Jan. 4: Pleasant on the Way, Pleasant Stay, in Shepherd TX
By Steve            biketourdelife.org
January 4th was a nice respite from the rather difficult physicality of the previous days’ rides, which contained lots of miles, headwinds & hills.

This day was one of subdued headwinds, even tiny tailwinds at times, and the route even became more serene & beautiful as it went along, as the road went straight through the middle of Sam Houston National Forest & other various natural & rural landscape scenes filled with big trees & big farms. On top of everything else, the route of this day was substantially less…

HBC Pattison – Hempstead Ride
Houston Bicycle Club
February 4, 2012
Distance: 32(A), 43(B), 49(A), 55(C) miles
Training ride ( ride hard! ). No hills, but smooth road, mostly paved shoulder, stores at Monaville and Hempstead.  Good food  at Hard Times BBQ after the ride

Team Chipotle gathers for team camp in Texas
By: Neil Browne            www.cyclingnews.com
Tactical training on tap for young riders

The Garmin-Barracuda development team  – Team Chipotle – gathered in Wimberely, Texas for its pre-season training camp. Surrounded by the Texas Hill Country, Wimberely offers some great training opportunities and is an area team director Chann McRae knows well calling it his “home roads”. Also the local weather calls for warm temperatures – an added plus.

In addition to the standard long training rides, the development team is going to take part in some tactical training, otherwise known as a paintball fight. “We are going to have some military personal out there and we’ll be dividing…

El Paso Bicycle Club Rides
Tour de La Mesa        February 4, 2012
Description:     Meet at parking lot across from Eagle Grocery on Hwy 28 in La Mesa. Interesting loop to Vado, a small scenic climb up the east mesa and down to the rollers to Cruces and back on Highway 28. 40 miles, moderate pace. Linda Price 915-433-4188.
Super Bowl Warm Up        February 5, 2012
Description:     Meet at Crazy Cat Cyclery, Redd Road at I-10. Ride out the rollers and up Anthony Gap and back on the rollers. 30 miles, moderate pace. Charlie Gallarzo, 915-241-3373

Alliance Benchmarking Report Ranks Cities and States on Bicycling and Walking
Alliance for Biking & Walking: People Powered Blog
imageIn a new report, Bicycling and Walking in the United States: 2012 Benchmarking Report, the Alliance ranks all 50 states and the 51 largest U.S. cities on bicycling and walking levels, safety, funding, and other factors.

This report comes at a critical moment, as Congress takes up the imminent passage of the next federal transportation bill, which dictates how billions of tax dollars will be spent over coming years. The Benchmarking Report reveals that, in nearly every city…

Duzer is Blowing Up
by Darryl            lovingthebike.com
This new People for Bikes video featuring my good buddy, Ryan van Duzer has totally blown up on the internet since being released a few days ago.  I’m sure you’ve already seen it because it’s everywhere right now, and I’m so happy that Ryan is getting such awesome exposure with it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWetqrc4mKQ
Here it is, just in case you’re one of the few who hasn’t already watched the “S$&t Cyclists Say” video.  Below that video is one that I made while Ryan was visiting me here in Austin this past November so you can see…

Time for a Bicycle Art Kick Starter Campaign?
by katiejo            Austin on Two Wheels
This is not the first time around the block for me: it’s no secret that I like bikes and I like art too. I thrive off of the feeling of inspiration that each generates in my life. I especially like when the two worlds of bicycle and art merge.

I recently shared that I had a visit to the Bike Mecca of North America last week. There’s something about a physical change in location that makes my life feel like a spot light is shining and highlighting the mundane into…

Wheels That Heal: A Bike Benefit for Liberty Kat
by dickdavid            Bike Friendly Richardson

A fellow cyclist has fallen and needs your help. From their Facebook page:
We are working on a fundraiser for our fellow cyclist Misty “Liberty Kat” who was seriously injured on a group ride recently. She sustained broken bones and even a fracture in her neck among other things–she was wearing a helmet or the damage might have been worse. We’re happy to report that Liberty is out of the ICU where she was Care Flighted and she seems to be recovering quite…

I Got Recognized!
By Justin            The Plano Cyclist
So since it was so beautiful yesterday, I made sure to ride my bike today – and got recognized by a fellow train rider. I was just trying to be anonymous behind my monstrous beard and clear sunglasses on the train when a lovely young woman boarded, pushing a very nice red and white mixte bike with BFR spoke cards. She and I chatted a little bit about bikes, local parties we might attend, and internal hubs as the train hurtled down the tracks. After we talked gadgets for a few minutes, she demurely brought up this very corner of the web, and asked “Are you a blogger – I think I’ve read your blog. “. I waved my hand modestly and…

The Coolest Bicycle Shoes Ever Made – Chrome Pro Series.
By Justin            The Plano Cyclist

I like to use clipless pedals for my commuter. I actually built the Bloggipede up with regular flat pedals, and that is fine for running around the neighborhood, but I don’t care for unsecured feet when riding any sort of distance. I wear a pair of Shimano “commuter” shoes now, but everyone tells me they look terrible, and I’m inclined to agree. They do the job I need them to do, but they are certainly not stylish in any way. (Much like the dude wearing…

When is it Time to Buy a New Bike?
by Shawn            Texas Mountain Bike Trails
This post comes very unexpected to me, but it is something that I lived out this past weekend. I finally purchased a new mountain bike, and I want to share my experience plus a few tips I have gathered along the way.

But man, I am so happy that I finally upgraded to a new bike.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7hzf9BxhfY
I have had my Felt Q620 mountain bike since the spring of 2008, 4 years ago now. I love that bike and it has been with me through an awful lot. My first races, my most tragic falls, meeting new friends from all over…