Trinity Strand Trail photo by Happy Trails (Facebook)

Just a quick note to say that one of the least known yet best resources for information regarding hike and bike trails in the City of Dallas might be the Dallas Parks and Recreation’s  Happy Trails program which can now be found on Facebook.  Go here as they say.

While the funding (and construction) of many of the trails in the City of Dallas might be a joint City/County/other effort, most of the hike and bike trails are managed by the Dallas Parks and Rec department, so keeping up with them is a good idea if you’re a hike and bike person.

The Happy Trails folks have had a website for a while now and although it’s informative I’m still not sure about the maps they provide, if you can make them work you’re doing better than me.  But it’s their Facebook page that you want to check out.  You’ll find recent City trail updates and eye candy (recent photos) of City of Dallas trails and/or trail maps.

So mosey on over to their Facebook page and “like” them and start learning more about hike and bike trails in the City of Dallas.

Speaking on hike and bike trails, I’m updating some of the links for the Dallas County Trail Plan and I’m planning to revisit the County Trail system soon.  Quite a bit has happened since I first wrote about the subject back in January of 2010.

- Chris

ps: Speaking of Happy Trails, how about some Junior Brown:

Bike Friendly Deep Ellum put on a great show yesterday.  Ok, it wasn’t a show really, it was a group bike ride. The el Tour de Taco adventure began at St Pete’s Dancing Marlin whose staff was very gracious.  The excitement sizzled as what must have been between 50-75 cyclists slowly began congregating on the sidewalk and garden patio of St Pete’s.  Alex Perez was chosen the official bike wrench as a small line of bikes in need of some sort of repair or adjustment began to take form as Alex would fix one and then move to the next.  Thanks Alex.

Overground Project Skatepark on Corinth and Ervay

We left St. Pete’s for a slow ride though Fair Park and then meandered our way for a short ride down scenic Swiss Ave (nice dog park).  From there was rode through One Arts Plaza and then a quick jaunt through the Arts District.  Then it was off to the Lily Pad at Main St Garden as we attempted to find out why they’re closed/closing (we think it has to do with planned demolition nearby, it would be great if someone could officially inform us).

A little ways down Harwood we turned up Young St to the corner of Akard at City Hall Plaza and took Akard up (our only hill) for a quick drive by of Lee Harvey’s dog day afternoon only to end up at Overground Project Skatepark on Corinth and Ervay for a picture on their 13′ tall skateboard ramp and a bathroom break.

Onward back up Ervay towards downtown, we passed Dallas Heritage Village and headed towards Farmers Market with a quick visit to 2814 Canton; the site for the January 29th Wheels that Heal Benefit for Liberty Kat.   Then it was off to half-priced tacos at LaGrange.  A word about LaGrange, this might be the most bike friendly business I’ve ever seen in Dallas.  While there aren’t many bike parking/locking options in the immediate area so the didn’t hesitate to encourage us to bring all of our bicycles inside the restaurant/bar and park them along the northern wall.  There were almost as many bicycles inside as there were people.  I think the size of the group challenged them a bit but they just rolled their sleeves up and worked through it.  Cheers to the great staff (and good food) at LaGrange.

I called it a night from there but Paul tells me the after ride ride took them to Strangeways, the SingleWide and finally The Goat for the most bizarre karaoke night he’d ever seen.  I’m waiting for more details about that.

In closing this was a very enjoyable day on bicycles brought to you/us by Bike Friendly Deep Ellum, and a special thanks to Paul Adams for making it all happen.  And thanks again to Paul for helping me reconstruct our activities for this post.

- Chris

ps: More photos on the Suburban Assault Flickr page and read more from Dallas Cycle Chic.

[Show as slideshow]

Bicycle Bicycle drawing/painting by Julian Callos @ http://juliancallos.com *see postscript

April in Dallas means only one thing – Dallas Cycle Chic mania! 

Mark your calendars because Dallas Cycle Chic is busy planning their annual series of events for April, 2012.   This year is going to include a cycle themed fashion show, and more.  We’ll be bringing more details and such in the near future (and seeking sponsor support too).  But for now here’s their initial announcement:

The cat’s pretty much out of the bag. Remember all the photos from the Cyclist Census back in April? And the lawn movie, the Texas Theatre, the photo exhibit, and the bike polo, and….

We’re doing it again in 2012, only we’re revamping the plan.

Cyclist Census: check

“Face of Biking in Dallas” mad online voting competition: check

Blowout party with bicycle fashion: check

We’re accepting sponsors now.  Get more details and check out the sponsor options.

So keep your calendar open for the month of April and stay tuned for more details.

