5th Ward, Near North Side, UHD and a couple of miles too far

 Monday, October 3, I headed to the Park and Ride in plenty of time, only to find that I had left my iPhone in the house.   45 minutes later, I arrived at Park and Ride in time to see the last bus leave.   Fortunately for me, a commuter then chose to drive in, and by giving me a ride, she was able to use the HOV lane.   Worked out.

So, starting from a downtown station, I knocked out U of H Downtown.   Note that there is a back road from UH Daly lot to Burnett Transit center.  I had no idea University of Houston Downtown had become so big.   The lady who took me into downtown told me she went there for all four years plus her masters.   Nice, modern campus, easy walking or biking between buildings, and what looks like a very convenient shuttle from satellite parking lots.  

The Exchange at Hardy Yards doesn't look like anything on the map, but it's within walking distance of UHD and hosts the $5 million postcard view of downtown Houston!   These are beautiful apartments/condos that look to be the beginning of a livable neighborhood.   I missed the UHD Shay Street building, so I backtracked, and now I have earned my first badge.

From Shay Street I headed East past the Catastrophic Theater (what on earth?) and some other very quirky businesses in old warehouses.  Stopped to watch a train go by (lots of them, it turns out), 

I pick up Lyons Ave, which goes close to several stops in 5th Ward, but first I have to stop at St Arnold's Brewery.   I have been in Houston 18 years, and this is my first visit to the brewery.  I circled the parking lot and determined that the bier garten (German spelling) opens at 11:00 and it was almost that, so I had lunch and a beer.    Very good food and service.

Here is an observation:  When the Army sent me to Germany almost 50 years ago, Germany was busy consolidating breweries into just a few giants, and now, here in Houston we have little breweries all over the  city.   Go figure.

Continued East on Lyons picking up 5th Ward.    I can see some gentrification, and some houses that have been renovated, but I also saw run down homes.

Anybody know the story about this brick sculture on Lyons?

Crossed Buffalo Bayou and up Navigation.  From the bridge I could see some of the East River Project.   I was getting tired by now, so I just noted the sign pointing to the Houston Maritime Museum.   Maybe next week.    Cruised into EADO and struggled through downtown to Smith, where there is a stop every two blocks for my P&R bus.   It was right at 3:00 so the the express   buses were running.

Some random thought about the whole experience.

You don't want to be in a hurry.   Look around, there are many places we have never seen before.

I think most of us are checking a bike in, and immediately taking it back out, or taking out another, so we can get credit for the B Cycle station.   Give yourself a couple of minutes before you try to take the next bike, as the system needs a minute or two to reset your account.

If you run into problems at a station, call the service desk.   Many call centers want you to recite every number you know, including your Mother's maiden name, Daisy just needs your name and location, and she will fix any problem.

I ran across two B Cycle techs on the road.   Joshua bailed me out when I questioned whether that out- of-service station was really out of service.

And finally, whether you plan to hit all 153 stations, or just a couple of neighborhoods, I hope you have a great time, as I am.

Houston Tour De Bicycle 2022

 

I know it's been awhile since I posted anything, but let's see if we can get back on this horse.

Houston B Cycle, you know, those bike racks with colorful, sturdy bikes all over Inside the Loop?

Well, Houston B Cycle is hosting a fun activity for October.    We are being challenged to visit all 153 bike stations during October.   That is quite a challenge.    By my estimates, I will need to hit the trails at least 10 times in a month/    There are prizes, but more importantly, here is an opportunity to see parts of Houston we may not have seen before.  Here is  their website:  

https://www.houstonbcycle.com/tour-de-bcycle2022

I registered and very quickly got an email from BCycle.   Among other prizes are a free month of bicycle rental, an aluminum water bottle that doubles as a place to put the badges (Badges! We don't need no stinkin Badges!  Name that movie). the requisite T Shirt, and at some point, you could even get a whole year of bike rental, and maybe put your name on a new bike (without getting in trouble!).   

The bike stations have been grouped by neighborhood.   When you check out the website, you may have a hard time reading the neighborhood list, and even a harder time printing it, but do not despair,  once you register for the fun, BCycle will let you download the list in wonderful PDF.

I'm a little analytical, so I have spent several days trying to figure out the best way to play this game.   I live outside the Beltway.   I plan to take Metro Park & Ride downtown during morning commute, grab a bike and head towards my chosen neighborhood.   I have decided on Near Northside and 5th Ward for my first foray, so I will check out my first bike in the County Courts area and head north.     On another day, I will take park and ride to the Medical Center.

The whole idea of B Cycle is to leave your car behind.    I stopped at a local supermarket service desk and bought a Metro Q Card so I don't have to fumble for change when I board the bus.     I will also study the Metro bus schedules.    It really is not hard.

I asked the nice lady at B Cycle about stations that are out of order.   She suggested I take a picture of the offending racks and send the picture to her, for credit on this treasure hunt.  I would not trust the map - the App shows the Castillo Communtiy center as out of service, but I found 4 bikes there, including an E Bike.  But, come to think of it, I did not try to check out a bike, so maybe......

Ah, E-Bike, the preferred method of transportation.   If you manage to get one, I would check it in and out from as many stations as possible, as long as the battery lasts.   Each time you dock or undock a bike, you get credit for that station.

Before you tell me you can't do it, you should know that I am a 69 year old overweight diabetic with other issues.   At the start of the pandemic, I could cycle 2 miles.    Saturday, my bike buddy and I did 24 miles, only a couple of those miles were because I cannot read a map!

Stay tuned,  I hope to start this ride on Monday, October 3.

Badges!   If you said "Blazing Saddles" you are either a Baby Boomer, or were raised by one.   If you said "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" you know your black and white movies!