There’s a classic picture of a bike where the front wheel has been replaced by a push mower. Looks cute, but is it practical? Hard to say. In the meantime, these guys have come up with another option, the Mow Cycle:
Do you think we’ll see any of these on Texas lawns anytime soon? Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “riding lawnmower.”
The Monday Social Ride has been going strong for at least 12 years, since I moved to College Station in 2002. I still remember my first social ride. This was before the days of Google Maps on the phone, and I was terrified of getting lost and separated from the group. I stuck behind the group leader like a burr, and I paid careful attention to how we’d gone in case I needed to retrace my steps.
I didn’t need to fear, I wasn’t dropped, but the next week the previous ride leader couldn’t make it. Someone else needed to take over. I said I thought I could remember most of the route if someone would help me. I’ve been the unofficial “Fearless Leader” ever since. 🙂 It’s been an awesome Monday night journey; I’ve met a lot of people on the ride.
Happy Cyclists at the Monday Social ride
If you get a chance, come out and join us. Beginners welcome, faster people will need to slow down to make the pace comfortable for everyone to ride and talk. Think: recovery ride. No fancy bike is required.
Here are the ride details.
Departure: 6 pm Monday
Route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5881835 or http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4684741
Distance: ~20 usually, but the short route is ~15 if needed.
Meeting place: TAMUs Research Park, on Technology Loop, nearest shade to the south bridge by the duck pond. Free car parking available.
Pace: Suitable for beginners, no-drop.
Required items: helmets, flat change kit, water; lights when it gets dark earlier
Strongly suggested: headlights, taillights, food, cell phone
Best,
Jean Marie
The fine ladies over at the Stubborn Wrench have been hosting DEVO rides during the month of June, for K-12 kids, but also kids of all ages, who want to learn more about the awesome sport of mountain biking. They’ve been riding in the grass and on a new set of trails in Hensel Park, right off of College Ave. If this sounds like a good time, they’re extending the invitation, to YOU – just plan on arriving 10 minutes early to sign a waiver.
The DEVO rides happen every Monday and Friday from 6:30-7:30 pm.
Great group at this Monday’s DEVO ride!
Summer heat can make bicycling uncomfortable, if not dangerous. Below are some common-sense suggestions for coping with summer weather.
Plan. Plan trips well ahead of time, and give yourself enough time to ride and recover. Know how long you can comfortably stay outside and therefore how far you can safely ride (generally under an hour; ideally under 30 minutes). Select routes that allow you to keep moving with fewer or shorter stops. Try to locate and follow shaded routes, or routes traveling through cooler areas. Check for public stores, malls, or other potential cooling points along your route. Make agreements with family members or friends to be on-call for emergency rides in the event they are needed.
Acclimate. Start out riding slowly and avoid the hottest parts of the day (10 am to 4 pm). If you’re just getting started with commuting by bicycle, you might want to make the switch gradually instead of trying to dive in during the summer heat. Dress strategically: consider whether dry-wicking clothing and sunscreen work best for you, or if you’d prefer light, loose, long-sleeved cotton for sun coverage.
Hydrate. Drink lots of water before, during, and after riding, beginning up to a day ahead of your ride. Always carry plenty of water and don’t be afraid to ask businesses to refill water bottles. If you wait until you’re thirsty, you are usually not drinking enough and it may already be too late to avoid heat exhaustion. A good indicator of good hydration is the need to urinate once an hour.
Avoid Heat Exhaustion. Learn to recognize your body’s signs of heat exhaustion, which are similar to signs of fever. Initial signs can be subtle, so know them and pay attention. At the first signs of heat exhaustion: back off. Relax your pace, and increase your fluid intake, especially if you have stopped feeling thirsty. If you do not recover within 10-20 minutes, immediately find air conditioning or shade, and be prepared to call 911. Heat stroke can occur quickly and it is potentially fatal, so don’t try to tough it out, even if you only need to travel a short remaining distance. Lastly, if you get a flat tire or have mechanical problems, be sure to seek out shade or a place indoors for repairs.
For the past month, Travis and I have been working on updating the old brazoscyclists.org website into the current site you see here. We hope you find the new site useful for planning on rides to attend, figuring out routes in and around Bryan and College Station, and for getting connected to local bicycling resources. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with questions, suggestions, or recommendations. We look forward to seeing you out and about on a bicycle.
-Rebecca