- Chris

ps: When I stumbled upon the artwork “Bicycle Bicycle”  I was immediately enamored and thought it would fit the “cycle chic” theme, in a surreal and whimsical way I suppose. It was created by Julian Callos, a Los Angeles based illustrator.  He made it in trade for a bicycle that was no longer in use that he rode during college along Venice beach.  Thanks again, Julian.

- Chris

From the BikeDFW website:

Wednesday, February 1, 7 PM
Studio Movie Grill
Royal Lane and Central Expressway, Dallas

Purchase Tickets Online

or at the door.

Bicycle Dreams, the award-winning feature-length documentary about the Race Across America (RAAM), will premiere in Dallas/Fort Worth at the Studio Movie Grill Royal Lane on Wednesday, February 1 at 7 p.m. The screening is a benefit for BikeDFW.

The film, which has won numerous awards at film festivals all over the world, “is an up-close look at what RAAM riders go through,” says Stephen Auerbach, the director and producer of Bicycle Dreams. “They deal with searing desert heat, agonizing mountain climbs, and endless stretches of open road. And they do it all while battling extreme exhaustion and sleep deprivation. It’s a great subject for a film.”

“Bicycle Dreams is a spectacular and heartfelt film that offers a riveting portrait of extreme courage in the face of inhuman obstacles,” writes TheLoveOfMovies.com. “It is an artistic triumph that renewed my belief in the power of desire and the strength of the human will.”

Bicycle Dreams web site

Facebook event page

I got this tip reading the Lakewood/East Dallas Advocate.  As many of you know Dallas Bike Works (Northwest Highway and Lawther – map) has an adjacent spot that begged to be utilized as some sort of eatery. Well it’s finally happening, Dallas Bicycle Cafe will be “opening soon” and from what I can tell it’s going to be a winner.

They’re going to offer storage lockers, changing rooms, an espresso bar, tea, beer, wine,  and best of all, a healthy menu (not bar crap).  The hours will be 6am to 10pm throughout the week and they’ll stay open until midnight on Friday and Saturdays.

In my book White Rock Lake is the enchanted forest for cycling in Dallas and I’m often a bit disappointed by the limited food opportunities close to the trail.  I’m generally not one to eat a greasy burger or fried chicken parts when I’m riding for any length of time or distance, so this shop excites me. I believe something like this is the kind of business that cyclists will line up to support. I know I will.

Judging by the photos it appears it’s going to be a very cozy and comfortable setting. Also worth noting, the real estate it’s situated on has a very large parking lot, which lends itself well as a place to gather for group rides.  Additionally, I’m not sure what the zoning allows  but each time I’ve visited Dallas Bike Works I’ve always been reminded of the live music events I’ve attended at Mellow Johnny’s and Bicycle Sport Shop in Austin.  This location would be perfect for bands and related outdoor events (beer garden).

Bravo team Dallas Bicycle Cafe, we’ll see you in person soon.

- Chris

All photos from the Dallas Bicycle Cafe Facebook page.

photo by Jesse Rosten

Most everyone is now familiar with Jesse Rosten’s video gone viral,  Fotoshop by Adobe’:

Very amusing social commentary about our views on beauty, or faked beauty that is.  On the making of Fotoshop Rosten remarked,

“I was watching TV one sleepless night and stumbled upon an infomercial for some beauty product. The commercial showed before and after portraits, that to my eye, looked like the same photo just photoshopped. I laughed to myself. Then I made this video.  This commercial isn’t real, and neither are society’s standards of beauty. “

What you might not know about the professional film maker is his interest in filming cycling events (from the back of a motorcycle or helicopter).  I found these two gems on his website.

Levi Leipheimer’s Gran Fondo, which is a “long distance, mass-participation cycling event – not a race.”

And how about a side order of of Portland Gran Prix Cyclocross racing:

Now I’m itching for a cyclocross bike, and wonder when they’ll come out with Fotoshop for Men…
- Chris

So one night not long ago I’m riding in a part of east Dallas which I am no longer very familiar.  While I recognized the names of the streets, I could not figure out what direction I was riding.  I wanted north but the sun was down so I had to rely on my cell phone GPS…The cell phone with the dead battery.  The cell phone that has a nice compass app that works perfectly…When the battery is charged.  Luckily things worked out for me but I realized an old-fashioned compass was in order.

So the other day I’m in my local bike shop picking up a brake cable for a Fuji road bike that’s headed for the CL auction block and the compass you see below called out to me from a display rack.  I’m convinced this is one of the best $10 investments I’ve ever made.

On the other hand, last week I paid $10 to see the 2011 remake of the 2009 Swedish movie, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, with a good friend of mine.  I heard the book was good, and that the Swedish movie was compelling.  I’ve only seen the 2011 movie and as far as I’m concerned it was a waste of a perfectly good ten-dollar bill.  I had a nice time hanging out with a friend though, only the next time I pick the movie.  I thought this one was a stinker.  Most of the reviews are positive and that should have tipped me off that I would not be very impressed.

