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Beaudet tests the new bike facilities

Annick Beaudet, the Bicycle Program Manager with the City of Austin in Department of Public Works, has written about her observations of the new facilities recently installed. …

It is my pleasure to write about my experience riding the new facilities recently installed as part of the City’s experimental bicycle facility study, in process and in partnership with the University of Texas Center for Transportation Research.

This past Sunday I headed out on an urban tour of many of our new bike lanes and of the new, experimental facilities. I’ll note that two of my fellow riders were beginner riders, so it was a perfect opportunity for direct input on how new bicyclists would react to both the new bike lanes and the other facilities.

We headed north from Barton Springs Road and Lamar Boulevard, through Town Lake Park, across the Pfluger Bridge, along the Town Lake Trail and the Lance Armstrong Bikeway to downtown. In downtown, we took the new Shared Lane Markings, or Sharrows, along Lavaca Street to Martin Luther King Blvd (where there are new bicycle lanes), to Red River Street, and then to Dean Keaton Street. On Dean Keaton, the green bicycle lanes made a positive impression on us all. Wow, what a difference. We headed north on Speedway to 43rd Street, experiencing the Bike Box at the intersection of 38th Street and Speedway (where we all made a bet of how many bicyclists travel through that intersection on a daily basis, the guesses ranged from 400 to 2750, UT will be giving us those counts at the end of the study, so stay tuned for the answer). Like the talk on local bicycle forum web sites, we also debated a few minutes as we waited for the light, on how to use the facility. We found that we all had different riding styles and behaved differently not only as we rode along the road, but also at intersections. It is my hope that with better facilities added to our toolbox in the United States, more bicyclists will begin riding, causing motor vehicle drivers to expect to see bicyclists in the roadway. Eventually everyone will get better at understanding how to share the road.

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I’d like to give a shout out to the staff in not only the Bicycle Program, but the Transportation Department (ATD), and the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD). Both departments have been working very hard this year to help our City to become more bicycle-friendly. With the assistances of PARD we will be piloting a mirror at the Shoal Creek Trail and Lance Armstrong Bikeway intersection, to further ameliorate the improvement made at that location recently.

In 2009 the City of Austin installed 20.7 miles of parking free bicycle facilities, more than doubling the 8.1 miles we installed in 2008. In the third quarter of 2009 alone we installed 8.5 miles of bicycle facilities exceeding the total for any previous year.

Last, but not least, I’d like thank TXDOT staff in the North District Office who recently made some incredible context sensitive improvement to the Barton Springs Road and Mopac area ( they extended the City’s bicycle lanes and added sidewalk along the frontage road from Barton Springs Road to RR 2244).

Have a wonderful winter, do some long rides in the cool weather, commuter more, enjoy the holidays, be safe, and let’s continue to work together towards a Platinum Bicycle Friendly Community.

Annick

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Latest comments

SaveNuecesStreet — again, the plan isn’t to deny car traffic, just to slow it down and maybe deter some of it. Maybe. The specifics are very much up in the air, and I’m sure you’ll have your chance to voice your objections to the

... read the full comment by Doug | Comment on Interesting cycling stuff from the Statesman Read Interesting cycling stuff from the Statesman

I own a small business on Nueces Street. So imagine how shocked and apalled I was to learn about this story in the news today. If the city closes down and/or deters vehicles from using Nueces Street, this will have a catastrophic economic impact on my

... read the full comment by SaveNuecesStreet | Comment on Interesting cycling stuff from the Statesman Read Interesting cycling stuff from the Statesman

I own a small business on Nueces Street. So imagine how shocked and apalled I was to learn about this story in the news today. If the city closes down and/or deters vehicles from using Nueces Street, this will have a catastrophic economic impact on my

... read the full comment by SaveNuecesStreet | Comment on Interesting cycling stuff from the Statesman Read Interesting cycling stuff from the Statesman

