Tragedy, BCycle Status Quo, Billboards, Beer Bike, Photos

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Bicyclist hit and killed while pedaling on busy Gulf Freeway, HPD says

abc.13.com

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — All inbound lanes of the Gulf Freeway have been shut down Wednesday afternoon near the 610 East Loop as police work a deadly crash. Houston police shared on Twitter that investigators are headed to a crash that happened at about 4 p.m. on the Gulf Freeway at Woodridge Drive. Police said a man was riding a bicycle on the freeway when he was hit and killed by a vehicle. …

BCycle likely to stay source of grab-and-go bikes in Houston, Metro says amid transit takeover

Dug Begley | www.houstonchronicle.com

Changes are likely coming for Houston’s system of grab and go bicycles, but a change from the BCycle system is unlikely, Metropolitan Transit Authority officials said, as they continue planning to absorb the system into their operations. "A vendor switch is not feasible without incurring an estimated $8 to $10 million in swapping costs," said Jimmy Park, director of Metro’s office of management and budget. However, Park noted, the "current technology is very lagging," something Metro must address as it prepares to incorporate the bicycles and their drop-off points into its own operations. Officials approved the move to take on bike …

Walking Billboards Promote Pedestrian & Bicyclist Safety

Texas Border Business | texasborderbusiness.com

McALLEN – TxDOT will travel to cities across Texas this month with its walking billboards. -Campaign ambassadors will carry these sandwich boards with messages to remind drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians to follow traffic safety laws and watch out for each other. Pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities and serious injuries continue to rise at an alarming rate. From 2017 to 2021, pedestrian crash deaths increased 34% and bicyclist crash deaths increased 58%. Each of us must do our part to help reverse this dangerous and deadly trend. …

Beer Bike to divide races amid safety concerns

By Spring Chenjp | www.ricethresher.org

Beer Bike races will be held in two heats this year, instead of the traditional singular race, according to Anne Wang, a campus-wide Beer Bike coordinator. The change is in light of last year’s crash during the women’s race, which injured three bikers and sent one to the hospital. Associate Director of Campus Events Petre Herbert said that the decision to hold the races as two separate heats was collectively made by administration and students.  “[Bikers and pit crew] have a higher risk for physical injury during the actual race, as they are in the lanes … Two heats reduce the amount of people on the track at once, which allows bikers to navigate around [fewer] people while riding,” Herbert wrote in an email to …

Old Man, Big Country

By John Springfield ???   | www.crazyguyonabike.com

74 or 4: It’s the Same

At the ripe old age of 74, I get the same reaction as if 4. "Wow, nice going, John." [Aren’t you a little old/young to be on a bicycle?] Same answer now as in 1953: Nope. The plan is to start at the southern tip of Texas and head north. That’s the plan. The actual trip may be terminated by high winds, hungry coyotes, or my frame giving out. There will be NO self discovery. I know who I am. Some people enjoy the movement of dancing, running, or ice skating. I like bicycling, always did, always will. Simple and profound. But I also enjoy discovering new places, especially small towns. And diners. Nothing like wolfing down a second breakfast at mid-morning. …

The Route

Day 01: March 23 – Boco Chica Beach to Brownsville, Texas: Wind WInd and Heat

Thursday March 23, 2023, 30 miles (48 km) – Total so far: 30 miles (48 km) After several days in a car, this was my first cycling day. The plan was to bike to Boca Chico Beach, take a look at the Gulf of Mexico, and return to my motel. On Route 4, there is a battlefield from the Civil War, as well as an encampment during the war with Mexico. …

Thursday Ride San Antonio, Texas

Mark Noblitt MTCCSA | strava.com

Part solo and part with MT. Fun ride! Babcock eyes x3!

CRSA another flat, wadafaksanababish San Antonio, Texas

Joshua Serna GSR | strava.com

MTHCC PM Ride Missouri City, Texas

Rickey Garrett ?A?- MTHCC | JL Cycling | strava.com

Evening Ride San Antonio, Texas

Eduardo Salas (Cyclones) | strava.com

Blue Agave skills clinic & info session ouston, Texas

Michelle Casper | strava.com

Helping teach our sponsor SOFEC’s MS150 team

Texas Biking from Twitter

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Tiny Trucks, No Tiny Wind Riding to Spanish Cove

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I was watching the women’s Classic Brugge-De Panne race as I worked on a new computer setup when the screen froze and my internet went offline. At first I thought it was a problem at my house but after checking Nextdoor it was all over Kingwood. So much for watching bike races before starting today’s bike ride. I ate breakfast and got ready to ride. With the internet out I checked my phone for the weather. The temperature was 77 degrees with a mostly cloudy sky. I went back and forth on what to wear. It was warm enough to not need a jacket but should I wear a long sleeve jersey or arm sleeves? I decided it was cool enough for the long sleeve jersey under a short sleeve jersey. I didn’t know if the sun would come out or hide behind the clouds.

