Local cyclist, Grady McGahan, is organizing an effort to replant native trees and other growing things as they cycle the gorgeous area around Bastrop, Texas this Friday, January 20th.

Here is a huge copy and paste from their Facebook page:

Join us as we ride from Austin to Bastrop and Paige for a few days of roving reforestation. Our merry band of reTREEters will work with local nurseries to plant native trees on private property, where people are more likely to do what is needed to keep them going for the long haul.

RIDE MAP:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=207668634798951068605.0004b371b95cad7f1d57e&msa=0&ll=30.060774%2C-97.510529&spn=0.635882%2C1.18103

GARMIN MAPS WILL BE GENERATED AND PROVIDED.

reTREEt ITINERARY:
Arrive in Austin on January 20th (FRI);

Ride around Austin on January 21st (SAT) and go out that night;

Ride to Bastrop (32 miles) on January 22nd (SUN) and plant trees that day;

Ride a loop to/from Paige (39 or 51 miles) and plant trees there on January 23rd (MON);

Ride a loop to/from Red Rock (52 miles) and plant trees there on January 24th (TUES);

Ride to San Antonio (96 miles) on January 25th (WED);

Ride around San Antonio (Mission Ride – 45 miles) on January 26th (THURS) and go out that night;

Ride to Boerne (35 miles) on January 27th (FRI);

Ride an out-and-back in Boernie and plant trees on January 28th (SAT).

*If you know of a person or organization in the area that would like to be involved or would be interested in having a bunch of random cyclists plant a tree or ten on their property, please send me their information.

EMAIL:
briangrady@gmail.com

PASS THE WORD ON TO YOUR FRIENDS.

TO BRING CHECKLIST:
1) Bicycle lights
2) AOH Jersey, if you have one, for the 23rd
3) Pedals, if you are borrowing a bike
4) Sun screen
5) Warm cycling clothing

FLIGHTS:

The cheapest way for many of you may be to fly into Dallas and ride down to Austin, either with the core group or with people who will likely come down for only a couple days here and there. Please consider the itinerary and post your intended plans so that we may help you coordinate meeting up with the group. We will do everything we can to make sure you have a ride to and from your point of origin and departure. Support vehicles will be able to take people to the Austin airport during the week, if need be.

Throughout the event, we plan to facilitate changing individual itineraries. We know it is a lot of commitment for many of you to make, and we would like to help you be as much a part of it as you can be.

N.B. – If you are flying into or out of San Antonio, a shuttle can be arranged for you to or from the OMNI hotels in which we are staying. Contact me with your itinerary to set that up.

BUDGET:

LODGING
1) We have arranged special rates with the Omni Hotels in Austin and San Antonio = $100/per night for a double room. We will be in Austin for two nights and San Antonio for two nights.

http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/AustinSouthpark.aspx
and
http://www.omnihotels.com/findahotel/sanantonio.aspx

2) In Bastrop, we plan to rent out a few Bed & Breakfasts that are all within walking/cycling distance including:

http://www.pecanstreetinn.com/
http://www.elmstreetinn.com/
http://magnoliainnonmain.com/

The cost of rental is about $500 per night/per house. 5-15 people can stay in each house. We will be in Bastrop for three nights. Any overflow will be handled by the Hampton’s Inn in Bastrop.

3) Lodging in Boernie is still being determined.

FOOD
4) Aside from breakfast at the above-mentioned B&Bs, everyone will be responsible for their own food/beverages. $25-$75 per day?

TOTAL ESTIMATED BUDGET: $100/per day. 10 days = $1,000.

THE RIDE WILL BE SUPPORTED.

SHIPPING BICYCLES:
If you are planning to ship your bicycle to Texas, Hill Abell at Bicycle Sport Shop in Austin has offered to receive bikes and assemble them free of charge. Paying for re-boxing and shipping back home will be the owner’s responsibility.

