Home > Fit City > Archives > 2009 > May
May 2009
Real Ale Ride Rocks
My ragged team of cycling buddies sweated up and down some luscious Hill Country rollers this morning during my new favorite cycling event - The Real Ale Ride.
Honestly, what could be better than cruising around Central Texas on a bike for 50 miles, then rolling into a brewery parking lot for beer, BBQ and ice cream?
Nothing.
Which is why this morning’s ride with husband Chris, Charlie McCabe of the Austin Parks Foundation and none other than Mr. Road Rash himself Jason Whaley was so much fun.
Top 5 things about the ride?
Crossing the cool, clear Guadalupe River.
Smooth, low-traffic Hill Country roads.
Drafting off my husband for about 35 miles
The screamin’ downhill where Chris hit 46 mph (and I squeezed my brakes to death)
Pickle juice for all. (Just kidding! I hate pickle juice. Does anyone like that stuff?)
Here are some scenes from the ride:
![band].jpg](http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/shared-blogs/austin/fitcity/upload/2009/05/real_ale_ride_rocks/band%5D.jpg)
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Win a trip to watch Lance in France
How does a trip to Paris to see Lance Armstrong race in the Tour de France sound?
I thought so.
The Lance Armstrong Foundation is giving away round trip airfare for two and lodging with a view of the Eiffel Tower in its first ever “See Lance Race in France” sweepstakes.
The trip will be July 19-26.
To enter, you have to make an $11 contribution to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. (That marks Armstrong’s 11 Tour appearances.)
To enter, go to www.livestrong.org/lancechance. Deadline to enter is June 11 and the winner will be notified on June 17.
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Ranking Austin’s fitness
Guess where Austin falls on the latest fitness poll, this one by the American College of Sports Medicine’s American Fitness Index?
Ninth place.
That makes it the highest ranking Texas city on the list. Dallas is next closest, at 35th place. San Antonio comes in 39th and Houston is 41st.
The Washington, DC area topped the list. Minneapolis-St. Paul and Denver came in second and third. To see the whole list, go here.
Austin ranked 19th on community/environmental indicators related to the built environment, recreational facilities, park-related expenditures, physical education requirements and primary health care providers. It ranked fourth on personal health indicators related to health behaviors, chronic health problems and health care.
Huh?
All these lists are so subjective! How can you rank a city’s fitness, anyway?
Austin could definitely use more parks, but have you ever checked the trail around Lady Bird Lake? Packed with walkers and runners, especially on the weekend. We should get bonus points for that.
Then again, our bike infrastructure could use some improvement and we’ve got lots of Tex-Mex food and beer joints. Slash a few points there!
Thoughts, people?
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Gearing up for Real Ale Ride
Yahoo! It’s packet pickup time for the Real Ale Ride, which I’ll be doing Saturday out in Blanco.
Haven’t registered yet? You can still sign up for $65 at packet pickup, from 3-6:30 p.m. today at Bicycle Sport Shop Central, Lamar Boulevard and Barton Springs Road, or at the event site in Blanco on Saturday morning.
I’ve never done the ride, but expect it to be hot and hilly. I’ve signed up for the 50-mile route, but 15, 30, 65 and 80-mile options are also available.
I’d do a longer ride, but then it would take too long to get to the barbecue, beer and music at the finish. I’m also thinking of sneaking over to nearby Blanco State Park afterward to hop in the river. It’s one of my favorite places to swim!
A few notes from the organizers:
- Parking will be available near the brewery at 231 San Saba Court. Look for signs and volunteers who will guide you to the appropriate area.
- Arrive no later than 7 a.m. Waves will start lining up at 7:15 a.m., and the 80-mile group will depart at 7:30 a.m., followed by the shorter-distance groups.
- Hydrate! Bring your own water bottle. In an effort to be a green event (yay!), organizers we will not hand out water bottles, although NUUN tablets and Pickle Sport Juice will be available at aid stations.
- Cut Off: 80-mile riders must be at rest stop 4 by 10:15 a.m. to continue or will be diverted to 65 mile route. No shame in taking the shorter route — this is a hilly ride.
- A Specialized Cross Trail bike will be raffled off at noon. Tickets are $5 at packet pickup.
- Music starts at noon Saturday, with entertainment by the Piney Grove Ramblers and Cooper’s Uncle.
- Upgrade for $75 to the Premier Package (which includes a special food line, port-o-lets and keg) through Friday at packet pickup.
- For more information go to http://www.realaleride.com/.
- The biggest event of the weekend is the Trek Women Triathlon at Walter E. Long Park at Decker Lake. The half-mile swim, 12-mile bicycle ride, and 3.1-mile run/walk gets underway at 7 a.m. Sunday. You can still register at the packet pickup and expo between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday at the Travis County Expo Center, 7311 Decker Lane. For more information go to www.trekwomenstriathlonseries.com.
- The Austin Angelfish, the local synchronized swimming team, will present its annual water show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Town Lake YMCA. Admission is free (donations gladly accepted). The 22 team members range in age from 9 to 18 years old. They will swim all of their competitive routines.
