“This is one of the most prestigious and challenging rides in America, and I’m proud that it has been here in Wichita Falls for almost three decades,” saidExecutive Director of the HH100 Chip Filer. “The entire city rallies behind the event with more than 4,000 volunteers helping make it the best cycling experience possible for the sport and the city.”

The ride has brought in a significant array of national sponsors including Academy Sports + Outdoors, Clif Bar and Company, Michelob Ultra, PowerAde, Pfizer, State Farm Insurance, Sonic and United Supermarkets. Sponsors from Dallas/Fort Worth and Wichita Falls include KFDX-TV, KNIN 92.9 FM, Patterson Auto Center, Richardson Bike Mart, Sheppard Air Force Base and Times Record News.

The main ride will commence on Saturday, August 28 at 7 a.m. with a U.S. Air Force flyover for Wichita Falls’ Sheppard Air Force Base and celebrates with an outdoor concert featuring The Killdares at 2^nd and Lamar in downtown Wichita Falls.

By Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Click here to read Full Article

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

This is the second year of the event. I am a member of the Plano Sunrise Rotary. Several members of the Club ride and we thought that a bike ride
would be a great way to work in the community.

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

We were looking for ways to support organizations in the community that we have not been able to support. This year, the Plano Fun Ride benefits Relief Nursery of Collin County, a child abuse prevention organization.
What is unique about Relief Nursery is the Prevention model it is based on. The organization looks to keep families intact, preventing the children from going into Foster Care by facilitating a safe family environment.

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

The funds are used to support the organization’s Child abuse prevention program. Last year, we also were able to share the proceeds with the Plano Children’s Medical Clinic.

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

Our Steering Committee is made up of 5 key individuals, focusing on Sponsors, Volunteers, Route Planning, Event Logistics. This year was unique in that we planned for a longer set of routes into Collin County, but ran into key logistical issues that we could not overcome. We had to close our
67 and 47 mile routes this year. But hey, we are way ahead in planning for next year!

As we did last year, we are working within one municipality; Plano. This simplifies (but still not simple) the planning process. Our largest expense
is the Police participation. I’m not sure you can ever have enough volunteers. We have volunteers assigned to various duties including Planning,
Registration, Site Setup, Tear Down, Rest Stops, and Road Crew. In all, we have 57 volunteers, but anyone interested in helping, please contact us. We’ll put you to good use!

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

This is the second year so it is hard to say. Each one is like your children, both different but you love them both. Last year we put on a
family ride and had two routes; 5 and 10 mile. Everyone had a great time (even though the rain cut the event short). This year we changed start/stop locations and expanded the routes to include a 31 mile ride. I would like to answer that question after this event.

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

Last year we had 159 riders, mostly families. This year we are planning for 300 riders with the expanded route. Next year when we expand further to include the 47 and 67 mile routes, we expect to double that again.

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

Last year we had one individual that had to be taken to the hospital for chest pains. It turned out to be nothing and he was OK.

What was the worst accident you had in this event?

We haven’t had one, and I would like to keep that record going.

What can folks do to support you and your mission?

The Relief Nursery of Collin County is working to keep families together. We offer a hand up, not a hand-out. Prevention is not only best for the
fabric of our society (keeping families together in a safe environment), but is it cost effective, as well. Each child that goes into Foster Care costs
the taxpayer $670 per month (payment to the Foster parents). That’s $16,000 per year for as long as the children are in foster care. The average Relief Nursery program duration is 17 months. At $4,600 per year, per family, the cost is $6,500 for the duration of the family’s Relief Nursery program. Foster care is paid with your tax dollars, Relief Nursery is funded through private funding, donations, and fundraisers such as this. Come on out and support the cause.

How many port-a-potties do you have?

At the rest stops that do not have rest rooms, we will have two
port-a-potties. We will have three at the start/finish.

Any celebrities joining the ride/walk?

No

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

Each time I go out on the routes to review the course, I get jazzed. The courses are really a nice ride. The beauty of the shorter family routes is
that parents can introduce their children to the joys of organized cycling in a semi-controlled environment. The longer route is for Tweeners. Kind of like us. Each rider get’s a free t-shirt and we’ll be grilling up free lunch for when you are done.

Thank you David 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 Plano Fun Ride

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

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

It started in 2004, and was the vision of cyclist Richard White and Jim Hoyt of Richardson Bike Mart

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

Richard and Jim wanted to organize a bike rally to benefit the local community hospital.  This year, the beneficiary is Methodist Richardson Cancer Center, home of the Lance Armstrong Shaped Beam Surgery Program.

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

To build the cancer center, and to fund education and treatment programs at the cancer center

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

2000 riders, 300 walkers, 300 community volunteers, 6 months of planning, this year we will pass the $1,000,000 mark in funds raised since inception of the event.

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

The most rewarding experience is seeing the cancer survivors and caregivers who participate in this event.  They are an inspiration to everyone who participates!
What can folks do to support you and your mission?

Come and participate on the day – register as a rider or walker

Any celebrities joining the ride/walk?

Linda Armstrong Kelly(Lance’s mom) is always at this event to celebrate our success

On that note – ‘Thank you Kim 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 WildRide! Against Cancer & 5K Trail Walk

Event: Coleman Chevrolet Classic

Location: Texarkana, TX

Distaces and Fees:

Entry Fees:

About the Ride: The race course begins and ends in Douglassville, a small town west of Texarkana, Texas . The  race course is a clockwise 30 mile loop or a clockwise 45 mile loop, rolling to VERY hilly , with smooth roads.

Event Website: http://www.edgecityevents.com/coleman_chevrolet_classic

Email: Dee Bell – montana_vista@yahoo.com / 903-826-9694

Registration: Online Registration via BikeReg.com