Baby, it’s cold outside . . . but that doesn’t mean you can’t ride your bike. Check out the excellent primer on winter riding from Streetfilms and don’t let the winter weather stop you. Also, if you can make it tonight do attend the Shifting Gears presentation by BikeTexas. It’s free (RVSP requested) and previous presentations in this series have been great food for thought on making our city more livable and bikeable.

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, February 3

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.

Shifting Gears
7pm, St. David’s Episcopal Church, 301 E. 8th Street
BikeTexas is very excited to have Gil Peñalosa as the expert presenting at our biennial transportation policy dinner. Gil Peñalosa is an international expert on livable communities and the Executive Director of 8-80 Cities. He will present many real-world examples that show how modest changes to our transportation infrastructure can have major positive impacts on community health, traffic congestion, and quality of life in Texas. Mr. Peñalosa acheived unprecedented success as Director of Public Works of Bogota, building linear parkways, bus rapid transit, and instituting the largest ciclovia (car-free day) on the planet. Now based in Toronto, Gil speaks around the world inspiring citizens and leaders to take action to build cities for people. He was recently chosen as the master of ceremonies of Velo-City 2011. Dinner is free but RSVP is requested.

Thursday Night Social Ride
7:00 PM, Plaza Satillo, Comal & E. 5th St.
Now winner of two 2010 Best of Austin Awards! The large weekly ride from the Facebook group Social Cycling ATX that popularized social cycling in Austin. “You thought it was cold 2 weeks ago? That wasn’t cold. Many of us did it in our underwear…this week on the other hand, get ready for some seriously icy temperatures! With any luck, we may even get some of that light and fluffy precipitation that I’ve seen in them moving picture boxes. Once again, it’s almost time for the Thursday Night Social Ride. 10 degree temperatures, thunderstorms, tornadoes, meteor showers, earthquakes, we’ll take them all on and meet up at Saltillo Plaza to ride our bikes. Valhalla will be the final destination this week and they be providing some free beers to put a little fire back in our bellies then $2 draft pints all night long. I’ll sure as hell be there, I hope to see you all as well.” Meet up at 7:00, ride at 7:30.  Read our article on the weekly ride.

Friday, February 4

Fab Friday Fixed Gear Alleycat: The Heart Breaker
6 PM, State Capitol
The first Friday of the month means Fabulous Fixed First Friday alleycat races. Bring $5, a bag, lock, pen & paper, and a fixed gear or single speed bike to race. Come and cheer even if you don’t plan to race so you can start your weekend right. After party at the Jackalope.

Saturday, February 5

The Dirty Dozen 12 Hour & Super Six 6 Hour Mountain Bike Race
8 AM, Bluff Creek Ranch, Warda, TX
This race is a 12 Hr or 6 Hr mountain bike relay race on a 7-8 mile single-track course.  Teams try to log as many laps as possible, with only 1 member riding at a time, in the 12 hr or 6 hr time period.  This race may also be done solo. $50.00 to the male & female that turn the Fastest Lap during the Dirty Dozen 12 HOUR RACE. Also, there will be an award of $50 to the fastest male and female solo lap (if you finish in the top 3 solo riders of the 12 hour race). There will also be an award for the fastest Le Mans runner start, both male & female. Over $10,000 in prizes and awards! Souvenir pint glasses to all finishers. 50% cash payback to all open classes!

Mellow Johnny’s Scout-A-Ride: Mueller Meander (extended)
9:30 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 week’s theme: Mueller Meander. This 20+ mile route takes us into the wonderful rolling hills of east Austin to check out the new Mueller development. We’ve changed up the route a bit to add some distance. The routes are designed to help riders navigate the city bike routes and other safe bike commuting options. We average 12mph for distances between 15-25 miles. Come by at 9:00 for coffee. Helmets required. Contact: Stephanie at Stephanie@mellowjohnnys.com.

Sunday, February 6

AFWC Ladies Ride
9 AM, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, 400 Nueces St.
Join the women of the Austin Flyers Women’s Cycling Club every Sunday for an intermediate, ladies-only ride. This friendly, 2.5-3 hour ride averages 15-16 mph, with routes varying each week. It is a great opportunity for women looking to continue their fitness, learn new routes and meet new riding partners. Beginner women are encouraged to check out the Saturday Scout-a-Route ride for a shorter, more casual route.

Monday, February 7

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.

Wednesday, February 9

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.

Leander / Cedar Park Social Ride
Meet up at 7 PM, Ride at 7:30 PM, Robin Bledsoe Park, 601 S. Bagdad Rd, Leander, TX
The Leander / Cedar Park Social Ride is held every Wednesday at 7pm at Robin Bledsoe Park at 601 S. Bagdad Rd. In Leander Tx. We usually roll out around 7:30 – 7:45 sharp and welcome and encourage riders of most skill levels no matter what type of bike you ride. I say most skill levels because we do ride at night along streets and usually only go about 10-14 miles and a fairly slow pace. The routes change up sometimes and there are often themes to the rides, just to keep it fun. Drinking usually ensues but not by everyone. We do occasionally have kids that ride with us and we do try to keep to non busy-ish streets and some sidewalks when the streets are busy. We encourage lights and helmets and obeying the law for the most part. We do ride with traffic not against it. I’m sure its pretty obvious that we have pretty much modeled ourselves after the Thursday Nighs Social Ride only in Leander on a different night and a lot smaller.

Restorative Yoga for Cyclists
7:30 PM, Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, 400 Nueces St
Spend your winter keeping the body warmed and relaxed with Restorative Yoga for Cyclists at Mellow’s Johnny’s. Long miles accompanied by yoga will help you release tension, stay injury-free and set you up for a blazing Spring. Our class is great for non-cyclists, beginners and elite athletes. Join us after a ride, run or long day at work or school. Every Wednesday 7:30-8:30pm (downstairs) Suggested donation of $10 or $5 if you bike ride to class. Mat provided by MJ’s.