Texas Bicycling News Roundup 5/5/2023

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Houston’s dirty bike lanes broke the city’s new sweeper

Jay R. Jordan | www.axios.com

Houston’s bike lanes are apparently so dirty that they literally broke a brand-new sweeper meant to clean them.

Catch up quick: The city in August purchased its first special narrow sweeper, a ??Madvac LS175, designed to fit inside the city’s bike lanes, sidewalks and pedestrian islands, which standard street sweepers are too wide to clean.

Houston residents named it the Space City Sweeper after Houston Public Works held a naming contest.

Driving the news: The Space City Sweeper got through just nine service orders before it met its match in April, according to public works spokesperson Erin Jones. …

Pedestrian pathway connecting Midland and Odessa becoming more of a reality

Author: Tyler Dupnick | www.newswest9.com

The Permian Basin Wildcatters Trail is a pedestrian corridor that will increase safety for cyclists and families. City leaders discussed the partnership efforts.

MIDLAND, Texas — Imagine a pathway free of cars where people could ride bicycles, walk with their babies or dogs, or even just get some exercise in while watching a West Texas sunset. Well, that could be a reality, and better yet, a connection between Midland and Odessa.

The Permian Basin Wildcatters Trail corridor is a project that has been in the works for years, and Thursday night, city leaders presented it to the community as the two cities embrace working together for improvement in the Permian Basin.

“We’ve seen repeatedly over many years that it works better when Midland and Odessa …

Ask the Expert: Bike Month

visitelpaso.com

May 12, 2023 2:00 PM Online Website: https://www.facebook.com/WylerAerialTramwayStatePark

This month 2 local mountain biking organizations will be joining us to talk all things mountains biking.

Midland councilman visits a hidden park gem

Odessa American | news.yahoo.com

May 4—MIDLAND — As part of National Parks Week, Midland City Councilman Dan Corrales visited West Texas BMX, 2101 Cuthbert Ave, Midland, to help bring awareness to this wonderful non-profit, a press release said. West Texas BMX is the number one growing family sport.

"Any age rider, boy or girl, man or woman of any age, can compete in BMX. All you need is a desire to compete, a bike, and a helmet, and you can be part of this sport," Jay Gannaway said in the release.

USA BMX’s motto is "nobody’s on the bench," and West Texas BMX takes that to …

2023 State Time Trial Championship Race Report

by Stefan Rothe | www.texasbikeracing.com

After a few years of not attending, I decided to sign up for the Texas State Time Trial Championships held in Dawson, TX this year. The race promoter, Alex Montoya, had made it a double weekend with the State Criterium Championship held the day before so I was able to compete in both events on the weekend. The Time Trial was on a new 50km (30mile) course that was partly used during previous editions of the Tour of Corsicana. Having never done a 50km ITT before (State or National Championships are usually 40km or less) I was excited by the new challenge, especially since I would be racing the Criterium Championship the evening before. The Criterium on the famous bricks of downtown Corsicana went well and I ended up 2nd behind the solo winner Eli Husted (Super Squadra) in the P12 race.

Getting ready for a 50km Individual Time Trial requires solid physical preparation but also lots of mental “work” or readiness, especially with the conditions we were facing …

2023 State Criterium Championship Race Report

by Sinead Miller | www.texasbikeracing.com

The Texas State Criterium in Corsicana, TX was a race I have wanted to do ever since moving to Texas a few years ago. Winning the state championship jersey is an honor and achievement very few riders in Texas ever accomplish. Every year since 2020 I would talk about going to race the state crit, but for three years in a row I couldn’t race for one reason or another (i.e. work commitments and injuries). It honestly seemed like 2023 was going to be no different for me and I wasn’t planning on racing.

However, the morning of the crit I woke up feeling good and I have been eager to race lately. On top of that, my husband was going to race the crit, and, honestly, doing a training ride by myself before we left did not sound like much fun. Racing is always better than training in my eyes. I contacted the race organizers to see if I could register day of. Fortunately, their response was “yes”, so we started the three-hour drive from Houston to Corsicana.

Once arriving at the race, we started our …

Síclovía comes to San Antonio’s Midtown on Sunday in celebration of National Ride a Bike Day

By Dalia Gulca | www.sacurrent.com

The biannual event closes roads to traffic along its route, giving people a chance to exercise and explore in a car-free environment.