- The Blondes vs. Brunettes Powder Puff fund-raiser benefitting the Alzheimer’s Association is set for 2-4 p.m. Saturday at House Park, 1301 Shoal Creek Blvd. Tickets are $20 at the door. Fifty blondes and 50 brunettes will play a full-length football game with real referees. For more information, go to www.alz-austin.org.
- Roll 2 Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery and South Congress Athletic Club celebrate the grand opening of their expanded facilities at 1109-B S. Congress at 6 p.m. Saturday. Roll 2 Walk is a non-profit recovery center for people with spinal cord injuries. Festivities will include food, beverages, and live music followed by a silent auction to benefit Roll 2 Walk. Open to the public.
- Forklift Danceworks will host an ‘80s Prom Nite fund-raiser from 7-11 p.m. Sunday at Union Park, 612 W. Sixth St. Tickets are $30 per person or $55 per couple in advance at www.forkliftdanceworks.org or $35 per person at the door.
- Whole Foods, Sixth Street at Lamar Boulevard
- One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road
- City Hall Plaza
- Bike Texas, 1902 E. 6th St.
- Mellow Johnny’s, Fourth at Nueces streets
- Wheatsville Coop, 3101 Guadalupe St.
- Bicycle Sport Shop, 517 S. Lamar Blvd.
- Freewheeling Bicycles, 24th St. and San Gabriel
- Orange Bike Project and Longhorn Po-boys, Speedway between Dean Keeton and 21st St.
- The Peddler and Texas Culinary Academy, 119 E. North Loop Blvd.
- Shoal Creek Boulevard at Far West right of way (across from Northwest Park)
- Music City Cycles, 6301 W. Parmer Lane, No. 504
- El Chilito, 2219 Manor Road
- Course overview by members of the local race management team, 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on the stage.
- Inspirational Race Day Preview by Sally Edwards, designated last-place finisher of the triathlon, 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. on the stage.
- “Roadside Repairs and Cycling Tips,” noon and 2 p.m. adjacent to the stage.
- Timing chip and strap
- Swim cap
- Bike helmet with race number attached
- Running shirt with race number attached
- Small backpack marked with race number
- Small towel
- Footwear
- Fix-a-flat kit and bike pump
- Sunglasses
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Cell phone
- A plan to meet your friends and family
Who out there has done the ride? What can I expect? Are you doing it this year?
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Lance (the dog) watches Giro d’Italia
Check out this dog. Yep, he’s sporting a yellow jersey, his name is Lance and he’s hanging out at Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop in downtown Austin.
Lance (the dog, that is) made an appearance last night at the shop’s Giro d’Italia watching party. A small crowd tuned in as Lance (Armstrong, the cyclist) finished 10th in the 17th stage of the race, 1 minute and 59 seconds behind stage winner Franco Pellizotti. (Check the latest race report here .) The Austin cyclist and seven-time Tour de France winner remains in 12th place in the race, which ends May 31.
Heart of Texas Lab Rescue took in Lance (the dog) after he was attacked by three pit bulls earlier this year. Ray Hebert, of the rescue group, introduced the sweet, fluffy dog to the race-watchers, and explained that he needed $3,000 of surgery after the attack. He’s healed now, with a glossy coat and bright brown eyes, but needs a loving home.
“He needed a name that would bring him strength and courage to go on,” Hebert told the crowd.
Lance (the dog) seemed to approve of the festivities. He may even have gotten a taste of the Italian-themed snacks.
If you’re interested in adopting Lance (the dog), go to http://hotlabrescue.org/. (Not sure if the yellow jersey is included.)
Heart of Texas Lab Rescue is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization that saves Labrador Retrievers from shelters, pounds and abandonment and places them in caring homes.
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Cyclist hit last Thursday still alive
I’ve gotten several calls and emails from folks who think the 22-year-old cyclist who hit a car in downtown Austin last Thursday night has died.
He’s still alive, according to Austin Police on Wednesday. They are not releasing the injured cyclist’s name.
Witnesses said the cyclist ran a light and collided with a vehicle at the intersection of Fifth and Nueces streets. He was taken to University Medical Center at Brackenridge.
Folks, it’s important to obey traffic laws.
A motorist who runs a light and crashes might not get injured. Chances are a cyclist who does the same will.
Ignoring traffic laws also turns otherwise understanding motorists into anti-cyclist rabble rousers.
I know, I know. Motorists disobey laws too. It doesn’t matter. Let’s do what we can to promote good cyclist-motorist relations.
And best wishes to the injured cyclist.
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Win fitness freebies!
I’ve got some more freebies for you.
To win, you must do TWO things — post your name here and email your name, snail mail address and which book you prefer to pleblanc@statesman.com. I’ve just got one copy of each, so you have to be quick!
