I rode the route I planned on biking Tuesday until the flat tire derailed that ride and shortened it. Heading south and east on the Atascocita – Walden – Huffman route I made it with no problems. I was a little concerned with getting the ride done before rain arrived but that didn’t materialize. I even managed to start before 10 AM rolling out on my Canyon Endurace bike at 9:58 AM. I saw a couple of cyclists and a man rollerblading in Kingwood Greens. I don’t see rollerblading people often. The ride ended at 12:36 PM. Wind was light and the temperature stayed around 80. Nice fluffy clouds moved around the sky. The 34.76 miles pushed November road miles to 238.8 (66% of the way to my goal). The week stands at 140.83 miles.
Texas Bicycling News for November 8, 2023
New trailhead opens on Northwest Side
Rebecca Salinas | www.ksat.com
Stanley Spigel Trailhead is open at 8123 Guilbeau Road
SAN ANTONIO – The city’s Parks and Recreation Department has opened a new trailhead that connects two parks on the Northwest Side.
The Stanley Spigel Trailhead is open at 8123 Guilbeau Road, just west of Bandera Road. It connects the French Creek Greenway on Mainland Drive to Nani Falcone Park on Mystic Park. …
New trailhead opens on Northwest Side https://t.co/BrkjymkzpU
— KSAT 12 (@ksatnews) November 8, 2023
— NorthlineLex (@NorthlineLex) November 8, 2023
Borderland Mountain Bike Association Takes on the Chupacabras Mountain Bike Race in Mexico
www.bmbaelpaso.org
The mountain bike community in El Paso recently embarked on an exhilarating adventure as members of the Borderland Mountain Bike Association (BMBA) participated in the internationally renowned Chupacabras mountain bike race in Mexico. This thrilling event saw riders tackling both 50km and 100km routes, pushing their limits and showcasing the spirit of cross-border collaboration.
For years, the Chupacabras race has been celebrated as one of Mexico’s premier mountain biking events. With challenging terrains and breathtaking scenery, it attracts riders from all around the world. This year, it was the BMBA’s turn to join the ranks of participants and make their presence known in the global mountain biking community. …
Veterans Day events in Midland-Odessa this week
Morgan-Taylor Thomas | www.mrt.com
… Veterans Gravel Grind Friday, Saturday
Local bicycle racing crew ViM Racing will host the Veterans Gravel Grind on Saturday at the Lake Colorado City State Park (an hour from Midland). With all proceeds going to the Trail Warrior Project — a nonprofit helping veterans bikepacking — the event is open to all riding fanatics, not just veterans.
Guests can participate in a full, half or quarter grind — 73, 49 and 24 miles respectively. Veterans and first responders receive half off the registration fee on any distance. Sign up at www.runsignup.com/race/tx/coloradocity/veteransgravelgrind. There will be an 8 a.m. mass start time, and anyone between the ages of 13 and 16 years old must be accompanied by a guardian. Farm-to-Market Road 2836
On Friday, Energy City Bike (Midland’s newest bike shop) will host two race-prep rides at 2 and 4 p.m. The business will demo a fleet of Diverge STR carbon gravel bikes. These bikes can be rented for race day. Call 432-203-4394 or swing by the shop for more info. 2810 W. Loop 250 N. …
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) November 9, 2023
Sidewalk grant received for Joe Carrillo Blvd
Cindy Aguirre | seguintoday.com
(Seguin) — The City of Seguin has been awarded a $2.0 million federal grant that will be used to develop safer pedestrian and bicycle access to the Koennecke Elementary School and Jim Barnes Middle School campuses, playgrounds and ball fields.
The grant monies will fund sidewalk improvements, including crosswalks, crosswalk markings and pedestrian signage at the two school campuses to improve safe crossings at Joe Carrillo Boulevard.
Currently, sidewalks in this area are limited for transporting students and their bicycles. During school arrival and dismissal times, Seguin ISD currently closes the road to ensure the safety of students crossing the street.
Specifically, the project will …
Letter: Moonlight bike event not welcome
To the editor: | www.cleburnetimesreview.com
I was dismayed by the October Moonlight Bike Ride on the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and I do not support a repeat. The ride was in essence a recreational activity and not one that was ‘wildlife dependent’, a condition that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service generally requires for public use. The ride was after sunset, a time when the refuge visitors are normally required to have exited. And after sunset, much of the wildlife rests, and then night shift becomes active.
I was making an unplanned visit to the refuge. I was exiting as the bicyclists were assembling. Approximately 200 bicyclists were at Lot 1. Many arrived via cars. I saw rabbits playing dodge-em from the cars, indicative of how this after-hours activity was not …
Biking – River Trails Park (DFW Area Event) https://t.co/MlkEab3Nv4 #Meetup via @Meetup
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) November 9, 2023
Bond to build trail around Kirby Lake fails in November election
by: Erica Garner | www.bigcountryhomepage.com
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – A $9 million bond proposition to construct a new pedestrian and biking trail around Abilene’s Kirby Lake has failed.
The City of Abilene’s Bond Proposition ‘C’ ($9 million for a trail around Kirby Lake) failed during Tuesday night’s General Election by a vote of 54% against the proposition and 46% in favor. …
TxDOT’s $11.7M grant to improve walkability and bikeability on UTSA campus
www.utsa.edu
OVEMBER 8, 2023 — UTSA has been awarded an $11.7 million grant through the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) Transportation Alternatives (TA) program to improve bicycle and pedestrian paths on its Main Campus. This grant is part of a state-wide effort to improve access to schools and amenities. TxDOT funded 83 projects across the state for an historic total of $345 million to enhance safety and mobility options to schools, jobs, public transit and local destinations.
