{"id":28671,"date":"2015-01-02T23:49:19","date_gmt":"2015-01-03T05:49:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.texbiker.net\/blog\/?p=28671"},"modified":"2015-01-02T23:50:54","modified_gmt":"2015-01-03T05:50:54","slug":"texas-bicycling-news-digest-january-2nd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.texbiker.net\/blog\/2015\/01\/02\/texas-bicycling-news-digest-january-2nd\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas Bicycling News Digest January 2nd"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cell phone use while driving now illegal in two major Texas cities<\/a><\/h2>\n

abc13.com<\/h3>\n

AUSTIN, TX — While there’s no statewide law prohibiting hand-held cell phone use while driving, you might find yourself with a big fine if you do it now in two big Texas cities.
\nNew ordinances went into effect in both San Antonio and Austin yesterday. Austin’s law prohibits the use of all electronic hand-held devices while driving and riding a bicycle. And in San Antonio, you’re not allowed to drive while using a mobile device to talk or text.
\nThe fine if you’re caught in Austin is up to $500. In San Antonio, you could be looking at a …<\/p>\n

U.S. bicyclist deaths on the rise<\/a><\/h2>\n

By Alex Kramer, HealthDay Reporter\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0www.kltv.com<\/h3>\n

FRIDAY, Jan. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The number of bicyclist fatalities in the United States is increasing, particularly among adults in major cities, a recent study shows.
\nAfter decreasing from 1975 to 2010, the number of bicyclists killed annually increased by 16 percent from 2010 to 2012. More than 700 bicyclists died on U.S. roads in 2012, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.
\nThe study also reported that the percentage of these deaths that occur in densely populated urban areas has risen from 50 percent in 1975 to 69 percent in 2012.
\n“We’ve seen a gradual trend over time where more adults are bicycling in cities, so we need cities to develop ways for …<\/p>\n

Biking in Houston: It’s not just for the young and hip<\/a><\/h2>\n

By Mike Snyder\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0www.houstonchronicle.com<\/h3>\n

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\nA couple of months ago I happened to be downtown on a weekend, on one of those lovely fall days we get in Houston. I was walking past Market Square Park and, on a whim, checked out a bike from the B-Cycle kiosk. I probably hadn’t been on a bike more than three or four times in the past 20 years, but the old saw about never losing this childhood skill seems to be true. I was a bit wobbly, but I stayed upright. As I tooled along the downtown streets (there was little traffic on a Sunday afternoon) and on the trail along Buffalo Bayou, I remembered something important:
\nTo continue reading this story, you will need to be a digital subscriber to HoustonChronicle.com.<\/p>\n

Last minute prep for Cyclo-cross Nationals<\/a><\/h2>\n

By Gus Grissom\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0www.usacycling.org<\/h3>\n

Well, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s happened again: another great season of cyclo-cross has wrapped up. That is, of course, unless you are one of the lucky, adventurous \u00e2\u20ac\u02dccross racers who has decided to give your season one final peak, one last adventure before cleaning those race wheels and dreaming of the ever-elusive \u00e2\u20ac\u0153next year.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Yes, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s time for the 2015 USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships. And this year the action will center on Zilker Park in Austin, Texas, Jan. 7-11.<\/p>\n

So if you’re one of the lucky ones preparing for your trip to Nats, what do you need to know? What should you think about in the final days before your big race?<\/p>\n

Mentally prepare yourself for a “big-time” race.<\/p>\n

According to Rusty Williford, coach for Fulcrum Coaching and …<\/p>\n

No looking back: John Estrada<\/a><\/h2>\n

By CHRISTINA R. GARZA Staff Writer\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0www.valleymorningstar.com<\/h3>\n

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\nBy CHRISTINA R. GARZA Staff Writer
\nWhen Brownsville resident John Estrada began his weight loss journey more than a year ago, he was borderline diabetic, took blood-pressure medication and suffered backaches at six-feet-tall and 460 pounds. Today, the 43-year-old weights 225 pounds and recently completed the Pico De Gallo 100-mile bike tour.
\nEstrada said he decided to make a lifestyle change April 21, 2013, and has not looked back since.
\nEstrada consulted with his doctor before beginning a diet, but Estrada said because his weight had reached such an extreme his doctor believed any diet would be a …<\/p>\n

Elbowz Racing Elite Cycling Team<\/a><\/h2>\n

From our own momma Spies about our first event to promote bicycle safety with Txdot and Elbowz. It was truly an amazing experience and we couldn’t be more proud of our team and organization for their professionalism and courtesy. Can’t wait for the next!
\nMary Spies\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0Elbowz Racing Elite Cycling Team
\nso here it is….holiday times, fast weekends and all about fun. Yet 3 men got up at 4 a.m. instead of sleeping in and drove not just to Dallas from Austin but further past the airport to the Ranch. Our 1st safety awareness event for children. This was not and “in” and “out” event. This was not about giving a box to a child and them walking away. This was a powerful intervention with the infrastructure of our society, our community in a joint effort from Ellbowz Cycle Team, TX DOT, SPECIALIZED and LOVE FOR KIDS of Dallas. HUGE few hours. It was supposed to be about …<\/p>\n

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar<\/h2>\n
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New Bike Event: Category C Official's Clinic – Frisco, TX: When: Sat Jan 17, 2015 8am to 3pm\u00c2\u00a0
CSTWho: Texas Bi… http:\/\/t.co\/J5om0CUgWv<\/a><\/p>\n

— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) January 3, 2015<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n