{"id":23657,"date":"2014-04-01T00:32:52","date_gmt":"2014-04-01T05:32:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.texbiker.net\/blog\/?p=23657"},"modified":"2014-04-01T00:32:52","modified_gmt":"2014-04-01T05:32:52","slug":"texas-bicycling-news-digest-march-31st","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.texbiker.net\/blog\/2014\/04\/01\/texas-bicycling-news-digest-march-31st\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas Bicycling News Digest March 31st"},"content":{"rendered":"

Registration for 25th Anniversary Bike MS Opens, 4\/4<\/a><\/h2>\n

www.broadwayworld.com<\/h4>\n

\n The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is excited to announce that registration for the Bike MS: Valero Ride to the River, presented by H-E-B, will open April 4 with a special registration fee of $25 through April 11 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of cycling in South Texas for multiple sclerosis. Those interested in participating can register as a team or an individual for the annual fundraising ride taking place Oct. 11-12, 2014.
\n This fully supported ride from San Antonio to New Braunfels offers cyclists of every skill level a great weekend experience with multiple route options including one or two-day options so they can choose their personal challenge to suit their comfort level. The ride offers a…\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

All Level Ride @ Walnut Creek Spring\/Summer hours<\/a><\/h2>\n

The Austin Mountain Bikers Meetup Group<\/h4>\n

\n Sunday, April 6, 2014\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 9:30 AM
\n Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
\n 12138 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX (map)
\n We set up under the trees in the parking lot near the swimming pool.
\n New Spring\/Summer hours to help when the weather gets warmer.\u00c2\u00a0 Starting 3\/9 we go to 9:30 am.
\n We know that this time change doesn’t work for everyone so we hope you considering hosting a ride for yourself and those who might want to ride at a different time or on a different day.
\n You do NOT have to be a ARR member to attend most club riders. You will need to sign a waiver and wear a helmets when…\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Hike & Bike Trails<\/a><\/h2>\n

www.ci.north-richland-hills.tx.us<\/h4>\n

\n 2 New Trails Under Construction
\n Construction began in July 2013 on the John Barfield and Calloway Branch Trails. Both trails are a part of the 1994 Trail System Master Plan, which was developed after North Richland Hills residents identified trails as a top priority in the 1991 Park, Recreation & Open Space Master Plan.
\n Construction of the trails furthers the city\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s vision of providing a pedestrian and bicycle friendly community with interconnected trails, greenbelts and pathways that link neighborhoods, parks, schools and trails. The NRH trail system also connects to the regional trail system, linking North Richland Hills to other surrounding communities.
\n Funding for both trails is provided through federal grants with a local 20% share. The trails are expected to open in 2014. …
\n \"\"\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A couple of laps around White Rock to work up a thirst<\/a><\/h2>\n

Dallas Cycling Trail Riders and Weekend Pub Crawlers<\/h4>\n

\n Saturday, April 12, 2014\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 10:00 AM
\n Dallas Bike Works
\n 4875 W Lawther Dr, Dallas, TX (map)
\n Meet at the parkng lot behind Dallas Bike Works at 4875 W. Lawther Drive
\n Hi all;
\n this ride will be a moderate pace (13 to 15 mph). More of a get to know you ride. Goal would be 2 laps depending on the group and then breakfast\/lunch at the NEW Lake House Bar and Grill.
\n We will meet at 10am on Saturday and leave the parking lot on the ride promptly at 10:10. Please have your tires…\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Loop Group<\/a><\/h2>\n

San Angelo Bicycle Association<\/h4>\n

\n Location: TX Dept of Transportation
\n 4502 Knickerbocker – San Angelo
\n 04\/03\/2014\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a08:00 pm
\n Road Ride
\n Riders meet up at the Texas Department of Transportation on the corner of Knickerbocker and Loop 306 at 6pm on Tuesday and Thursday. Click the map to see the 20-mile loop option. If you are new to the group, let somebody know and I am sure someone will help guide you and make sure you are not left alone. However, these rides are self-paced so you may get dropped.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Reveille Peak Reversal<\/a><\/h2>\n

San Angelo High School Mountain Bike Team<\/h4>\n

\n March 23, 2014 was an incredible weekend at the Reveille Peak Reversal with 152 student athletes from nearly every major city in Texas, 41 girls and 111 boys!
\n We were fortunate with the beautiful weather for the first two races of the seasons, but it caught up to us this race weekend on Sunday. By the time we left Reveille Peak Ranch it was 38 degrees and nearly everything was wet and muddy
\n We enjoyed getting to spend some time with Specialized Bikes and SRAM. Many student athletes enjoyed riding the demo bikes that were offered by both. SRAM\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s new 1\u00c3\u201411 drive train was a big hit.
\n Everyone enjoyed watching our student athletes work hard and put their best effort on the League Loop at Reveille Peak Ranch.
\n Please join us in congratulating our student athletes for their incredible effort and…
\n \"\"\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Inaugural Tuesday Night North Loop Ride<\/a><\/h2>\n

Corpus Christi Cycle Club<\/h4>\n

\n When: 6:00 PM, Tuesday, April 1st, 2014
\n Where: Lamar Park – 3850 S Alameda St (corner of Doddridge & Alameda)
\n Please join us for the inaugural Tuesday Night Ride North Loop from Lamar Park. This is a no drop ride !! We will proceed to the North loop right outside of downtown. It is a brand new paved loop that is extremely smooth, free of pot holes and chip seal. The Corpus Christi Cycle Club and the City have been working on this for some time . We would like to thank all those that helped get this done. …\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Self-Paced Rides<\/a><\/h2>\n

Austin Cycling Association<\/h4>\n

\n Lone Granger
\n Sat, 04\/05\/2014 – 9:00am
\n Rides of 16, 24, 46, and 65 miles begin in San Gabriel Park in Georgetown and go as far east as Granger. From I-35 take exit 261A (Williams St.\/RR 2338) and drive east (right) to Austin Ave., turn left and then right onto Stadium Dr. Park just east of the stop sign at Morrow St. (near the restrooms). For ride start location see..\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Why Do TxDOT and El Paso DOT Build Killer Streets Instead of Complete Streets?<\/a><\/h2>\n

www.velopaso.org<\/h4>\n

\n City hits a dozen pedestrian fatalities in first 3 months of 2014; Advocates seek solution, demand Complete Streets
\n El Paso, TX \u00e2\u20ac\u201c El Paso may be the Safest City in the U.S., but that distinction won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t protect pedestrians trying to cross the street. A 51-year-old man was fatally hit by a car in the Lower Valley on Friday night, bringing the death toll in the first three months of 2014 to 12, nearly one pedestrian fatality per week.
\n El Paso led the state in pedestrian fatalities in 2007, according to the El Paso Times. Traffic Fatality Statistics, available on the El Paso Police Department\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s website, show that there were 79 pedestrian deaths\u00c2\u00a0 between 2009 and June 2013.
\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Our streets are killing us. We need to prioritize the lives of people over cars,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said Scott White, Policy Director of Velo Paso Bicycle-Pedestrian Coalition.
\n Last August, Velo Paso issued a statement following the tragic deaths of Jose Cordova, a 9-year-old boy who was killed while riding his bicycle, and…\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Rosedale Ride Incident<\/a><\/h2>\n

Violet Crown Sports Association<\/h4>\n

\n While almost everyone had a good time at this year\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Rosedale Ride there were some bad experiences and some bad behavior. And some VC riders contributed (unintentionally) to an incident where two riders were engulfed by a larger group and passed too closely on both sides. Contact was made, fortunately no-one crashed, but it was a very intimidating experience for the two unsuspecting riders, to say the least. It happened on New Sweden Church Road when the 60-mile group was catching some of the 40-milers. Apparently…\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Lessons Learned from my Singlespeed<\/a><\/h2>\n

