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August 2009
Marathon study: Run more to ease heart stress
A friend pointed out an interesting study of heart health in marathon runners that came out of Harvard University a few years ago.
The study found small abnormalities in heart structure and function of men and women who ran the Boston Marathon. Read more about the study here.
The lead researcher, a cardiologist and marathon runner, recruited 60 marathoners with no history of heart disease. The runners underwent blood tests and sound imaging before and after the marathon.
The tests showed signs of heart stress, but no evidence that heart cells died from the run. According to the study, some of the runners’ heart chambers had difficulty refilling after pumping blood out. They also showed abnormalities in pumping blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs. Heartbeats increased by 40 beats a minute.
Interestingly, the problems showed up most often in runners who spent the least time training. Those who ran 45 miles or more a week had fewer signs of heart stress than those who ran 35 miles a week or less, according to the study.
It’s a good reminder with the Austin Marathon less than six months away. Train wisely!
What do you think?
To register for the Austin Marathon, go here.
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Water ski, then work
A couple of mornings a week, I zip across the surface of Lake Austin on a water ski.
It’s a habit I picked up five years ago. When I turned 40, I decided to learn how to run a slalom course. A friend, a former state champion water skier, spent the summer teaching me how to zigzag through the series of buoys on a single ski. You have to be aggressive and fearless, but by the end of that summer, I finally did it.
I liked it so much that my husband and I bought a used Ski Nautique and now take it to Lake Austin most Tuesday and Sunday mornings.
Starting a workday by jumping into the water and whizzing down the river behind a boat is bliss. I’ve had a black swan flap just overhead, I’ve watched blue herons fishing on docks, I’ve seen big fish leap out of the water. Between sets, we stop the boat and soak up the early morning beauty.
We ski for an hour or an hour and a half, put the boat back on the trailer and head to work. I’m at my desk by 8:30 or 9 a.m.
This week, we took out Ryan Whaley, a media relations representative for Breckenridge Ski Resort. He’s used to skiing on snow. Or in a very cold reservoir in Colorado, where he likes to water ski. But he was in Austin to meet with journalists, and we offered to show him how we ski in Austin.
When he jumped in to Lake Austin, a smile spread across his face. “It’s like a hottub!” he hollered.
He’s used to lakes with water temperatures in the low 60s, and Lake Austin’s been really warm lately. Whaley’s good, too. He grew up water skiing, and has competed in his home state of Ohio. Watching him scream across the wake behind the boat was like watching a sharp knife slice through butter. At high speeds, of course.
That’s him in the shot above, cruising beneath the Pennybacker Bridge as the sun comes up. That’s me getting ready for a run, below. And my husband Chris, handling boat duties until it’s his turn in the water.
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Fitness freebies!
I’ve got some more freebies to give away. To win, you must do TWO things: Post your name and why you deserve the book on this blog, and email your snail mail address to me at pleblanc@statesman.com.
Here’s what I’ve got:
- “Power Up: Unleash Your Natural Energy, Revitalize Your Health and Feel 10 Years Younger,” by Woodson Merrell
- “Muscle Medicine, The Revolutionary Approach to Maintaining, Strengthening, and Repairing Your Muscles and Joints,” by Rob DeStefano
- “Alpha Male Challenge, The 10-Week Plan to Burn Fat, Gain Muscle & Build True Alpha Attitude,” by James Villepigue and Rick Collins
- “Lose the Belly Flab” by Tracey Mallett (a DVD)
Please specify which book or DVD you prefer. I’ll pick winners in a few days. Good luck!
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Barton Springs isn’t so cool
So, what’s the temperature at Barton Springs these days?
It’s sure not 68 degrees. If it was, I wouldn’t look quite so comfortable in the photo above, taken yesterday when I was interviewing a hydrogeologist about variations in temperatures at the spring-fed pool.
Turns out the water coming out of the main spring at the pool has been hovering closer to 71 degrees.
In fact, that 68 degree number may just have been randomly selected in the 1970s because it sounded refreshing.
Are you a regular Barton Springs swimmer? How does the pool feel to you?
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City to consider safe passing resolution
Earlier this year, Gov. Perry vetoed legislation that would have required motor vehicles to give bicyclists and other vulnerable road users a 3-foot berth when they pass. Now the city of Austin is considering an ordinance that would do the same thing.
The City Council will discuss the item at Thursday’s public meeting. Interested parties can sign up at City Hall now to speak about the issue at that meeting. If you have questions about how to make sure your voice is heard, contact Nadia Barrera, the Bicycle/Pedestrian Project Coordinator, at 974-7142.
You can also register your support or opposition to the resolution without speaking by signing in at the kiosks at City Hall, 301 W. Second St.
