Texas Biking News January 26th 2022

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Freeze Your Fanny bike ride set Feb. 5

By Sherry P. Shephard | www.news-journal.com

The 34th annual Freeze Your Fanny bike ride benefiting East Texas Lightnin’ is set to roll out Feb. 5, freezing temperatures or not.

East Texas Lightnin’ is an independent team of athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The athletes participate in Special Olympics events throughout Texas and the team is based in Longview.

The event, which includes a …

Seabrook eager for trail grant to finally arrive

Robert Avery | www.houstonchronicle.com

The tranquility of Seabrook’s trail system continues to be a draw for residents of that community and beyond, but for city officials, there’s one area past the end of the trail they wish weren’t so tranquil.

It’s the proposed 1¼-mile section the city wishes to construct to connect the current trail system with the area near Texas 146.

In spring 2020, the trail received a shot in the arm when the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission named it as a recipient for a $131,400 grant from money it hands out annually after communities submit nominations.

The money could potentially extend the …

5 U.S. Cities Where Bike Commuting Is Booming

By Laura Bliss | www.bloomberg.com

In 2019, just 0.5% of U.S. commuters rode a bike to work, the smallest share of any mode. But tiny shifts can make a big difference. Data-driven bike plans, safety improvements and supportive political leadership helped boost bike commute rates in several cities in recent years, according to a new report from the League of American Bicyclists.

In “Benchmarking Bike Networks,” the country’s largest bicycling advocacy organization takes stock of the best infrastructure and policy practices for getting more people pedaling. It spotlights Boston; Chicago; Austin, Texas; Oakland, California; and Missoula, Montana — cities of diverse size and geography where bike commute shares are more than twice the national average and have increased over the last decade. Ken McLeod, the League’s policy director, hopes they can serve as models for other communities.

“Benchmarking shows what really good communities are doing and …

For Plano woman, giving is a way of life

By Leslie Barker | www.dallasnews.com

Shannon Catalano has donated her hair to charity six times. She’s on the bone marrow donation registry and regularly donates blood. She started a nonprofit that gives seniors who haven’t ridden a bike in decades the sensation and freedom of doing just that.

As one of those benevolent people whose altruistic itch can never quite be satisfied, Catalano also donated a kidney to a stranger almost four years ago. And now — to bring awareness to the importance of all kidney donations and to show that a one-kidney life is far from limiting — the Plano resident plans …

Texas Biking from Twitter

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Learned More About Zwift Meetup, Makuri Islands Three Village Loop

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I didn’t want to ride another route on stage 5 of the Tour de Zwift so I created a meetup. Before creating the meetup I watched a video to see if I could ride 2 different routes in the same meetup. That is not a feature in Zwift, maybe someday. What I did learn was that after choosing the world and route using the distance I could change the distance. I chose Makuri Islands Three Village Loop and set the distance to 15 miles. This was longer than 2 laps and included 722 feet of climbing. On a very short section the climb hit 13% briefly, just long enough to show on the screen. Zwiftinsider.com listed the lap basics as: Length: 10.5 km (6.5 miles), Elevation: 92 m (302‘), Lead-In: 0 km ( miles). I earned my badge for the route since this was my first time.

As a meetup I rode as myself not grouped with anyone else but there were other Zwifters on the roads. Some went the same direction and other rode the opposite direction. I noticed I rode in the left lane and the opposite riders in the right lane. I’m not familiar with the driving practices in Japan.

Tomorrow stage 5 is still listed in the events so I may create another meetup. Earn another badge.

No internet connection problems during the ride.

January Zwift miles are up to 268.3. I’m falling behind on reaching my 300 road mile goal and the weather looks like it will not help. I’ve not missed a day riding the bike in January.

1-26-2022 Strava Zwift Makuri Islands Three Village Loop Summary
1-26-2022 Strava Zwift Makuri Islands Three Village Loop Summary
1-26-2022 RWGPS Zwift Makuri Islands Three Village Loop Map
1-26-2022 RWGPS Zwift Makuri Islands Three Village Loop Map

Texas Biking News January 25th 2022

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Ascension announces new charity bike ride at COTA

patch.com

Austin, Texas – In collaboration with Circuit of the Americas and SCOTT Sports, Ascension Seton is producing a one-day European-style cycling event that will take place on April 3, 2022. The French way of saying "all on your bike," Tous à Vélo is a non-competitive ride at the famed Circuit of the Americas with all proceeds benefiting Dell Children’s Medical Center. In what is planned to be an annual event, 2,000 riders will be able to participate in this uniquely-Austin experience complete with live music, food and beverages.

