{"id":28555,"date":"2014-12-15T22:50:21","date_gmt":"2014-12-16T04:50:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.texbiker.net\/blog\/?p=28555"},"modified":"2014-12-15T22:50:21","modified_gmt":"2014-12-16T04:50:21","slug":"texas-bicycling-news-digest-december-15th","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.texbiker.net\/blog\/2014\/12\/15\/texas-bicycling-news-digest-december-15th\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas Bicycling News Digest December 15th"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/texasbikeracing.com\/wacky-weekend-waco\/\">Wacky Weekend in Waco<\/a><\/h2>\n<h3>Leslie Ethridge \/ Photos : Carla Jennings\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0texasbikeracing.com<\/h3>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/texasbikeracing.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/Hill_Of_Hell_CJ.jpg?resize=532%2C798\" alt=\"\" width=\"532\" height=\"798\" \/><br \/>\nThis weekend, the Texas cyclocross community suffered in the most beautiful way possible. The Waco race is always a season highlight, promising to be equally amounts painful and fulfilling. When the folks at Texas Cross Syndicate get together with the fast racers of Squadra Di Servitori, incredible world events happen. Unlike last year\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s freezing cold mud fest, the Gods of Texas Cyclocross granted us clear skies and highs in the 70s. With prime Texas Cross weather, numerous racers toed the line: ready.<br \/>\nFrom the moment each whistle blew, each rider sprinted towards the first hill, minds set on the holeshot. The starting section of pavement took you over a speed bump, into a right turn and then onto the first &#8230;<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=5r2qcRcFwnY\">ARR Reveille Peak Ranch Ride 12-13-14 &#8211; Watch in 1080p60! <\/a><\/h2>\n<h3>by Eduardo Nunez<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"ARR Reveille Peak Ranch Ride 12-13-14  - Watch in 1080p60!\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5r2qcRcFwnY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><br \/>\nAwesome weather and awesome people made for a great ride at Reveille Peak Ranch with the Austin Ridge Riders<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">#meetup_oembed .mu_clearfix:after { visibility: hidden; display: block; font-size: 0; content: \" \"; clear: both; height: 0; }* html #meetup_oembed .mu_clearfix, *:first-child+html #meetup_oembed .mu_clearfix { zoom: 1; }#meetup_oembed { background:#eee;border:1px solid #ccc;padding:10px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;border-radius:3px;margin:0; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; }#meetup_oembed h3 { font-weight:normal; margin:0 0 10px; padding:0; line-height:26px; font-family:Georgia,Palatino,serif; font-size:24px }#meetup_oembed p { margin: 0 0 10px; padding:0; line-height:16px; }#meetup_oembed img { border:none; margin:0; padding:0; }#meetup_oembed a, #meetup_oembed a:visited, #meetup_oembed a:link { color: #1B76B3; text-decoration: none; cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; }#meetup_oembed a:hover { color: #1B76B3; text-decoration: underline; }#meetup_oembed a.mu_button { font-size:14px; -moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;border-radius:3px;border:2px solid #A7241D;color:white!important;text-decoration:none;background-color: #CA3E47; background-image: -moz-linear-gradient(top, #ca3e47, #a8252e); background-image: -webkit-gradient(linear, left bottom, left top, color-stop(0, #a8252e), color-stop(1, #ca3e47));disvplay:inline-block;padding:5px 10px; }#meetup_oembed a.mu_button:hover { color: #fff!important; text-decoration: none; }#meetup_oembed .photo { width:50px; height:50px; overflow:hidden;background:#ccc;float:left;margin:0 5px 0 0;text-align:center;padding:1px; }#meetup_oembed .photo img { height:50px }#meetup_oembed .number { font-size:18px; }#meetup_oembed .thing { text-transform: uppercase; color: #555; }<\/style>\n<div id=\"meetup_oembed\" style=\"height:270px\">\n<div style=\"max-height:230px;overflow:hidden\">\n<h3>Jingle Bell Lights Ride<\/h3>\n<p style=\"margin:5px 0;font-size:16px\">Sunday, Dec 21, 2014,  6:00 PM<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0 0 5px;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px\">Spicewood Elementary School<\/span><br \/><span style=\"font-size:12px;\">11601 Olson Dr Austin, TX<\/span><\/p>\n<p>          <span style=\"color:#4F8A10;font-size:16px;\">33 Mountain Bikers Went<\/span>           <\/p>\n<div style=\"margin:5px 0 10px\" class=\"mu_clearfix\">\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/e\/a\/1\/2\/thumb_103079922.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/d\/e\/8\/2\/thumb_64316962.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/b\/a\/b\/a\/thumb_186227802.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/8\/4\/9\/thumb_13742121.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/1\/2\/e\/a\/thumb_232264842.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/5\/4\/3\/0\/thumb_72981552.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/4\/8\/b\/9\/thumb_242298617.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/9\/f\/b\/c\/thumb_231640892.