We were lucky enough to ca
tch up with Diane of Gateway to Texas Ride to ask some questions about their upcoming event happening on June June 9th thru June 13th, 2010
How long has the event been around and how did it start?
This is our 5th year
What was the motivation behind starting this event and who benefits from it?
This is a spin off from a ride called the Chainring Challenge, put on by a cycle club in Longview Texas. Clarksville was one of their stops and I think it had happened for something like 15+ years. When they decided, in 2006, not to do the ride any longer, they contacted us at the Chamber of Commerce and asked if we would consider taking the ride on as a fund raiser. Several cyclists would come down for our planning meetings that first year to help us get started. They said they choose us to contact because they had so many positive comments from the cyclists about our community and it’s people.
The Historic Red River County Chamber of Commerce sponsors and benefits from this event.
How have they been able to utilize the funds in the past?
Yes, we have benifited greatly from the event. Our Chamber was old and outdated and we had no money to renovate. I am the only employee and it is only a part time job. I have volunteers work the rest of the week so we can keep the Chamber opened full time. I work for the Board of Directors of the Chamber and they are all volunteers. With the funds form the first year, we renovated the office of the Chamber bringing some of it back to its orginial state. Next we put new carpeting throughout the rest of the Chamber and new linolium in the bathrooms and kitchen. Last year we had to put a new roof on and this year we put central air and heat. It is wonderful to have a clean updated Chamber for our visitors to come into for information.
Logistically, can you give us an idea how many volunteers, finances and planning it takes to put on this event?
We feed 4 breakfasts and 3 dinners that are included in the registration fee. The Chamber feeds 2 breakfasts and 1 dinner, that takes 20 or so volunteers. We cater, from a local business, one dinner. The cyclists are on their own for lunches. These help bring money into our poor ecomony. We farm out the other meals to local orgization in town and they use it as a fund raiser. We do ask for corporate sponsors but could put this event on with just registration fees. We start planning the event in mid January. We house the cyclists in the high school, so we have to involve school personnel also. We have a 24 hour maintance man for the 4 day event.
Can you give us some idea with regards on how hard it is to host this event during the night?
We house the cyclists in the high school, so we have to involve school personnel also. We have a 24 hour maintance man for the 4 day event. Everything seems to go very smoothly. I actually move into the school for the week with the cyclists.
Which was the most rewarding experience throughout the years hosting this event?
I think the most rewarding experience is that this is like a family affair now. Some of our cyclists have been with us all 5 years. We get new ones each year, and some come as they can, but it is the family atmosfere that I like. A lot are old Chainring cyclists, so they know a lot of the riders and enjoy reaquainting themselves.
What’s the average number of riders per year who finish the race?
It is not a race, it is simply a ride. Some finish really fast and some take there time. They have maps with routes from 30 to 100 miles and are one there own for a starting time. We have SAG support on the routs as long as there are people still out.
How many riders do you medically assist during the average race?
We have had very few medical situations. Bumps and scrapes from a spill is about all.
What was the worst accident you had in this event?
Never had to use more than a first aid kit.
What can folks do to support you and your mission?
We have wonderful support from the towns people. This has been stated over and over agin by the cyclists. Part of the reason the cyclist loved our town.
How many port-a-potties do you have?
We do not use port-a-potties
Any celebrities joining the ride?
NO
Additional stuff you would like to let folks know about this years ride?
This ride is always scheduled for the 2nd week in June. We also have a Tandem Ride in the fall, 2nd weekend in October.
Thank you Diane and the Gateway to Texas ride gang 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 Gateway to Texas — Get A Way Tour