Spring is on our doorstep now, the best time in my opinion to be riding a bike in Austin. The weather is great and there is a lot going on. This Saturday will be Austin on Two Wheels’ Taste of Downtown #1 ride, the first in our 16 ride series of Urban Living Rides. The century ride season will also kick off with our sponsored ride, the Pedal Thru the Pines.

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, March 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.

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. “his coming Thursday is gonna be offa da chain more than usual! TNSR is hooking up with Drunk Dial to bring what might be the world’s first sex/ love/ sass advice talk show on bikes. I’m waiting for Guinness to get back to me on that one. The Drunk Dial ladies will be on the ride in a chariot offering advice, gossip and plenty of sass to all who ride up and ask questions and will provide us with endless mobile entertainment! Get out to some thrift stores this weekend and get your SEQUINS on because this ride is gonna SPARKLE! Sequins, ball gowns, wedding dresses, tuxedos, whatever just plan on looking GOOD! We’ll be wrapping up the ride at Uncle Billy’s on Barton Springs for hanging out and drinking a keg courtesy of the people who are lobbying for microbrew freedom for our Texas breweries, then Uncle Billy’s will be providing us with cheap beers for the remainder of the evening.” Meet up at 7:00, ride at 7:30.  Read our article on the weekly ride.

Friday, March 4

Fabulous Fixed First Friday: All Inclusive Great Potato Famine Alleycat Race
6 PM, State Capitol Grounds
The first Friday of the month means Fabulous Fixed First Friday alleycat races. Bring $5, a bag, lock, pen, helmet and a fixed gear any bike to race.

Saturday, March 5

La Primavera at Lago Vista Road Race
8 AM, La Primavera at Lago Vista
2 days of road racing in Lago Vista. 5.5 mile loop: clockwise on Saturday, counter-clockwise on Sunday. TXBRA State Cup Event. USA Cycling annual or 1 day license required. Directions from IH-35 (North of Austin) go west on FM 1431, 21 miles to Lago Vista. Go left (south) on Lohman’s Ford Road for 3 miles, then right on Boggy Ford for 2 miles, then left on American Drive to Start/Finish.

The Muddy Outlaw Chainring Challenge Mountain Bike Race
8 AM, Flat Creek Ranch, Johnson City, TX
Dedicated to keepin’ yer Texas race dollars in Texas, The Muddy Outlaw Dash and Chainring Challenge is a 3.1 mile run or 7 mile mountain bike produced by local adventure race directors, Too Cool Racing. Longhair Jim has escaped the county jail and yer gonna have to track that desperado over some of the roughest, toughest Texas themed obstacles this side of the Mississippi!  The race takes place at Flat Creek Ranch, a Texas jewel that only opens to the public a few times a year.  Racers can expect 10-12 obstacles like ‘Longhorn Leap’, ‘Barn door Bramble’ and more…When yer all done collect that sheriffs badge you earned and mossy on down to the town saloon and grab yerself some free Texas BBQ and beer.

2011 Eco-Lonestar Adventure Race
8 AM, Reveille Peak Ranch, 105 CR 114, Burnet, TX
2 Distances: ECO LONESTAR SPORT ADVENTURE RACE (2-4 Hour Adventure Race): 2-Person Teams or Solo racers will be challenged on a marked course by 8-14 miles mountain biking, 2-4 miles trail running, 1-2 miles paddling, and mystery events. Race will last 2-3 hours. ECO LONESTAR EXTREME ADVENTURE RACE (8-12 Hour Adventure Race): 3-person teams will be challenged by 15-25 miles mountain biking, 3-6 miles canoeing, 8-15 miles land navigation/trekking, and possible mystery events. Extreme racers must bring their own boats, paddles and life jackets.   Race will last 8-12 hours.

