Texas Biking News February 16th 2022

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BGDB Black History Month Social Ride

Tina Beecham | ridespot.org

San Antonio, Texas , United States February 16, 2022 8.2 mi BGDB leading the Black History Month social ride ???????????????, 75 riders!!! Thank you Dr. Charles Gentry for enlightening us on more of historic black history in San Antonio. We had two stops along the route. We visited St. Phillips college & Davis-Scott YMCA. This route started at Burleson Beer Garden riding through the Eastside, Southtown, & back.

A Deep South Bicycle Tour

By: Ethan Fichtner | theradavist.com

In escaping the concrete canyons of New York City, the idea of new horizons, and the promise of unfamiliar faces drew me into what became a 4,112-mile bicycle tour across the deep south and southwestern United States.

As I rode away from my friend’s apartment in Queens that warm October morning, I knew very little of what lay ahead. I had never been to the American South and had no contacts. I wasn’t even set on crossing the entire country, unable to really fathom the concept. I had done one overnight bicycle trip to Fire Island on Long Island which turned out to be a disaster (let’s just say Whiskey was involved and to my surprise, Fire Island has no roads). I spent the summer piecing together a bicycle from an 80’s specialized hard rock frame a friend salvaged from a dumpster. And to add injury to insult, earlier in the summer I herniated a couple of discs in my spine, causing pain unlike I’ve ever felt before or since. Add to this concoction a potent dose of naiveté only a 23-year-old with nothing to lose can possess and you have a good idea of where I was at. So I quit my job waiting tables, loaded my bike, and set off south toward …

Red Bull Rio Grande Gravel race wings through south Texas’ desert

by Tyler Benedict | bikerumor.com

Heading into the southwestern point of Texas puts one into a very remote setting. En route to Big Bend National Park, or sidestepping the barely-visited peak at Guadalupe National Park, one finds a tough, unforgiving terrain. What better spot for a gravel race?

The inaugural Red Bull Rio Grande Gravel loops through the foothills of the Chinati Mountains on Cibolo Creek Ranch, just south of Marfa, Texas. With a single 25 mile circuit offering 25-, 50- and 75-mile options, the mix of gravel and dirt roads, mountain passes, and …

Congratulations to Texas Bicycle Friendly Businesses

www.biketexas.org

BikeTexas congratulates the Texas businesses recognized in the latest round of the League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly America Program. Abel City San Antonio joins the list for the first time at the Gold level, while Casteel and Associates has renewed their existing Gold status.

From the League:

Bicycle Friendly Business awards reflect local leaders’ ongoing work to build better places to bike and evaluate those efforts as part of a national movement. Each of the five levels of the Bicycle Friendly Business award – diamond, platinum, gold, silver, and bronze, plus an honorable mention category – provide a clear path for businesses to continuously improve. Visit bikeleague.org/business to learn more about the BFB program.

With the addition of Abel City San Antonio, Texas now boasts 47 Bicycle Friendly Businesses located in 15 different cities and together employing over 25,000 Texans.

Congratulations to all of Texas’ Bicycle Friendly Businesses! Want to see your business in this list? The next BFB application is open now and closes March 2–check it out! …

Austin #1 in nation for bike lane investments

Laura Figi | austonia.com

Investing in safe infrastructure for cyclists is key to reducing roadway deaths, according to a study done by the Urban Institute, which showed that Austin invested the most out of the 13 studied cities.

For Texas-transplant Brendan Hoover, who has lived in Las Vegas and all over California, he’s able to get around Austin on a battery-powered skateboard-like Onewheel from South Lamar to Tech Ridge and back home in Hyde Park. He said he’s been “very impressed” with recent developments in bike lane safety.

"I feel personally, on one wheel I can hit every aspect of the city and I’m limited by a battery. So I would think a bike would be even better,” said Hoover, who doesn’t …

Man dies after apparent bike accident on Haltom City’s Buffalo Ridge Trails, police say

By James Hartley | www.star-telegram.com

A 54-year-old man is dead in Haltom City after he apparently had an accident at Buffalo Ridge Trails while riding his bicycle Wednesday, according to police.

