Texas Bicycling News Digest April 11th 2018
Border Bike Trip, Day 26: The Hot and Perilous Clime
Grant Wishard | www.weeklystandard.com
I got my rear derailleur replaced by a mechanic in Del Rio (locally pronounced “Del Ree-uhâ€) and finally bought new tubes. My plan was to leave the highway behind and take Old Mines road to Laredo, a 114-mile gravel stretch that cuts right along the Rio Grande, and I couldn’t afford to take any mechanical chances.
Later that day I received an email from Keith Bowden, the guy who canoed the entire Rio Grande river several years back and who I recently met by chance in the small town of …
Border Bike Trip, Day 27: Laredo
Grant Wishard | www.weeklystandard.com
I’m in America, but it feels like Mexico. Laredo is unique among border towns because it has always had a majority Latino population. Biking into the city you pass rows and rows and rows of warehouses, distribution centers, and yards full of semi-truck trailers before you hit this horrible commercial strip crammed full of every road-side corporate brand imaginable—McDonald’s, Starbucks, Burger King, Walmart, IHOP, Applebee’s—on and on, mile after mile.
It’s an awful stretch of road to confront as a “cyclist,†as we like to call ourselves in the …
Greater Houston athletic activities listings: April 11
Terry St. John | www.chron.com
CYCLING
Sixteenth Annual Katy Ram Challenge on Saturday morning, benefiting the Mayde Creek Mighty Ram Band, begins at Paetow High School in Katy for 38-, 49-, 65- and 77-mile options through parts of Katy, Brookshire and Waller. A family ride of nine miles is also offered.. Visit katyramchallenge.org.
Paddle N Pedal Fest, sponsored by the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce, is from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The event operates from two adjacent locations — at the Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve, 20215 Chasewood Park Dr., and the festival site at CHI St. Luke’s Hospital – The Vintage, 20171 Chasewood Park Dr. Contact 281-440-4160.
RBC Gran Fondo Texas on Sunday begins at Montgomery ISD stadium and offers riders options of 44, 65, 87 and 101 routes through Sam Houston National Forest to the towns of Richards and Anderson. Lunch is served at Montgomery High School after the rides. Net proceeds are donated to National MS Society, Texas Medical Center Orchestra and Montgomery Food Bank. Visit granfondotexas.org.
The Houston Bike Summit on Monday, April 16, at 5 p.m. at Saint Arnold Brewing Company will honor the people who are making a difference in transforming Houston into a more people and bike-friendly city. Mayor Sylvester Turner is the honoree for his leadership in passing the Houston Bike Plan. The evening features a Bike and Ride Expo, food and beer provided by the brewery and an awards ceremony with keynote speaker County Commissioner Rodney Ellis. Visit bikehouston.org.
College Station residents irritated by unattended Ofo bikes
By Dan Beedie | www.kbtx.com
COLLEGE STATION, Tex. Bright yellow Ofo bikes can be spotted all throughout Texas A&M University’s campus as well as College Station. Either being ridden by students, at bike racks, or sometimes abandoned on campus or around town.
“It makes us look kind of junky,” says College Station council member Linda Harvell. “The’y are parked in yards they are parked in streets or parked across sidewalks, crosswalks, everywhere but where they should be.” …
Split council approves funding for Cotton Patch Classic
By Hojun Choi | www.heraldbanner.com
City Council members voted Tuesday night 5-2 to approve the use of $8,000 from Greenville’s Hotel Occupancy Tax funds to help finance the Cotton Patch Classic bicycle ride scheduled in September.
When councilmembers approved the list of events that would receive funding from revenue generated through the city’s hotel occupancy tax in December 2017, $5,000 was appropriated for use by the YMCA for the bicycle ride.
Because the YMCA is …
Peddler’s Pass & Gnargasm – Mountain Biking Brushy Creek Park in Cedar Park Texas
www.trailforks.com
House of Tandems combines biking, team sports
By Hannah Zedaker | communityimpact.com
When Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas Gulf Coast in late August, longtime Spring residents Ric and Marcia Becker not only received 9 inches of water in their home, but also in their business.
