You know what they say, April training brings awesome PRs in May! (I think that’s how it goes…) So if you are looking for the perfect ride to round out your May, check out the Atlas Ride, on May 31st. Kathryn Flowers, the Development & Program Coordinator, took time out of her busy schedule to give us a great interview. Take a read.
Why join your ride?
The ATLAS Ride is not only a great bicycle ride with several distance options (25, 50, and 70), but it also has several unique benefits – namely the fact that it is the send-off ride for each year’s Texas 4000 team, giving the community the opportunity to ride day one with the amazing group of students that will spend 70 days of their summer biking from Texas to Alaska to raise money for cancer research and spread awareness. We also like to think we have the best end-of-ride food, with a catered BBQ plate from Pok-e-Jo’s and plenty of cold beer!
How long has your ride been around?
This year is the 10th year of the ATLAS ride, and the 11th year of Texas 4000 for Cancer. At this point, we are getting to be pros at putting on the ride!
What was the motivation behind starting the ride and who benefits from it?
The ATLAS Ride was started as a send-off ride for the 2005 Texas 4000 team. Alumni from the first year wanted a way to open up the first day to the community, and the ride was born. Since then, we’ve grown to a finish line presence of almost 1000 people, including family and friends who don’t ride but join us for lunch.
The ride benefits Texas 4000 for Cancer. Texas 4000 is dedicated to fighting cancer by sharing hope, knowledge and charity. We cultivate the next generation to lead the fight against cancer through our cornerstone event, a more than 4,000-mile bike ride from Austin to Anchorage. In 2013, we celebrated the organization’s 10th anniversary and have raised more than $4 million in the fight against cancer since our inception in 2003. We share charity by making a commitment to support cancer research and leading the charge in overcoming cancer. We share hope by letting those touched by cancer know that we are riding for them and we are determined to eliminate the disease. We share knowledge by bringing life–saving information about cancer prevention to communities large and small.
How have they been able to utilize funds in the past?
The funds raised from the ATLAS ride go to support the team’s ride to Alaska – helping us finance bicycles, trailers, gas, and van expenses, among other things. The ATLAS ride funds help keep our riders safe, healthy, and on the road so that they can raise more money for cancer research and reach more people through awareness presentations.
Logistically can you give us an idea of how many volunteers, finances and planning it takes to put on this event?
We have a race director and a volunteer coordinator who start serious work planning the ride in late December/early January of the year before, with a few responsibilities in the fall before that. Two full-time staff members devote part of their work to the ride as well, with one concentrating heavily on promotion/marketing and the other on logistics/vendors, etc. We also have a committee of involved volunteers (~10 people) who meet throughout the spring and coordinate the major aspects of the ride.
In the week before and day of, we have about 100 volunteers who help us put the ride together. And of course, we couldn’t do it without the amazing generosity of Pillar Bluff Vineyards and Texas Legato Winery, where we end each year. They have been partners for a long time and routinely help us in more ways than one.
Financially, the ride is one of two of our most significant fundraising events each year, alongside our yearly Tribute Gala.
What is the most rewarding experience of hosting this event?
The most rewarding experience is always meeting people who come to ride at the event, hearing their stories, and seeing them come back each year. We have a very high return rate on the ride, and we’re proud of how many people have joined our community over the years.
What is the average number of participants?
Last year we had about 500 cyclists and 250 friends and family members at the finish. This year, we are on track to hit about 1000 total, with 600 – 700 cyclists and 300 – 400 people at the finish. We’re working on incorporating a festival atmosphere this year, which we expect to bring more people to the finish itself, even if they aren’t riding.
What can folks do to support you and your mission?
Ride ATLAS! You can register for the ride here. Of course, you can also look at our website, read rider profiles, donate to a rider or to the organization as a whole, or even become a sponsor. We are always interested in new partnerships and opportunities. If any of this interests you, I would encourage you to email me at [email protected].
Do you ride, and if so, what kind of bicycle do you have?
I absolutely do ride, and was actually on the 2010 Texas 4000 team. I have a Felt Z85, which probably has somewhere in the neighborhood of 8,000 miles on it now.
Anything else you’d like to tell folks about this ride?
I’d just encourage you to come out and experience it firsthand – there’s no substitute. And because we finish at a vineyard, we have wine tastings as well. I’d be happy to answer questions anyone has, too – just email me at [email protected].
CLICK HERE – for more info on this ride!
We hope everyone enjoyed another interview from Wheel Brothers. Hope your can make it out there to round out a great month with a great ride!
