Who is pumped for another great ride for a great cause? We sat down for an awesome interview with Ride Director, Nick Williamson. Read on for all the details for the Ark-La-Tex Challenge, which takes place this year on April 5, 2014.
1. Why join your ride?
The Ark-La-Tex Challenge is a bucket list ride for all Southerners. You can ride in 3 states in a mere 70 miles. We have had so many of our 4 states area cyclists tell us how much fun our very first ride in 2013 was and how much they are looking forward to the course and scenery in 2014.
2. How long has your ride been around?
2013 was our very first ride with 115 participants. With the enthusiasm and a challenging course we are looking for 300+ for our sophomore year of 2014.
3. What was the motivation behind starting the ride and who benefits from it?
Texarkana presently offers a half marathon called Run the Line. This ride is neat because its a half marathon run in 2 states. This gave us the idea of an even larger ride, so several of the Edge City Cyclists (local cyclist club) decided to pull our efforts together and have one ride in 3 states.
Our primary beneficiary is the Texarkana Resources for the Disabled, which is an adult training facility for the disabled.
4. How have they been able to utilize funds in the past?
100% of the Ark-La-Tex Challenge goes to the Texarkana Resources for the Disabled. In our first year, we raised $25,00.00 for our charity through sponsorship and riders.
5. Logistically can you give us an idea of how many volunteers, planning hours and financial support it takes to put on this event?
Approximately 140 volunteers were needed to put on the Ark-La-Tex Challenge. They supplied a hamburger lunch and ice cream after the ride for all participants and gave a $250.00 prize, for most outstanding rest stops, which were manned by boy scouts and students from Liberty Eylau High School.
6. Do you have a map of the start facility showing registration, parking, all toilets, water/snacks, start line?
Our facilities for our Ark-La-Tex Challenge were at the Liberty Eylau High School, a 3A Texas High School here in Texarkana. We use their cafeteria for lunch, main entry way for registration and showers and bathrooms at their gymnasium. Facilities, our course and pictures from 2013 can be found on our website, www.arklatex.com and the link to our Facebook page, which is also on our website.
7. What is the most rewarding experience of hosting this event?
Bringing cyclists and their families to our home in Texarkana, Texas, gives them the opportunity to see our hospitality and wonderful countryside. Plus, being able to give back to our community and Texarkana Resources for the Disabled – that is huge and the most rewarding benefit of all.
8. What is the average number of participants?
Our first year we had 115. This year we are on the path to welcoming over 300 riders.
9. What can folks do to support you and your mission?
We are always looking for sponsors and people to come and enjoy our wonderful ride. So head out to Texarkana on April 5, 2014 and RIDE!
10. Do you ride, and if so, what kind of bicycle do you have?
Yes, I am an avid cyclist also. I ride a Giant TCR Advanced SL 4. I travel all over the 4 states area, Little Rock, Dallas and Oklahoma on various rides, which I try to do 12 a year of 100k or 100 mile category.
11. Anything else you’d like to tell folks about this ride?
In closing, we are growing and are proud of our ride and our city. If a person wanted to only do 3 states we also have a supported ride that travels 35 miles from start and you are picked up after your ride of 3 states for an additional fee of $20.00.
Come enjoy our wonderful countryside and ride.
Well, there you go! Are you excited yet? We hope to see you all on April 5th. Get it in gear folks!
CLICK HERE – for more information on this ride
Also, don’t forget to check out all the other great rides in our area.
