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, August 20
Kenny Hill AutoWerks’ Driveway Criterium Races
4:30 PM, Community Rally, 5 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 3/4 women’s and juniors race at 5:00, 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’s weekday match. 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.
Bicycle Sport Shop Bike Maintenance Class
6 PM, Bicycle Sport Shop Central, 517 S. Lamar Blvd
This is a free basic maintenance class (including how to fix a flat) taught by one of BSS’ skilled mechanics. In this 1 hour class students will learn the basic skills needed to keep their bike running safely while on the road. We will cover: Pre-ride bike inspection, Changing a flat, Proper cleaning & lubrication, and Tools for your ride.
Bicycle Advisory Council
6:30 PM One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Rd, 8th floor large conference room
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. This month’s meeting will discuss implementation of Education/Promotion items from the Bike Plan, a resolution for CapMetro to sponsor a bicycle working group, street sweeping, LAB signage/STOP signs and yielding, and South Shore PUD update
Urban Night Ride
7:30 PM, Lamar Blvd Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge
A ride from the Facebook group Social Cycling ATX. Meet at Pedestrian Bridge earlier this week at 7:30 p.m. leave at 8:00 p.m. This week’s ride will end up at Jackalope. Bring ID if you plan to partake of the free beer at Jackalope.
Friday, August 21
Traffic Skills 101 sponsored by Austin Cycling Association
5 PM, REI Round Rock, 201 University Oaks Blvd, Suite 1100, Round Rock, TX
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, August 22
Emma’s Revenge Mountain Bike Race & Trail Run
8 AM, Emma Long Park, 1600 City Park Rd
Part of the Pure Fitness Xterra Off Road Triathlon weekend, race a 16 mile mountain bike race or a 5K or 18K trail run. The Triathlon is on Sunday.
ACA Summer Picnic, Bike, Eat & Splash
8 AM, Brushy Creek Lake Park, Cedar Park, TX
Join the Austin Cycling Association for their summer picnic with lots of ride distances including a family ride at 9 AM. After the ride, beginning at 11:00 a.m., the picnic with burgers, hot dogs and all the fixings begins in the Cedar Pavilion near the water playscape. The food and drinks cost $5 per person and RSVP are requested by August 20. They will be water, tea and sports drink for those who attend. Alcoholic beverages are allowed in the pavilion area only and put fiddo on a leash, please. Bring the family and extra lawn chairs to enjoy the family-friendly facilities at the Brushy Creek Lake Park. Carpooling is encouraged or just ride your bike.
Mellow Johnny’s Scout-A-Ride Shop Road Ride: Southern Culture Off the Grid
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 Southern Culture Off the Grid. Head south of downtown via Bouldin, roll through the Emerald Forest and return via Forest Wood and Robert E Lee. Today’s Routes: 31, 82, 84, 25, 11, 64, and 33. These are 2 ways to get from Dittmar north across Lady Bird Lake. These rides are meant for exploring so bring questions not your heart rate monitor. Come by at 8:00 for pre-ride coffee. Ride organizer: Eileen Schaubert at eileen@mellowjohnnys.com or 512-426-4851.
Bat Fest Ride ’09
7 PM, Bicycle Sport Shop Central, 517 S. Lamar Blvd
Get bat wild with us for the 5th Annual Bat Fest. Estimated attendance for this event is 40,000, so park in a free and safe spot at Bicycle Sport Shop on South Lamar. Enjoy the ride to the Congress bridge in great company with the Bicycle Sport Shop crew and Social Cycling. Enjoy the music of the Gourds, Vallejo, Bob Schneider, Girl In A Coma, One Eyed Doll and The Wailers. Explore the work of artists and craftspeople in approximately 150 booths. Embrace the festival with your best bat costume and there just might be some prize money in it for you.
Beer Cat Alleycat Race
8:30 PM, Lamar Blvd Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge, Lady Bird Lake
This alleycat race going to include drinking, side events and all around good times. Drinking is a part of the race since this race is the spiritual successor to the “Too drunk to f*#k race” that happened a while back. All cyclists and spectators are welcome. Entry Fee: $5. Race, and Side events including Footdown, Skid Comp. and Track Stand Chug.
Sunday, August 23
Film Shoot for Bike Safety PSA
6- 11 AM, Under the I-35 Bridge, Lady Bird Lake
Local film maker Adam Pruitt will be shooting footage for a bicycle safety video to be shown at Interbike this fall. To make this happen, Adam needs your help to fill the screen with various local cyclists. Coffee and Pastries will abound for the early birds. Staging and setup at 6 AM, cyclists needed by 7 AM. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Adam at 512-826-7654 or adampruitt@me.com.
Pure Fitness Xterra Off Road Triathlon
8 AM, Emma Long Park, 1600 City Park Rd
Take part in the Austin stop of the Xtrerra Off-Road Triathlon series. 1000m swim/16mi bike/5.5mi run.
Sunday Morning Fixie Ride
8:20 AM, Posse East, 2900 Duval St
The ride is focused on fixed-gear bikes, but everyone is welcome. The ride will proceed at a social pace from the UT campus on various routes of 25-35 miles.
