Stinging Encounter, Almost Met A Pickup Up Close

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Warm December continued for today’s bike ride but the wind went crazy. Rolling out at 11:17 AM on the Lynskey R300 bike I headed north with a nice tailwind but I knew I would pay the price on the return south back to Kingwood. I rode my “New Caney – Tavola – Valley Ranch” route covering 35.95 miles. With these miles I doubled my 150 mile road goal for the month with 301.1 miles. Eighteen times I’ve biked this route in 2021. One of the rides I do most weeks. Each of my two bikes have done it 9 times. That’s unusual.

Wind was the challenge today. A steady 17 mph from the south propelled me to Tavola adding in 24 to 25 mph gusts. On the way back the headwind was stiff. As I rode south on the service road the passing traffic shielded me from the wind some but when there was a blank space I got the full puff. No need to add clothes today with the temperature in the mid to upper 70’s by the time I finished at 2:31 PM. Overall weather conditions: tart 77 (humidity 81%, dew point 71), mostly cloudy, wind S 17 mph gusts 24 mph; finish 78 (humidity 77%, dew point 70), mostly cloudy, wind S 17 mph gusts 25 mph.

Riding to Tavola I stopped at the cemetery to visit my wife’s grave site. Walking back to my bike I saw an urn with flowers laying on it’s side and reached down to stand it back up. Unbeknownst to me it was resting on a fire ant mound. In an instance my hand was covered by a bunch of those stinging little varmints. I started brushing them off and escaped with only a few stings. That was the stinging encounter. As I rode away a couple of ants crawled out of my glove and were dispatched quickly before they could inflict pain.

Back in Kingwood I decided to stop at the new bike shop 29ERS Bike Shop on Chestnut Ridge. I talked with Johnny for several minutes and gave him a Texbiker.net business card. Riding away from there I turned onto Stonehollow Drive. As I approached Kingwood Nursery a black pickup pulled out in front of me. I grabbed the brakes and the pickup spun wheels or we would’ve collided. That is one pickup I didn’t want to meet up close.

With all of the warm weather the colorful flowers at Valley Ranch Parkway and Texas 99 caught my eye. I circled back and took these photos.

  • 12-15-2021 Lynskey R300 Valley Ranch at TX 99-1
    12-15-2021 Lynskey R300 Valley Ranch at TX 99
  • 12-15-2021 Lynskey R300 Valley Ranch at TX 99-2
    12-15-2021 Lynskey R300 Valley Ranch at TX 99

Notice all of the scrapes on the pole. This intersection has had numerous wrecks and I think they caused the marks.

I’m back to the local legend on this Strava segment: Local Legend on Briar Willow to Lodge

12-15-2021 Strava Bike Ride Summary
12-15-2021 Strava Bike Ride Summary
12-15-2021 RWGPS Bike Ride Route Map
12-15-2021 RWGPS Bike Ride Route Map

Texas Biking News December 14th 2021

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Waco police confirm no criminal charges in crash that killed 12-year-old bicyclist

www.kwtx.com

Alina Miller, a student at China Spring Middle School, was riding her bike south on Salem Way around 4p.m. on Monday when she was struck by the driver of a vehicle. She succumbed to her injuries.

WACO, Texas (KWTX) – A Waco police spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday the driver in the crash that killed 12-year-old Alina Miller will not face charges.

The police department said the cases is closed and no charges will be filed. Since no criminal charges were filed, the driver’s name will not be released.

Miller died earlier this month after she was struck by a vehicle while riding a bicycle in the area of Orchid and Salem Way.

After the crash, some neighbors shared concerns about speeding in the neighborhood.

One resident said the accident was the last straw, and she and others are considering moving out of the neighborhood.

Elmer Allen Enns, Jr. August 05, 1944 – December 11, 2021

txktoday.com

Elmer Allen Enns Jr. was born August 5, 1944, to Elmer and Frieda Rempel Enns of Goessel, Kansas.

