Texas Bicycling News Digest February 6th
Reader’s Rides: Joshua is back with Custom Hand Made Carbon Saddles out of Texas
by Zach Overholt      www.bikerumor.com
At first, when Joshua Clark sent in photos of his custom Orbea Alma for our Reader’s Rides segment the Di2 hacks caught our attention. After reading through the specs and looking at the pictures however, it was the handmade carbon components that really piqued our attention. Like many incredibly talented people within the bike industry, it would appear that Joshua is incredibly modest simply pointing out that, oh yeah, I built those carbon parts too. As if that’s something every bike mechanic does in their spare time.
It wasn’t long before Joshua was sending us new photos of a few of the different saddles he’s built over the past two years. When he’s not turning wrenches in his bike shop, Joshua is …
Riders get your wheels turning in Texas state parks
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department      www.yourhoustonnews.com
AUSTIN— February brings visitors a variety of biking opportunities in Texas state parks.
Hundreds of miles of dirt, caliche, crushed granite and paved bike trails wind and climb through Texas state parks, offering safe and scenic rides for everyone, no matter their skill level. February marks an ideal time to pack up your bike and hit the trails, whether that means joining a scheduled ride, tackling an ambitious biking event or simply taking a self-guided two-wheeled journey with family and friends.
Skill ratings from beginner to intermediate to difficult, as well as mileage information and trail descriptions, can be found on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Biking activity page. Cyclists can also …
Using Smartphones to Collect Bicycle Travel Data in Texas
texashistory.unt.edu
Description:
This report provides information on the belief that smartphones could prove to be an effective tool for collecting bicycle travel data and that the information could be used for aiding decision making as to what types of facilities users prefer and guiding decisions about future facilities. …
Day 3 – Austin!: I like this town   Thursday February 5, 2015
By Alan Guo, Beaumont to San Francisco (Feb 2015)Â Â Â Â Â Â www.crazyguyonabike.com
Coming from living in flat areas for as long as I’ve been biking, I’m starting to realize how much of a factor rolling hills play, especially with 25 extra pounds of gear. The weather was cold and overcast, with a consistent crosswind from the north, which at times, turned into a headwind. But when I got to Austin, it was all forgotten. The place is pretty sweet. I visited the state capitol and the UT campus. I would’ve gone to Zilker Park, but it was getting late, and the sun wasn’t shining. Didn’t get wet today. Warmshower is plentiful in Austin. I am staying with John, who has two big dogs and two cats. He has toured all over Texas, and has provided a lot of good advice.
West Texas is going to be a challenge. Everyone who told me about West Texas says …
DATES Mesquite Ride
Dallas Area Tandem Enthusiasts
When: Mar 01, 2015 09:15 AM
Where: Lowe’s at Barnes Bridge – Mesquite, TX – Mesquite
Category: DATES ride
Description
Let’s get your winter legs ready for spring! Scott and Mindy Mashburn will lead a ride through Mesquite and Sunnyvale on Sunday, March 1st. There will be two routes of approximately 37 and 55 miles. Meet in the Lowe’s parking lot on I-30 and Galloway at 9 AM for a 9:15 departure. Additional details to follow. …
Spring Break Event: ¡Paletas y Bicicletas!
Bike Friendly Oak Cliff
Bike Friendly Oak Cliff announces a new Spring Break event:
First middle-schoolers join mountain bike team
by Rachel Rice      www.statesman.com
Over the rocks and through the woods, here comes the newly-formed middle school mountain bike team, with 35 race-ready athletes pumped up to go to state competition.
This is the first year that the Texas league of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association is allowing middle school athletes to compete. A cluster of states, including California, Utah and Colorado, have been the first to include younger athletes in competition.
So far, only a handful of Texas middle school teams have assembled, among them the Hudson Bend Middle School/Lake Travis Middle School team pulled …
Lamar bike lane work starts Saturday
By Dug Begley      blog.chron.com
The Lamar bike lane will allow cyclists two-way access across downtown, though car traffic will only head east. Rendering courtesy City of Houston
After a delay, crews will start work Saturday on a two-way bike lane along Lamar Street in downtown Houston, considered a critical link for bicyclists between popular area trails.