Entry fees start at $50, registration for the event is now open and 100% of entry fees directly benefit Dell Children’s Medical Center. Riders have the option to …

Registration open for Poth’s 2022 Ride to Remember

www.wilsoncountynews.com

The City of Poth will hold its 2022 Ride to Remember Bicycle Ride and 5K Walk/Run in cooperation with the Alzheimer’s Association and the Poth Economic Development Corp. on Saturday, April 23.

Cyclists can choose from four rider levels (12-, 22-, 44-, and 66-mile). On race day, check-in begins at 7 a.m. in Poth City Park at 801 Coy St. Cyclists will pedal out of the park at 8 a.m., followed by the walk/ run at 9 a.m.

The cost is $40 per person through April 8, and will include a barbecue meal ticket and T-shirt. Proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association and the Poth City Park. After April 9, the price increases to $45.

To register, visit bit.ly/2PSJWnv.

USAT Announces Gravel Tri Series

Kelly O’Mara | www.triathlete.com

Capitalizing on the boom in gravel cycling and racing, USA Triathlon today announced a first-ever gravel triathlon series—which includes a brand new gravel tri national championships.

“Gravel cycling is growing incredibly fast and the multisport community is positioned to take advantage of this trend by providing athletes with new and unique race formats and disciplines,” said USAT CEO Rocky Harris in a press statement.

The series will include eight races—a mix of new events and gravel tris that have been around for years, like Ugly Dog Gravel Tri in Michigan. It will start with the Jersey Gravel Triathlon in May and include races in California, Michigan, Texas, Idaho, and Colorado, as well as a …

Project Homeless Connect extends helping hand in Waco

Mike Copeland | wacotrib.com

Curby Blaylock tries out his bike after members of First Baptist Church did some repairs on it Tuesday during the Project Homeless Connect event at the Waco Convention Center.

As the Freedom Fountain gurgled nearby, Charles Cummings approached a stranger outside the Waco Convention Center. His eyes betrayed a look of desperation, and he softly inquired about getting a bicycle.

Homeless since his girlfriend sent him packing about four weeks ago, Cummings, 60, now faces life on the streets. He admits to a weakness for “wrong choices,” including substance abuse triggered by cocaine. …

Texas Biking from Twitter

Second Ride Stage 5 Tour de Zwift, Group C Rode Paris Champs – Elysees

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Part 1 of Stage 5 Up to When My Internet Stopped

Stage 5 of the Tour de Zwift continued today and I rode the Group C route in Paris on the Champs – Elysees. It was a fast paced group with me staying with a few other Zwifters but in the 590 to 600 positions of nearby Zwifters. Near the end the nearby Zwifters showed over 800. The stage was 10.2 miles long with 299 feet of climbing. The lead-in was about 2 miles with each of the 2 laps at 4.1 miles. This was my second time on this course with the previous time on 2/11/2021. My Zwift riding so far this month totals 253.2 miles exceeding my road miles (225.3 miles). The weather is not cooperating with my road riding.

Part 2

The YouTube videos are part 1 and part 2 due to my internet going offline during the live stream and then re-connecting.

I upped my gearing by 1 rear cassette cog after warming up during the lead-in. This improved my w/kg to almost 2 rather than in the 1.6 to 1.8 range. My legs really didn’t complain since the climbing was modest, mostly 1% to 3% over the stage. In Group C I finished at 323 in the Zwiftpower.com ranking out of 376. This looks realistic with the rider dots in the companion app on the course. Group A had 353 (not as many as I expected), Group B 660, and Group D did not have anyone. The nearby Zwifter count must’ve included riders from other than Group C.

1-25-2022 ZwiftPower.com TdZ Stage 5 Group C Rankings

I nabbed to person result medals in Strava: PR on Champs-Élysées Lead-In from Start Pens (5:47) and 2nd fastest time on Champs-Élysées (12:13). I show the RWGPS stage map and profile below because it shows more detail.

1-25-2022 Strava Zwift Stage 5 TdZ Bike Ride Summary
1-25-2022 Strava Zwift Stage 5 TdZ Bike Ride Summary
1-25-2022 RWGPS TdZ Stage 5 Champs-Elysees Ride Map
1-25-2022 RWGPS TdZ Stage 5 Champs-Elysees Ride Map