The Angelina Bicycle Club
By Amber Barnett
Every few weeks we are introducing you to different cycling clubs from around the great state of Texas.
This week it we interviewed John Jones from the Angelina Bicycle club in Lufkin, Texas. John is an avid biker that enjoys taking his 4 year old granddaughter on bikes rides with him and fixes up bikes for other people who can’t afford it, as he enjoys seeing people get into the sport and enjoy it.
Paying it forward one bike at a time!
1. Who founded the Angelina Bicycle Club and how did it come to life?
The Angelina Bicycle club was founded by William aka ‘Wheel’ and Debbie Crawford in the mid-90s. They were avid tandem riders that wanted to promote social group activities. When the club first started there was a large social group of riders. Due to economic factors and people moving away for jobs, the club suffered as the number of members diminished but it’s been built back over time and now there is a broad interest group of cyclists in the area. There are contingencies from tri athletes to mountain bikers to racers to social riders. You name it, we have it!
2. What is your cycling clubs mission?
The club’s mission it to promote an active healthy lifestyle.
3. How many members does you club have?
There are around 30 active members and 80 semi active members.
4. What are your favorite routes/rides in your area?
Our Tuesday ride which is around 30-35 mile out and back on Highway 103 West. It’s the hilliest road in the area with decent paved roads with low traffic.
Another favorite is the Charlie Hall Route with a mix of hills and a daily training route. It’s a 30 mile loop with beautiful scenery. Charlie Hill was very active in the club and helped promote cycling in the area. He was a bike mechanic and mentored many people in cycling. The route is a legacy to his memory.
Lastly, is the Garland L. Parise Pineywoods Purgatory which is held every 1st Saturday in October. Very active cyclists in Lufkin Bicycle clubs take part as well as cyclists out of the country. The early fall conditions make for a very pleasant ride.
5. What is your favorite MUST DO rides and routes in Texas?
1. The Raider Trail
2. Monkey Trail
3. Huntsville state park
4. Lake Livingston
5. Kit McConnico Park
6. Trails at Pat Mayse Lake
6. What would be the three most valuable tips you can give to a beginning cyclist that would like to get to the next level?
1. Learn your bicycle and the basics of maintaining your cycle.
2. After a severe accident to a member of our club who was hit from behind at full speed, my tip is if you’re riding with the flow of traffic; do not ride into the sun at sunset or sunrise. If you’re blinded by the sun, the cars can’t see you as well.
3. Always wear a helmet!!
7. What is the best advice someone ever gave you?
Hold your line!
8. How does the club make you a better rider?
Being part of the club helps you learn handling skills within a pack, especially learning how to hold a line. Recently, we had a new rider come on a ride with us. Her bike wasn’t properly fitted and she did not have enough core strength to take being stretched out on the bike. During the ride she went to reach for her water bottle and ended up spearing into my back wheel and falling into oncoming traffic. She was able to get away unharmed but it shows the importance of learning how to hold your line when you are grabbing a water bottle or looking over your shoulder. Being part of a club allows you to learn these important skills in a safe environment. We are also planning on starting up a bike maintenance school to teach the basics like how to fix a chain and fix a flat.
9. What has been your most memorable experience involving your club?
Riding in the early days with all the older guys with experience and knowledge like Charlie Hill. I took it for granted at the time and wish I had learned more from them.
10. How do you keep everyone motivated?
We try to ride different routes or change up routes and take short trips to new areas to motivate riders to come out and ride with the core group. The newbie riders have a fear of the unknown and being left stranded so a local couple championed a newbies group. New riders ride with the newbie group who has been riding around 2-4 years. The husbands of the group have wives who have a interest in maintaining an active lifestyle. There is not a lot of opportunity for new riders so this group gives them an easy pace during no drop ride on early Saturday mornings. So now there’s more interest there and it has activated a larger contingency of women riders to the group.
Here is our group at some of the rides we have done:
