Texas Bicycling News – January 20, 2023

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Metro could take over Houston’s BCycle, spending $500K to help people get to bus and train stops

Dug Begley | www.houstonchronicle.com

A BCycle station at Sawyer Yards is photographed Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, in Houston. Metropolitan Transit Authority is considering a plan to take over bike sharing in the Houston area, shifting the focus from mostly recreational trips to connecting riders to transit or short trips. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

The Houston area’s biggest bus operator is considering getting in the bike business, infusing up to $500,000 into the city’s network of docked two-wheelers.

Under the proposal, scheduled for a vote by the Metropolitan Transit Authority board next week, Metro would take over bike sharing in the area and integrate it into its own plans for encouraging bus and train riders to access stops.

“Anything that is engaged in moving people, we need to be part of that,” Metro CEO Tom Lambert said Wednesday.

The proposed partnership is …

‘All’s right in the world’ | Houston nonprofit gives new life to unwanted bicycles

Author: Brandi Smith | www.khou.com

HOUSTON — If you have an old bike lying in your garage or need a bike for yourself or your child, you need to know about a Houston event happening on Jan. 21. Recycled Cycles of Texas takes in old bikes, fixes them up and then donates them to kids and adults who need them — for free!

It’s hosting its first-ever pop-up. Called "Have 1, Leave 1, Need 1, Take 1," the event is exactly what it sounds like. If you have a bike that’s old, damaged or unused for any other reason, you can drop it off. Alternatively, if you want a bike but can’t afford one, this is your chance to give a refurbished bike new life.

"To see a kid ride away on a bicycle, I mean, there’s …

Now with an Omnium!

www.cedarhillracefestival.org

While we don’t officially have an omnium competition listed in our technical guide as part of our race weekend we ARE going to tabulate omnium standings for the weekend based upon the combined results from all 3 races (RR, TT, RR). We’ll then do a separate omnium podium after the Bike Mart Sunday Road Race and if I have enough medals in stock we’ll distribute medals as well.

No need to sign-up separately for the omnium. As long as you are registered to race the same category in both road races and the TT you’ll be part of the omnium standings.

Greater Longview United Way, city team for ‘Born Learning Trails’

www.news-journal.com

The Greater Longview United Way has formed a partnership with the city of Longview to bring "Born Learning Trails" to the community.

The trails are outdoor learning spaces designed to support early childhood development and promote physical activity, according to the city.

These trails, which will be in parks throughout Longview, feature interactive signs and activities that encourage parents and caregivers to engage with their young children in fun, educational ways, according to the city. The trails are designed to be used by children up to age 5 and will focus on key areas such as literacy, math and science.

"We are thrilled to be …

Texas Biking from Twitter

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Rough Start. Stage 4 Tour de Zwift Greatest London Loop Reverse

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Not a good start on Stage 4 of the Tour de Zwift. I thought everything was ready to go but about 3 minutes before the start the connection to my Wahoo Kickr Core trainer and heart rate monitor disconnected from the desktop program and the companion app on my phone. I found one problem, my phone was on the wrong wireless network and I fixed that. Then I force quit the companion app and reopened it but still no connection. Next I changed from my phone to my desktop computer Bluetooth and everything connected slowly. By then the stage started and I was left at the start pen.

When I opened the app it showed 22,716 Zwifters and after I finished it dropped to 16,301.

Stage 4 Group B rode on the Greatest London Loop Reverse which I haven’t done before. I checked ZwiftInsider.com to find the climbing was concentrated going up Fox Hill not too long from the start. It took me over 22 minutes to reach the top but I passed other Zwifters making up positions. Group B had 1294 online with me around 1250 at the start. Going up Fox Hill I moved up to around 1185 and improved a few more places by the finish line. The description in the companion app showed the stage at 16.1 miles and 1167 feet of climbing but I rode 15.79 miles with 1043 feet of climbing. I’ll take the less climbing. ZwiftInsider.com had different route data too, 13.1 miles per lap and 837 feet of climbing.

From ZwiftPower.com I finished 709 out of 735 Group B Zwifters with a profile there. Group A had 315, Group C 378, and Group D 30.

1-20-2023 ZwiftPower Results Stage 4 Tour de Zwift Group B
1-20-2023 Strava Zwift Ride Overview Greatest London Loop Reverse
1-20-2023 Strava Zwift Ride Overview Greatest London Loop Reverse
1-20-2023 Strava Zwift Ride Map Greatest London Loop Reverse
1-20-2023 Strava Zwift Ride Map Greatest London Loop Reverse

Texas Bicycling News – January 19, 2023

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Bicycles in downtown Corpus Christi are being stolen

By: Victoria Balderrama | www.kristv.com

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — After moving to downtown Corpus Christi a few months ago, Russell Sellman received a not so warm welcome after his bikes were stolen last weekend from his garage at his apartment complex.