Here’s what I’ve got now:
“Tina Vindum’s Outdoor Fitness,” a cool guide to exercising in the great green outdoors; “Overachiever’s Diary,” which tells the story of how the Army Triathlon Team became better swimmers and includes tips on how you can improve your swimming, by Louis Tharp; and “Age is Just a Number,” by Dara Torres, the first American woman to swim in five Olympic games.
I’ve also got a couple of Tshirts with various logos. Let me know your size.
Remember - Post your name here and email me your address.
Ready, set, go!
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The Great Travis Trek
While you were lounging around drinking beer and eating queso last weekend (OK, so maybe it was just me), a team of six swimmers led by Austin swim coach and sports psychologist Keith Bell were churning up the miles of Lake Travis.
Bell, along with Robert Alford, Lynne Smith, Chuck Wiley, Dave Barra and Chris Derks, swam a six-person relay from a point near the north end of Lake Travis to the south. They swam to raise money for Swimability, which funds scholarships that pay for City of Austin swimming lessons for underprivileged children, and to promote open water swimming and clean water. To donate go to www.greattravistrek.com.
Because of the drought, the team couldn’t get their boat safely all the way to the top of the lake. They swam what was swimmable — 54 miles from a point below Starke Dam to Mansfield Dam — in 18 hours and 35 minutes. They swam through the night, in one-hour rotations.
Bell coaches Team Texas, the swim team I train with. This morning, he shared tales of the over-night adventure. At one point, the swimmers had to get out of the water and wait 3 hours while thunderstorms passed. They were able to nap on a large support boat that accompanied them, and were guided along the way by kayakers and spot lights.
Together, team members hold numerous world and masters national swimming records. Smith and Derks also swam across the English Channel.
Bell hinted that the event could become an annual race.
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Heading to Selah Bamberger Ranch
I’m heading to Selah Bamberger Ranch Preserve in Blanco County today to learn more about why the ranch has received the 2009 Leopold Conservation Award for Texas.
J. David Bamberger, 81, bought the ranch nearly 40 years ago after making his fortune in the fried chicken business. He deliberately went looking for the “worst ranch in the Hill Country,” so he could show how overgrazed and damaged land could be restored by removing invasive trees and replanting native grasses.
I’m especially interested in the newest project at the ranch - low stone berms on hilltops to capture rainwater, and the ranch’s artificial bat cave.
I’ve heard about the ranch for years. Now I’ll get to see it in person.
Look for my story in the Statesman in upcoming days.
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Witnesses say cyclist hit by car ran light
Witnesses say a cyclist who collided with a car in downtown Austin last night ran a red light.
The 22-year-old cyclist was critically injured in the wreck that happened about 10:15 p.m. at the intersection of Fifth and Nueces streets. He was taken to University Medical Center at Brackenridge.
This makes me nuts. Every time I ride my bike to work, I see cyclists blowing through stoplights. I know it’s tempting to roll on through, but if for nothing other than improving relations between cyclists and motorists, bike riders should stop at every light and every stop sign.
A motorist who hits another car after running a light might not suffer any life-threatening consequences. A cyclist who collides with a car probably won’t be so lucky.
Oddly, the accident occurred just as the City Council was wrapping up a discussion about the city’s proposed new Bicycle Master Plan. Dozens of cyclists showed up for the meeting, voicing their support for improved bicycle infrastructure throughout the city.
I wonder if the cyclist had attended the meeting.
Pay attention, folks.
And keep the injured cyclist in your thoughts.
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Witnesses say cyclist hit by car ran light
Witnesses say a cyclist who collided with a car in downtown Austin last night ran a red light.
The 22-year-old cyclist was critically injured in the wreck that happened about 10:15 p.m. at the intersection of Fifth and Nueces streets. He was taken to University Medical Center at Brackenridge.
This makes me nuts. Every time I ride my bike to work, I see cyclists blowing through stoplights. I know it’s tempting to roll on through, but if for nothing other than improving relations between cyclists and motorists, bike riders should stop at every light and every stop sign.
A motorist who hits another car after running a light might not suffer any life-threatening consequences. A cyclist who collides with a car probably won’t be so lucky.
Oddly, the accident occurred just as the City Council was wrapping up a discussion about the city’s proposed new Bicycle Master Plan. Dozens of cyclists showed up for the meeting, voicing their support for improved bicycle infrastructure throughout the city.
I wonder if the cyclist had attended the meeting.
Pay attention, folks.
And keep the injured cyclist in your thoughts.
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CapTexTri packet pickup details
Attention triathletes … it’s race weekend, and the water’s perfect.
Water temperature in Lady Bird Lake is a pleasantly cool 68 degrees, according to Rick Margiotta, co-director of the Capital of Texas Triathlon.
Packet pickup for the 19th annual race is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at the CapTexTri Sports Fitness Expo at Palmer Events Center downtown.
The race has officially sold out, with more than 2,700 age group athletes and 65 elite and professional athletes on the roster. If you missed signing up, you’ve still got a shot at racing. Go to packet pickup at 6 p.m. Sunday. Any pre-registered athletes who do not show by 6:30 p.m. or have dropped out will forfeit their packet and those waiting can enter in their place.
