Thanks for the welcome Amanda!

I have tried the local bike shop but unfortunately the only one appears to be in Beaumont and they seem to be only aware of safe areas to ride in and around Beaumont. Once again, that defeats part of the purpose of riding a bike by making me hop in the truck to drive the 25 miles to the starting point of each ride. Coming the the very bike friendly Pacific Northwest (Washington state) I don't find the roads or drivers in this part of Texas to be particularly bicycle friendly. I was looking forward to year-around riding too...

Never fear, I will keep looking!