Texas Bicycling News – February 9, 2023

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Bike MS: Texas MS 150 to end in College Station again in April

ALEX MILLER | theeagle.com

Linda Bates got goosebumps standing inside Kyle Field last year.

Bates, the south central president of the National MS Society, came from La Grange to College Station during last year’s Bike MS: Texas MS 150 event. She watched cyclists bike down the highway and look upon Kyle Field in the distance off F.M. 60.

When she reached the finish line at A&M’s football stadium, Bates said she knew she should have been doing other things as president of the organization’s event. Instead, she ran to the field to watch cyclists cross the 50-yard line to finish their bike ride of up to 180 miles designated to fundraise for awareness and to find a cure for multiple sclerosis.

“This was our dreams come true finally to have this extraordinary event that impacts so many people finally come to life in such a gorgeous place,” Bates said. …

Video: Midland County Commissioners plan to bring new hiking & biking trail to region

By Noe Ortega | www.cbs7.com

MIDLAND, Texas (KOSA) -If you’re a fan of cycling, you may have a new attraction coming your way.

The Midland County Commissioners Court wants to make a new bike and hike trail in Midland, right next to the Horseshoe Arena.

Commissioner Luis Sanchez says he’s heard many residents complain about not having many things to do in West Texas.

But he believes a new 22 acre bike trail will help residents have more activities to do.

“Now that we have the opportunity with the sales tax revenue that we’ve been collecting, I think it’s a phenomenal idea to go ahead and start moving forward on that. We know that the public is glamouring for it, we understand that the public is looking for places like this,” said Sanchez.

The Midland County Commissioners Court put aside $500,000 to use for architectural services.

In the last meeting, …

As Magnolia population booms, residents want crosswalks, bike trails, wider roads and sidewalks

Michael Garcia | www.houstonchronicle.com

Some Magnolia residents want crosswalks and bike trails to connect neighborhoods, while others would like wider roads and sidewalks so that children can safely walk home after school. Officials met with residents in February to hold their first public meeting on Magnolia’s master thoroughfare plan. This comes after they project that the city of more than 2,800 could increase to by 600 percent in 2039, with a population of 53,000. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

Some Magnolia residents want crosswalks and bike trails to connect neighborhoods, while others would like wider roads and sidewalks so that children can safely walk home after school.

The city’s current network of roadways, sidewalks and bicycle lanes needs help, residents told city officials.

"It’s dangerous," said Marcy Parker, 80, who’s lived in the city since 1978.

Parker was among the more than 400 residents who’ve made suggestions to officials in hopes to improve the city’s transportation network.

Officials met with …

Bike Safety Program With a Little Added Fun

www.fayettecountyrecord.com

Children at St. James Episcopal Preschool and First Light Campus in La Grange are on a roll with their school year as they enjoyed a bicycle safety lesson followed by a “carwash” on their own wheels. Preschool parents Philip and Kristie Graf created and presented this fun and informative activity at both campuses, and invited children to bring their own bikes or ride-on toys and safety gear. The …

‘We’re doing everything we can to stay open’: Construction negatively affecting San Antonio’s oldest bike shop

By Amber Hughes | spectrumlocalnews.com

SAN ANTONIO — Hank Estrada owns Charles A. James Bike Co., the oldest bike shop in San Antonio.

“Just turned 103 years old,” Estrada said. “I want to keep the store going still. I don’t want to see it shut down. We’re doing everything we can to stay open.”

Hank’s dad, Henry, was the previous owner of the Charles A. James Bike shop, a thriving business during the 1970s bike boom.

“Back then, we were doing an average of 25 repairs a day,” Hank Estrada said. “And selling about 2000 bikes a month.”

He says business had been steady since he took over the shop in 2002. But recently, construction downtown almost stopped the shop from reaching its 103rd anniversary.

“Lost anywhere between …

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Fifth Road Ride In A Row. Kingwood’s Streets And Greenbelts

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Nothing exotic about today’s bike ride around Kingwood’s streets and a few greenbelt trails. I waited to 12:18 PM to start the ride to give the temperature time to get closer to 70 so I could not wear leg warmers. It was 65 and my legs were cold for the first few miles but then I forgot about them being chilled. Wind was light, much more conducive than yesterday’s gusts. I finished at 1:44 PM leaving me enough time to remove the fabric patio cover that ripped in the high winds just before Christmas. I wasn’t sure how difficult it would be to put up the new sun shade so I allowed some extra time. The new cover went up easier than I expected.

I wore my new white POC helmet for the first time. I retired the red Lazer helmet because the red has faded away on the top and back. Maybe the white POC helmet will be cooler in the sun.

