Support the Ride,
Support
the Cause:
An event for the whole family
by JENNIFER HOUCHINS
Whether you are an avid cyclist, know a cyclist or would like to be a cyclist, you do not want to miss the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and AT&T’s 2007 Tour de Cure.
Sure, it is a fun and exciting cycling event that benefits the mission of the ADA, but it’s one fund-raising event that will leave you remembering why you love to cycle, and why it is so important to raise money for diabetes. From the variety of routes to the Saturday night celebration, the Tour de Cure is sure to leave you marking your calendar for the ride next year.
A minimal registration fee of $20 will get you on your way to raising money for the ADA. You then must raise $150 to ride in the Tour. You can register at the event, for $25—but you are encouraged to sign up early to allow plenty of time for training and fund raising. The ADA makes it easy and fun to collect donations through the Tour de Cure Web site (www.diabetes.org/tour), which allows you to customize your own Web page, send e-mails and thank you notes, register teammates, and set goals.
As a rider, you can choose to participate on Day One, Day Two or any combination to design the ride/route that fits your level of experience. All registered riders will begin at Harcourt Assessment (19500 Bulverde Road in San Antonio). Registration and breakfast will begin at 6:30 a.m. Day One offers a variety of route options, with the 50- and 80-mile options finishing at the Butler Hall Dorms at Texas State University (501 Edward Gary, San Marcos). Longer routes will travel through the beautiful and scenic back roads of Selma, Schertz, Marion, McQueeney and New Braunfels. Day Two will begin at 7:30 a.m., leaving the dorms and finishing at Akins High School (10701 South 1st Street in Austin). Day Two routes include a 25-, 58- and 80-mile option.
Riders who choose the 15-mile route on Day One will enjoy the new Family Fun Ride, sponsored by H-E-B. It includes two rest stops, a wonderful brunch (provided by Harcourt Assessment and ARAMARK) and festivities at the finish line. The Gigantic H-E-B Shopping Cart will be there with two bikes to be given away; one girl’s bike and one boy’s bike. H-E-Buddy will be present to cheer on the kids along with the cheerleaders. Face painting, music and games will also be at the finish line. Riders in the Family Fun Ride can still participate in the celebration at San Marcos—shuttle services will be available at a nominal fee.
Along the route are well-stocked rest areas, to refresh and hydrate all the riders. This year riders will enjoy a variety of themed rest areas. (All rest area snacks are provided by H-E-B, and drinks are furnished by Fuze). The 2007 rest stop sponsors include: H-E-B, Gillette AC, AT&T, San Antonio Wheelmen, Golf San Antonio, SeaWorld San Antonio, KCI, Cool Cat Cycling Club and Valero Energy Corporation. Riders can vote for their favorite rest stop. The winning rest stop will receive an award at the end of the Family Fun ride for the 15-mile loop and at the Saturday Night Celebration for the 50- and 80-mile routes.
Riders will also enjoy safe and well-monitored routes, including superior SAG (Support and Gear) vehicles, traffic control teams and excellent volunteer support. Special thanks to local bike shops: Action Bikes, Bicycle Heaven, Bike City, The Bike Platz, BikeWorld, Britton's Bicycle Shop, Charles A. James Bicycle Company, Cycle Logic, Joe's Pro Bikes, Planet Bike, Ride Away Bikes and Nikki's Bicycle Works, for providing on-site mechanical support.
The riders in the Tour will definitely be able to keep up their strength, as the event committee has ensured a variety of foods throughout the weekend. Breakfast will be provided at the start line, courtesy of AT&T for all riders. Riders can also enjoy Starbucks coffee. Then as they finish their ride in San Marcos, they will be treated to hamburgers and hot dogs, along with vegetarian options, all donated by Absolutely Everything Catering and prepared by Gary Job Corps.
Once riders cross the finish line, there will be a variety of amenities including a San Marcos information table, massage therapist, flip-flops and a sample shower set provided by AT&T, along with rider goody bags courtesy of Documation. New this year is a free shuttle service in San Marcos, provided by Lancer Corporation, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Shuttles are available for riders and their family members. The route includes the Square, the Outlet Malls and nearby Wal-Mart. Riders and their family members can enjoy a free movie at the campus theatre at 2 p.m. and again at 7:30 pm.
There will be plenty of food options for riders, volunteers and guests at the Saturday Night Celebration, held at Sewell Park in San Marcos. Valero will prepare BBQ, including brisket and chicken with all the trimmings. Fazoli’s will provide pasta and salad served by the AT&T volunteers. Dinner selections are provided by
H-E-B, Sysco, Valero Energy Corporation and Fazoli’s.
Don’t miss the awards presentation, along with some entertaining Polynesian dancers provided by Tropical Productions. The Hawaiian themed party will also include a limbo contest and plenty of great door prizes.
Riders can rekindle their college dorm experiences by staying at the Texas State University dorms for a minimal fee. Riders will stay in air-conditioned dorm rooms on comfortable beds. ADA will transport rider luggage, bedding and toiletries each day from the start line to the finish line. Please reserve your single or double occupancy dorm room as soon as possible by contacting the ADA office at (210) 829-1765.
As the riders wake up and prepare for Day Two, they will enjoy breakfast courtesy of Mama Margies. They’ll lunch at the finish line in Austin with fresh fruit from G&M Catering, along with spicy and lo mein noodles, courtesy of Mama Fu’s.
Grab your cycling gear and register for a great ride for a great cause. Call (210) 829-1765 for more info.
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