Lace up your shoes, grab a helmet and don’t forget a reusable water bottle — San Antonio’s largest free community event returns on Sunday, this time taking over the streets of Midtown to celebrate National Ride a Bike Day.

YMCA of Greater San Antonio’s Síclovía has been inviting residents to come and play in the streets since 2011, closing roads to traffic and opening them up to pedestrians, bicyclists, skaters and their furry friends. It’s an effort to encourage San Antonians to go outside and engage in more physical activity, giving them a chance to exercise and explore in a car-free environment.

This spring’s route will …

Free TxDOT to build great bike, bus and train routes (Opinion)

Harrison Humphreys | www.houstonchronicle.com

Disruptive freeway construction in Houston always comes with the promise of unclogged roads. At least it’ll be over soon, we hear, and then it’ll be smooth sailing. But anyone who’s lived here long enough has seen what happens next. Nearly $3 billion was spent to expand the Katy Freeway — now one of the widest in the world! — but it’s more congested than it was before.

TxDOT’s own data shows that not a single freeway expansion in the past 30 years has resulted in long-lasting congestion relief. Instead, we get stuck in more lanes with more cars with worse air and weather that seems to be out to get us. More lanes just aren’t solving congestion, and all those cars sitting in traffic, spewing emissions, are only contributing to climate change — and along with it, the extreme storms that are swamping our houses and freezing us to death.

But TxDOT keeps proposing … …

Georgetown to begin Austin Avenue bridge rehabilitation, DB Wood Road widening in late 2023

By Claire Shoop | communityimpact.com

Two transportation projects funded by the city of Georgetown and slated to begin in late 2023.

Austin Avenue bridge projects

The city of Georgetown is preparing to start a project to rehabilitate and improve the Austin Avenue bridge and roadway, which crosses over the San Gabriel River. The bridge will be cleaned, repaired and repainted, and crash-test rail will be installed. Additionally, the sidewalk will be removed, existing lanes will be widened and shoulders will be added. A separate pedestrian and bicycle bridge will also be constructed. The city has been planning for and studying potential improvements to the bridge since 2016. …

‘Excitement On a Well Beaten Path’ Southern Tier East to West

By S. Crocker | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Silsbee TX – Kountze TX

Friday May 5, 2023 I was pretty toasted after the long day yesterday and seriously debated hanging around for another day here in Silsbee. After hmming and hawing for an hour, I figured a short is hop is a good middle ground.

After a short 23 miles, I landed at Indian Springs Campground. Nice rustic, quiet place to do some laundry and hang out all afternoon.

No wifi… so pictures still forthcoming.

Lake Houston wilderness Park Shannon Wyatt

Shannon Wyatt | strava.com

Like a lion in orange dungarees. Kind of fierce, but ridiculous all at the same time.

Kz Jenkins Jr | strava.com

Monthly Fondo done!, Bike computer cut off at the 60 mile mark erased all data, glad I had app running

Done, need to start earlier to beat some of the heat

Lunch Ride Fort Bend County, Texas

Eduardo Carrillo | strava.com

Alligator ride with coach Megan Fort Bend County, Texas

Roland Panjaitan | strava.com

Morning Ride in Spring Creek with David!! Harris County, Texas

Rosa Guerrero | strava.com

Last Ride in Texas for now….Hasta la Vista Houston, it was a pleasure sweating with you!!!

Summertime, Lane Valley still fun, especially with tailwind back. BROTY Kerr County, Texas

Charles Strebeck | strava.com

Texas Biking from Twitter

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Bolt Computer Glitch, Hit By Golf Ball, Legs Need Recovery

Texbiker.net Posted on by

I think this is the first bike ride this year when the temperature at the start was 82 degrees. The ride began a little earlier because stage 5 of the La Vuelta Femenina started an hour and a half earlier. I watched while eating breakfast and then got ready to ride. Today’s route, New Caney – Gene Campbell Blvd, went north through Porter and New Caney then NW on FM 1485 to Gene Campbell Blvd. I turned to the west onto Gene Campbell Blvd and rode to FM 1314 with a short side trip into Porters Mill. On FM 1314 I headed SE to Old Sorters Road, left on Briar Berry Lane. Biking through Oakhurst on Mills Branch Drive beside the golf course. A golf ball bounced from the course down a small hill onto the road and hit my front wheel. I tried to slow down and miss the ball but it bounced towards the bike. The golfers saw and waved. One yelled he was sorry and I waved and then pointed at the street so they would know where the ball landed. Making a right turn onto Rock Creek I saw another golf ball next to the curb. That was 3 golf balls in a short distance. The 3rd one was next to the curb after the one hit my front wheel.

