Austin’s cycling community is doing it up right with spring break and SXSW starting this weekend! You could spend all day Saturday going from event to event and never leave your saddle yet still pick up some grub, suds, and swag. Sweet!

Thanks to Jason at ATXBS for letting us know about some events we couldn’t find elsewhere. As always, if there is an event you know about that’s not on our calendar contact us, and we’ll add your event on and possibly add it to the weekly round up.

Here’s a quick run down of recommended events for the coming week.

Thursday, March 12

Wounded Warrior Project Soldier Ride
9 AM, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, 400 Nueces St
The Wounded Warrior Project’s (WWP) Soldier Ride is a rehabilitative cycling program for wounded warriors and an advocacy program for today’s wounded warriors. For many of these combat-wounded veterans, Soldier Ride provides the first and important step in their return to an active lifestyle. 

Kenny Hill AutoWerks’ Driveway Criterium Races
4:30 PM, Community Rally, 5:30 PM, Races, The Driveway, 8400 Delwau Ln
Weekly Thursday night road racing through October that takes place on the closed car-free driving course at the Driveway. Races include Cat 4/5 at 6:10, Cat 3/4 at 5:30, Pro/Cat 1/2/3 at 6:45 to choose from with a fourth Masters race (40 + years old) running from May 21- August 6 starting at 7:45. Open riding during Community Rally from 4:30- 5:30 PM. Races registration $20, Rally $10. $5 off with 8 oz can donated to Capital Area Food Bank. See our article about the series for more info.

Bicycle Advisory Council
6:30 PM One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Rd, 8th floor large conference room
NOTE: The BAC is meeting one week early for this month only. The Austin Bicycle Advisory Council is a committee of Austinites representing cyclists’ interests to the City of Austin and meets monthly to advise staff of the City of Austin Public Works Bicycle and Pedestrian Program.

15th Thursday Night Road Ride
7:45 PM, Drungo Ice House, 2828 Rio Grande
NEW TIME. Race The Driveway then come out and ride! All levels of riders are welcome on this 20-25 mile night ride with stops to regroup. This is a “friendly drop” ride. This means that if we can see your lights, you won’t drop be dropped. Lights are mandatory and helmets strongly recommended. Come early and enjoy drinks and food before and after the ride. There is now a Facebook group called Thursday Night Road Ride. See our recent article about this ride for more about what’s involved.

Friday, March 13

Yeti Demo Days sponsored by University Cyclery
3- 7 PM, University Cyclery, 2901 N Lamar Blvd
The University Cyclery is sponsoring this hands on demo of mountain bikes builder Yeti’s 2009 line. Anthony Sloan of Yeti will be on hand to show off the models and let you taken them for a spin. Beer will also be provided.

Saturday, March 14

Mellow Johnny’s Scout-A-Ride: Flirting with Ben (White)
8:30 AM, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, 400 Nueces St
Saturday mornings spent exploring City of Austin bike routes finding new neighborhoods and ways to get around on your bike. This week’s theme is Flirting with Ben (White). Check out some southside neighborhoods coming close to Ben White but not actually crossing it. Travel early on Riverside and South Congress before the cars come out. Routes: 60, 51, 70, 47, 60, 64, 31, 25. These rides are meant for exploring so bring questions not your heart rate monitor. Come at 8:00 for pre-ride coffee. Ride organizer: Eileen Schaubert at eileen@mellowjohnnys.com or 512-426-4851.

5th Annual Spokes ‘n Spurs Ride
8:30 AM, Spirit Reins Ranch, 2055 County Road 284, Liberty Hill, TX
Spokes ‘n Spurs is a great Hill Country ride benefiting Spirit Reins! Riders will start at the entrance to the ranch and enjoy a great route with beautiful views, gently rolling hills and the wildlife of the Texas Hill Country. 62.5, 44, 28, 14 miles & a 6 mile family ride. Full SAG, Rest Stop and Mechanical support will be provided.

Bicycle Rally for Riley
10:30 AM, Lance Armstrong Bikeway at 3rd and Nueces
Chris Riley is running for Austin City Council to bring practical solutions to the serious challenges our city is facing. A life-long Austinite, he is also a transportation cyclist who will be a strong advocate for the bicycle community. Join Chris Riley, candidate for Austin City Council, on a Ride to highlight the progress and needed improvements to our bicycle infrastructure, especially bike lanes, trails, and parking. This will be a casual Ride with a route to accommodate various skill levels.

Austin Yellow Bike Project Fundraising Race and Concert
1 PM- Midnight, 1300 E 4th St
Austin Yellow Bike Project will be having a all day fundraising party with alley cat races, track stand competitions, and bands including Quick Release, Seals & the Wingless Angels, Pong, and George Fox. $10 suggested donation and all are welcome. The Austin Yellow Bike Project is raising money to build their permanent workshop on east Webberville road. They are 23/rd of the way there, but need your help to make it happen. 

