Texas Biking News April 9th 2021

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DRIVER FLEES THE SCENE AFTER HITTING AND KILLING BICYCLE RIDER

montgomerycountypolicereporter.com

A man riding a bicycle on Loop 494 in Porter was killed early this morning after being struck by a vehicle. Just after 3 am as he rode south on Loop 494 just north of FM 1314 he was struck by an unknown vehicle. Possibly maroon in color. The vehicle that struck him continued on with the bicycle attached to it. Troopers did locate one part of the bike close to one-half mile away on Loop 494. The male had no identification on him. MCHD attempted life-saving measures but he was pronounced deceased at 3;35am. Montgomery County …

Fully supported, CA to FL

By Tom Gray | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 28 – Concan, TX to Kerrville, TX

Wednesday April 7, 2021, 72 miles (116 km) – Total so far: 1,468 miles (2,363 km) Today was the best cycling so far on the tour. We’re in Texas Hill Country, with lots of rollers and views at the top of each one. …

Things to Do: Food and Fun To Enjoy Outdoors This Weekend

Kristina Rowe | www.dallasobserver.com

Bike Ride for Beer and Tacos at Craft and Growler 3601 Parry Ave., Dallas (Exposition Park/Fair Park)

What: Social Pace Bike Ride for Tacos and Beer When: 4:30-10 p.m., Saturday, April 10 Tickets: Free

This easy-paced, no-drop ride will head to Del Sur Tacos in Oak Cliff for great tacos including a $1.99 cochinita pibil taco offer for riders. Plan on another beer stop before returning to Craft and Growler. Riders should bring their own lights, helmets and water.

The Dams of North Texas Are a Bicyclist’s Dream

By Harry Jones | www.dmagazine.com

As the pandemic changed our world, I decided to explore mine on two wheels. Turns out, there is water everywhere in North Texas. It all starts at the dams.

On the avenue where I grew up, I liked to dam the water in the gutters. A neighboring photographer had a darkroom in his garage; the trickle from his hose was my riparian source. If I had a crew of other boys helping me, we could dam the entire street. When our fathers came home at sunset, our …

Kilgore Cub Scout pack schedules bike rodeo Saturday

www.news-journal.com

Cub Scout Pack 251 in Kilgore is hosting a bike rodeo from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.

The event, a fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, is scheduled at Dudley Road Trailhead of Creekside Trail in Kilgore.

Bike shop personnel will be on hand to check and adjust steering wheels, tire chains and seat positions. Representatives from the …

Don’t feel like coughing up $100 for a parking ticket? Watch out for bike lanes!

By Elissa Rivas | abc13.com

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — We’re seeing downtown Houston come back to life, but as you return to your favorite spots, beware of a new parking violation that could result in a $100 ticket.

A city of Houston ordinance now …

Waco-area news briefs: Bosque Tour de Norway bike ride May 15

wacotrib.com

… Bosque Tour de Norway

The 2021 Bosque Tour de Norway bicycle ride will start at 8 a.m. May 15 at Clifton High School, 1101 N. Avenue Q.

There are four routes to choose from: 20 miles, 40 miles, 60 miles and 80 miles. Each will allow participants to enjoy the beauty of the top of Texas Hill Country and a ride through the historical Norse community.

Packet pickup will start at 6 a.m. in the Clifton High School Gym. The locker rooms will be open.

For more information, call the Clifton Chamber of Commerce at 675-3720.

San Antonio biking community mourns loss of cyclist struck by alleged drunk driver

Author: Jordan Foster | www.kens5.com

Friends of Beatrice Gonzales say this week’s tragedy is proof of how mindful drivers need to be on the roads.

SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio biking community is in mourning.

On Thursday evening, riders joined to remember well-known bicyclist Beatrice Gonzales, 44, who was hit and killed Wednesday night off St. Mary’s near downtown San Antonio.

“All of us were just so caught off guard. When I got the call, I had to ask them again,” said Jacob Longoria, a friend of Gonzales’s.

San Antonio Police officials say Gonzales was out for a ride with a group of her friends when …

‘Just ask and she was there’ – 200 San Antonio cyclists, friends join family in mourning woman killed while riding with her bike group

Jacob Beltran | www.expressnews.com

More than 200 people gathered Thursday to mourn the loss of a beloved member of the cycling community who was killed in what appears to be a tragic drunken driving accident.