The TA grant will allow UTSA to enhance the walkability and bikeability of Brenan Avenue, which runs through the heart of the Main Campus, by constructing a 12-foot-wide pedestrian path and an eight-foot-wide bicycle track. In addition to the pathways, the project will include raised crosswalks, ADA improvements, bicycle racks, and lighting and safety improvements. …
Video: Dallas City Council members bike to city hall as they work on city’s new bike plan
By Lori Brown | www.fox4news.com
DALLAS – As the city of Dallas works to create its first new bike plan in more than a decade, several members of the Dallas City Council rode their bikes to city hall Wednesday morning and experienced some of the challenges with the city’s infrastructure firsthand.
“Going down Bishop, I felt pretty safe for probably about 50% of the bike ride,” Dallas City Councilman Chad West said.
West was one of four council members who managed to bike from home to Dallas City Hall Wednesday. …
Recovery Gravel Ride Fort Bend County, Texas
afer Pinder Caraballo | strava.com
CCC Gravel Fort Bend County, Texas
Katya @Cool Cat Cycles | strava.com
Great seeing everyone!
Kingwood – FM1485 – Kingwood. Biking North After A 12 Day Absence
After not going north since October 27th that’s where I headed on today’s bike ride. The route: Kingwood – FM1485 – Kingwood and the bike, Lynskey Helix. I haven’t rode the Lynskey on weekdays for sometime but with the easier pedaling I moved it into the rotation. I rolled away at 10:00 AM, I was trying to get going before that but was too slow. The warm weather held on for another day and the wind was not too bad either. The 33.02 miles was about average for the route in 2023 pushing the week’s total to 106.07 miles and November road miles to 204 (57% of the way to my goal). I finished at 12:45 PM.
I thought the wind might be strong on the way back to Kingwood but it wasn’t that bad. The hardest pedaling was on Valley Ranch Parkway from TX 99 to FM 1314.
Weather: Start 79 degrees, humidity 76%, dew point 69.3, mostly cloudy, wind S 7 mph; Finish 82 degrees, humidity 62%, dew point 69.4, mostly cloudy, wind variable 6 mph.
Texas Bicycling News for November 7, 2023
UTPB, City of Midland receive grants to begin Wildcatters Trail connecting both cities
by: Erica Miller | www.yourbasin.com
PERMIAN BASIN, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The University of Texas Permian Basin and the City of Midland were each awarded a grant from the Texas Transportation Commission called the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program to fund the beginning stages of the Wildcatters Trail. The Wildcatters Trail is a biking, running, and walking corridor which will eventually connect the cities of Midland and Odessa.
The City of Midland was awarded $3,697,495 through the grant while UTPB was awarded $6,377,697. UTPB President Dr. Sandra Woodley and City of Midland Mayor Lori Blong worked together on these grants to “improve the quality of our spaces with safe and …
— Rick Ankrum (@texbiker) November 7, 2023
Mark up the interactive map, complete the online survey, and sign up for updates here:https://t.co/5qbZkLRmho
— Robin Holzer (@Robin_Holzer) November 8, 2023
After Destruction Scare, a Popular Mountain Bike Trail in McKinney Is Again Ready for Riders
By Bethany Erickson | www.dmagazine.com
After a developer bulldozed a portion of the 8-mile loop of mountain bike trail in McKinney’s Erwin Park, fans of the trail were worried. But the association that maintains the track says all is well—now.
Shortly before Halloween, mountain bike enthusiasts who frequent the 8-mile trail at McKinney’s Erwin Park came upon a frightening site. A real estate developer who owned the land next to the park had seemingly bulldozed part of the trail. That action took down several mature trees and removed a section of the trail that had been there for “decades,” according to a post from the Erwin Park MTB’s Facebook group. (The park was deeded to the city in 1973 by Dr. J.C. Erwin and his wife, who hoped the park would protect the environment and native Texas plants on the property.)
“The section of trail that climbs out of the ‘jungle’ section after all of the …
67-year-old bicyclist dead after being struck by truck
by: Darby Good | www.ketk.com
ANDERSON COUNTY, Texas (KETK) – A bicyclist is dead after a crash with a truck early Tuesday morning in Anderson County.
According to preliminary report from DPS, the bicycle was stationary in the eastbound lane of US 175 when it was struck by a 2001 Ford F-150 traveling west on the road.
Bicyclist Russell Warrington, 67 of Frankston, was pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver of the truck was not reported to be injured in the crash.
The investigation is ongoing.
Racial Healing and Sisterhood on Two Wheels
by editorial | dallasweekly.com
By encouraging Black women to experience the freedom and joy of cycling, Black Girls Do Bike is also changing the complexion of a predominantly white, mostly male sport.
Growing up, riding a bicycle was one of Monica Garrison’s favorite summertime activities. The sense of excitement and freedom she felt on two wheels stayed with her into young adulthood when she commuted to and from work on her bike.
Then, life happened — her career, a family — and Garrison had less and less time for cycling. Eventually, she put down the kickstand and parked her bike. …