The Beckers have owned and operated House of Tandems out of a showroom in their home’s converted three-car garage off Rayford Road since 2007. The bike shop is only one of four shops in the U.S. that specializes in customized tandem bicycles, which can seat two to three riders, Ric said. …
Tour de Paris bicycle rally is slated for July 21, 2018
by Amanda Cutshall | eparisextra.com
Expected to bring in more than 1,700 people this year, the 34th annual Tour de Paris is set for July 21.
The rally begins at 8 a.m. on Jefferson Road, just west of Love Civic Center. There are routes for anyone interested ranging from 14 miles up to 80 miles (see maps below). …
Bicyclist struck, killed by Jeep in south Houston
By Jay R. Jordan | www.chron.com
A bicyclist is dead after being struck by a driver in a Jeep in south Houston on Wednesday night, police said.
The crash was reported around 9:40 p.m. A Jeep Grand Cherokee slammed into the female bicyclist on the South Beltway 8 frontage road near Dickinson Road, near the Beltway’s intersection with the Gulf Freeway, police said.
When police arrived, they found the woman dead.
Viva Streets
By RICK KELLEY | www.valleymorningstar.com
HARLINGEN — The city’s popular social bike ride is back again tomorrow when cyclists take to the streets for a sundown cruise.
The leisurely 4.75-mile route will start at City Lake near the Harlingen Public Library at 7:30 p.m.
Riders need to bring a helmet and bike with lights for the run. …
‘BikeHouston’ participants partner to provide lights to cyclists
By: Isiah Carey | www.fox26houston.com
Bicycling has become the thing to do in Houston. There are clubs all over the city, and two are BikeHouston and Tour de Hood. They’ve teamed up and now they’re giving back to hel cyclists who are caught when the sun goes down.
Joe’s Southern Tier Adventure
By Joe Athas | www.crazyguyonabike.com
Day 57: Lexington-College Station
Monday April 9, 2018, 57 miles (92 km) – Total so far: 1,803 miles (2,902 km)
Today I woke up in the Lexington park to two of their finest asking me what I was doing. They told me they got a call, but I could tell they were relieved I wasn’t just some homeless guy. I told them a bit about my adventure and they sent me on my way with a …
Day 58: College Station-New Waverly/Waverly
Tuesday April 10, 2018, 63 miles (101 km) – Total so far: 1,866 miles (3,003 km)
My morning at Jason+Alyson’s was a long one. I made my self a big breakfast of eggs and cheese with coffee. I didn’t leave til noon since I was enjoying their place so much.
I made my way through the Sam Houston national Forrest which was …
Day 59: Waverly-Sour Lake
Wednesday April 11, 2018, 72 miles (116 km) – Total so far: 1,938 miles (3,119 km)
Today I slept til 8:30-9 or so. I’m getting real lazy about waking up early. Fortunately the afternoon warmth hasn’t been too bad lately. I got coffee at the grocery/convenience store in Waverly (not the New one, not the Old one, cuz apparently there’s all three within 10 miles of one another)
I turned on the Ben Folds today being my …
The Southern Tier: San Diego to St. Augustine (and further?)
By Susanne Holste | www.crazyguyonabike.com
Day 30. Marfa to Marathon
Thursday April 12, 2018, 88 km (55 miles) – Total so far: 1,966 km (1,222 miles)
Today was another busy day on the Southern Tier in both directions. It was a nice ride from Marfa to Alpine, slight incline, and a good shoulder. We stopped at Marfa Lights for photos and then enjoyed the wide open space that we cycled through. There was a small Baptist settlement and ranch houses in the far distance. We saw one sign that read 77 Ranches and I wondered if that was the name of one ranch or the gateway to 77 ranches. Alpine is a larger town and …
Two Timing Texas Tour
By Richard Hoeg | www.crazyguyonabike.com
Day 8: Bandera to Hondo: Road Surface Roulette Strike Out
Wednesday April 11, 2018, 31 miles (50 km) – Total so far: 322 miles (518 km)
Lousy web connection. Just adding basics right now. Lost shoulder on Tx 173. Bad Chip Seal. Headwind. 2 Flats. Saw Crested Caracara loving pair. Got pics. Hope to add much more including images tomorrow.
Walmart has road bike presta valve inner tubes. Who knew?! Google suggested. Needed more tubes.