Eighteen other states — including our neighbor Louisiana — have similar safe-passing laws.
Perry’s veto to the state legislation came as a surprise to many in the cycling community, especially since the governor is a cyclist himself.
Texas law already requires a “safe driving distance” between vehicles and bicycles, but does not specify how far apart they must be. There were 315 bike-vehicle crashes in Austin last year, one of them fatal, according to police.
For more information, go here.
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New bike lanes
More progress to report, bike commuters!
We’ve got new bike lanes on Anderson Lane between Burnet Road and Lamar Boulevard, created by putting the street on a “lane diet” and squeezing an extra 5 feet out for cyclists. That’s the new lanes in the photo above, which looks eastbound on Anderson Lane from Burnet Road.
Lots more infrastructure is in the works, too, according to Nadia Barrera with the city of Austin Bicycle/Pedestrian Program.
Perhaps the biggest is the sweeping improvements planned around the University of Texas campus. Here’s what Barrera reports:
“The existing bicycle climbing lane on Martin Luther King Boulevard will be extended to bicycle lanes on both sides of the roadway from Pearl Street to Red River Street. Crews will also improve the crossings of Guadalupe Street at MLK Boulevard by extending the bicycle lane through the intersection southbound all the way to 17th Street.”
Reverse angle (back-in) parking on Dean Keaton Street will give motorists pulling out of a parking space a better view of approaching cyclists. It will also add to parking capacity. And bicycle lanes on Dean Keaton Street from San Jacinto Boulevard to Manor Road will improve connectivity to existing bicycle lanes on Red River Street and Manor Road. On Dean Keaton, the bikeway will be separated from the vehicle area by a “gore area,” — essentially painted diagonal lines.
Gore-separated bicycle lanes are also planned on part of a stretch of Amherst Drive between Duval Road and Parmer Lane, which will undergo a road diet to make space for bike lanes.
“We know that beginner and child cyclists may feel more comfortable on protected bicycle lanes and we hope that this facility will allow for increased use of the roadway by new cyclists and families in the area,” Barrera reports. “This project modifies the roadway to include a left-hand-turn lane and bicycle lanes.”
Summit Elementary, located on Amherst Drive, will participate for the first time in Bike and Walk to School Day in October. To get your school involved, too, contact Barrera at nadia.barrera@ci.austin.tx.us.
Another pending project is a bike lane on Davis Lane from Escarpment Boulevard to Corran Ferry Drive.
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Zilker’s Great Lawn is open!
Too bad I had to put my shoes back on. It felt awfully good to patter around barefoot on the Great Lawn, which re-opened today at Zilker Park.
The place looks like a golf course! I plopped down on the ground to fully enjoy it. Moments after the ribbon cutting at 11 a.m., a bunch of dogs showed up, including one that chased around a radio-controlled plane.
The 46-acre swath of parkland has been closed for nearly a year as it underwent $2.5-million in improvements compliments of C3 Presents, which puts on the Austin City Limits music festival each year. Representatives of C3 thanked Austin’s music lovers for coming to the festival and ultimately making the park improvements possible through a public-private partnership.
A new irrigation system draws raw water from Lady Bird Lake, which city parks officials say will save the city $300,000 versus sprinkling the lawn with treated water.
The turf is resilient, and will hold up to heavy traffic, they said. It’s first test will come soon, at this year’s ACL fest Oct. 2-4.
In the meantime, get out there and enjoy!
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Upcoming fitness events!
And now, your upcoming fitness activities:
- Deep Eddy Mile — The American Swimming Association presents the eighth annual Deep Eddy Mile — 53 laps in a cool, spring-fed pool — at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22 at Deep Eddy Pool, 401 Deep Eddy Ave. Proceeds raised from pledges will benefit Swimability, which provides swimming lessons for underprivileged kids in the city of Austin Aquatics program. Entry is $46. For more information go to www.adultswimming.com.
- Bat Fest Ride — Bicycle Sport Shop will host a costume parade and bike ride from its shop on South Lamar to Bat Fest on Congress Avenue at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22 . Prize for best costume. For more information go here. http://bicyclesportshop.com/page.cfm?pageid=1485
- Butler Community School — Class cards for the Butler Community School, 501 W. Third St., are 15 percent off regular price from Aug. 24-29. Use the same class card to attend an array of classes, including ballet, hip hop, hula and yoga. For more information, call 476-9051.
Looking ahead:
- YWCA Fund-raiser: YWCA Greater Austin presents An Austin Nite for All Austinites from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 at Hickory Street Bar & Grill, 800 Congress Ave. The fund-raiser will include live music, food, drinks and prizes, plus a buffet dinner. Cost is $15 for adults, $7.50 for kids ages 3-12, and free for kids under 3. For more information go here www.ywcaaustin.org.
