Texas Biking News November 19th 2021

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Daybreak Adventures: Learn how to mountain bike at Spider Mountain Bike Park

Author: Bryce Newberry | www.kvue.com

AUSTIN, Texas — There’s only one place in Texas with a ski lift and it’s right here in our own backyard!

Spider Mountain Bike Park, located in Burnet, is home to 10 mountain biking trails and is the country’s only year-round mountain biking park featuring a chairlift.

“We’ve grown exponentially,” said Suzy Bauer, the general manager at Spider Mountain. “Mountain biking in Central Texas has really exploded over the past couple of years.”

Team Daybreak had to give it a try, even though almost everyone had never given it a go. The …

Ehrler Recovering From Mountain-Bike Wreck

By John Johnson | www.bassfan.com

Major League Fishing competitor Brent Ehrler is recovering at home in Southern California from injuries suffered last week when he crashed his mountain bike on a trail in Dallas. He was in Texas for an MLF Cup event and went riding on an off day.

The wreck resulted in a collapsed lung, broken ribs and some extensive bruising. He drove himself home from Dallas and didn’t seek medical attention until 5 days later.

"I wasn’t smart about it," he said. "I got back one afternoon and just sat on the sofa, then the next morning I went on a walk with the dog and when I got back, I told my wife (Kelley) that I was going to Urgent Care. I’d broken ribs before, so I knew what they felt like."

X-rays revealed what he suspected – and also the collapsed lung. He said that a doctor wanted to rush him to an emergency room immediately, but relented and …

LantanaLinks — November 2021

www.crosstimbersgazette.com

… Plans are underway to potentially extend the Lantana Hike and Bike Trail along the sewer line easement up toward Guyer High School and eventually connect it to Highland Village’s trail system. …

Work continues on West Seventh Street improvements

www.fortworthtexas.gov

Progress is being made on West Seventh Street area improvements. The repair and asphalt overlay on Foch Street between Crockett Street and Farrington Field was completed in early June. Concrete street repairs are underway and are expected to be complete by April 2022.

The West Seventh Street improvement project includes constructing landscaped medians and bike lanes from University Drive to the Trinity River Bridge, including pedestrian, landscape, illumination and traffic signal improvements.

Construction began in May and is currently 35% complete. Bike lanes and street lights on the outside of the eastbound lanes have been completed. Bike lanes and street lights on the outside of the westbound lanes are currently under construction. On-street parking on …

Texas Biking from Twitter

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Wind Let Up, Chill Kit Invoked

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The wind let up for today’s bike ride but the temperature hung around my 60 degree biking threshold. When I started the bike ride at 12:00 PM the temperature at my home weather station was 59.7. I had to round up to get to that threshold and ride. But I was going to ride even if it was a few degrees below 60 because I want to reach my 360 mile goal for November and there aren’t any extra days to do it. I headed north on my “New Caney – Tavola – Valley Ranch” route riding my Lynskey R300 bike. To combat the chill I wore shorts, leg warmers, a long sleeve thermal jersey, windbreaker jacket, and full finger gloves. All of this to bike 35.37 miles and increase November’s mileage to 103.29. I noticed my Lynskey bike now has 6043 miles. 16 times I rode today’s route in 2021.

Weather conditions: start 60 (humidity 38%, dew point 34), clear, wind calm; finish 64 (humidity 41%, dew point 40), fair, wind variable 5 mph. The wind shows calm to 5 mph but it seemed stronger, maybe 10 to 12 mph, and always a headwind.

Some changes along the route while I was gone: new homes under construction north of Via Principal in Tavola where they were putting in streets before I left; apartments in Valley Ranch higher up; Loop 494 construction progressed with old lanes removed and preparing road bed for concrete.

At Northpark Drive and Rock Creek Drive I rode on the sidewalk beside Rock Creek to avoid the dogs at the corner but they didn’t appear. I don’t know if they didn’t see me or they moved.

With the new ICAN Cycling Alpha 50 wheels on the Lynskey it rides more like the Canyon and seems to respond quicker when I increase pedaling.

