With school back in session this week, things have quieted down a bit, but there is still plenty to do. Critical Mass on Friday, Frankenbike on Saturday, Cemetery Cats Bike Wash Fundraiser on Sunday, and the return of the Dirty Derby Cyclocross/Single Track racing on Tuesdays. Get out and ride your bike!
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 27
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 Women Only Bike Maintenance Class
6PM, Bicycle Sport Shop Central, 517 S. Lamar Blvd
Free basic maintenance class (including how to fix a flat) taught by one of the BSS skilled female mechanics.
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. After some cycling, socializing and bike games for Ozone Bike Department prizes, the ride will head to the Terrible One bmx/skate ramp for a keg party with bands (sorry, no bikes inside for the party). The Brimmers are playing a special gig just for us, and there will be a few iced down kegs of free beer when we get there. Also, House Park BBQ will be there selling sausage wraps for a dollar. As well, Chef Ross is also cooking up some pulled pork sandwiches for purchase as well. They are calling this The Boogie Ride.
Friday, August 28
Critical Mass Ride
5 PM, West Mall, University of Texas Campus
This bike jamming ride is designed to shout to the world that bikes belongs and occurs on the last Friday of the month. You never know what will happen, but don’t miss this foundation of the Austin bike culture we know today.
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, August 29
Hotter’n Hell Hundred Endurance Ride
7 AM, Wichita Falls, TX
It is a Texas legend. Riders and racers from all over the USA will celebrate the 28th annual Hotter ‘N Hell Hundred. The Hotter ‘N Hell Hundred is one of the oldest and largest cycling events in the nation. Fitness oriented riders and bicycle racers will come to Wichita Falls, Texas, from virtually every state and several foreign countries. veryone does get is a ride T-shirt and water bottle, goodie bag, free stuff from the consumer show, his or her share of 15,000 gallons of hydration fluid, truck loads of fruit, pickles, thousands of helpers on the route and a hard-earned finisher pin. Route distances are: 10K – 25 mile – 50 mile – 100K – 100 mile
Mellow Johnny’s Scout-A-Ride Shop Road 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). Let’s check out some southside neighborhoods coming close to Ben White but not actually crossing it. We’ll 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 by at 8:00 for pre-ride coffee. Ride organizer: Eileen Schaubert at eileen@mellowjohnnys.com or 512-426-4851.
Frankenbike 49
10 AM- 5 PM, Austin Bike Zoo, E 1706 17th St
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, August 30
Austin Luna Chix Bike-N-Brunch
8:00 AM, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, 400 Nueces St
Join the women of Austin LUNA Chix for this monthly Sunday ride. The rides are designed for the beginner road rider and will teach riders skills to safely ride in the Austin area. Each month we will have LUNA samples and feature a new ride route and a local restaurant. Distance: 15-20 miles. Ride organizer: Stephanie Childs at info@austinlunachix.com or (512) 796-3818
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.
Cemetery Cats Cycling Team Charity Bike Wash Fundraiser
3- 8 PM, Mugshots, 407 E 7th St
The Cemetary Cats are a group that does informal pub crawls about once a month and this month’s pub visit will funds for next year’s MS 150 and Tour de Cure and have a bike wash to boot. The Cats will be serving food, $2 LoneStars (there is a full bar), giving bike washes and baby tune-ups. There was talk of a water balloon fight, but with the water restrictions, I don’t think that will happen. All of the donations and money from food/beer will go directly to the MS Society (Multiple Sclerosis Society) and ADA (American Diabetes Association).
Monday, August 31
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, Barton Creek Greenbelt, Hwy 360 Access
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.
Canceled for one week break. 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, September 1
Is the Dirty Derby in your future? Image courtesy of Dirt Derby.
Dirt Derby
5:30 PM, Austin/Del Valle Motorcross Park, 15400 Pearce Ln, Del Valle, TX
Austin’s weekly cyclocross series returns for its fourth season at the the fully illuminated motocross course and surrounding fields at Austin/Del Valle Motorcross Park (ADVMX). There are A, B, beginners, women’s, and children’s races in cyclocross and single track. New this year are monthly 4 week series. $10, women, beginners and kids only $5. Second race same night $5. All types of bikes are welcome.
Wednesday, September 2
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
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on Aug 28th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Monday’s Heavy Metal Fitness ride is taking the week off: http://www.atxbs.com/?q=node/2113
They’ll be back on again the following week.