Texas Bicycling Blog and News Roundup for March 29th
15,000 bikes on METRO a month? Surprising survey says Houston is dying to become a bike city
BY WHITNEY RADLEYÂ Â Â Â Â Â houston.culturemap.com
An update has been released on the commuter survey conducted over the past month by METRO and the Houston-Galveston Area Council, and the findings might surprise you.
According to KUHF, between 10,000 and 15,000 passengers bring their bikes aboard METRO every month, and initial survey results indicate that “many more riders would like to bring their bike on a bus or train, but they don’t know how transit fits into their travel choices.”
This survey is part of a larger campaign by the joint agencies to “define a prioritized set of high-quality links between the bicycle and transit linked…
On the Lege: March Activities
www.biketexas.org
After a successful Cyclists in Suits Bike Lobby Day on Monday, March 25, BikeTexas legislative staff members look to take the next steps on the two primary bills on the BikeTexas agenda, Complete Streets (HB 1102 / SB 565) and Safe Passing (HB 2225 / SB 1515). Each bill has been referred to the appropriate committee: House Transportation Committee and the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committees. We await committee hearing dates on each bill.
The Safe Passing Bill was filed on March 8, 2013. Senator Rodney Ellis filed the Senate version of the bill. The House bill is authored by Ruth Jones McClendon (D-San Antonio); Armando Martinez (D-Weslaco); Linda Harper-Brown (R-Irving); and Jim Keffer (R-Eastland).
We last pursued a Safe Passing Bill in the 2009 session, but that bill was vetoed by the governor despite strong bipartisan support. The 2013 bill uses much of the same language as the 2009 bill and the thirteen local ordinances in…
Teen seriously injured after falling from bike near Katy
by KHOU.com staff
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Life Flight was called to far west Harris County early Monday after an 18-year-old man fell off his bicycle.
The accident happened on Morton Road near Sunset Landing Drive shortly after 2 a.m. It was…
The Texas BBQ Posse: geniuses or rat finks?
By GARY JACOBSON, Staff Writer      www.dallasnews.com
A father and son told us about their wonderful barbecue tour by bicycle — six days and 276 miles through the Central Texas barbecue heartland.
A Longview reader estimated that he had eaten at least 1,000 Louie Mueller Barbecue sausage links over more than 60 years as a customer at the Taylor establishment. He remembered when they cost just a dime, compared to $3 now.
And a frustrated patron said that after reading our March 10 story rating the Texas BBQ Posse’s favorite Texas places, she waited an hour and…
College student poses challenge to life-threatening disease
By Conner Hammett      www.planostar.com
Twenty-year-old Murphy resident Emily Penn knows firsthand how a disease like Friedreich’s ataxia can slow a person down.
At age 15, while taking a track class at Murphy Middle School, Emily began experiencing tendonitis in her knee. During treatment, however, an orthopedic surgeon honed in on Emily’s scoliosis, a condition her pediatrician was already monitoring.
The surgeon suggested Emily be taken to Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital for a closer look at her spine. Emily underwent a series of tests, including…
Cycleast Introduces New High-End Bicycle Product Line to the US Market with Festka Partnership
www.sacbee.com
AUSTIN, Texas and PRAGUE, March 29, 2013 — /PRNewswire/ — Cycleast, of Austin, Texas, is importing and distributing a new product line from young, progressive Czech custom bike manufacturer Festka. They are particularly excited to be presenting the brand new carbon road frame Festka ZERO.  The ZERO is built from EM Tubes, developed together with Compotech and designed specifically for cycling applications. The Festka workshop hand manufactures each carbon lug, so the entire production process is under their control. This quality control allows each…
Gator Ride
baytownsun.com
This Sleek Bike Helmet Makes Sure That Hit And Run Drivers Get Caught
www.fastcoexist.com
John Poindexter, a designer at the Austin, Texas-based mobile studio Chaotic Moon, was riding his bike on the city’s streets when car hit him and drove away. Like many cyclists involved in hit and runs, Poindexter was too dazed in the aftermath of the accident to remember any identifying details of the vehicle–in fact, he landed in the hospital and had no recollection of what happened at all. Chaotic Moon’s solution: Create a helmet that can tell cyclists’ stories for them. It’s called, appropriately…
Young Woman With Rare Disease Cycles through Denton
20-year old Emily Penn has Friedreich’s Ataxia
By Andres Gutierrez      www.nbcdfw.com
View more videos at: http://nbcdfw.com.
As a 20-year-old, Murphy resident Emily Penn is coming to terms with a harsh reality… she’s losing the ability to walk.
