After getting beat up by the strong wind the last two bike rides today it was the temperature. I waited until 10:05 AM to begin the bike ride while the temperature crawled from 42 degrees when it got up to 60 degrees. I started getting ready when it was in the 50’s and planned on starting around 10 even if it wasn’t above my 60 degree threshold. To compensate for the chill I wore shorts, leg warmers, a long sleeve thermal jersey, windbreaker jacket, and new Giro full finger gloves. I felt comfortable and didn’t overheat by the time I finished at 12:33 PM. For a few minutes early in the ride I thought about biking in yesterday’s wind and 60 degrees but quickly moved on to other musings. I rode my usual Saturday route, “Atascocita – Huffman – Walden”, on my Canyon Endurace bike covering 32.04 miles. Those weren’t enough to make a 200 mile week, lacking 3 miles which I can get on tomorrow’s bike ride. Sunday will wrap up the week and the month of October biking. October bike rides total 932.39 miles so far. October will the 3rd highest month this year; very unusual. 2021 YTD is at 8,541 miles, the most in any year as of today.
10-30-2021 YTD Bike Rides Summary Today’s Route
12 times on this route in 2021. Without the wind slowing me down I pushed my overall average speed up to 14.5 mph as I returned to Kingwood. I had to look twice at my bolt computer to be sure.
I did not see many other cyclists today (check the video for the cyclists I saw). I don’t know if my late start missed them or if they stayed home because of the chilly weather. The sun shined brightly but by the end of the ride it only moved the temperature up to 71. Weather at the start and end of the bike ride: start 60 (humidity 54%, dew point 44), fair, wind W 3 mph; finish 71 (humidity 33%, dew point 40), fair, wind NW 7 mph. November will usher in my return to some Zwift biking.
10-30-2021 New Giro Bravo LF Gel Gloves-1
I bought the Giro gloves during the summer in preparation for rides like today. Looking at the package they have these features: 3 panel palm, microfiber, gel padding, and touch screen technology. I never did find the touch screen though.
Along with a new bike lane and wider sidewalks, the Caroline Street project includes extensive drainage improvements.
With three lanes of traffic headed one-way southbound, Caroline Street through Houston’s Midtown was mostly designed for cars, lacking spots to cross safely and a designated bike lane.
That’s about to change as the Midtown Redevelopment Authority wraps up Caroline Street’s $14.5 million redesign.
"As we invest in our corridors in Midtown, we look at it holistically," said Marlon Marshall, the Midtown District’s director of engineering and construction. "How can …
AUSTIN – As pedestrian and bicyclist deaths continue to rise in Texas, newly awarded funding will help Texans get safer access to schools, work, public transit and community destinations around the state.
During its October 28 meeting, the Texas Transportation Commission approved more than $55 million for 41 projects across the state that will build sidewalks, shared use paths, bike lanes, pedestrian bridges and other safety features for people who walk and ride bicycles for transportation. This comes after 2020 saw a 9 percent increase in pedestrian deaths along with more than a 20 percent increase in bicyclist fatalities.
“We’re seeing a disturbing trend as more and more pedestrians and cyclists are dying on Texas roadways and it’s been increasing for the past five years,†Texas Transportation Commissioner Laura Ryan said. “This funding will help improve safety for our more vulnerable users throughout the state – and go a long …
Day Fourteen: DeRidder, Louisiana to Silsbee, Texas
It was foggy this morning, although nowhere near as bad as the other day outside Melville, so I waited a while before leaving.
I’d worked on a backroads route from town, rather than immediately getting on the busy highway. This added a few miles, but it was worth it for a traffic-hater like myself. Scenery was pleasant. There was the usual mix of near-shacks and upscale homes, often nearly side by side. …
October 24, 2021
Day Fifteen: Silsbee, Texas to Coldspring, Texas
I was concerned when I went to bed that it would be a rowdy Saturday night at the motel, but after some overheard conversation outside one of the rooms a few doors down from me, it was quiet, and I slept soundly.
I got up early as usual, did some chores, got dressed, and walked outside to check the skies, which seemed mostly clear. Most of the workers’ trucks were still parked outside. Maybe they were sleeping in, or they had Sunday off. …
October 25, 2021
Day Sixteen: Coldspring, Texas to Moscow, Texas
It was the last day of my tour, and it wasn’t going to be a very long one, so I took much more time than usual getting ready.