If you can’t get in as an athlete, consider volunteering.
For more information, go to www.captextri.com.
This year’s triathlon benefits the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project, which provides adaptive equipment, sports training and travel accommodations to combat veterans severely wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. For more information, go to www.dsusa.org.
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Cattle drives and safari tents
I’m back!
I just returned from a couple of days on the hoof, trying my hand at herding cattle on a ranch near Hillsboro, and then staying in a safari tent at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center near Glen Rose.
The Beaumont Ranch, where I donned my boots for a mini-cattle drive, and Fossil Rim, a drive-through wild animal park that does a lot of conservation work, are only about an hour apart, so I blended two trips into one. I’ll be writing about both experiences in upcoming travel stories.
I got the whole pseudo-Texas experience at Beaumont Ranch, where I spent the night in what looked like a movie front for a Western film. The room, called the Yellow Rose, was part of a fake cowboy town where you can stay overnight. Our room had a clawfoot bathtub and a toilet that worked by yanking an overhead chain.
The next morning, I climbed aboard a horse named Montana. We joined the ranch wrangler and another cowgirl in the west pasture, yipping and whooping to round up about 50 head of longhorn. Honestly, it didn’t take much. They bunched up and let us steer them to the east pasture with no problems. I guess I was secretly hoping for a stampede.
After that we headed to Fossil Rim, where we spent a couple hours driving the 9-mile paved road through the park. The highlight? The giraffes, which reached their long slender necks into the sun roof of our car in search of alfalfa pellets. Did you know giraffe tongues are more than a foot long? And blue!
That night, we stayed in the park’s safari camp. We were the only ones there, and sat on chairs sipping wine and watching a herd of addax, a type of antelope with long, sharp horns, drink at a watering pond adjacent to our compound. As the sun went down, we could hear two of the addax clashing horns and bellowing.
The next morning, we took a behind-the-scenes tour, where we learned all about the park’s conservation efforts. Fossil Rim has special facilities where cheetah and attwater prairie chickens are bred.
An amazing place!
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More on anti-cycling op-ed piece
My friends and I celebrated Bike to Work Day last Friday by meeting downtown after work for conversation and snacks. (It also happened to be my birthday, which I think is pretty appropriate.)
Besides being a great day to pedal around town (and drop by Teo’s for some pistachio gelato —- yum!), it happened to be sentencing day for convicted bike thief James Clayton, who marked the day with a four-year prison sentence.
Finally, on Friday the Austin American-Statesman published a rebuttal to an anti-cycling article written by local contributor Cindy Stone.
Here’s the rebuttal, by Lane Wimberley, Rob D’Amico and Chris Trickey:
Austin can reap the benefits of being bicycle-friendly Rob D’Amico, Hill Abel and Chris Trickey, LOCAL CONTRIBUTORS Friday, May 15, 2009
On Thursday the City Council will consider an update to Austin’s Bicycle Master Plan, an ambitious and worthy effort that aims to increase the number of bicyclists and make riding safer.
Of primary importance is the plan’s increased efforts to educate the public about bicycling facilities. Public education is crucial, particularly since we have seen recent attacks on the city’s efforts, such as the commentary from Cindy Stone (“Bicycle friendly” should be a two-way street, Friday, May 08, 2009). The article—an inflammatory rant against bicyclists’ efforts to have car-free bike lanes on Exposition Boulevard—contained numerous unsubstantiated statements and falsehoods regarding Exposition and other city projects to increase safety for cyclists in Austin. Contrary to Stone’s claims, the restriping of Exposition to remove parking from bike lanes was a resounding success and a model for balancing the community’s needs. Many residents in the area supported the plan, including the neighborhood association, and the result was car-free bike lanes on a key transportation corridor that still preserved parking on one side of the street for residents (including parking in front of Stone’s house). The plan also added some much needed on-street parking adjacent to a middle-school playfield.
Stone’s contention that bicyclists should carry an ID so that “police can identify their dead body” is crass and only perpetuates the attitude that bikes just need to get out of the way. You may feel that way sometimes riding in your car, but the fact remains that more and more bicyclists pour out on to the streets every day, because it’s an enjoyable, healthy and quick way to get around town. Shoving bikes off to the side just won’t work anymore, so a more sensible approach is to use well-thought-out strategies like those in the Bike Plan update to make things smoother and safer for all of us.
Why do we need bicycles? Simply, they are an extremely economical way to meet many of our city’s goals for a higher quality of life with environmental protection, increased mobility, recreational opportunities and better health.
The Bike Plan update builds on the original plan passed in 1998 and is a comprehensive look at strategies to increase the number of people using bikes for transportation and recreation by providing better facilities like bike lanes, bikeways (on street and separated paths), bike boulevards (streets designed for heavy bicycle use), bike parking and much more. Barriers to bicycle commuting, such as getting past major highways or through more dangerous sections of roadways are key issues addressed, and the plan also outlines goals for how many trips we would like to see taken by bicycle—primarily for commuting—in the coming years.
