Texas Bicycling News Digest April 17th
BP prez ready for his ninth year to bike to Austin
Natalie Harms, Print associate editor-Houston Business Journal      www.bizjournals.com
On April 18, Richard Morrison will kick off his Trek 2.0 bike to venture from Houston to Austin over two days with about 600 of his teammates, including his co-workers and his brother, for his ninth BP MS 150.
Morrison, who is president of London-based BP’s Gulf of Mexico division, is a dedicated biker and fundraiser for the …
Day 1 of BP MS 150 canceled due to bad weather
By John Boyd      www.chron.com
Organizers of the BP MS 150 bike ride scheduled for this weekend have been forced to cancel Day 1 of the two-day ride due to poor conditions caused by this week’s rain.
Specifically, heavy rains at the gathering points of the Fayette County Fairgrounds and Camp St. Mark’s led to the cancellation.
The Day 2 ride from La Grange to Austin is expected to proceed as previously scheduled.
Full statement from organizers:
“After serious consideration, Day 1(Saturday, April 18) of the 2015 BP MS 150 is canceled due to conditions at the overnight sites in La Grange and the expected severe weather in the area. Excessive rainfall and wind that occurred throughout this week has had a significant impact on the two sites where a majority of teams and cyclists camp overnight, Fayette County Fairgrounds and Camp St. Mark’s, and have been determined unsafe and inaccessible. The City of La Grange Office of Emergency Management has closed these sites. We know our cyclists have put in a lot of training and fundraising efforts. Your …
Leander police using bike patrols to combat construction site thefts
By Calily Bien      kxan.com   (Video)
LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — To combat a recent spike of stolen items at construction sites in Leander, the police department is turning to bicycle patrols. Thieves are stealing tools, plywood, compressors and even a trailer full of tools.
The Leander police currently has two bike officer patrolling in …
60 Mile Bicycle ride to Seabrook,tx
www.wherevent.com
301 Milam St and Congress St,Houston
Saturday 25 April 2015, 07:30
Organized by : Alvaro Escalona
60 Mile round trip from Market square park to Dairy Queen in Seabrook,TX
Location:
902 Meyer RD
Seabrook, Texas 77586
(281) 474-4900
The pace will be 12-15mph with one stop each way 15 miles into the ride. We will stop for flats or minor repairs. Once we arrive to our destination we will grab a bite, snap some pictures, rest, and start our return back to Houston. …
Urban Forestry Board critical of USA Cycling report
by Audrey McGlinchy      www.austinmonitor.com
Members of the Urban Forestry Board are highly critical of the methods used in a report by USA Cycling that claims the city, not the cycling organization, caused most of the damage done to 57 trees in Zilker Park during a Cyclocross event in January.
USA Cycling said in January it had budgeted funds to pay for repairs to the park, but a wide difference of opinion has developed between the cycling group and the city over the extent of …
Emmett sheds light on his Dome proposal
By Ken Hoffman      www.houstonchronicle.com
Harris County Judge Ed Emmett unveils his plan for the Astrodome, to make it “the world’s largest indoor park,” during a press conference on the floor of the Astrodome Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2014, in Houston. Emmett said he envisions a large park area, with running and hiking trails, pavilion, spaces for education and events. ( Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle )
In 2008, Ed “Hunker Down” Emmett gained a lot of local admiration and national reputation for his calmness in the eye of the storm.
To continue reading this story, you will need to be a digital subscriber to HoustonChronicle.com.
MS Bike Ride veteran takes 150-mile victory lap
by Kirk Dooley      www.dallasnews.com
Fourteen years ago, I hired my nephew to work on fundraising events for the local office of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. He was young, energetic and hard working, and so he fit in well with the rest of the tight-knit, dedicated staff.
I had been the chairman of the local MS board and was named interim executive director when the Dallas MS chapter was merged into a statewide chapter. I stared nepotism in the face, then hired Kelly Dooley because I knew what he was made of. It …
Lubbock Board of Health hears argument for more, safer bike lanes
By ELLYSA GONZALEZÂ Â Â A-J MEDIAÂ Â Â Â Â Â lubbockonline.com
Lubbock bikers need safer transportation options, according to three presenters at the Lubbock Board of Health meeting Friday.
The board heard presentations from a local citizen and a representative of the West Texas Cycling Association about why the …
West Texas Cycling Association lobbies for bike lanes
www.lubbockcw.com
Lubbock’s master plan for biking is being updated.
Members of the West Texas Cycling Association were lobbying the Health Board for designated bicycle paths throughout the city.
They say designated lanes will separate bicyclists from motorized traffic and improve overall safety.
“We need to get the word out to stop at stop signs, to obey the rules, to stop at lights, to wear bright clothing, to be …
Essential Gear For Your First Cycling Expedition
By Darryl      lovingthebike.com
Going on a cycling expedition is not for the faint of heart. Whether you are traveling through hundreds of miles of endless roads or heading off into the country for an off-road trip, it can be a grueling experience.
Make no mistake about it, there will be tough times ahead. But those times can be softened considerably with the equipment you bring with you. We’ve listed some ideas for you below, and we think they will help anyone going on a cycling trip for the very first time.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the things you will need for your very first cycling adventure.
A Reason
If you don’t have a good reason for going on a cycling expedition, there’s more chance that you …
Help Us Welcome the League to ATX
BikeTexas.org
Members Get First Drink Free
The League of American Bicyclists is coming to town next week to talk about Austin’s Bicycle Friendly Community status, and we think that’s a great reason to party! Join us on Thursday, April 23, from 5-7 PM at Zilker Brewing Company, 1701 E 6th St (map) for Happy Hour and to chat with friends from BikeTexas, Bike Austin, and the League.
