The last little bit is coming soon!

Colleyville's construction will complete the remaining gap of the Cotton Belt Trail linking Grapevine to North Richland Hills without interruption.

Once the gap—between Grapevine and Colleyville—is filled, bicyclists and pedestrians will be able to travel from North Richland Hills to Grapevine uninterrupted. All that remains to connect the Cotton Belt Trail is a portion of about 800 feet, which is from Colleyville’s entry sign to the existing trail on John McCain Road. Construction is currently underway on this small portion of the trail. Colleyville officials said the gap is expected to be closed by spring.


Elsewhere on the Trail

At Rufe Snow drive there is a trailhead under construction. The trail head will feature a water fountain, a shade with benches, and a bicycle rack.

There is a rumor that:
LD Lockett park will get a bike repair station.

Hotter N' Hell Hundred!

The Criterium Races

This past weekend was the Hottern' Hell Hundred in Wichita Falls Texas. My friend, wife, mother-in law and I went up early on Friday and set up camp. We went to the exhibition and watched the criterium races.
    I had the goal to ride a sub five hour century and I ended up with a time of 4:50:38. I am pleased to say that I hung with the lead group (in front of the "Official Pace Group") for 60 miles. I ran out of water and had to stop off at the Burkburnett rest stop to refuel/ tighten my handlebar stem bolts. At that time my average speed was 27mph. I was able to catch on with the second chase group and hang with them for about 20 or so miles. I started feeling some light cramping in my left calf muscle so I peeled off at the next rest stop. After a whole bottle of Pickle Juice and a refill of my bottles I was off but not in a group. I rode solo for about seven or eight miles when I was over taken by and latched on with the "Official Pace Group". It was an interesting experience riding in a group with "full race support" watching them slow for a "feed zone". The race leaders would ferry bottles from the team  motorcycles to the riders that needed refilling/refueling. They used radios to control the pace of the group, keeping everyone in a tight pack. It was neat seeing the organization of all this happening while still moving along between twenty and twenty-five miles per hour.

The Finish

    I had some discomfort on my inner right thigh and reached down to investigate only to find that my seat bag strap had rubbed a hole in my shorts and was now rubbing a hole through my skin. I reluctantly had to leave the pace group at the next aid station to get my leg seen to and to refill/refuel for the final push into the finish. The doctor at the station understood my hurry being pressed on time at 4:37 since the start and only at mile 92. With 23 minutes to go, 8 miles and get my leg dressed, time was very close. I needed to average 20 mph but I was tired and there wasn't a paceline in sight. I was desperate. The head winds were killing my speed, the best I was able to make was 19.5; not quite good enough. Then suddenly from behind a small group of ten or twelve riders started to come around me on my left. "I'M SAVED!" I thought and latched on to the first wheel I could muster and held it until the last turn. I was in a total zone of aggressive male, almost growling as I planned my sprint into the finish. Judging my strength after 100 miles and the length that I can sprint. 100meters after the USCF finish I started my sprint into the finish. I was off like a rocket propelling myself past the finish in a burst of anger and elation. My heart was pounding like a drum even after I stopped. I unclipped and walked my bike towards the finish line village. I picked up my finishers pin and went straight to the fire hose to cool my body down. The water was refreshing but I needed to sit down. I found a shady place and sat on a chair, drinking water till I felt like I would be able to walk back to the campsite and get a shower.

A Finisher!

    My ride, while a major accomplishment for me, doesn't compare to my mother-in-law's ride. This was her first century and she is not quite as youth-full as I am. I am really impressed with her endurance. She looked very strong crossing the finish line. I am proud of her.

What do you do when your pump will not fit?

The bicycling family, that we are, needed to go to "Stuff-Mart" to get some "Stuff". On our way home my son punctured his rear tire on some glass (broken beer bottles are a direct result of the open container law) that was on the edge of the road. We didn't have a tube for his bicycle (700x23C) so I thought i would just patch it. But when I got out the pump out to inflate the tube I realized that the cheap pump that I had would not attach to a presta valve. BUMMER! This means I need to get creative.

So I:

• attached his front wheel, to the rear, on the non-drive side of his bike, outside the frame,
• towed his bike with the Ute, 
• hung his rear wheel hanging from his handlebar,
• had my daughter ride the back of the Ute,

    and

• had my son ride my daughters bike.

We were back moving and back home in no time at all.
Adapt, Overcome, and Execute!

What does a Full Buggy of Groceries look like on a Bicycle!

 In preparation for the consolidated guy birthday party (Me and both my sons birthdays are within ten days of one another) my wife went to our local "stuff-mart" store and loaded up the Ute with a full buggy of stuff. When she was there, she called me and said that she may have bought too much "stuff" and may need me to rescue her with the cargo trailer. She, however, found my bungee cords and lassoed things down on to the top. I believe she could have carried more using the old "shopping bags on the handlebars trick" but I don't know if she knows that one. As you can see from the pictures the Ute bags are pretty full. The bike has room for more stuff if I got a front rack and a big folding crate for the deck. But that might be a little too much weight!

National Bike Month Is Upon Us!

If you haven’t heard, we’re in the middle of National Bike Month.

Bike to Work Week is May 17-21, and Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 21st.

The T will be holding a bus, train, and bike-rack presentation on Friday May 21st at the Intermodal Transportation Center, from 7-9 am.

Trinity Parks new Unimproved Sidewalk!

These new fences are total crap...whoever designed them didn't intend for people to bring a bike through them... ARRGH!

Fort Worth Bike Route 360 is a Dirty Mess

You  would think that right next to the barn that the park the street sweepers, the street would be clean...You'd think! But its not. The problem that is created by the city not keeping an established bicycle route clean and clear of debris, is that it forces riders to ride closer toward the center of the lane just to keep their bicycles from slipping and sliding around. Also the mud does clog the storm drains and cause standing water in the rain. I would rather not have to wrap myself completely in plastic just to get to work. Road grime is difficult enough to keep out of a chain, so riding through mud flowing on top of the streets is nearly impossible.