Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for April 3rd

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Dallas Cycle Chic – April 9 – 17
from dallascyclechic.com
Dallas Cycle Chic is celebrating the release of the updated City of Dallas Bicycle Master Plan in spring of 2011, as well as the development of bicycle infrastructure plans for other cities in the metroplex. We’re coordinating a week of Cycle Chic events to raise awareness of cycling, re-acquaint people with their beloved bicycles, and bring together the cycling community. …

Cemetery chief has beef with pestilent pedalers
Ken Herman, Commentary
from www.statesman.com
There’s a new rule at the Texas State Cemetery in East Austin. It’s right there on its own little sign under the bigger sign that says no driving or parking on the grass, no buses, no pets, no picnics and no headstone rubbing.

“No Bicycles,” says the little sign, posted about…

Back in the saddle of that old favorite, the bicycle
by David Berchelmann / Special to the Times / www.elpasotimes.com
Two wheels. Two simple words that are important pieces of one of my favorite modes of transportation — the bicycle.

The first bike that I distinctly remember was a bright orange Trek that had no training wheels. It was the type of bike that made all the elementary schoolkids drool with envy, in my mind, anyway. …

A most excellent adventure in the wildflowers
by Gil Jones
Well, sort of. The wildflowers in the Hill County of Texas are quite disappointing this year — at least so far. But the 2011 edition of the Hill Country Child Advocacy Center Pedal Power Wildflower Ride — that would be on bicycles — was most excellent. The number of riders was down for a variety of reasons, but as my first ride in the event it was great. …

The tailwind was greatly appreciated as I… – April 3rd Bike Ride

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Today’s ride was slightly longer than I planned and what time I thought I could allocate but I made it even with a brisk 14 mph south wind. I was limited on my time due my niece having Special Olympics cycling practice and my start time being dictated to when I got home from church and Sunday School. Overcast skies and 77 degrees meant no problem from overheating but my muscles were still complaining about the work they were called on yesterday. Spring cleaning consisted of climbing on the roof and removing the pine needles and leaves that had accumulated over the winter. Since my roof has a good slope to it I made most the movement sliding on the shingles. This caused some irritation on my backside which could have been a problem riding today but did not.

The tailwind was greatly appreciated as I loosened my muscles on the way north before turning back towards home and into the wind. Lowering the gear helped but I stilled struggled into the wind. A portion of my route was over yesterday’s and I was wondering if the dog would be waiting on my arrival. Thankfully the dog took Sunday off. I made it home in time for the trip to cycling practice with two English muffins with peanut butter and jelly to tide me over until we got back a little after 3:00PM.

This week I rode 4 out of 7 days which was good considering my wife is recovering from surgery and my household work has increased. I will gradually increase the days to a steady 5 out of 7.

April mileage update:

  • April miles 79.44
  • Miles this week (Monday – Sunday) 119.53
  • YTD miles 906.11

4-03-2011 Ride Data and Map

4-03-2011 Home Weather at the end of the ride

Additional charts, weather and map.

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Daily News Roundup April 2nd – Texas Bicycling

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Forth Worth Bicycling Association April Meeting
Our guest speaker is Cindy Hauss, a Certified Personal Trainer and Wellness Coach, as well as a fellow cyclist. Cindy is one of our repeat speakers and is a club favorite. Cindy is back this time to talk about the importance of incorporating strength training into your cycling program with a focus on core strength training. Her presentation will be interactive and will allow you an opportunity to practice some of the most effective exercises to strengthen your power zone. Cindy specializes in workouts that require minimal equipment with the belief that your body is the best machine you’ve got! This is a great topic for the start of the cycling season so we hope to see you there.

Pedal To Padre – Sunday, May 1, 2011.
The Brownsville River Rockets Cycling Club
Get Registration Form here.

Spring Creek Trail: North Of Renner Road – A Progress Report
by dickdavid
Do you remember when Bob reported about this trail over a year ago? Back then it was just an open field and a plan to extend the Spring Creek Trail from the Renner Road at Central Expressway rest stop to…

Cyclists Say Biking Is Money for Local Economy
by marc@mcmumby.com (Administrator)
A Denton bike advocacy group says ditching cars for bicycles would spin millions of dollars into the hands of local businesses.

Injured Vets on Bicycles Arrive in Arlington Today
by FWWeekly
The Ride 2 Recovery Texas Challenge, sponsored by United Health Care, is part rehab for the injured vets and part fund raiser for programs aimed at rehabilitating injured veterans. Riders included amputees, partially paralyzed vets and even a blind vet …

Cars vs. Bicycles: Who Has the Right-of-Way?
by Ashley in Texas Attorneys on Mar 30, 2011
Anyone who has spent any time on the roads in Texas understands that bicycles are a regular sight. Some people choose to handle their transportation needs on two wheels, others simply enjoy bicycle rides and still others are training for serious events. The landscape of Texas lends itself perfectly to…

Cycling for scholarships concluding in oldest city
Imagine a grueling, 3,100-mile bicycle tour. Daily treks — the shortest 39 miles, the longest a staggering 111 — cutting horizontally across numerous southern states. Four days in California. Six in Arizona. Four in New Mexico. A total of 17 to get through Texas. Five for Louisiana. And the trek doesn’t stop until it crosses the country. …

Spokes n Spurs bicycle ride, Burnet County, Texas
Bicyclists crossing a cattle guard at the Spokes n Spurs ride, Burnet County, Texas April 2, 2011

MPO board eager to see corridor study results
by My West Texas
Morales said with a growing running and cycling community in Midland, he also sees trail development as a possibility as well as water features and other aesthetics that could be placed among the oil derricks already out there. …

A spring time bike ride in the country was… – April 2nd Bike Ride

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A spring time bike ride in the country was the theme for today’s ride. There were a small smattering of wildflowers but no Blue Bonnets on the route I was on. I did see a number of other bikers west of Splendora and by Grangerland. Sometimes I have to remind myself when I ride today’s route that I am only 2o miles from the Houston city limits but the surroundings are pure East Texas. There are plenty of tall pine trees with some occasional cattle and horses. I like this route because the traffic is usually light and the roads have nice shoulders and smooth pavement. Today I found out that a section of FM 1314 east of SR 242 had been widened and the asphalt was nice and smooth. The shoulder had been widened some. The major change was to add a center lane.

I found some more remnants of the string wrapped around the big ring on the crank. I removed this last evidence of the troublesome string. The chain lube I use can be messy so I have wiped down the rear rim. The only reason I am using it is because I do not want to remove the chain without the proper tool and pin for the Shimano chain. My preferred chain lube is Gulf Wax paraffin. It is not messy and when you touch it there is no mess. You have to lube the chain more often and it is best to use a quick link of some type. So I am waiting for the chain to show some wear and then replace it.

Today’s weather was very comfortable for riding. The 70 degrees at the start was fine and the 82 at the finish was not bad. Humidity was fairly low considering the cloud cover. Wind was only 7 mph from the north away from home.

This was the first long ride since my dog crash back on March 19th. Only one dog encounter and the dog was not really committed to chasing for more than 40 to 50 ft. I was watching for him but he was in a place I was not looking at. A 22 mph sprint quickly escaped him and a following pickup truck probably helped.

April mileage update:

  • April miles 55.22
  • YTD miles 881.89

4-02-2011 SporytTracks Ride Data and Map

4-02-2011 Home Weather Station

Additional charts, weather and map.

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