Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for May 20th

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Chapparal Cycling Club, as a part of the West Texas Cycling Association, will be hosting monthly Time Trials throughout the summer. They will be incorporated into the Thursday ride that leaves out from Chisum Travel Center at 6:00pm. Warm up will be the ride from the Chisum Travel Center to the staging area at the intersection of Slaton Hwy & FM1585. TT will start no later than 6:45pm. Riders will race the course and then continue on the usual Thursday ride course. Due to our insurance policy, all racers must be a member of the West Texas cycling Association. Membership…

Mountain Bike Whisperer Radio
Episode 10 Drivetrains with John Meyers and Sean Meredith
This addition of MBW Radio speaks with Bicycles Incorporated’s John Meyers and Sean Meredith about mountain bike drive trains. John and Sean bring their 30+ years of mountain bike experience to the MBW Radio studios to speak about the new philosophy of 2×10 gearing, whether…

Responses to our Bikes Make Life Better Video
When we released our Bikes Make Life Better video last week, we hoped it would inspire people to celebrate bicycling and join our movement, and we’re happy to say that it has! More than 30,000 people have watched the video in just one week. What we didn’t expect was that it would also create such an outpouring of comments debating the safety depicted in the video. We received an unprecedented number of…

Your weekend fitness events!
by Austin 360 (blog)


The ride, which rolls through the hills of the scenic Texas Hill Country, will begin and end at the Real Ale Brewery for a spirited celebration of local beer, music and barbecue. Registration is $60 here. Texas Cycle Werks grand opening — Texas Cycle …

Bike to Work Day in Fort Worth: What can be done to make cycling safer
by Fort Worth Star Telegram (blog)
While the city streets and Trinity Trails system is conducive for cycling in central Fort Worth, many parts of the city are – like much of North Texas – inaccessible by bicycle. The region continues to miss opportunities to give residents alternatives …

BILL CULLINS: Be sure to thank race director
by San Angelo Standard Times
SAN ANGELO, Texas — The next time you participate in a fun run, cycling event or multisport race, be sure to thank the race director and volunteers. In fact, give ’em a big hug and buy the next round. These hardworking folks put a lot…

Cycle Sharp, Live Strong
The Kurten Ride, Or A Plague Of Flats
Nicole


Saturday was an unusually lovely day here in Texas. The rain from a few days before had dropped temperatures and greened the trees, if not the grass. I stepped out my door into pleasant mid-60 degree temperatures and a mild (for Texas) 10 mph wind out of the…

Mineral Wells Summer Time Trial – Graford, TX

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Mineral Wells Summer Time Trial
Presented by Team Bicycles, inc & The Racing Post
Graford, TX
Saturday, June 25, 2011 to Sunday, June 26, 2011
Online Registration Closes Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 1:00 PM ET
Important stuff:  All Adult entries $25 till June 1st when they increase to $35.  Onsite Registration (if available) will be $45.

SPECIAL 2nd event discount – $10 for pre-reg entries / On site Registration 2nd event discount is $5

All Junior Entries $5 pre-reg and $20 On Site.  Minimum field size for all adult male events is 20 (Women is 10) pre-reg entries – Fields not making minimums will be run, but at a reduced purse. / Pre-Registration is at BikeReg.com and their registration fees are extra.   NON-USAC racers are encouraged to enter the Saturday Open category.  Almost all Sunday events are open to Non-USAC license holders. All racers must have an annual or a 1-Day license (available on-site for $10 or pre-pay below).  ALL USAC rules apply.  USAC Permit Pending.  A TXBRA State Cup Race.  // Registration is at Graford School / 400 W Division St / Graford, TX 76449 beginning at 6: AM / Start Finish is close by and is approximately .5 mile down Division street/ Course is the 2008 Graford Road Race course amended to make 40k / There is a loop course and not out and back / The race venues are considered a “No Public Nudity” area – both are under full video surveillance 24X7 – violation issues will be considered a police matter.  Remember registration area is a school and, as such, the presence of Alcohol and Tobacco products are criminal infractions. Littering during the race will be considered a DQ infraction // More Info Andy Hollinger 817-980-7787 //

Start times are in reverse order of registration by category as listed on the flyer – and will be published by noon 6/24/11 – 1st rider at 7:01 –every :30 seconds – 10 minute gaps between catagories of which 5 of those minutes will be saved for 10 “Day Of” registration (before the catagory) / Events with fewer than 10 pre-regged riders will have 5 minute gaps and allow for 5 “Day of” riders before the catagory.

Daily News Roundup May 19th – Texas Bicycling

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Free-wheelin’ to work
Rush hour can mean the wind in your face, an exciting view of the city and liberty from high gas prices and congestion
By PETE HOLLEY, HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Traffic is as quintessentially Houston as summer humidity or a woeful performance by the Astros.

The city consistently ranks among the nation’s Top 10 most congested areas, saddling local drivers with wasted fuel costs and wasted time, according to the Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M University. …

The summer heat has not arrived in southeast Texas yet but when Texas hits full summer heat stroke can be a real threat. Dr. Mirkin has information about heat stroke and a possible companion problem of drinking too much water in the latest e-newsletter.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin’s Fitness and Health E-Zine
May 22, 2011
Heat Stroke and Hyponatremia
The most likely cause of death during hot weather sports is heat stroke, when the body temperature rises so high that it cooks the brain (Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, July 2008).  Nobody should ever die of heat stroke because your body sends you warning signals as your temperature rises.  Those most likely to suffer heat stroke are those who have arteriosclerosis, are overweight or are in poor shape.  The treatment for a person…

Cycling notebook: Expect a little two-wheel traffic
by Houston Chronicle
I hope everyone is enjoying National Bicycle Month. I also hope everyone can get on their bikes Friday morning on National Ride to Work Day and head to the office despite a slight chance of showers.