Projects included can be as big as an extension to the Pfluger Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge to get bicyclists across Caesar Chavez Boulevard and a bike bridge on MoPac over Barton Creek, or as small as extending bike lanes on a particular street. New strategies like “sharrows”—shared lane markings stenciled on the road that encourage better positioning for bicyclists and cars when sharing the right lane—are included, as are many other new ideas, such as Bike Sharing, which are popping up in cities nationwide.
Finally, the plan includes a lengthy list of recommendations from the Mayor’s Street Smarts Task Force, a group of bicyclists, engineers and other stakeholders that met last year to help increase the viability of all modes of transportation, but particularly with an emphasis on bicycle safety. To gain additional input, the city has conducted several open houses, public meetings and reviews by boards and commissions in the past two years leading up to Thursday’s City Council meeting.
So you don’t even ride a bike? This plan is still a big plus for you. In addition to the benefits outlined above, by creating better facilities we help keep traffic moving by providing separate facilities for bikes, which are usually slower than cars, or we can establish clear expectations for when bikes and cars are to share the road. Knowing what to expect and being aware of the rights and responsibilities of all road users are key to avoiding conflicts and crashes between motorists and bikes.
Austinites can work together to make Austin a world-class bicycling city while still balancing the needs for all modes of transportation. We encourage you to find out more about the Bike Plan update at www.cityofaustin.org/bicycle, and at the sites for the key advocacy organizations in town: The League of Bicycling Voters (www.lobv.org), the Austin Cycling Association (www.austincycling.org) and the Yellow Bike Project (www.austinyellowbike.org).
Rob D’Amico is president of the League of Bicycling Voters. Hill Abel is the owner of Bicycle Sports Shop. Chris Trickey is a cyclist.
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Your weekend fitness lineup
Another full slate of fitness fun this weekend:
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Mellow Johnny’s Juan Big Breakfast Ride
Here’s a new twist to the usual Bike to Work Day free breakfast station …
Mellow Johnnys, at Fourth and Nueces streets, is sponsoring the Juan Big Breakfast Ride.
Visit as many Bike to Work Day stations as you can between 7 and 9 a.m. Friday, May 15. At each location, take a digital photo of yourself with enough detail so it’s obvious where you are.
The ride is all in fun, so ride safe and take the time to thank the station volunteers.
Make your way to Mellow Johnny’s or The Peddler Bike Shop by 9 a.m. to submit your photos. The male and female at each store with the most stops wins.
Mellow Johnny’s is doing a few other things for bike commuters on Friday:
Free breakfast locations:
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Bike to work, get skinny
Need more incentive to ride your bike to work?
According to Trek Bicycle Corporation, the average person loses 13 pounds their first year of commuting by bike.
That’s a lot of crawfish ettouffee, coconut cake and fried catfish — all of which I indulged in during a recent visit to Louisiana.
But wait, there’s more.
Just 3 hours of biking per week, Trek says, can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke by 50 percent. Think how happy you’ll make your doctor (and family) by pedaling more often.
Other reasons to bike, also from Trek?
Forty percent of all car trips in the U.S. are made within 2 miles of home.
Sixty percent of the pollution created by autos happens in the first few minutes of operation, before pollution control devices can work effectively.
The U.S. could save 462 million gallons of gas a year by boosting bicycle trips just half a percentage point: from 1 percent to 1.5 percent of all trips.
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Trek Women Triathlon is Sunday
Just four days until the Trek Women Triathlon Series kicks off in Austin on Sunday. Are you ready?
The race is at Walter E. Long Park at Decker Lake, and consists of a half-mile swim, 12-mile bicycle ride, and 3.1-mile run/walk. Registration is still open at www.trekwomenstriathlonseries.com. Entry is $75 for individuals or $145 for relay teams. (Women who have lost their jobs race free.) For more information, call 1-877-221-9665.
Packet pickup and expo is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 16 at the Travis County Expo Center, 7311 Decker Lane. Attendance is required and a valid photo ID must be presented. All relay team members must pick up race materials together.
Several presentations are planned at the expo:
The expo will feature sponsor and exhibitor booths, free product samples, giveaways and special sales.
Things to remember on race day:
If you’ve got questions, post them here and I’ll get the answers.
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Free fitness books!
I’ve got a stack of books taking up space on my desk. Time to give some away!
To win, you must do TWO things: Post your name here, and email your snail mail address and first, second and third choice book preferences to pleblanc@statesman.com.
I’ve got one copy of each of the following books: “Chi Running” by Danny Dreyer; “Enlightened, How I lost 40 Pounds with a Yoga Mat, Fresh Pineapples and a Beagle-Pointer,” by Jessica Berger Gross; “Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen,” by Christopher McDougall; “The Knockout Workout,” by Mia St. John; “The Belly Off! Diet,” by Jeff Csatari; “Heart of the Game: Life, Deaht and Mercy in Minor League America,” by S.L. Price; and “The Alternate Day Diet.”
Remember — Post here AND email me.
