Suite C105
Austin, Texas 78751

Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for September 17th

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Speaking of Racks – Velo Orange Bike Rack Prototypes
by Christopher Curnutt        Biking in Dallas
Velo Orange touring racks

Racks have been an active topic here recently and I am liking what I see over at Velo Orange. …

8:30am – Corinth MTB Ride
Corinth Cycling Club
by Scott Franklin
When: Sat Sep 24, 2011 8:30am to 10am  CDT
Where: Corinth City Hall
Event Description: Mountain bike trail ride open to all skill levels. Helmets required on all rides. Ride leader is Lance Hendrick. 8:30am lance@brasrep.com

6-year-old gears up for Mamma Jamma Ride to support breast cancer patients
Pam LeBlanc, Fit City

The training wheels only came off 6-year-old Ella Hall’s bicycle in March, but already she’s preparing to pedal 27 miles at the Mamma Jamma Ride on Oct. 1.

It won’t be her first trip around the block. The past two years, Ella has pitched in from her seat on the back of a tandem bike steered by her mother, Rhonda Hall. …

Wichita Falls gets to an even 100 triple-digit days just as Dallas area joins record books
By Associated Press
DALLAS — Wichita Falls became the latest Texas city to have 100 days of triple-digit temperatures in one year.

Not far from Oklahoma state line in North Texas and home to the Hotter ‘N Hell Hundred bike race every summer, Wichita Falls broke its one-year record for 100-degree days weeks ago. The previous mark of 79 came in 1980, which was the benchmark for Texas heat waves before this year. …

Mayor Price Kicks off Bicycle Ride at Texas Wesleyan
Darren White
Staging for the ride begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17
Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price will start a nine-mile bicycle ride at Texas Wesleyan on Saturday, Sept. 17, and will travel through east Fort Worth.

The ride is the first in a series of neighborhood cycles that Mayor Price plans for coming months. The University’s Oneal-Sells Administration Building parking lot will be the parking and staging area for the ride. Staging begins at 8 a.m. and the ride starts at 9 a.m. …

Austin Downtown REI — Central Texas Mountain Biking Basics
Date: 10/19/2011
Event Location: Austin Downtown REI
Event Fee: Free
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (CDT)
Presenter: REI Specalist
Group Size: 35
Description: Central Texas is a great place to take your bike off-road! In this free presentation, an REI mountain biking specialist will give an introduction to the basics of mountain biking. We will share…

Hammered at the La Vernia Hammerfest
By Bike Geek
Being overtaken by a thunderstorm is quite an experience.

The sudden tailwind of the thunderstorm’s gust front was a temporary blessing followed by the loud collision of fat water droplets bouncing off my bicycle helmet.  Seconds later, I was riding in a deluge.

That was the experience for me during the last six miles or so of the 2011 La Vernia Hammerfest.  As the heavens opened up, the country roads turned into small streams.  I remember 30mph, white…