Police said the man, whose name will be released by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office once next-of-kin have been notified, was found on the trails near Black Drive. Police and medical personnel provided first aid but were unable to resuscitate him.

Police said they do not suspect foul play but are asking anybody with information to call 817-222-7000. The investigation is ongoing.

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Texas Biking News February 15th 2022

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MTB San Antonio – Saturday morning OP Schnabel park MTB ride

by #swilson_made | www.meetup.com

Steam-N-Wheels Bike Race at Sea Bee Park 2022

abilenetx.gov

We’re spinning wheels and chasing heels at the 2022 Steam-N-Wheels Bike Race held at SeaBee Park on Ft. Phantom Lake. Experience the burn on our 48-mile competitive race, pack a punch on our 28-mile course, or break a sweat on our 11-mile ride. Cost is $35 per cyclist and the first 100 riders that register will receive a complimentary t-shirt. Packet pickup will be available on March 25th between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at 633 Walnut Street or the race day at SeaBee Park beginning at 8:00 am. …

Austin, Texas has Spicy Trails, Spicy Food, and is Welcoming to all Riders [Ride Like a Local]

By Richard Shoop | www.singletracks.com

Arts, entertainment, music, and mountain biking?! Austin is well-known for the first three, but it is also a great destination for riders of all abilities. This multicultural city offers riders great trails, great food, and great fun.

To get the lowdown on what makes Austin worth riding, I reached out to the Austin Ridge Riders. Greg Stevens, the Special Events Program Director for the club provided me with some great information on Austin’s riding scene. …

Video: Defective: Pair of websites provides consumers vital product recall and complaint information

By Rachel DePompa and Daniela Molina | www.ktre.com

InvestigateTV – The Consumer Product Safety Commission issues hundreds of safety recalls each year. It’s possible you have a recalled product in your home and don’t even know it.

Our national investigative team exposed that many recalls take years, and the law does not incentivize companies to tell consumers about potential problems.

There are two websites you can use to find out whether something you just bought, or have owned for years, has either been recalled or reported as potentially dangerous.

The first is cpsc.gov/recalls. On this site, you don’t even have to know the brand of the product, you can research for recalls on anything. For example, if you were to search “pacifier”, you would instantly find all the recalls in recent years for that type of product. The site will also run searches for related products. For example, if you search “bicycle”, you get results on every bike that’s recently …

Open House to reveal Flower Mound’s Trails Master Plan draft

By Mark Smith | www.crosstimbersgazette.com

The town of Flower Mound will hold a public review meeting this week regarding its draft of the Flower Mound Trails & Bikeways Master Plan.

The Trails and Bikeways Master Plan will serve as a roadmap for the future improvement and expansion to trails and bikeways within Flower Mound, according to the town. It will give the town a plan for how existing and new neighborhoods are connected to key destinations such as schools, parks, shopping areas and major employment centers. The master plan is a year-long effort to engage the public about their vision for trails and bikeways in …

Volunteer Sign-Up – 23rd Annual STORM Hill Country MTB Challenge

STORM | www.bikereg.com

Volunteer Information:

Prior to the event, you will be e-mailed a volunteer handbook outlining your assigned tasks. Please review and contact us if you cannot fulflful those responsibilities.

Please arrive on time for your respective duties as they are time-sensitive and critical to the timely and safe operation of our event.

Volunteers will be added to the front gate list and have their land use and camping fees waived.

  1. Camping – there will be plenty of space to put up a tent in the camping area if you would like to camp out. There is a shower facility that volunteers will have access to.

  2. Parking – Park at the volunteer shed or in the general parking areas. If you are camping, you can drive in and park next to your campsite.

  3. Food for volunteers. Saturday Dinner – food for volunteers Saturday evening. Sunday Breakfast – TBD. Sunday Lunch – You will be able to put together a "build your own" brownbag lunch that you can take to your volunteer post for the day. Sunday Post-race meal – food will be provided for volunteers.

  4. T-shirts are provided for volunteers. Select your size when you sign up for your volunteer spots. …

Modified Southern Tier Winter 2022

By Dean Mitchell | www.crazyguyonabike.com

El Paso, TX: Tailwind

Friday February 11, 2022, 180 km (112 miles) – Total so far: 882 km (548 miles) I left Hachita, NM thinking it was going to be a shorter ride to Columbus, NM. I got a nice tailwind today for the first time in a few days. When I got to Columbus, I decided to go to El Paso instead, that made it become a high milage day. The road was mostly flat with a few hills thrown in. Very little traffic which consisted of mostly Border Patrol and a few trucks. I followed the border all day.

It was another day of barren and remote landscape, sunny and 20c.

I did notice more Border Patrol vehicles as I got near El Paso. About …

El Paso, TX

Saturday February 12, 2022, 41 km (25 miles) – Total so far: 923 km (574 miles) Not much movement today, kind of a rest day. Rode south east through the city to a motel on the outskirts of town. Back to more remoteness in the upcoming days. Being a Saturday, traffic was light. I rode mostly the ACA Southern Tier map route.

Sunny, headwind, 11c …

Sierra Blanca, TX

Sunday February 13, 2022, 125 km (78 miles) – Total so far: 1,048 km (651 miles) Left south El Paso and headed to Sierra Blanca. It was quite cool but warmed up as the morning went on. There was a long climb up heading east. Just outside of Sierra Blanca, I got a flat so that put me behind a bit. The slime in the tube did not stop anything as the goat horn thorns punctured in two places. I pulled them out of the tire and used a new tube. I got food and a hotel, the Super Bowl has just got under way.

Sunny, light wind, 15c. …

Van Horn, TX

Monday February 14, 2022, 55 km (34 miles) – Total so far: 1,103 km (685 miles) Left late as it was a short day. Not much going on, lots of brown scenery with clear blue skies. I don’t think I have seen a cloud in 12 days. Resting up for a bigger ride tomorrow to Marfa, TX with nothing in between here and there.

Sunny, light wind, 21c …

La Primavera Lago Vista 2022

Drop Bar, Texas: A cycling podcast, By Paul Negrete | anchor.fm

La Primavera Lago Vista is back for it’s 30th year in 2022! Don Hutchison gives us some history lessons on the event and what makes this a Texas road race classic. It’s truly a beautiful race. I also give you some ideas on what to do when you’re not a super bowl fan that might come in hand next time, highlight a feat of glory, as well as a look at races around the horizon in March.

Music: Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw

Links: La Primavera Lago Vista Murphy Crit p/b KRG UNT Crit Drop Bar Texas Team Store

BellVelo & Velodrome Update!

from Alkek Velodrome 2/15/2022 | shoutout.wix.com

Calendar Changes…

This week USAC announced Junior and Elite Nats which has impacted our schedule a little along with a couple of other things…

  • Aged Based TT Championship has moved to May 7th to avoid clashing with the Road TT Championships on the 14th May
  • Omnium Championships have moved to June 4th to avoid clashing with the MS150
  • The track will be closed for est. 3 weeks from July 25th to Aug 12th for much needed concrete repair work and treatment of wet areas. I plan to add a make up race or two.

BellVelo Gravel Series

Race #2 was again insanely windy but a whole lot of fun! Elevate sent a team to light up the 60 mile race, they definitely did that and swept the podium with Luke Pharis taking the win ahead of Jaco Conje and Mark Beard coming in 3rd to move into the lead of the series standings 2 pts ahead of Leonard Gremillion who took 4th for the 2nd time running. Audrey Maness (Shama Cycles) took the win in the womens 60 mile race and secured the series! Congrats! Nicole Jurisch came in 2nd and sits tied with Danielle Bradford (Fort Bend Kia) for 2nd overall.