Good luck!
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Rebuttal to anti-cyclist article
My jaw dropped when I read an opinion piece by local contributor Cindy Stone in the Austin American-Statesman a few days ago.
It was full of misinformation, ignorance and the kind of close-minded I’m-better-than-you attitude that makes me want to load my bike into a truck and move someplace like Portland, where people “get” cycling as a lifestyle. (Read Stone’s complete article here: http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/stories/05/11/0511stone_edit.html).
I believe that motorists and cyclists can co-exist peacefully. But to do that, we need infrastructure that cuts down on bike-car interaction, lots of education, and a population that understands the benefits of riding bikes.
Stone claims that the city’s Bike and Pedestrian program has fanned what she calls “biker wars.” I’d suggest that she’s done that herself, with her spiteful column.
The city’s proposed new bike plan will go before the City Council on May 21. I hope it passes.
Stone’s columnbounces from point to illogical point, never explains what projects she’s referring to, and makes personal attacks on cyclists. It’s also crass. I got knots in my stomach when I read this sentence from her column, suggesting that cyclists be required to carry ID cards: “That way, when some unsuspecting driver runs them off the road, police can identify their dead body.”
And that’s not fanning the flames?
Drivers who are courteous, follow the law, don’t speed and pay attention shouldn’t have a problem with killing cyclists.
Bicycles are vehicles, and they have as much right to the road as cars and trucks and SUVs. Cyclists are also taxpayers, and as such have paid for our roadways.
Motorists who gripe about cyclsts running stop signs or making illegal maneuvers can’t ignore the fact that motorists run stop signs and make illegal maneuvers too. Yes, some cyclists break the law. So do some motorists. (For more information about bike laws, go to http://bicycleaustin.info/laws/tx-bike.html.)
Stone also suggests that the city “Adopt a PR program that emphasizes a two-way street, not merely pushes motorists out of the way to favor bikers.”
She thinks that the city favors cyclists over motorists? Really?
It’s attitudes like these that make it clear why the League of American Bicyclists recently ranked Texas 36th out of 50 states in its annual U.S. Bicycle Friendly state rankings. (See the whole list here: http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/bicyclefriendlystate/rankings.php).
Maybe Stone needs a little stress relief. Might I suggest a bike ride?
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Paddlefest is Saturday!
I’m traveling at the moment - checking out plantation homes along the Mississippi River in Louisiana for future travel articles - but wanted to let you know about a fund-raiser for the Texas River School on Saturday, May 9.
The fest will include paddling, music, dancing, an auction and more to support the school. It will take place at the Texas Rowing Center, 1541 W. Cesar Chavez St.
Kids attending the Texas River School learn about issues relating to their upcoming day-long river adventure. That includes river safety, planning, and healthy food choices.
For more information call 467-7799 or go to www.texasrowingcenter.com.
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Louisiana plantation homes
The air is so thick and steamy here in Louisiana that I looked like I jumped in the nearby Mississippi River after I finished a quick 3-mile run this morning.
I used to think Austin was humid. Ha! Welcome to Louisiana!
I made the 8-hour trip to Baton Rouge yesterday. Today, I’m checking out some of the old plantation homes along the river for an upcoming travel article. On my list? Oak Alley, Nottoway and Laura plantations.
Some of the majestic old homes now operate as bed and breakfasts. I’m staying the night at Nottoway, which was named because it’s made of wood that doesn’t have knots in it. (At least that’s what my husband, who grew up in this area, tells me. I’ll find out for sure later today.) Then I’m sneaking down to New Orleans to eat beignets and raw oysters while I’m in the neighborhood.
I always try to squeeze in at least a little exercise whenever I’m traveling. Running is usually easiest - toss in a pair of running shoes and shorts, and you’re good to go. Of course, I never travel without a swimsuit, so if I find a lap pool I can burn some energy there, too.
Now if I could just get rid of the humidity!
What are your secrets to staying fit when you’re traveling for business?
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Gilbert Tuhabonye honored
Gilbert Tuhabonye, head of the Gilbert’s Gazelles running group, just snagged another award.
Gilbert’s an amazing guy. Take one of his training classes and you’ll not only run, you’ll dance to African drums, run with a giant rubber band around your waist and dash down the track with a weighted ball over your head. Somehow he makes all of this fun.
Here’s are some details about the award:
Kansas City, Mo. (May 5, 2009) - In recognition of everyone who goes the fistance to overcome life’s challenges, on May 13, 2009, Kansas City-based Assurant Employee Benefits will present its Shining Star of Perseverance award to former NCAA All-American runner and best-selling author Gilbert Tuhabonye. Through incredible perseverance, Tuhabonye has overcome the effects of an unimaginable atrocity and severe physical injury, to lead a successful life and inspire others.
