News

I moved from Levelland, TX in 2011 to Weatherford.  I was an active flat land rider with a couple of friends in our small town.  For several years I rode alone here until one day while riding my MTB a friendly gentlemen rode up behind me and began visiting.  He was on a faster road bike; however, he rode the 15 mile loop with me and informed me about the wonderful folks in the FWBA and all the fun rides, events and fellowship that you all enjoy.  He told me how close I live to numerous riders from the club-- I had no idea!  He encouraged me to join FWBA.  What a wonderful suggestion!  I have so enjoyed the fellowship, experience, and knowledge of the sport that members have shared.  Your hospitality is unmatched, FWBA.  I am a proud, proud member.  Thank you Wayne Kirby, for the introduction.

Buddy Hutto       

If my memory serves me well I was a member of FWBA in 1970 or it could have been 1971. The meetings were held in some building on or off of Bailey St. near W. 7th. My wife and I both had Peugeot 10 speed bikes. The one event that I remember us going on was a weekend camping and ride in East Texas somewhere around Bonham. I finally sold that bike in 2007 and have recently been thinking about getting a bike to ride on the Trinity Trails. It’s good to see that the club is still around and active after 50 years.-- David Lanford

Hey gang, we received the following response from Ranger Schmidt at Benbrook Lake Park.  Please keep in mind only parts of the park are open right now. Wear your FWBA colors and enjoy the lovely weather. :)

"The dayuse areas of Holiday, Mustang & Rocky Creek Parks are open as of yesterday, 11 May.

All campgrounds remain closed to all traffic both vehicular and pedestrian, including the Holiday Campground and that section of Lakeview Road.

Bicycle traffic therefore is permitted in the North Holiday Dayuse area, but not the South Holiday Campground.  We hope to have Holiday Campground open sometime before Memorial Day.

At this time there are no fees being charged for day use parks, and we anticipate this to continue thru most or all of the next several months.  By the same circumstances, no annual permit or other passes are currently being sold at park entrances.

Regular traffic control remains in effect, including stopping at all entrance locations.

Terry

Terry Schmidt
  Lead Park Ranger, Benbrook Lake / Trinity Regional ProjO

It is very exciting that our club has been around for 50 years. With all that history there is sure to be some tales and stories out there to be shared. 

 

We encourage you to send in your stories to:  secretary@fwbaclub.org  

Depending on the response, we plan to share stories in the News area of the website each month.

 

Please start your memory with something like on of these, or create your own;

Back in the day …

I remember when …

When we hosted that ride …

Did you know that …

Back in the 70’s, 80’s, etc…

 

 

Let’s have fun with this, and share our club’s history with each other!

 

Make memories and enjoy the ride –

L3

Lorraine L Leonard, President

 

Lake Benbrook Park is Closed

Yesterday we were informed by Terry Schmidt, the lead ranger for Lake Benbrook Park that the park is closed, and cyclists should not ride through the park.

To avoid negative consequences for riders, please respect the Corps of Engineer's decision to close the Lake Benbrook Park.

Thank you,

Lorraine L Leonard, President

Yesterday, March 18, 2020, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced a statewide disaster declaration.

“Abbott said Texans should gather in groups of no more than 10 people and that they should avoid large crowds.”

Following the Governors declaration, the CDC’s closures recommendations, and the President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America to limit group numbers and practice social distancing, the Fort Worth Bicycling Association will suspend hosting bicycling events through the end of April.

Please continue to ride your bike and enjoy the spring weather.

Post your pictures to our public facing Facebook site so we can at least keep in touch through pictures and chats until the COVID-19 virus is under control.

Thank you –

Lorraine Leonard, FWBA President

I am sure that you have been following the President's and CDC's announcements on cancellations, closures, group restrictions.  In recognition of those, Kerrville is now operating in Phase 3 of their Emergency Operations Pandemic Plan.  The City recommends following The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America, including avoiding social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people. Schreiner University is now limiting campus access to only employees, and canceling all non-campus events until the beginning of May.  Some RV parks are cancelling reservations.  In light of these factors, and in support of the national objectives for extensive social distancing, Easter Hill Country Tour 2020 is canceled.  We fully expect to rebound in 2021 with the great plan that we were days from implementing when this pandemic hit.

See EHCT.com for full details on Registration Refunds, Jersey Purchases, and Lodging Cancellations 

Star-Telegram published an article today stating the trail system between Fort Worth and Dallas is fully funded and expected to open 2023. This is very exciting for those who want to stay off the roads.

Check out this link for more information.

https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/fort-worth/article234874557.html

Hey everyone,

I received a very nice message from a rider who had taken a spill and two FWBA riders came to his aid.  He gave his consent to post his message. THANK YOU for coming to his aid and also for displaying your FWBA colors!

On Aug 25, 2019, at 10:36 AM, Richard D. Buzz Smith <buzz@theev-angelist.org> wrote:

Ms. Leonard,

I want to share an experience I had this morning with two of your club’s members. Unfortunately, I did not get their names.

I was riding the Fort Worth Bike Trail, just south of the Trinity River, just west of Riverside Drive, when I drifted off the trail into the groove, left by the edger, that maintains the trail. I was riding around 15MPH, when this occurred, and when I stupidly tried to steer back onto the trail, I went down hard. My helmet smacked the pavement. I got some pavement rash on my left arm, leg and hand and my entire left side is getting more and more sore by the minute.

I’m so thankful I was wearing my helmet!

As I lay there dazed and more than a little embarrassed, I saw two bicyclists approaching from the west. They were both wearing FWBA jerseys. They stopped, asking if I was okay, if my bike was rideable, if I had someone to call (in case I was unable to make it back to my starting point), how far I had to ride to get back, etc. They noticed my bleeding, before I did and offered water, from their bottles, to rinse the wounds. They had me ride with them, back to their starting point, just to make sure I was okay. I’m 61, and although my usual ride is 25-30 miles, round trip, I don’t think of myself as a “real” bicyclist (and today’s spill bears that out).

I am thankful that I met your club and two of its great members today.

-Buzz

 

Hey everyone - I was just informed of the funeral services for Vickie Elaine Rigby who left this world on July 31, 2019. Her obituary will run on Aug 18, 2019 in the Star Telegram.

FWBA club members and all other biking/running buddies are invited to attend.

Please see the info below regarding her services and memorials.

Services:

Sunday, August 25, 2019 at Thompson’s Harveson & Cole Funeral Home, 702 8th Avenue, Fort Worth, 76104.

2 p.m - Family and friends are invited to remember, grieve and support each other followed by the Memorial service at 3 p.m.

A Secondary service will be held in Bakersfield, Calilfornia at a date to be determined.

Memorials: Charitable donations can be made in Vickie’s name to Kern Wheelmen Bicycle Club of Bakersfield, CA, Johnson County Iris and Daylily Society, or any charity of your choice.

Please give Steve Barter a big hug and show him support during this difficult time for the loss of his life partner. :)

Rest in peace Vickie.

Sincerely,

Lorraine L Leonard, FWBA President