Beatrice “Bea” Gonzalez, known as the “spine” of her family, was supportive of both kin and strangers alike, recalled her sister Jessica Meyer, one of …

Arlington Police Officer Helps Mother and Son Having Bike Trouble Near Randol Mill Park

www.nbcdfw.com

The Arlington Police Department is sharing the story of a police officer who helped a mother and son who were having bike trouble last month.

Officer Ramirez was patrolling near Randol Mill Park on March 27 when he noticed a mother and her young son standing over a bike that was on its side.

When Ramirez approached them to …

Biking Beautiful Beaumont

www.colemanconcierge.com

There are so many reasons to visit Beaumont, Texas. From discovering its powerful history and its historic homes to breathtaking birdwatching and award-winning arts and architecture Now, what if I told you that you could see all these sights from your saddle biking Beaumont and make room to indulge South East Texas culinary delights. Between Texas-sized steaks and bayou gumbo, Beaumont is where cowboy meets creole. If ya’ll never had BBQ crab, ya just ain’t living.

We put together three simple and easy rides that anybody can do, but they are filled with Texas-sized fun and adventure and …

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Pedaling Hard For Apple Fritter

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Before starting today’s bike ride I waxed the chain on the Canyon Endurace bike. The last time I did that was at 19,000 miles and it has 21, 298 miles now. Surprised it was that many miles. Stage 5 of the Itzulia Basque Country race kept me occupied while I ate breakfast.

With those finished I got ready and started today’s bike ride at 11:28 AM. I put together a route of streets and roads I bike on but in an order that I can’t remember riding in a long time. Headed north from Kingwood I turned to the northwest in Porter on FM 1314. My plan was to ride to SH 242 or about 18 miles, whichever came first. When I reached about 15.5 miles the construction work area began reducing lanes with barrels in the shoulder lane on the opposite side of FM 1314. Rather than ride into the unknown work zone I made the u-turn to go back. Up to that point I enjoyed a stiff tailwind helping my average speed hit 15.0 mph. Now riding to the SE the tailwind became a strong headwind.

Passing Pat’s Donuts biking NW I thought there was enough time at the u-turn to make it back there before they closed at 1 PM. The headwind had other ideas fighting me all the way. Pedaling hard I made it to Pat’s with a couple of minutes to spare. I asked for an apple fritter but they were out. Sadly I asked what was left and opted for a glazed donut. The lady handed me a bag with 3 donuts and didn’t charge me, probably because the cash register was already closed out. I walked the Lynskey R300 around to the front porch to the tall table and chairs. I ate 2 1/2 donuts to replenish the energy used getting there and to power me the remaining 12 miles to the finish at 2:07 PM.

4-9-2021 Bike Ride Lynskey R300

Weather conditions for the bike ride: start 77 (81% humidity, 70.3 dew point), overcast, wind S 16 mph gusts 22 mph; finish 80 (75% humidity, 71.7 dew point), overcast, wind S 16 mph. Warm enough to wear shorts and a short sleeve jersey. The wind was a killer on the return leg but a mighty good friend on the way to McQueen Road on FM 1314.

4-9-2021 Strava Bike Ride Summary

Texas Biking News April 8th 2021

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Texas School for the Deaf students surprised with 30 brand new bikes

www.kxan.com

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Students at the Texas School for the Deaf in Austin got a big surprise Thursday.

They received 30 brand new bicycles. This effort was started by Juan Soto and his daughter, Lucero, last year.

They had the goal of repairing and giving away 100 bikes so children could have fun and get some fresh air during the pandemic.

They met that goal and received a request for 30 bikes from the Texas School for the Deaf, but that was a …

Video: Woman arrested after cyclist hit, killed by vehicle while riding with group near downtown San Antonio, records show

Jakob Rodriguez | www.ksat.com

SAN ANTONIO – Update 6:30 a.m., Thursday, April 8): A woman has been arrested after a cyclist was fatally struck while riding with a group downtown on Wednesday evening.

Booking records show Samantha Leigh Castillo, 24, was charged with intoxication manslaughter following the crash, which happened in the 1400 block of North St. Mary’s St., not far from Central Catholic High School.

As of 6:30 a.m., Castillo has not seen the magistrate. No image of Castillo was available. …

Bent Back on The Southern Tier

By Andy Lamb | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 14 – DeRidder: After Three Long Days Need A Rest Day

Tuesday April 6, 2021, 75 miles (121 km) – Total so far: 677 miles (1,089 km)
Today ended up being a long day too. Left the Red Cloud RV Park in Silsbee around 9. Rode along US 96 all the way to Kirbyville but it had a wide shoulder. Stopped in Evadale for an early lunch since leaving from the RV Park I didn’t see anywhere to stop for breakfast.