Penn has Friedreich’s Ataxia also known as F.A. According to the National Institutes of Health, the disease affects one in 50,000 Americans. In the short term, a person with F.A. has difficulty walking. In the long term, a person can develop diabetes, heart disease and a shorter life expectancy. There are…
 Waco OMNI Re-Cap
By Kim Jennings         bicyclesoutbackracing.net
Waco is known for its challenging and beautiful mountain biking trails in Cameron Park, but it is not really on the radar for road races; until NOW! Last summer’s inaugural Bicycles Outback Twilight Criterium in downtown Waco set the standard for the Waco OMNI in 2013. This first-year event was fun, fast, and furious for racers across Texas.
Race promoter Bryan Fawley was drawn to Waco because of its central location, proximity to Cameron Park, and friendly community. “There are always a ton of races in the Austin and Dallas areas, but we don’t have one that’s in the middle for everyone. I lived in Waco for a while, and I wanted to share some of my favorite…
Corpus Christi Cycle Club
The Tony Balboa Memorial Ride
Board Meetings scheduled for April 1st and April 14th, see Event
+Â Â Â Calendar for more details.
+Â Â Â April 20th is the Tour de Cure! See the following maps!
+Â Â Â 10 mile route
+Â Â Â 20 mile route
+Â Â Â 40 mile route
+Â Â Â 60 mile route
+Â Â Â April 20th is our General Club Meeting at the PEDAL after Tour de
+Â Â Â Cure from 1-4pm. Join us for our SWAP MEET.
Thursday Ride at Walnut Creek – Beginner/intermediate ride level
The Austin Mountain Bikers Meetup Group
Thursday, April 4, 2013Â Â Â Â Â Â 5:30 PM
Walnut Creek Park
12138 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX (map)
Back to normal summer hours
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 5:30 pm. We meet in the parking lot near the pool in the middle of the island.
Any question please call/text me at 512 968 xxxx
Beginner level ride with no drop.
Things to bring: …
Tweets
Washing the bike wasn't such a great idea. #mosquitoes
— Bobby Dixon (@klctve) March 30, 2013
Newsletter: Family, Food, and Bikes http://t.co/DCnmM0JotX
— Bike Austin (@bikeaustin) March 29, 2013
Here's what's up…
Good luck to our boys racing the Dallas Crit tomorrow!!!For those not racing;
7am start from… http://t.co/kXhWfxhnu9— Corinth Cycling (@corinthcycling) March 29, 2013
Hill Country Ride for AIDS says Double Up, Saddle Up! Invite a friend to Ride or Run on 4/27: http://t.co/2TXExPYVLr. pic.twitter.com/fbZugXQYam
— Hill Country Ride (@hillcountryride) March 29, 2013
Just got back from marking the rest of the course. The 200(ish)K route is definitely gonna be a challenge. My hat… http://t.co/L0COaJZXMt
— The Spinistry (@Spinistry) March 29, 2013
Gr8 article abt @GhisalloFound team, their role in the community and experiences at the @PureAustin Driveway. http://t.co/8bqfSg68fI
— Driveway Series (@DrivewaySeries) March 29, 2013
https://twitter.com/BBQ44/status/317667715303227392
A racers first experience at the @DrivewaySeries. http://t.co/RAlCKZPKx0
— mellowjohnnys (@mellowjohnnys) March 29, 2013
Paul Abel making the podium at last night's @drivewaybikeraceseries. Those new skinsuits must work pretty well!… http://t.co/O4i4ETLLOZ
— UT Cycling (@UTCycling) March 29, 2013
Congrats to the Wheel Women of #DORBA and #FWMBA on being featured in Destination, Dallas on http://t.co/1ff9NHHmYY http://t.co/oAD4hLtnji
— Texas MTB Trails (@TexasMTBtrails) March 29, 2013
Thanks to @USATODAY for including the WildRide Against Cancer in its Texas Cycling Tips for May! Register today! http://t.co/15Wmx6wq6v
— Methodist Richardson (@methodistrich) March 29, 2013
Halfway done with 50 mile Good Friday ride. #fb
— Jeff C. (@331miles) March 29, 2013
Another Gr8 @PureAustin Driveway! Results by @austinsdentist are up: http://t.co/fn2Europda
— Driveway Series (@DrivewaySeries) March 29, 2013
Here's to hoping if you have a long weekend that you use it wisely. And by wisely, we really mean on 2 wheels or with family. Cheers!
— BikeCaffeAustin (@BikeCaffeAustin) March 29, 2013