Bicycle Sport Shop
517 South Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX
(512) 477-3472

SPECIAL THANKS:

RICHARDSON BIKE MART
BICYCLE SPORTS SHOP
BASTROP TREE SERVICES
NATIVE TEXAS NURSERY
ORGANICS BY GOSH
BASTROP GARDENS
TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT
TEXAS FOREST SERVICE

*Last updated 1/17/2012

To learn more about the Bastrop Wildfire, click here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastrop_County_Complex_fire

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

photo credit album art from a little ol band from Texas

Bike Friendly Deep Ellum will be rocking the city of Dallas starting @ 1:30 this Sunday the 15th.  Meet at
St. Pete’s Dancing Marlin (2730 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75227 – map)

From the Facebook event:

click me, I dare you

So here’s the plan: meet up for a bike ride, log 20 or so miles, find a taco stand and enjoy.
Afterwards we can always go find a local Ellum watering hole to hoist a pint and talk about how good/ bad the last particular taco stop was.
I’m gonna get off my bum and start trying to host one of these every month on the middle Sunday with a few ground rules:
The ride will be around 20 miles with a leisure pace and we won’t leave you behind.
If it’s raining, the ride is cancelled.
If temps go below 40, the ride is cancelled.
I want to try all the taco joints I can find, so if you know of something, please suggest it.
Starting location will change regularly but will always be kid and bicycle friendly.
We’ll cover a nice distance but the emphasis will be on fun and community.
Every ride should end before the sun goes down but if you’d like to ride with us to the after ride celebration lights are highly encouraged. Also, I tend to think that my helmet looks pretty darn sexy so I rock one whenever I roll and I don’t like tickets but that gamble’s up to you.
Nuts & bolts: We meet at 1:30, ride at 2… play till 3:30-4 p.m. and then have some tacos. after party around 5.

Now go sign up on the Facebook page and we’ll see you on Sunday.

Events and activities to help Liberty Kat (aka Misty Green) are coming into focus.  She has staggering medical bills to contend with while she mends so a Facebook page has been established where you can donate via your Paypal account.  Go here to send some financial love her way.

And it gets better, there’s a benefit in her honor and to raise money on Sunday, January 29th.  They are securing a location and I’ll add those details as soon as I have them.  Until then here’s a copy and paste from the  Wheels that Heal Facebook event page:

We are working on a fundraiser for our fellow cyclist Misty “Liberty Kat” who was seriously injured on a group ride on the afternoon of 12/31. She sustained broken bones and even a fracture in her neck among other things–she was wearing a helmet or the damage might have been worse. We’re happy to report that Liberty is out of the ICU where she was Care Flighted from McKinney, TX and she seems to be recovering quite well with the help all of your positive thoughts and well wishes.

The fundraiser to help Liberty manage the financial burdon of this unfortunate accident is tentatively scheduled for January 29th, 1-6pm. We are awaiting confirmation on a suitable location. In the meantime, if you would like to donate, you may send money via paypal to Libertykat@gmail.com at any time. Every little bit helps!

If you own a business or have connections to anyone who may be interested in donating cash or items for raffle/auction at the event, please contact either Toni Youngblood or Susan Reeves ASAP. We need to secure at least 2 kegs of beer for the event and we are likely going to need at least 2 portapotties. We plan to have entertainment, bike-themed contests, a raffle, etc. Please let us know what you can do to help :)

You can drop by the event page to sign on and  join the effort, and if you own or represent a company we could use some items to auction at the benefit.

(photos from her FB page)

It just goes to show you that public and private sector partnerships can make things happen. Hopefully this effort will become a blueprint for others that want to see cycling improvements in their own neighborhoods.

photo via Bike Friendly Oak Cliff

From the Bike Friendly Oak Cliff Facebook invite:

Join us at the Bar Belmont ( 901 Fort Worth Avenue Dallas, TX 75208) for drinks and a big group photo to celebrate the successful $25K fundraising drive to put bike lanes on Fort Worth Avenue. We hope to have reps from all the organizations and businesses that chipped in to help us get this installed including: the Fort Worth Avenue Development Group, The Belmont Hotel, Chicken Scratch, the Foundry, Bike Friendly Oak Cliff, Old Oak Cliff Conservation League, Metro Paws, Victor Balis & Amanda Cross, and many more!

Read more about the plan here.

From the Facebook announcement:

 Join us for the last Dallas Critical Mass of 2011! Celebrate New Year’s Eve Eve on your bike!

Meet 7:30pm at Main St Garden. We ride at 8pm. Bring lights for your bike. Be courteous of everyone, including other cyclists, pedestrians, & motorists!!

The Lily Pad will be closed, so plan accordingly. Invite your friends and we’ll see you there!