Bike Hugger Mobile Social Ride for SXSW
2 PM, Social Ride, 4 PM, BBQ party, Brush Square Park, 409 E. 5th St
Cyclists, hipsters, and SXSW attendees are invited to Bike Hugger’s Mobile Social for SXSW. The Mobile Social is an intersection of bikes, technology, and culture. We ride, blog, party, and give away product. The ride is open to everyone, but the party is only open to those on the ride or SXSW badge holders. Prizes will be given away at the party including a Madsen cargo bike and Gary Fisher Simple City.

Bikes Across Borders Benefit
8 PM- 2 AM, Rhizome Collective, 300 Allen St LOCATION CHANGE: Club Deville, 900 Red River St
Join in this benefit for Bikes Across Borders. $5 will get you in and there will be beer, food by Ararat, and music by Blue Hit, Til We’re Blue or Destroy, Buscando el Monte, Wino Vino, and the Bike Band. Bikes Across Borders (BAB) mission is to build solidarity partnerships by promoting autonomous transportation & cultural arts. BAB is based at the Rhizome Collective, a center for community organizing & urban sustainability in Austin, TX. Bikes Across Borders has organized more than ten bike delivery caravans since 2001, sending over 500 bicycles to Cuba, Mexico, and Central America.

Sunday, March 15

Tough Cookie Womens Duathlon
8 AM, 2602 Dennis Street and FM 3046, Copperas Cove, TX
A beginner-friendly, women-only sprint distance duathlon followed by a kids’ fun run. The 2K run/10 mile bike/2K. run course takes you through the scenic country side of Copperas Cove, TX. Your entry fee includes a great race t-shirt, a fabulous goody-bag, free massage beautiful unique finisher medals. There will also be a Kid’s Fun Run – 1K run through South Park starting at 10am.

Austin Flyers Party Ride
8:30 AM, Brushy Creek Park, Cedar Park, TX
Get ready for the 2009 Real Ale Ride on May 30th by joining the Austin Flyers Cycling Club and Bicycle Sport Shop for a fun ride geared toward getting you fit for the hills of Blanco, TX! There will also be clinics for kids and adults and of course, food and libation after the ride.

Sexy Sunday BMX/Fixed Session and Footdown Competition
1 PM, Parmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd
NEW LOCATION! Bring your BMX or fixed gear bike for a weekly, friendly tricks competition.

Capital City BMX Weekly Race Series
1 PM, Capital City BMX, 15010 FM Road 620 North
The Capital City BMX opened in November 2008 and offers you a chance to learn and race BMX. BMX races are held every Sunday with rider check-in 1-2 PM. Cost $10/rider. (There is also practice time on Saturday’s. Check Capital City BMX for more info.)

Hardcourt Bike Polo
4 PM, Eastwoods Park, 3001 Harris Park Ave
Join fellow bike polo enthusiasts as part of the newly formed Austin Bike Polo Club for a friendly Sunday match every week at 4pm at Bartholomew Park off East 51st. All bikes and skill levels are welcome and spare mallets and balls are available if you don’t have any.

Chris Riley Campaign Bicycle Scavenger Hunt
4 PM, State Capitol
The Chris Riley for Austin City Council Campaign is having a bicycle scavenger hunt. The purpose of these events is to bring together people who make up vital parts of Austin’s character and show that the cultivation of our music & arts, cycling, and sustainable foods scenes need to be a priorities for our City, as they will be if Chris gets elected. Teams are meeting at the State Capital at 4, starting the hunt at 4:30, and ending at the Chris Riley campaign head quarters by 7pm for music spun by Sweet DJ D, food, and winner announcements. Teams made up of 3-5 people will follow clues to 10 different locations around town.

Monday, March 16

Urban Transportation Commission Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee
6 PM, Austin City Hall, 301 West 2nd Street, Staff Bull Pen – Room #1029
The Urban Transportation Commission advises the city council, city manager and all other transportation-related departments concerning transportation-related matter. This is a subcommittee meeting to review Bicycle and Pedestrian specific issues.

Tuesday, March 17

Midnight Ridazz Luche Libre Ride
9 PM, Donn’s Depot, 1600 W 5th St
Join in for this monthly pub crawl. This month’s theme is Luche Libre. Wear your best Mexican wrestler outfit, mask, tights, and mud wrestling at the ride’s conclusion. Expect more out of towners than usual joining the ride from SXSW.

Wednesday. March 18

Coldsprints Roller Racing
7 PM, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, 400 Nueces St
How fast can you go on rollers? 7 PM will be the qualifiers with head to head sprints starting at 9 PM. Free to watch, $5 to race, $2 for grudge matches (pick your foe, pick your distance, throw down.) Free booze. Music by Quick Release and DJ Orion, film clips from Bicycle Film Festival 2008, and ArtBikes on display from the North American Handbuilt Bike Show, as well as other cool art on display.