Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for December 4th

Texbiker.net Posted on by

This article refers to a program I donated some of my old or unused bicycle equipment and clothing to.

RBR Roadies to the Rescue
Many of the 50 boxes of donated cycling parts and clothing for disadvantaged Peruvian riders came in response to RBR newsletter notes, reports project organizer Lon Haldeman of PAC Tour.

Great job, roadies! The gear was recently put to use in Peru’s Bike Race Across the Jungle.

Chief beneficiaries were riders in the Amazon city of Iquitos, where, as Lon puts it, “To own a basic one-speed bicycle is a luxury. To own a racing bike that actually shifts is as rare as owning a Rolls Royce in the United States.

“There is a serious core group of about 25 road racers in Iquitos who are fanatics about cycling and physically talented. These are the riders we have been trying to help with equipment during the past three years.”

This is a topic near and dear to me as I get close to retirement.

ASK COACH FRED (from www.roadbikerider.com)
Is Retirement Dangerous to My Cycling Future?
Q:  Because of my work schedule, I have ridden sporadically for the last 20 years, logging about 1,500 miles (2,400 km) annually and doing a couple of centuries just for fun.

Last winter I took early retirement and decided to devote full time to cycling. I rode 5,000 miles (8,000 km) in the last 8 months and improved a lot. But now I’m tired and can’t stand the thought of hammering with the young guys on another group ride.

What happened? I thought hard work was supposed to make me better. — Harry N.

Coach Fred Matheny Replies:  I only have anecdotal evidence, but I suspect that there’s a large number of new retirees who try to cram into 6 months all the things they wanted to do during their working lives.

And I’d bet that a fairly sizeable percentage are cyclists who go from 100 miles (160 km) a week to 300-400 miles (480-650 km) after retirement. They add interval training, racing and hard group rides, too. Eventually they’re exhausted. …

6:00pm – Corinth Trail Ride
from Corinth Cycling Club by Scott Franklin
When: Thu Dec 23, 2010 6pm to 7pm  CST
Where: Corinth City Hall
Event Status: confirmed
Event Description

8:00am – CCC Road Ride
from Corinth Cycling Club by Scott Franklin
When: Sun Dec 19, 2010 8am to 10:30am  CST
Where: Ronny Crownover Middle School – Corinth
Event Status: confirmed
Event Description: Base mileage type ride of 35 – 50 miles depending on route. This ride sometimes meets up with the Bicycle Path Group Ride in Denton. This is normally a no drop ride and is group led. Email: scottfranklin@gmail.com for additional information.

Twinkle, Twinkle Ride 2010
from Shawnee Trail Cycling Club by sooner1
Friday December 10th, 6:30pm.  Yes, the Twinkle, Twinkle Ride back.  Whether you’re a member of Shawnee Trail CC or not, one more time we’re going to get the families together and take a tour to see some of the brightest Christmas lights in Frisco.  This year is a little different.  We are starting from the parking lot of the Main Burger/Bar (same start location as our Thursday night ride).  We’ll wander through some of the surrounding neighborhoods and finish up with a tour of our own Frisco Square Christmas Light Show. …

The Weather Had Time to Warm Up… – December 4th Bike Ride

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I did not get to leave too early this morning because I had a couple of chores to get done first. This was probably a good thing since the weather had time to warm up and the light fog to burn off. So the 10:06 start time was just right and I did not need the leg warmers but I did wear a long sleeve jersey and a short sleeve jersey.

While I was doing the chores I was driving south on W. Lake Houston Parkway and when I passed Lifetime Fitness a group of riders were leaving on their ride. I was planning on going this direction but I doubted if I would see any by the time I got started. Well I did see about 10 riders on their way back while I was heading to Crosby.

The wind was a friend on the way to Crosby but when I turned to the southwest my speed dropped to 12 mph as I was headed square into the wind. After I made it back to Huffman and stopped for a snack and Diet Pepsi I noticed the wind speed had dropped a little and shifted more to the west. This is probably the early stage of the wind moving to the north and the cold front arriving late tonight. Across FM1960 was a sign company with a scrolling sign showing the temperature at 75-77 degrees. A great December day for riding!! Mostly cloudy skies varied with some blue patches breaking through. Tomorrow will not be anything like this. I will probably not get to ride again until late next week.

My new Motobecane Le Champion bike continues to be a joy to ride and the Koobi saddle is comfortable for a ride of this length or longer.

Today’s ride data:

  • December miles 64.36
  • YTD miles 4997.68

12-4-2010 Ride Data and Map

12-4-2010 Elevation and Cadence

Additional charts, weather and map.

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Daily News Roundup December 3rd – Texas Bicycling

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Adventure Cycling Rolls through Texas Dec 6-12
from BikeTexas | Texas Bicycle Coalition
Adventure Cycling
USBRSBikeTexas and Adventure Cycling Association have joined forces to host Adventure Cycling Association’s executive director, Jim Sayer, on a whirlwind visit to Texas (December 6 – 12), with stops in Houston, Fort Worth, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin. …

Rider Down: CommieBiker
from DORBA – Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association by MTB
…speedy recovery, CommieBiker!
This is a note from his son:
As some of you may already know, yesterday (saturday) my dad (Mike Brooks) took a nasty fall out at north shore. Paramedics were called and he is still in the hospital (recovering and stable). Just to fill everyone in on his condition:

He dislocated a hip, broke a collar bone, broke a vertebra, broke some ribs, partially collapsed a lung, and has blood and air hanging out in his chest where it shouldnt be. With all that said he is in relatively good shape and in good…

Austin Ridge Riders: December 18 & 19
Reveille Peak Ranch
Trailwork Days
Think of it as an early Christmas present to come unwrap some virgin trails. Think of it as a TMW Christmas party. Think of it as a mixer with some SA and Waco folks. Whatever you do, just think of it.

All the corridor is cut for +/-15 miles of trail. There is still a little bit of “grooming” (raking loose rocks and trimming) and a few “special project” (bridges or rockwork) areas that need to be addressed for the entire thing to be good to go. We will be splitting up and hitting these “punch list” items with extreme precision and accuracy. If you feel you have what it takes to accomplish this mission, please let me know.
RSVP to Charlie at rioucharles@hotmail.com

For winter success, know how to dress
by San Angelo Standard Times
Cyclists, however, will feel the added cooling effect of wind chill and lack of blood flow because of the more restrictive cycling shoes. …

Mountain Bike Skills Camp – Austin, TX

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Mountain Bike Skills Camp with Gene Hamilton
Presented by BetterRide
Austin, TX
Friday, March 11, 2011 to Sunday, March 13, 2011
Online Registration Closes Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 8:00 AM ET
3 Day Skills Camp
9:00 AM
$599
Join Gene Hamilton, the most experienced mountain bike skills coach in the US for this 3 day camp that will take your riding to a new level. Gene will cover his own BetterRide curriculum with drills and on trail practice that will  have you riding in balance, in control and having more fun on your bike! Gene  has helped thousands of mountain bikers ride up to their potential, including  top pros. Get all the details and read student reviews at  http://BetterRide.net Create your best ride yet and sign up for camp today!