Do you know a fifth grader?

“Bicycling Takes Me Places”—The Saris Fifth Grade National Poster Contest
Peopleforbikes.org

For the second year in a row, bicycle company Saris Cycling Group is organizing a bicycle-themed poster contest for fifth grade students. Last year, more than 5,000 students participated. The theme of this year’s National Poster Contest is “Bicycling Takes Me Places.” Saris believes that asking students to design posters encourages them to think about the benefits of bicycling. At Peopleforbikes.org, we believe in encouraging bicycle advocacy from a young age, which is why we want to get the word out about this competition. In addition to student participants, Saris is looking for state coordinators for the contest, which ends April 1. …

Trek Women’s Demo Mountain Bike Ride
Austin Ridge Riders
Saturday, January 28, 2012 – 09:00
This is a fun event for the gals!
Join Mellow Johnny’s for a great day of ladies rides and clinics. The free events hosted Trek Women’s Demo Tour and Mellow Johnny’s Staff gives ladies a chance to ride select Trek mountain bike models, learn valuable riding and maintenance skills, as well as make new friends. The ride is supported by Ride Like a Girl Austin.
When: Saturday, January 28, 2012
Where: Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park 12138 N Lamar Blvd Austin, TX 78758• Demo Trailer open for fitting at 9:00am w/rides for All Levels at 10:00am…

Cycling Double-Speak
www.corinthcycling.com
It’s that time of the year again – the time of year when riders start to break out the cycling double-speak.  Here are some of the comments you might overhear on an upcoming group ride:

I’m tired today = I feel great and plan to dust you

No-drop ride = Better bring your cell phone, because you’ll need directions later

I’m sticking to my training plan = I’m on the wheel of the first guy who makes a move…

2012 Lancaster Rally Kick-Off Meeting
Greater Dallas Bicyclists
Monday, January 30, 6:30 – 8:30 at REI (I635 just west of Welch)

It’s Rally Time!
With the GDB Lancaster Rally rapidly approaching, it’s time to step up, volunteer and have some fun making this year’s Rally a success. Our first planning meeting will be January 30th at REI. This meeting is for Captains, volunteers and any other interested parties. This will be a short meeting with the goal to organize teams and support crews, discuss suggestions for improvements and establish a pre-Rally timeline. …

Path Passing on the Darkest Mornings of 2012
by Steve A            DFW-Point-to-Point
Well, the challenge was posted. HERE. What is proper trail etiquette? This morning, I simulated same on a video. You’ll see how things worked. No pedestrians were harmed in the making of this video and I’ll imagine that y’all can see one reason why pedestrians present no danger when I pass, even if they go the WRONG WAY, as well as one reason why paths are a bit skitchy when I ride them. Really, I prefer roads. They’re SO predictable! …

Resolution Tested
by Steve A            DFW-Point-to-Point
Yesterday morning, my resolution wavered. It was dark. It was cold. The Armadillo blew off the rear rim of my wife’s bike (modern tire on an old, non-hook bead rim. About 3/4 miles from home which is too close to want to fix it in the dark but far enough to let me THINK; “Golly, maybe I ought to simply DRIVE” to work. After all, I hadn’t done anything to get Buddy properly tuned after I got it back from the shop (at a cost of 0.6 Jaguar Units – bikes ARE different). Even when I got home, I thought about it once…

Austin Bike Culture Calendar Events: 1/5- 1/11/12
by elliott            Austin on Two Wheels
It’s a New Year. Time to pedal off the pounds… or just get on a bike with friends. None of us are that motivated to hammer it, so a plethora of social rides abound on the calendar this week. If you still want to get competitive, you will have the chance as the Dirt Derby returns for a winter session on Tuesdays.
Thursday, January 5
Thursday Night Bike Polo
5:00 PM, Metz Park, 2407 Canterbury St
The Austin Bike Polo Club’s holds 3 hardcourt matches a week, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, at Metz Park. All bikes and skill levels are welcome and spare mallets and balls are available if you don’t have any. …

Watch an amazing cycling movie and support BikeDFW
by marc@mcmumby.com         BikeDFW

Wednesday, February 1, 7 PM
Studio Movie Grill
Royal Lane and Central Expressway, Dallas
Purchase Tickets Online or at the door.

Bicycle Dreams, the award-winning feature-length documentary about the Race Across America (RAAM), will premiere in Dallas/Fort Worth at the Studio Movie Grill Royal Lane on Wednesday, February 1 at 7 p.m. The screening is a benefit for BikeDFW. …

Police Replace Woman’s Stolen Bike
by Shaun Rabb        FOX 4 News
Adapted for Web by Tracy DeLatte | myFOXdfw.com
GARLAND, Texas – Traumatized by two horrific car accidents, a North Texas has avoided cars for 15 years. But bad actors recently ripped off her bike and she was without a ride until now.

Police Replace Woman’s Stolen Bike: MyFoxDFW.com

“The bike is my car. I mean, I do everything on that bike,” said Denise Armendariz.

Armendariz has been involved in two major accidents caused by drunken drivers. …

Harris County Deputies Round Up Safe Bicycle Riders at Heritage Elementary Bike Rodeo
by The Editor             The Paper Magazine

SPRING, TEXAS (Jan. 3, 2012) – The Harris County Sheriff’s Department conducted a bike safety training program for kindergarten, first- and second-grade students at Heritage Elementary School in Spring ISD during the week before winter break.

Five bike safety stations were set up in the school parking lot where deputies and students worked on slow-speed control, straight-line control, proper signaling and safely interacting with traffic. Students also learned the rules of the road and what…

Upcoming Rides and Events:
San Antonio Wheelmen
Saturday, January 7:  Bullis County Park Ride
Sunday, January 8:  Castroville Ride
Saturday, January 14:  Boerne Ride
Sunday, January 15:  Woman Hollering Creek Ride

Today I Will Review A Revolutionary Step in Bicycle Eyewear- Moto-Optix Lenses.
by Justin            The Plano Cyclist
I got a Moto-Optix polarized bicycle lens in the mail the other day, and while I haven’t had a whole lot of time to write about it, I have had time to use it, and this really is an incredible piece of equipment.

The lens comes with everything you see here – well, yours most likely won’t come with a fancy handwritten note, because you aren’t a famous blogger. The lens is a single piece that you attach to your helmet via Velcro. Installation is a snap; peel the included Velcro from the…