The Benefits of Biking (video)
by Health Guru                www.care2.com
Biking not only works the calves, quads and glutes, but it also tones the upper body. Watch this for a quick tip on working it into your routine! Related Link: 6 Excuses for Not Becoming a Bike Commuter (And How to Get Over Them)

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Mountain Biking and Back Pain: How to Prevent It and Cure It!
betterride.net
Note: Before doing anything to do with your back make sure something isn’t really wrong such as a bulging disc, slipped disc, fractured disc, etc. See a doctor and make sure your body can handle these therapeutic exercises before you start.

I have finally rid myself of the back pain that has bothered me most of my adult life, but has been really annoying in the last ten years (I honestly thought all mountain bikers had some back pain, it was the price we pay for having so much fun!). Before I share my cure with you, I want you to understand three important things. First, back pain is a symptom; the cause may not be your back. We are going to fix the causes, not just rid the pain. Second, the “cure” I have found is a process, a process that will require effort at least five days a week the rest of your life. Third, if you follow this process you will be rewarded by getting a lot more…

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Austin council member looks to open trails overnight
By Ben Wear                www.statesman.com
Looking to address a recent spike in pedestrian and cyclist deaths caused by auto collisions, Austin City Council Member Chris Riley will ask his colleagues Thursday to legalize use of three main city hike-and-bike trails 24 hours a day as a temporary experiment.

Riley’s proposal does not include any money for lighting or any additional police presence on or near the three trails. The proposal generated concerns Wednesday about its potential effectiveness, and about a proposal from a leading city official that…

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Looking for beginning/intermediate riders around Austin
by gatorgrizz27                    forums.mtbr.com
Hey guys,
I just moved here from Tallahassee, and haven’t really ridden in about 6 months. I would say I was an intermediate level rider there, but the trails there were mostly hardpack clay with a lot of roots and some embedded limestone, so the loose rocks and gravel out here takes a bit of getting used to.

I like riding fast, flowing trails with a lot of turns and short technical climbs and downhills where you won’t end up in the ER if you screw up. Unfortunately I haven’t found much of that around here.

So far I’ve ridden Barton Creek Greenbelt, and found the sections that I tried to be above my skill level. Basically I could ride for a little while, then had to get off and walk the steep big rocky sections. The stair like rocks more than about 2 feet high I’m not really comfortable climbing or descending.

I rode Walnut Creek and there were some fun sections of single track with good climbs through the woods, but they were all pretty short.

I found St. Edwards yesterday and rode the side on the parking area of the creek, it was fun but really easy.

Today I rode part of Thumper but the loose rocks kept giving me trouble. I had to walk up Jack’s section, and then almost cleaned…

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Kid Trips Event – Girl Scout Winter Jamboree at Colorado Bend State Park
Austin Ridge Riders
Saturday, January 12, 2013 – 12:30
Kid Trips will be conducting a ride for the Girl Scouts during their Winter Jamboree at Colorado Bend State Park on January 12, 2013. We’ll meet at the Ranger Station at 11:30 a.m. The ride starts at 12:30 p.m. We have been invited to this event for the past 5 years.  The trails are excellent and it has always been a very fun ride.

If you are interested in volunteering for this ride, please use the sign up tab on the ARR website or contact Rick Chevrie (arrkidtrips@gmail.com).  I would appreciate it if you let me know if you are interested by…

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El Paso Bicycle Club Rides & Events
Saturday, December 15
• 9:00 am : Border Crossing and more Meet at River Run Plaza (1017 Country Club) and head to War Eagles Museum and Border Crossing, returning via La Union, Vinton Road and the River Trail. 35 miles. Moderate-plus pace (17-20 mph). Randy Limbird, 915-328-4110.

Sunday, December 16
• 9:00 am : Christmas Delight’s Ride Start at Redd Rock Crazy Cat at Redd and Desert. This will be a 25-30 mile moderate ride that will finish with hot beverages (with Christmas cheer) and Christmas goodies. Take advantage of the opportunity and do some last minute shopping at the same time! Patty Van Tine, 915-667-0202 or miflynnsinn@peoplepc.com for more information. Distance has been adjusted in past years depending on the weather/temperature.

