Texas Biking News December 22nd 2020

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South Side businesses team up to give away hundreds of toys, bikes to kids in need for holidays

www.ksat.com

Mora-Vation Ministry’s 7th annual Toy and Bike Giveaway was transformed to a drive-thru

Though this season is a bit different, that didn’t stop South Side business owner, resident, and co-founder of Mora-Vation Ministry Fernando Mora from hosting his 7th annual Toy and Bike Giveaway.

The toy drive was held on Saturday, Dec. 19, at Brooster’s Backyard Icehouse, the new family-friendly hotspot located at 815 Pleasanton Rd, San Antonio, Texas 78214. Just like the previous 6 years, Mora continued his mission of putting smiles on the faces of the …

Major hike and bike trail rolls out in bustling Houston neighborhood

By Steven Devadanam | houston.culturemap.com

Runners, cyclists, and hikers, take note: A new urban trail has just been completed, bringing closer a plan to link downtown Houston with the city’s far west side. The new, $1.7 million, 2.4-mile segment in Spring Branch stretches between Blalock Road and Wirt Road, connecting neighborhoods, retail stores, schools, Schwartz Park, and employment centers.

Completion of all 10-feet-wide, paved Spring Branch Trail phases are part of the Spring Branch Management District’s 2015-2030 Comprehensive Plan. Once …

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Return to FM 2100, Construction Progressing

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More biking weather today. I didn’t start as early as yesterday as I rolled out on my Lynskey R300 at 11:52 AM. The ride headed south and east as I followed my “Atascocita – Walden – FM 2100” route. This was the first riding the route since November 21st and the 11th time biking this route in 2020. When I reached FM 2100 the construction work progressed to the point that traffic south of Old Atascocita Road moved to the new lanes. North of Old Atascocita Road concrete stretches beyond my ability to see. I briefly thought about riding north on the new unopened lanes but decided to ride west on Old Atascocita Road. Next time I may revert to my route that goes north on FM 2100 through Huffman. The last time I biked that route was October 1st. I expected to be alone on the route but I passed three other cyclists.

Riding my Lynskey R300 bike felt good today. I am getting close to 3,000 miles on it.

A blue sky ruled while I rode. With the later start I left the leg warmers at home. My legs were chilly for the early miles when I rode in the shade but once they warmed up I didn’t notice the chill. Weather conditions: start 69 (63% humidity, 56 dew point), a few clouds, wind SE 8 mph; finish 70 (46% humidity, 48.4 dew point), a few clouds, wind SE 13 mph. I did wear shorts, a long sleeve thermal jersey, and a windbreaker jacket. A regular long sleeve jersey would’ve been comfortable too but I didn’t sweat too much. It might get warmer tomorrow (Wednesday) before another cool front arrives later. Thursday might be a Zwift ride day where I still 85 miles to reach my goal for the year.

Strava said this ride was harder than my usual effort. This is the second ride in a row with that designation. Below is the Golden Cheetah bike ride summary data.

  • 12-22-2020 Golden Cheetah Bike Ride Summary Data-1
  • 12-22-2020 Golden Cheetah Bike Ride Summary Data-2

44% of the ride time I pedaled in power zones 1 and 2 leaving 56% in zones 3 to 7. The wind at the start was 8 mph increasing to 13 mph by the 2:18 PM finish. I rode into the headwind until the turn around at FM 2100. Average power was 115 watts with a max of 458 watts, not a number I hit often.

Link to the ride activity at SportTracks.

Texas Biking News December 21st 2020

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Burned bike bridge across White Oak Bayou to undergo repairs, remain closed a few more months

Dug Begley | www.houstonchronicle.com

Bike riders who pedal through the Heights will need to keep burning calories past a key connection closed by fire in the region’s growing trail system.

Just in time for winter, however, parks officials at least have a plan to reopen the MKT bridge in place, news welcomed by local cyclists eager to cross easily over White Oak Bayou again. …

Annual TxDoT El Paso Bicycle Project hearing scheduled for January

elpasoheraldpost.com

The Texas Department of Transportation El Paso District, in partnership with the El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to offer a virtual public hearing on transportation projects, programs, and policies affecting bicycle use in El Paso and surrounding communities.

“We invite anyone interested to attend this public hearing to obtain information about the district transportation projects, programs, and policies affecting bicycle use on the state highway system and to express their views,” said TxDOT El Paso District Engineer Tomas Treviño.

The virtual public hearing will be held on Monday, January 4, 2021, at 5 p.m. MST and remain available online for viewing through Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. MST.

“While the presentation is pre-recorded and …

Waco’s trails master plan aims to link entire city for pedestrians, cyclists

Rhiannon Saegert | wacotrib.com

The city of Waco is commissioning a citywide trail master plan that aims to put interconnected walking and biking routes within a 10-minute walk of everyone in the city.

The Waco City Council last week awarded a $294,000 contract with engineering firm Halff Associates for the trail plan and a strategic plan for the entire parks department.

The project will begin with a 10-month analysis of the city’s trail network and end with designs for new trails and attractions. The firm will also ask for …

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Out Of The House For A Real Bike Ride to FM 1485 and Back

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After not biking outdoors since December 10th the weather turned favorable today. I chose the “Kingwood – FM1485 – Kingwood” route to ride. I needed 27 miles to reach my 150 mile goal for December and this route was long enough to do it. I rode my Canyon Endurace out of the driveway at 11:02 AM to begin the ride. The weather was conducive with 66 degrees, partly cloudy sky and calm wind at the start. By the time I finished at 1:33 PM it warmed up to 71 degrees with the wind out of the SW at 8 mph.

Video equipment for today’s bike ride was my GoPro Hero 7 Silver in the hand held mode. With the pocket in my jacket it is easy to reach. The lanyard case helps too.

The ride covered 32.25 miles putting my total miles so far in December at 155.59, 5 miles over my goal. Year to date I biked 9,135 miles combining road miles and Zwift miles. Below is a summary my December activity versus my goals.

MTD Biking Activity summary vs. goals

Biking outside has a much better feel to it than sweating away on the smart trainer indoors doing Zwift. Also my Sidi shoes are more roomy than the Shimano ones I wear when I Zwift. The Sidi shoes use a different cleat or I would wear than indoors to Zwift. While it was chilly (by my definition) at the beginning I was comfortable throughout the ride thanks to a good kit selection: shorts, leg warmers, long sleeve thermal jersey, windbreaker jacket, and half finger gloves.

I started the ride early enough to allow me to stop at Pat’s Donuts in Porter to buy an apple fritter. Since it was close to closing time the lady gave me an one for free. I waited until I finished the ride to eat one saving the other for tomorrow’s ride.

Power out during today’s ride was higher than my Zwift rides. Average speed too as I hit 14.5 mph around the 26 mile point but averaged 14.4 mph once I made the u-turn at Caney Creek and headed back to Kingwood. Strava told me today’s ride was harder than my usual rides but it didn’t seem that hard. Below is the overview of the bike ride created by Golden Cheetah followed by the ride summary data.

12-21-2020 Golden Cheetah Bike Ride Summary Overview
  • 12-21-2020 Golden Cheetah Bike Ride Summary Data-1
  • 12-21-2020 Golden Cheetah Bike Ride Summary Data-2