11-19-2021 Golden Cheetah Bike Ride Overview
11-19-2021 Golden Cheetah Bike Ride Overview
11-19-2021 RWGPS Bike Ride Route Map
11-19-2021 RWGPS Bike Ride Route Map

Texas Biking News November 18th 2021

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Harris County replaces trail speed limits with broader safety message for all park users

Dug Begley | www.houstonchronicle.com

Harris County officials are shifting gears when it comes to making bicycling and running trails safer, favoring friendly reminders instead of speed limits in a change cheered by cycling advocates.

New signs advising cyclists, dog walkers and pedestrians about safety requirements and trail etiquette went up along the main trail in Terry Hershey Park and in George Bush Park in Precinct 3 in September. The signs warn cyclists to slow down around pedestrians, walkers to keep dogs close and for …

Another school-aged child hit by driver at same NW Harris County intersection

Rose-Ann Aragon | www.click2houston.com

HOUSTON – Parents in northwest Harris County are fighting for change to a bustling intersection, which many parents say creates the perfect storm for accidents, especially with children crossing for school. On Tuesday, Harris County Precinct 4 deputies said a 12-year-old student on his bicycle was hit by a car crossing the intersection. This comes just months after a fatal accident involving an 18-year-old student in May. Now, residents are urging Precinct 4 and local leaders to make changes soon.

The intersection of Kuykendahl Road and Creekside Green Drive has been an area of interest and contention in the northwest Harris County community.

“It’s rush hour in the morning and …

San Antonio cyclists rally in support of $110 million bond for greenway trails

Priscilla Aguirre | www.mysanantonio.com

Don’t mess with Texas … cyclists? San Antonio cycling enthusiasts showed up en masse to support the city’s proposed plan to spend $110 million on the linear greenway trails during a committee meeting on Tuesday, November 16.

The city is preparing to spend more than $1.2 billion on projects that will improve sidewalks, neighborhoods, and trails, as well as impact COVID-19 response and housing. City staff members have recommended spending $274.3 million for parks, recreation, and open spaces (including $110 million for the greenway trails).

However, earlier this month, …

39th Turkey Roll Bicycle Rally expecting close to 1,000 riders on Saturday

dentonrc.com

The Denton Breakfast Kiwanis Club is making the final preparations for its 39th Turkey Roll Bicycle Rally on Saturday, with the possibility of close to 1,000 riders participating.

The rally, which begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, has five routes, including an 8-mile route for families who ride with children and challenged riders, according to a news release from the club. The longest route is 68 miles.

Riders will depart from and return to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 2255 N. Bonnie Brae St.

“This is one of the oldest bicycle rallies in Texas, and it marks the …

Austin’s 512 Wheelie Crew gifts bike to 11-year-old | KVUE

KVUE | www.youtube.com

The 512 Wheelie Crew takes to the streets of Downtown Austin every week for a 16-mile joy ride. They are also heavily involved in the community.

The Woodlands Arts Council invites the community to take part in public art by contributing to the “Give Back Bike Rack”

By: Liz Grimm | www.woodlandsonline.com

THE WOODLANDS, TX — The Woodlands Arts Council has announced a new program that will add artistic and functional bike racks to the community’s array of public art.

Similar in theory to the amazing art benches throughout The Woodlands, which bring color, imagination and vibrancy to the area’s green spaces, The Woodlands Arts Council (TWAC) is currently working with underwriters and artists to install a series of art bike racks.

The art bike racks are existing bike racks chosen in select locations in The Woodlands that will remain functional as …

James, 16, hopes for forever family to share in his love of the outdoors

By Erika Holland | www.kltv.com

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – James, 16, spared no details when it came to showing us around the mountain bike trails at Lindsey Park in Tyler.

“From what I’m seeing right here, that’s a jump, straight off the bat,” said James. “I would totally run that.”

He taught us there are two classes of biking: road and mountain. James prefers the latter.

“I used to ride a trail near my house with my brother,” James said as we walked the rutted path that he’d otherwise be blazing down on two wheels. His passion for the sport was on full display.