Once I got the Kirbyville I stopped for a break at a nice city park with a pond. Then the route continues on a farm road to Merryville which does not have a shoulder and has a lot of truck traffic including logging trucks. I entered into Louisiana when I …

San Antonio cycling community will host vigil for latest cyclist fatality

Camille Sauers | www.mysanantonio.com

On Wednesday night, April 7, a cyclist riding with her cycling group was struck and killed by a driver on the 4000 block of North St. Mary’s. The driver, identified by the San Antonio Police Department as Samantha Castillo, is believed to have been intoxicated at the time of the accident, and was arrested after waiting for law enforcement to arrive at the scene near Central Catholic High School. The victim’s name has not yet been released.

The cycling community has banded together to commemorate the victim, with a memorial ride scheduled tonight at 7:30 p.m., beginning at the …

A Decade of Knowing My Bicycle Mechanic

A Dude Abikes | adudeabikes.com

Bike mechanics, like many essential workers, have long been unsung, but make no mistake, they are heroes. That’s a strong word, but to those of us too lazy to learn to fix our own bikes, or who don’t have the tools, we rely on them to keep us rolling. Tonight I was at a shop, participating in the usual back and forth. First, there is the friendly but slightly tired question, “What’s going on?” A description of the issue from me. That is followed by a brief technical educational seminar complete with repeating main points, checking for understanding, and a hand drawing. Then, investigation of the bike and either …

Southern Tier 2021

By Mike L. | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Day 19: Del Rio to Camp Wood: Temps are Heating Up

Thursday April 8, 2021, 80 miles (128 km) – Total so far: 1,434 miles (2,307 km) Today was a hot ride, with two sections: Del Rio to Brackettsville and then up to Camp Wood. The first section was one of the least memorable sections for me as it was dominated by (mostly) really bumpy tar and chip surfaces and heavy traffic. Throw in the high heat around 98 deg and double digit headwinds and I won’t miss that last section of Hwy 90 anytime soon. Fortunately, the trail turned at Brackettsvile to Hwy 334 which was a much better surface and traffic dropped to minimal. The last 20 miles or so were back on tar and chip (Hwy 55), but hopefully that is short lived past …

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85 Degrees Finally, Atascocita South – Walden – Huffman Bike Ride

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Late last night a brief rain storm passed through. Normally in the spring that means cooler temperatures the next morning. But today was different. A clear blue sky and 81 degrees awaited as I started today’s bike ride. I headed out at 11:54 AM going south. The route today went on “Atascocita South – Walden – Huffman”. With the 2021 starting streets I biked 35.51 miles boosting the week’s total to 152.39 miles. Those miles position me for a 200+ mile week with 3 potential riding days left. 2021 year to date miles leads 2020 by 15 miles.

I rode the Canyon Endurace CF SLX bike. The chain needs to be waxed soon. I can hear some squeaks.

What the weather conditions were: start 81 (49% humidity, 60.3 dew point), a few clouds, wind S 8 mph; finish 85 (42% humidity, 59.2 dew point), partly cloudy, wind SE 9 mph. I dressed for heat wearing shorts and a short sleeve jersey. I applied sunscreen on my arms for the first time this year. No need for long sleeves. The ice in my water bottle melted from the heat. The Camelbak may be needed.

Road construction is encroaching along the route. FM 2100 continues and now on the west end of the Lake Houston causeway/FM 1960 construction workers cleared the land to the right of the existing road. At some point the short section of FM 1960 from the causeway to Atascocita Shores Drive will be constrained. Maybe a work around would be to take the left turn lane, turn onto Atascocita Shores Drive and then u-turn riding north. Time will tell if that is necessary.

Riding north on FM 2100 I forgot about the rain. When the sidewalk ended the dirt between the sidewalk and road was mud. Stepping in it I hopiedthe cleat wouldn’t get caked in mud but it did. I should’ve turned around riding back to a place to get on the road. I stopped at the Chevron station to clean the left cleat but it still contained mud. At home I cleaned it some more.

Strava tells me the bike ride was consistent with my usual efforts.

Bike ride summary from SportTracks.

4-8-2021 SportTracks Bike Ride Summary