How long has the event been around and how did it start?

First event was in 2007 – I went to the inaugural LIVESTRONG Summit in Austin and they challenged us to do something to help cancer patients in our community.

2007 – 120 riders & donated $14,400

2008 – 353 riders & donated $40,000

2009 – 550 riders & donated $50,000

What was the motivation behind starting this event and who benefits from it?

I was prematurely diagnosed with lymphoma in 2006.  Later, it was determined that what I have is spleen tissue left over from a previous injury.  Since then I have dedicated myself to helping patients diagnosed with cancer.  The Don and Sybil Harington Cancer Center receives 90% of our proceeds and the Lance Armstrong Foundation receives 10%

How have they been able to utilize the funds in the past?

Last year, we donated $45,000 that went to the Harrington Breast Center, which is a part of Harrington Cancer Center.  That money was used to fund mammograms and diagnostic services for women who couldn’t afford care.  Our donation helped more than 300 women and helped to diagnose 3 women with breast cancer.  The money that we give to Harrington is used for patient care only.

Logistically, can you give us an idea how many volunteers, finances and planning it takes to put on this event?

We start planning and working on our event in November.  You have to get an early jump if you want to get sponsorships and donations.  It takes about 100 volunteers to put on our event.  As for finances, our goal is to have the bulk of our expenses sponsored by businesses.  This drastically limits our expenditures, and allows us to donate more money.

Can you give us some idea with regards on how hard it is to host this event during the night?

The night is actually the easiest part.  Most people will go to sleep!  Things really tend to slow down when the sun goes down.  Lots of people will go out for a lap or 2 because our event is the only time you can ride the trails legally after dusk and then they go to sleep.  Honestly, the hardest part is staying awake.  I will have been up a lot of hours the week of the event finalizing details.

Which was the most rewarding experience throughout the years hosting this event?

Meeting so many people who have been touched by this terrible disease and hearing their stories.  Also, getting to present the big check to Harrington Cancer Center after the ride.

What’s the average number of riders per year who finish the 24 hour race?

Usually we don’t have more than 6 or so that end up riding the entire 24 hours without taking more than small breaks in between laps.

How many riders do you medically assist during the average race?

We probably help 50 or 60 riders.  Most common is of course road and dirt rash.  Last year, it seemed like everyone found the cactus on the trails.

What was the worst accident you had in this event?

We had a broken hip the very first year we put the event on.  It was a freak accident on the mountain bike trails.

What can folks do to support you and your mission?

Come join us!  We have the perfect venue to host 24 hour mountain bike and road riding at the same time.  Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon in the US and us absolutely stunning.

How many port-a-potties do you have?

We only need 6 – two per campground.  This is because all of the campgrounds have restrooms.  We didn’t start having port-a-potties until 2009 and what prompted us to have them was a water line break in 2008.  All of the water in the park was shut off for about 6 hours…which meant no restrooms.  So, we have them now just in case.

Any celebrities joining the ride?

Nope

Additional stuff you would like to let folks know about this years ride?

I think you covered all of the good stuff

On that note – ‘Thank you Ryan for granting this quick interview and we hope we can catch up with everyone at the event.

Click here to view the event details for the 24 Hours in the Canyon or Follow them on Facebook

Event: Hale On Wheels

Location: Plainview, TX

Routes: 21, 32, 48, and 62 miles

Registration: Ride day registration will begin at 7:00 am at the Ollie Liner Center.
$25 per person registration if pre-registered.
$30 per person beginning at 7am on ride day.
$5 family discount for two or more from same household ($20 per rider if registered by 9/11/10).
$5 bike club discount if for two or more from same club ($20 per rider if registered by 9/11/10)

About the Race:

Hale on Wheels is a fully supported recreational bike ride for road bikes held in Plainview, Hale County, Texas, during the annual “Cowboy Days” celebration.  Routes are 21, 32, 48, and 62 miles, all on smooth, flat, lightly traveled or wide shoulder roads.  A free nutritious lunch is provided for riders and their families.  There are drawings for pre-registered riders for $450.00 in cash and a “rest stop raffle” for all riders for $300.00 cash.

Website: http://site.haleonwheelsbikeride.com/

Registration: Online Registration or Registration Form

Additional Info:

All riders receive a “Hale on Wheels” T-shirt, tote bag,water bottle and other goodies.  RV spaces with electrical and water hook-ups are available at the start.  Early packet pick-up on Friday, September 17th, from 5 PM-8 PM at the Ollie Liner Center, 2000 South Columbia, Plainview, TX 79072.  There are fully supplied rest stops, sag wagons, mechanical and first aid available.

Location: Hillsboro, Texas

Routes: 6, 54, 40, 26, and 10 mile routes

Registration: begins at 7:30pm with staggered starts beginning at 9:00am at 126 West Elm Street (Antique Village) in Hillsboro, Texas.

About the Race:

Two of Hill County’s finest community oriented organizations, Hill County Paw Pals and Hillsboro Police Department Community Outreach Programs, have joined together again to launch their third annual “Waggin’ Trail Bike Ride” on Saturday, September 25.

The planned routes of Waggin’ Trail Bike Ride offer cyclists a unique tour of Central Texas.  Hill County is 986 square miles of rural area that is joined together with miles and miles of splendid paved farm-to-market roads.  With a combined population of only 33,000, Hill County offers open spaces.  On many areas of the bike ride, one can see for miles around—the splendid beauty of open land—flowing creeks, pastures with cattle and horses grazing, farmers’ cultivated fields, and proud, rural communities.  The varied routes all explore the back roads of Hill County and go through communities that were established during the 1850’s when Hill County was created and named after Dr. George W. Hill, a settler who served as a congressman and Secretary of War for the Republic of Texas.

Website: http://www.waggintrailbikeride.com

Event: North Texas Bicycle Rally

Location: Roanoke, TX

Registration Fee per route

About the ride :

The North Texas Bicycle Rally (NTBR) is an annual fund raising event that supports local and national charity organizations. This year the NTBR has chosen St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as it’s beneficiary.

The NTBR event covers the rolling hills and off-the beaten paths in the of North Central Texas towns of Roanoke, Keller, Fort Worth, Haslet, Trophy Club, and Southlake. The Rally we will be providing COMMERATIVE T-SHIRTS, LIVE MUSIC and FREE FOOD for all NT Bicycle Rally Participants.

Event: Tour de Fireant 2010

Location: Marshall, TX

Routes: 10 Miles to 100k

Registration Fee : Pre-registration is $25 through Oct. 5, and $30 any day after that and the day of the ride.

Website: www.tourdefireant.com

About the Tour : The 2010 Tour de Fireant will be held Saturday, Oct. 9 at 9 a.m. in Marshall, TX. Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the corner of Franklin & Houston streets.  All riders will receive a long-sleeve T-shirt and goodie bag.  Pre-registration is $25 through Oct. 5, and $30 any day after that and the day of the ride.  10 mi-100K routes.  Door prizes, including a Trek mountain bike, and  trophies will be awarded.  Free pizza and beer following the ride.