Work to paint, install signs and separate the lane from vehicle traffic will occur only on weekends, according to a memo from Houston Public Works. Crews will work from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. when possible, starting at Lamar and Bagby. The plan is to build the lane two blocks at a time over consecutive weekends, before …
Day 4 – Mason, TX: Hill Country Friday February 6, 2015
By Alan Guo, Beaumont to San Francisco (Feb 2015)Â Â Â Â Â Â www.crazyguyonabike.com
Once again, rolling hills and head/crosswinds kicked my ass today. I had planned to go 145 miles, but called it quits at 108, which was my contingency plan. I bought a skin ointment cream from the dollar store, for the irritable nooks and crannies (~_^). So far, it’s worked out ok. The drive train is making a lot more noise now. The chain seems to be skipping a little toward the lower sprockets, which is consistent with a bent derailleur hanger. I hope that’s not the case, and that I only need to adjust the cable tension. Anyway, I’ll worry about that stuff tomorrow. Tomorrow is a rest day, sort of. I will go about 62 miles to a ranch, where a warmshower host lives. Tonight, it’s camping time. The lows is 40 deg, so I lucked out there. Also, Mason is a pretty little town. I’m going to …
New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar
New Bike Event added: Mountain Biking Social Ride – Millican, TX Feb 10, 2015 06:00PM http://t.co/qLVj2OQ8Mr
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) February 6, 2015
New Bike Event added: Coffee Road 16.5M/P1&P2/T1.7 Ride Together – Sherman, TX Feb 12, 2015 06:00PM http://t.co/Bth70ilCrO
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) February 6, 2015
New Bike Event added: Road 33.4M/P3/T1.9 Regroup – Sherman, TX Feb 14, 2015 09:00AM http://t.co/7jskzG1xio
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) February 6, 2015
New Bike Event added: Big Pig Foundation Bike Race – Tyler, TX Feb 21, 2015 09:00AM http://t.co/aQjfPE1CoA
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) February 6, 2015
New Bike Event added: Red Balloon Run and Ride – Plano, TX Apr 25, 2015 07:15AM http://t.co/c1k8Z74Jwb
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) February 6, 2015
Tweets
Headed a bit into Louisiana on today's #elbroscamp route. @castellicycling iamspecialized… http://t.co/5wFsDFzWkn
— Stefan Rothe (@stefanrothe) February 7, 2015
Come join us Sunday Morning 9:00am. We are ridding the Cypress Creek trails. 9-12.. Meet at 9 on Glenway one… http://t.co/ynsj713Zpi
— TX Adventure Racing (@txarclub) February 6, 2015
Have you added your Fort Worth priorities for 2015 yet? Should the city spend more money on installing and… http://t.co/XCaiL3ywON
— Bike Friendly FW (@BikeFriendlyFW) February 6, 2015
Nutrition all ready to go for tomorrow's 6hr #mtb race. Yes those are @skratchlabs Cookie Bars! http://t.co/wrUBtF3T3E
— Logan DeBorde (@logandj) February 6, 2015
https://twitter.com/BethAnnOrton/status/563783065420697600
https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/563792987763658753
This weekend U23 Development Team members John Paul Blanton and Robby Ketterhagen are heading up to the Cedar… http://t.co/5tHUpcfPjm
— Strike Cycling Development Team (@strike_devo) February 6, 2015
Training camp day 2, brought sunny sky's, warmer temps and lots of fun!
— ELBOWZ Racing (@elbowzracing) February 6, 2015
Who's riding a Houston-area charity ride this weekend? #GetThoseWheelsSpinning
— Jim Cycle Across TX (@CycleXTexas) February 6, 2015
Spring forecast at RPR: rampant wildflowers. Check our calendar and plan a visit or find an event! http://t.co/XlkTHIOTIh
— Reveille Peak Ranch (@RPRTexas) February 6, 2015
https://twitter.com/FtWMntBikers/status/563683991782293505
5th WalknRolla is Sat, 4-25-15 from 6-10PM @cityofedinburg McIntyre Street Project! 5K & Criterium Bike Race #rgv pic.twitter.com/E2pBG5uBO3
— RGV MPO (@HCMPO) January 29, 2015
Event Reminders
2 Day Alert: Cedar Hill Race Festival – Cedar Hill, TX, Feb 08, 2015 07:30AM – Cedar Hill State Park, 1570 Farm to Market Road 1382, Ced
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) February 6, 2015
2 Day Alert: Sun and Ski Presents the Rocky Hill Roundup – Smithville, TX, Feb 08, 2015 08:00AM – 578 FM 153, 578 Farm to Market Road 15
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) February 6, 2015
2 Day Alert: Rudy’s Ride – San Antonio, TX, Feb 08, 2015 09:00AM – 10623 Westover Hills Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78251, USA(CST) http://zpr
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) February 6, 2015
2 Day Alert: Marion Ride – Marion, TX, Feb 08, 2015 09:00AM – Marion High School, 506 Bulldog Drive, Marion, TX 78124, United States(CST
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) February 6, 2015
2 Day Alert: Wrangle in Warda – Warda, TX, Feb 08, 2015 10:00AM – Bluff Creek Ranch, 537 Owl Creek Road, Warda, TX 78960, United States(
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) February 6, 2015
2 Day Alert: Bicycling Do's and Don'ts – Cedar Hill, TX, Feb 08, 2015 01:00PM – 1206 West F.M. 1382 Cedar Hill, TX 75104(CST) http://zp
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) February 6, 2015