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 19

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 article on bike polo for more info.

PURE Austin Fitness Driveway Crit Series
5 PM, The Driveway, 8400 Delwau Lane
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. Races registration $20. Full and 1/2 season passes available. USA Cycling annual or one day license required. One days for sale at race.

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, the BAC will be receiving a report from APD regarding bicycle related issues.

Thursday Night Social Ride
7:30 PM, Fiesta Gardens
The large weekly ride from the Facebook group Social Cycling ATX that popularized social cycling in Austin. Meet up at 7:30, ride at 8:00.  Read our article on the weekly ride.

Friday, August 20

Midnight Ridazz ATX: Hotter n’ Hell RIDE
11 PM, Lamar Blvd Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge
Midnight Ridazz ATX returns after a hiatus for this pub hopping social ride.

Saturday, August 21

ACA Summer Picnic Ride
8 AM, Brushy Creek Lake Park
Join ACA for its annual summer picnic and bike ride at Brushy Creek Lake Park. Route choices of 12, 20, 33, 46 and 63 miles. Stay for the picnic afterward at the Cedar Pavilion from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Members and non-members are all welcome. Register here for the picnic. No need to register for the ride. Brushy Creek Lake Park is located off of Brushy Creek Road just east of Parmer Lane. Please park at the back of the parking lot near the restrooms and water feature. Overflow parking at the kayak dock or on the other side of Parmer at the Sports Complex.

Mellow Johnny’s Scout-A-Ride: Flirting With Ben (White)
8:30 AM, Mellow Johnny’s, 400 Nueces St
Saturday mornings spent exploring City of Austin bike routes finding new neighborhoods and ways to get around on your bike.  This is 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. The ride travels on city bike route numbers: 60, 51, 70, 47, 60, 64, 31, 25. Come by at 8:00 for coffee. Helmets required. Ride organizer: Eileen Schaubert at eileen@mellowjohnnys.com or 512-426-4851.

Pure Austin Fitness Emma’s Revenge Mountain Bike Race
9 AM, Emma Long City Park, 1600 City Park Rd
The Pure Austin Fitness Emma’s Revenge Mountain Bike Race will consist of one 16 mile loop of Sunday’s tri course. Many of you know, or have heard, about the Emma loop and know how tough it is. It hasn’t changed, it’s hard! But look, guys are doing double back flips on motorcycles these days; I think you can handle a little “Emma”. Get out there and cyclo-cross the scketchy sections and have a blast!!! We will warn you of the danger zones and when your finished, join us for a beer and tell us all about it!!! We’ll have a few Mr. and Mrs. Clean sections worked up for some additional lying…I mean excuses…I mean…discussion topics at the finish.

Austin Bike Zoo’s An Oddity Odyssey
9 PM, 91 Red River Drive
In the tradition of Wheels of Wonderland, The Austin Bike Zoo will be presenting a one-night performance installation combining theatre, dance, music, comedy and circus arts with our world-famous kinetic sculptures and the work of visual artists from Austin and around the world to create an unforgettable night of art and magic!

Sunday, August 22

Pure Austin Fitness XTERRA Austin Off Road Triathlon
8 AM, Emma Long City Park, 1600 City Park Rd
Set deep in the Balcones Canyon Lands area of the Texas Hill Country, the Pure Austin Fitness Xterra Austin race is one of the most fun and challenging courses on the XTERRA Point Series. The race starts among huge Cypress trees alongside Lake Austin and continues over ridges and bluffs overlooking Emma Long City Park. The rocky, undulating and thickly-wooded terrain will challenge the most experienced racers and, upon completion, will be the source of pride and confidence for newbies as well! Also, as the “Live Music Capital of the World”, we will make it a party too with music, pizza, beer and unique competitions and activities. 1000m swim/16mi MTB/5.5mi trail run.

Monday, August 23

The 6:00 Social
6 PM, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Show, 400 Nueces St
Mellow Johnny’s has a new weekday ride. It’s the 6:00 Social. It’s not the “ladies” ride. It’s co-ed. Meet at Mellow Johnny’s on Monday evenings and leaving at 6p. The ride will be 30 miles for 2-2.5hrs at 13-16mph; through neighborhoods, official bike routes, crossing a couple of large roadways, and two short sections on access roads. Helmets and lights are required (it will be dark before we return).

Restorative Yoga for Cyclists
7:30 PM, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, 400 Nueces St
Come in for Restorative Yoga at Mellow Johnny’s during our summer sessions Mondays and Wednesdays from June through August. Lengthen and loosen muscles while preventing injury with John Trujillo and Anne Haskett. Join us after a ride, run, or a long day at work. Suggested donation of $10, $5 if you ride your bike to the class. Mats are provided by MJ’s.

Heavy Metal Fitness Ride hosted by Social Cycling ATX
7:30 PM, Lamar Blvd Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge
The Heavy Metal Fitness Ride has returned! 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 24

2010 RunFAR Bike Time Trial Presented by CRAFT
6 PM, The Veloway, 4848 La Crosse Ave
This twice monthly time trial series on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays is sponsored by RunFar. Approximately 8 mile Bike Time Trial on S. Mopac Loop. Starts on the southbound shoulder just past La Crosse Ave. And finishes on the northbound shoulder just before La Crosse Ave. The TT is still FREE for 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.

Yo!ga Ride!
7:30 PM, North East Side Town Lake @ I35 Bridge
A weekly ride from Social Cycling Austin that ends with yoga in the park and maybe a dip in Barton Springs. Bring a yoga mat, bathing suit, towel, lights for your bike, water and a lock.

Wednesday, August 11

Hump Day Ride hosted by Social Cycling ATX
Noon, Lamar Blvd Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge, Lady Bird Lake
The latest new ride from Social Cycling ATX. Social paced ride for the riders that can make it out during the work week. We will have a few stops one at a coffee shop and one for lunch. All levels are welcome. Share with your “funemployed” friends.

Restorative Yoga for Cyclists
7:30 PM, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, 400 Nueces St
Come in for Restorative Yoga at Mellow Johnny’s during our summer sessions Mondays and Wednesdays from June through August. Lengthen and loosen muscles while preventing injury with John Trujillo and Anne Haskett. Join us after a ride, run, or a long day at work. Suggested donation of $10, $5 if you ride your bike to the class. Mats are provided by MJ’s.

Fast Folks Ladies Ride
8:30 PM, Fast Folks, 2513 East 6th St
Austin’s fixed gear bike shop Fast Folks has started a weekly ladies ride as an alternative to the normally male dominated rides.