This weekend will be big with the North American Cycle Courier Championships coming to Austin for the first time with a weekend of world class racing and more. The Dirt Derby series will also continue with more MTB short course and cyclocross fun in the dirt plus our own weekly free beginner cyclocross clinic before the beginner race each week for the cx curious. My favorite part of last week’s Dirt Derby? Watching a cyclocross rider dismount and run the barriers while still holding his beer-up beer. Second favorite part was a rider who passed the beer-up, stopped, and walked back to the beer up to get his beer. These racers had their priorities straight!

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, October 6

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, ***LOCATION CHANGE*** Plaza Saltillo, East 5th & Comal
Now winner of two 2010 Best of Austin Awards! “Starting this week we will be meeting at our fall/winter meet-up spot, Plaza Saltillo. This week we will be riding our bikes around town. We will be making left turns and right turns. We’ll end the ride at Club Deville. DJ’s will be blowing up the tables, so get ready for to have DANCE.
If you’re thirsty or something there will be a FREE keg for us and cheap beer after that runs dry.” Meet up at 7:30, ride at 8:00. Read our article on the weekly ride.

Friday, October 7

North American Cycle Courier Championships Welcome Party
4 PM- 2 AM, Cheer Up Charlie’s, 1104 East 6th Street
The North American Cycle Courier Championships is an annual weekend-long burst of bike racing, partying, and messenger industry hobnobbing happening in Austin this year, Oct 7-9. The welcome party will kick off at Cheer Up Charlie’s and include a group ride at 7 PM, Texas Gold Sprint’Em roller racing starting at 8 PM, and a late night alleycat at 10 PM.

Saturday, October 8

2011 Outlaw Trail Cycling Tour
8 AM, Old Settlers Park, Dell Diamond, Round Rock, TX
Each year, the Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department hosts the Outlaw Trail 100 bike tour featuring 10 mile, 25 mile, 40 mile, 50 mile, 63 mile, and 100 mile loop courses on county roads through historic Williamson County. Outlaw Trail isn’t competitive; it is an opportunity to join cyclists from across Texas for a ride across Williamson County. There are 9 rest stops set up along the trail for cyclists to grab some snacks or a drink. Riders can ride at their own pace and rely on support from sag wagons and rest stops throughout their ride.

Mellow Johnny’s Scout-A-Ride: UT Landmarks Public Art 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: UT Landmarks Public Art Ride. Today’s ride is a campus tour visiting works in the UT Landmarks public art program. We’ll be joined by docents to fill us in on the artists and the pieces themselves. The total ride distance is 6 miles and will travel at a novice-friendly pace. Ride size is limited, so please rsvp here. Also, if weather happens to cancel the ride, please check web site for updated information. We will not ride if the the roads are wet. 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.

North American Cycle Courier Championships presented by Chrome- Day 1
11 AM- 5 PM
The North American Cycle Courier Championships is an annual weekend-long burst of bike racing, partying, and messenger industry hobnobbing. It provides the hardworking couriers of the continent with an opportunity to race each other on closed streets, enjoy the party possibilities of a strange city, and strengthen the bonds that make the job so unique. It’s a convention without the name tags and early morning seminars. The main race will be held on a closed course at the Driveway located on the eastside of town. The qualifying heats will take place on Saturday and the final race will be on Sunday. On Saturday, Main race qualifying heats, starts 12pm, Polo tournament hosted by ATX Bike Polo Club, 3pm, Non-messenger heat, 3:30pm. In addition to the races at the Driveway, there will be a weekend full of event. Check the full event calendar.

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.

North American Cycle Courier Championships Saturday Night Party
9 PM, Red 7, 611 East 7th Street
The North American Cycle Courier Championships is an annual weekend-long burst of bike racing, partying, and messenger industry hobnobbing happening in Austin this year, Oct 7-9. The Saturday night party is free for registrants and $5 for nonregistrants and will include Texas Gold Sprint’Em roller racing finals (qualifying heats during Friday’s opening party.)

Sunday, October 9

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.

Pure Austin XTERRA Bluff Creek Trail Run and Off Road Duathlon
8 AM, Bluff Creek Ranch, Warda, TX
Trail Runs – 6K, 12k & 24K; Duathlon – 4 MR, 12 MB, 4 MR

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.

North American Cycle Courier Championships presented by Chrome- Day 2
11 AM- 5 PM
The North American Cycle Courier Championships is an annual weekend-long burst of bike racing, partying, and messenger industry hobnobbing. It provides the hardworking couriers of the continent with an opportunity to race each other on closed streets, enjoy the party possibilities of a strange city, and strengthen the bonds that make the job so unique. It’s a convention without the name tags and early morning seminars. The main race will be held on a closed course at the Driveway located on the eastside of town. The qualifying heats will take place on Saturday and the final race will be on Sunday. Main race final, 12pm, Side events, 2pm.In addition to the races at the Driveway, there will be a weekend full of event. Check the full event calendar.

Monday, October 10

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 11

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.

Full Hunters Moon Bike Ride
11:59 PM, Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge, Lady Bird Lake
Lunar monthly midnight ride. It’s been far too long (over three long weeks!) since the Annual Moonlight Cruze, but the full moon is finally coming around again, and so is the next Full Moon Cruise! The weather is finally beginning to cool off, so what could be finer than a nice bike ride under the moonlight with a few hundred friends? October’s full Moon is often referred to as the Full Hunter’s Moon, Blood Moon, or Sanguine Moon. Many moons ago, Native Americans named this bright moon for obvious reasons. The leaves are falling from trees, the deer are fattened, and it’s time to begin storing up meat for the long winter ahead. Because the fields were traditionally reaped in late September or early October, hunters could easily see fox and other animals that come out to glean from the fallen grains. Probably because of the threat of winter looming close, the Hunter’s Moon is generally accorded with special honor, historically serving as an important feast day in both Western Europe and among many Native American tribes.

Wednesday, October 12

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.