"We have our two bikes out there and someone happened to sneak in and cut the chain and walk off with it,” Sellman said.

Sellman added it’s not just about the cost, it’s their sentimental value.

"My wife’s. I literally just …

Federal Funds to Improve North Texas Bike & Pedestrian Paths

www.wbap.com

(WBAP/KLIF) — Over $63-million in funding is aimed at making pedestrian and bike paths safer in North Texas. The Infrastructure Bill passed by Congress last year earmarked $55-million for transportation projects in Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, and Denton Counties.

Transportation Council approved the federal funding for construction of 13 active transportation projects. The North Central Texas Council of Governments is adding an $8-million match to a $55-million federal grant to make $63-million available for projects.

The NCTCG’s Kevin Kokes says …

Podcast #074 – Chasing Watts build a better group ride app

Written by Tyler Benedict | bikerumor.com

A while back, I thought it would be cool if there were an app that made it easy to find a group ride anywhere in the world. I spent days (which turned into weeks) storyboarding my idea.

Turns out, I was a bit late to the game, as there are several options helping cyclists find others to ride with, whether it’s road, mountain, gravel, or whatever.

Today, I’m speaking with Jason and Scott, the two guys behind Chasing Watts, a group ride app that started just before the pandemic, as a side hustle passion project, and ended up amassing huge numbers in their hometown of Houston, TX. …

Video: Laredo Cycling Club inviting community to Shiloh Bike Trail meeting

By KGNS Staff | www.kgns.com

LAREDO, TX. (KGNS) – A local cycling club is pedaling forward with bringing changes to a popular bike trail and the public is invited to voice their suggestions.

The Laredo Cycling Club will be hosting a public forum to discuss changes to the Shiloh Bike Trail.

During the city’s recent Springfield expansion, the Shiloh Bike Trail was cut by about 30 percent according to Fernando Baldazo with the cycling club.

Baldazo along with other members of the cycling club are inviting fellow cyclists and community members to provide public input on some of the changes they …

Child taken to Tyler hospital after being hit by vehicle

By Sariah Bonds | www.kltv.com

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – A child riding a bicycle was injured after being hit by a vehicle Thursday evening.

According to Tyler Police Officer Thomas Guerrero, the boy was taken to a Tyler hospital by ambulance with multiple lacerations. His injuries are not life-threatening.

The incident occurred after 5 p.m. at the intersection of Pollard Drive and Arlington Avenue.

Thursday with Cyclones San Antonio, Texas

Alex Sungho Hong | strava.com

27 cattle guards Kendall County, Texas

Dina Christal | strava.com

Texas Biking from Twitter

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Stage 3 Tour de Zwift Douce France (Sweet Ride)

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I waited for the last day to ride stage 3 of the Tour de Zwift (not counting the make up days). I signed into the ride start pin and warmed up. As I pedaled the number increased settling at 1024 for Group B. Overall there were over 22,000 online when I opened the companion app. Group B rode the Douce France route 1 lap. This was the 3rd time I rode this route. The previous 2 times were in 2022. I rode 15.13 miles and climbed 436 feet. The route consists of rolling hills with one KOM at Aquedec starting around 10km. I rode with a bunch until we came to some rolling hills which thinned the group. After that I hung around position 919 to 924 catching several 3 or 4 person groups to ride with. After the KOM descent the road flattened to the finish.

Today’s ride was in the middle of the previous 2 rides performance wise.

1-19-2023 Strava Zwift Matched Rides Douce France
1-19-2023 Strava Zwift Matched Rides Douce France

Since this was event ZwiftPower.com published the results for those with a profile. I was 543 out of 557 in Group B. Group A had 7, Group C 246, and Group D 34.

1-19-2023 ZwiftPower Results Tour de Zwift Stage 3 Douce France
1-19-2023 ZwiftPower Results Tour de Zwift Stage 3 Douce France

Top results from Strava: 2nd fastest time on Douce France from Start Pens (46:11) and 3rd fastest time on Marina Sprint (38s).

1-19-2023 Strava Zwift TdZ stage 3 Overview Douce France
1-19-2023 Strava Zwift TdZ stage 3 Overview Douce France
1-19-2023 Strava Zwift Relative Weekly Effort
1-19-2023 Strava Zwift Relative Weekly Effort