Texas Biking Action February 28th 2021

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Surviving Trucks, Flats, and Mechanicals

Francisco Simas – US MES | www.strava.com

Afternoon Ride

WENDELL HUNGBUI | www.strava.com

Happening Now: National Bike Summit

BikeTexas.org

Twenty-eight Texans from all over the state are attending the virtual National Bike Summit this week. Attendees will learn valuable ideas and best practices that they can bring back to their own communities to make Texas a great place to bike and walk.

We’re excited and well prepared for Lobby Day meetings on Wednesday. Meetings are scheduled with the staffs of both our Senators and 18 Texas Representatives. We are optimistic that this year could be a great opportunity to get more funding for biking and walking facilities at the federal level.

BikeTexas executive director Robin Stallings says, "I’m energized by the talent and commitment of the Texans who participate in Lobby Day. They ask engaging questions and show a deep knowledge of bicycling and walking in their districts in the meetings. We have consistent themes that our lobbyists bring up for safe biking and walking facilities."

51st/YMCA bridge closed. from BikingATX

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Clw4D_vgzH8

Texas Biking from Twitter

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

20 MPH Wind Didn’t Stop Me From Hitting My Goal

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I waited until the last day of the month to reach my road miles goal. At the beginning of the week I thought there was no way to reach it but the weather cooperated and I biked every day for a total of 212.08 miles for the week. What put me over the goal was today’s 20.24 miles as biked the “Kingwood Streets” route on my Canyon Endurace bike. I started at 1:34 PM after getting home from church. As I drove home from church some rain drops and mist hit the windshield of my Jeep but by the time I got home the rain was gone. Below is the summary of my bike rides in February.

2-28-2021 SportTracks February Bike Rides Summary

The temperature got close to 80 degrees at the start of the ride but the wind stole the show. Weather conditions: start 77 (80% humidity, 70.8 dew point), overcast, wind S 12 mph gusts 21 mph; finish 79 (75% humidity, 70.9 dew point), overcast, wind S 14 mph gusts 20 mph. March arrives in a few hours and is known for being windy but February wanted to make a statement too. Those gusts were hard to pedal into, needless to say. I wore shorts, long sleeve jersey with a short sleeve jersey over top. I felt comfortable as I biked in the wind.

I came in 4th place overall on one Strava segment. The ride was consistent with my usual efforts even fighting the wind.

2-28-2021 Strava Bike Ride Summary

A Strava extension calculates “Year Progressions” and this is where I stand so far in 2021 compared to previous years. Since 2020 was a leap year February 29th isn’t added to the chart.

2-28-2021 Strava year Progressions YTD Miles

Where I stand on my goals. Two are for February and two for the year. It was close on the February road miles with just 4.8 miles to spare. The week of winter storm kept me off the bike outdoors. My Zwift was easier but it suffered from the winter storm too. Frozen pipes meant no showers so I didn’t ride on my smart trainer.

2-28-2021 February Road Zwift Year Goals Status

Texas Biking Action February 27th 2021

Texbiker.net Posted on by

SH 146 New Design Proposal From Spencer Highway to Red Bluff Road

www.tapinto.net

HARRIS COUNTY — The Texas Department of Transportation “TxDOT” is proposing new design changes along SH 146 from Spencer Highway to Red Bluff Road in Harris County. These changes consist of new pedestrian and bicycle sidewalks along both sides of SH 146.

TxDOT has pre-recorded a video presentation of the new design proposals that are available for viewing until Friday, March 5,2021, online at https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/get-involved/about/hearings-meetings/houston/021821.html.

TxDOT released the following public notice: …

Montrose/4th Ward to Uptown route questions from bikehouston

Texas Biking from Twitter

Risky Wardrobe Choice Closing In On A Goal

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I helped my niece this morning which delayed the start of my bike ride but that was okay because the weather warmed up. I put my Canyon Endurace wheels in motion at 12:59 PM to ride my “Atascocita – FM 2100 – Walden” route. I needed 47.3 miles to reach my road mile goal for February and today’s bike ride covered 31.88 miles getting me close. The weather tomorrow looks good with a possible high of 80 degrees. It’s hard to remember over a week ago the temperature didn’t get above freezing for several days. My February road mile total stands at 384.5 miles leaving 15.5 miles to go. At the beginning of the week I didn’t think I would get close to my goal but 7 days of good biking weather made the difference. I’m 9 miles short of the first 200 mile week of 2021 too.

Starting this late I didn’t expect to see other cyclists but 2 passed me on Old Atascocita Road as you can see in the video.

Speaking of weather, wind dominated the bike ride today. Riding conditions: start 76 (73% humidity, 66.4 dew point), mostly cloudy, wind SE 14 mph; finish 76 (74% humidity, 67.2 dew point), mostly cloudy, wind S 13 mph gusts 23 mph. I battled the wind to get to the FM 2100 turn around point. I took a chance on my kit by not wearing a windbreaker jacket. Instead I wore shorts, a long sleeve jersey, and a short sleeve jersey. My only concern once I warmed up was the chilly wind blowing over Lake Houston. The ride going east wasn’t that chilly but the return trip headed west was noticeably cooler with the wind coming from my left. The traffic blocked it at times giving me a break. I didn’t realize the wind strengthened during the ride until I got home and looked at the weather.

My power output was better than yesterday. My legs challenged the wind although it took 20 miles to get my average speed to 14.0 mph. 51% of the riding time was in power zones 1 and 2, an improvement from yesterday’s ride. My max watts was 451. Maybe some extra adrenaline from thinking about the 3 year anniversary of my Canyon Endurace bike arrival helped. Strava reported the ride was consistent with my usual efforts.

2-27-2021 Strava Bike Ride Summary
2-27-2021 SportTracks Bike Ride Summary