Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for January 27th

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Foundation launches Bicycle Research Grant Program
from www.bikesbelong.org
The Bikes Belong Foundation announced today the launch of a new grant program to fund research on the economic impact of bicycling facilities and events. The Bicycle Research Grant Program will award a total of $40,000 in grants to academic or…

NAHBS Is Less Than One Month Away
from Biking In Dallas by Christopher Curnutt
We’re planning a road trip to the 2011 North American Handmade Bicycle Show which runs February 25th-27th in Austin, Texas.  We’re really excited to attend this year and we’re planning to blog live from the …

Empire BMX – Opening Day Set for March 1st
from CycleATX.com – Cycling Events, Groups and Bike Shops in Austin, TX by CoreyCarter
Empire BMX announced via their Facebook page that they hope to open at their new location at 6310 N. Lamar on March 1st. They’ve also been posting tons of update photos on Twitter. Follow them for…

LIFE TIME : Fitness, AEG Bring New Qualifier Series to …
by 4-traders
In 2012 and 2013 additional races will be added in Texas, the Southwest, … a Tour de France-style cycling road race presented by AEG that challenges the …

Reveille Peak Ranch – Burnet, TX
from CycleATX.com – Cycling Events, Groups and Bike Shops in Austin, TX by CoreyCarter
AustinCyclist (twitter.com/austincyclist) recently posted this video of a new mountain bike park opening soon in Burnet, TX. Here’s some info from their website: http://www.rprtexas.com/

“The ranch looks out on Lake Buchanan and Ink’s Lake, two of the prettiest lakes in the chain of…

Texas Mountain Trail Daily Photo: Hiker/Cyclist Friendly …
by Beth
Recently, we stayed at the Chisos Mountain Lodge in Big Bend National Park, and took advantage of our own Texas Mountain Trail cycle-friendly program. We ordered their Veggie Hiker Lunch the night before our hike in the park at the Lodge’s restaurant, … The cycle-friendly program is intended to showcase hotels, B&Bs, historic tourist courts and other places to stay that are willing to offer special services to cyclists, such as secure in-room parking for bikes. …

The weather finally warmed… – January 27th Bike Ride

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The weather finally warmed up enough during the day to be above 60 degrees by the time I got home from work. As I was getting ready to leave the temperature was 62 degrees but I figured once the sun went down it would cool down some. It did cool down but I miscalculated how much and did not dress quite warm enough. I had on a polar fleece long sleeve jersey and my windbreaker jacket but I should wore two long sleeve jerseys. Leg warmers and full finger gloves rounded out the attire. when I got home the temperature was 53 degrees with a 5mph SW breeze. Skies are still clear.

This is the time of year that my MTB is the primary bike. Riding at night with a 3 pound battery on the rear rack is not for a light road bike. The trails and streets seem rougher in the dark when the holes and bumps are not so easily seen. Fat tires are what smooth these out and lessen the chance for a flat tire. Getting a flat tire at night in the cold is not a good thing. It has happened though but not in many months.

I am thinking of riding the Bike Through the Forest and Hills in Coldspring Saturday but I will make the final decision Saturday morning when I see what the temperature is. The 8:00 AM start does not give the sun much time to warm things up.

Miles so far this year: 171.52

1-27-2011 Ride Data

Additional charts, weather and map.

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Daily News Roundup January 26th – Texas Bicycling

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BikeHouston Logo Contest
Feeling creative? Help BikeHouston come up with a new logo and you could win a new Chrome Citizen bag and a set of front and rear Knog lights! To enter, please send your submission to bikeinfo@bikehouston.org by February 16th.

Month of Bike Love: Ladies Shop Nights at Querencia
from Bike Denton by bikedenton
Local women’s social cycling group, the Vaginees, is hosting bike maintenance and repair classes every Tuesday night of February from 5:30-7:30PM. They’re hosting the classes at…

SETHBC Big Thicket Bike Tour – Kountze, TX

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SETHBC Big Thicket Bike Tour 2011
Start: Saturday, March 19, 2011 @ 8:00 AM
Big Thicket Baptist Church
6102 FM 420,Corner US69/FM420   Kountze, TX
Fees
Individual Reg. is $35 until 2/28 & $40 until Tour starts,( Family Reg is $80/$90 respectively)

Brief Description
5 courses 14, 36, 46, 70, 101 mile. Manned rest stops w/ restrooms & snacks, SAG support. All routes will start at the Big Thicket Baptist Church & are typical scenic South East Texas/Big Thicket country-side. The natural terrain is challenging. Routes will include the beautiful neighboring cities of Kountze, Silsbee, Lumberton, Sour Lake, Batson and Beaumont all on the edge of the Big Thicket National Preserve area. The routes are all on improved shoulders, selected by bike riders in our area.

Online Reg. Opens January 24, 2011 12:00 AM Central Time
Online Reg. Closes: March 17, 2011 11:59 PM CST
Check-In Time:

Check-In starts at 7 AM March 19th. at the Big Thicket Baptist Church. Early packet pick-up will be 6-9 PM March 17 & 18th at Sertino’s Cafe, 5657 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont, TX 77706.

Additional Information
The SouthEast Texas Hike & Bike Coalition promotes safe cycling across the region, and one of our most exciting family events is coming up later this year. The 7th Annual Big Thicket Bike Tour is scheduled for Saturday. March 19, 2011.

The money that SETHBC raises from the tour will be used to expand our educational and safety programs.

We hold children’s bicycle safety rodeos throughout the Golden Triangle.

One of our most important safety principles is that everyone – adults and children – should wear a helmet at all times when riding.