- Capital of Texas Open Water Swim — Organizers of the Capital of Texas Triathlon will host open water swims of 750 meters, 1,500 meters and 1.2 miles starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 at Festival Beach. Entry fee is $40 for one event, $55 for two, or $65 for all three. The event is USA Triathlon sanctioned. Non-USAT members must purchase a one-day license for $5. The 2009 CapTexTri Volunteer Appreciation Picnic will start at 11 a.m. following the races, with food, drinks, music and door prizes. For more information go here www.rbsportsllc.com
- Back to School Bash — Dr. John’s Sports Center, 1800 Clover Lane in Cedar Park, will host a free back-to-school bash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 29. The purpose? To raise awareness of how physical activity and good nutrition can increase academic performance. The event is open to families and will include demonstrations and exhibitions by local semi-pro sports teams, basketball, football, volleyball, baseball, a wacky run, relays, cooking classes and taste testing. For more information, call 259-7545.
- World Championship of Texas 3-on-3 Swimming Tournament — The American Swimming Association will host a three-person team swimming tournament starting at 9 a.m. Sept. 6 at the Jewish Community Association of Austin pool, 7300 Hart Lane. A portion of proceeds from the double-elimination tournament will benefit Swimability. Each round will consist of seven races — freestyle, butterfly, backstroke, individual medley, breaststroke, medley relay and freestyle relay. Entry is $90 per team by Aug. 26; late fee afterward. For more information go here. www.adultswimming.com
- Free Day of Yoga — More than a dozen yoga studios all over Austin will participate in the Free Day of Yoga on Monday, Sept. 7. All types of free yoga classes will be offered, including classes that focus on strengthening the core, yoga for children, yoga for pain management and yoga for cancer survivors. For a complete schedule, go to www.freedayofyoga.com.
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Honoring Kevin Underhill
An obituary for Kevin Underhill, the cyclist who died after a crash at The Driveway Austin Thursday Night Race Series, ran in today’s paper.
Read it here.
I’ve heard from many cyclists who were touched by Kevin. Several wanted to know how they could honor him.
Please note this from today’s obit:
“In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Washington Trails Association (http://wta.org/), Friends of Enchanted Rock (www.friendsofenchantedrock.com), and Texas Organ Sharing Alliance (www.txorgansharing.org).”
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Finally, Desperate Housewives camp
As a kid I dreamed of summer camp and all it meant — hanging out in a cabin with buddies, toasting marshmallows over a campfire, swimming in a lake and riding horses.
I didn’t even care if it meant mosquitoes or lack of air conditioning!
As it turns out, camp isn’t just for kids. This October, Balcones Springs Fitness Retreat and Spa near Marble Falls is hosting a three-day retreat for women dubbed Desperate Housewives.
Only this camp is even better than the summer camp of your childhood. It includes margaritas, for one. And salsa dancing. The cabins are much nicer than you probably remember, and so is the food.
You can have a massage, take a t’ai chi class, ride a zipline across a spring-fed lake, or take in a movie outdoors, under the stars. There are Adirondack chairs to warm, guest speakers to listen to and bonfires to enjoy.
And yes, horses to ride.
Sign me up!
The weekend starts at 1 p.m. Friday and winds up after lunch Sunday. Organizers even thought of packing a healthy to-go dinner for participants to take home to their families the last day. No worries about cooking once you get home!
Three-day fitness packages start at $400; spa/fitness combo packages start at $550. Meals are included. To sign up, call 830-693-6639.
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Austin’s new front lawn!
Oh boy! Friday we’ll get our first chance to run our bare feet through that cushy soft expanse of grass at Zilker Park.
What’s being called The Great Lawn has been closed for nearly a year as crews regraded, sodded and installed an irrigation system at the park. The improvements are being funded by donations from C3 Presents, producers of the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
The new 46-acre lawn is extra heavy duty turf that should hold up better to the intense traffic it gets during the annual music festival. The irrigation system draws water from Lady Bird Lake.
An opening ceremony is planned for 11 a.m. Friday.
I’m planning to enjoy a few somersaults and cartwheels over there. Maybe I’ll flop on the ground and make snow angels, without the snow. Perhaps I’ll nibble a blade or two of grass. Imagine — no stickers, no dust!
I’ve attached a few Statesman staff photos here — one from the ACL dust bowl a few years ago, another from when they put down the sod, and one from just this week.
How will you celebrate the city’s new front lawn?
BEFORE:
A YEAR AGO:
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Break-in at Deep Eddy closes pool
Deep Eddy Pool, 401 Deep Eddy Dr., is closed this morning due to a break-in.
