Texas Cycling and Bicycling News Digest September 5th
2014 Hotter’N Hell ride/trip report…
by dstrong      www.bikeforums.net
I do these write-ups for my 89 y.o. mom and also to document certain events. Thought I’d share it here. This year involved a unique mode of transportation to Wichita Falls.
After all the planning and packing, Friday finally came. I called my ride partner and pilot John, around 1:30p, to let him know that I was ready to go anytime he was. He keeps his plane about 60 miles south of Austin, near his ranch, so after my call he headed for the airport, packed his stuff into the plane and took off for the short 30 minute flight to Austin-Bergstrom to pick me up.
He texted me just before take-off, which was my signal to pack up the van and head to the airport. I arrived at the General Aviation terminal at the south end of the airport, just in time to see him land and taxi to a spot on the tarmac just outside the terminal.
Plane on tarmac.jpg
The plane is a Mooney 252, originally manufactured (production run was ‘86 – ‘90) in Kerrville TX, about 45 miles southwest of Austin. It’s a four seater plane and it’s small! The 252 has a reputation for being both fast and economical. At cruise altitude the plane was consuming about 12 gallons/hour. They also have retractable gear which makes them pretty aerodynamic.
John’s bike was already in the plane. This model Mooney has only two openings: The passenger side door (open in the picture) and the cargo hatch, which you can see just behind the window. Both bikes had to have their wheels off in order to get them through the door. John sat on the wing facing aft, with his back to the door. I handed him my frame, which he coaxed through the door opening until I could reach it leaning in through the cargo opening to help guide…
Sep 8 – Club Meeting
Woodlands Cycling Club
The featured speaker at the next meeting of the Woodlands Cycling Club will be Richard “Gordy†Bunch. He will address a new initiative he has proposed to The Woodlands Township Council entitled A Plan Designed for People and Nature in A Sustainable Community. Every cyclist in Montgomery and north Harris counties will want to hear about this exciting initiative which will benefit all serious cyclists. Mr. Bunch will ask for input from the audience following his speech.
Mr. Bunch is a Director of The Woodlands Township and the Chairman of The Woodlands Visitors and Convention Bureau. He has been an active cyclist having completed both the BP MS150 and Ironman Texas. He is a major supporter of…
Look for BikeTexas at Siclovia San Antonio September 28
BikeTexas
BikeTexas is very excited to once again offer free bike rentals to participants at Texas’ largest open streets event. Over 70,000 people are expected to attend the next SÃclovÃa, running along Broadway to Alamo Plaza, with a new added route connecting to the east side Dignowity Hill neighborhood.
Select Federal Credit Union is providing generous sponsorship to BikeTexas to…
Tweets
It was awesome getting to ride with Will Rolfe from @CentenaryCycle this morning. Pre-riding the @SCCCC Championship XC course! #mtb
— Baylor Cycling (@BaylorCycling) September 6, 2014
@DrewiferdLee chowin down on some pre-race pizza in McKinney pic.twitter.com/1fMB9RN4Na
— Texas Tech Cycling (@TechCycling) September 6, 2014
It's a party @theAustinbikes w/ @hollandracers & @txbikeracing https://t.co/zdSuAzrL00 pic.twitter.com/jCoBFVrdwz
— Caden Burross (@cadenburross) September 6, 2014
https://twitter.com/RelianceOutdoor/status/507927482394083328
Care about cycling in and around @MemorialPark? Come engage w Exec Dir @shellyearnold & the master planning team. http://t.co/cX9xfZInNL
— BikeHouston (@BikeHouston) September 5, 2014
Sun, 9/7/14 Mellow Johnny's Ride 400 Nueces 8:15am roll-out. One group 50-ish miles
— Violet Crown (@VioletCrownATX) September 5, 2014
Katie Kantzes gets the win at the @DrivewaySeries !! New bike, instant victory! Anne Flanagan 2nd, Allison Atkinson 4th! nice!
— ATC Racing (@ATCRacingTeam) September 5, 2014
Just finished testifying against the Tx Voter Suppression Law. Now getting a ride in before my flight home. pic.twitter.com/8iSjyc4FFN
— Rodney Ellis (@RodneyEllis) September 5, 2014
Toughest purchase for the cross-gravel franken-parts bike has been the fork. No deals to be had.
— Jeff C. (@331miles) September 5, 2014
Finished 15-mile solo trail ride at Brazos Bend State Park just before the rain. Beautiful gray skies… http://t.co/pdvHhKvbA0
— Omar C. Garcia (@omarcgarcia) September 5, 2014
Don't forget that this Sunday's practice is at Northwest Park off Shoal Creek and we'll be starting at 7:30 am! See you there! #TXCX
— BSS CX Club (@BSSCX) September 5, 2014
You don't have to be a cyclist to commute by bike in Austin. Here's why: http://t.co/eAsBbavOdA
— Movability (@Movability) September 5, 2014
Don't forget about Sunday's Youth #Bike #Ride! http://t.co/TZy3UDjXjW #austin
— Ghisallo Cycling Initiative (@GhisalloFound) September 5, 2014
HTX Bike Fest. Nov 1st. Houston, Tx. Pro & Am ramp comps. Pro cash purse. Flatland Jam and demo.… http://t.co/Ps7b7GRCvP
— Hector Garcia (@hectorgarcia) September 5, 2014
The Texas 4000 team sure had a journey this summer! How the fight against cancer kept them going: #Texas4000 http://t.co/eOm1n0SW1R
— Spokefly (@SPOKEFLY) September 5, 2014
Spotted a rider flying the flag on the commute this morning! Have a great Friday, Austin! http://t.co/nVwHeRamnX
— Bicycle Sport Shop (@BSS_Austin) September 5, 2014
@texbiker pic.twitter.com/owiRqsyjVr
— Daniel Cruz (@DCRUZ547) September 5, 2014
Please remember that our Saturday/Sunday group rides are now departing at 7:30am beginning September 6th. #corinthcycling
— Corinth Cycling (@corinthcycling) September 5, 2014
Thanks @BoneshakerD1 for helping get #kids @BerniceHartECP on the #saferoutestoschool @AISDConnect #leadfromthefront pic.twitter.com/PpCFyiHZ8q
— Boneshaker Project (@Boneshaker_Proj) September 5, 2014
New RT athlete Mike Jones of @787racing took off after 1st prime in the @DrivewaySeries 345 race tonight & never looked back… & won solo!
— ROTHE Training (@rothetraining) September 5, 2014
Event Reminders
2 Day Alert: Chappell Hill Bank Classic Road Race – Chappell Hill, TX, Sep 07, 2014 07:30AM – Highway 290 and FM 1155, Chappell Hill, TX
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) September 5, 2014
2 Day Alert: Bicycles Outback Blowout – Waco, TX, Sep 07, 2014 07:30AM – Cameron Park, Emmons Cliff Dr, Waco, TX, United States(CST) htt
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) September 5, 2014
2 Day Alert: BikeHouston Bayou Ride – Houston, TX, Sep 07, 2014 08:00AM – 301 Milam Street, Houston, TX, United States(CST) http://zpr.i
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) September 5, 2014