Every aspiring engineer should ride and know about a bicycle.
Ramesh Singh, a retired 74-year-old metallurgical engineer, describes himself as detail oriented and always preparing for the next mental and physical challenge. And that is why you will find him cycling or running on the Brays Bayou Trail about 5 days a week.He credits his 94-year-old mother Kamala for his love of cycling. Growing up in India, she was one of the first girls to be allowed to ride a bike to school each day. She often shares this cherished memory of freedom and adventure.
Ramesh’s back story is that he became very involved in the MS 150 rides to Austin, riding 2 times as a regular participant and another 7 times as a Ride Marshall. Then COVID hit and the organized rides stopped. One day, he decided to cycle about 50 miles to the west of Houston. He had his bike packed as he would for the MS 150. And then it came to him. Why not keeping going? He called his wife and said he would be gone for as long as he could ride, because he needed a new challenge. He originally thought he would be gone a few days but gradually decided to cycle to San Diego California by a southern route, which included riding through the Chihuahuan desert close to the Mexican border after leaving El Paso. He arrived in one piece 27 days later.
With such limited planning time, I had to ask how he could have been adequately prepared. That’s where his engineering knowledge and confidence kicked in. He prides himself on traveling light and knowing how to make any necessary bike repair. Traveling light means accepting that adequate water will be your heaviest supply, and that is necessary for long rides through mostly rural areas and long stretches in the desert. He is an expert at bike repair, noting that “Every aspiring engineer should ride and know about a bicycle; it has all essential aspects of mechanical engineering to learn about: gears, gear ratios, cam, chain as power mechanism, mechanical advantage, drive mechanism, stability, center of gravity, lubrication, resistance and breaking power, hydraulics (as in hydraulic brakes). A bicycle is, if not the greatest, one of the greatest mechanical devices invented.”
One might think this satisfied the itch for adventure, but he rode another two solo rides in quick succession, one by a northern route through the Sonoran and Mojave deserts to San Diego, and the last to Wyoming, climbing to an altitude of 12,600 feet. So, if you recognize Ramesh cycling from his Linkwood home along Brays Bayou, call out and ask him, “What’s next?” Then ask yourself the same question.
Marcos works at Southwest Cyclery, located at Fondren and S Braeswood, repairing and selling bikes. We met Marcos today while he was helping 7-year-old Ruby pick out a used bike. He made sure it fit her well and that she had some room to grow.
What we really are excited about is learning that Marcos is an avid cyclist, who lives near Sims Bayou. Like all of us at NTTSW, he appreciates the importance of connecting Sims Bayou Greenways to Brays Bayou Greenway by finishing the off-road trails that aren’t yet complete. Marcos has agreed to join NTTSW and serve as a Sims Bayou Greenway Trail Advocate. He also wants to plan and participate in some group rides. We welcome other cyclists to join us in our advocacy.
Joe comes at least twice a week to Willow Waterhole’s Prairie Lake. He parks his truck in the parking lot along the trail. He spends the first few minutes doing some warm-up exercises, using portable equipment for speed training, strength and agility. After that, he goes for a run, with intervals of walking.
Joe lives within 2 miles of the lake, and appreciates the benefit of being out in nature while getting in his exercise.
Willow Waterhole is an important destination for people who strive to stay strong and healthy.
Meet Helena, a graduate student at Baylor College of Medicine who lives in Houston and commutes by bike using the Brays Bayou Greenway. When asked why she commutes, she noted that biking saves her thousands of dollars in parking fees and fuel costs and is good exercise. She tried using METRO but finds that she has to wait at bus stops for as long as 30 minutes. Thanks, Helena, for sharing your story with Neighborhoods to Trails Southwest.
Meet Barry, a Desert Storm veteran with 2 tours in Iraq. I met Barry near Chimney Rock and South Braeswood, getting ready to ride his motorized bike to the Veterans Administration Hospital. Barry is a disabled vet living on a small pension. He lives at the Life at Jackson Square apartments and does not own a car. He uses his motorized bike to get to the grocery store and to medical appointments. He also enjoys the Brays Bayou Greenway for the ability to be outdoors enjoying nature, making stops along the way to sit on a bench and relax. Barry told me that the maximum speed of his bike is 25 mph and that he is very safety conscious. Barry told me I could use his story and his photo and post to our website. He wants people to know how much he appreciates having access to the Greenway using his bike.
Monthly NTTSW Meeting May 20, 2026 at 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
ZOOM link. Email Stephen at spolnaszek@comcast.net
Friends of Keegans Bayou Monthly Meeting June 12, 2026 at 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Houston Community College - Brays Oak Campus, 8855 W Bellfort Ave, Houston, TX 77031, USA