]]> http://www.bikingindallas.com/dallas-critical-mass-friday-december-30th/feed/ 2 http://www.bikingindallas.com/dallas-arts-district-bike-crawl-thursday-dec-29th/ http://www.bikingindallas.com/dallas-arts-district-bike-crawl-thursday-dec-29th/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 03:11:16 +0000 Christopher Curnutt http://www.bikingindallas.com/?p=12965

Dallas Arts District Bike Crawl

Thursday December 29th, 11am – 3pm-ish

Meet at Dallas Museum of Art 1717 North Hardwood (at Flora)

Join Biking in Dallas as we tour the Dallas Arts District, marvel at the architecture, take photos of the sights (and each other), see the Crow Collection of Asian Art, eat from a food truck and most importantly, sport a big smile while enjoying it all on a bicycle.  Be sure to sign up on our Facebook event page.

The back story: While I was enjoying the Dallas Santa Rampage the other night I made a mental note to return to the Dallas Arts District during the day.  I want to explore it on a bicycle and photograph some of the amazing architecture found there.

View of the magnificent Downtown Dallas Arts District with the Pritzker Prize winner Norman Foster designed Winspear Opera House in the foreground with its reflecting pool and the I.M. Pei designed Meyerson Symphony Center immediately behind credit Wiki Commons

I planned to spend much of Thursday, January 29th, doing just that and then it dawned on me that I might not be the only person who’s not working that day… So I thought I’d volunteer to organize something for others who might want to do the same.

China, Qing dynasty, 18th century Glass from the Crow Collection. photo credit Wiki Commons

The Arts District has numerous bike racks and such, it’s a bike friendly environment comprised of about 7 square blocks, so calling it a ride might be generous on my part.  I’m calling it a crawl instead.

My thought is to meet at 11 and first tour the Crow Collection of Asian Art, because it’s cool and it’s free.  Then for lunch we’ll dine outdoors and in style at one of the many out door food trucks. With full bellies we’ll resume our lazy adventure by checking out some of the major buildings and historical sites within the District. I’m planning to give my camera quite a work out that day and this will be the perfect venue for photographing architecture and people on bikes.

The DART Light Rail Pearl Station is served by the Red, Green, Blue and Orange lines.  You can see the DART map here.  Bring a bike lock and lights if you plan to stay after dark.

Finally, if you’re working in the area feel free to join us for lunch with or without your bicycle.  And bring a camera, you’ll be glad you did.

ps: The early weather predictions are calling for nothing but sunshine that day!

- Chris

Dallas Arts District Bike Crawl

Thursday December 29th, 11am – 3pmish

Meet at Dallas Museum of Art 1717 North Hardwood (at Flora)

graphic via http://thisgirlsbike.blogspot.com

From the DORBA website:

Dallas Christmas Light Bicycle Tour

This is the traditional ride in the Dallas area touring some of the most beautifully lit neighborhoods in the area. Be sure to decorate your bike and yourselves.

Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/268827726502668/

Meet at Katy Trail @ Knox.

http://www.katytraildallas.org/maps/KatyTrailPlan_2011.pdf

Location

Katy Trail
United States
See map: Google Maps

From their website:

Get out your bike basket and find your scarf – Sunday December 11th 2011 will be the first Cycle Chic Boutique Ride, visiting the best locally-owned boutiques of the West Village and Henderson Ave. There’s a good variety of shops with guys and ladies clothes, bike-friendly home furnishings, and odds and ends perfect for socking stuffing.

We’re meeting at Transit Bikes on Blackburn at McKinney Ave so you can arrive early to air your tires, lube your chain, buy a basket, and get that red flashing rear light you’ve been meaning to buy.

At about 1:00pm we’ll leave Transit for our first boutique stop at the new Demerara before heading to Henderson for Gypsy Wagon, Another Time & Place, Pandemonium!, and We Are 1976. Around 4pm we should be ready to bike back to the West Village.

There will be holiday cookies, wine, cheese and snacks along the way and some good store discounts including 10% off at Gypsy Wagon and 60% off at Another Time & Place since they’re moving.

If this is your first adventure to the West Village by bike here are some handy directions from the Katy Trail and the Cityplace DART Station.

Happy holidays and happy holiday shopping! We’ll see you Sunday.

Go here for more details.