Hi bikemom,

I just want to be clear… I did NOT tell Jason he couldn’t commute! Jay, back me up here honey. I knew people were going to take it that way. He stretches things for comic purposes sometimes, y’all. :)

Our front

... read the full comment by MrsWhaley | Comment on Indoor bikes are happy bikes Read Indoor bikes are happy bikes

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Interesting cycling stuff from the Statesman

There’s lots of interesting stuff regarding cycling in today’s American-Statesman. Here’s some brief versions with links for the complete stories. …

BICYCLE BOULEVARD

The City of Austin by late spring plans to turn Nueces Street downtown into a “bicycle boulevard,” a two-wheel haven that would have still unspecified devices to slow down or even discourage car traffic on Nueces between Third Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Those devices could include so-called bollards, short posts spaced a few feet apart that would allow bicycles to pass through but block cars. The bollards could be placed every few blocks and would serve to make the street a throughway for bicycles only, while still allowing limited car access.

For the rest of this story, click here.

MANOR CLOSING ROAD TO CYCLISTS

MANOR - Avid cyclist and Manor resident Sajeewa Chandrasoma occasionally does group rides on Brenham Street, also known as Blake Manor Road. But soon, he won’t be able to.

Chandrasoma is among the local cyclists who oppose a City of Manor ordinance that prohibits bicycles on the road, arguing that bicyclists have rights, too. City officials, meanwhile, say the ordinance addresses concerns they had about safety and liability. “To me, it’s very discriminatory,” said Chandrasoma, adding that he has been on worse roads. “They just singled out cyclist.”

Chandrasoma showed up at a city council meeting Wednesday evening to protest the ordinance, but the meeting was canceled because there was no quorum.

Other bicyclists say the ordinance sets a bad precedent and the city is moving in the wrong direction.

The right direction, said Mark Stine, of BikeTexas, would be to put in place infrastructure, signs and education so that bicycles and cars can share the road.

“It ends up treating bicyclists as second-class citizens if they don’t have access to go where they need to go,” said Tom Wald, executive director of League of Bicycling Voters. “It’s a free country. It’s a public road.”

For the rest of this story, click here.

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A Cooter encounter in Creedmoor

Today while riding through Creedmoor on a beautiful fall afternoon, I encountered many things; a goat, a bunny, cows, white tail deer, wildebeest, an ostrage, black buck antelope, an angry German Shepherd, a white crane, several black caterpillars waiting to be squashed on the road and a Cooter.

At least that’s what was stitched on the oval patch clinging to his blue work shirt. I was enjoying a mid-ride snack of salted peanuts and a Gatorade outside a gas station when we crossed paths. He was proud of his rural roots, and through his thick Texas drawl he made it clear that anything other than work trucks was not welcome in his neck of the woods. “You gotta watch out for them bicycleeests,” he said. “They got no right on the road. I ain’t lyin’. They’s dangerous.”

He said it rather loudly to his buddy as they were walking into the store, and both giggled as they glanced at my outfit. It’s OK, I’m used to it. Roadies do look like dorks. This is especially the case in rural areas where jeans and boots are the dominate attire.

But what got me about this whole scene was they were cracking open beers as they were getting into the truck. And bicyclists are dangerous?

This has happened twice in Creedmoor. Now to be fair, most folks out there are friendly and welcoming. But every now and then, a Cooter rolls up and spoils the mood. But as roadies, we have to develop thick skin. If it’s not insults being hurled in our direction, then it’s beer cans or worse. Which is fine. Just don’t label me dangerous as you sip you Bud behind the wheel.

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A little bit of cycling history

It’s interesting to discover that the debate of cycling vs. other forms of transportation has been raging since at least the late 1800s. The New York Times recently published an article that looks back on the media’s bicycling coverage during the late 1800s, particularly it’s own column, The Gossip of the Cyclers. Many of the same issues still resonate today. …

Robert Center was speeding down Broadway, his head down over the handlebars, his body curved for minimum wind resistance. His eyes may have strayed from the path in front of him to the road beneath him, for a second, maybe longer, when suddenly and without warning, he slammed headlong into a coal cart and was killed.