Texas Mountain Bike Trails<\/h4>\n

\n \"\"
\n Over the past month I have been building up a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153new-to-me\u00e2\u20ac\u009d singlespeed. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve also learned a lot from this process. Below are 8.5 things that I learned during this process and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m actually doing number 7 right now!
\n 1. Fun on a bike doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to be expensive (comparatively).
\n So much of what we see with bikes is crazy expensive. A new Specialized Epic costs mid range $4,000, a Trek hardtail comes in mid range at about $2,500. That is a lot of money to shell out for a bike.
\n However, building a bike from scratch from used parts is waaaaay cheaper. Key word there is used. By scouring the…\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Rolling My Wheels Through A Gateway Park Carpet Of Green Serenaded By A Bird Symphony<\/a><\/h2>\n

Durango Texas<\/h4>\n

\n I drove my handlebars back to Gateway Park today to have myself a mighty fine time rolling my wheels on the Fort Worth Mountain Bike Association’s mountain bike trail.
\n As you can see, via the carpet of green, spring is really starting to get sprung, although wildflowers continue to be in scarce supply at my location in North Texas.
\n However, yesterday I did see a few bluebonnets coloring up a little bit…\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Regstration Available Now: BikeTexas KidsKup at Bent Wheel Bash<\/a><\/h2>\n

BikeTexas.org<\/h4>\n

\n KidsKup ParticipantSaturday, April 12
\n Buck Creek Trails, Abilene, TX\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

BikeDFW Participated In The Friends of the Katy Trail \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Membership and Safety Day<\/a><\/h2>\n

by Richard Wezensky\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0www.bikedfw.org<\/h4>\n

\n BikeDFW got to help out at the Friends of the Katy Trail – Membership and Safety Day in Dallas. At the event, BikeDFW joined with Bicycles Plus and helped promote trail etiquette and safety. While there, we installed or gave away almost a hundred free bicycle bells, donated by Bicycles Plus.
\n Overall, it was a great day and a great event. We got to meet lots of folks and hopefully helped make the trail a bit safer for both pedestrians and cyclists. …
\n \"\"\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

BikeDFW Attends The Texas Trails and Active Transportation Conference<\/a><\/h2>\n

by Richard Wezensky\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0www.bikedfw.org<\/h4>\n

\n BikeDFW attended this year’s Texas Trails and Active Transportation Conference in Fort Worth.
\n Hosted by BikeTexas and the Texas Trails Network, the conference was held for anyone involved in the planning, construction, funding, economics, operation, management, promotion and use of bicycle, pedestrian, and other transportation modes. According to their site: The TTAT Conference brought together those involved with bicycle, pedestrian, and other active transportation and recreation modes from around Texas and the world with the goals of sharing current information and examples, and sparking inspiration to continue striving to make things better in each of our communities. The conference focused on issues of economic development, health, safety, and many other topics relevant to advancing active transportation and trails.
\n BikeDFW, had a table at the conference, which allowed us to attend the conference in shifts. While there, we got to sit in on a few seminars that were as impressive and informative as expected. We also got to…
\n \"\"\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Rumblings<\/a><\/h2>\n

An Old Guy On Two Wheels<\/h4>\n

\n Not sure when it happened.\u00c2\u00a0 Just noticed something on a stretch of road I drive all the time.\u00c2\u00a0 I haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t cycled there in some time so maybe that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s why I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t notice.\u00c2\u00a0 Perhaps my fellow cyclists can tell when those dolts at TxDOT decided to install rumble strips on Bee Caves Road.
\n What a moronic, useless gesture.\u00c2\u00a0 Rumble strips.\u00c2\u00a0 The lazy \u00e2\u20ac\u0153safety\u00e2\u20ac\u009d effort that screams out to universe that we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve given up.\u00c2\u00a0 We can no…\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Tweets<\/h2>\n
\n

Tuesday Ride
Place: Hospital Parking lot
Time: 5:30pm
Cat A, Cat B, Cat C+
Cat A+ are welcome to ride with Cat… http:\/\/t.co\/fcN9tBJ8JA<\/a><\/p>\n

— EP Cyclists (@EPCyclists) April 1, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n