By Jennifer Jones
Many know that Lake Texoma houses a beautiful expanse of scenic views, but it is also home to a great ride, the Red River Bike Rally.
This ride allows riders of all skill levels and interests to enjoy the magnificent scenery throughout a day of riding. There are many other surprises along the routes, including home made goodies to all the pizza you can eat following the ride. This ride is loved by many in the Lake Texoma community and would be a great pre-ride for athletes gearing up for the Hotter’N Hell Hundred only 2 weeks later.
Here is an interview with Bike Rally Chairman, Joe Brown. He paints a picture of what it is like to really be at the ride.
As a cyclist, why join the ride?
It is a beautiful ride, it is well organized, and it is a great warm-up ride for the Hotter-N-Hell. The ride starts on Lake Texoma, which is a really beautiful area, and includes several routes of various distances from 8 to 100 miles through the rolling hills of North Texas. You start at Tanglewood Resort, which has plenty of parking and special room rates for cyclists, and you enjoy the rural countryside of Grayson County with sightings of wildlife being common. Friendly volunteers from the local Kiwanis club, amateur radio club, and cycling club man the well- stocked rest stops until your return to all the pizza and drinks you can handle. A century route is included to help prepare those who will are preparing for the big ride in Wichita Falls just two weeks later.
How long has the event been around?
This will be the 11th year we have put on the ride.
What sets your course aside from other rides?
We have a 100 mile option, and this will be our first year with a gravel route. Not all rides offer those options. The countryside really is beautiful, and riders feel like they are out of the big city, but we are still not that far away – only about 40 minutes – from the DFW Metroplex. We also have the personal touch at several rest stops, including home-made cookies from the members of the local bike club.
What was the motivation behind starting the event and who benefits from it?
The Sherman Kiwanis Club is more than 100 years old, and this is our major fundraiser for the year. We have members who love to cycle, and we have a wonderful local bike shop and bike club that were looking for a way to promote cycling in the area. Funds raised from the ride support local children’s charities, including our local Children’s Advocacy Center, Boys and Girls Club, Child and Family Guidance Center, and several others. You can find out more at www.kiwanisredriverrally.com
How have they been able to utilize the funds in the past?
We give direct financial gifts to the charities, and every year we give scholarships to exemplary local students. We also use the funds to purchase Christmas gifts for the children in the local crisis center, those kids under supervision of the local office of Child Protective Services, and the kids served by the Boys and Girls Clubs and Children’s Advocacy Center. In August we buy school supplies for these same kids.
Logistically, can you give us an idea of how many volunteers, and the planning it takes to put on this event?
We have several dozen volunteers who help every year. Our wonderful local bike shop (www.texomabicycleworks.com) and the local amateur radio club are vital parts of the effort. Charlie and Pat Jenkins of Texoma Bicycle Works and the good folks at Richardson Bike Mart provide the SAG support, and the amateur radio club spreads their members out on the course to report any mechanical or safety issues. The Texoma Cycling Club provides volunteers, and several of our Kiwanis members bring their family members out to help on the course. It is a team effort.
What has been the most rewarding experience throughout the years hosting this event?
We love to see people enjoying the beauty of our community. We see many of the same folks every year, and they are always very appreciative of the experience. It is a good feeling to know that we are helping kids that really need the help.
What is the average number of participants?
We have grown to about 400 riders.
What was the most unforgettable experience you had at this event?
The group from central Texas who brought their bus stocked with beer kegs and a margarita machine was very memorable. There are always a few interesting costumes out on the course, and we love the kids who come back and tell us about the deer and other wildlife they have seen on the ride.
Do you ride and if yes, what kind of bicycle do you ride and what is your favorite route in your area? Which are your top 3 favorite MUST DO rides in Texas (besides your own)?
I started riding a few years ago because everyone looked like they were enjoying themselves so much during our ride. My wife and I got matching introductory Felt road bikes to break into cycling, and it has given us a hobby to enjoy together. There are some great routes in the area, and you can find several of them on the Texoma Cycling Club website (http://texoma.cc/tcc-routes). Must do rides are the Hotter’n Hell 100, the Easter Hill Country Tour, and the Ride of Silence.
Is there anything else you would like riders to know about your ride?
This is a laid back and really enjoyable ride. The volunteers are friendly, and the countryside is beautiful.
Thank you Joe for taking the time to talk with WheelBrothers.
If you are looking for a pre-endurance ride or just a fun family event check out their page and register for the Red River Bike Rally at http://www.redriverbikerally.com/index.php.
