Dallas without a car: Local son takes on month-long transit experiment

By bschwab        transportationblog.dallasnews.com

(Benjamin Schwab, a University of North Texas almunus and Columbia University grad student, is spending a month back home in Rowlett. An avid biker, he plans to move around North Texas primarily by bicycle and public transit. Follow his experiences getting around as much as possible without the region’s beloved transportation mode of choice – the automobile.)
-   –   –   –   –   –
Every time we step out of our houses, we make a transportation choice.
That choice is guided by time, logistics, money, convenience and habit.
Since most of us all dabble in this phenomenon called a commute, I wanted to explore what Dallas would be like without a car.
For the past year, I have been living in Manhattan – in the upper, Upper West Side neighborhood of Hamilton Heights, where I have been pedaling between classes, cafes and parks as a graduate student at Columbia. Yet, even before moving to the Big Apple (nobody really calls it that), I had grown…

Road Time Trial 4

San Angelo Bicycle Association

Date(s) – 07/10/2014
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: Susan Peak Rd
July’s time trial will be held on July 10th instead of the normal first Thursday of the month as not to conflict with Independence Day celebrations.
The start place will be about 150 yards north of HWY 87 on FM1223. Please park on the east side of the road to prevent any traffic problems.
The Susan Peak Time Trial is a 12 mile loop.
To participate in the time trials you are required to be a current member of SABA. Join now!
Riders estimate their time and are placed in order from slowest to fastest. Riders are started 1 min apart.

July 12-13 Weekend Ride Schedule

Corpus Christi Cycle Club

DATE: Saturday, July 12th, 2014
TIME: 5:00 am (110 mile groups), 7:00 am (24, 37 and 48 miles)
WHERE:  See meeting places below for routes
DISTANCE: 37, 80, 110 miles
Katy 100 is here so this is the last chance to get in some hard miles.   This Saturday (July 12th, 2014) , we will have two starting poinst since we will be having a 110 mile round trip ride on Saturday.  For riders interested in doing this mileage please make sure you are able to sustain a 16 MPH pace.  There is NO SAG support so please have money for fueling and flat tire repair kit.
We are also having a route for everyone else not riding the 110 miles on Saturday.  There will be  a 24, 37 mile and 48 mile route for…

A Close Encounter Of The Snake Kind In Arlington’s Village Creek Natural Historical Area

Durango Texas

I needed to replenish my much needed milk supply. With ALDI being my milk supplier and with ALDI being a short distance from Arllington’s Village Creek Natural Historical Area I decided to roll my wheels with the Indian Ghosts before getting milked at ALDI.
I was not long into my bike ride when I got an adrenalin boost due to a snake encounter.
I roll at high speed when I reach the part of the paved trail which crosses the first dam bridge. It’s a fast slope downhill, then across the dam bridge and then a…

Thumper Trucks and Rabbit Ears

Brazos Valley Cyclists

We’ve been seeing some weird wires/equipment out along the road for a few weeks now, which was identified as seismic equipment used to pick up signals from thumper trucks. (Sigh, I don’t have a picture of them. Hindsight is 20/20.) Last night on the Monday Social Ride, we finally got to see the thumper trucks come through.

Before the ride started, we decided to take the usual nightly photo. Since one rider’s helmet was decked out with rabbit ears and a tail, we went with…

Tour de Cure at the Texas Motor Speedway

BikeTeas

BikeTexas’ first trip to Texas Motor Speedway and the North Texas Tour de Cure would not be a disappointment! The arrival to the speedway was somewhat intimidating, as there is what seemed like a thousand acres of parking lots and not much signage to direct you to the infield where we would set up our booth. But with a little determined driving we located the entrance to the infield and found where we would have our booth. When told where it would be our first thought was “Oh no, right at the back,” but this turned out to be the starting point for all of the rides plus the announcers stage was next to our booth–perfect spot to be in. The area was open to vendor and booth set up the afternoon before the ride, so the booth was set up and ready to go early the next morning. The ride was well attended and the…

Curfew extended on several trails including – your guessed it – the boardwalk.

Austin On a Bike

edit; I’m lame. Apparently it was 10. I thought it was already somewhat useless time. I’m getting sick, don’t mind me, move along.
You can file this one under “why would we want bicycle facilities open when people need them to avoid the rampant number of drunk drivers in this town” right next to “I like risking my life on Riverside to ride home from downtown after work/the bars/a show”.
Remember the recently opened boardwalk?
The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department has amended the existing curfew on specific sections of the City trail system, by two hours . The new curfew hours of Midnight to 5:00 AM are now in effect for the following trails: Johnson Creek Greenbelt Trail, Shoal Creek Trail (from 15th street to Cesar Chavez), the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail (from the Pfluger Bridge to the east end of the…

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

New Bike Event: Bike Out Hunger – Mansfield, TX: When: Sat Sep 13, 2014 8am to 3pm 
CDTWhere: 1551 E Debbie La… http://t.co/Y58jNEHBBx

— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) July 9, 2014

Tweets

APD is looking for this suspect who may be responsible for up to 35 burglaries where bicycles were stolen. http://t.co/C8TzPorNkm

— Austin Police Department (@Austin_Police) July 8, 2014

Local cyclists going on the defensive as bike thieves get bolder and more violent in San Antonio #kens5news at 10

— SARAH Lucero (@SarahLucero) July 9, 2014

Bike Masters staff will be out to MTB Thursday night ride at mission trails 8 – 10am
Helmet, lights are a must..

— Trek Bicycle Mission (Bike Masters) (@thebikemasters) July 9, 2014

https://twitter.com/FtWMntBikers/status/486639946220834816

https://twitter.com/FtWMntBikers/status/486639526983372800

Free fully supported Training Rides with beginners clinic this weekend! http://t.co/OaSfhK1Wkh

— TX Mamma Jamma Ride (@MammaJammaRide) July 8, 2014

https://twitter.com/Ritzy_007/status/486523057515659264

Have you ridden the new Southern Walnut Creek Trail? 7.5 shady miles of separated bike path bliss! Pics at http://t.co/CBwW2SW4bF

— Pam LeBlanc (@fitcityleblanc) July 8, 2014

Looking for fun this Thurs? Check out a Cyclocross Clinic with @BSSCX at NW District Park at 6:30pm & #stayhydrated. pic.twitter.com/jkN4pb11Jc

— ecseaborneATX (@ecseaborneATX) July 8, 2014

Due to last week's cancellation we have double points week for tomorrow night at #MemorialParkCrit

— Bike Barn (@BikeBarnTX) July 8, 2014

I SEE u señor caballero! #invisiblecyclist. Peds & cyclists deserve #dignityforall by providing adequate facilities! pic.twitter.com/EYVkyJ1R6C

— VeloPaso (@velopaso) July 8, 2014

Event Reminders

2 Day Alert: KingRacingGroup Thursday Night Crits – Dallas, TX, Jul 10, 2014 05:30PM – Fair Park, Dallas, TX, United States(CST) http://

— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) July 8, 2014

2 Day Alert: Mountain Bike Time Trials – Millican, TX, Jul 10, 2014 06:30PM – 19851 FM 2154, Millican, TX, 77866, United States(CST) htt

— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) July 8, 2014