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/f\/5\/2\/thumb_92703922.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/4\/8\/4\/0\/thumb_254898496.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/5\/7\/b\/e\/thumb_39142462.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/4\/b\/4\/7\/thumb_252679271.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/2\/e\/3\/d\/thumb_12311837.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/7\/0\/d\/8\/thumb_278968888.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/a\/3\/1\/7\/thumb_269501751.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/7\/a\/a\/thumb_34801962.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/3\/7\/a\/0\/thumb_286394240.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/6\/d\/5\/a\/thumb_245787994.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/8\/4\/3\/8\/thumb_241893848.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/e\/0\/d\/0\/thumb_189357552.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"line-height:16px\">Get out those jingle bells and decorate your bike! It&#8217;s time for the Jingle Bell Ride Northside, an annual Christmas lights ride through the Balcones neighborhood.This Sunday, December 21. Starting from Spicewood Elementary, 11601 Olson, 78750. Meet at 6:00pm, ready to roll at 6:30pm.This is a mostly flat, family-friendly, slow-rolling five mile &#8230;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"margin:10px 0 0;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meetup.com\/mountainbikes-130\/events\/219260016\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"mu_button\"><strong>Check out this Meetup &rarr;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">#meetup_oembed .mu_clearfix:after { visibility: hidden; display: block; font-size: 0; content: \" \"; clear: both; height: 0; }* html #meetup_oembed .mu_clearfix, *:first-child+html #meetup_oembed .mu_clearfix { zoom: 1; }#meetup_oembed { background:#eee;border:1px solid #ccc;padding:10px;-moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;border-radius:3px;margin:0; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; }#meetup_oembed h3 { font-weight:normal; margin:0 0 10px; padding:0; line-height:26px; font-family:Georgia,Palatino,serif; font-size:24px }#meetup_oembed p { margin: 0 0 10px; padding:0; line-height:16px; }#meetup_oembed img { border:none; margin:0; padding:0; }#meetup_oembed a, #meetup_oembed a:visited, #meetup_oembed a:link { color: #1B76B3; text-decoration: none; cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; }#meetup_oembed a:hover { color: #1B76B3; text-decoration: underline; }#meetup_oembed a.mu_button { font-size:14px; -moz-border-radius:3px;-webkit-border-radius:3px;border-radius:3px;border:2px solid #A7241D;color:white!important;text-decoration:none;background-color: #CA3E47; background-image: -moz-linear-gradient(top, #ca3e47, #a8252e); background-image: -webkit-gradient(linear, left bottom, left top, color-stop(0, #a8252e), color-stop(1, #ca3e47));disvplay:inline-block;padding:5px 10px; }#meetup_oembed a.mu_button:hover { color: #fff!important; text-decoration: none; }#meetup_oembed .photo { width:50px; height:50px; overflow:hidden;background:#ccc;float:left;margin:0 5px 0 0;text-align:center;padding:1px; }#meetup_oembed .photo img { height:50px }#meetup_oembed .number { font-size:18px; }#meetup_oembed .thing { text-transform: uppercase; color: #555; }<\/style>\n<div id=\"meetup_oembed\" style=\"height:270px\">\n<div style=\"max-height:230px;overflow:hidden\">\n<h3>Pedernales Falls State Park Trail Build &#038; Ride!<\/h3>\n<p style=\"margin:5px 0;font-size:16px\">Sunday, Dec 21, 2014,  9:00 AM<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0 0 5px;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px\">Pedernales Falls State Park<\/span><br \/><span style=\"font-size:12px;\">2585 Park Road 6026 Johnson City, TX<\/span><\/p>\n<p>          <span style=\"color:#4F8A10;font-size:16px;\">11 Mountain Bikers Went<\/span>           <\/p>\n<div style=\"margin:5px 0 10px\" class=\"mu_clearfix\">\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/4\/1\/5\/f\/thumb_281416735.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/b\/e\/6\/6\/thumb_210048742.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/5\/c\/7\/5\/thumb_243683669.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/2\/f\/7\/b\/thumb_242292155.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/5\/1\/4\/f\/thumb_241940815.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"photo\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/secure.meetupstatic.com\/photos\/member\/e\/1\/0\/2\/thumb_124617602.jpeg?w=1200&#038;ssl=1\" \/><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"line-height:16px\">Pedernales Falls State Park TRAIL BUILD &#038; RIDE!BRING YOUR PAYDIRT FORMS!