As I walked my Cervelo Caledonia to leave the internet returned. I would have to watch the races when I got back. Wheels down at 11:55 AM for the start of the ride on my Atascocita – Walden – Spanish Cove route. I rode north yesterday and battled the wind on the way back to Kingwood. Today I fought the wind to Spanish Cove with a tailwind most of the way back to Kingwood. The wind was waiting for me.

Weather conditions: start 78 degrees, 81% humidity, dew point 67, overcast, wind S 12 mph gusts 21 mph; finish 82 degrees, 64% humidity, dew point 69, partly cloudy, wind S 20 mph gusts 30 mph.

The gusts attack my 50mm rims when it comes from the side pushing the front wheel as it wants. Riding south on FM 2100 to Spanish Cove was probably the hardest segment. Making the u-turn there the tailwind riding north on FM 2100 gave my legs a break. I got my speed up to 20 mph with the tailwind boost. As usual riding west over Lake Houston the wind was tough coming at my left side. I kept my speed up but the gusts tightened my hands on the bars to hold the front wheel steady as possible. The turn onto Atascocita Shores Drive got the wind off of my left side and on my back side. I finished the ride at 2:42 PM, a little quicker than I guessed.

Riding on FM 2100 I stopped at the tiny trucks sale lot to look at them closer. Check the video for some details.

I spent most of the ride using the 35×13 gears according to the AXS.SRAM.com ride report. There were times when I probably should’ve shifted to the 35×15 to save my legs.

3-23-2023 SportTracks Recent Ride History Atascocita-Walden-Spanish Cove
3-23-2023 SportTracks Recent Ride History Atascocita-Walden-Spanish Cove
3-23-2023 Strava Ride Summary Atascocita-Walden-Spanish Cove
3-23-2023 Strava Ride Summary Atascocita-Walden-Spanish Cove

Taking the Lead: Texas Bicycling Action

Texbiker.net Posted on by

This is past but interesting

Texas Biking from Twitter

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Warmer But Still Windy. I’ll Take That

Texbiker.net Posted on by

It’s March so it must be windy for bike riding. After watching two bike races on GCN+ I got ready to ride. Warmer weather meant I could leave the long sleeve jersey and wind jacket at home. I substituted arm sleeves and a short sleeve jersey. I rolled a couple of different northern routes around in my mind and chose the Kingwood – FM 1485 – Kingwood because it was a couple miles shorter and I had a time limit. I rolled away on my Lynskey Helix bike at 11:32 AM, earlier than yesterday.

The wind was blowing from the south with some brisk gusts. This helped me get to the northern turn around without much trouble but the ride back to Kingwood was hard pedaling. One spot that I slowed down was on the incline riding south of the TX 99 overpass on Valley Ranch Parkway. Uphill and into the wind was tough and I used the 35×15 gears. Once I got to the top I shifted into the 35×13 gears and got my speed back up.

Some relief from the wind came as I rode through Oakhurst with the homes and trees slowing the wind. Anytime I was out in the open the wind was brisk. Back in Kingwood the streets’ direction moved in and out of the wind. I finished at 2:13 PM.

Weather conditions: start 78 degrees, 72% humidity, dew point 69, overcast, wind S 12 mph gusts 24 mph; finish 81 degrees, 64% humidity, dew point 67, mostly cloudy, wind S 10 mph gusts 22 mph.

Ride data from the AXS.SRAM.com ride report.

3-22-2023 SRAM Component Summary Gear Usage by Time
3-22-2023 SRAM Component Summary Gear Usage by Time
3-22-2023 SRAM Component Summary Gear Usage by Distance
3-22-2023 SRAM Component Summary Gear Usage by Distance
3-22-2023 SRAM Component Summary Avg Power in Gear
3-22-2023 SRAM Component Summary Avg Power in Gear
3-22-2023 Strava Ride Summary Kingwood-FM1485-Kingwood
3-22-2023 Strava Ride Summary Kingwood-FM1485-Kingwood