It was overcast and very humid. The first two or three miles were backtracking – reversing the route I’d followed yesterday through town.
I didn’t feel like looking around Coldspring much this morning; I stopped briefly and took only a couple of photos. …
In a Thursday meeting, officials with the Texas Transportation Commission approved $1.8 million in funding for the Barrio SE 10th Avenue Streetscape Project of Amarillo. Overall, the state approved more than $55 million for 41 different projects across the state.
This funding will predominately come from the Transportation and Alternatives Program that supports local programs to enhance bicycle and pedestrian safety for people of all ages and abilities, with a small amount coming from the Safe Routes for Schools Program. These projects also provide access to multimodal options and connect …
An interview with Austin Mayor Steve Adler on the city’s ambitious, 400+ mile bike network.
In Austin, Texas, a more than 400-mile bike network is being built in record time. As of September of this year, 215 miles of the all ages and abilities network are complete, connecting protected bike lanes, neighborhood bikeways and urban trails. Impressively, Austin has been able to cut down the time on its network buildout by a whopping two-thirds.
We spoke with Austin Mayor Steve Adler to discuss the ways the city rallied around the network’s construction, the major challenges to achieving comprehensive mode shift and how …
Cyclists, there’s a hidden paradise at a San Antonio park you need to know about.
In Lady Bird Johnson Park, near the corner, you’ll see a green tape course next to the baseball fields. Behind that green tape is a cyclocross course, which the Northeast Side park offers six months out of the year.
Cyclocross is a non-Olympic sport that can best de described as a cross between road cycling, mountain biking, and steeplechase, according to USA Cycling. Riders ride along different types of terrain and maneuver around obstacles, sometimes even dismounting and carrying their bike to the next segment.
Organizer of SA Cyclocross Rob Kane and a group of passionate cyclists – …
City of Houston Planning Department | www.letstalkhouston.org
Mark your calendars for upcoming meetings about the11th Street Bikeway, a 1.5-mile safety improvement project from Shepherd to Michaux in the Heights neighborhood. The project addresses community members’ safety concerns walking, biking, driving, and using public transit along the corridor. The project is currently in the design phase and proposes to include a protected bikeway, pedestrian refuge islands to make it safer to cross 11th street, intersection enhancements to increase visibility and decrease confusion, and traffic signal adjustments to safely accommodate all modes of travel.
Monday, Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m. Hosted by the Heights Association Land Use Committee. Email LandUse@HoustonHeights.org for the meeting invitation.
Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. Hosted by the Greater Heights Super Neighborhood Meeting. Email ghsnc.sn15@gmail.com for the meeting invitation.
Working Friday…maybe…fun ride around CH gravel…navigational error from directional guy sees us do a repeat loop…woops…properly windy with a 2 mile uphill into the wind to finish us off…
Heads up: @DallasParkRec is re-grading of the White Rock Creek Trail to improve drainage. A portion of the trail will be closed on weekends from 630 am to 4 PM starting October 30. The trail detour map offers alternate routes during this time. pic.twitter.com/90m30fy3YX
About 1/2 mile from the Preston Ridge western terminus is the site of construction of the future @dartmedia Silver Line/Cotton Belt Trail. We’ll need a future connection between these two trails and @caraathome has some good ideas on that. 4/x pic.twitter.com/R3XRGqCvz8
At Meandering Way we make the turn to pick up the north-south portion. We’re headed south. There’s also a leaning bike crossing sign at the intersection. cc: @311Dallas 6/x pic.twitter.com/mepWWTYWUm
— Prioritize people over cars #fatboyonabike (@gratifihouston) October 29, 2021
Anthony Pace shares why he loves the Santa Fe Trail🚲:
“I am a fortunate guy to be able to bike commute to work (Woodrow Wilson HS) on a nature trail, Santa Fe Trail, to be exact… Sometimes on my home commute, I feel I need to pinch myself to remind me how lucky I am…†pic.twitter.com/BBOL7HL8vk
New Event Thursday Morning Cruise – Canutillo, TX El Paso Bicycle Club  Meet at 8:00 am at Starbucks at the Outlet Mall in Canutillo. Ride out at 8:15. 20-25 miles at 14-16 mph pace. Mostly flat, a few hills. Maintain physical distance of at least six … https://t.co/Ue9gsSaZlx