His death, in the spring of 1895, sparked a debate about the behavior of cyclists in traffic. Some blamed Mr. Center for riding too fast, and others, including bike advocates like I. B. Potter, the local head of the League of American Wheelmen, accusing the larger, horse-drawn vehicles of dangerous behavior themselves.

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It was the height of a great bicycle boom in America. A century before City Room and its Spokes feature, The New York Times followed the debate over “scorchers” like Mr. Center and other local urban cycling news in a regular column known as Gossip of the Cyclers.

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Bike furniture rocks

I’ve found a way for my bikes to fit into the new design of our useless front room. I can incorporate furniture tastefully made out of old bicycle parts so my bikes look like they belong inside.

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That’s right, for the cyclist in your life who needs to feel close to the road even indoors there is good cycling furniture now available. Click here to enter. (Beware, this stuff ain’t cheep, and you cannot have just one piece of bike part furniture or it will look out of place)

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Indoor bikes are happy bikes

I keep my bikes indoors. They like air-conditioning. They seem to respond better after resting in a cool, dry environment. I’m not embarrassed to admit it, although most people who don’t bike act like I’ve been dropped on my head. Come to think of it, many who do ride still furrow their brow when informed of my bikes and their sheltered life.

I believe in taking care of the things I value the most. That’s why my wife and golf clubs also sleep indoors. They need protection from the elements. What’s the big deal?

So the bikes take up a little extra space and sometimes they have a little “greasy accident” on the floor when they tip over. It’s nothing a little Goo Gone cannot handle. It’s really no different than having pets in the house, except you don’t have to water or feed a bike. And you don’t have to change a litter box. You just have to love it and remind it to deliver you safely from time to time. Occasionally you have to lube the chain, but that can be done in the garage. That’s the one time they don’t mind being next to the cars.

See, a garage is a spooky place for bikes. Things rust in there. Carbon monoxide hangs in the air. And most importantly, the cars live in there. Bikes don’t like to be in such close proximity to those angry steel boxes with wheels. Vehicles powered by humans are the prey and those powered by gas are the predator. It’s like trying to keep your cat and dog in the same cage, there’s bad blood etched into their DNA.

My wife scoffs at all of this, but I have to cut her some slack because she doesn’t ride. How could she really understand? My bikes should have certain inalienable rights. And at the top of that list is the right to live peacefully in a home with proper ventilation, soft carpeting and no moisture. She has gracefully agreed to this for the time being. But I fear that when we finally decide to give our front room a makeover, the Great Whaley Bike War will commence.

I might even enact a writ of habeas corpus. But in the end, no amount of stalling or debating will change the outcome. My bikes could be forced into exile. As long there’s air conditioning involved, I’m OK with that.

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Green City Festival on Saturday

Just got the heads up from Nadia Barrera on this event tomorrow. This sounds like a good way to spend the day. Here’s the details. …

GREEN CITY FESTIVAL

What: A one-stop bonanza of environmental information wrapped in fun, music and hands-on activities for the entire family

Who: Hosted by ten City of Austin departments with environmental programs, including booths from an additional 20+ non-profits who partner with the City.

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Why: To answer all your questions on resource protection, conservation, gardening, and all things green

When: Saturday, November 14, 10 am - 3 pm

Where: Austin City Hall, 301 West 2nd Street

Cost: FREE! (including free parking at City Hall)

Details: A few of the many talks. …

Consumer Conservation

Gardening Tool Kit

Savvy Street Cycling

Build a Rainbarrel

Compost It!

High Tech Austin

For more information click here.

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The climber’s ride

Tour Das Hugel, I will conquer you. So there’s 14,000 feet of climbing, big deal. Who wouldn’t relish the chance to ride what amounts to Pikes Peak in one day? Maybe I’ve failed the Jester Tester, and I don’t have the classic climbers’ frame and I get dropped by fixes on simple risers and my scabs don’t heal right. Pfffft. I’m not scared.

