The Armadillo Hill Country Classic

The Armadillo Hill Country Classic is ACA's annual fundraiser in support of the Association's Bicyclist Education Programs, including the very successful 'Helmets for Kids' grant program that put free lids on the heads of nearly 1,500 Central Texas youth in 2011 - an astounding 25% increase over the previous year. For 2012, the program has shown that it is on track to DOUBLE the previous year's helmet donations!

You can be a part of these amazing programs simply by riding your bike. Register today for the Armadillo Hill Country Classic and help us make a difference in the lives of thousands of Central Texas youth.

ACA March Meeting - APD Annual Meeting with the Cycling Community


Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo's annual public forum with cyclists
returns for a fourth year on March 5.


Chief Acevedo has more than two decades of law enforcement experience and a long history of community outreach, and the cycling community has benefited from this commitment to coalition building.

 

Location

Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop

EHCT 2012

EHCT 2012

The Fort Worth Bicycling Association is hosting three days of fullysupported riding over the 2012 Easter weekend, April 6, 7 and 8 in the beautiful Texas Hill Country for only $45. The quiet, well-paved roads, challenging terrain and panoramic scenery have made the EHCT one of the premier cycling events in Texas. All rides will start and finish in Kerrville, with each day offering multiple options at distances ranging from 20 to 103 miles. All rides are fully-supported with rest stops at strategic intervals along the routes supplemented by roving SAG vehicles. Go to the EHCT website for more information at www.ehct.com .

Major Taylor Weekend Feb 24-26

February 23, Thursday
4:00pm – 6:00pm Opening Ride
Free and open to the public
The featured guest for the weekend is Nelson Vails, the first African American Olympic medalist in cycling and a 2009 Inductee to the Cycling Hall of Fame. The public will be able to “Get Back in the Saddle with Nelly” with a 20 mile social ride. See some of Austin’s favorite sites including a photo op at the Capitol.

7:00 – 9:00pm Evening Program and Welcome Party
Free and open to the public

Pedal Thru the Pines coming March 3rd.

Pedal Thru the Pines, a fund-raiser for the Family Crisis Center in Bastrop, will be on March 3, 2012. Because of the wild fires and the recent floods that damaged park roads, there have been significant changes to the routes. In order to provide an event with the quality and safety that participants have come to expect from Pedal Thru the Pines and the Crisis Center, this year's cyclists will enjoy riding the country roads of Bastrop, Fayette and Lee counties that are near, but that do not go through, the state parks. Those interested can find more information at their website http://pedalthrupines.org/

Local Cyclist and Artist to present art show at Caffe Meddici

Local cyclist and artist Bethany Bauman is showing a body of original work entitled Re:memory: regarding all cycles Saturday, February 25th at Caffe Medici downtown Austin,on Congress + 2nd. The pieces will be available for free public viewing from 6-11pm, then will be featured in a silent auction from 7:30-9pm. Sale of the work will help offset medical bills incurred from her accident. Bethany was the victim of a hit-and-run in east Austin last July, where she was thrown from her bicycle and suffered a concussion along with other minor injuries. Despite quick physical healing, she experienced residual memory loss, which inspired her to paint. Re:memory is a collection of works on canvas, wood and glass; the pieces vary in size spectrum and execution.

Bicycle Dreams - The Movie

Feb. 7th, 2012 Alamo Drafthouse 1120 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX to benefit the Austin Cycling Association. Take your seat early at 6:15 pm to order from the menu and chat with fellow cyclists. Movie starts at 7 pm Get inspired and support the ACA and this award winning independent film about Race Across America. Folowing the movie, there will be a raffle and ACA's own RAAM finisher, Susan Farago, will be on hand for a short Q&A.

Tickets must be purchased in advance at this link. http://www.imathlete.com/events/EventDetails.aspx?fEID=10529 Only 118 will be sold. Check out the trailer at www.bicycledreamsmovie.com.

bicycle dreams  

Year End Letter to Members

Happy New Year, ACA members!
 
Best wishes to you and your loved ones for a great new year. 
 
I want to thank you for being a part of the many successes that we enjoyed in 2011. Our members and volunteers put on more than 500 hosted and classic rides throughout the year, and we provided 1,500 helmets to kids in Central Texas.
 
We also fulfilled our education mission, providing numerous Traffic Skills 101 classes and certified more than 150 cyclists in our Defensive Cycling classes.
 
Changes are in store for 2012, but let me assure you that the ACA Board of Directors is doing its best to make decisions that benefit our members and the cycling community. We look forward to our continued partnerships with Bike Texas, the League of American Bicyclists, the Yellow Bike Project and the League of Bicycling Voters. We also look forward to collaborating with Please Be Kind to Cyclists in 2012 and beyond.
 
If you are able, we ask that you consider making an end-of-year tax-deductible donation to ACA to help us further our mission. Donate Now You may also send a check to ACA, P.O. Box 5993, Austin, TX 78763. Not a member? Join Now
 
Thanks again for being an ACA member. We couldn't do this without you.
 
Best wishes for a great 2012.
 
Keep pedalin'.
 
Gilbert
 
Gilbert D. Martinez
ACA President

Climbing the Col du Soulor in the Midi-Pyrénées near Lourdes, France

ACA member Jason Marlow climbing the Col du Soulor in the Midi-Pyrénées near Lourdes, France November 28th.


600600

Do you have a picture from a recent cycling trip that you'd like to share?  Send it to: rides [dot] chairataustincycling [dot] org

Staying Safe on Wide-Shouldered Roads

If you have been riding your bike around Austin for any time at all, you have probably realized that major highways like 360, 620, and Parmer Lane can all be vital parts of any training or commute route. But are you intimidated by the concept of riding on the shoulders with high speed traffic a few feet away?