Someone shattered a window and broke into a safe in the manager’s office at the spring-fed pool, according to Tom Nelson, head of aquatics at the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Nelson was unsure how much cash was taken, but said it was more than $150.
Police were at the scene this morning, checking for fingerprints.
The pool should reopen by noon, Nelson said.
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Cyclist dies after crash at The Driveway
UPDATE at 5:51 p.m.:
By Pamela LeBlanc Austin American Statesman
Week after week, Kevin Underhill stood on the sidelines during The Driveway Austin Thursday Night Race Series this summer and watched the cyclists race past.
He peppered race organizer Andrew Willis and other cyclists with questions about bike racing. Thursday, Underhill, 40, decided to try the race himself for the first time.
A few laps into the criterium, held on a twisting, closed-circuit paved track east of U.S. Highway183, Underhill apparently crossed wheels with another cyclist in the back of a pack of about 40 bikers and was thrown to the ground. Two other riders went down in the crash but weren’t injured.
Underhill was taken by ambulance to Brackenridge Hospital, where he underwent surgery for critical head injuries. He was removed from life support and died Sunday.
“Even the physicians say it was one in a million tragic accident — they never had anyone die from a 25-mph bike race,” said Carla Underhill Norris, Underhill’s sister.
Underhill was the youngest of nine siblings and grew up in Seattle, where he had climbed and biked since he was 12. He worked as an electrical engineer at National Instruments in Austin until he retired 12 years ago. Since then, he spent much of his time traveling the world to bike and climb. He had spent months cycling across Europe and Japan, and was planning another trip to China.
“He lived his life going 90 mph, he just did,” Norris said. “He was extremely generous, he would do anything for anybody.”
Norris said her brother never wore a bike helmet — a sticking point with her. “(The Thursday race) was the one time he wore a helmet,” she said. “It saves 99.9 percent of people, but at the velocity he hit the ground, it wouldn’t have mattered if he had a helmet on or not. It was that intense an impact.”
Friends remembered Underhill as an avid rock climber nicknamed Chalkfather who was just getting into competitive cycling.
Rick Sladewski, who summited Mount McKinley and mountains in Ecuador and Mexico with him, described him as a patient, natural teacher who wasn’t easily rattled. “If someone wanted to join the group and were new climbers, we would turn them over to Kevin. I called him our safety officer. You had to adhere to Kevin’s rules for double checking harnesses and everything … He also had a grim determination to get to the summit.”
Christina Jeskey, who climbed around Austin and Mexico with him, said Underhill liked to play games, mentor students, study foreign language and train a lot, sometimes loading heavy sacks of rice into a pack and climbing stairs to prepare for an upcoming adventure. He was also known for his careful use and re-use of things.
“He had a pair of those travel pants with zip-off bottoms, and when he wore holes through the knees he just reversed them and switched legs so the holes were in the back,” Jeskey said.
Underhill was still riding the same bike he bought 19 years ago. His family teased him about it, but he’d replaced nearly everything on it but the frame.
This summer, Underhill had been riding weekly with the Lake Travis Cycling Club. “He was a rider who had a sort of contagious enthusiasm that made everyone want to go longer, harder and faster, and he will be missed,” said James Ezell, president of the Lake Travis Cycling club.
Minna Miller, who knew Underhill through rock climbing, says he had raced his bike in several time trials this summer, and was excited to race his first criterium at The Driveway.
Accidents happen frequently at The Driveway Thursday Night Race Series, which is in its fourth year, but are rarely serious. In the 22 weeks of racing this year, an ambulance was called one other time — for a broken collar bone. Of more than 3,500 race starts this season, three racers suffered broken bones, Willis said.
Holland Racing took over management of the series, which runs March to October, this year. The course is certified by USA Cycling. Cyclists pay $20 to compete. Underhill raced in the Cat 4/5 division, for least experienced racers.
“It’s a strong reminder that it’s a dangerous sport and I think people forget that,” Willis said.
A private funeral will be held in Seattle; a memorial service is being planned in Austin. Underhill’s organs have been donated.
“He died doing exactly what he loved,” Norris said. “There aren’t very many people who can say they did everything they wanted to do in life, but he did.”
pleblanc@statesman.com; 445-3994
The family photo above was one of Kevin’s favorite. It was taken during a recent cycling trip to Japan. He studied Japanese before the trip.
Earlier:
UPDATE from the sister of Kevin Underhill, who died after crashing during The Driveway Austin Thursday Night Races:
Carla Underhill Norris, Underhill’s brother, said the death was nobody’s fault. “Even the physicians say it was one in a million tragic accident — they never had anyone die from a 25-mph bike race.”
