Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for April 7th

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This issue of Dr. Mirkin’s e-zine rang a bell with me since I am not that far from his wife’s age.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin’s Fitness and Health E-Zine
April 10, 2011
Intense Training Maintains Endurance in Older People
Last Saturday, a 75-year-old man and a 69-year-old woman rode a tandem at the Sebring Tandem Rally, covering 51 miles at an average speed of 18.9 miles per hour.  We used all the energy we had trying to stay with the bikes in front of us.

You lose power and strength with aging, but you keep most of your endurance.  The limiting factor to how fast you can…

Come out and join us at these events in April
BikeDFW will be at these great events with information on street smarts for better and safer urban cycling; tips and tricks for bike commuting; and etiquette for safe riding on hike and bike trails. And… we’ll be giving away bikes from Richardson Bike Mart and Plano Cycling and Fitness. …

El Paso Bicycle Club Rides & Events
Up Hills Both Ways
Meet at Artcraft & Upper Valley. Ride over Transmountain, up McKelligon Canyon, to the top of Scenic Drive and return. 50 miles, moderate (15-18 mph) pace. Breakfast to be decided by riders. Anthony Moye, 253-514-9260.

San Angelo Bicycling Association
May 8
Loco Lizard Adventure Race
Middle Concho Park
See Events for more information

Adventure Race Survival Class
First Meeting April 7
See Events for more information

Katy Trail Meets the White Rock Trail – Soon
by The Announcer Guy
The Katy Trail will connect with the White Rock Trail via the Mockingbird Station extension sooner than later.  Hurry up!

CYCLISTS KILLED IN SAN ANTONIO – PICKUP DRIVER NOT HELD
from The Wall Street Journal
A local couple riding a tandem on state highway 16 (known as Bandera Rd) were killed yeaterday as they were riding in the mid morning. The driver of the pickup truck wasn’t charged, but was reported to have lost control of the vehicle. This couple were apparently experienced cyclists who were safely on the shoulder of the 4 lane road. And while this is a heavily trafficed suburban road, it is also common for…

National parks offering free entrance April 16-24
by Alpine Avalanche
West Texas’ spectacular national parks – Big Bend, Guadalupe Mountains and Fort … Big Bend National Park offers numerous hiking and bicycling adventures, …

Pedal Power Wildflower Ride 2011 – Ride Report
by admin

Here is a great ride report from Alice about last weeks bicycle ride in Stonewall Texas. Wow! What a ride, the Pedal Power Wildflower is a Great Ride!

From clear skies to overcast skies – April 7th Bike Ride

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The change from clear skies to overcast skies affected this evening’s ride. While overcast skies do not mean much unless it brings rain it does complicate the calculation of the amount of daylight I have to ride. With these skies the daylight can disappear quickly once the sunset time passes. So I have to be careful I do not try to go too far and then have to ride back in the dark. During the winter months this is not a problem because I am on my MTB with lights. I do not put the same light setup on my Motobecane Le Champion road bike though. There is a flashing taillight for safety purposes but no headlight.

So tonight I modified my route slightly to allow some time margin. As it turned out I could have ridden another mile probably but I am happy with my choice. So far I have ridden three days this week with the Saturday Katy Ram Challenge being the next ride. Friday will be a rest day. I plan on riding Sunday but my schedule is a little strange that day and there is a slight chance of rain.

The usual route went as planned this evening. No surprises even with the 15 mph south wind. Most of the time I did not realize the wind was at that level thanks to all of the tall pine trees.

April mileage update:

  • April miles 139.10
  • YTD mil 965.77

4-07-2011 Ride Data and Map

4-07-2011 Home Weather Finish

Additional charts, weather and map.

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Daily News Roundup April 6th – Texas Bicycling

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Northwest Cycling Club Time Trials
By: Fred Dwyer
Sunday, May 1st starting at 7:30 AM will be the beginning of the 2011 NWCC Club TT series. The venue will again be Warren Ranch Road. Please note that we will be starting promptly at 7:30.  No rider will be started after 8:00 due to traffic and safety concerns. If by chance more than 30 riders show up we will exercise some flexibility on that point.

The gmap link below outlines the 10 mile Warren Ranch Rd course. The 10 k course will be an abbreviated version of this venue. …

San Angelo Bicycling Association
Trail Work Day
San Angelo State Park, South Shore Entrance, April 9, 2011
We have a work day scheduled from 8 am until noon. If you would like to help we will be clearing part of Nature Trail and clearing the trash from Tasajilla Flat Trail.  Please bring gloves and sunscreen. Also if you have a sturdy rake and or loppers please bring as well.

Pink Primrose & Texas Heros — overnight bicycle tour to Seguin
by Justin Moore


My destination, Seguin, TX –- named after Juan Seguin in honor of his many contributions to the state — lies about 30 miles east of my home in San Antonio. From my home, my planned route would be about 92 miles roundtrip (43.29 miles there and 48.52 miles back). When I plan the route for a bicycle tour, I consider multiple sources to aid me in…

SCA does some good: Lend Your Legs – Social Cycling Austin + Texas School for the Blind TANDEM RIDE!
from www.atxbs.com
…The Texas School for the Blind has 10 tandem bikes (bikes for two people) and some great kids that would love a bike ride once a week. That’s where we come in. We’re going to meet up for ten straight Mondays, head over to the school, get these kids on the back of the tandems and take them for a bike ride. You will literally make their week by doing what you fools do every day anyway. There isn’t an easier way for you to make a kid very very happy. …

OTC Club Meeting 4/21/2011
We will be having a OTC club meeting 4/21/2011 at the Coffe Memorial Blood center @ 8pm. We will be discussing plans for the 2011 year, and open to any suggestions for events, rides, or charity work the club can participate in. This will also be a chance for anyone who has not paid club dues this year to do so! The details will be finalized on a OTC Ride/Cookout from Gander Mountain on Sunday 5/1/2011.

Weston Giunta takes a corner at the PURE Austin Fitness Driveway
from www.violetcrown.org

Missions Tour de Goliad – Goliad, TX

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Missions Tour de Goliad
Bike Ride Starts at 8:00 a.m. on the North side of the Courthouse Square (you must go by ride registration before the ride starts at 450 S. Market Street to receive your packet with instructions and your rider #).

We invite you to join us in October for the annual Missions Tour de Goliad Bike Ride, which is rapidly becoming one of the premier rides in Texas. The Missions Tour de Goliad offers the unique charm and challenges of the South Texas countryside.  Whether you choose the 10, 30, 50, or 85 mile tours, you will pedal through a rich countryside filled with stately centuries-old live oak trees and gently rolling hills.   Make plans now to join us on October 15, 2011.  Set your course for Goliad–a Texas Destination!