Pedal Thru the Pines
9 AM, Bastrop High School, 1700 Chambers St., Bastrop, TX
An Austin on Two Wheels Sponsored Event! The 9th Annual Pedal Thru The Pines hosted by the Family Crisis Center invites you to participate in a fun filled day that supports the Center’s vision of a safe community built on equality without the existence of violence. Cyclists will enjoy traversing the beautiful Loblolly Pines of Bastrop and Buescher State Parks and the surrounding country roads of Bastrop, Fayette and Lee counties. The routes provide a unique experience for cyclists of every level. Well stocked rest stops, friendly volunteers and a top notch veteran SAG Team add to the success of this must do event. Distances of 16, 27, 50 or 65 miles (on paved roads).

Mellow Johnny’s Scout-A-Ride: Explore UT Cultural Campus Tour
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: Explore UT Cultural Campus Tour. Explore art, history, the humanities, and science while enjoying a casual bike ride! Co-hosted by Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop and the Austin Cycling Association, this no-drop, co-ed group ride is perfect for the cyclist new to riding or bike commuting, returning to the bike, or just looking for a more casual ride. Total mileage is about 6 miles. On this route, we’ll stop by museums that are part of Austin’s Cultural Campus: the Blanton Museum of Art, The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, the Harry Ransom Center, LBJ Library and Museum, and the Texas Memorial Museum. Docents will briefly introduce us to museum highlights. Ride size is limited: rsvp here. 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.

Taste of Downtown #1 presented by Austin on Two Wheels
Meet up at 1:30, Ride leaves 2 PM, Austin Java at City Hall, 301 West 2nd St.
From March to May, Austin on Two Wheels presents sixteen extraordinary Austin rides dedicated to the simple pleasure of riding a bicycle with friends. The Taste of Downtown #1 is one of the 16 rides in the Spring 2011 Urban Living Ride Series sponsored by The Austin Chronicle, Bicycle Sport Shop, and Whole Foods Market. This food and drink sampler ride was our most popular themed ride from 2010 selling out on both occasions. We’ll stop at restaurants in the downtown area including How Do You Roll?, The Tavern, Gonzo Juice, and Skinny’s Ballroom to sample the best locally made food our town has to offer. Food and drink included and vegetarian options will be available. $22 online before day of ride. Ride day $25, cash only. Group discount and bike rental available.

Sunday, March 6

La Primavera at Lago Vista Road Race
8 AM, La Primavera at Lago Vista
2 days of road racing in Lago Vista. 5.5 mile loop: clockwise on Saturday, counter-clockwise on Sunday. TXBRA State Cup Event. USA Cycling annual or 1 day license required. Directions from IH-35 (North of Austin) go west on FM 1431, 21 miles to Lago Vista. Go left (south) on Lohman’s Ford Road for 3 miles, then right on Boggy Ford for 2 miles, then left on American Drive to Start/Finish.

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.

Santa Cruz Demo Day
9 AM- 3 PM, Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park, 12138 North Lamar Boulevard
Bike demos hosted by Mellow Jonny’s Bike Shop: Our friends at Santa Cruz pick a handful of dealers every year for a special demo tour and this year we’re proud to be on that list. Join us at Walnut Creek to sample and take their machines on the ultimate test ride. Guests must be 18 years of age or have a parent/guardian. Also make sure to bring along your Drivers License and Credit Card, no charge for the demo, but just a security precaution. Our friends from National Interscholastic Cycling Association will also be joining us, PLUS our we’ll be holding our Mellow Mountain Ride too. If you’ve never been to Walnut Creek let us show you around.  The NICA High School MTB League team will be accepting donations ($ and gear) to raise funds for the launch of the Texas High School MTB racing league. We’ll be there too grilling starting at 11:30.

Monday, March 7

Austin Cycling Association Annual Forum with APD Chief Art Acevedo
7 PM, One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road, 3rd Floor Conference Room
For the 3rd year in a row, APD Chief Art Acevedo will meet with and take questions/feedback from the cycling community.

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, March 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.