Some of the greenbelt trail from W. Lake Houston Parkway to Northpark Drive I have been on in some time. The trail association replaced numerous pieces of the trail to get rid of many bumps. On Mills Branch Drive construction workers are widening the road from Honea Drive to W, Lake Houston Parkway.

I don’t expect to get an personal records riding Kingwood streets but Strava reported the PR on Homerun sprint (1:25) on Northpark Drive in Woodstream.

With a light wind it seemed whatever direction I rode it was a headwind. I looked at my power meter numbers a few times and saw 200 to almost 300 watts. Weather conditions: start 65, 60% humidity, dew point 51, fair, wind calm; finish 70, 43% humidity, dew point 47, fair, wind SW 4 mph. The next two days look like Zwift ride days if the weather forecast is true.

2-9-2023 Strava Ride Summary Kingwood Streets
2-9-2023 Strava Ride Summary Kingwood Streets

Texas Bicycling Action – February 8, 2023

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Memorial Park’s historic Land Bridge opens Saturday with free picnic

Allison Bagley | preview.houstonchronicle.com

Music, a children’s play zone, food trucks, bike valet and free H-E-B lunches (while they last) will help usher in the park’s latest evolution

Biking is encouraged, with a bike valet on hand, when Memorial Park hosts what organizers are calling “The Biggest Picnic in Texas” this weekend.

The free celebration introduces the public to the new Kinder Land Bridge and Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Prairie.

“We do things big in Texas and at the biggest picnic, we’re going to live up to the name,” says Memorial Park Conservancy’s Holli Clements.

She calls the park’s expansion — which provides a safe pedestrian passage over Memorial Drive, connecting the north and south sides of Memorial Park — historic for Houston.

The 100-acre project makes …

Troup man gives away free bikes to children every first Tuesday

by: Ashlyn Anderson | www.ketk.com

TROUP, Texas (KETK) — Willard Martin, a Troup native, spends his time fixing up old bicycles to give them out to the children of East Texas. He sits in the parking lot of the Church of Christ in Troup at 412 West Duval Street from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every first Tuesday of the month.

Martin can fix up to 30 bikes a month to have them ready for the first Tuesday. He said they go out fast.

“I rework them and make them like new,” said Martin.

Bengt Spizziri stumbled …

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In Front Of The Front. Started Kinda Early, Finished In Time

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Nothing to slow me down on starting today’s bike ride. Four days in a row riding outside in early February is good. The temperature was in the mid 70’s and mostly cloudy. The big weather item: strong wind. I decided to ride the same route as Monday when I had the Bolt computer problem to confirm the mileage that didn’t get recorded. I chose a different bike, my Lynskey Helix. Though the temperature was 74 I wore a long sleeve jersey and a wind jacket because of the strong wind and the likelihood that the wind coming off Lake Houston would be chilly. That was a good decision. The lake wind was chilly, more so riding west than east. When I go back to Kingwood the wind direction shifted more to the west as the slow moving cool front approached. I was glad I started at 10:12 AM and finished at 12:45 PM before the front rolled in. As I write this the temperature dropped from 78 when I finished to 55 degrees.

When the wind is from the SE like today the hard part of the bike ride on the Atascocita – Walden – Huffman route is getting to Old Atascocita Road and FM 2100. When I reach that point I turn back to Kingwood with the wind becoming less of a problem. Riding north on FM 2100 the tailwind pushed me along lowering my pedaling effort. But the ride west on FM 1960 from Huffman the wind was from my left side to left front quarter and the gusts while I was over Lake Houston moved my bike around when they hit. The passing traffic didn’t provide any break from the wind like other times. The ride east over the lake was easier with the wind coming from my right rear quarter. Also the concrete bridge wall blocked some of the wind.

Back in Kingwood I set another Strava PR on Kings Crossing North (1:38). This is the same PR segment I recorded a new PR on Monday. I improved by 1 second. I’m 1 second slower than Bob Bixby who is in my age group on Stava. Craig Prejean has the record at 53 seconds. Data from AXS.SRAM.com.

2-8-2023 SRAM Component Summary Gear Usage by Time
2-8-2023 SRAM Component Summary Gear Usage by Time
2-8-2023 SRAM Component Summary Gear Usage by Distance
2-8-2023 SRAM Component Summary Gear Usage by Distance
2-8-2023 SRAM Component Summary Avg Power in Gear
2-8-2023 SRAM Component Summary Avg Power in Gear

Matche rides from Strava.

2-8-2023 Strava Matched Rides Atascocita-Walden-Huffman
2-8-2023 Strava Matched Rides Atascocita-Walden-Huffman