Underhill was the youngest of nine siblings and grew up in Seattle, where he had climbed and biked since he was 12. He attended the California Institute of Technology, where he earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering. He worked at National Instruments in Austin until he retired 12 years ago.
“He had such a drive to see the world. He just loved to be in nature,” she said. “He lived his life going 90 mph, he just did. He was extremely generous, he would do anything for anybody and it was just a tragic accident.”
He once rode his bike across Europe, and returned in October from another long cycling trek in Japan. He was planning his next cycling trip to China.
In all those trips, Norris said, her brother never wore a bike helmet — a sticking point with her.
“(The Thursday race) was the one time he wore a helmet,” she said. “It saves 99.9 percent of people, but at the velocity he hit the ground, it wouldn’t have mattered if he had a helmet on or not. It was that intensive an impact.”
She said he still rode the bike he bought 19 years ago. “He pretty much replaced everything on that bike 20 times or more,” she said. “The only thing that was the same was the frame. We teased him about it.”
Underhill’s organs have been donated and will affect the lives of at least 10 people, she said.
“He died doing exactly what he loved. There aren’t very many people who can say they did everything they wanted to do in life, but he did.”
Earlier:
Kevin Underhill, the cyclist injured in a crash during The Driveway Austin Thursday Night Race Series, died Sunday after he was removed from life support.
Underhill had been coming to The Driveway for two or two and a half months to watch and ask questions about the races, according to race organizer Andrew Willis.
“He was near the back of the group is all I know,” Willis said of the Cat 4/5 race in which Underhill was riding Thursday. “From riders who saw it, it sounds like he was really nervous and riding really stiff. He got a little freaked out, crossed wheels and did a face plant.”
Forty-three or 44 riders were in the race when the accident happened. An ambulance was on hand and rushed Underhill to the hospital, where he underwent surgery for head injuries.
Family members decided to remove life support for Underhill on Sunday. His organs will be donated.
Accidents are not uncommon at the race series, but usually result in scrapes or bruises. Since this year’s series began in May, three people have suffered broken bones, Willis said. Bike helmets are required.
Underhill was a rock climber and bicycle tourist who had been cycling most of his life.
“He was a really humble, reserved guy and clearly the kind of person who researched things and really got all the info he could before he did something,” Willis said. “He was doing everything right. It was just a horrible, horrible tragedy.”
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Cyclist injured at Driveway to be taken off life support
![kevinunderhill2-225x300[1].jpg](http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/shared-blogs/austin/fitcity/upload/2009/08/cyclist_injured_at_driveway_to/kevinunderhill2-225x300%5B1%5D.jpg)
A cyclist injured in a crash at The Driveway Crits on Thursday was to be removed from life support, according to the local blog Training From a Barkalounger.
Kevin Underhill sustained a head injury during the Cat 4/5 race and was rushed to the Brackenridge ER in critical condition, according to the blog.
The incident was also reported on austinontwowheels.org.
Driveway series organizers Andrew Willis has posted about the accident on the TXBRA forum at http://txbra.org/forum3/index.asp?page=loader&forumID=15.
Terrible news for the cycling community. Our thoughts go out to Underhill’s friends and family.
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Win fitness books!
I’m giving away a couple more fitness books: “The All-Pro Diet: Lose Fat, Build Muscle, and Live Like a Champion,” by professional football player Tony Gonzalez, and “Super Fit Mama: Stay Fit During Pregnancy and Get Your Body Back After Baby,” by Tracey Mallet.
To win, you must do TWO things: First post a comment on this blog telling me why you deserve one of the books. Then email your snail mail address to me at pleblanc@statesman.com. And be sure and tell me which book you want.
The best answers win!
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Upcoming fitness events!
Lots of stuff on the fitness front in coming weeks. Check out these events:
- Vern’s No Frills 5K — The fifth race in the monthly series kicks off at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15 at Berry Springs Park and Preserve, 1801 County Road 152 in Georgetown. Results will be posted on-line. Cost is $1 for adults; free to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Water provided. For more information email nofrills5k@yahoo.com.
- Sweet & Twisted Triathlon — Red Licorice Events presents this women’s only sprint-distance triathlon consisting of a 500-meter swim, 15-mile bike and 5K run. Proceeds benefit Girls on the Run. Register at REI Gateway, 9901 N. Capitol of Texas Highway, from 5-8:30 p.m. today or noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Individual entry is $80. Race is at Pace Bend Park in Spicewood. For more information go here.
- Deep Eddy Mile — The American Swimming Association presents the eighth annual Deep Eddy Mile — 53 laps in a cool, spring-fed pool — at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22 at Deep Eddy Pool, 401 Deep Eddy Ave. Proceeds raised from pledges will benefit Swimability, which provides swimming lessons for underprivileged kids in the city of Austin Aquatics program. Entry is $46. For more information go here.
