This is going to be a perfect weekend to get out on your bike! The Austin on Two Wheels Urban Living rides continue this weekend with the Bicycle Sport Shop Art ride on Saturday and on Sunday the inaugural Round Rock Express Ride with a chase to win a Please Be Kind to Cyclists kit.

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, April 7

Urban Rail Open House Meeting
5- 8 PM, George Washington Carver Museum (Museum Foyer), 1161 Angelina Street
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the City of Austin have officially begun the process of preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) for Austin’s proposed Urban Rail system in Central Austin, including scheduling a series of meetings in April for the public to learn about and comment on the proposed system. The proposed 16.5-mile transit system would serve Downtown Austin, the State Capitol Complex, and the University of Texas campus, with extensions southeast to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (along East Riverside Drive) and northeast to the Mueller redevelopment.

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 3/4 Race and Women’s Open at 5:30, Kids Fun Lap at 6:20, Cat 4/5 Race at 6:25, Pro/Cat 1/2/3 at 6:55 and Masters at 7:55.  Races registration $20 for Men, $15 for Women, & $10 for Juniors/College Students. Full season passes and discount punch cards available. USA Cycling annual or one day license and helmet required. One days for sale at race.

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.

Austin Cycling Association Membership Meeting on Wheels – Food Trailer Bike Cruise
6:30 PM, Bicycle Sport Shop, 517 S. Lamar Blvd
We’ll enjoy a relaxed cruise through downtown with stops at 3 food trailer parks. Total mileage is less than 7 miles but we’ll get to see some of the best downtown routes including the new Pfluger Bridge extension. Bring lights, helmets and cash for the stops. We’ll meet up for socializing before we roll out. Thanks to Bicycle Sport Shop for our door prizes – 2 free entries to their Signature Ride Series.

Thursday Night Social Ride
7:30 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. “No costumes, themes or special guests this week. This week is about a bike ride, a park stop or two and an old school soul/funk dance party at a bar that’ll make you think it’s 1975 when you step inside. This week we are landing at the Legendary White Swan, a forty year old juke joint on the east side. We’ll have some beer courtesy of BROOKLYN BREWERY and a dance party courtesy of BSears from the Friends of Sound. It’s only two …bucks at the door for all of that good beer and good music.” Meet up at 7:30, ride at 8:00.  Read our article on the weekly ride.

Saturday, April 9

Tour de Vineyard at Florence
8 AM, The Vineyard at Florence, 8711 W FM 487, Florence, TX
The ride will start and end at The Vineyard at Florence. The ride will take you through the scenic back roads of Florence and Williamson County.  The routes will be 15, 35, 45 and 65 miles.  There will be rest stops supported by local organizations providing all of the necessities.  SAG and EMS will be provided as well. If you do not pre-register, you will not be guaranteed a shirt.  T-shirt orders must be in by March 18th. Registration includes lunch: turkey sandwich, chips, ice tea, water or lemonade. The 4th Annual Old World Stone Carving Competition and Art Show will also be taking place on April 9th  11- 6.

Mellow Johnny’s Scout-A-Ride: Trekkin’ The (paved) Trails(extended)
*NEW TIME* 9:00 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: Trekkin’ The (paved) Trails. This is a special version of the Scout-A-Route ride – we’ll go exploring some of our favorite hidden paved trails that make cruising downtown much easier. The pace is slow and the distance short so it’s perfect for anyone new to the bike or just getting back in the saddle again. 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 8:30 for coffee. Helmets required. Contact: Stephanie at Stephanie@mellowjohnnys.com.

Urban Rail Open House Meeting
11 AM- 2 PM, Ruiz Branch Library (Meeting Rooms), 1600 Grove Boulevard
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the City of Austin have officially begun the process of preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) for Austin’s proposed Urban Rail system in Central Austin, including scheduling a series of meetings in April for the public to learn about and comment on the proposed system. The proposed 16.5-mile transit system would serve Downtown Austin, the State Capitol Complex, and the University of Texas campus, with extensions southeast to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (along East Riverside Drive) and northeast to the Mueller redevelopment.

