Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for December 28th
Head of “The Department with a Heart†Begins Biking
movabilityaustin.org
Recently the City of Austin Public Works Director, Howard Lazarus, had an epiphany: he likes bikes…and he wants to try bike commuting. But Lazarus is quick to tell you he isn’t a “cyclistâ€, but rather a “person on a bike.â€
During a recent trip to Holland to experience their bike facilities first hand as part of the Green Lane Project, Lazarus was inspired to try changing his commuting habits. Lazarus learned, that in Holland, 75% of Dutch people equate cycling with happiness. Lazarus told Movability, “The concept of a healthier and happier lifestyle is a driving force [behind his commitment to bike…
My Only road Bike is a Singlespeed 🙁 Will i be ok in Dallas?
by raceline         www.bikeforums.net
Moving from Flat Houston to Irving in a few months , My question is will i be ok with my ss road bike (48X18) and my ss 29er mtb (32×17) i have grown to like ss best for a great spin , will i be ok with all the hills on the road? and is ss mtb popular in Dallas area?
El Paso Bicycle Club Rides
Monday, December 31
• 9:00 am : Leaderless ride Begin at Rio Plaza. Distance, pace & route depend on riders.
Tuesday, January 1
• 10:00 am : Reset & Resolve Reset your odometer and start your cycling resolutions with a short ride around the valley, followed by black-eyed peas and cornbread (BYOB). Meet at 316 Arboles Dr. (corner of Mora, one block north of Lindbergh). Ride to McNutt, up Airport to Artcraft, La Union to Vinton and back through Valley. 25 miles, moderate. Randy Limbird, 915-328-4110.
Saturday, January 5
• 9:00 am : Rose Garden Ride Meet at Rio Plaza (Upper Valley at Artcraft) and meander up the Valley to the Rose Garden Restaurant in Anthony for breakfast. 30 miles at moderate BIG-friendly pace (15-17). Bob Clark, 204-2531.
Sunday, January 6
• 2:00 pm : Afternoon trail ride Meet at River Run Plaza for 10-12 mile along the river levee and irrigation canal paths. Need wide, puncture-proof tires for these goathead-covered dirt trails. Moderate pace (10-12 mph on packed dirt), all flat. Randy Limbird, 328-4110
Saturday, January 12
• 9:00 am : Gap and back Meet at Rio Plaza. Ride to Vinton and get on the rollers, then ride to Gap and return via Valley roads. Moderate, 40 milles. Linda Price, 433-4188…
Upcoming Violet Crown Club Rides:
Saturdays: The Bagel Ride, Einstein Bros Bagels, 12400 N. IH35. Two groups:
50-60 miles, 70-80 miles. 8:00am (10:00am on 12/29/12)
Special Holiday Rides (3-4 hours each):
Fri Dec 28: Thunderbird Coffee 8:30am
Sat Dec 29: Bagel Ride **10:00am**
Sun Dec 30: Thunderbird Coffee **10:00am**
Mon Dec 31: Thunderbird Coffee 8:30am
Tue Jan 1: Thunderbird Coffee 8:30am
Thursday Ride at Walnut Creek – Beginner/intermediate ride level
The Austin Mountain Bikers Meetup Group
Thursday, January 3, 2013Â Â Â Â Â Â 4:30 PM
Walnut Creek Park
12138 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX (map)
This will be a beginner ride and will be doing around 8 -10 miles.
If someone is willing to lead a faster group then we can have an intermediate group also.
Please be there and be ready to roll by 4:30 pm. We meet in the parking lot near the pool in the middle of the island.
Any question please call/text me at [masked]
Beginner level ride with no drop.
Things to bring:
1. Good working bike
2. Helmet
3. Camel back or something to carry water.
“One Mile Solution†Problems
by Steve AÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â DFW Point-to-Point
Andy Cline, in his excellent blog, “Carbon Trace,†espouses what he calls “The One Mile Solution.†Put briefly, it advocates simply switching over from motorized to non-motorized transportation for those short, daily trips of a mile or less. Personally, I like the concept. It works well for open-minded people in reasonable health that live in urban areas. And that is also the rub.