- Austin Parks Foundation — Project leaders are needed starting at 7 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24 to help lead volunteers at Turkey Creek. Work involves involve moving stone in wheel barrows, spreading decomposed granite along a path, spreading mulch at the picnic area, digging post holes, mixing concrete, painting and removing underbrush. For more information, email kcarpenter@austin.rr.com.
- IBM Uptown Classic — Registration has opened for the 2009 IBM Uptown Classic on Oct. 18. The course winds through the IBM campus and The Domain shopping center. The first 10K runner to break the Austin city record will receive $1,000. A 1K Kids’ Race is set for 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 at IBM’s Terra Nova Park. Registration for the 10K is $30; registration for the Kids’ 1K is $12. To register go here. For more information go here.
- Martin Luther King Boulevard: A climbing lane on Martin Luther King Boulevard headed eastbound from Lamar to Pearl Street. There is also an improved sidewalk for those of you who like to walk your bike up the hill.
- Lacrosse Avenue: Bicycle lanes on Lacrosse Avenue from Natick Lane to Escarpment Boulevard. A concerned citizen submitted this request, and since there was existing bicycle lanes on both sides of the gap, and the roadway was wide enough to simply add a 5-foot bicycle lane, this gap on Lacrosse Avenue was eliminated.
- William Cannon Drive: Bicycle lanes on William Cannon Drive from Interstate 35 to Pleasant Valley Road. This roadway is constructed of concrete.The Bicycle Program worked with the Signs and Markings Division to pay for a stripe removal vehicle to remove the existing stripes and add new ones that included bicycle lanes.
- Latta Drive: Bicycle lanes on Latta Drive from Convict Hill Road to Islander Drive and from Nairn Drive to Davis Lane.
- Mary Street: Dedicated bicycle lanes (without parking) on Mary Street from Congress Boulevard to the Union Pacific railroad tracks (near Lamar Boulevard). With the cooperation and feedback from the Bouldin Creek and Zilker Neighborhood Association, the Bicycle Program and the Transportation Department were able to work out a parking and bicycle facility solution that met the needs of all users of the roadway.
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Freedom Riders
Bicycle Sport Shop is hosting the Austin premiere of “Freedom Riders,” a documentary about the evolution of mountain bike trail building, at 8:30 p.m. tonight at Jo’s Coffee on South Congress.
Here’s the press release that crossed my desk:
This documentary follows a group of riders as they transcend outlaw status to develop a precedent setting relationship with the United States Forest Service. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Austin Ridge Riders Mountain Bike Club. Tickets cost $10 and are avaiable online, at Bicycle Sport Shop or at the door. Entry fee will include bike valet, refreshments by Real Ale and a chance to win Freedom Riders Merchandise.
“The film shows how important trails are to the mountain biking community and how a dedicated group of riders followed their passion to create history.” says KGB co-founder Sam Pope.
Freedom Riders is the Dogtown and Z Boys of mountain biking. The film artistically captures the evolution of freeriding from stealth trail building to forging a working relationship with the U.S. Forest Service to establish the first-ever downhill specific trail in Forest Service history in the Teton Pass area of Wyoming. The film showcases the freeriding subculture in North America from where it was to where it is now by highlighting how the sport has obtained its legitimacy in the public eye.
Freedom Riders provides a compelling story of a group of individuals who never let their passion die while looking at the rich culture and history behind the sport. From old-school footage of Tom Richey and Gary Fisher to the time, hours and sweat it takes to build a trail to hucking and ripping down singletrack, Freedom Riders isn’t your typical bike porn film, it tells a story - an important one for any bike lover. The film with also feature an original soundtrack by Grammy Award nominee Luke Reynolds of Astral Kids.
Go here for rider profiles and a photo gallery.
Purchase tickets here or at Bicycle Sport Shop, Lamar Boulevard at Barton Springs Road.
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Funds for Walk for a Day trail
Good news for the Walk for a Day Trail — $405,000 in federal funding!
The trail, as envisioned, will ultimately stretch more than 30 miles from Barton Springs Pool to Onion Creek Natural Area in Hays County. The funding will be used to design and engineer trailheads where people will access the system.
Here’s more from a release from U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett’s office:
The funds include a $300,000 appropriation approved by the House at Congressman Doggett’s request and $105,000 from federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act or stimulus funds approved by the Capitol Area Metropolitan Planning Organization at the request of Texas State Senator Kirk Watson. CAMPO’s award will go to support a portion of the trail located near the intersection of U.S. 290 and Brodie Lane in Austin.