Bicycle Sport Shop Art Ride presented by Austin on Two Wheels
Meet up at 1:30 PM, Ride leaves at 2PM, Whole Foods Market Lamar, 525 N. Lamar Blvd.
The Bicycle Sport Shop Art Ride 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. In partnership with Bicycle Sport Shop, we are proud to produce this new ride theme to our Urban Living Ride series. Stops will include some of downtown Austin’s best art galleries with new installations including Art on 5th, Austin Details Art + Photo, Wally Workman Gallery and Women and Their Work with giveaways from Bicycle Sport Shop at the end of the ride. Food & drink, guides, and bike valet included. Bike rentals available. Total ride distance 7 miles.

Sunday, April 10

Round Rock Express Ride
7 AM, Dell Diamond, 3400 East Palm Valley Boulevard, Round Rock, TX
An Austin on Two Wheels sponsored ride!
Jack & Adam’s Bicycles, Please BE KIND to Cyclists, the Round Rock Express, and High Five Events are pleased to announce the inaugural Round Rock Express Ride cycling event. This one-of-a-kind cycling event has ride distances of 77 and 27 miles, and includes tickets to a minor league baseball game! The ride exists to promote health & fitness through cycling and to benefit the Please BE KIND to Cyclists non-profit organization.

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.

Bluebonnet Chainring Rollout
10:30 AM, Reveille Peak Ranch, 105 CR 114, Burnet, TX
Texas is more than a state of mind, it’s an adventure! Reveille Peak Ranch and Terra Firma Racing are hosting the first annual Bluebonnet Adventure Fest on in conjunction with the Burnet County Bluebonnet Festival in Burnet, Texas. The Bluebonnet Chainring Rollout is a 4-hr mountain bike race and raffle ride on a 8.3 mile course. The winner is the team or solo rider with the most amount of laps in the 4-hr period. Riders can race solo or sign up as teams of two. We will be awarding medals to the top 3-5 in each category, depending on field depth, as well as prizes to first place. Riders can also win cool giveaways in the raffle by entering their name one time for every lap completed in the raffle drawing.

2011 ‘Bent Event at Easy Street Recumbents
Noon- 5 PM, Easy Street Recumbents, 5555 N. Lamar Blvd, #C105
Free to the public.  Stop by Easy Street Recumbents and play around on some easy to ride recumbent bikes and trikes, have some food, and listen to some music.  Meet David Eggleston of Velomobile USA, from Midland, Texas, and see his remarkable velomobiles.  Meet lots of recumbent bike and trike riders, and join in a ride around the North Loop Neighborhood.

Monday, April 11

Austin City Council Candidates Forum on Bicycling
7:30pm – 9:30pm, Welch 1.308, UT Campus
The League of Bicycling Voters, Austin Cycling Association, UT Orange Bike Project, and Austin’s Yellow Bike Project will be hosting its Austin City Council Candidates Forum on Bicycling. This will be a chance to find out where candidates stand on cycling issues including implementation of the Master Bicycle Plan.

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, April 12

Taste of Central Austin presented by Austin on Two Wheels
DATE CHANGE TO WEDNESDAY APRIL 20
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 Central Austin 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. For 2011, we are taking our very popular food and drink ride series outside of downtown with samplers at restaurants in the Triangle/Hyde Park area. We’ll stop at restaurants in Central Austin area to sample the best locally made food our town has to offer. Vegetarian options will be available.

Austin Bike Chix Beginner Ride
6:30 PM, Northwest District Park, 7000 Ardath St.
There is a new series of bike rides in town for those new to cycling or for those that just need to dust off that bike. Austin Bike Chix will be offering a series of rides to Austin Area adults. The rides will start at Northwest Park on March 22 at 6:30 PM and will continue on Tuesdays for 6 weeks. The series of rides will be more like mini clinics (with topics ranging from chains to hills) to give new riders knowledge about the bike and confidence to be able to do the shorter distances on some of the local charity rides and beginner rides in town. These rides are perfect for those wanting to do ride in the Tour de Cure or are a first time triathlete.  We will be riding on the road, all bikes are welcome. All rides are free.

Wednesday, April 13

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.