Today’s featured cycling club, the San Antonio Wheelmen, is one of the first clubs in San Antonio and was founded over 100 years ago. They are about cycling education and community outreach with cycling enthusiasts of all ages and skills who are passionate about sharing the rewarding experience of cycling. We were honored to have the club president, Jose Rojas, talk to us more about the club. He’s given new riders some great advice and has shared his favorite routes in his area!
1. Who founded the club and how did it come to life?
It was Organized in 1971, and Incorporated as Nonprofit Corp in 1985. It was named after the “San Antonio Wheelmen” the first bike club in San Antonio founded in 1891. Donald Edwin Schwartz, a retired Army colonel and dentist, helped found the San Antonio Wheelmen. The club was revived when, Donald Edwin Schwartz, a retired Army colonel and dentist, and others responded to a notice posted by local architect Neal Collins at Charles A. James Bicycle Co. downtown. Schwartz remained active until near the end of his life, riding his last 100-mile route when he was 81.
2. What is your cycling clubs mission?
Promote bicycling as a recreational activity and non-polluting form of transportation.
3. How many members does you team/club have?
About 450 members.
4. What is your favorite route in your area? (If you happen to have any maps that would be great!) Which are your top 3 favorite MUST DO rides/routes in Texas?
My favorite rides are the in the Texas Hill country. It is a beautiful area that has a great network of country roads. We offer many routes that go from flat to very hilly; you’ll find a sample of them in our website, http://sawheelmen.com/Maps/. My favorite is the Kendalia Ride. A route that goes from Kendalia to Blanco, TX. On the way back you’ll encounter one of the steepest hills in this area, Crabapple Rd.
Three must do rides? Easter Hill Country Tour, March 29-31, Kerrville. TX. EHCT.com, Real Ale Ride and the Fiesta Wild Flower Wild Flower Ride.
5. What would be the three most valuable tips you can give to a beginning cyclist that would like to get to the next level?
a. Get a good bike! Nobody should venture to ride in the country without a good bike. You realize how far you can ride, when your bike brakes and you have to walk or being rescued back!
b. Join a club. Always ride with a group of riders that are slightly better and more experienced than you. You’ll learn from them and they’ll push you beyond your comfort zone.
c. Find interesting rides and events and use them as a motivation to train. Ride flats, ride hilly rides, if you live west go east, if you live in the east go to the west, change your scenery.
6. What is the best advice someone ever gave you?
Riding wise? Drink and eat plenty while you are riding, and learn how to fix your bike.
7. How does the club make you a better rider?
Being part of the club gives me plenty of choices every weekend. That helps me ride more, because I don’t have to plan too much. Also the good riders in the club serve me as personal trainers, since I have to keep up with them.
8. What has been your most memorable experience involving your club?
The first day a finished a ride in the front group. It took me about 6 months to keep up with those fast guys.
9. How do you keep everyone motivated?
The club has 2 organized rides every weekend, with different routes. Maps are provided for all routes. We also offer cycling education classes for new riders, where they will have access to experienced instructors and stay together rides at their level.
10. Anything we’ve missed that you like our readers to know about?
I would like to recommend the Easter Hill Country Tour, (EHCT.com). Founded in 1974 by the Lubbock Bicycle Club, the Easter Hill Country Tour is hosted in rotation by the San Antonio Wheelmen, Austin Cycling Association, Houston Bicycle Club, and the Fort Worth Bicycling Association. This is the 40th edition and our club is hosting it. No mass-starts, you’ll enjoy a relaxed, friendly cycling experience. All rides are fully-supported with rest stops and SAG vehicles. Join around 1,000 riders and see why the EHCT is an Easter weekend tradition.
Thank you again Jose for taking the time to talk to us about your club. Find out more about the San Antonio Wheelmen on their site and follow them on Facebook to keep up the latest rides and events.