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
2 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.
Cycle to the Symphony Ride
6:15 PM, Central Market North, 4001 N. Lamar Blvd
Sociable group ride (12 mph moving speed) with an hour stop at the free outdoor concert. Recommended to bring food and drink – leader will have extra carrying space. The last 5 miles will at dusk – Lights / reflectors needed. Ride organizer: Niles Seldon at nseldon@ix.netcom.com or (512) 626-5212.
Monday, August 24
Weekly Ladies Ride presented by Mellow Johnny’s
5:30 PM, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Show, 400 Nueces St
Starting at 5:30 sharp, it’s a 2 hour ride for ladies only. Join experienced riders from Mellow Johnny’s for a friendly and moderately paced social ride (14-16mph average). Get more comfortable riding in a group, learn tips & tricks, and meet other like-minded cyclists. Stay afterwards for champagne and strawberries at Royal Blue Grocery across the street! Some things to keep in mind before meeting us for this ride: Have a road bike in good working condition, Bring a helmet, Wear cycling clothing, Bring plenty of water, Are able to ride comfortably for 2 hours without stopping.
Ride Like a Girl Women’s Mountain Bike Rides
6 PM, Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park, 12138 N Lamar Blvd
The Austin Ridge Riders are hosting a five month program of weekly Monday evening women’s mountain bike rides, plus weekend rides at local mountain bike trails/parks. This is an opportunity to meet other women to ride with, learn new trails and learn new skills. Each ride will divide up into groups based on riders’ abilities and speed and will have a beginner clinic/ride, intermediate, and advanced group rides. Rides will last 1 – 2.5 hours. Prizes and gift certificates from our sponsors will be raffled away after every ride. All riders must wear a helmet, bring plenty of water, and have a trail-worthy bike in good working condition. Please arrive 15 minutes before the start time.
Heavy Metal Fitness Ride hosted by Social Cycling ATX
7 PM, Lamar Blvd Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge, Lady Bird Lake
Hosted by Social Cycling ATX, this ride is a higher pace and more challenging than their Thursday Night Urban Ride. The ride is 20-30 miles and usually ends with free beer and a dip in the water. Meet up at 7 PM. Ride leaves at 7:30 sharp.
Tuesday, August 25
Monthly Bike Time Trials by RunFAR Racing Services
5:30 PM, Mopac Veloway, 4848 La Crosse Ave
RunFAR Racing Services is back doing their twice a month TT series on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. An approximately 8 mile Bike Time Trial, the race is free or all Chip Owners. You can rent a chip for $5.00 if you do not own a chip or forget your chip. You may purchase a chip at the RunFAR Store OR we will have personal chips for sale at registration. First cyclist starts at 6pm. Riders may start at their discretion. Registration begins at 5:30pm and closes just before 6:55pm. Course: S. Mopac Loop. Starts on the southbound shoulder just past La Crosse Ave. And finishes on the northbound shoulder just before La Crosse Ave. Results will be posted ONLINE ONLY.
Wednesday, August 26
Weekly Women’s Ride with Austin Flyer’s Team
6 PM, Bicycle Sport Shop Central, 517 South Lamar Blvd
Join local cycling team the Austin Flyers for this weekly women’s ride. The ride will leave from BSS Central Location (Lamar and Barton Springs) every week except for the last Wednesday of the month when it will leave from BSS North location (183 and Braker). This is a relaxed-pace, no-drop ride open to all levels and will last up to two hours. If you have any questions about the ride, please email Tammy Thompson.
Casual South Austin Wednesday Night Ride
6:30 PM, Don’s Automotive 1636 South 1st St, Austin
Leave from Don’s Automotive 1636 South First between 6:30 – 7:00. About 10+ miles, average a little over 10 mph. Lately the ride has been doing a loop including Barton Hills Blvd and some hills like Lund St. We avoid the Hike and Bike trail for being too crowded. Nothing highly technical or competitive but the ride would be difficult or impossible with a single speed or cruiser type bike. This group is certainly not the fastest but not the slowest either. Ride organizer: Don from Don’s Automotive, 512-447-9032
Wednesday Urban Assault Ride- Are you ready for some football?
7:15 PM, Posse East, 2900 Duval St
The Austin WAR – Wednesday Urban Assault Ride – is a combination bike ride and pub crawl. Rides are not fast (12mph) and not long (10mi). WAR rides every other Wednesday evening, usually meeting for a quick dinner at about 6pm and visiting 3-4 bars between 7 and 11pm. This week’s ride will leave at 7:15 sharp! Each ride has a theme, and accompanying music. This ride celebrates the beginning of college football season with the Longhorns ranked #2 and Colt McCoy as a Heisman contender. Wear your Burnt Orange and welcome in the season. Bring a lock, a light, and a friend.
on Aug 20th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
This Thursday the Social Ride is heading to Jackalope. Just wanted to clarify so folks know where to meet us!
on Aug 20th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Thanks Heather. I had grabbed last week’s description. I’ve updated the post.
on Aug 20th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
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