A casual 15-20 mile monthly ride, planned and led by someone new each month. Free and open to the public. Starts and ends at Market Square Park in downtown Houston. November 7, 2021 at 0… https://t.co/M5nuxXj0DQ
New Event Wednesday Night Ride (WNR) – El Paso, TX El Paso Bicycle Club  Across from Rio Plaza (Park across from strip center at 6205 Upper Valley Rd (just north of Artcraft), El Paso, TX)  It's Back !! Wednesday Night Ride (WNR) – An El Paso cycling t… https://t.co/9RIbG4DzaN
The wind let up a few miles per hour but gusts about 30 mph. Today I hit the headwind first riding to the north on my “Kingwood – FM1485 – Kingwood” route. I pushed the Bolt start button at 11:16 AM on my Lynskey R300 bike. The temperature was 6 or 7 degrees cooler so I dressed warmer than yesterday. Whenever I rode out in the open the wind gusts played havoc with my bike’s wheels. Maybe I should’ve put the Vision 30 wheels back on the Lynskey rather the ICAN Alpha 50 wheels. I didn’t think of that before the ride. At the north side of Caney Creek the u-turn under US59 reversed my direction and picked up a tailwind. My pedaling effort went down and my speed went up. When I finished at 1:54 PM I biked 31.43 miles boosting my week’s total to 165.24 miles. Looks like I will ride both Saturday and Sunday to hit 200 miles for the week. That’s okay. The wind should decrease by then. With it getting later in the year the routes I ride often are adding up. This was the 17th time on this route. The average power today was one of the higher ones.
10-29-2021 YTD Bike Rides Summary Today’s route
While the wind gusts fell from 40 mph to 29 mph the temperature went down too. I broke out some of my “cold” weather gear to keep comfortable: shorts, leg warmers, thermal long sleeve jersey, and wind jacket. The low humidity and dew point added to chill as far as I was concerned. Weather conditions: start 66 (humidity 36%, dew point 39), fair, wind NW 13 mph gusts 22 mph; finish 70 (humidity 30%, dew point 37), fair, wind NW 18 mph gusts 29 mph. Good thing I didn’t ride longer because the wind gusts increased after I finished.
The dogs at Rock Creek Drive and Northpark Drive were waiting for me today. This time the dark brown dog ran towards me barking while the brown and white dog joined in running in the grass beside Rock Creek. Not wanting to take a chance I rode through the red light turning right onto Northpark. The brown dog didn’t chase me too far while the brown and white dog stuck to his usual running ritual pulling up short when he got to the “magic” spot where he stopped quickly. Earlier I had thought about staying on the US59 southbound frontage road continuing south of Northpark Drive to the first side street to avoid the dog spot. Maybe next time.
(RNS) — This the journal of the We the People Ride, a 3,200-mile bike ride along the southern edge of the U.S., from San Diego, California, to St. Augustine, Florida. Led by Vote Common Good, members of the public are invited to join any length of the journey, both in person and online.
As the group rides, we are finding and telling the stories of those most impacted by U.S. immigration policy and are sharing their experiences and treatment. Each week we’ll file a dispatch from the road. …
EL PASO, Texas — A passage from the Book of Leviticus stands out to me as we ride along the border: “When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not wrong him. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt†.
This is one of many references to migrants scattered throughout the Bible, all similarly encouraging empathy and love toward new arrivals in one’s land. Here’s …
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has new ideas on how to improve a 1.57 mile stretch of road between Taylor and Jones counties, on U.S. 83/277 at FM 3034, and it is now allowing for public input.
According to the project overview, TxDOT wants to add an overpass bridge at the intersection at FM 3034, to improve mobility and enhance safety. In addition to the new bridge, a bicycle path is also proposed. If all goes according to plan, TxDOT wants to …
HOUSTON (KIAH)– A partnership between Legacy Community Health, Houston BCycle, the American Heart Association, Bosch, and Harris County Precinct 1 are launching a new program that will give more people BCycle memberships, allowing people to access the popular bike share program.
The new program, called “Bike Rxâ€, will “prescribe†people the Houston BCycle memberships. There is a ribbon cutting for the new program at the Legacy Community Health, Fifth Ward Clinic (3811 Lyons Avenue) on Thursday from noon to 1 p.m.