I’ve got determination and and focus. My legs are beginning to churn with power again. Lung capacity is overflowing. I want this ride. I need this ride.

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And one of these days, I will actually do it. But not this year. When the hill on Robert E. Lee seems eternal, you better reconsider what’s attainable. Plus I’ve got the midsection of a fry cook at Waffle House. That ring of goo must dwindle for me to start attacking hills like before.

And let’s face it, this might be the most difficult ride in Texas. From everything I’ve heard and read, it’s hours of physical punishment. You have to finish the ride to get the T-shirt. It’s a badge of honor, much like the belt buckles earned by those who finish the Leadville 100 in a certain time. And many locals pine for the shirt which signals to the rest of us wimps that they are superior.

I’d be interested to hear from anyone who participates on Saturday. Let me know what it’s like so I can foster some motivation for next year. For more information, click here.

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Bicycle beats

We all know the bicycle is a tool for transportation. It is the most efficient machine ever designed for human-powered travel. Oh yeah, it also makes an incredible musical instrument. Who knew? Check out this video if you don’t believe. …

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Need a new avenue for cycling

The four most influential women in my life have spoken. They have decided that commuting to work via bicycle is not a good idea. In fact, one of the ladies has threatened to take my bikes away in the middle of the night if I pursue that transgression.

Mom is the most vocal and threatening. Wife is the most nervous. Maggie (dog) wants more time with master. Sissy (cat) doesn’t really care as long as I am in the house by her specified time.

I get it. I have also agreed to it. That doesn’t mean I like it. In fact, I had no idea how commuting on bike had regulated so many aspects of my life. I ate better (had to fuel properly to avoid bonk), I slept better (cycling makes you tired) and I felt better. It was also easy because I never had to think about exercising. I just jumped on the bike and went to work at the same time every day. Physical activity done.

Now is when the tough part happens. I don’t have that built-in time to ride every day. I’ve got to set aside time even though I might be tired or stuffy or insert excuse here.

Don’t get me wrong, I love to ride. But it sure makes it easier when you just get into that habit. It’s easy to let other things get in the way. But I’ve got to find a way. I’ve lost some strength and speed. And when you’re used to cycling at a certain level, anything less is not fun.

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The forkless bike

I’m all about applying unique ideas to the standard design concepts of the modern bike. It’s never a bad thing when people try things and have a little fun. Ideas like this aren’t about succeeding or failing, but creating something interesting. It looks cool, and you won’t ever have to worry about a failing fork, but I’m guessing it’s not the weapon of choice if you have sharp turns on the route.

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Bikes, part donation

This is a good place to get rid of any old bike parts, and it’s for a good cause. …

This Sunday, from 11am to 3pm, the new HOPE Farmer’s Market (E 5th & Waller) will be collecting bikes and bike parts for an amazing organization, C.A.C.I.T.A. If you or your friends have any unused bikes or bike parts, we can help ya’ll find an amazing home for them! Any help spreading the word about this is also greatly appreciated!

For more information, click here.

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Cold riding definition changes with location

It’s about to get cold out there. I know, cold is a relative term in Austin. But once your body gets acclimated to the heat in this part of the country, it makes 60 degrees feel like 40. I should know. Where I come from, snow and ice are part of the winter equation and temperatures below freezing are common place.

I lived in that type of climate for 29 years. Yet after only nine years in Austin, I’m not the biggest fan of riding in anything below 50. What a wuss. But riding in gorgeous weather for nine months out of the year will spoil even the most hardened yankee transplant. Not that I’m some pasty yankee, but I know several folks from the upper midwest who now live in Austin and they cannot stand “Texas cold.”

Luckily, it doesn’t take much to make your colder rides comfortable here. Just a couple of layers and gloves with fingers usually make it bearable.

