Tour De Tube No. 5

Go Fund Me Campaign

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Sorry for not publishing last week, but my job kept me busy. 

As the streetcar war heats up, I find my self lost at talking about the subject and writing about it.  The same opposition I see happening here in San Antonio actually took place in Cincinnati with all sorts of people that didn't live in Cincinnati beating a drum against it.  And yet, they didn't stop it at all, actually it should be up and running soon.  The Same thing will surly happen here for the opposition is beating the wrong drum.  Also as a supporter of it, I'm also aware of the fact that we don't need streetcars to have great neighborhoods, or improve transit, no that will take light rail at least.  What is holding me back is some photos of streets in Dallas that I wish to use as an example.  So since I'm having a hard time getting money together for a greyhound ticket (Image 14-1) and food, I decided to ask all of my readers to see if you can help me raise the needed cash to obtain the photos I need to illustrate my opinion on the matter at hand.  The goal is to travel either August 2nd or August 9th to take the photos.  And the Wednesday after that trip is when I wish to publish my story.  Please visit my gofundme page to donate.  Also all donations over $50 that I'm asking for will be donated to Earnabike Coop. 

Tour De Tube no.5

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On an early Sunday Morning of June 29, people who normally don't get to see a sunrise, got out of bed, got their swimsuits together, and rode their bicycles across the street from La Tuna to meetup and start the 5th annual Tour De Tube.  It's now an annual ride from San Antonio to the Comal River.  For the past four other years, I haven't been able to attend, but this year I made half commitment.  I rode out to Landa Park, but I didn't tube, I rode back to go to work. 

As 8am approached at the lot across the street from La Tuna saw the cars parked, the bikers riding in all dressed up in spandex, swimsuits, and other normal clothes (Image 14-3).  And then finally the pickups arrived with beer and two trailers as support craft.  Tito Bradshaw got up on one and started to announce the ride.  With Tacos and Bananas for breakfast, everyone lined up to get their arm bands and breakfast and finished up with collecting the $40 fee. 

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As the ride started (14-2), we rode north up Main Ave and then through King William to S Alamo.  As we were making our turn, a drover in the White Dodge pickup gave me the middle Finger as all of us rode by.  The ride had several rest stops, the first was at Mahncke Park there on Broadway.


There were many more rest stops along the way.  As we made our way through the suburbs, we became a Critical Mass (Image 14-4) and I joked openly "Critical Mass Sunday."  Although for future rides, I think we need to designate a few people to be the traffic cops for the ride to hold up cross traffic at minor intersections and stop a the major ones. 

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As we proceed to the open country out past Loop 1604, the road got narrower and narrower and the spaces along the road filled with fewer and fewer buildings.  As the noon day heat began to beat down on us all, it was real evident that there's a reason why we don't stay out in the noon day sun.  The Tour eventually ended up in New Braunfels where we made one last stop before making it to Landa Park.  We sat underneath the big trees waiting for the riders who fell behind to catch up. (Image 14-5)

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As the ride came to a close, we got inline to the San Antonio Food Trucks that showed up.  My Three Sons Moving provided the bike transportation back. (Image 14-6)  AS the ride came to a close for me, I had to head back to SA for work was waiting for me.  As I rode back,

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The coolest part of the ride was this guy who brought his dog with him.  (Image 14-7)

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 Images: 
14-1:  The Cost for a Greyhound Ticket to Dallas.
14-2:  People lining up on E Cevallos St At Probandt looking east
14-3:  People walking around at the Slab across from La Tuna getting ready for the ride
14-4:  The Ride going down Nacogdoches just north of Loop 410
14-5:  The Last stop of the ride in New Braunfels On Landa St Just before Walnut Ave
14-6:  Instead of an 18 wheeler, we got just two trucks at the end of the ride
14-7:  The cyclist who brought his dog along for the ride.  Picture taken on Landa St right after the last stop.

 Up Coming Important Meetings
If you want to make a difference, please attend. 

 

What Should You Ask For:  The thing to ask for at this meeting are good sidewalks,  20 mile per hour speed limits and safe ways to get to the park down Hillcrest and St Cloud such as bike lanes down those stroads. 

What Should You Say:  The biggest thing is having cars come into the park.  This is the worse decision ever for if anybody know from experience, cars make a place unsafe and make people uncomfortable.  They don't let cars into La Villita, so why should cars be allowed here.  Also asking for La Villita types shops in the abandoned houses would be a plus too. 

Local Bike Advocate Training for Statewide Campaigns:

When:   August 3, 2014 1pm to 4pm
Where:  BikeTexas.org HQ  1902 E 6th St, Austin, TX  78702  or Online.  To Register, click here
Description: 

Do you want to learn key tactics to support bicycle advocacy in your area? Join people like you from around Texas for a special bike advocate training on Sunday, August 3, from 1-4 PM.

National experts from the League of American Bicyclists and the Alliance for Biking and Walking will facilitate the workshop. They'll talk about statewide campaigns in the lead up to the 2015 legislative session, such as keeping TxDOT from moving funds away from programs designed to build bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. Register for this training and be prepared for the next call to action!

The training will take place in our office at 1902 E 6th St (map), but you don't have to be in Austin to attend. Register as a teleconference attendee and we'll send you a link to join the broadcast. Please register by July 26 to secure your spot and receive updates on the training. See you on August 3!

This workshop is offered free of charge thanks to funding from Advocacy Advance. Please consider making a donation to BikeTexas to support better bicycling in Texas. Even a dollar helps!.  More info can be found at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/local-bike-advocate-training-for-statewide-campaigns-tickets-12258432301
Up Coming Bicycle Events

 
 Cycle In-Cinema .  
When:   Every Thursday, June-August at Dusk, 8:45pm
Where:  Main Plaza, 115 N Main Ave, 78205
Description:  Out Door Movie.  

FrankenBike #50
When:   Saturday July 19, 2014  10AM to 4PM
Where:  Alamo Bike Shop/Taps y Tapas ~ 1016 N. Flores St ~ 78212
Description:  San Antonio's Bicycle Swap Meet and Flea Market.

Glow Roll SA
When:  Saturday July 26, 2014 3PM  Ride Starts at 9PM
Where: Travis Park Downtown. 
Description:  The KickStand SA & SA Made by Hand Mercado presents "House Party in the Park @ Amor y Arte" & the 1st Glow Roll Social Ride in Downtown San Antonio

Date: Sat.July 26th
Destination: THE N. ST. MARY'S WALKABOUT event
What to do: Trick out all or parts of your bicycle with neon lights, or neon/glow in dark tape! Wear bright,neon,glow in the dark clothing for the ride too!
What to bring: ID, $$, extra tubes in case, bike and YOURSELF ready to have fun!
READY! SET! GLOW!
WHEELS DOWN @ 9:00PM!

**Amor y Arte: 3p-9p -- come by early to check out local artisans, live music & food trucks! SAMBH is providing a limited supply of glow sticks to decorate bikes. They will be set out @ 7:30p at The KickStand SA table...get there early to grab a few! Alamo Bike Shop will be set up offering tire service/minor adjustments too!