Soon USGS Topo maps will have mountain bike trails

dirtragmag.com

As part of the continued US Topo maps revision and improvement cycle, the USGS will be including mountain bike trails to upcoming quadrangles on a state-aligned basis. The 2014 edition of US Topo maps covering Arizona will be the first maps to feature the trail data, followed by Nebraska, Missouri, Nevada, California, Louisiana, New Hampshire, Mississippi, Vermont, Wyoming, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Illinois, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Florida, Alaska (partial), and the Pacific Territories in 2015.
The mountain bike trail data is provided through a partnership with the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) and the MTB Project. During the past two years, the IMBA has been building a detailed national database of mountain bike trails with the aid and support of the MTB Project participants. This activity allows local IMBA chapters, IMBA members, and the public to …

Trial in bicyclist’s hit-and-run death resumes

By Dug Begley        www.chron.com

Testimony resumed Wednesday in the trial of a Houston woman accused in the hit-and-run death of a young bicyclist a year ago.
Margaret Mayer, 35, is accused of failing to stop after her car struck Chelsea Norman, 24, as she cycled along Waugh Drive en route home from her job around 10:20 p.m. on Dec. 1, 2013. Authorities contend Mayer was likely intoxicated after a social gathering. They believe she became disoriented on her …

Austin Bike Thefts

encodingpixels.com

This visualization takes a look at bike theft data for Austin in 2014. KXAN News recently did a story on how the Austin Police Department is using a bait bike to help reduce the number of bike thefts this year.
I wanted to see when and where that bait bike might do the most good, so I put together this interactive visualization. I was looking for a good way to show clusters of thefts, so I decided to try hexbins. I think they do a good job of showing the concentration of thefts around the city. You can use the slider below to adjust the bin size to …

Come Ride With Us Meetup Group – 12-14-14 – Houston

by 68venable        www.bikeforums.net

Hey everyone! We are riding with a different group this week. It’s a really inviting and helpful bunch. It starts over by the heights and is only about 29 miles long. More details if you follow the link.
“Welcome to one of our monthly favorites – The Urban Bridges Ride! We love it and know you will too! This is a short and sweet route but don’t underestimate it – you’ll get your heart pumping with 11 bridges/underpasses (we counted ’em). The roads and scenery are good and the company is too. Afterwards, we’ll do brunch at Dry Creek Cafe, not far away. Join us!” …

Hangover Hundred K New Years Day 2015

Hangover Hundred K

Thursday, January 1, 2015 at 9:30am in CST
7-Eleven (1010 Ross Ave, Dallas)
This year we are going to team up with our besties Transit Bikes and Spinistry for a great New Years Day ride with a shorter gravel option and a road option as well. Ride that champagne off and start your year off on a good note with some good folks! This is also the day for all the R.A.T. participants looking to see who wins the Salsa Fargo we are giving away so come on out Ratters!
We will meet at the 7-Eleven gas station on …

Don’t forget the bicycle helmet this Christmas

www.yourglenrosetx.com

Bicycles are always a popular gift at Christmas time, and many parents are shopping now for that perfect new bicycle for their child – maybe even their first bicycle. This is an excellent opportunity to teach children about the importance of wearing a helmet to protect their head.
According to National Safe Kids, helmets can reduce the risk of severe brain injury by up to 88 percent, but only 45 percent of children wear bike helmets. Safe Kids also reports that bicycles are associated with more injuries in children than any other product except automobiles. Other studies from the organization found that nearly half of the hospitalizations related to bicycles are from traumatic injury to the brain. Helmets should be …

Terra-X Pro Men Race Video

by Alan Charley        woodlandscycling.org

More fun at last month’s Terra-X Cyclocross Race promoted by The Woodlands Cycling Club.
Click the link below and see some of the Professional Men struggling up a wet and steep incline – Check it out!!!

Saturday 12/13 [Modified Dam Loop] & Sunday 12/14 [Coffee Shop] Rides!

steinerranchcycling.com

SATURDAY: Meet at C&C at 8:30am for the Modified Damn Loop (57 miles) Please see route at – http://connect.garmin.com/course/embed/8487971
SUNDAY: Meet at C&C at 8:30am for the best Coffee Shop Ride in the United States. Lead by everyone’s favorite cyclist Thomas Lea.

Auditorium Shores Trailhead reopens to the public

fitness.blog.austin360.com

From the City of Austin:
The Austin Parks and Recreation Department would like to announce that as of Wednesday, December 10, 2014, the Auditorium Shores Trailhead is open to the public. This includes an expansion of the parking lot, new restroom facility and associated utility upgrades, trail realignment and widening, shoreline restoration, improved bicycle and pedestrian connectivity, exercise and stretching area enhancements, landscaping, lighting, site furnishings and signage.
Funds for the project were made …

How bike friendly Abilene becomes depends on money

by Scott Kirk        www.reporternews.com

ABILENE, Texas – If it was up to the 20 people who showed up at the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s meeting on bicycling Wednesday at the T&P Depot, Abilene would probably be well on the way to becoming one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country.
However, all it takes is money, as Jon James, city director of planning and development services, pointed out.
“We’re wanting to find out what the city wants,” said James, who made two presentations during the two-hour come-and-go meeting.
Or, perhaps more accurately, what people are willing to …

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

New Bike Event: All Level Ride @ Walnut Creek Fall/Winter hours – Austin, TX: When: Sun Jan 4, 2015 11am to 2… http://t.co/8XPSCtwfYL

— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) December 10, 2014

Tweets

Seen So. Montgomery County's mobility study? Bikes and sidewalks are in the mix. http://t.co/oak86E8POp #Mobility #MontgomeryCounty #Texas

— Jason Gracey (@jasgrace) December 10, 2014

Cyclists from South Texas: #CycloBia is almost here! Make plans to attend this Sunday! #BikeBrownsville pic.twitter.com/BqGLIXwCgJ

— Edgar Gaucin 🚲 (@edgargaucin) December 11, 2014

Breaking: Margaret Mayer found guilty of failing to stop/render aid in cyclist's death. http://t.co/hIcHHgCBxI pic.twitter.com/z58h60KyWK

— Houston Chronicle (@HoustonChron) December 10, 2014

Breaking: Trial of woman accused in death of bicyclist Chelsea Norman goes to jury: http://t.co/krRewBzqGh pic.twitter.com/rViThNxAtv

— Mike Snyder (@chronsnyder) December 10, 2014

Currently building up this bad boy for friend who likes his brakes, well? #motostyle @iamspecialized #venge #aerofly pic.twitter.com/k27o6CUMrU

— Stefan Rothe (@stefanrothe) December 10, 2014

https://twitter.com/BSS_Road_Club/status/542757026187587584

Houston cyclists ride to support Norman family and justice for Chelsea http://t.co/To5VIEmFqB via @NewsFixHouston

— Critical Mass Houston (@HoustonCM) December 10, 2014

Event Reminders

2 Day Alert: Pedernales Falls State Park Trail Build & Ride, Dec 12, 2014 09:00AM – Pedernales Falls State Park (2585 Park Road 6026, Jo

— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) December 10, 2014

2 Day Alert: Ride of the Barrio – Fun social bicycle ride! – Houston, TX, Dec 12, 2014 07:00PM – 6607 S Braeswood Blvd, Houston, TX 7709

— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) December 11, 2014