Weather: Start 82 degrees, 80% humidity, dew point 75, mostly cloudy, wind SW 7 mph; Finish 88 degrees, 64% humidity, dew point 74, mostly cloudy, wind SW 5 mph. If it gets warmer I’ll use my CamelBak for hydration.

Today I rode my Lynskey Helix bike starting at 10:06 AM. This route averages about 38 miles over the last year and I expected to ride that far today. I biked more than that with 39.03 miles. Before the ride the week totaled 159 miles and now totals 198.15 miles. With 2 days left I will be well over 200 miles for the week (Monday through Sunday). I finished at 1:21 PM.

5-5-2023 SportTracks 1 year Ride History New Caney-Gene Campbell Blvd
5-5-2023 SportTracks 1 year Ride History New Caney-Gene Campbell Blvd

As I rode north along US59/I-69 on the frontage road I noticed the watts were not showing on the Bolt computer, just 3 dashes. After visiting my wife’s grave I checked the Bolt to see if the sensor was connected and it was. The cadence sensor was also behaving strangely but connected. After that I decided to turn off the Bolt and back on to see if that would fix the problem. It did but now the ride was split in two parts. After the ride I joined the two parts using SportTracks but Strava doesn’t do that, nor does RideWithGPS.com.

5-5-2023 SportTracks Ride Summary New Caney-Gene Campbell Blvd
5-5-2023 SportTracks Ride Summary New Caney-Gene Campbell Blvd

I clicked on a number of Strava segment stars for the route before the ride. My legs were still recovering from yesterday’s sprints and I didn’t improve any personal records today. I did get the Local Legend on Gene Campbell Rd. My legs need recovery time before sprinting on more Strava segments. I’ll see how tomorrow’s ride goes.

Texas Bicycling News Digest – May 4, 2023

Texbiker.net Posted on by

13-year-old bicyclist struck by pickup early Thursday morning along FM105 near Pine Forest

www.12newsnow.com

He was taken by ambulance to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

ORANGE, Texas — A 13-year-old bicyclist was injured when he was struck by a pickup north of Vidor early Thursday morning.

The 13-year-old boy was riding a bicycle along FM 105 near FM 1131 near Pine Forest at about 3:30 a.m. when he was hit according to the Sgt. Shana Clark of the Texas Department of Public Safety.

He was taken by ambulance to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont for treatment of non-life threatening injuries according to Clark.

The boy was riding in the roadway when he was struck by a southbound 2019 Dodge pickup driven by a 45-year-old man from Evadale Clark told 12News Thursday morning.

The driver was not injured.

Troopers are continuing to investigate the incident Clark said.

Video: Why students across Central Texas biked and walked to school this week

by: Blake DeVine | www.kxan.com

GEORGETOWN (KXAN) — This week we’ve seen thousands of students, teachers and parents rolling around on bikes, roller skates, or other wheels.

That’s because school districts across our area are taking part in National Bike & Roll to School Day.

On Wednesday, several schools in the Austin area participated, and on Thursday, hundreds hopped on bikes in Georgetown. The event was spread throughout seven elementary school campuses within Georgetown ISD.

Typically, this city-wide event takes place on May 3, but because of STAAR testing, the district decided to postpone it to May 4. …

PUBLIC INVITED TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON BICYCLE AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

www.ci.taylor.tx.us

Taylor residents will have the opportunity to view two proposed bicycle and infrastructure projects applications that the City will be submitting to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Staff and City engineers will be on-hand to answer questions about the proposed projects at Blackland Prairie Day, the Taylor Farmer’s Market, and at City Hall during the second week in May.

On March 31, the City of Taylor was invited to submit two detailed applications to The Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) Transportation Alternatives Set-aside (TA) Program, which grants funds for locally sponsored bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects. The two proposals, the South Taylor Pedestrian Connectivity Project and the Mallard Lane Shared Use Path and Sidewalks Project, are being designed to create more accessible conduits for pedestrian movement throughout the community, to enhance connectivity, and to promote alternatives to motorized transportation.