In the Half Pint event Garrett Pike beat out Travis Dixon (Both Sun & Ski – Southern Elite) with Mike Ereli rounding out the podium. Travis Dixon extends his series lead to to 8pts over Jim Payne (Blue Agarve Racing). Hannah Thombs (Cantu) won the …

… Swap Meet – March 20th @1pm

Alkek Velodrome will have items for sale including ex-rental bikes and several boxes of brand new product kindly donated by Trek Bicycle of Houston!

Please bring your items to sell also! A Vendor fee of $10 payable on arrival, non-vendor admission is free.

Strictly cycling items only

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New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Texas Biking Action February 13th 2022

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The Love Ride

Angie Cabrera | www.strava.com

Mostly mended Greenway

Dries Berghman | www.strava.com

Last week’s cold turned into this week’s repeated asthma attacks. Got back on my various inhalers and am feeling much better.

Had a little trouble pacing myself (started out too fast) but had a wonderful time back on the bike.

1.22 new miles …

Birthday Ride.

ACTIVE CYCLING TEXAS | www.strava.com

PM Ride – Well That’s A Horse Of A Different Color

David Saenz | www.strava.com

Pre-Super Bowl slog

Brady Reed | www.strava.com

1 Hour Recovery Ride

Brad Stauffer | www.strava.com

New rules are needed for people, pets and e-bikes on the San Antonio River

by Robert Rivard | sanantonioreport.org

Those who frequent the urban reaches of the San Antonio River had plenty to say on social media, in site comments and in messages to me about last week’s column on high volumes of litter blighting the linear park.

At the same time I am hearing from more and more people unhappy with the pathways along the river, notably along the Museum Reach and south of the Nueva Street dam to Roosevelt Park.

To sum up their frustrations, the $384.1million, 20-year San Antonio River Improvement Project is attracting a growing number of people, pets and cyclists to the 13-mile linear park, especially its …

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Flat Ride With The Big Ring Event Makuri Islands Neon Flats

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I finished up the week’s rides Zwifting with The Big Ring group. Today’s ride was 60 minutes long starting at 2:45 PM. The route was the Makuri islands Neon Flats. About 135 riders were in the group. Not large but good. It didn’t take long for the group to leave me. By mistake I pressed a key which stopped me on the side of the road wanting some code. I pressed “ESC” and got moving again. About that time D. Kennedy came along side and we rode together until about the last 5 minutes. This was my second time on this route but portions of it are in other routes. MY previous ride was January 27th, a little shorter in length and time so not a direct comparison.

ZwiftInsider.com describes the route as “Introduced in Zwift’s November 2021 update, Neon Flats is one of the flattest Neokyo routes around. (Oddly enough, it’s not the flattest – that award goes to Sleepless City.) This is a great route if you’re looking for something flat and fast, with sprint segments to contest.” After climbing 994 feet yesterday I think a flatter ride was good. I climbed 453 feet.

The RWGPS route map below shows all of the ups and downs. Looks like a saw blade. One climb hit 5% but the rest were less than that.

This ride put at 51% of my Zwift goal for the year. A couple more months of cool weather to add more miles.

Outside it was in the 50’s and sunny. Inside it was around 70 degrees. Ice water and a fan helped me stay cool.

Today ended the week’s riding. I rode every day but Monday when I picked up my Cervelo Caledonia bike. I was please with the miles but I need more if I’m going to reach my 300 mile goal for February. I’m not going to be able to ride until later in the week because of cataract surgery on Monday. Hopefully the weather cooperates.

2-13-2022 Week Bike Rides Summary
2-13-2022 Week Bike Rides Summary
2-13-2022 Strava Zwift Makuri Islands Neon Flats Summary-2
2-13-2022 Strava Zwift Makuri Islands Neon Flats Summary
2-13-2022 RWGPS Zwift Makuri Islands Neon Flats Map
2-13-2022 RWGPS Zwift Makuri Islands Neon Flats Map