Well, the tempuratures are heating up and so are the cycling events all around Austin. There are some great rides and several races to partake in including the Southwest Tandem Rally, Red Poppy Ride, and Texas State/Aquarena Springs Sprint Triathlon not to mention some of our monthly favorites like Critical Mass and Frankenbike. And check out the Bike Month teaser events next Tuesday.
Here’s a quick run down of recommended events for the coming week from our comprehensive calendar of all cycling events. 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.
Thursday, April 23
UT Public Art Bike Tour
Noon, Blanton Museum Cafe, MLK Blvd & Congress Ave
Celebrate Art Week Austin by joining us for a campus tour visiting works in the Landmarks public art program. Today’s ride departs from outside the Blanton Museum Cafe on the UT campus near MLK and Speedway. We’ll be joined by a docent tour guide to fill us in on the artists and the pieces themselves. The total distance is 2 miles and will travel at a novice-friendly pace. Rider organizer: Eileen Schaubert at eileen@mellowjohnnys.com or 512-426-4851.
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.
Thursday Night Bike Polo
5:30 PM, Eastwoods Park, 3001 Harris Park Ave
The Austin Bike Polo Club has added another weekly match to the regular Sunday afternoon affair. All bikes and skill levels are welcome and spare mallets and balls are available if you don’t have any. Check out our recent article on bike polo for more info.
Urban Night Ride
7:30 PM, Lamar Blvd Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge
A new ride from the Facebook group Social Cycling ATX. Meet at Pedestrian Bridge at 7:30p.m. leave at 8:00p.m. sharp. Bring your cameras & twitter phones and get some good sunset shots.
Friday, April 24
Lunch at the Domain Ride hosted by Austin Cycling Association
11:30 AM, The Domain, Domain Dr and Esperanza Crossing
Get an early start to the weekend with a Friday lunchtime ride from The Domain. The ride will make its way over to Parmer and ride up to Avery Ranch Rd and back. The pace tends to be in the 16.5 – 18 mph range, with a few small, rolling hills. The group leaves at 11:30 sharp. If you can’t make it to The Domain, feel free to join up during the ride at the intersection of Parmer Ln and Amhurst Dr, where there is usually have to stop to wait for the traffic light. Ride Organizer: Kevin Corry at 512-286-5796 or kevincorry@sbcglobal.net.
Downtown Public Art Bike Tour
Noon, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, 400 Nueces St
Celebrate Art Week Austin by joining us for a lunchtime ride exploring some of the public art works in Butler Park, Mexican American Cultural Center and the Convention Center. We’ll be joined by a docent tour guide to fill us in on the artists and the pieces themselves. The total distance is less than 4 miles and will travel at a novice-friendly pace. Rental bikes are available.Rider Organizer: William Hudson at WilliamTheRebel@gmail.com,512-206-0078 or 210-387-7340
19th Annual Southwest Tandem Rally
Rides 2 PM Friday, 8:30 AM Saturday, 9 AM Sunday, Inn of the Hills, 1001 Junction Hwy, Kerrville
Are tow better than one? Join the Texas Capital Area Tandem Society for three days of cycling, dining and hospitality that has made the Southwest Tandem Rally a must-do weekend for past participants. Distances will be Friday: 20-30 / Saturday: 30-80 / Sunday: 20-30. Registration is required and limited to 125 tandem teams.
Austin Critical Mass Ride
5 PM, West Mall, University of Texas
This bike jamming ride is designed to shout to the world that bikes belong. Don’t miss it!
Traffic Skills 101 sponsored by Austin Cycling Association
5 PM, REI Gateway, 9901 N Capitol of Texas Hwy, Ste 200
Do you want to ride your bike but are afraid of traffic? Or are you an experienced cyclist who would like to learn how to get more courtesy and respect from motorists? If your answer to any of these questions is “yes”, you should take Traffic Skills 101, the League of American Bicyclist’s (LAB) street cycling course for adults. Traffic Skills 101 will help you ride safely and effectively – to work, to the store, around your neighborhood, or around the state. Traffic Skills 101 is taught by LAB-certified instructors, and the curriculum covers everything from bike selection to simple maintenance to fixing a flat, to strategies for riding a bike safely and confidently. It is taught to very small classes (generally 5 to 10 students), in two sessions: 4 hours on a Friday evening and 5 hours on a Saturday morning. Registration is required.
Saturday, April 25
Champions Woman’s Only Triathlon
8 AM, Pace Bend Park, Spicewood
This race is put on by women owned and run race organizers Red Licorice. The Women’s Only Super Sprint is 300m swim/12 mi bike/2 mi run.
Mellow Johnny’s Scout-A-Ride: Public Art Bike Tour
8:30 AM, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, 400 Nueces St
Celebrate Art Week Austin by joining us for a ride exploring some of the public art works in downtown and the UT campus. We’ll sample pieces from the Texas Biennial, UT’s Landmarks collection, the City of Austin Art in Public Places program and the Trail of Tejano Legends. The total distance is less than 7 miles and will travel at a novice-friendly pace. Rental bikes are available. Come by at 8:00 for pre-ride coffee. Ride organizer: Greg Ritter gritter@tca.edu at 512-906-6709.