I feel sorry for those poor cyclists in New York, Maine or Ohio. I sometimes think about them when I’m flying down the road on a warm, sunny day in November while they’re dodging ice and freezing their spandex off.

Or worse yet, how about those poor folks in Alaska. Riding up there requires gear, thick coats, adapted materials and an innate craziness that is not included in my DNA. Check this out. …

This is a preview for the film Fat Bike, which follows cyclists Josh Morehouse and Mike Morganson as they train in and around Anchorage, Alaska for the Susitna 100 race.

It looks beautiful, but I’ll take 70 degrees on Brodie Lane any day of the week.

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Free food and beer for volunteers

I got this from Bicycle Sport Shop’s Leslie Luciano, so let’s spread the word. …

Hello everyone. I just wanted to let you know that there will be an opportunity this Wednesday and Thursday evening for you to lend a hand to your local cycling community. Before you go and read all of the details let me go ahead and say… there will be free food and beer.

Bike Texas collected thousands of signatures around the state in support of the 3-foot passing law that the state legislature passed overwhelmingly, but then went on to be inexplicably vetoed by our finely coiffed governor. They need our help getting those names and addresses off of the petition and into a database so that there can be another strong push to get this passed next session.

What: Volunteering for 3 hours, entering names from petitions into a database. If you can’t do all three hours, come for an hour or two. Bring your own laptop if you can. If not, they DO have extra computers. The database is a web based system so ANY computer that has a wireless card will work.

When: Wednesday and Thursday November 4th and 5th from 5-8pm.

Where: Bike Texas Offices

1902 East 6th (6th and Chicon)

Austin, Texas 78702

RSVP: mail@biketexas.org (tell them you are from Social Cycling ATX)

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It’s getting scary out there

PEOPLE IN CARS, PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THOSE OF US RIDING BIKES. And another thing, the Safe Passing ordinance went into effect on Monday. The law requires drivers to give at least 3 feet of room while passing “vulnerable road users” including cyclists. Spread the word so maybe we can stop reading about these types of accidents (from The Blotter).

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

The Texas Department of Public Safety is asking for witnesses to help with the investigation into a collision this morning that injured a Cedar Park couple, one of them critically, while they were riding a two person bicycle

Angie Hughes, 31, was in critical condition this afternoon at University Medical Center at Brackenridge, according to DPS spokesman Lisa Block. Samuel Hughes, 47, Hughes’ husband, was in fair condition at Brackenridge.

Susan Madson, 54, of Cedar Park, the driver of a 2005 Dodge Stratus that collided with the bicycle, was not hurt, Block said.

The Dodge Stratus and the bicycle were southbound on Parmer Lane at Dallas Drive at 5:50 a.m. when the collision occurred, Block said. Accident investigators are trying to determine what might have caused the crash

No charges have been filed in connection with the collision, Block said.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Austin police have identified a 22-year-old bicyclist who was struck and killed Sunday morning on Texas 71 as Robert Mendez.

Mendez died about 4:30 a.m. after he was struck by a Nissan Pathfinder while riding in a highway exit lane near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Cpl. Scott Perry said.

Poor lighting at the exit might have made it hard for the driver to see Mendez, who was dressed in a black jacket and black pants and was riding a black bicycle without lights, Perry said.

The driver stopped after the crash and cooperated with investigators, Perry said, and no charges are expected to be filed. The case, however, remains under investigation.

Anyone with information about Austin’s 55th fatality of the year is asked to call 974-4742.

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Heavy Metal ride a fast blast

I knew I wasn’t in very good shape. I’d been off the bike for a while in recuperation mode (thank you South Austin Hospital for the sling and good drugs). So it was time to test just how far I had fallen from fitness. I needed something that would reveal how riding the couch and eating chocolate cake for two months could destroy a year’s worth of pedal pounding.

I had other obligations for the past few days, which for a late night working guy means none of the usual early morning rides. I found out about the weekly Heavy Metal Fitness Ride on Monday nights. It sounded pretty good. Lots of different bikes, people, riding styles, etc. And the bonus, it’s supposed to be fast.