James told us he hopes to find a family he can bring along on his mountain biking adventures, in …

Texarkana Awarded additional TXDOT Sidewalk Grant

txktoday.com

The City of Texarkana, Texas was recently awarded $2,310,247 for preliminary engineering and construction of the Kennedy Lane Bicycle & Pedestrian Improvements as a part of the Texas Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA) Program. Additionally, Texarkana’s project was authorized to receive federal TA funding (100% maximum for preliminary engineering and construction which will include local match due to Transportation Development Credits eligibility) by the Commission. Overall, the Texas Transportation Commission approved funding for 41 Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA) Program projects from across the state valued at approximately $55 million.

The project will construct 6-foot concrete sidewalks, along both sides of Kennedy Ln. from U.S. Highway (US) 93 to the Cowhorn Creek bridge. Additionally, sidewalks will be …

Bicyclist struck by utility vehicle on bike path at Houston’s Memorial Park Conservancy, $1M suit alleges

By Marian Johns | setexasrecord.com

HOUSTON — A bicyclist who was struck by a utility vehicle that was driving on the bike path at Memorial Park Conservancy is claiming negligence.

Michael Youssefi filed a complaint Nov. 10 in Harris County District Court against Memorial Park Conservancy Inc., alleging negligence.

According to his complaint, the plaintiff was riding his bicycle with his girlfriend on the TX DOT hike bike path in Memorial Park Conservancy near Woodway Drive and I-610. He alleges that an employee of Memorial Park, Jimmie Cummings, was driving a Kubota utility vehicle on the DOT hike and bike trail and not in a vehicle lane.

Youssefi claims that Cummings ran into him head-on which caused his bike’s front wheel to fold under the impact and caused him to be thrown over his …

183 North toll road improvements? from BikingATX

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Back On The Bike After Visiting NYC

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A lot has transpired since my last bike ride on November 1st. I took the Amtrak train from Houston to New York City to visit my oldest daughter and son-in-law. I left New York City November 15th on the Amtrak train back to Houston. Amtrak is not the fastest way to travel and on time arrivals are something they need to perfect. During the time away I rode my son-in-law’s Bowflex C6 exercise bike 3 times to keep my legs acquainted with pedaling a bike. I lost the local legend over Lake Houston East Bound on Strava. I listened to a bunch of cycling podcasts while on Amtrak to keep in touch. My Lazer helmet warranty replacement arrived at Bike Barn while I was away and I picked it up today.

  • 11-18-2021 Lazer Sphere MIPS Helmet warranty replacement-2
    11-18-2021 Lazer Sphere MIPS Helmet warranty replacement
  • 11-18-2021 Lazer Sphere MIPS Helmet warranty replacement-1
    11-18-2021 Lazer Sphere MIPS Helmet warranty replacement

With all of that I was back on my Canyon Endurace bike today riding my “Atascocita – Walden – Huffman” route. It started at 12:02 PM and the strong wind was waiting for me. My goal for November is 360 miles and I have a lot of catching up if I’m going to reach it. Today was a good first step biking 33.49 miles moving my November total to 67.91 miles. If the weather cooperates I have a chance to hit my goal. All of the miles year to date that I was ahead disappeared leaving 2021 trailing YTD 2020 by 19 miles. For 2021 I’m at 8635 miles. Good thing I built a cushion before my trip to NYC.

It felt good to be back on my Canyon but the strong wind tried to punish my legs. Riding east over Lake Houston was brutal with the headwind. Another section that I suffered on was going north on FM 2100 to FM 1960. The easiest biking surprisingly was west over Lake Houston. I thought the wind would be bad but it turned into a tailwind. I bundled up for the 60’s and the wind. At first I thought I overdressed but the clouds increased and the chilly wind changed my mind.

Weather for the bike ride: start 67 ( humidity 62%, dew point 53), overcast, wind N 15 mph gusts 28 mph; finish 64 (humidity 70%, dew point 54), overcast, wind N 22 mph gusts 31 mph. The wind wasn’t nice to me. Hopefully it slows on Firday.

Construction on FM 1960 increased during my absence but so far I can ride around it. On the west side of the lake is the area I ride through it.

11-18-2021 Strava Bike Ride Summary Data
11-18-2021 Strava Bike Ride Summary Data
11-18-2021 RWGPS Bike Ride Route Map
11-18-2021 RWGPS Bike Ride Route Map