\u00c2\u00a0http:\/\/www.tmbra.org\/paydirt\/paydirt.htmPhase I sections the new trail were a hit at the 2014 Cranksgiving! \u00c2\u00a0BUT WAIT, THERE&#8217;S MORE! \u00c2\u00a0Phases II and III! \u00c2\u00a05+ miles of trail are still under development!These sections, not yet open to the public, have lots more elevation chang&#8230;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p style=\"margin:10px 0 0;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.meetup.com\/mountainbikes-130\/events\/219260321\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"mu_button\"><strong>Check out this Meetup &rarr;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/bikingforbirds.blogspot.com\/2014\/12\/dec-14-day-348-moving-north-in-terrible.html\">Dec 14 (Day 348) &#8211; Moving north in terrible wind, flamingo plans<\/a><\/h2>\n<h3>bikingforbirds.blogspot.com<\/h3>\n<p>I started today in Kingsville, TX, and ended 83 miles later in Rockport. I had to take a frustratingly circuitous route in order to avoid Corpus Christie. A straight shot through the city would have required lots of riding on urban freeways where bikes are not permitted. It would have also required a number of dangerous bridge crossings. The city is also a bit of an industrial wasteland, so I wanted to avoid this after biking through a similar refinery-scape in Port Arthur, TX. &#8230;<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-abTVb6lfQMo\/VI48ufDMn0I\/AAAAAAAAGNY\/-DB-ehogOos\/s1600\/1214.tiff\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"307\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.usacycling.org\/usa-cycling-announces-winners-of-the-2014-club-of-the-year-awards.htm\">USA Cycling announces winners of the 2014 Club of the Year awards<\/a><\/h2>\n<h3>www.usacycling.org<\/h3>\n<p>USA Cycling is excited to announce the winners of its 2014 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Club of the Year\u00e2\u20ac\u009d awards! Three clubs earned overall \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Club of the Year\u00e2\u20ac\u009d honors in divisions I, II, and III and an additional nine clubs earned special awards in the junior, interscholastic, masters\u00e2\u20ac\u2122, women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s, new club, mountain bike, track, cyclo-cross, collegiate club and collegiate varsity categories.<br \/>\nIn addition to bragging rights, the winning clubs will receive a trophy and complimentary renewal fees for 2014. Congratulations to our winners!<br \/>\nDivision I \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Northwest Cycling Club (Cypress, Texas)<br \/>\nDivision II \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Dallas Racing (Garland, Texas)<br \/>\nDivision III \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Upper Arlington High School (Cream Ridge, NJ)<br \/>\nBest New Club &#8211; Red Eye Velo (Tallahassee, Fla.)<br \/>\nJunior &#8211; Team Velosport Club (Irvine, Calif.)<br \/>\nInterscholastic \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Texas High School League (Texas)<br \/>\nMasters &#8211; Cross Creek Cycling (Fayetteville, N.C.) &#8230;<br \/>\n<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/s3.amazonaws.com\/photos.usacycling.org\/2014\/Dec\/dallas-racing-lg.jpg?resize=640%2C480&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/bcullins.blogspot.com\/2014\/12\/construction-underway-on-red-arroyo.html\">Construction Underway on Red Arroyo Trail<\/a><\/h2>\n<h3>by BillCullins\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0Team San Angelo<\/h3>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-OpwN_CILUuA\/VIuK1XPIzTI\/AAAAAAAAAu8\/lrKvS88uy1k\/s1600\/Bike%252Bpath.jpg?resize=634%2C447\" alt=\"\" width=\"634\" height=\"447\" \/><br \/>\nI was part of a 25-person group of San Angelo residents who met on June 4th, 2004 to begin discussing current and future needs for non-motorized transportation infrastructure such as bike\/pedestrian paths and trails in San Angelo.<br \/>\nThis forward-thinking group realized that San Angelo lagged far behind other communities related to bike paths, sidewalks and related venues for cycling, running and fitness.<br \/>\nSubsequent meetings of that group, working with the regional Metropolitan Planning Organization, resulted in San Angelo&#8217;s City Council contracting with the Wilber Smith Associates consultant group to develop a comprehensive Bike\/Pedestrian plan for the city (sanangelompo.org\/plans.php).<br \/>\nThe consultant group&#8217;s report listed the construction of a multiuse bike and pedestrian trail through the Red Arroyo &#8216;greenbelt&#8217; area as being one of the first projects that San Angelo residents wanted the city to complete.<br \/>\nMore than a decade after the initial focus group meeting was held, construction has &#8230;<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.houstonchronicle.com\/neighborhood\/woodlands\/news\/article\/More-trails-coming-to-greenway-dividing-5957081.php\">More trails coming to greenway dividing Montgomery, Harris counties<\/a><\/h2>\n<h3>By Cindy Horswell\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0www.houstonchronicle.com<\/h3>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ww3.hdnux.com\/photos\/33\/57\/25\/7271806\/3\/920x1240.jpg?resize=640%2C427\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" \/><br \/>\nSpring Creek&#8217;s white sandy beaches are lined with trees, some dating back to the Akokisa Indians, along with a plethora of native plants. It&#8217;s a largely untouched haven with a diverse collection of wildlife.<br \/>\nTo continue reading this story, you will need to be a digital subscriber to HoustonChronicle.com.<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/bikingforbirds.blogspot.com\/2014\/12\/dec-15-day-349-whoop-there-it-is.html\">Dec 15 (Day 349) &#8211; Whoop, there it is!<\/a><\/h2>\n<h3>bikingforbirds.blogspot.com<\/h3>\n<p>Those well-versed in 90&#8217;s hip hop should immediate recognize the reference in the title. Those lacking rap knowledge might want to check this out so that we are all on the same page. Anyone in his\/her mid 30s should recognize this song from any middle or high school dance he\/she ever attended. Although the track is called &#8220;Whoomp! (There it is)&#8221;, it actually sounds more like &#8220;Whoop! (There it is)&#8221;. When I found the first Whooping cranes of the day, I could not help but think &#8220;Whoop &#8211; There it is!&#8221;. Finding the cranes today was very straightforward. I biked the ~9 miles from Rockport, TX to Goose Island. I immediately headed for the &#8220;Big Tree&#8221;, a very large and ancient oak that guards a particular field that the Whooping cranes frequent. When I rolled up there were 2 adults and a young crane foraging in this field. I was also able to locate 3 additional crane pairs in the surrounding marsh for a &#8230;<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-zntG5OhCtx4\/VI-bhWsxTCI\/AAAAAAAAGOs\/i-Ci5yaldYM\/s1600\/1215.tiff\" alt=\"\" width=\"641\" height=\"373\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/shalomaustin.org\/cycleforgood\">Cycle For Good: Sunday, December 21<\/a><\/h2>\n<h3>shalomaustin.org<\/h3>\n<p>Every year, Cycle for Good raises money for local JCCs and gives a portion to a designated charity chosen by JCC Association, the leadership network for the JCCs of North America. For 2014, the designated charity is Etgarim: Israel&#8217;s Association for the Disabled. Each participating JCC will choose what portion of the money raised will go to Etgarim, with a minimum set at twenty percent.<br \/>\nOn the first Sunday of Chanukah, join the JCCs of North America for a spin during the 3rd Annual Cycle for Good. Participants across North America will be riding at the same time, cycling to raise money for a good cause and their own &#8230;<br \/>\n<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/shalomaustin.org\/image\/jcc\/Cycle-for-Good-Logo-.jpg?resize=599%2C419\" alt=\"\" width=\"599\" height=\"419\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/beardedwomenracing.org\/2014\/12\/15\/team-ride-on-the-nett-an-unexpected-journey\/\">Team Ride on the NETT | An Unexpected Journey<\/a><\/h2>\n<h3>by turnerwinstonoc\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0beardedwomenracing.org<\/h3>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/beardedwomenracing.files.wordpress.com\/2014\/12\/nett121314_01.jpg?w=1228&#038;h=690&#038;fit=1228%2C690&#038;resize=640%2C360\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" \/><br \/>\nBy Jonathan Braddick<br \/>\nFour hardy souls left Farmersville, TX on Saturday, December 13th to ride a rare jewel in these parts of North Texas, the North East Texas Trail.\u00c2\u00a0 After downing a couple of pastries brought on her own accord, Susie Bolton a huge NETT supporter, we headed off on the 75 mile expected journey to Paris.<br \/>\nWe\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve highlighted the North East Texas Trail or NETT in the past when 4 of us decided to take part in Spinistry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s first Ride the NETT event in November of 2013.\u00c2\u00a0 Back then something about the trail ignited a passion within us for it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s beauty, wildness, and potential economic impact it can have on the communities it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s 230 miles travel through.<br \/>\nWe set a hardy 12 mile an hour pace for the first 20 \u00e2\u20ac\u201c 30 miles which are very passable, locally groomed by either the city or passionate supporters and do gooders who see the positive things the &#8230;<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.texasmountainbiketrails.com\/rudolphs-revenge-14-final-details\/\">Rudolph\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Revenge \u00e2\u20ac\u212214 Final Details<\/a><\/h2>\n<h3>www.texasmountainbiketrails.com<\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.texasmountainbiketrails.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/Rudolphs_Revenge_Banner.jpg?zoom=2&amp;resize=475%2C307\" alt=\"\" width=\"641\" height=\"414\" \/><br \/>\nThe time is here! Rudolph\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Revenge 2014 is this weekend (December 20th 2014 at 9am), let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s get a recap of all the details and all the stuff you NEED to know going into this race.<br \/>\nStart Location<br \/>\nThe race starts at the greenbelt midpoint on FM428 \/ W. Sherman Dr. The park is hard to miss with the iconic red bridge right next to the road. We start from next to the bridge. Park in the adjacent lot complete with restrooms on site. Proceed to registration to get your &#8230;<\/p>\n<h2>New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar<\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">New Bike Event: Miles of DisComfort Marathon &#8211; Comfort, TX: When: Sat Jan 31, 2015 9am to 2pm\u00c2\u00a0<br \/>CSTWho: Texas B&#8230; <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/8LN9OmVVZN\">http:\/\/t.co\/8LN9OmVVZN<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/texbiker\/status\/544641638111268864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 15, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">New Bike Event: 2015 EASTER HILL COUNTRY TOUR &#8211; Kerrville, TX: When: Thu Apr 2, 2015 4pm to Thu Apr 2, 2015 9p&#8230; <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/lyfP8CHI2c\">http:\/\/t.co\/lyfP8CHI2c<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/texbiker\/status\/544699394478452736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 16, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">New Bike Event: 2015 EASTER HILL COUNTRY TOUR &#8211; Kerrville, TX: When: Fri Apr 3, 2015 7am to 4pm\u00c2\u00a0<br \/>CDTWhere: Sch&#8230; <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/phci8eS1tg\">http:\/\/t.co\/phci8eS1tg<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/texbiker\/status\/544699395115978752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 16, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">New Bike Event: 2015 EASTER HILL COUNTRY TOUR &#8211; Kerrville, TX: When: Sat Apr 4, 2015 7am to Sat Apr 4, 2015 10&#8230; <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/1tbHOFJjc1\">http:\/\/t.co\/1tbHOFJjc1<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/texbiker\/status\/544699395782877184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 16, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">New Bike Event: 2015 EASTER HILL COUNTRY TOUR &#8211; Kerrville, TX: When: Sun Apr 5, 2015 7am to 1pm\u00c2\u00a0<br \/>CDTWhere: Sch&#8230; <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/JPpDE7bBmp\">http:\/\/t.co\/JPpDE7bBmp<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/texbiker\/status\/544699396470734849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 16, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Tweets<\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Bike Build Opportunity &#8211; 6:30PM Tuesday at Children&#39;s Advocacy Center of Plano  Details at: <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/pYgPjXv3w6\">http:\/\/t.co\/pYgPjXv3w6<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; PBA Rides (@PBAGeneral) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PBAGeneral\/status\/544712897616965632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 16, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Always a treat to see one of our favorite bikes out and about! <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/w46JECFPCv\">pic.twitter.com\/w46JECFPCv<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Bicycle Sport Shop (@BSS_Austin) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BSS_Austin\/status\/544646802301919234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 16, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Texas Cyclocross Project Youth\/Junior Welcome Reception during the 2015 USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National&#8230; <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/W6WzCO2Kw6\">http:\/\/t.co\/W6WzCO2Kw6<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Texas CX Project (@TexasCXProject) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TexasCXProject\/status\/544600204436340737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 15, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/twitter.com\/danielcurtin\/status\/544566081462226944<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">So close, yet so far. Thanks for the flick <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/capcityracing?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@capcityracing<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/txcx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#txcx<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/cyclocross?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#cyclocross<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/Egiu2HduEI\">http:\/\/t.co\/Egiu2HduEI<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Caden Burross (@cadenburross) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/cadenburross\/status\/544543894021472256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 15, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Here&#39;s the Crash Nationals flier for you to spread&#8230; Hope to see you in Austin during Cross Nats! <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/Xe7D0gFGIO\">pic.twitter.com\/Xe7D0gFGIO<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; the Radavist (@TheRadavist) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheRadavist\/status\/544542318057885696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 15, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Great Sunday morning ride. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/thphou?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@thphou<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TeamBluFrog?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@TeamBluFrog<\/a> Powered by <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/limuthecompany?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@LIMUthecompany<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/fMdYi5vDi4\">pic.twitter.com\/fMdYi5vDi4<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; John Barth (@jbsomatic) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jbsomatic\/status\/544531257942491136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 15, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Heard about this event over the weekend.  Marathon Crash Race! <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/biBf2uy0wB\">pic.twitter.com\/biBf2uy0wB<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; JustRideDallas (@JustRideDallas) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JustRideDallas\/status\/544528706027261952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 15, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SantaClaus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#SantaClaus<\/a> paid early visit to <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Brownsville?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Brownsville<\/a> cyclists during this weekend&#39;s <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CycloBia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#CycloBia<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/BikeBrownsville?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#BikeBrownsville<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/LHnjbyLvc4\">pic.twitter.com\/LHnjbyLvc4<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Edgar Gaucin \u00f0\u0178\u0161\u00b2 (@edgargaucin) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/edgargaucin\/status\/544512269330038785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 15, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Two Texas racers<\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Haga, Craddock to make 2015 debuts alongside Kittel Down Under <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/hWQmtG8T9A\">http:\/\/t.co\/hWQmtG8T9A<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/cycling?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#cycling<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/velonews?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#velonews<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Cycling Right Now (@CyclingRightNow) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CyclingRightNow\/status\/544491341221089282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 15, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Event Reminders<\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">2 Day Alert: Wednesday Walnut Creek Social &#8211; NEW WINTER TIME 6:30pm, Dec 17, 2014 06:30PM &#8211; Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park (12138 North<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/texbiker\/status\/544652646922326016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 16, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">2 Day Alert: Cyclo-cross Training Series at Alkek Velodrome &#8211; Houston, TX, Dec 17, 2014 07:00PM &#8211; Alkek Velodrome, 19008 Saums Rd, Houst<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/texbiker\/status\/544660737990619137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 16, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wacky Weekend in Waco Leslie Ethridge \/ Photos : Carla Jennings\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0texasbikeracing.com This weekend, the Texas cyclocross community suffered in the most beautiful way possible. The Waco race is always a season highlight, promising to be equally amounts painful <span class=\"excerpt-dots\">&hellip;<\/span> <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.texbiker.net\/blog\/2014\/12\/15\/texas-bicycling-news-digest-december-15th\/\"><span class=\"more-msg\">Continue reading &rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28555","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bicycling-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4tok-7qz","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.texbiker.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28555","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.texbiker.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.texbiker.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.texbiker.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.texbiker.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28555"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.texbiker.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28555\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.texbiker.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28555"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.texbiker.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28555"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.texbiker.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28555"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}