Texas Bicycling News August 1st 2022

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Sun City Crit bike race postponed until fall 2023

by Fallon Fischer | kfoxtv.com

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — This year’s Sun City Crit bicycling event in downtown El Paso has been postponed until fall of 2023, according to Destination El Paso.

The event brings in dozens of professional teams from across the United States and Mexico, including Olympians and national champions.

There are also amateur races for adults and kids.

Aside from cycling, Sun City Crit includes family-friendly activities, live entertainment, food, vendors, and more.

“We are so excited to bring this one-of-kind sporting event back to El Paso,” says José Garcia, president and CEO of Destination El Paso. “This event gives our community a chance to experience elite athletes, competing at the top of their discipline, while extending the warmth and hospitability our city is famous for.”

Fall 2023 will see the third edition of Sun City Crit.

The city has done it, finally: Letters to the Editor

El Paso Times | www.elpasotimes.com

Dec. 9, 2017, I wrote to City Hall:

When I joined traffic engineer Ted Márquez and Rep. Susie Byrd yesterday in repetitive drives around the dangerous curve south bound on Alabama Street, we discussed not only the need for a bicycle lane, but also the fact that the north bound lanes of Alabama, from McKelligon Canyon Road down to where Fred Wilson peels off to the right, has three dangerously narrow lanes. With heavy traffic from the quarry, sand and gravel trucks and cement mixers on that short, curved segment of Alabama, there’s no room at all for bicyclists, and it’s dangerously scary for regular automobile traffic. Two wider lanes would be a lot safer and leave room for a bicycle lane.

Now, I applaud the new lane markings and safe bicycle lanes along Alabama! One caveat: The city must now keep the curb-side bicycle lanes clear of over-hanging shrubbery, weeds at the curb, dirt and debris washed into them by rain so bicyclists don’t swerve into a motor traffic lane when their lane is dangerous.

Sue W. DiCara Northeast El Paso

Cycle Progression 2022 Texas Cup

Dave Bellante | www.tmbra.org

Our race directors are busy putting the finishing touches on their races. Information is trickling in to TMBRA HQ. Check our website for the latest info. www.tmbra.org As soon as we get info we’re updating the calendar. Remember the @Cycle Progression Texas Cup is best 4 out of 6 races. You need 3 races to qualify for overall awards and Top 5 T-shirts. Don’t forget Showdown at the Arroyo is a double points race! Big thank you to @cycleprogression our series sponsor.

26th Annual Bicycle Swap meet, Hurst, Texas. Saturday October 15, 2022

thecabe.com

Island Ride Out and Bike Expo: Aug. 26-28

www.galveston.com

Island Ride Out and Bike Expo: Aug. 26-28

Moody Gardens transforms into bicycle central Aug. 26 through 28. An 18-mile ride out on beautiful Galveston Island is the main event paired up a Bike Expo and featuring the latest gear and presentations by celebrity pros. Cyclists can choose from several of the Explore on Your Own tours, check out the Bike Pub Crawl, Reserved Back Alley Bicycler Zone and a Saturday Night Palm Beach Party with fireworks for Rideout participants and hotel guests, and a Breakfast with the Pros event on Sunday morning. Hotel packages include this VIP breakfast, party and a variety of other special perks available through the Moody Gardens Hotel.

Tickets and hotel packages are available now for all three events at moodygardens.com/events/.

Video: Downtown YMCA offers additional housing for Hotter’N Hell

By Tanner Deleon | www.newschannel6now.com

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) – The nation’s largest single-day bike ride is less than one month away and the excitement level from the community is growing, but with thousands expected to travel to Wichita Falls, hotels have filled up quickly.

People looking for somewhere to stay will have many options to choose from outside of hotel rooms if they are not available.

One of those is the downtown YMCA, which opens up to house up to 250 riders. They describe it as one “hell” of a weekend.

“We call it YMCA indoor camping and it is exactly that,” Steve Hudman, Vice President of Operations at the YMCA, said.

The YMCA in downtown Wichita Falls is preparing for another year housing riders for Hotter’N Hell Hundred.

“When Hotter’N Hell comes in the last weekend here in August, we will be housing anywhere from …

Southern Walnut Creek Trail Ride – Tuesday August 2nd, 2022 from socialcyclingaustin

Mtn Bike Monday with the crew

Dan Carrion- Blitz Racing | strava.com

Texas Biking from Twitter

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

The Map Ran Out, The Dogs Ran Out And I Missed Some Rain

Texbiker.net Posted on by

The route was about the same until I got to Tavola where I decided to explore new streets. The Bolt computer map helped some until the new streets. I found a street I never new existed but decided to stay in Tavola because the road surface looked rough. The route choice for today was “New Caney – Tavola – Valley Ranch” for the 10th ride this year. My Cervelo Caledonia rolled out at 9:24 AM as I was slow getting out the door. After yesterday’s 95 degrees I was a little reluctant to tackle that again but it was cooler than that. The new streets in Tavola started as I turned around on Via Principal Parkway and went back to Gran Roble Drive. I rode Gran Roble before but only about 100 yards where it ended. Now the road is completed and new houses are springing up right and left. When the map ran out I just kept riding north and turning right until I got to New Caney Forest Drive which I was pretty sure would take me back to Via Principal Parkway which it did. After that the route was on familiar streets. The exploring put the distance for the ride at 37.71 miles, not quite the longest ride of the 10 in 2022. A good start towards my 800 mile goal for August.

