Here’s a quick run down of recommended events for the coming week from our comprehensive calendar of all cycling events. 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, January 19

Thursday Night Bike Polo
5:00 PM, Metz Park, 2407 Canterbury St
The Austin Bike Polo Club’s holds 3 hardcourt matches a week, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, at Metz Park. 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.

Bicycle Advisory Council
6 PM, City Hall, Staff Bullpen
The Austin Bicycle Advisory Council is a committee of Austinites representing cyclists’ interests to the City of Austin and meets monthly to advise staff of the City of Austin Public Works Bicycle and Pedestrian Program.

State Bicycle Co. presents LOOPS AUSTIN TX
7 PM, Jo’s on 2nd, 242 West 2nd Street
The ride will start at Jo’s on 2nd (not Congress). We will meet up at 7PM and be on the road by 7:30. Be sure to show up early to grab some coffee, beer, and/or food. We’ll make 1-2 stop(s) and ride about 15 miles through the streets of Austin. This will be a casual / no drop pace. EVERYONE IS WELCOME. We’ll post the route very soon.
What we’ll be doing after:
We’ll land at Dive Bar and Lounge up on 17th and Guadalupe. If you’ve never been there before, check out what the Tribeza has to say about them here. See where they mention the record player? Well, we’ll pack lightly so we can stuff as many records as we can into our suitcases. They’ve also got good deal on drafts for us, and be sure to bring cash for the raffle we’ll be hosting. We’ve got some of our favorite companies and blogs including Incipio, Sub Urban Riot, the Heavy Pedal, Fyxation, Hold Fast, Animal, Vices Clothing, Pscyhlist, and more donating some clothes and parts that we’ll be raffling off along with some State Bicycle Co. swag. All the proceeds from the raffles with go back to your cycling community by the way of the Yellow Bicycle Project, The Orange Bicycle Project, Frankenbike Austin, and the League of Bicycle Voters.

Thursday Night Social Ride
7:30 PM, Plaza Saltillo, East 5th & Comal
“What are you doing this Thursday? If the answer is anything but riding bikes, then that is the wrong answer. This week we are ending at The State Bicycle Co. benefit at The Dive Bar and Lounge where there will be drinks specials and a raffle with proceeds going to many of our awesome, local, non-profit cycling organizations.” Meet up at 7:30, ride at 8:00. Read our article on the weekly ride. Join the Social Cycling Facebook Group.

Saturday, January 21

Mellow Johnny’s Scout-A-Ride: Southern Culture (off the grid)
*NEW START TIME* 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: Southern Culture off the Grid. This 18-mile route takes us south of downtown via Bouldin, rolling through the Emerald Forest and returning via Forest Wood and Robert E. Lee. Join us for a pre-ride coffee or snack at 9:00 at Juan Pelota Cafe. Helmets required. If driving to the shop, please park in the street.Contact:Stephanie at Stephanie@mellowjohnnys.com.

Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day
9:30 AM, Walnut Creek Metro Park, 12138 North Lamar Boulevard
This is a great chance for you to pass your passion for pedaling on to kids! For 2012, we are offering four opportunities for parents, teachers and/or mentors to take a kid mountain biking. We’ll end with IMBA’s (International Mountain Biking Association) National Take A Kid Mountain Biking. Helmet required.

Sunday, January 22

AFWC Ladies Ride
9:00 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.

Bicycle Sports Shop Beginner Mountain Bike Ride
1:30 PM, Walnut Creek Metro Park, 12138 North Lamar Blvd
Our good friends at Bicycle Sport Shop are now holding a regular Beginner Mountain Bike Ride RSVPs are requested. What to bring: Helmet is required, Gloves, Water & Food, Spare Tubes, Pump and Tools, Mountain Bike.

Tuesday, January 24

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, January 18

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.