Sunday, December 23
• 9:00 am : Westside Stocking Stuffers That’s what we’re calling the hills along the west side this time. Meet at Cimarron Park (Northern Pass one block east of Resler). 25 miles, moderate pace. To get there, take Resler north past Helen of Troy and turn right on Northern Pass. Rick Rivas, 915-867-7199.

Saturday, December 29
• 11:00 am : What’d you get for Christma Show off your holiday cycling presents on a mid-day ride to La Mesa and back, beginning at River Run Plaza, 1071 Country Club Rd. Randy Limbird, 915-328-4110.

Sunday, December 30
• 9:00 am : Lower Valley Ramble Meet at Cotton-Eyed Joe’s, Clint exit off I-10, and explore the Mission Valley. 35 miles. Jim Weaver, 915-775-9757.

Monday, December 31
• 9:00 am : Leaderless ride Begin at Rio Plaza. Distance, pace & route depend on riders.

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Two Christmas Lights Group Rides, Friday (7th) and Sunday (9th)
by The Announcer            Biking in Dallas
Bike Friendly Greenville (as in Greenville Ave) is hosting a ride this Friday night.  They’re meeting at 7pm at Sundown at Granada – 3520 Greenville Ave.  Drop by the Facebook announcement here and sign up.

Switching Gears Cyclery is hosting a Sunday ride.  Here are those details:

Just hear those bike bells jingling,
Ring ting tingling too
Come on, it’s lovely weather
For a bike ride together with you! …

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Meeting Minutes – December
by salsaTopp            Brazos Valley Mountain Bike Association
Trail Maintenance This Saturday – 8 a.m.

Blair Witch needs work
Work on the “new” trail….
Build podiums for the new maps
Paint signs
West Loop Status

We have a new contact person with BTU, Allen. The West Loop is still closed until further notice. Here is what we know:
The issue is that the release of the west loop to the public is based on the approval of the Texas Dam Commission of the State of Texas. They base their decision on multiple factors  and in the last review they stated that the growth of the vegetative cover over the areas that were being worked on was not acceptable yet. So until they are satisfied with that and other details the area will…

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DPS: Edinburg hit-and-run puts cyclist in critical condition
www.themonitor.com
The Texas Department of Public Safety said it is searching for a car that hit a 63-year-old man as he rode a bicycle Tuesday evening in Edinburg, leaving him in critical condition.

DPS had no description immediately available of the car involved in the hit-and-run that took place about 7 p.m. on Rogers Road near Hoehn Road. DPS noted that the car is believed to have damage to its…

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Tweets

What's better than a bike path? How about one with beautiful landscape – http://t.co/A0m2lufk. Thanks to all who helped make this a reality.

— Austin Cycling Assoc (@AustinCycling) December 7, 2012

Swap Meet at our partners at Nelo's Cycles: http://t.co/z19hbzr7 http://t.co/6L10jqWc

— CyclingATX (@CyclingATX) December 6, 2012

RT @austintexasgov: #58 We’re applying for a grant to build the Decker Lane Pedestrian Facility and Bridge project! #ATXCouncil

— BikeTexas (@BikeTexas) December 6, 2012

Because the Hangover Hundred K is right around the corner we will start adding some miles to the Sunday Spandex… http://t.co/Eh2aIe3p

— Oak Cliff Bicycle Co (@ocbicycleco) December 6, 2012

https://twitter.com/FtWMntBikers/status/276714777114468353

#TXCX practice in Austin was sloppy wet fun today. Hope we get the same this weekend.

— the ghost of TexasCX (@TexasCX) December 6, 2012

No picture this morning. Tom was a devoted father and husband and friend…. May he rest in peace…. http://t.co/cSAh3iD9

— WheelBrothers (@WheelBrothers) December 6, 2012

https://twitter.com/FtWMntBikers/status/276689965692358657

https://twitter.com/JuliaBikes/status/276689465941041154

https://twitter.com/FtWMntBikers/status/276688575163138048

Why's that bike in the middle of the road? Here's why: Middle of the Road http://t.co/1zb9Uc0M

— BikeTexas (@BikeTexas) December 6, 2012

Quick-Fix Bike Repair Guide: 25 solutions to vexing problems http://t.co/NyTPaQ6W

— Bicycling Magazine (@BicyclingMag) December 6, 2012

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