Lubbock commuters riding bikes to work save money, getting fit
By Robin Pyle | AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
It sometimes takes Clinton Williams half an hour to get to work, even though he lives about seven miles away.
And his ride through Lubbock streets can be a dangerous one – many drivers just don’t see him.
But he said the physical and financial benefits have had him bicycling to work as much as possible over the past three years.
Bike Noob writes about his adventures riding The Armadillo Hill Country Classic starting at Liberty Hill.
“One thing I learned for certain after today’s ride — I’m getting better at this.
Today, I did my first organized ride since November. The Armadillo Hill Country Classic, the premier event of the Austin Cycling Association (ACA), follows some nice country roads northwest of Austin. Routes on the ride varied from a 14-mile family ride to 105 miles. I picked the 51-mile route.”
Read more and see his pictures at the Bike Noob blog.
Practice, practice, practice is the mantra of 13-year-old Firethorne resident Madeleine McDuff, a highly focused young cyclist training for her first-ever national junior cycling competition this summer.
The 5-foot, 2-inch seventh grader, founder and president of the Beckendorff Junior High School Cycling Club, practices three to four times a week for up to 50 miles. She works with her trainer, former National Cycling Champion and U.S. Team Member Garth Blackburn (of Sugar Land), rides with the Katy-based Team Spincycle, an adult team that pedals 30 miles every Sunday morning, and cross-trains during the off-season at Firethorne to gear up for the USA Cycling Junior National Track Championships this August at the ADT Event Center in Carson, CA.
“I race competitively (on track and road) because I want to,” said Madeleine, whose enthusiasm for the competitive sport spills over into recreational cycling. “I wanted to start a non-competitive cycling club at school so kids will ride with their families and get exercise – not just play video games,” she explained. She noted that cycling seems to be catching on with high school students, too; Katy High recently started a cycling club.
Imagine miles of rolling hills and thickly wooded forests! The Pineywoods Purgatory – fall’s premier cycling event – offers four rides ranging from 25 to 102 miles that take you through Texas Forest Country’s best! Don’t let the first few miles fool you – the terrain is not without challenge! And to cap off your ride, the Lufkin Host Lions Club and its cadre of volunteers and partners offer unmatched hospitality to riders and their guests. It’s not just a ride; it’s a weekend experience you’ll want to make an annual event! Lots of folks already do!
Website for the Pineywoods Purgatory Bike Ride