Legacy Community Health is a full-service network of …
Wednesday October 27, 2021, 76 miles (122 km) – Total so far: 1,127 miles (1,814 km)
There are so many trucks in Van Horn that the gas station is broadcasting for the truck to move out of the way so the next truck can start fueling. I have never seen so many trucks in the parking lot at the same time. I must be in their territory.
I also woke up this morning discovering the train track is right behind the motel I was staying. No wonder it is so cheap. Except I grew up next to the train tracks so I slept like a baby last night.
It was cold in the morning with wind picking up quite early. It felt calm when I was riding but I felt the wind pushing when I stopped. Highway 90 had very low traffic and pretty good road. So I must be going at 15-16 mph with a fully loaded bike. I was thinking how vast this is. There was no end and …
2021-10-28: Marfa to Marathon
Thursday October 28, 2021, 54 miles (87 km) – Total so far: 1,181 miles (1,901 km)
Since I only had to ride 50 plus miles, I took my time to get ready. But the wind had turned and I was getting headwind now. Not very strong but enough to slow down. It was cold too.
After lunch, wind seems to die down substantially.
Tonight I camped at Marathon motel. While I was sitting on the bench using my phone, it was turning total dark. I looked up at the sky. I can see the Milky Way. It is blurry without my proper glasses. But for the first time I saw the Milky Way. …
Laredo police are looking for a man accused of stealing a bicycle, authorities said on Thursday.
LPD released surveillance images of a man wanted in connection to a theft of a bicycle from a store in the 2300 block of Bob Bullock Loop. The incident occurred on Oct. 17.
To report the identity of the person, call police at 795-2800 or Laredo Crime Stoppers at 727-TIPS (8477). Information provided through Crime Stoppers may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.
Get to San Jacinto Plaza to find the Sister Cities / Ciudades Hermanas art bike, by @LxsDos. Take a fun ride and enjoy the vibrant colors of Segundo Barrio with friends this Halloween weekend.#barriobcyclespic.twitter.com/Ilq9NAIMqS
— Martin Russell 🚲ðŸðŸ¿ï¸ (@russell_dallas) October 28, 2021
Rev up those bikes, because registration for our 7th annual Park to Port bike ride is open! On Saturday, 11/13, come enjoy a bike's-eye view of the Bayou City on this 20-mile for-fun ride!
"Nobody died, but all six cyclists went to the hospital, and two needed airlifts. All this, over one teenager’s pursuit of life, liberty and the freedom to “roll coal.â€" https://t.co/Vc6EAGbf7Z
Construction Notice: Closures on Northaven Road beginning November 1 for @TxDOTDallas to work on the future bridge site. Northaven closed between Park Central and US 75 for about 1 month. Below is a map from @TxDOT and @CityOfDallas with detour information. pic.twitter.com/uB1m2me3tK
Each project better than the last! The newest version of our precast bikeway curbs is a little bit wider and comes with threaded inserts for a flex post base. The surface-mount base makes the posts easy to replace in the event of damage. @HoustonBikePlan@TEI_PlanDesignpic.twitter.com/vDNkMMx4Rk
New Event Wednesday Night Ride (WNR) – El Paso, TX El Paso Bicycle Club
It's Back !! Wednesday Night Ride (WNR) – An El Paso cycling tradition!! Leaderless ride for all groups. Organize your group for your particular speed range. Ride as hard as you c… https://t.co/oOUlDnGJY7
New Event Flat Rock Ranch – Last Weekend Open – Comfort, TX Flat Rock Ranch closes for hunting season next week. Last day to ride is October 31, 2021. They reopen January 1, 2022. Trails are in great condition for this last week of being open. Good weeke… https://t.co/HH0Jf4NAne
New Event Elmendorf Lake Park Trailhead Ride – San Antonio, TX Hill Country Bicycle Touring and Adventure Club  Meet at Elmendorf Lake Trailhead for a 8:00 am start. We’ll ride toward Mission Reach Trail and at this point turn right; some can turn arou… https://t.co/9cDmihg62m
New Event Stinson Airport Trailhead Ride – San Antonio, TX    Hill Country Bicycle Touring and Adventure Club  On Saturday at 8:30 am. We'll start at Stinson Airport Trailhead. We’ll ride to US-281 and perhaps to the Pleasanton Trailhead and return (~… https://t.co/bltQuQsl2m
This year’s rideATAXIA Dallas, a cycling event that raises money to support research into treatments for Friedreich’s ataxia, will take place Nov. 6.