He grew up riding bicycles, working at the COOP store, and mowing lawns. Elmer attended school in Goessel, graduating in 1962. Following high school, he attended Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas for two years and Wichita State University. He graduated from the School of Inhalation Therapy (Respiratory) at Wesley Hospital. While living in Oklahoma City, Elmer co-founded and co-directed the School of Inhalation Therapy at Oscar Rose Junior College. …

… Along with running and cycling, Elmer always enjoyed nature, fishing, and camping. Having to retire early because of health, he was still able to bicycle his age in miles from his 50th to 74th birthdays. Later, he continued to stay active by walking every week with his close friend Darryl Hague. He enjoyed flying RC airplanes with the Texarkana Radio Control Flying Club. …

Killer of San Antonio doctor gets 15 years in prison; family confronts her in court

Bruce Selcraig | www.expressnews.com

Melissa Peoples, then 48, shown after her arrest in 2019, charged with intoxication manslaughter and failure to stop and render aid after she fatally struck Dr. Naji Tanios Kayruz, 58. Kayruz was bicycling in the frontage road of Interstate 10 West near the Dominion.

Describing almost three years of “sorrow that never passes,” the family of Dr. Naji Kayruz, killed Feb. 4, 2019 on his bicycle by a drunk hit-and-run driver, confronted the woman Tuesday in a courtroom as she was sentenced to 15 years in prison for intoxication manslaughter.

In their formal victim statements, the surgeon’s wife, son and twin brother stood before Melissa Nicole Peoples, 49, to dismiss her recent apology on TV for the death, praise a lifetime of good works by Kayruz or describe what the son, Anthony, called their “1,044 days of suffering” . …

Santa’s Sleigh makes spirits bright for Katy children without Christmas gifts

Claire Goodman | www.houstonchronicle.com

Christmas will be a little merrier this year for more than 1,000 children in the community thanks to the efforts of Katy Christian Ministries. Through the nonprofit’s Santa’s Sleigh program, donors filled the Christmas wishes of 1,160 children and 102 senior citizens.

The beneficiaries of the gifts were from families receiving social services at KCM who are unable to afford Christmas presents for their children. Through the program, children make a list of the things they most want for Christmas, and community members “adopt” the child and fill the list.

This year set a …

Video shows shirtless Katy man attacking area cyclist with metal pipe

Jay R. Jordan | www.chron.com

Zachary Nulisch, 29, is facing a felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after he was seen on video attacking a cyclist on the Mason Creek trail Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021.

A cyclist who escaped a seemingly random attack while riding on a Katy hike-and-bike trail Dec. 8 is still reeling from the ordeal.

Steven Blum, a 46-year-old information technology worker, was on a rare trek down the Mason Creek trail just west of Mason Road that Wednesday afternoon. Blum normally sticks to the paths near George Bush Park about six miles away, but a newly opened trail connecting the two locations offered a welcome change in scenery.

When rounding curves on the trail, Blum often shouted "rider, rider" to alert walkers and other cyclists of his presence, he said. Video of the Dec. 8 ride provided by …

Bowie man refurbishes and stylizes bikes for kids: ‘It’s given me a purpose’

by: Dylan Jimenez, Zach Verdea | www.everythinglubbock.com

BOWIE (KFDX/KJTL) — The holidays are here and there are plenty of stories of giving during the season. This one is a little different, though!

Year-round, one Bowie man puts in the hours to make sure anyone who wants to can ride in style. From kids’ bikes and racing bikes to BMX bikes and even peddle scooters, Jack McDonald does it all and gives back while doing it.

“Well, I spent my retirement on old cars,” McDonald said. “Then I finished the car which is sitting right here, and I didn’t have anything to do.” …

Fat Chuck’s Final Revenge

By TAF | austinmountainbiking.com

This Saturday is the last chance to ride the back trails out at Rocky Hill, before they are forever lost.

https://www.bikereg.com/fat-chucks-revenge

Weather doesn’t look to be great, but hey – it wouldn’t be a Rocky Hill race without mud, sweat n beer!

Texas Biking from Twitter

What A Warm December Does For Biking

Texbiker.net Posted on by

The weather held to the forecast so no need for me to ride Zwift indoors. I rolled out on the Canyon Endurace bike at 11:18 AM to ride my “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route. Mostly cloudy and 76 felt much better than yesterday’s 60. Getting to FM 2100 meant fighting a headwind most of the way but after making the turn to the north on FM 2100 a tailwind or side wind accompanied me to the 1:55 PM finish back in Kingwood.

I wore shorts, arm sleeves, and a short sleeve jersey because it was warm with occasional sunshine. The legs felt good so the wind wasn’t too much of a problem though I did bog down a couple of times when a strong gust got me.

Weather conditions: start 76 (humidity 85%, dew point 71), mostly cloudy, wind S 11 mph; finish 79 (humidity 76%, dew point 71), mostly cloudy, wind SE 15 mph.