Members of BikeTexas, Bike Austin, or …
Do bike lanes make South Lamar safer?
Austin On A Bike      austinonabike.com
ust got word that South Lamar had some bike lanes installed all the way down to the 290/71/Ben White. Here’s a pic sent in that shows them on the southbound side down by the Broken Spoke:
I’m out of town right now (Old Settler’s Music Festival, anyone?) so I can’t check it out myself, but I wonder – does this make South Lamar safer for bikes?
I certainly feel safer with a bike lane than without, but if you do find me riding on …
Tweets
Kicked off day 1 of the @TeamRWBTri camp yesterday in Austin. #EagleUp pic.twitter.com/FX6MHSnLXz
— Team Red, White & Blue (@TeamRWB) April 17, 2015
Montrose bike thief, from today. pic.twitter.com/GzxQVW62ZD
— Kyle Jack (@kylejack) April 17, 2015
Good luck to all our teammates racing at the 32nd edition of the Matrix Challenge sponsored by day one MV sponsor @RichBikeMart!
— McKinney Velo (@McKinneyVelo) April 17, 2015
When I asked the folks at the Mills Plaza where their bike parking was, they said I could just use this fence… pic.twitter.com/K3f8B8NrL3
— Bike Hombre – STREETS ARE FOR PEOPLE (@sbwhite) April 17, 2015
Do bike lanes make South Lamar safer? – http://t.co/XSzSJ5tkXh pic.twitter.com/f3Jv6od0Qv
— New Haven On A Bike (@NewHavenOnABike) April 17, 2015
The team visited Midway Park Elementary today to teach the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th graders about bike… https://t.co/OAXY5apI6Z
— ELBOWZ Racing (@elbowzracing) April 17, 2015
https://twitter.com/FtWMntBikers/status/589120085765173249
STOLEN – White SCOTT Foil 10 in Beckett Meadows https://t.co/56Gcxwvvlv pic.twitter.com/LjhINZBuTd
— BikeIndex Austin (@stolenbikesatx) April 17, 2015
U23 Development Team Issac Porterfield at the Driveway Bike Race Series p/b HOLLAND RACING with is game face on… http://t.co/fninMJTTxQ
— Strike Cycling Development Team (@strike_devo) April 17, 2015
Village Cycling team raised $15,435 for the research of MS. The Houston to Austin bike ride starts tomorrow. #MS150 pic.twitter.com/CkeeCtjesH
— The Village School (@VillageVikings) April 17, 2015
Exactly 1 year ago today! #drunkdriver #cycling #fatality #texas #rgv @TXPathfinder #foreddie http://t.co/ZDYfI5IPm0 pic.twitter.com/vpaoUEBFlX
— Myssie Cardenas Barajas (she/her) (@MissMyssie) April 17, 2015
https://twitter.com/GWCChuck/status/589089320167944192
It's @EPMPO Friday! Celebrating #EarthMonth & getting ready for @ELPBikeMonth pic.twitter.com/0VcBtPdctm
— Bike Hombre – STREETS ARE FOR PEOPLE (@sbwhite) April 17, 2015
Attn: we will have drones…the drones will have cameras…our JumboTron will have race action…So bring your friends & family & show off.
— Bike the Bricks (@BikeTheBricks) April 17, 2015
Working on potential project for @bikeaustin Bike To Work day with @BullockMuseum think big screens! Stay tuned! cc @BSS_Austin @ClifBar
— Wave (@WeWaveOrg) April 17, 2015
City of Hutto declares May as National Bike Month in the city. pic.twitter.com/21HdeShZ2r
— Community Impact Round Rock-Pflugerville-Hutto (@impactnews_rph) April 17, 2015
Abandoned first part of plan to ride with a friend. https://t.co/sJoScT8gPC
— Jeff C. (@331miles) April 17, 2015
Event Reminders
2 Day Alert: The BP MS 150 – Houston, TX, Apr 19, 2015 07:30AM – Darrell Tully Stadium, 1050 North Dairy Ashford Road, Houston, TX 77079
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) April 17, 2015
2 Day Alert: Matrix Challenge – Dallas, TX, Apr 19, 2015 07:30AM – Swiss Avenue, Dallas, TX, USA(CST) http://t.co/pbxqZXEG89
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) April 17, 2015
2 Day Alert: Texas Ride 2 Recovery – Houston, TX to Fort worth, TX, Apr 19, 2015 08:00AM – Houston, TX(CST) http://t.co/Zc1FUZc7FC
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) April 17, 2015
2 Day Alert: Rebecca's Mirror Ride – Bulverde, TX, Apr 19, 2015 08:00AM – Bulverde Ln, Bulverde, TX 78163, USA(CST) http://t.co/W4yT4VTlzJ
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) April 17, 2015
2 Day Alert: Twin City Cyclery / Tecate Light MTB Series – Race #3 – Laredo, TX, Apr 19, 2015 08:00AM – La Bota Trails, Laredo, TX(CST)
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) April 17, 2015
2 Day Alert: Hannah's Longhorn Kyote Ride – Von Ormy, TX, Apr 19, 2015 09:00AM – 18181 Senior Road, Von Ormy, TX, 78073, United States(C
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) April 17, 2015
2 Day Alert: Lets ride the country roads and hills – McKinney, TX, Apr 19, 2015 10:00AM – Myers Park & Event Center – 7117 County Road 1
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) April 17, 2015
2 Day Alert: Ragsdale Rally Raid r3 – None, TX, Apr 19, 2015 10:00AM – N Ragsdale Rd, Pampa, TX 79065, USA(CST) http://t.co/rrKY4NQ8G1
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) April 17, 2015