Texas Bicycling News Digest January 2nd
Cell phone use while driving now illegal in two major Texas cities
abc13.com
AUSTIN, TX — While there’s no statewide law prohibiting hand-held cell phone use while driving, you might find yourself with a big fine if you do it now in two big Texas cities.
New ordinances went into effect in both San Antonio and Austin yesterday. Austin’s law prohibits the use of all electronic hand-held devices while driving and riding a bicycle. And in San Antonio, you’re not allowed to drive while using a mobile device to talk or text.
The fine if you’re caught in Austin is up to $500. In San Antonio, you could be looking at a …
U.S. bicyclist deaths on the rise
By Alex Kramer, HealthDay Reporter      www.kltv.com
FRIDAY, Jan. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The number of bicyclist fatalities in the United States is increasing, particularly among adults in major cities, a recent study shows.
After decreasing from 1975 to 2010, the number of bicyclists killed annually increased by 16 percent from 2010 to 2012. More than 700 bicyclists died on U.S. roads in 2012, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.
The study also reported that the percentage of these deaths that occur in densely populated urban areas has risen from 50 percent in 1975 to 69 percent in 2012.
“We’ve seen a gradual trend over time where more adults are bicycling in cities, so we need cities to develop ways for …
Biking in Houston: It’s not just for the young and hip
By Mike Snyder      www.houstonchronicle.com
A couple of months ago I happened to be downtown on a weekend, on one of those lovely fall days we get in Houston. I was walking past Market Square Park and, on a whim, checked out a bike from the B-Cycle kiosk. I probably hadn’t been on a bike more than three or four times in the past 20 years, but the old saw about never losing this childhood skill seems to be true. I was a bit wobbly, but I stayed upright. As I tooled along the downtown streets (there was little traffic on a Sunday afternoon) and on the trail along Buffalo Bayou, I remembered something important:
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Last minute prep for Cyclo-cross Nationals
By Gus Grissom      www.usacycling.org
Well, it’s happened again: another great season of cyclo-cross has wrapped up. That is, of course, unless you are one of the lucky, adventurous ‘cross racers who has decided to give your season one final peak, one last adventure before cleaning those race wheels and dreaming of the ever-elusive “next year.â€
Yes, it’s time for the 2015 USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships. And this year the action will center on Zilker Park in Austin, Texas, Jan. 7-11.
So if you’re one of the lucky ones preparing for your trip to Nats, what do you need to know? What should you think about in the final days before your big race?
Mentally prepare yourself for a “big-time” race.
According to Rusty Williford, coach for Fulcrum Coaching and …
No looking back: John Estrada
By CHRISTINA R. GARZA Staff Writer      www.valleymorningstar.com
By CHRISTINA R. GARZA Staff Writer
When Brownsville resident John Estrada began his weight loss journey more than a year ago, he was borderline diabetic, took blood-pressure medication and suffered backaches at six-feet-tall and 460 pounds. Today, the 43-year-old weights 225 pounds and recently completed the Pico De Gallo 100-mile bike tour.
Estrada said he decided to make a lifestyle change April 21, 2013, and has not looked back since.
Estrada consulted with his doctor before beginning a diet, but Estrada said because his weight had reached such an extreme his doctor believed any diet would be a …
Elbowz Racing Elite Cycling Team
From our own momma Spies about our first event to promote bicycle safety with Txdot and Elbowz. It was truly an amazing experience and we couldn’t be more proud of our team and organization for their professionalism and courtesy. Can’t wait for the next!
Mary Spies      Elbowz Racing Elite Cycling Team
so here it is….holiday times, fast weekends and all about fun. Yet 3 men got up at 4 a.m. instead of sleeping in and drove not just to Dallas from Austin but further past the airport to the Ranch. Our 1st safety awareness event for children. This was not and “in” and “out” event. This was not about giving a box to a child and them walking away. This was a powerful intervention with the infrastructure of our society, our community in a joint effort from Ellbowz Cycle Team, TX DOT, SPECIALIZED and LOVE FOR KIDS of Dallas. HUGE few hours. It was supposed to be about …
New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar
New Bike Event: Category C Official's Clinic – Frisco, TX: When: Sat Jan 17, 2015 8am to 3pmÂ
CSTWho: Texas Bi… http://t.co/J5om0CUgWv— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) January 3, 2015
New Bike Event: The Fatbike Sandy – New Waverly , TX: When: Sat Mar 21, 2015 9am to 12pmÂ
CDTWho: Texas Bicycl… http://t.co/TuxlmQPuJ2— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) January 3, 2015
Tweets
@AustinCX15 @huplikewhoa On a CX bike take the hike and bike trail East of I35–less pedestrian traffic. Cold/wet means fewer folks too.
— Bicycle Sport Shop (@BSS_Austin) January 3, 2015
@AustinCX15 @huplikewhoa Check out S Mopac. 8 miles. Best done early before there's traffic. Fairly flat.
— Bicycle Sport Shop (@BSS_Austin) January 3, 2015
USA Cycling Cyclocross nationals are coming to Texas next week! http://t.co/bLlAmp0omH
— ELBOWZ Racing (@elbowzracing) January 2, 2015
First ride back in the republic of Texas was 30 degrees colder than my rides in Miami. #welcomeback #didntmissthis
— Mario Arroyave (@marroyave35) January 2, 2015
New year, new you! Up for a Challenge? Sign up for the El Paso Puzzler now!!#2wheelsEP #EPPuzzler #ItsAllGoodEPhttp://t.co/ODs3pyEu34
— Crazy Cat Cyclery (@CrazyCatCyclery) January 2, 2015
Final climb! This one was a booger! http://t.co/V0jQf2cXWG
— Carlos & Lisa Uranga (@TeamUranga) January 2, 2015
Beautiful desert views! http://t.co/HbAuXDRVKx
— Carlos & Lisa Uranga (@TeamUranga) January 2, 2015
FINALLY got to mountain bike in my home town. We had quite the adventure today! Perfect way to start… http://t.co/cwyCfN2D37
— Carlos & Lisa Uranga (@TeamUranga) January 2, 2015
The BTB TV Crew will be back in action this weekend covering the Resolution Cross Cup in Dallas! @txcxsynd has an incredible event in store.
— BTB TV (@BTBcxTV) January 1, 2015
Yea. This'll be fun! #ResolutionCross #texascx #flow #shred #brap @txcxsynd @TexasCX @BTBcxTV pic.twitter.com/LPGVY68inU
— Tyler Cloutier (@tylerclouti) January 2, 2015
Event Reminders
2 Day Alert: Bankers’ Recovery Ride – College Station, TX, Jan 04, 2015 07:00AM – 1862 Rock Prairie, College Station, TX, 77845, United
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) January 2, 2015
2 Day Alert: BikeHouston Bayou Ride – Houston, TX, Jan 04, 2015 08:00AM – 301 Milam Street, Houston, TX, United States(CST) http://zpr.i
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) January 2, 2015
2 Day Alert: GO for a Mountain Bike Ride – N. Houston, TX, Jan 04, 2015 09:00AM – Meyer Park (Cypresswood Dr., Spring, TX 77379)(CST) ht
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) January 2, 2015
2 Day Alert: All Level Ride @ Walnut Creek Fall/Winter hours – Austin, TX, Jan 04, 2015 11:00AM – (CST) http://t.co/M6SF8U1lt3
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) January 2, 2015
2 Day Alert: All Level Ride @ Walnut Creek Fall/Winter hours, Jan 04, 2015 11:00AM – (CST) http://t.co/JCzIYmL1fl
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) January 2, 2015