Come to think of it, that might be the best way to ensure a drought-busting downpour. So let’s mount up and challenge the rain gods en masse. …

Two Wheels, 236 New Miles
Austin unveils new bicycle map in time for Bike to Work Week
By Lee Nichols


The city of Austin has released a revised version of its bicycle map – the first update to the map since 2008 – and the changes are substantial. The city has upgraded or installed new bike amenities on 52 miles of roadways since then, and the new map…

Cottonwood Trail Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – Friday, May 20
by dickdavid  Bike Friendly Richardson

…On Friday, May 20th at 10:30am there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the completion of the Cottonwood Trail at the DART Forest Lane transit station. If you can, arrive on on your bike! Riders should show up for media shots on the trail at around 10AM, and to perhaps stay after the press…

Fort Worth Transportation Authority may start bike-sharing program
by Fort Worth Star Telegram
Refreshments and free bike inspections will be provided, and an electric bicycle that offers a power boost from a rechargeable battery will be demonstrated. The North Central Texas Council of Governments posts information about trails and potential …

Woodlands Road Closures for Ironman Texas
from woodlandsonline.com
On Saturday, May 21, 2011 more than 2,500 athletes from around the world will be competing in the Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas in The Woodlands. Over the course of 17 hours, they will race throughout The Woodlands as they complete a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run. During this event there will be several areas of congestion around town as follows: …

We Love The Tues Night Crit
by MC  McKinney Velo Club
We love the weekly war that happens on Tuesday night… p/b Simply Fit Meals

Every Tuesday those of us on MVC get a chance for glory at the infamous Tuesday night crit. The Tues nighter, the crit that Armstrong has raced, the crit where many pros like McCarty and Dahlheim got their first racing fix. On any given Tuesday one can encounter a number of domestic pros on the course. But last night it was all…

NEW VIDEO!! 2011 Bicycle Sport Shop Pace Bend Race presented by The North Face and ARR
Submitted by Laura Scagno Austin Ridge Riders
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYb36pstFX8
Check out the action on the latest video created by Unlimited Production Group Video Marketing

El Paso Bicycle Club Ride
June Birthday Babies ride
Description:     Meet at 6049 Ojo de Agua for this annual ride where the route will be 1 mile for every year-baseline is a 44th birthday. Food and treats will be available afterward, Bring your bathing suit! Please park on Via Descanso behind our house. Moderate pace. Patty Van Tine, 915-667-0202.

6:30pm – Bicycle Path Time Trial Series
by Scott Franklin  Corinth Cycling Club
When: Wed May 25, 2011 6:30pm to Wed May 25, 2011 7:30pm  CDT
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

7th Ride of Silence: Dead, injured bicyclists remembered
by Midland Daily News
After the ride, Holmes said his closest call on a bicycle was years ago when a car door opened in front of him while he was riding on Ashman Street in downtown Midland, near the current site of The H Hotel. Holmes slammed on his bike’s brakes, …

Bike Out Hunger participants insist: ‘It’s not about the ride’
By John Hall, Texas Baptist Communications
TEXARKANA—More than 35 cyclists, grueling hills, daily rides often longer than 70 miles, and an adventure in faith from Beaumont to Texarkana—that’s Bike Out Hunger.

But at its heart, participants said, it was not about any of that. It’s about people coming together across the state to do something to help others in Christ’s name. …

Videos of Complete Streets in other cities
Old Tascosa Cycling Club
bikelaneguy writes “I recently found an interesting web site (www.streetfilms.org) that is useful in showing other how necessary bike lanes and other biking and walking improvements are to a city.  What I like about the site is that it demonstrates how bike lanes can work in almost any city, large and small, in a variety of climates.  They also introduce new concepts in bike lane design.  Their recent film, Complete Streets, is one of their best.

State Championship and Overall Results
by League Director in News
The results from the high school state championship road race and crit as well as the final overall series standings have now been compiled and uploaded.  You can access them via the race series tab.

I was greeted by patches of light rain – May 19th Bike Ride

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My prediction that the weather would be favorable for this evening’s ride proved to be wrong. I started on the ride but I was greeted by patches of light rain. At first the rain was not a problem but the further I got from home the closer the patches were together. At my turn around point the roads were starting to get damp and my helmet was dripping water from the front tip. So I decided to settle for 17.13 miles for the ride. On the way back home the sprinkles picked up and the road was wet enough I could hear the tires picking up water and spraying it on my freshly washed bike. When I got home I wiped off the moisture on the bike.

Saturday’s ride will need to be a little longer to make up for the 10 miles I did not ride today. Supposedly the weather will be drier. I am at 75.13 miles for the week so far.

May miles are 387.27 and year to date I have rode 1889.94 miles. The average speed today was a slow 14.3 mph and the max was 21.9 mph. Cadence averaged 79.2 rpm.

5-19-2011 Bike Ride Data and Route Map

5-19-2011 Home Weather Finish

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