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, September 29

Driveway Crit Series
5 PM, The Driveway, 8400 Delwau Lane
NEW SCHEDULE FOR FALL! Weekly Thursday night road racing through October that takes place on the closed car-free driving course at the Driveway. Races include 5PM = Women 3/4 and Jrs races, 5:30PM = the “B” race (Cat 3/4/5). Kids Lap at 6:15PM. 6:20PM = the “A” race (P1/2/3/4). There is no Cat 4/5 for the fall. 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.

Thursday Night Social Ride
7:30 PM, Festival Beach (north side of Lady Bird Lake just east of I-35)
Now winner of two 2010 Best of Austin Awards! “Alright guys this week we gonna do something a little different. We are gonna give back to the community after taking so, so very much. We are having a fundraiser and getting donations to help our neighbors out in Bastrop that have been affected by the fires that destroyed 1,500 homes. Their has been a large amount of help and support for those affected but they are still in need of many necessity’s such as personal hygiene products and cleaning supplies or just good ole’ fashion greenbacks. Don’t worry though guys we are still riding bikes and gonna party our asses off. We have DJ’s waiting for us at the mid stop Thunderbird Coffee and more DJ’s waiting for us at Empire bar where we are ending up. I believe we will have a drink special waiting for us as well but that’s still being worked out. Empire Bar has a $3 dollar cover unless you bring a donation then you get in for just a buck. So hit up a Dollar Store on your way to the beach and pick up some deodorant. Also while you’re there pick up something to donate to Red Cross.” Meet up at 7:30, ride at 8:00. Read our article on the weekly ride.

Friday, September 30

September Critical Mass Ride
5 PM, West Mall UT Campus
This bike jamming ride is designed to shout to the world that bikes belongs and occurs on the last Friday of the month. You never know what will happen, but don’t miss this foundation of the Austin bike culture we know today.

Saturday, October 1

The Kerrville Triathlon
7 AM, Family Sports Center, Kerrville, TX
3 Distances over 2 days. Sprint Distance on Sat, Oct 1: The Sprint Distance course is a 500 meter swim, 15 mile bike, and a 5 Km run.

Mellow Johnny’s Scout-A-Ride: Fabulous Thunderbird Coffee Ride
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 week’s theme: Fabulous Thunderbird Coffee Ride. This ride will leave Mellow Johnnys traveling north along Shoal Creek over to the east to the Crestview neighborhood. A stop at the Thurnderbird coffee shop (located at the corner of Koenig and Morrow) is part of the ride plan. Then return to the shop. Thank you for making this a popular Saturday morning ride. In response, we are now hosting two groups for this ride. Group 1: designed for those who can average 14-16mph for 20-30 miles with one or two regrouping points. This group follows the same route but is provided with an extended mileage option. Group 2: this is our traditional Scout-a-Route ride. We average 12mph for distances between 15-25 miles with regrouping points. The routes are designed to help riders navigate the city bike routes and other safe bike commuting options. Come by at 8:00 for coffee. Helmets required. If driving to the shop, please park in the street.Contact:Stephanie at Stephanie@mellowjohnnys.com.

Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day
9 AM, Walnut Creek Metro Park, 12138 North Lamar Blvd
Hosted by Bicycle Sport Shop. Rides start at 9am and 10am. What to bring: Helmet is required, Closed toed shoes required, Gloves (recommended), Bicycle. BSS request an RSVP here.

Coed Hands-on Flat Fix Clinic
12:00 PM, The Basement of Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop, 400 Nueces St
Join every Saturday from 12-1pm in the basement for a hands-on flat fix clinic. A member of Mellow Johnny’s staff will lead the class in all major aspects of puncture repair and tire maintenance. This class will be fantastic for new bike buyers as well the seasoned rider who has a flat tire collecting dust in the garage. No RSVP necessary.

Sunday, October 2

The Kerrville Triathlon
7 AM, Family Sports Center, Kerrville, TX
3 Distances over 2 days. Quarter Distance on Sun, Oct 2: The Quarter Distance is a 1000 meter swim, a 29 mile bike, and a 6.4 mile run. Half Distance on Sun, Oct 2: The Half Distance course is a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike, and a 13.1 mile Run.

