Rides Around Texas
Friday, May 2. Walk & Roll Rally.
San Antonio, TX. 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Walkers and cyclist leave from various locations to arrive at Main Plaza at 8:00 a.m. for refreshments and free t-shirts while supplies last. Info: call Lydia Kelly at 210/230-6911 or visit <www.walkandrollsa.com>.
Saturday, May 3. Midnight Moonlight Tower Bike Tour.
Austin, TX. Meet at Pfluger Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge at 11:59 p.m. Saturday night, May 3rd. Start rolling at 12:30. End at Zilker Park. It's FREE. Ride by all 17 remaining Moonlight Towers (some have been temporarily taken down because of construction, but we will still ride by where they are located). Info: visit <www.myspace.com/moonlighttower>.
Saturday, May 3. Shiner GASP (Great Austin to Shiner Pedal).
Austin, TX to Shiner, TX. Roughly 90 miles, from Austin to the Spoetzl brewery in Shiner. $40 until 4/22. then $45. Shiner Beers is going back to its roots once again in anticipation of the Spoetzl Brewery's 100th Anniversary. Shiner GASP will be happening once again this year. Come out and enjoy a great bike ride from Austin to Shiner. Info: Jon Hill, 512/771-4609, <jon@pureaustin.com>, or visit <www.shinergasp.com>.
Saturday, May 3. Veterans 100.
Castroville, TX. Routes of 25, 40, 62, 75 and 100 miles. Info: <www.pure-env.com/CAV%20100%20Home.htm>.
Saturday, May 10. ACA's Armadillo Hill Country Classic.
Liberty Hill, TX (near Austin). Routes from 6-mile kids and family ride to 100+ miles in the beautiful, low-traffic edges of the Texas Hill Country. A premier Austin area ride and a fundraiser for bicyclist safety education and free bike helmets for area children. Info: Laura King 512/923-9700 or email <staff@austincycling.org>.
Saturday, May 10. Walk & Roll Fest.
San Antonio, TX. 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Botanical Gardens parking lot. Activities include 5k and 10k walks/runs, a family bike ride and a 26-mile bike ride. Enjoy complimentary refreshments, games, health-screening opportunities, bike check-ups and many educational exhibits. Info: Lydia Kelly at 210/230-6911 or visit <www.walkandrollsa.com>.
Saturday, May 10. Head for the Hills.
Cedar Hill, TX (Cedar Hill High School). Routes of 20, 40 and 64 miles. Info: 972/229-5102 or visit <www.headforthehillsrally.com>..
Saturday, May 10. Rolling Hills Challenge.
Columbus, TX. Routes of 25, 50, 62.5 and 100 miles. Info: visit <www.columbuslionsclub.org/lions/rollinghillschallenge2008.htm>.
Saturday, May 10. North Texas Classic.
Fort Worth, TX. Routes of 10, 20, 40 and 60 miles. Info: visit <www.northtexasclassic.info/>.
Saturday, May 17. Please Be Kind to Cyclists Ride.
Austin, TX (Bicycle Sport Shop on S. Lamar Blvd. at 7 a.m.). Various ride routes: Tour de Austin, 23 miles; Austin to Buda, 32 miles; The Lake Austin/Shoal Creek Cruise, 15 to 20 miles; and a Kids Ride, one-mile loop. Free of charge -- a totally non-organized ride. Just show up and support a great cause, ride, eat, meet the Mayor of Austin and more. (See boxed notice elsewhere in this issue.)
Saturday, May 17. 5th Annual WildRide! Bike Rally.
Richardson, TX. Routes of 16, 40 and 64 miles. Early bird specials: $20/$25, Regular registration: $35. Benefiting the Lance Armstrong Shaped Beam Surgery Program at Richardson Regional Cancer Center, an affiliate of UT Southwestern Medical Center. Choose from three scenic routes and bring the family! This ride, hosted by the Richardson Regional Medical Center Foundation, is held in conjunction with the 16th annual Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival. Info: visit <www.wildridebikerally.com> or call 972/498-7678.
Saturday, May 17. Hamilton Hill-Aceous 100.
Hamilton, TX. Hamilton Municipal Airport, 281 S and FM 3302. Routes of 10K, 20, 30, 46, 63, and 79.5 miles beginning at 8 a.m. (10K kids ride begins immediately after 8 a.m. ride start). $10/kid under 12 for 10K, $25/individual, $30/tandem team, family members/bike clubs with 2 or more entries $20 before May 11. Routes range from fairly flat to challenging rollers on the longer rides. Info: Lee Ann Lee 400 N. Brown, Hamilton, Texas 76531 254/386-1651 or visit <www.hamiltonhospital.org/biketour>.
Saturday, May 17. Pedaling the Prairie '08.
Katy, TX (Sun & Ski Sports - Katy Mills Mall). Routes of 10, 25, 45, 64 and 100 miles. $25 until 5/3, then $35. Info: visit <www.PedalingThePrairie.org> (we use active.com).
Saturday, May 17. Byers Bicycle Bash.
Byers, TX. Routes of 24, 45 and 62 miles. Info: visit <www.byersbikebash.org/>.
May 17 - 18. Tour de Cure 2008.
San Antonio to San Marcos to Austin, TX. Two or three routes to choose from each day with overnight at the Texas State University campus in San Marcos. Lots of fun and frolick on Saturday evening. Benefiting the American Diabetes Association. Info: If you are registering in San Antonio, call 210/829-1765 and if you are registering in Austin call 512/472-9838. If you are not sure which, let New Braunfels be the dividing line or visit <www.diabetes.org/tour> for the national page and then select a state (Texas) and San Antonio or Austin.
May 17 - 18. Third Annual Tour de Forts.
Junction, TX. Routes of 10, 20, 40, 60 and 100 miles. $45/rider until 5/10, then $55. Join other cyclists for a ride down the flower-laden back roads of Kimble and Menard counties in the Texas Hill Country. Free pasta dinner on Friday night, and fajita dinner on Saturday night. And a Sunday ride as well. Info: Lynn Foreman, 325/446-9135 or email <cavuforeman@ctesc.net> or visit <www.cthrr.org>.
Saturday, May 24. Burleson Honey Tour.
Burleson, TX. Routes of 9, 32, 54 and 60 miles. Info: 817/295-6121 or visit <honey-tour.org>.
Saturday, June 7. 4th Annual Comanche Cyclone Bike Tour.
Comanche, TX. Routes from 10 miles to 75 miles. $25 until May 23, then $30. "Small-town atmosphere, quiet back roads and no serious hills make this a really laid back bike ride," says Bikin' Fred Meredith. Give Comanche a try. Info: <www.ComancheCyclone.org>
Saturday, June 7. Sense Corp Texas 4000 ATLAS Ride for Cancer.
Cedar Park, TX to Lampasas, TX. Routes of 52 or 71 miles, from Running Brushy Middle School to Pillar Bluff Vineyards. $35 until May 31st, then $45. Join the Texas 4000 riders on the first day of their amazing trans-continental trek by registering for the 2008 Texas 4000 ATLAS Ride for Cancer. Come out and enjoy the beautiful Texas Hill Country! Info: Kirsten Mulligan <kirstenmulligan@yahoo.com> or visit <www.atlasride.org>. Learn more about the Sense Corp Texas 4000 or donate at <www.texas4000.org>.
Sunday, June 8. Tour de Braz.
Alvin, TX (Alvin Community College). Routes of 10, 30, 50, 62 and 100 miles. $35/rider. No additional fees. Strap on the helmet, air up the tires, and register today for the most dynamic bicycle tour on the Texas Gulf Coast! We've short ordered 76-degree weather and 46% humidity! Take your time to ride through prairie-like frontier scenery and well-maintained roads. Enjoy what Brazoria County has to offer. Info: Gayla Brunet 281/585-3359 or register today at <www.alvintexas.org>.
Saturday, June 8, 2008. 3rd Annual Spindletop SPIN.
Beaumont, TX. Crockett Street Entertainment District located on Crockett Street in Beaumont. Routes of 12, 45 and 72 miles. Start at 7:00 am. 12 mile starts at 7:30 am. $30.00 Individual - Family Ride $25. First parent $15, second parent, children (under 18) ride free. Info: Cindy Torrans, 409/839-2332, visit <www.spindletopspin.com> or register at <www.active.com>.