“By supporting the Hill Country Conservancy’s work on the Walk for a Day Trail, people will be able to view some of the unique backdrops and distinctive landscapes Central Texas has to offer,” Doggett said. “Trail users will experience up close the beauty of the Hill Country, the natural springs and native wildlife. And there are many practical, economic benefits for surrounding small businesses and outdoor enthusiasts.”
“Initiatives like this are a big reason why Central Texas is such a great place to live,” said State Senator Kirk Watson, who chairs CAMPO. “It’s been a team effort to secure these pieces of our heritage and open them up to the people of Central Texas.”
George Cofer, executive director of the Hill Country Conservancy, praised Congressman Doggett’s efforts.
“The Walk For a Day regional trail project has long been a dream of parks and trails advocates throughout the Capital Area. Thanks to Congressman Doggett, we now have our first federal funding, which will allow Hill Country Conservancy and a diverse coalition of governmental, neighborhood, business and environmental organizations to move from the drawing boards to construction. Hill Country Conservancy and its partners will use these funds to promote recreational, educational and healthy lifestyle opportunities,” he said.
Doggett added that he will continue to work to secure additional federal funding for the project.
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Woman dies in Wisconsin triathlon
Sad news on the triathlon front: A 43-year-old woman died during a Wisconsin triathlon Sunday. She was the third Wisconsin woman to die during a triathlon this summer.
Read the full article from the Chicago Tribune here.
Triathlon deaths are still rare, but most often occur during the swim portion of the race. Last year, USA Triathlon reported that of the 23 deaths that occurred during triathlons between 2003 and 2008, 18 occurred during the swim.
It’s not that swimming is so much more dangerous than running or biking. But if someone suffers heart problems in the water, they could drown. If the same problem happened on land, they could collapse but might be saved.
Another factor to note? More and more people enter triathlons these days. The increased number of entrants means larger raw numbers and, thus, more deaths.
Here’s another article about triathlon deaths that ran in the New York Times last summer.
Thoughts? Comments? Have you ever had a scary experiences during a triathlon?
The photo above, by Patrick Meredith, shows men competing in the Capitol of Texas Triathlon in Austin this May. No one has drowned in an Austin triathlon.
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Rogue trails on Balcones Canyonland Preserve land
I’ve gotten so many emails after Sunday’s article about rogue trails in the Barton Creek Greenbelt Wilderness Park that I thought I’d give people a place to get their opinion out here. (To read the full article, about the struggle to balance the needs of hikers, bikers and endangered species on public lands, go here.)
First, I’d like to say that I’m a cyclist myself. I specificially made an effort when I wrote the article NOT to unfairly blame mountain bikers for all the problems. I also made an effort to include the bikers’ side of the story, pointing out the whole Forest Ridge situation.
What I couldn’t do was change the facts. And the fact is that a mountain biker was caught with a saw cutting an illegal trail there in April. I also couldn’t change the fact that some of the land managers and biologists say bikers are contributing to the problem.
In the very least, I hope the article raises a warning flag to whoever is cutting illegal trail — whether they are mountain bikers, hikers or flying trapeze artists — that they are risking access to the greenbelt for the rest of us.
Now, sound off!
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Austin’s 10 Fittest
Yep, that’s me next to all those brawny, muscle-bound buffsters inside Austin Fit Magazine this month.
I’m one of the editor’s choice selections in the annual “Austin’s 10 Fittest” article.
Perhaps there’s been some kind of mistake, you ask? Because that was my reaction. But it’s true. And I’m really honored the magazine picked me.
I think I represent the voice of reason. My message? You don’t have to have abs so honed you can bounce quarters off them to be fit. You just have to have an adventurous spirit and a desire to stay healthy as you grow older. That means exercise often, avoid junk food and try new activities. That’s why I mix it up with water skiing, hiking, swimming, biking and running.
Check out the rest of the lineup here.
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The Blueberry Jam
Hi everyone. I’m back from a week in Michigan, where temperatures hovered mostly in the 70s and actual water fell from the sky.
While I was visiting my mom, who lives in South Haven, blueberry capital of the world, I ran the Blueberry Jam 5K.
The race is a good barometer for me. I think it’s wise to pick an event and do it every year to gauge your fitness level.
I’ve done that with swimming for years, and am amazed by the results. For three years in a row, I came within 3 seconds of the same time while swimming the Deep Eddy Mile.
And this year, my time at the Blueberry Jam was 1 second faster than last year. It was a new personal best for me, so I’m happy. (Not fast, just happy.)
It also shows me how much easier it is to run in cooler temperatures than what Austin offers up in August. I’m a solid 9:30-miler here in Austin in the summer. I ran the Blueberry Jam in 25:05 — that’s about 8:20 per mile.
What event do you do year after year to judge how fit you are?
