The Texas Custom Bicycle Show rolls into town this weekend with the LivesStrong Challenge Ride. There’s plenty more to do though including an extra spooky Thursday Night Social Ride, the season finale of the Driveway Crits Series, Día de Los Muertos ride, and Webberville Cyclocross race.

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, October 22

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, Two locations: Bicycle Sport Shop Central, 517 S. Lamar Blvd or Bicycle Sports Shop North, 10947 Research 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.

Film showing of “Race Across The Sky – Leadville Trail 100“
7 PM, Cinemark Southpark Meadows, Tinseltown USA Pflugerville, & Metropolitan 14
Experience a One Night Event in movie theatres nationwide featuring the debut of “Race Across the Sky” – a documentary covering the 2009 Leadville Trail 100 bike race, one of the most intense endurance races of all time – and candid conversations with Lance Armstrong, Chris Carmichael, Dave Wiens, and other elite and amateur cyclists who overcame extreme challenges to participate in this grueling race.

Thursday Night Social Ride
7:30 PM, Lamar Blvd Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge
A ride from the Facebook group Social Cycling ATX. Meet at Pedestrian Bridge at 7:30 p.m. leave at 8:00 p.m. This week we are celebrating halloween a bit early. If you’re not too scared to attend this week this is what we are doing…Experience the Ultra-Vivid ‘Rise of the Abominations’ with Social Cycling ATX Night at House of Torment & Illusion Manor. We’ve arranged for a special night for our members to celebrate the Halloween season along with a special 50% discount ($7.50) if you arrive with the group and bring cash (we will all buy our ticket through a designated person). If you come earlier or later, just use the promotional code “socialcyclingatx” when buying tickets online or say “Social Cycling ATX” at the box office to get a $2 discount. Read our recent article on the popular weekly ride.

Friday, October 23

Texas Custom Bicycle Show- Day 1
Noon- 7 PM, LiveStrong Expo, Austin Convention Center
The Second annual Texas Custom Bicycle Show is an exhibition of custom bicycle frame builders from all over the Lone Star state. The show will feature Texas custom builders with styles as diverse as road, mountain, city bikes, cargo and track bikes built from steel, titanium, and carbon fiber. Each builder will have a booth at a section of the Expo reserved for the Texas Custom Bicycle Show with model bikes on display. Confirmed builders are Alchemy Bicycle Company, Bilenky Cycle Works, Crumpton Cycles, Daltex Handmade Bicycles, Dominion Bicycle Company, Gallus Cycles, Kirklee, Massengill Cycles, Southwest Frameworks, True Fabrication, Violet Crown Cycles, and Willits Brand Bicycles.

Mellow Johnny’s Scout-A-Ride Shop Road Ride: Photo Op Tour
2 PM, also Saturday at 10 AM & 2 PM, Hyatt Hotel, 208 Barton Springs Rd
One of several rides for our LiveStrong visitors to Austin, this 15 mile ride will stop at our favorite iconic Austin tourist sites including Barton Springs, the Stevie Ray Vaughn statue, UT campus, the Capitol Grounds and the “Welcome to Austin” postcard mural. This guided tour will travel at a leisurely pace enjoying the laid back atmosphere that Austin is famous for. Ride size is limited, please rsvp to eileen@mellowjohnnys.com

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, October 24

Texas Custom Bicycle Show- Day 2
9 AM- 1 PM, LiveStrong Expo, Austin Convention Center
Second day featuring custom bikes built by Texas’ finest frame builders.

Tree-Wheelin’ Bicycle Tour
9 AM, Pease Park
In 1976, over 200 of our our oldest, largest, and most notable trees were inducted in to the City of Austin Bicentennial Registry. The Tree-Wheelin’ Bicycle Tour aims to honor these trees–they are among our oldest citizens and most efficient city workers, and to recognize the valuable role of the urban forest in providing clean air and water, absorbing storm run-off, saving millions of dollars annually in energy costs, and beautifying our city and neighborhoods! The tour begins at Pease Park with advanced, intermediate, and beginner guided rides. Riders can ride with a group or explore favorite trees or parts of the route at their own pace and leisure. Each tree will have a host with water and snacks, and riders can pick up a raffle ticket at each tree visited to qualify for a prize at the end of the tour!

Viva La Vida Festival Ride
4:30 PM, Plaza Saltillo
This year, Mexic-Arte Museum wants to extend this festivity to not only celebrate those who have passed – but also celebrate those who are active in leading healthy lifestyles and taking care of our earth. Because of this, we invite the cycling community in Austin to participate as a feature of our Grand Procession, which is the highlight of this annual festival. Skull-painted faces are strongly encouraged. Note: you must fill out and return or bring this form to participate in the ride.

Sunday, October 25

Texas Custom Bicycle Show- Day 3
8:30 AM- 5 PM, LiveStrong Challenge Finishing Line, Dripping Springs
Third day featuring custom bikes built by Texas’ finest frame builders. Day 3 will be at the Livestrong Finishing Line in Dripping Springs.

Webberville Cyclocross Race
9 AM, Webberville County Park, 2399 Park Lane, Webberville, TX
Cyclocross racing just east of Austin with Cat 1-4, Women’s, Juniors, and Masters racing with prize money. Registration $25, $10 Juniors.

Sunday Morning Fixie Ride
NEW TIME! 10:20 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 Monday’s and Friday’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.

Weekly Ladies Ride presented by Mellow Johnny’s
3:30 PM, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Show, 400 Nueces St
Starting at 3:30 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.

Monday, October 26

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, October 27

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 short track mountain bike. New this year are monthly 4 week series and A2W and Violet Crown Cycles have come on board as sponsors of the cyclocross series. Each time you race you are entered into a drawing for a custom cyclocross frameset by Violet Crown Cycles. The more you race, the more chances to win.  $10, women, beginners and kids only $5. Second race same night $5. All types of bikes are welcome.

Wednesday, October 21

Weekly Bike Maintenance and Flat Repair Classes hosted by Mellow Johnny’s

6 PM, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, 400 Nueces St
Every Wednesday at 6pm Mellow Johnny’s has bike maintenance and flat repair classes. Learn how to fix a flat tire and add life to your bike with simple maintenance and repairs. Please RSVP to Chuck atchuck@mellowjohnnys.com if you plan on attending on of the classes. Classes fill up quickly so RSVP soon so you don’t get left out!