June 11 - 15. 3rd Annual Gate Way to Texas Get*A*Way Tour.
Clarksville (Red River County), TX. Daily rides from 25 to 80 miles on flat to rolling terrain, with a Century Option on Saturday. Rest stops every 15 to 20 miles. $175/rider until 4/30, then $200/rider until 5/15. $225/rider after 5/15 with no guarantee of packet. The Historic Red River County Chamber of Commerce is proud to host the 3rd Annual Get*A*Way Tour, a premier Multi-day bike-riding experience. Enjoy southern hospitality and the charm of a small town in the great Lone Star State. Registration fee includes 4 breakfasts and 3 dinners, 4 days lodging in an air-conditioned school facility with showers and rest rooms, sag support, route maps, bicycle mechanic and first aide support. Info: The Historic Red River County Chamber of Commerce, 101 N Locust, Clarksville, TX 75426, or call 903/427-2645, or email <redrivercc@1starnet.com>, or visit <www.red-river.net>.
Sunday, June 22. Urban Assault Ride.
Austin, TX (RunTex, 422 W Riverside Dr.). A checkpoint-oriented ride/competition. $50 - $110/2-person team. The Urban Assault Ride is a funky bike scavenger hunt that involves street-smart riding, obstacle courses, and a huge after-ride party. Mental muscle is just as important as bike skills as teams of two choose their own course to checkpoints around the city. In good 'ol Austin, where the UAR was born and bred. Info: visit <www.urbanassaultride.com/>.
Saturday, September 13. 2nd Annual La Vernia Wild West HammerFest Bike Ride & Festival.
La Vernia, TX (La Vernia City Park). Routes of 27, 52 and 62 miles, with a 10-mile Family Ride and a half-mile Kiddie Ride. $25 until 8/30, then $30. Ride the historic areas around La Vernia; bring your family for the festival; food, arts & crafts, live music, fun! Info: 830/779-2461 or visit <www.LaVerniaWildWestHammerFest.com>.
Saturday, September 27. Rip Roarin' Ride.
Liberty Hill, TX. Routes of 14, 28, 47, 63, 77 and 100 miles. Starting at the Liberty Hill High School at 8:00 a.m., Scenic rolling hills and valleys. $25/rider until 9/19, then $35. Tandems $40 until 9/19, then $50. Ride through the scenic rolling hills and valleys of Williamson and Burnet Counties. Your participation will help support the many Lions Club vision programs both locally and throughout the U.S. and the world. Ride features fully stocked rest stops, sag support and an great after ride meal. Info: Jimmy Oliver, PO Box 685, Liberty Hill, TX 78642, or call 512/217-7130 or 800/801-8009, or email: <jjoliver@jimmyoliver.com>, or visit <www.riproarinride.org>.
Saturday, September 27. 5th Annual Conquer the Coast Bike Tour.
Corpus Christi, TX. Once around the bay includes over the ship channel bridge, the ferry to Port Aransas, a time trial down Mustang Island (unless you like it slow) and back across the causeway and up to the starting point. It's 65 miles unless you choose the short ride. "Come for the ride ... stay for the party." Info: 361/881-1800 or visit <www.conquer the coast.org>.
Saturday, October 11. 10th Annual Texas Hill Country River Region Classic.
Concan, TX (Garner State Park). Routes of 35, 52, 68 and 94 miles. 8:00 a.m. start. $32/rider, online or onsite. Ride the most challenging half century in Texas or choose a less challenging option in some of the most scenic of the Texas Hill Country. A delicious homemade pasta dinner and park entry fee are included in your registration. Massage therapists will be available after the ride for a small fee.Info: 800/210-0380 or visit <www.riverregionclassic.org> for details and online registration.
October 17 - 19. Get Your Guts In Gear.
La Grange, TX to Austin, TX. Three days and 210 miles. $85 registration, $1900 fundraising minimum. Enjoy the back roads from LaGrange to Austin, winding through the Lost Pines, the Guadalupe River, and the Hill Country. Fully supported. It's more than a ride. Info: 866/944-6864, <info@ibdride.org>, or visit <www.ibdride.org>.