I arrived on the Lamar Pedestrian Bridge around 7:15 p.m. I felt a little out of place sporting a race bike and spandex shorts. Most of the early arrivals were sporting fixed-gears and street clothes. But soon, there were other race bikes, so I didn’t remain the only roadie dork in the crowd.

After talking to a couple of the regulars and observing the scene, I thought I would do just fine on this ride. One guy’s seat stay was broken at the seat tube. Another dude had a touring bike loaded down with gear. Some other guy had a hybrid with fat tires. There was also this skinny girl riding a fixed. How fast could this group really be?

I found out within the first 10 minutes. These people weren’t messing around. From the word go it was like everyone was bolting a crime scene. I’m used to idle chatter and spinning for the first couple of miles. Not this bunch. They blasted down Cesar Chavez pedals blazing.

It was kind of cool flying through the streets at night with a bunch of strangers. That is until we reached the hills between Lamar and the Barton Creek greenbelt. I knew my gut and lack on conditioning would hinder my efforts on this part of the route, but many in the group had no derailleurs. Surely I could grab a wheel and hang on.

They all flew away on one of the steeper hills. All I could see was blinking red lights fading into the distance. My breathing was labored. My legs burned. I was cooked. It was just the first part of the ride, but it was over for me.

I hung my head in shame and silently rolled back to my car. I had lost my mojo, but not the desire to gain it back. It will take more time on the bike, and a little more dedication. I will be back, people of the Heavy Metal Fitness ride, and I will get dropped again. Just don’t expect it to be so soon next time.

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Bikes provide the platform for change

It’s good to challenge yourself. Maybe not all the time, but if you don’t at least once in a while then ruts are sure to deepen.

You know, the ones that sink life into mind-numbing routine. I’ve seen it happen to good friends. They quit listening to music made after 1993. They would rather go to the same restaurants and order the same meal every time. They become soft, physically and mentally. Things become too easy. And at some point, life loses its flavor.

I don’t ever want to become that person, which is why I try to tackle an epic challenge every year. It doesn’t have to involve cycling necessarily, but that seems to be the direction it’s been heading lately.

I completed a century in Maryland two years ago in less than six hours and gave up driving my car to work last year (and lost 25 pounds in the process).

For 2010, I want to ride a mountain bike from Durango, Colo. to Moab, Utah in less than a week. The crazy part is I had never ridden a mountain bike until Sunday.

It’s something folks had been pushing me to try for the past several months. I resisted because I love road bikes so much. But I’ve never been one to get too comfortable and thought it might be a nice alternative.

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So I went down to Bicycle Sport Shop and rented a full suspension Specialized Stumpjumper for the afternoon. I rode down Barton Springs and entered the greenbelt via Zilker Park. I had been warned about the rock gardens and the rookie mistakes that can lead to nice shiners, but I wasn’t scared. Then I came across a path full of gnarly limestone, rising to various heights to bring down the unexperienced.

I got a little tentative and lost speed. Bad call. I kept hitting the taller stones and stopping. The ride became more about jumping off and pushing. I tried to figure out why this was supposed to be fun.

I was sweaty and tired and hadn’t made much progress. I came to another long section of rocks and decided that I was either going to stay on the bike or write this sport off altogether. I gripped the bar and pounded the pedals and flowed right over those mini-boulders of doom. As a roadie, my instinct is to avoid the tiniest pebble in the way, but I began to trust the big wheels and suspension.

It was fantastic. I couldn’t believe that I had never tried it. I kept riding over those rock gardens again and again, each time getting faster and more comfortable.

After one ride, I am now hooked. I will also soon be broke again. But the folks at the shop understand. They all smiled and nodded when I described the experience. They too have epic adventures and challenge themselves mentally and physically. And from what I’ve experienced, it’s hard to live a monotonous life when you ride.

