Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for December 6th
For the bikers in Texas that have snow on the ground:
Winter Is Here: Bring Out The Fat-Bikes!
by Singletrack.com
Winter has arrived, and for many in snowy climates, this means that mountain bikes are hung up in the garage, road bikes are put on trainers, and the countdown to spring begins, waiting for when trails emerge from their blanket of snow, flowers spring up, and another season of long summer days of riding begins.
To pass the dark days of winter, some turn to alternative sports, but a growing number of people are embracing riding in the winter, on the snow, on bikes with 4-inch wide tires.
Snow bikes
Speedway Cycles’ Fatback. Photo: Eszter Horanyi
While snow-bikes, or fat-bikes, aren’t new, a surge in their popularity in recent years has seen the emergence of…
Spread the simple joy of biking
www.peopleforbikess.org
As we enter another season of giving, we are inundated with messages about “hot holiday toys†for children. And while I have no particular opposition to Air Hogs Hyper Actives radio-controlled vehicles, or My Keepon Robots, I do question whether these gifts truly represent what kids want, or, more importantly, what we should want for our kids.
Though it may be tempting to buy a trendy toy, skip the lines and purchase one of the most iconic children’s gifts: a bicycle. Call me old-fashioned, but when I conjure up childhood memories, none measure up to the feeling I felt when I rode my first bike.
I learned to ride a bike when I was three, and that experience led to a childhood of independence, freedom, and health. I was probably the only four-year-old who rode his bike to preschool on Ohio’s Little Miami Scenic Trail. My bike was not just my way to have fun, but also my ticket to independence. I rode my bike…
Get the edge over your cycling buddies with Centex Mountain Bikers and Racers Edge
Submitted by Il Pirate      Austin Ridge Riders
Are you ready to take your mountain biking to the next level?
Looking to ride technical trails or glide over gnarly sections without a dab?
SIgn up on Meet Up.com and check into Centex-Mountain-Bikers-and-Racers-Edge!
The Centex Mountain Bikers and Racer’s Edge (CMBRE) is a meetup group of riders and racers in Central Texas. CMBRE will be an organized scheduler for races and other events, assisting racers in keeping up to date on what is happening where and when. CMBRE will also include scheduled ride calls at various trails around the state and even a few trips out of state. There…
Workshop Ranks Funding Strategies
www.bikehouston.org
Action 2020 Workshop participants ranked a 15% bike project funding set aside and improved evaluation criteria as top strategies to improve bicycle infrastructure. The nearly 60 workshop attendees comprised of bicycle advocates, agency officials and elected representatives developed and prioritized a list of funding strategies. The meeting, held Dec. 2 at the University of…
West Texas Premier Cyclocross Series Race 4
West Texas Cycling Association
Date: December 18, 2011
Location: Lubbock, TX
Contact: Details: KastMan Park, (Joliet & South Loop 289). Course is available for pre-ride at 2pm and wheels roll at 2:30. Weather doesn’t matter!
Bike Taxi Babes: The Calendar and the Release Party
by elliott
It was sadden when I heard this spring that Leanna Bloom Mooradian and Scott Cannon were ceasing the publication of their local zine The Dropout. I always enjoyed the unique writing and great photography of the Austin bike scene in each issue. Well, luckily Leanna and Scott have not be idle, instead working on other…
Final DFW Cycling Savvy Class for 2011 – This Weekend
by dickdavid      Bike Friendly Richardson
If you want to be a better road cyclist and commuter, getting some good training is always recommended. Along with the BikeDFW Traffic Skills 101 classes, you have an alternative option for becoming more skilled at riding – through the CyclingSavvy DFW group.
CyclingSavvy DFW is the Dallas/Fort Worth branch of the successful CyclingSavvy traffic cycling education program developed in Orlando, Florida. CyclingSavvy DFW‘s mission is to encourage safe, courteous, and…
EcoVelo Closing January 1st, 2012
by Christopher Curnutt      Biking in Dallas
EcoVelo, one of the most respected and popular web sites dedicated to cycling and all things green is closing shop on January 1st, 2012. I was a bit stunned by their announcement:
It’s with a bittersweet mix of emotions that we’ve decided to close up shop on January 1, 2012. It’s been a great ride that we’ve enjoyed immensely, but it’s time to move on to new challenges.
We want to thank all of those who have supported us along the way, from family, friends, readers, sponsors, and fellow bloggers, to those who submitted material for our Bike Gallery, Photo Contests, and Commuter Profiles. …
How about a Public C7 bicycle from Pottery Barn
by Christopher Curnutt      Biking in Dallas
Public C7 bicycle via Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn is the latest furnishings, design and lifestyle retailer to include a bicycle in their offerings (catalog/internet only). This one is a seven speed Public C7. At $849 it will set you back more than the Target Missoni, but it’s much more…
Mesquite Texas Rodeo Bike Ride Review
Readyforplanb.com review for the 100k Mesquite Rodeo Bike Ride 2011 (June 4th, 2011)
My hope for the Mesquite Rodeo Bike Ride was to get a chance to ride in a faster group to gauge whether I could achieve Goal #2, finishing the 100k at Hotter’N Hell sub 3 hours. Year to date on my journey to plant-based cyclist I had logged 2,254 miles and was down 18.6 pounds.
Saturday morning could not come fast enough. I was tossing and turning knowing that I was about to head just east of Dallas to Mesquite for a ride. The roads out in Mesquite…
OTC RIDE/CHRISTMAS PARTY/COOKOUT 12/11/2011
by mwilhelm         Old Tascosa Cycling Club
@ Palo Duro Canyon
Road bikes, Mountain bikes, runners, and everyone welcome! We will meet in Juniper day area @ noon to ride, or earlier or later however you feel, @ start eating around 3. Burgers will be provided by the club, and we are asking people to bring chips, or dips, or a deserts if attending. Ride the road or the trails, or come out and run or walk! Please RSVP if attending by commenting on this message for an estimated # of burgers to buy. VERY IMPORTANT-The date might be changed to a later Sunday due to bad weather, so be on the lookout for an weather update a few days before the event! Forecast mid 50’snd sunny! Perfect PDC weather!
NuVinci N360 Friction Comparison – I’m Using Something I learned in High School!
by Justin      The Plano Cyclist
The first article I wrote about the NuVinci N360 that explains how it works is here. In the comments on that article, someone mentioned that internal friction was an issue with this type of hub. When I finally finished installing the NuVinci it was a pretty nasty day, and I didn’t feel like putting fenders on the bike just to take it on a test ride. Instead, I took a few…
Christmas Light Holiday Tour
by jhhertel@gmail.com (John Hertel)Â Â Â Â Â Â Woodlands Cycling Club