I didn’t see any other cyclists until I was back along W. Lake Houston Parkway when a man passed me going the opposite direction. I thought my timing would’ve put me at the railroad crossing in Huffman when the Amtrak Sunset Limited passed through but I was too early.

FM 2100 construction moves on with lane markings and turn arrows starting to appear. Concrete work at the railroad crossing and south where the old lanes are still in use needs to progress.

Today marked the 20th time riding today’s route in 2021. Probably the most used route in my list. The Canyon bike rode the route 16 times and the Lynskey R300 4 times. At this date it looks like 2021 will be the most miles for one year. I have a 218 mile lead over last year which was the highest mileage.

12-14-2021 Strava Bike Ride Summary
12-14-2021 Strava Bike Ride Summary
12-14-2021 RWGPS Bike Ride Route Map
12-14-2021 RWGPS Bike Ride Route Map

Texas Biking News December 13th 2021

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Bikes For Angels; Nonprofit donates over 700 bikes to county kids

By Monica Faram | www.cleburnetimesreview.com

Christmas just got a little bit brighter for more than 700 Johnson County kids thanks to Bikes For Angels.

On Wednesday, about 16 trailers carrying over 700 bicycles and helmets pulled into the Joshua High School parking lot. Volunteers spent the day delivering the bikes to schools all over Johnson County, with plans to deliver more on Friday.

Joshua ISD administrators met with the volunteers to thank them for the donations.

“We want to thank the Curlees, all of these volunteers,” Joshua ISD Superintendent Fran Marek said. “We thank you for continuing to do this for our kiddos and having the heart and time. You guys put a lot into it. Every child should have the opportunity to wake up on Christmas morning and have that sparkle in their …

Volunteers need help replacing stolen ghost bikes in Houston

Jay R. Jordan | www.chron.com

Family members of Joel Middaugh, a Houston father and art model, watch as Steve and Melissa Sims install a ghost bike is installed in the 2800 block of West Little York Road, near the site where Middaugh died, on Dec. 12, 2021.

‘I have tons of donated bikes and a long list,’ volunteer Steve Sims said.

Installing Houston’s ghost bikes is hard work for volunteers Steve and Melissa Sims. The couple leads efforts to memorialize each and every cyclist killed on Houston streets by installing a solid-white bike on stretches of road around town, and their work is unfortunately never-ending.

But when those memorials are stolen, vandalized or destroyed, it makes their labor of love an even bigger task. The two have been installing ghost bikes in Houston since 2013 and took over the …

‘Trunk of Hope’ to offer El Paso kids bicycles for Christmas

by Amanda Guillen | kfoxtv.com

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The season of giving is in full swing in the Borderland.

Several organizations are partnering to help give back to the children in need.

Operation Hope along with the A&A All The Way Foundation and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office are combining forces to host this year’s Trunk of Hope. …

Two cyclists hit and killed by motorists in Houston over the weekend

Jay R. Jordan | www.chron.com

Police are looking for the driver of a car that fled the scene after striking 30-year-old Juan Rosales Villalobos, one of two cyclists hit and killed by drivers in Houston over the weekend.

Two cyclists were killed by drivers within 24 hours of one another in separate collisions across Greater Houston over the weekend. In one of the cases, investigators are searching for a hit-and-run driver who fled the scene.

The first incident occurred shortly after noon Friday when the driver of a Freightliner semi truck collided with 65-year-old Anthony Williams near the 200 block of East Little York Road off Northline Drive, according to the Houston Police Department. The truck driver was turning onto East Little York from Northline when they struck Williams, who was …

Resuscitation of an Austin Ghost Bike, Part 2

A Dude Abikes | adudeabikes.com

Part 1 is at this link if you missed it. The short version is I and a few folks are reinstalling a bicycle that’s a memorial for a woman killed while working on her bike in the bike lane in December 2019. Her name was Merry “Cookie” Daye. This is the rest of the story.

Previous posts are linked here (Austin Bicyclist Death #4…) and here (Silent Ride of Remembrance).

I finally got around to spray painting the bike for Cookie. Lauren, who worked with Houston Ghost Bike and thus is the real leader of this effort, provided a can of appliance enamel, which should last longer. I did it in two stages, and it was a bit of a smelly pain, but manageable. In future I’ll try to arrange for it to be done in a place where it can be locked inside on the ground floor. It’s not a perfect job because I ran out of paint and didn’t have a stand for it. But it looks …

Texas Biking from Twitter