Girl With The Dragon Tattoo promotional photo

So the moral to the story is there are good ten dollar investments, and bad ones.  I’m convinced my clip-on bike compass is a good one.

- Chris

update – Pista reminded me of the film’s opening bad ass music and video by Trent Reznor and Karen O. I finally found a copy on Youtube.

I’m a little behind noting the “2011 Best of Awards” from Bike Friendly Oak Cliff.  They split them into two blog posts, you can read the first one here, and the second here.  I won’t repeat them all but I want to tip my hat to the choice of Bike Friendly Richardson winning the “Most Bike Friendly Neighborhood” award.  I cycle in Richardson often and it truly is a bike friendly city and Richard and the Bike Friendly Richardson crew does an exceptional job of educating us all about developments in their town as well as promoting their city’s infrastructure.  And you guys at Richardson City Hall (you know who you are) should be commended for your dedication to making Richardson a great city to live in.

Richardson is indeed bike friendly. photo by Bike Friendly Richardson

Another one worth mentioning is Bike DFW being awarded the “Best Bicycle Advocacy Group”.   From teaching bike safety courses to keeping us all in the loop regarding bicycle news and events in the North Texas region, Bike DFW has always been a great resource for cyclists.  I should probably note that I was awarded the “Best Bike Blogger/Journalist” trophy, which I felt humbled by to say the least.   Anyhow, scoot over to their site to see each of the 2011 awards.

Speaking of local awards, Bike Friendly Deep Ellum’s own Sean Fitzgerald won the top honor in the 2011 Trinity River Photo Contest.  This is not the first photography award he’s won, he’s an amazing photographer.

Anyhow, 2011 was a hoot and 2012 will be even better.

- Chris

Jan 12, 2012 update:  Kat is home and on the mend. She has several broken (or fractured) bones and lacerations but all indications are she’s going to recover, over time, without complications or permanent damage.  Obviously we’re delighted to hear this and glad to bring the news.  Plans are in the making for a Kat benefit, I’ll publish those details when I have them. 

For those of you who are not aware, last Saturday Kat crashed during a downhill on the group ride in McKinney.  Someone who was with her said that they noticed her front wheel began to wobble and the next thing they knew she was down.  After the crash her chain was undone but that could have been a result of the impact and not a contributing factor to it.

I’ve been told that she has a fractured vertebrae in her neck, fortunately there is no damage to the spinal cord.  The doctor said if you’re going to fracture a vertebrae, you want the one that she fractured because it is not associated with paralysis.  She also has a broken clavicle, and some broken ribs.  She can move all her fingers and toes and everything just fine.  She’s out of ICU and in a regular room now.  She was wearing a helmet and that likely saved her from a more severe head injury.

My guess is her recovery process is going to be lengthy.  I’m trying to determine what if anything we, the greater Dallas cycling community, can do to help. I’ll post updates when I have them.

So, Kat, in case someone mentions this to you, many folks are pulling for you and keeping you in our thoughts.

- Chris

]]> http://www.bikingindallas.com/our-thoughts-are-with-liberty-kat-aka-misty/feed/ 7 http://www.bikingindallas.com/seen-at-the-biking-in-dallas-arts-district-bike-crawl/ http://www.bikingindallas.com/seen-at-the-biking-in-dallas-arts-district-bike-crawl/#comments Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:00:05 +0000 Christopher Curnutt http://www.bikingindallas.com/?p=13104

What started out as a solo romp through the Dallas Arts District morphed into a nice group ride crawl.  I would guess 25 people or so attended including Dallas Cycle Chic and the Dallas Biker Chicks.

photo by Mark Manson

We toured the Crow Collection of Asian Art, then had lunch at the many food trucks nearby.  Hint – the green tea with honey from the Korean BBQ place is awesome.  Then we crawled through the district, took some photos at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center and ended the day touring the Nasher Sculpture Center.

The weather was perfect and it was nice spending time with old friends and making ones.  We had folks attend from all over including far north Dallas, Plano, Deep Ellum, and even Wiley (Kris #2) join us.  I’ll be planning another Arts District event, one that will include a formal route and ride and that happens on a weekend so that more people can take part.  Thanks to those who came out and it was a pleasure meeting and spending the day with you all.

Finally, I’m using a new gallery plug-in to display photos, as you can see below.  Now you can scroll through or even click the slide show link to see photos easier than the way I was posting them previously.  No more click, click backwards, click again business.  I think this is a better presentation and easier to view.  Once I figure out how to make them align in the center of the page I’ll be happier.

- Chris

[Show as slideshow]