After several rides through the Rock Creek at Northpark intersection without the dogs they were back today with a twist. The brown and white dog moved to the east side of Rock Creek where I was riding on the greenbelt. He spotted me quickly running alongside about 10 feet away barking loudly. The brown dog was on the west side of Rock Creek barking but not crossing the street. I think the brown and white dog moved because the irrigation system was running on the other side. I had to stop for the traffic light at Northpark and when I did the brown and white dog stopped barking and retreated some. When the light changed I crossed Northpark to the eastbound lanes where the light was red. In front of me was a man and 2 young girls on bikes waiting for the light to change. I asked the man if the brown and white dog bothered them and he said he came out of the trees after they passed by.

A helpful tailwind got me to Tavola without pedaling too hard but the ride back was into the headwind requiring more effort. My legs handled both conditions though I did change from the 35×13 to the 35×15 gears riding from TX 99 on Valley Ranch to Olympic Forest Drive when I made the turn into Forest Colony and out of the headwind somewhat. AXS.SRAM.com ride report showed me using the 35×13 gears for 1:59:31 riding time out of a total 3:00:22.

Weather conditions: start 86 (humidity 71%, dew point 76), partly cloudy, wind S 5 mph; finish 90 (humidity 62%, dew point 75), partly cloudy, wind S 8 mph. Back in Kingwood some streets had damp spots maybe from a quick shower. AT home my electricity had been off long enough to trigger CenterPoint Energy emails. Some clouds to the east looked like they might contain rain but I finished at 12:29 PM without getting rained on.

8-1-2022 Strava Ride Data Summary New Caney-Tavola-Valley Ranch
8-1-2022 Strava Ride Data Summary New Caney-Tavola-Valley Ranch

Texas Bicycling Action July 31st 2022

Texbiker.net Posted on by

PHOTOS: Woolley G’s in Longview holds Scrambled Legs bike challenge

www.news-journal.com

Cyclists from near and far gathered Saturday at Woolley G’s Bike & Fitness in Longview to participate in its Scrambled Legs event.

Cyclists of all skill levels were invited to a 10-mile endurance challenge 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. to see how many laps they could complete throughout the 10-hour period.

Snacks and drinks were provided for the cyclists, and many made stops to refill their water or cool down inside the business on East Tyler Street.

Bikin’ Betties Monday August 1st, 2022 from socialcyclingaustin

Return of Critical Mass Video : I did not forget how to ride a bike! from BikingATX

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWkO5ruAZr4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI1W5yUf0us

Texas Biking from Twitter

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

It Was Hot, Appreciated The Shade More

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Changing up a route can be difficult at times when riding them so often. Before starting the I thought of how to make biking Kingwood streets different and came up with biking the opposite direction plus adding a couple of different streets or parking lots. Starting in the heat of the day at 1:26 after getting home from church and getting dressed meant it could be a tough ride compared to the other days when I start at 9 AM or earlier. I finished at 3:00 and the temperature increased even more after the ride so I guess I didn’t ride in the hottest time of the day. Good training for the HH100 in late August. I rode the opposite direction on almost every street which looks different, potholes are in new places, the turns can look different (I got confused at one intersection almost making the wrong turn), scenery is backward and new. In Royal Brook which I always use the Bolt’s maps because I can’t remember which turns to make was even more strange going the opposite way. I surprised myself getting to Hueni Road through Royal Brook without making any wrong turns. Not too long after than I rode through Woodstream in the opposite direction but with not so many turns and emerged where I wanted to be. The next challenge was biking streets through Fosters Mill which I’ve only done a couple times in the other direction. I recalled a couple of landmarks and made the correct turns with the help of the Bolt computer’s map. This was not the route to ride in a daze, I had to think about the streets and turns.

Today completed my biking for the week and the month which doesn’t happen often. I biked 19.27 miles finishing the week with 233.1 miles riding every day in July. For the month the total was 1015.2 miles beating April’s 1014.9 miles just barely. Checking my logs I don’t see a year with more than 1 month at 1000+ miles. This was the 10th week in a row at 200+ miles which got me to the 1000+ miles for July. All the rides this week were less than 40 miles and the longest all month was 43.4 miles on the 18th. This put the average ride distance at 32.74 miles. for July. I’m keeping the year to date mileage close to 2021 (5,788 miles) and 2020 (5,806) numbers with 5,773 this year.

7-31-2022 RWGPS Month Bike Rides Summary
7-31-2022 RWGPS Month Bike Rides Summary

July is hot in Texas and today was no exception. Starting in the afternoon adds to the exposure to heat but it made me appreciate the moments riding in the shade more. Some salt stains again on my mostly black kit. The CamelBak ice melts some but kept the water cold until the finish. Weather conditions: start 95 (humidity 45%, dew point 70), partly cloudy, wind SE 8 mph; finish 95 (humidity 41%, dew point 68), partly cloudy, wind SE 6 mph gusts 20 mph. At times during the ride the wind felt strong but I didn’t realize it was 20 mph gusts until I saw the weather after the ride. Kingwood’s trees buffered some of the wind.

During the night I had a leg cramp and I wondered if that would affect my ride but I didn’t notice any problem thankfully. Biking Kingwood’s streets is not a high speed ride because of the stops and greenbelt twists and turns. I did manage a Strava 3rd fastest time on pool to the school (2:24) riding along Mills Branch Drive, a segment I wasn’t aware of.

7-31-2022 Strava Bike Ride Summary Kingwood Streets
7-31-2022 Strava Bike Ride Summary Kingwood Streets
7-31-2022 Strava Ride Map and Profile Kingwood Streets
7-31-2022 Strava Ride Map and Profile Kingwood Streets