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Halloween bike fun

There are a ton of great parties, rides and events involving two wheels this Halloween weekend. If I didn’t have that pesky work thing, you would probably catch me at several of these places. Here’s some of what’s on tap for this weekend. …

SATURDAY

Roll Beyond Coal Bike Rallies Across Texas. Austin Rally

1pm: Gather & Register at City Hall

1:30pm: Rally at City Hall, hear from City Councilman Chris Riley and other community leaders

2-3pm: Hop on your bike (or take the pedestrian route) for the self-guided clean energy tour around Austin.

3-5pm: Social Gathering organized by Transmission Entertainment at the Ghost Room, downtown Austin

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Ride of the Zombies

7:30 PM, Cafe Mundi, 1704 East 5th St.

The Austin Bike Zoo will be organizing this ride with a stop to watch fireworks and a final stop at the Zombie Ball.

The Bizarro Duathlon

The Bizarro Duathlon is a reverse duathlon, so participants will bike, run, bike. This is a great opportunity for the strong cyclists to strut their stuff! Second, you are invited (but not required) to race in costume. Those who do will be rewarded with cool prizes! Besides, it’s Halloween, you might as well race in costume, right?

SkelliCyclists Halloween Ride

This will be our first Halloween ride. It will be around 12 miles with a few hills, and we’re now starting a little earlier than the previous rides, at 1 pm, so we can all have time to relax and prep for true Halloween night festivities. We’ll have one stop at around the midway point at the Draughthouse Pub near 45th and Medical Pkwy. After a little refreshment there, we’ll take a tour through the east side and loop back toward the city ending at Dog and Duck Pub.

Halloween Alleycat benefiting the Austin Yellow Bike Project.

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If you’re up early enough, the Tour de Gruene will be kicking off down south. Click here for details.

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Learning the track stand

Since I do a lot of riding in town, that means plenty of stops and starts. And since my clipless pedals are of the one-sided entry variety, I don’t like to click in very often. I always feel like I am holding up traffic while I fumble around trying to get my foot engaged. I have also scored some nice shin bruises during some of those hurried acts. It’s not good.

The best solution beyond buying some double-sided Speedplays is working on becoming a master track stander. I’m pretty good at staying upright while barely moving, but when I come to a complete stop, I have to clip out. Here’s a video that will give you the basics, but trust me, you’ll want to practice in a safe place with nobody around to laugh. You will fall over a few times.

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Legos are the star of the show

I like Legos. I like cycling. I like not being hit by a car. I like not running red lights. This is a good public service announcement, check it out. ….

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Speed Vest

I have found a product called the Speed Vest. It illuminates your mph on the back of the vest so motorists can tell how slow you are. According to the website, here’s what’s supposed to be good about this invention. …

  • Increases awareness of the bicyclist and bicycling as an efficient way of getting around

  • Educates drivers about overtaking bicyclists safely

  • Illuminates that an average person can easily bike 10-15 mph

It’s an interesting idea, but I could see where this device could lure a driver’s attention too close. While trying to read the flashing numbers, a veering car could make your vest read 0 with a quickness. Also, most vehicular traffic is moving way faster than 10-15 mph. I think it might just hack off drivers knowing there is an object in the road traveling slower than the flow.

You know how road rage sometimes starts. Person gets behind wheel. A pesky stoplight or slower moving object impedes said person from getting to the grocery store in record time. Person loses mind. Irrational actions follow. Bad things to all involved.

I’ve seen it plenty on Austin streets. Why do people feel the need to reach their destination with no time to spare? The freshest milk won’t get sold out. Your child can wait at soccer practice for a few minutes longer. The dry cleaners won’t toss your clothes.

OK, I’m digressing.

This could also be a beacon of humiliation. I’ve got some friends who would have no problem calling out my less-than-stellar speeds as they fly past. I don’t need to give people more ammunition. Either way, it’s an interesting invention. And one I won’t be sporting any time soon.

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It was one of those nights. Dreary. Rainy. A bit cold. I had ...

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