Bike Friendly Richardson

January 23, 2012 • 7:07 am 1

Wheels That Heal: A Bike Benefit for Liberty Kat

A fellow cyclist has fallen and needs your help. From their Facebook page:

We are working on a fundraiser for our fellow cyclist Misty “Liberty Kat” who was seriously injured on a group ride recently. She sustained broken bones and even a fracture in her neck among other things–she was wearing a helmet or the damage might have been worse. We’re happy to report that Liberty is out of the ICU where she was Care Flighted and she seems to be recovering quite well with the help all of your positive thoughts and well wishes.

The fundraiser is January 29th at the AMAZING Fitzgerald Loft at 2814 Canton in Deep Ellum. We are SO LUCKY to have generous people like Sean & Karen Kohler Fitzgerald in our community, so please make sure you thank them for their hospitality when you meet them

Your donation of $10 at the door gets live entertainment and FREE BEER which is being donated by the kind folks at Franconia Brewery!

Raffle tickets will be sold for our long list of AWESOME prizes (see comments section for details). Prize values are $20-$600!

If you own a business or have connections to anyone who may be interested in donating cash or items for raffle/auction at the event, please contact either Toni Youngblood or Susan Reeves ASAP.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE $ DIRECTLY TO LIBERTY

Every little bit counts – even $5 or $10. These donations my not pay for all of her bills, but will help her get back on her feet.

Date: Sunday, January 29, 2012
Time: 1:00pm until 6:00pm
Location: Fitzgerald Loft at 2814 Canton in Deep Ellum
Cover: $10 Donation at the door (FREE beer) – Raffle tickets will also be sold.

Filed under: Bicycle Events, Good Causes , Liberty Kat, Wheels That Heal

January 21, 2012 • 6:53 am 1

5th Annual Great Southwest Bike Swap – March 4, 2012

For some reason, I always miss this event. This year, I’m going to do my best to make it out to the 5th Annual Great Southwest Bike Swap Meet. This is a one-day event where bicycle shops, frame builders and independent bike geeks can buy, sell, trade and show bicycle stuff. Sounds like a perfect way to spend a Sunday.

Date: Sunday, March 4, 2012
Time: 9:00am – 2:00pm
Location: RESOURCE CONNECTION OF TARRANT COUNTY
1100 Circle Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76119-8111

The Resource Connection of Tarrant County Campus is located on the south side of Fort Worth, off of I-20 and Campus Drive (Exit 439), One exit east of the I-20/I-35W interchange, north of I-20.

The event will be in building 2300 on the north side of the campus. The entrance and exit will be on the northwest corner of the building and will be clearly marked.

Admission: FREE to the public

RAFFLE PRIZES: Raffle tickets will be on sale for $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00. Drawings will be held every half-hour for raffle prizes to those present, with a grand prize set of Mavic wheels to be drawn at the close of the show. Must be present to win raffle prizes.

For more information call Rick at Colonel’s Bicycles (817) 924-1333.

Filed under: BFR Misc, Bicycle Events , Bike Swap, Colonel's Bicycles, Fort Worth, Great Southwest Bike Swap, Texas

January 20, 2012 • 5:00 pm 1

Spring Creek Trail is Re-Opened

According to this week’s newsletter from the city:

Repair work on Spring Creek Trail has been completed by the contractor ahead of schedule, and other than some cleanup work still taking place over the next several days, the trail is open for all users once again.

The trail was closed in three phases beginning Jan. 3, and the rehabilitation work along the 1.1 mile section had been expected to last until Feb. 7. The City contractor removed and replaced concrete trail sections that had been damaged by tree roots and shifting soil.

Filed under: Bike Trails and Routes, City Stuff, Trail and Road Hazards , Richardson, Spring Creek Trail, Trail Repair

January 20, 2012 • 9:10 am 6

New Bike Route Signs On Collins

I noticed these last night and thought I would share. The new signs – that I’ve seen so far – are placed on Plano Road (approaching Collins) and on Collins, between Plano Road and the Central overpass.

I wonder if these are place holders until they get money to finish out the painted bike lanes on Collins.

View From Plano Road Facing South (to Collins intersection)

View of Collins - Westbound

Filed under: Bike Change, Bike Trails and Routes, City Stuff , Bike Route Signs, Collins Blvd

January 18, 2012 • 8:27 pm 1

Plano On-Street Bicycle Signs and Routes

Hello there, bergerandfries with my first BFR posting. Our friends in Plano have kicked off a project to make Plano easier to ride by bicycle! Plano has a great off street Multi-Use Path system, but now they are implementing On-Street bicycle signs and routes.

A map can be found at here (pdf).
An excerpt from Plano’s Website at: City of Plano’s On-Street Bicycle Routes

What will the signage be?
The signage is in accordance with the Texas Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices, a code that regulates traffic signage at the state level, ensuring that all traffic signage is consistent. This code also dictates how signs are placed in terms of location and frequency and how they are displayed. Most of the signage is green and white guidance signage. This regulatory sign below tells both the cyclist and the motorist that the cyclist has the right to occupy the whole travel lane.
Cyclist Right to Whole Lane
Guidance signs show the Plano logo, a bicycle symbol and the route number you are on. Some directional signs show which way to turn to intersect with another bicycle route.
Route 90 Sign

What do the numbers mean?
For example, the numbers 90, 88, 70 and 37 above are route numbers. The routes are numbered because they are often not one single through street but a combination of several different streets making up the route.
The numbering system mimics our nation’s interstate highway system. Odd numbers indicate north-south routes. The odd numbers are smaller on the west side of the city increasing as you move eastward starting with 5 and ending with 97. Even numbers indicate east-west routes. The even numbers are smaller on the south side of the city increasing as you move north starting with 2 and ending with 90.