AFWC Ladies Ride
7:30 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.

Sunday Morning Cyclocross Practice hosted by Austinbikes Cyclocross Team
8 AM, Northwest Park, 7000 Ardath Street
Sunday morning skills session practice to get ready for cyclocross season hosted by Austinbikes Cyclocross Team. We will do a few loops as warm-up then following: barrier technique with mounts and dismounts, turns, starts, hot laps with run ups, and easy laps. All are welcome.

Trek Women’s Tri
9 AM, Pace Bend Park, Spicewood, TX
Premier women’s only triathlon: 1/2mi Swim | 12mi Bike | 3.1mi Run

Monday, October 3

Trek Women’s Cycling Experience – Demo & Ride
4:30- 8 PM, Mellow Johnny’s Parking Lot, 400 Nueces St
Trek Bicycles picks a handful of dealers and events every year for a special WSD demo tour and this year Mellow Johnny’s is proud to be on that list. Try out the Madone WSD Road, the new Lush Carbon, and much more. Here’s the full list: Madone 6 Series, Madone 5 Series, Lexa SL & SLX, Speed Concept WSD, Lush Carbon, Lush AL, X-Caliber WSD and Superfly 100 Elite AL. A Trek rep will describe all of the bikes available for demo, then attendees will have the opportunity to get fitted on a bike complete with proper seat and pedal set up. A ride will leave from the shop at 6pm, led by Erin (Trek rep), and Mel and Ashley of MJs. The ride will return to the shop between 7:30-8pm.

Lend Your Legs: Social Cycling Austin + Texas School for the Blind
6 PM, Texas School for the Blind (campus location here)
School is back in session and so is a weekly ride that we started last Spring. The Lend Your Legs project continues with the Monday Social Ride for the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI). This is a chance to make a kiddo’s week just by riding your bike (something you would more than likely be doing anyway). For those who are new to the group, TSBVI has some tandem bikes for the students’ families to use. On Monday evenings, starting back this next week and going for the next 9 weeks, we are meeting at the school and taking the kids on a social ride. It’s an incredible experience to say the least. This year we are going to have even more kids on the ride so it is very important that we get a bunch of people to sign up as volunteers. It is VERY IMPORTANT that we get everyone to fill out the school’s volunteer forms and email them back to the school NO LATER THAN first thing Monday Morning so that you can captain a bike.

Tuesday, October 4

Beginner Cyclocross Clinic at the Dirt Derby hosted by Austin on Two Wheels
5:45 PM, Austin/Del Valle Motorcross Park, 15400 Pearce Ln
Interested in trying out cyclocross for the first time or just wanting to improve your cx skills? Austin on Two Wheels is pleased to offer a free beginner cyclocross clinic each Tuesday night out at the Dirt Derby. We’ll cover dismounts and remounts, running barrier, shouldering the bike, dealing with run ups, and an overview of cyclocross equipment. Come by the Austin on Two Wheels/Violet Crown Cycles tent to join in on this free clinic. No experience is necessary and all types of bikes are welcome (Recommended tires are those designed for off-road or cyclocross that are at least 32 mm wide for 700c size or at least 1.5 wide on 26″/29er.) Stay to race the beginner level Dirt Derby cyclocross race at 6:30 for only $5!

Dirt Derby
Gates open at 5:30, 1st race at 6:30, Austin/Del Valle Motorcross Park, 15400 Pearce Ln
The Dirt Derby is a weekly short course mountain bike and cyclocross race series that takes place at the Del Valle Motorcross Park. It is held every Tuesday night on a lighted course from September 27- December 13 and again January 10- February 14, 2012. There are three racing levels, Beginner (20 mi @ 6:30), Intermediate (MTB 25 min @ 7:00/CX 25 min @ 7:30), and Open (30 min @ 8:05), and you do not need a USA Cycling license to race. In addition to weekly prizes, there will be 3 six week series racers will be scored on for more prizes. Registration closes 10 minutes before each race. Cyclocross racers start one minute behind Short Track MTB, use slightly different courses, but everyone finishes on the same lap. $10; women, beginners only $5. Second race same night $5. Kids are free!

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, September 28

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 Nights 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.