Texas Bicycling Updates – October 19, 2023
Houston-Galveston Area Council polls community on biking trail safety concerns
By Rachel Leland | communityimpact.com
The Houston-Galveston Area Council and Harris County Precinct 2 officials want to improve safety on the area’s network of biking and pedestrian trails. They are asking the community to share their biggest safety concerns to advise the improvements.
The gist
On Oct. 18, the H-GAC hosted a public forum at Bay Area Community Center where community members could share feedback on improving public safety on the area’s trails.
The feedback will be considered as county officials develop the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Plan, which will serve as a roadmap to guide short- and long-term priorities for pedestrian and cyclist mobility in the area. …
Rise in campus bike thefts necessitates precautions
By Alex Serratti | www.dailytoreador.com
Texas Tech has seen a surge in campus robberies of items such as wallets, keys, IDs and, most frequently, bicycles, according to recent Tech Crime Logs.
Bicycles are one of the most common methods of transportation for students on Tech campus. Trying to cross campus in a span of 10 minutes is a challenge some students have to face. But, with robberies happening, students may be hesitant to bring their bikes onto campus grounds.
“Consistencies we probably see are going to be the bicycle is not secured. So they’ll just park it at a bike rack and just leave it there, whether they run into class and come back out or go to their dorms but it’s not secured and it’ll be stolen,” said Amy Ivey, captain of the Tech Police Department. “The other way …
New mountain bike trail opens near White Rock Lake
By Simaran Sira | lakehighlands.advocatemag.com
A new mountain bike trail just opened near White Rock Creek. The trail runs through 50 acres of Creekside Park.
It was developed by The Loop Dallas, who have built 50 miles of walk and bike trails; Dallas Park and Recreation Department, who’s mission is to look after the city’s parks and trails and Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association, also known as DORBA, who advocates for land access in the North Texas area.
DORBA brought in Colorado-based construction company, Singletrack Trails. Singletrack, who aims to preserve natural resources while bettering recreation, is a current member of the Professional Trail Builders Association, a non-profit that supports quality trail development and maintenance.
The trail consists of …
Video: TxDOT hosting virtual public meeting on district bicycle plan
Round the Block: The last leg
By Curtis Stoker | www.crazyguyonabike.com
Day 25 – Marathon to Sanderson, TX
Tuesday October 17, 2023, 55 miles (89 km) – Total so far: 1,270 miles (2,044 km) Wow, it was a cold night. I have a good bag, but in the middle of the night you kind of had to curl up to stay warm. And then in the morning, you don’t want to get out of that bag. There comes the time that it’s a must and you have to get things going. Usually I put on the cycling clothes and then put pants on over them just to stay warm until it’s time to get going. I have hot oatmeal and hot coco to try and get the body warmed up and have the beanie and gloves on as I put the tent and everything away.
It was a beautiful and nice ride today. From Marathon to Sanderson there is nothing in between, so we had to make sure we had a good lunch packed and plenty of water. The ride pretty much consisted of cattle grazing ranches and mountains. There was a …
Day 26 – Sanderson to Comstock, TX: Winds again. ? and miles
Wednesday October 18, 2023, 83 miles (134 km) – Total so far: 1,428 miles (2,298 km) The night in the church was wonderful. The room that most of us where in was air conditioned and I just put the ear plugs in and had a pretty decent night. It’s never is like sleeping at home, but it was nice. I was in charge of breakfast with Jim, so had to get up at 6:15 to put the breakfast quiche in the oven. The pastor’s wife made it and cooked it and all I needed to do was heat it up. They also had muffins for us and juices. It really was a delicious breakfast. They told us to take all the leftovers as well. We had enough food to take care of our dinner tonight in camp.
Today was a tough ride again. We knew the winds were not going to be in our favor, so we got up early and was on the road at 8:15. The Sun doesn’t come up here until 8:00, so that’s pretty good. The first 40 miles went really well and then the wind started picking up. It was coming from the …
Day 27 – Comstock to Del Rio, TX: The wind shifted!!
Thursday October 19, 2023, 41 miles (66 km) – Total so far: 1,469 miles (2,364 km) We had the wind with us today!! Man, that makes such a difference. The temperature last night was quite pleasant. It got down to 60 degrees, but inside the tent it was about perfect. Really didn’t sleep inside the bag and had a great night. I think I slept better than I have the entire trip. Maybe it was the 84 mile day that just had me worn out. ?
Everyone was a little slower getting out of camp this morning. We knew what the wind forecast was supposed to be and also knew we had only 41 miles to ride. It was nice to just be a like more relaxed at breakfast and sit around and talk for a bit. The place we camped last night was like camping on the moon. It was just dirt and rocks and stickers. The wind was blowing …
#OneNICA: Uniting Teams, Celebrating Triumphs, and Shaping Community
texasmtb.org
Watch out world, we’ve been inspired! We’re launching a new #OneNICA hashtag thanks to THIS team – it was their idea!
One of the best things about NICA is how it brings this mountain bike community together – no matter what team you’re on. Next time you’re out riding with your friends from another school, tag it #OneNICA!
Student athlete Cannon Trevelise, put together a rockstar team for the 24 Hour Race in Warda (Terra Firma Racing‘s Bluff Creek Blowout). His team consisted of 3 close friends that are all from different National Interscholastic Cycling Association teams. …
Single Track Times – October
texasmtb.org
Your coaches are trained and the race dates are set.
Season thirteen promises to be the very best yet.
Enjoy two Texas conferences and the same great ride.
Get your friends and your bikes and enjoy the outside. Season XIII Details
Each conference will race in four regular-season races and the final championship race. The series will include a combination of single conference races and two joint conference races followed by a winner-takes-all State Championship. …
Opinion: Bikers aren’t above the law
By Maddie McMurrough | www.thebatt.com
With great handlebars comes great negligence
Let me set the scene. I was driving to class in my Jeep. Lana Del Rey’s “A&W” was blaring through my speakers as I approached the usual four-way stop I pass to get to my West Campus classes. Her sultry voice was belting the bridge, and it became my turn to proceed. As I sped up to turn left, a biker flew through the stop sign. I slammed on my brakes to avoid hitting her, and she turned to me, gave me the dirtiest look and flipped me off.
What a peach — peach of crap, I mean.
I hate to break it to you sweetheart, but you’re in the wrong. It baffles me to this day that someone could get into a …