Texas Bicycling from Twitter
This Saturday @ @rprtexas – @wedu Texas HÅ«ndred – @friendsandalliesbrewing @fiestawinery @austinmassagecompany @honeystinger @chameleoncoldbrew and more! Oh and bluebonnets and zebras and @lancearmstrong #cycling #texashillcountry #fromwhereiride
— HOLLAND RACING (@HOLLANDRACERS) April 12, 2018
Good to see your faces, amigos. https://t.co/kf82SqJhLa
— Veronica I Lucio (@VeronicaILucio) April 12, 2018
We're thrilled to help sponsor this year's Houston Bike Summit! Join us on Monday to celebrate the year's accomplishments and prepare for the challenges ahead. @SaintArnold's will be providing the food and bevs. https://t.co/R5YucA6354
— Houston BCycle (@HoustonBCycle) April 11, 2018
Not yet ready for primetime… pic.twitter.com/upRnDiAJTl
— MSU Cycling Team (@MSUCyclingTeam) April 11, 2018
Every week @SylvesterTurner, crews setting up / dismantling events in @DowntownHouston and at @buffalobayou Park continually use one of our only protected bike lanes for personal vehicle storage. What can be done to stop this? CC: @MayorsEvents & @HouParking https://t.co/fvXqfHgtVl
— Pepe Lucho #BLM (@cmoney_htx) April 11, 2018
@Siclovia is just a couple weeks away! Learn all about what SiClovia is all about & get your family excited and read to join us & @YMCAsatx on May 6th for the next SiClovia. #SiClovia #MoveMore #EatBetter #BeConnected #YMCASATX #FitCitySA https://t.co/9uuXGSN542 pic.twitter.com/Xxoa0bmAoS
— FitCitySA (@FitCitySA) April 11, 2018
This is what u see by bike in Texas.#bikerental #texas #airstreambikeshop #welovebikes… https://t.co/XGEpW9zWRb
— Streamline Cycles (@Streamlinecycle) April 11, 2018
Pick up your packet on Wednesday, April 18 from 11am to 7pm at Wortham Insurance Terrace located at Buffalo Bayou on the Sabine Street Bridge. Food courtesy of Goya & beer generously provided by Michelob Ultra while supplies last. You must raise at least $400 to get your packet. pic.twitter.com/zS8cNQ6k1H
— Bike MS: Texas MS 150 (@TexasMS150) April 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/bicyclesplus/status/984156110339919879
Join us for the Spring Tune-up Training Camp starting on April 23rd. See link below with more details & how to sign-up.🎟ï¸ðŸš²https://t.co/oguYFkQ6wl https://t.co/oguYFkQ6wl
— Pedal Hard (@pedalhardatx) April 11, 2018
Join us on Saturday at 8 AM: https://t.co/J35urr8yqT pic.twitter.com/Oc7i8nHohl
— SA Wheelmen (@sawheelmen) April 11, 2018
May will be here in a couple weeks! Are you ready for #BikeMonth? @BikeLeague has resources to make your May more #bicyclefriendly!https://t.co/40Q1XKomsw
What are you doing to celebrate #BikeMonth? pic.twitter.com/Fb7VN9XZ8V
— League of American Bicyclists (@BikeLeague) April 11, 2018
Almost done with the new signage project. Pretty simple I think. Blue – Bike, Gold – walk/jog and easy outs
— Wee-Chi-Tah Trail (@WeeChiTahTrail) April 11, 2018
New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar
New Event World Without Orphans Palo Duro Canyon Cruise & BBQ – Canyon, TX World Without Orphans Palo Duro Canyon Cruise & BBQ at Canyon, TXhttps://t.co/Dq235s87Hlhttps://t.co/55nMjvrjGj
Single Rider 20 miles 9:00 AM $100
Join us for a single day ri… https://t.co/kJjAoRLJ0F— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) April 11, 2018
New Event Tour de Forest – Atlanta, TX Tour de Forest at Atlanta, TXhttps://t.co/a87CqtxQnl
Join us for a 19, 36 or 50 mile loop ride through the beautiful Piney Woods of Northeast Texas. All routes are supported and have multiple rest stops. Registr… https://t.co/sxiNdlPhoI
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) April 11, 2018