What can Richardson folks do to help?
Plano Bike Route #97 leads directly into Richarson North Star Rd, which on the Richardson Bike Plan is a future signed on-street route too. You might remark to City of Richardson that it’s time to get moving on North Star Rd marking. These signs can really helps Richardson folks to get around Plano if they don’t know the best places to cycle on-street. And if you stop in any Plano businesses, even if the signs are not up yet, please thank them for being on the Plano Bike Route #xxx and ask when are they getting a bike rack!

Filed under: Advocacy, Bike Trails and Routes

January 13, 2012 • 6:41 am 7

Trail Hazard Alert – Ice On Owens Trail

BFR friend Mike Freiberger sent us a note warning us of some dangerous ice conditions on the Owens Trail just west of the bridge (GPS coordinates N32.985141,W-96.690661). Based on these coordinates, it’s the part of the trail between Lookout Park and Sherrill Park Golf Course. According to the city, the problem is a drainage issue. The Parks and Recreation Department is assessing how best to rectify the drainage problem. Very soon the problem will be corrected.

Until then, with these freezing days ahead of us, please be careful out there. Watch out for ice, not only on the Owens Trail, but anywhere water might be collected. If you see any hazards within the city parks or trail system, please let the city know.

Filed under: Bike Trails and Routes, Trail and Road Hazards , Trail Hazard Alert

January 11, 2012 • 8:39 pm 0

WildRide! Against Cancer 2012 – Registration Now Open

Registration is now open for the 2012 WildRide! Against Cancer. If you would like to save a little on the registration, check out the one-time early registration event.

From the email from event organizers:

Registration is now open for the 9th annual WildRide! Bike Rally and 2nd annual 5K Timed Run & Fun Run/Walk! More than 2500 cyclists and runners participated in the event in 2011!

Register as a cyclist, runner or walker for only $15 on February 20, 2012 at Richardson Bike Mart from 4-7pm! This event is offered just this one time! To take advantage of the special $15 registration fee – you MUST register in person between 4-7pm on February 20th at RBM!!!
Go to WildRideBikeRally.com for event details!

I’ve done this ride twice and enjoyed it both times – plus, it’s all for such a good cause. You don’t have to be a racer or sports rider to do this, so please join me on Saturday, May 19 for the Richardson WildRide! Against Cancer.

Filed under: Bicycle Events, Good Causes , Richardson Wild Ride, WildRide, 2012 WildRide

January 6, 2012 • 6:56 am 0

Support BikeDFW By Watching A Bike Movie

Our friends over at BikeDFW are hosting the movie Bicycle Dreams and would like you to come see it. The money raised will help support BikeDFW and their local bicycle advocacy efforts. Here are the details from BikeDFW:

Bicycle Dreams, the award-winning feature-length documentary about the Race Across America (RAAM), will premiere in Dallas/Fort Worth at the Studio Movie Grill Royal Lane on Wednesday, February 1 at 7 p.m. The screening is a benefit for BikeDFW.

The film, which has won numerous awards at film festivals all over the world, “is an up-close look at what RAAM riders go through,” says Stephen Auerbach, the director and producer of Bicycle Dreams. “They deal with searing desert heat, agonizing mountain climbs, and endless stretches of open road. And they do it all while battling extreme exhaustion and sleep deprivation. It’s a great subject for a film.”

“Bicycle Dreams is a spectacular and heartfelt film that offers a riveting portrait of extreme courage in the face of inhuman obstacles,” writes TheLoveOfMovies.com. “It is an artistic triumph that renewed my belief in the power of desire and the strength of the human will.”

Date: Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Studio Movie Grill Royal Lane
RSVP (via Facebook): Click Here
Tickets: Click Here or get them at the door.
Supporting: BikeDFW

Filed under: Bicycle Events, Good Causes , Dallas, BikeDFW, Bike Movie Screening, Bike DFW, Bicycle Dreams, Studio Movie Grill

January 1, 2012 • 8:13 am 0

Happy New Year – 2012

Bike Friendly Richardson would like to wish you a safe, healthy and happy new year. We hope your 2012 is full of fun bike rides.

Filed under: BFR Misc , Happy New Year

December 30, 2011 • 10:32 pm 6

Spring Creek Trail Looks Worse Than I Thought

Last week the City of Richardson announced that they would be closing off portions of the Spring Creek Trail for repairs. Since I typically ride the west section, from the Routh Creek Parkway ramp to the Central Expressway underpasses, I didn’t know the extent of the wear and tear on the trail.

I took a spin thought the entire length this morning and discovered that it was much worse than I thought. Here are some pics of just a few areas marked for repair:

Seeing the extent of this wear makes me glad the city is working – proactively – to keep it maintained and safe for those using it. Yet, another great reason to live in Richardson.

Filed under: Bike Trails and Routes, City Stuff , Richardson, Spring Creek Trail, Texas, Trail Repair