Health
More often than not, I stop for coffee on my way home from work. Conveniently, there’s a handicap sign that provides a convenient place to park my bike. While the coffee is a large brand based in Seattle, the store itself is part of a major grocery chain. This particular store has nearly a dozen handicap spots and they are often all occupied. I have no way to know what all the various handicaps consist of, but one wonders how many of these drivers would be amenable to a “one mile solution.†Indeed, my own parents are not inclined to ride to many places that I walk or ride to when I visit them. Ditto for my wife. I’m not sure how we, as a society, deal with this, since reduced exercise due to reduced mobility can become a downward…
What Makes an Epic Mountain Bike Ride
by Darryl         lovingthebike.com
It’s time for another one of our mountain bike monthly features….this time Greg from Singletracks let’s us know what he feels is an Epic Mountain Bike Ride.
What Makes an Epic Mountain Bike Ride
By Greg Heil
The word “epic†has been entirely overused in recent days, and especially in mountain biking circles. It seems like every time I ask a rider how his ride or the trail was, the classic response is either “It was epic dude!†or “Man, it was so gnarly!â€
Epic adj.
3. heroic; majestic; impressively great: the epic events of the war.
4. of unusually great size or extent: a crime wave of epic proportions. …
Frisco MTB Trail Loop Information
by sooner1Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Shawnee Trail Cycling Club
by Mark James, Asst Trail Steward, Frisco NW Community Trail
Ranger Loop
The original trail, Ranger , is an outer loop that covers the perimeter of the property for the most part. The trail is 2.5 miles in length and is suitable for all skill levels of riders. Although there are two dips, they can be navigated by walking your bike without too much effort if you are not comfortable with riding them. What the trail lacks from a technical perspective is made up by the fun factor. If you are up for a challenge it is a lot of fun to work on your speed. Time your lap and work on improving each time you ride. As the trail gets…
CX Shenanigans No. 21
by joeyTWOwheels         Texas Cyclocross
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQSt93nWM5Y
Waco was, in a word, RAD. The course was amazing. If you missed it, plan on it for next year. Here’s some pics. And some more. And some videos curtesy of Bryan Voytilla and Joey Machado (in that order):
 Tweets
Our Mission? Biking all 5 historical Missions of San Antonio, Texas – in a day! http://t.co/HzfGOjNB #travel #lp
— The GypsyNesters (@gypsynester) December 28, 2012
Do you have what it takes to brave the cold? We sure do, 10am Saturday morning we'll be riding from The Bike Stop. Be there or be warm.
— MSU Cycling Team (@MSUCyclingTeam) December 29, 2012
The Violet Crown Special Holiday Tour continues with another excellent ride to the tractor graveyard in Georgetown. http://t.co/93SsScsl
— Violet Crown (@VioletCrownATX) December 28, 2012
News Update: New Safe Routes to School Webinar Available – As part of the Safe Routes to School webinar series, "Fre… http://t.co/TGX1ezMp
— BikeTexas (@BikeTexas) December 28, 2012
Volunteer to help with the Resolution #Ride! http://t.co/iCMZyG5S
— Bicycle Sport Shop (@BSS_Austin) December 28, 2012
https://twitter.com/JuliaBikes/status/284699541322752000
The storms have been knocking down trees all over town. Help Cypresswood clear the storm debris on Saturday from… http://t.co/wtUhMXRm
— GHORBA (@ghorba_org) December 28, 2012
ICYMI RT @KENS5: Give that cyclist more space; it could be a police officer http://t.co/UNC9zQxr
— Safe Streets Texas (@SafeStreetsTX) December 28, 2012
Saturday ride will depart Crownover Middle School at 11am. Approximate 3 hour ride with an average pace of about 18mph.
Bundle Up!
~R.— Corinth Cycling (@corinthcycling) December 28, 2012