Lake Georgetown Sprint Adventure Race
9 AM, Russell Park, Georgetown
Too Cool Racing brings their beginner friendly Spring Sprints back for another exciting season in 2009. With thousands of dollars in awards and prizes, free nav clinics before each event, signature Too Cool hospitality and some of the best adventure racers in the country our sprints are sure to please both novice racers and veterans alike. Plan for winning times of around 4-hours. Cut-off for the event will be sun down.
Red Poppy Ride
9 AM, Georgetown High School Annex, 2295 North Austin Avenue, Georgetown
For The Red Poppy Ride, an enjoyable spring bike ride of 14, 30, 45, or 62 miles on beautiful country roads through picturesque Williamson County. After The Red Poppy Ride, enjoy The Red Poppy Festival in Historic Downtown Georgetown. The Red Poppy Ride benefits the SERTOMA Scholarship Fund for Georgetown ISD as well as the Georgetown Police Department Impact Unit (Bike Patrol Unit).
Violet Crown Cycles Custom City Bikes at the Sunset Valley Farmer’s Market
9 AM- 1 PM, Sunset Valley Farmer’s Market, Tony Burger Center Parking Lot, 3200 Jones Rd
Austin’s newest framebuilder, Violet Crown Cycles, now has a booth at the Sunset Valley Farmer’s Market. Violet Crown Cycles is a builder of custom, handbuilt Dutch style city bikes. View and test ride sample bikes, browse custom options, and have your questions answered about the bike building process and the features of bikes truly built for transportation. Come out and see the bikes and get some fresh, locally grown food while your at it.
Frankenbike #45
11 AM- 4 PM, Bobby’s Bikes, 3310 Glenview Ave
Austin’s semi-regular bike parts swap is back. Need a saddle or set of pedals to finish off that project bike? Have a box of never used or lightly used bike parts in the garage your significant other wants you to get rid of? Frankenbike is your answer. Stop by for a bit or stay all afternoon to hawk you wares. As always, admission is free, recycling great stuff is priceless.
Sunday, April 26
Texas State/Aquarena Springs Sprint Triathlon
7:30 AM, Aquarena Center, San Marcos
Take advantage of one of the few times you are allowed to swim in the Clear Lake at Aquarena Center in San Marcos. The Texas State Sprint Triathlon is the primary fund raiser for The Texas State Triathlon Club. Distance: 500m swim/14mi bike/5K run. Swim is in the Clear Lake at Aquarena Center. Bike course is rolling hills, out and back mainly on Lime Kiln Rd. Run course is a flat, loop course on grass and side walks.
Cedar Park Kid’s Triathlon
8 AM, Elizabeth Milburn Park, 1901 Sunchase Blvd, Cedar Park
The purpose of the Cedar Park Kid’s Triathlon is to offer kids between the ages of 7 and 15 the opportunity to experience a multi-sport event in a safe and positive environment. The main focus of this event is for the kids, their families and the community to have FUN! Distances are Juniors (7-10): 100m – Swim / 3 mile – Bike / 1k (.6 miles) – Run and Seniors (11-15): 200m – Swim / 6 mile – Bike / 2k (1.2 miles) – Run.
Champions Co-Ed Olympic Triathlon
8 AM, Pace Bend Park, Spicewood
Following Saturday’s women only Super sprint tri, Red Licorice will be putting on this co-ed Olympic distance triathlon (1500m swim/40K bike/10K run.)
Public Art Bike Tour
8:30 AM, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, 400 Nueces St
Celebrate Art Week Austin by joining us for a ride exploring some of the public art works in downtown and the UT campus. We’ll sample pieces from the Texas Biennial, UT’s Landmarks collection, the City of Austin Art in Public Places program and the Trail of Tejano Legends. The total distance is less than 7 miles and will travel at a novice-friendly pace. Rental bikes are available. Ride Organizer: Joel Schaubert at 512-415-5286
Sexy Sunday BMX/Fixed Session and Footdown Competition
1 PM, Parmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd
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. All bikes and skill levels are welcome and spare mallets and balls are available if you don’t have any. Check out our recent article on bike polo for more info.
Tuesday, April 28
Bicycle Sport Shop Family Commuter Clinic
6 PM, Bicycle Sport Shop Central, 517 S. Lamar Blvd
Part of a weekly clinic to help get you commuting by bike. This week’s theme: Family Fun and the Bike, Tag a longs, Trailers, Tandems and Other 2 Wheeled Options for Families. Learn the benefits of each and get tips and tricks to get the most out of family cycling.
Mellow Movie Night #1
7 PM, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, 400 Nueces St
This is the first of 5 cycling-related movies nights hosted by Mellow Johnny’s during Bike Month. First and foremost, movies about commuting. Join us for instructional videos and documentaries all about getting around town on two wheels. Snacks and drinks provided. While you are here, sign up for the Commuter Challenge! This week’s movie: Unyielding Cycle by Filmmaker Gina Szafraniec. Szafraniec says, “Unyielding Cycle is about four, year-round, bicycle commuters in Minnesota. I was inspired to tell their story after observing them pass through my neighborhood in every type of weather imaginable. The year I followed these four individuals was also a year of extremely high gas prices and an extremely long and cold winter.” Hmm, winter, what is this thing she calls winter?
Related posts:
on Apr 23rd, 2009 at 9:22 pm
One more event that came to me last-minute:
http://www.atxbs.com/?q=node/1033
Sexy Sunday + Bike Polo = Sexy Polo, this Sunday at the slab on 12th. 3:00pm.
on Apr 24th, 2009 at 7:41 am
Thanks for catching that.