The photo above shows my main activity in South Haven — relaxing in my mom’s back yard. Her deck overlooks the marina in South Haven, on the coast of Lake Michigan. Gorgeous! Isn’t it crazy? I need a sweatshirt in August!
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Marathon training kickoff!
Rogue Equipment, 500 San Marcos St., will host a training kickoff party for the Austin Marathon from 9 a.m. until noon Saturday, Aug. 8.
After free breakfast tacos and coffee, organizers will present a short series of seminars, hand out product samples and discounts, and offer up information about training programs.
Amy Culp, a registered and licensed dietitian, will discuss fueling for performance. Cassidy Phillips, founder of Trigger Point Performance, will demonstrate his revolutionary foam roller. Representatives from the Austin Marathon and Half Marathon will share the latest about the 2010 race.
For more information, go here.
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City bike program update
I’m still out of town, so here’s an update from the city of Austin Bike Program folks:
“Summertime means that public works crews are resurfacing and reconstructing streets.
Seal coats cure better during the summer. That means that your Bicycle Program staff is working like crazy to take advantage of all the new striping and getting bicycle facilities in where they can. Keep your eyes peeled for new bicycle facilities in your area over the coming months.
Besides facilities, the Bicycle Program is launching a new promotional campaign, including a public service announcement featuring Lance Armstrong. The next phase? Highlighting commuting by bicycle.
Research for innovative facilities is continuing. The Steck Avenue reconfiguration from Mopac to Burnet Road is under way. Stakeholders are invited to a meeting to discuss the reconfiguration at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Pillow Elementary School Cafeteria, 3025 Crosscreek Dr.
Additionally, the sharrow, colored bicycle lane, bicycle box and bicyclists “use full lane,” research by the Center for Transportation Research is going well. The research team is busy watching video of bicycle-motor vehicle interactions at the chosen locations before the devices are put into place. The Bicycle Program hopes to have these devices in place before school starts.”
Stay cool out there, and keep on riding.
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Walk for a Day trail meeting
Organizers of the Walk For a Day regional trail system are asking for citizen input at a public meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5 at the Sunset Valley City Hall, 3205 Jones Road.
Walk For a Day is a proposal for a regional trail system that would provide public recreational and wilderness experiences and extend about 35 miles from Barton Springs to the City of Austin Water Quality Protection Lands in northern Hays County. Read more about it here.
The meeting is part of the public process conducted by Sunset Valley, Austin and the Hill Country Conservancy to ensure public involvement in the Walk For a Day trail planning process.
The Hill Country Conservancy is leading the effort to acquire land and access rights for a continuous trail and to provide resources to fund planning and construction, as well as perpetually endow operations and maintenance of the trail.
For more information on the proposed Walk For a Day trail, go here.
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Lance to race Leadville 100
The tune-up is done. Now Lance Armstrong can focus on the really tough race — the Leadville 100.
He’ll trade skinny tires for knobby ones for the grueling 100-mile, out-and-back sweat fest.
The race starts in Leadville, Co., elevation 10,200 feet, at 6:30 a.m. Aug. 15. It features steep climbs, serious descents and 14,000 feet of elevation gain.
Seven-time Tour de France champion Armstrong raced it last year, finishing second to six-time Leadville 100 champion Dave Weins by about 2 minutes. Cycling coach Chris Carmichael says Armstrong will race again this year, and I’m betting he’ll have fire in his belly this time. (Read more here.)
Last year, Wiens finished in 6:45:45; Armstrong finished in 6:47:41. The third place finisher was more than 30 minutes back.
Armstrong’s not the only Austin cyclist who’ll be racing. Hill Abell, owner of Bicycle Sport Shop, is planning to compete. His goal is a little more human: He wants to finish in a very respectable 10 hours. Check Monday’s paper for a feature about Abell, who’s done a lot for the Central Texas mountain biking scene.
Good luck!
Learn more iabout the Leadville 100 here.
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Heading away from this inferno!
Happy, happy, joy, joy!
I’m heading north, far away from this inferno we call Texas. My mom lives in South Haven, Mich., where high temperatures have been hovering in the very pleasant 70s all week. That’s 30 degrees cooler than Austin!
On the agenda?
Swimming in the lake. Running the Blueberry Festival 5K. Tooling around town on my aunt and uncle’s bicycles. Maybe some hiking at a nearby park.
Oh, and did I mention grilling on my mom’s deck overlooking the town marina? Ice cream at Captain Nemo’s? Reading books? Playing Scrabble? It’s National Blueberry Festival weekend, so I’ll be eating lots of my favorite fruit, too.
Anyone out there been to South Haven?
I’ll be out of the office, but will try to update the blog periodically.
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