Born to a Tutsi tribe farming family in Burundi in east central Africa, Tuhabonye grew up in the midst of the centuries-old war between the Tutsi and Hutu tribes. In October 1993, members of the Hutu tribe invaded Tuhabonye’s high school and captured members of the Tutsi tribe, including Tuhabonye, following the assassination of Melchior Ndadaye, a Hutu and Burundi’s first elected president. The captives were beaten and then burned alive in a building near the school. Tuhabonye, the only survivor, escaped after more than eight hours inside the burning building, where he had been buried beneath the corpses of his friends.
Tuhabonye first came to the United States in 1996 as one of the select members of the International Olympic Committee’s development training camp gor athletes from developing nations. In 1999, he was recruited as a runner by Abilene Christian University in Texas, where he earned All-American honors six times while completing a bachelor’s degree.
Today, Tuhabonye is the award-winning coach of Gilbert’s Gazelles, a training group consisting of hundreds of dedicated runners of all skill levels, as well as a best-selling author. Tuhabonye shares his life story in This Voice in My Heart, a testament to the triumph of the human spirit.
In 2006, he co-founded the Gazelle Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) charitable foundation with the mission of improving life for people in Burundi and offering education assistance to children in Austin, Texas, where Tuhabonye lives with his wife and two daughters.
Tuhabonye will be the seventh recipient of the national Shining Star of Perseverance award given annually to honor those who have made a significant recent contribution toward demonstrating perseverance through disabling illness or injury.
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My latest shoe crush
Is it wrong to love my new running shoes so much? And for such shallow reasons?
Yes, yes, I know that Karhu’s new Strong Ride was named the “Best Debut of 2009” in the Runner’s World’s spring shoe guide. But that’s not why I love it.
I love it’s color scheme. Check out my new treads in the picture above, taken this morning. (Like the tattoo? Yes, it’s Pooh.)
Blue the color of the sky, only richer and thicker, like a melted crayon. Or maybe a robin’s egg. Even the laces are blue! And yellow stripes so lemony they make you pucker just looking at them.
The color bowled me over, but it’s the stability features of the shoe that clinched the deal. I need a shoe with good support, and the Strong Ride delivers.
It’s also super light. And breathable, too, with meshy panels on the sides.
Karhu (it means “bear” in Finnish) launched the Strong Ride in March. In Austin you can buy the brand at Rogue Equipment, 500 San Marcos St.
According to the Runner’s World review, the StrongRide fits true to size. The carbon midfoot bridge helps smooth the transition from heel-strike to toe-off.
Karhu shoes are made in Finland.
Interesting note: The brand is almost 100 years old. About 50 years ago, the owners of the company sold their three-stripe trademark for two bottles of whisky, according to company lore. The buyer? Adidas.
Must have been some good booze!
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Running into summer
It was tough training for the Austin Marathon in February. After it was over, I let out a giant sigh of relief.
I’m used to swimming a lot, but running is outside my comfort zone. I was frustrated by a tweaked calf muscle and irritated IT band, too.
But after taking a couple of weeks off from running to let my legs rest, I jumped back into it — but at a level that fit my lifestyle more comfortably.
That means weekend runs of 8 to 12 miles, and the occasional half marathon.
Half marathons … what a reasonable distance!
You can train for them without consuming your life. You’re not completely exhausted after a weekend run, and can reserve some quality time for things like boating and biking and swimming gardening — and hanging out with the husband and friends.
I ran the Zooma Half in April, and loved it. I’m going to pick a few more to do in the next year.
That’ll keep me focused as we head into what I consider the hardest time of the year to run — the wretchedly hot days of June, July, August and September.
I ran with my friend Marcy on Saturday. We started at my house in Allandale, ran up Shoal Creek a bit, dipped in and out of the neighborhood and then worked our way south. We ended up on the Shoal Creek Hike and Bike trail near Pease Park for a stretch, then circled back to Bull Creek Road and headed north again.
Ten miles. Perfect.
After I got home, I still had plenty of energy to take the boat out on Lake Austin.
How is your fitness schedule changing as we head into summer?
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Gladiator starts Austin bootcamps
I had coffee with Ally Davidson, an Austin native and winner of last season’s “American Gladiators” reality show.
You may remember her as the woman who tried out for the show on her wedding day. Even her parents and future husband didn’t know until after the fact. They forgave her, though, when she nabbed the $100,000 prize by topping the women’s field.
Since the show, Davidson has turned her 15 minutes of fame into a new career, launching a fitness bootcamp in Dallas. Now she and husband Jeff are moving back to Austin and expanding their Camp Gladiator business here.
Davidson, 25, who played basketball, volleyball and softball and ran cross country at Westwood High School, then went on to play basketball at Old Miss and Texas State universities, managed not to toss sandbags, pump iron or wrestle once during our meeting at Jo’s on South Congress Avenue.
We did, however, talk about what it was like to throw down with a cage fighter named Crush. (In a word? Scary!)
She credits her win on the show to agility and speed, something she worked hard on in the weeks leading up to the competition. Now she’s teaching others the same skills through her camp. It’s all about high-intensity training for short periods of time. It includes lots of timed drills, and plenty of variety.