TxDOT announced a …

National Bike Month is an ideal time to reflect on how College Station became bicycle friendly

blog.cstx.gov

In 1980, the City of College Station developed its first bicycle plan, establishing a foundation for future planning efforts to address the high volume of bicyclists commuting to the Texas A&M campus.

Today, College Station has more than 105 miles of bicycle facilities and boasts the highest percentage of bicycle commuters in Texas (2.2%). The League of American Bicyclists has even designated College Station as a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community.

National Bike Month is an ideal time to reflect on how bicycling became essential in our community. Although we’ve only celebrated the observance since 2011, the city’s dedication began decades ago.

In 1975, the Brazos Valley League of Women Voters, the Environmental Action Council, …

For National Bike Month, College Station looks to improve bike safety

By Conner Beene | www.kbtx.com

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – On Saturday, College Station city leaders will hop on bikes and get out in the community during their Cycle With Council event.

City leaders will take a four mile ride in College Station with residents to hear from cyclists about what needs to be fixed to make them feel safer when they ride a bike.

“Our city is recognized as the Bronze level of the National Bicycle friendly designation and we’re trying for silver. Events like this look really great on that application as we try to show the nation that we are a bicycle-friendly community,” said College Station City Councilwoman Elizabeth Cunha.

The cycling community in …

The Bike Stop celebrates 40 years with ribbon cutting

by: Markeshia Jackson | www.texomashomepage.com

WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — For 40 years, The Bike Stop has been the one-stop shop for all things cycling in Wichita Falls.

In fact, their 40th anniversary was marked on Wednesday, May 3, with a ribbon cutting ceremony by the Chamber recognizing all the hard work the team has put in over the years to keep their customers’ wheels turning.

Employees said they’re excited to see the store around for another 40 years, too.

“People can depend on us to be able to get their bikes working and them back on the trails and roads and out there doing what they love to do, and they know that they can get out there and their bike is going to work,” Scott Stevenson with The Bike Stop said.

The Bike Stop is located at 2708 Southwest Parkway, so make sure you stop by and visit.

Northbound Dallas Pkwy closed (Panther Creek Pkwy – University Drive), Saturday Morning

www.friscotexas.gov

(May 4, 2023) Various intersections along Parkwood Blvd, Gaylord Pkwy, and Dallas Pkwy will be controlled by police officers and segments of northbound Dallas Pkwy will be closed Saturday morning, May 6, for the “Bike MS” bicycle ride. (See attached map.)

  • The ride starts at 7 a.m. at Stonebriar Mall and travels north on Parkwood Blvd, west on Gaylord Pkwy, and then travels north on Dallas Pkwy to University Dr (US 380) and beyond. The police department will be controlling the intersections along this route in order to facilitate the movement of cyclists through Frisco.
  • The northbound Dallas Pkwy frontage road will be closed between Panther Creek Pkwy and University Dr (US 380) between 6:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Northbound motorists should use the Dallas North Tollway or Preston Rd as …

May is National Bike Month Gators Let’s Get Biking

By Sheryl Taylor | news.uhd.edu

Did you know that Houston boasts 345 miles of biking opportunities from bike routes to shared lanes to multi-use paths?

Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Commute (H-GAC) Solutions’ Inaugural Bike Month is May 1 -31. The Bike Month Challenge is inviting workplaces and community members to swap cars for handlebars to improve their health and the environment.

How to participate:

Register. It’s totally free.
Ride your bike for 10 minutes or more. A ride around the park counts!
Log your ride online or do it via the Love to Ride app.
Spread the bike love by encouraging friends, coworkers, and family members to join.
Win great prizes!

Gators Let’s Represent UHD and UHD Police Department.! Visit the Love to Ride website to register today!

Southern Tier CoMotion

By Keith Misegades | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Almost everything today: El Paso. TX to Las Cruces, NM

Thursday May 4, 2023, 61 miles (98 km) – Total so far: 2,234 miles (3,595 km) Wow, you just never know what will happen during the day. This one was a little different.

My first goal of the day was to get to a bike shop by 8:30. I was on the road at 7:15 AM and only made it about 8 miles down the road where I was stopped by a train delivering railcars to a large business. The train would go forward, stop, then go backward, stop, go forward, stop, and repeat. This went on for about 30 minutes until the train went forward enough to clear the road crossing.

Once back riding I then encountered some road construction that funneled us down to one lane and while navigating the road, I nearly went down as I lost traction and the rear wheel slid sideways over a sandy spot. Somehow, I kept the bike upright. After this, I felt a squishy rear wheel. Yup, flat number 3 and I haven’t even made it 15 miles. I pulled off at a high school parking lot, took the bike apart and found a …

This is the school grounds where I fixed flat number 3

‘Excitement On a Well Beaten Path’ Southern Tier East to West

By S. Crocker ? | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Merryville LA – Silsbee TX

Thursday May 4, 2023 It was so comfortable and quiet in the cabin, I slept waayyy in and found the orb of the sun had just cleared the horizon when I looked out the door.

Rode through some beautiful Texas forest land, some agricultural, and dropped into Silsbee at an RV park that takes ‘tenters’. There’s a chance of rain overnight, so the purveyor of the park, Mrs Rita, let me set up under the Pavillion canopy. I got the best spot in the place, I think! Might drop in at the Honky Tonk Texas grill next door and try their special they have going on tonight. Crawfish, never had that before…

Memorial Park Speed Challenge Houston, Texas

Danny Dutton | strava.com

Marking and unmarking the course, talking to myself on race radio, and hunting for a game camera in the dark. All while NOAH wins third place in the B Group!

Texas Biking from Twitter

New Event Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Pinch Flats, Dog Chase, Tiny Truck Fire Engine, Strava Red Stars

Texbiker.net Posted on by

Got a late start on today’s bike ride after meeting a friend for lunch. After watching stage 4 of the La Vuelta Femenina and before meeting my friend I walked by my Cervelo Caledonia bike and squeezed the front tire like I do sometimes but this time it was very soft, flat!. I inspected the outside of the tire but couldn’t find anything sticking into the the tire. Removing the tube I pumped it up but it wouldn’t hold air. Rolling the tube through my hand while pumping I found the hole, about 1/8″. My guess it was from a sharp impact driving the tube into a spoke hole in the rim. I’ve hit a sharp object couple of times lately but no flat happened. I patched the tube, put it back in the tire and mounted it. Pumping the tire up as I got around 65 psi the tube popped. Removing the tube again I found a similar hole in another spot. I probably pinched the tube when I put it back in the tire. Rather than patching the tube I put a new tube in, checked that it wasn’t in danger of pinching and aired the tire up. No problem this time. Ready to roll when I got back from lunch.

Back from lunch I got ready and rolled out at 1:05 PM on my Cervelo Caledonia bike. With the later start I decided to ride the Atascocita – Walden – Huffman route to the south and east. Lately I’ve been biking the Atasocita – Walden – Spanish Cove Drive route for an extra mile in distance. It looks like the middle size white and brown dog has a home on Forest Village Drive at the start of the ride. You can see him in the video. Lots of barking and chasing. Today he got close to the right side of the bike. My concern is that he runs in front of me and I run over him. I did that once a number of years ago over by Crosby. I crashed and the dog ran to his yard as far from the road as he could get. Also I was riding holding the GoPro in my right hand and steering the Cervelo with my left. The crash would’ve not been good. Two options: avoid the street or not shoot video until I pass the area. I’ll try the second one for now.

Yesterday I was wondering what caused a Strava segment show up on my Bolt computer when I get near. I found out. Clicking on the star beside the segment name turns it on. To test that I clicked on several segment stars on today’s route before the ride. The segments came up when I got about 500 feet from the start counting down the distance and then putting a big “GO” on the screen. I sprinted on all of the segments I starred giving my legs a strong workout. I managed to set a PR on New HEB Alley (1:29) on one, the others I was not fast enough. I think I will need to shift to the big ring for more speed in the future. I used the 35×13 gears for all of the sprints. I haven’t done intervals on ride in several years. I do them on Zwift.

Weather: Start 78 degrees, 76% humidity, dew point 70, overcast, wind S 8 mph; Finish 80 degrees, 74% humidity, dew point 71, overcast, wind SE 13 mph. Arm sleeves and a short sleeve jersey for today’s ride.

In Tuesday’s video I mentioned a tiny truck fire engine along FM 2100. It’s in today’s video.

The recent ride history for the Atascocita – Walden- Huffman route shows a month since I last used it. I substituted the Atascocita – Walden – Spanish Cove Drive route when I rode that direction usually.

5-4-2023 SportTracks Recent Ride History Atascocita-Walden-Huffman
5-4-2023 SportTracks Recent Ride History Atascocita-Walden-Huffman