“No more slow jog on a treadmill,” is how she puts it. Davidson promises she’s not a drill sergeant, and says everybody in the program pushes themselves to their own limit. It’s a challenging atmosphere with lots of group competition.
“It plays on people’s pride,” she says. “Adults get competitive and want to do well.”
The camps are held outdoors, in a park or parking lot. It’s a full-body workout for all ages and fitness levels. Multiple hour-long sessions are offered at six locations around Austin. The program costs $150 per month for unlimited classes. Those who return for a consecutive camp get half off.
Camps start May 18 at Austin High School, Westenfield Park, The Quarries lake, Steiner Ranch, Hill Country Bible Church and the Arboretum. A kids summer camp will also be offered this year.
Register online at www.campgladiator.com.
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Lady Bird Lake paddling trail
This from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department:
Downtown Austin Paddling Trail to be Launched May 6
AUSTIN, Texas — One of the jewels of Austin’s urban green space is about to get brighter. Lady Bird Lake will be officially recognized as the 18th Texas Paddling Trail in a ceremony Wednesday, May 6, at the Texas Rowing Center adjacent to Austin High School.
Lady Bird Lake (formerly known as Town Lake) is a major recreation area for the city of Austin. Its banks are bounded by the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail, and numerous local businesses offer easy access to the water via canoe, kayak, rowing and other recreational watercraft services along the trails. Additionally, Austin’s largest downtown park, Zilker Park, the Splash! Exhibit, Nature and Science Center and the Botanical Gardens are adjacent to the lake, and Barton Springs Pool, a major attraction for swimmers, flows into the lake.
The Lady Bird Lake Paddling Trail is approximately 11 miles long and features multiple public access sites and recreational opportunities. The Lady Bird Lake Paddling Trail provides an excellent venue for the novice and experienced paddler alike.
“The Texas Paddling Trail program is designed to create access for paddlers on waterways throughout the state,” said Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Nature Tourism Coordinator Shelly Plante. “We want all Texans, as well as visitors, to realize that life’s better outside. The Lady Bird Lake Paddling Trail creates wonderful outdoor opportunities for everyone and it’s right here in our state capital.”
“The Lady Bird Lake Paddling Trail is 100 percent accessible to 100 percent of our population, we’re proud of that,” said Sara Hensley, City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department director. “What a wonderful way to recreate in our beautiful city.”
Because the lake is located on a regularly scheduled Capital Metro route, it provides a great urban getaway for everyone, especially young families on a budget.
“Imagine a young family getting on a bus, renting a canoe and paddling up to Barton Springs Pool, having a refreshing swim, a quick lunch at the snack bar, a ride on the Zilker Zephyr and then a paddle back and a bus ride home,” Hensley said. “That’s a `vacation’ that children will truly remember and it’s affordable, accessible and a healthy outdoor activity.”
Several kiosks with paddling information, a map of the paddling trail and suggested routes will be placed at access points around the Lake.
For more information on the Texas Paddling Trails program, please visit the TPWD Web site.
For more information go to www.tpwd.state.tx.us/paddlingtrails.
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Part of Zilker playscape closed
This just in:
For immediate release
May 1, 2009
The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department has fenced off a portion of the Zilker Playscape, closing it to the public because of safety concerns. Independent foresters and the Parks and Recreation Department’s Urban Forester have identified a tree in this portion of the playground as “highly susceptible to failure.”
The area is heavily used by children visiting the park at 2100 Barton Springs Road.
The fence will remain until a comprehensive and thorough assessment of the tree has been completed.
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Pedaling to work … Snakes in a Creek
In honor of the first day of Bike Month, I pedaled to work this morning.
I try to ride my bike to work once a week. I’ve got an easy commute — it’s about 8 miles each way, most of it on the Shoal Creek Hike and Bike Trail. I live in Allandale, near RM2222 and Loop 1, and the Austin American-Statesman offices are at Congress Avenue and the river. I’ve got trails or bike lanes nearly the entire way.
Two snake spottings highlighted this morning’s ride. The 2-foot slithery critters were swimming in the creek about half a block apart, south of Ninth Street. Also, an osprey landed in a tree along the creek. (Note to self: Never to swim in Shoal Creek.)
It’s like “Wild Kingdom” out there. Over the years, I’ve seen owls, nutrias, snapping turtles, swans, blue herons and one freakishly gigantic (seriously, the size of a dinner plate) frog.
Official Bike Month activities get under way today, starting with a Kick-Off event at City Hall Plaza, 301 W. 2nd St., from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The City’s Neighborhood Connectivity Division, along with the Austin Commuter Challenge, Austin Cycling Association, Bicycle Sport Shop, Bike Texas, Capital Metro, the Political Pedal, Austin Police Department and the City’s PE Department Program are hosting the festivities.
Another important day to remember? Friday, May 15, is Bike to Work Day.
I want to see everyone out there! I’m already planning to swing by for the free breakfast at Whole Foods downtown location.
Ride your bike! It’s fun, you get your daily exercise in the time you could be stuck in traffic, and it takes cars off the road.
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