The 4th Annual LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour sponsored by the Friends of LBJ National Historical Park, the Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club, the National Park Service, and the Western National Parks Association invites you to participate to their Ride to Preserve History on March 26, 2011 in LBJ Ranch (near Stonewall, TX), which is the LBJ National Historical Park. All net proceeds from the tour will go to the betterment of the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park.
We were lucky enough to be granted an interview with Nolan Kuehn, Chair of LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour to ask some questions about their upcoming ride.
Why Join the “ LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour”?
Wow, there are so many reasons! Certainly one is that after the winter doldrums, cyclists are anxious to get back in the saddle. With our now standard time slot of last weekend in March, I like to say we introduce the cycle season in the Texas Hill Country. The venue is unmatched: we start/end on the air strip of the LBJ Ranch. Our post-ride meal, a Ranger-led tour if the Texas White House, and Luci Baines Johnson’s narrated tour of the historical landmarks on the Ranch in the afternoon are all included in registration. It’s an opportunity for cyclists to make a day of it; hanging with friends in a beautiful setting on the banks of the Pedernales River.
The primary reason, though, is that it’s an educational opportunity. Our ride tag line is “A Ride to Preserve History” – and that’s an apt description! President Johnson was our education President, and we acknowledge that through the old Junction School, where he attended kindergarten, and the use of three restored rural Gillespie County schools as rest stops on the routes. Of course, Luci’s narrated tour is a look at Presidential history from someone who lived it.
How long has the event been around and how did it start?
2011 is our 4th edition, and we have enjoyed some phenomenal growth: 423 riders in 2008, 864 in 2009, and topping the 1000 mark with 1089 last year. We must be doing something right! In a recent meeting, someone referred to us as having an “iconic Texas ride”. In the same breath, this same individual referred to the Hotter ‘N’ Hell 100 as another iconic Texas ride. That’s some pretty lofty company!
Russ Whitlock, the LBJ Park Superintendent, and I always talk about his infamous October 2007 email, where he put out a questionnaire about having a bike ride that starts and ends on the LBJ Ranch, which is the National Park. Russ mentioned that with the passing of Lady Bird Johnson earlier in 2007, and the subsequent departure of the Secret Service, the Park would be much more open to the public. He wanted the ride to acknowledge this openness. Would our club be interested?
I was actually on a bike tour at the time, down in Goliad on my “Texas Festival Frolic” (get me to tell you about it sometime. I say it’s a combination of “kolaches and cannons”). Checking emails at the library, I quickly emailed Russ and said that, personally, I was but that I would have to run it past by my Board. Well, our little bike club (Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club) is small in number, but a giant in volunteerism and charity work. The Board overwhelmingly said “yes”! Our first meeting was on December 16, 2007 at what is now the Visitor Center on the Ranch. After a presentation and discussion, we got the go ahead to proceed, and the rest is history. The first LBJ 100 was on April 19, 2008.
What was the motivation behind starting the tour and who benefits from it?
I think I may have answered the first part of this question in my response above. Russ was interested in seeing that the public was exposed to this jewel in our own back yard; he wanted them to come out and use it. We subsequently found out that Luci Baines Johnson feels the same way.
The ultimate beneficiary of this effort is, of course, the LBJ National Historical Park, but our partner in this endeavor is a 501(C) 3 non-profit, the Friends of LBJ National Historical Park. Their mission is to work for the benefit of the Park. All net proceeds go to the Friends and are to be used for the projects for which the National Park Service has no budget.
How have they been able to utilize the funds in the past?
As I mentioned, the Friends, our partner, receive all net proceeds. Thanks to some good management of expenses, this has totaled over $50,000 over the last three editions of the LBJ 100. One example of a project where our donated money was spent is the restoration of the Texas White House. As we speak, the first floor is open to the public, and restored to what it was back in the 60’s. I’ve taken this tour several times, and it’s like going back into history. Another project in its infancy is the restoration of the Secret Service building on the Ranch.
Logistically, can you give us an idea how many volunteers, finances, and planning it takes to put on this event?
From the planning perspective: We have de-briefing meeting, usually about a month after the LBJ ride. I think it takes that long for us to catch up on sleep, and let the dust settle. We’re obsessed about making this the BEST Texas ride that there is! We’re always tweaking something. Planning really gets underway in the fall, and never ceases until ride day. Some of my fellow volunteers joke about my 3:00AM emails! Publicity is the name of the game, and I spend a lot of time on that. Thank Heaven for the electronic media we have!
I’ve mentioned the $50,000 we have turned over to the Friends over the last three years. Our biggest budget items are the t-shirt purchase (we bought 1150 shirts this year), and the food for the post ride meal. Each of those costs about $4000. I know there are some civic-minded companies and individuals out there who would like to become a part of our adventure and underwrite these expenses. I want to talk to you!
I’ve got to say a heartfelt “thanks” to all the volunteers that make the ride the success it is. Certainly it started with our bike club and the Friends as partners, with support by Russ Whitlock and his staff. This year, the Cool Cats club out of San Antonio (another civic-minded club) has joined us. And, we’ve even had winter Texans come out and volunteer to help. I’ve never done an exact count, but we probably have in the order of 200 volunteers helping in this event.
What was the most rewarding experience throughout the years hosting this event?
I think it’s the enthusiasm generated by all the volunteers. They know we are part of something big, and that fun and happiness is existent even in all our planning efforts. It’s satisfying to see it all culminate on ride day.
How many riders do you assist during the average race?
Medical attention has been minimal (luckily!) during our rides. We have rest stops closely spaced on the routes, so riders are never far from service. Of course, there are those who do indeed have some cramps as a result of the incessant hills and wind on the latter stage of the 62-mile route. There are the usual collection of blisters; we have first aid kits at the rest stops.
What was the most unforgettable experience/worst accident you had in this event?
Luckily, we’ve had only two. One was a non-moving accident; a rider fell off of the bike while stationary, and fractured a wrist. Last year, there was a more serious accident; a rider went down in loose gravel and hit his head on a cattle guard. He wasn’t able to continue. However, he and his wife are traveling from the Rio Grande Valley to be with us again this year!
What can folks do to support you and your mission?
Well, come out and ride for sure. We’d like to see some real exposure to what we are offering. If anyone or if anyone has a friend who has the wherewithal o be a major sponsor for our event, I’d like to talk to them. We’re going places with our ride!
How many port-a-potties do you have?
We have total of 21 port-a-potties. Twelve of those are on the air strip, spaced down the strip or convenience. Nine are on the rest stops out on the routes. And ladies: Three of the nine route rest stops have actual toilets —with separate rest rooms for men and women — at the restored rural Gillespie County schools. Country bicycle riding was never so good!
What is your role in this race and to the success of it?
I’ve been the Chair since its inception, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it! I jokingly say that I’m going to challenge Roby Christie (founder of the Hotter ‘N’ Hell 100) of Wichita Falls for longevity. The success of the ride is because of the efforts of all the bike volunteers, the Friends, Russ and his staff, and our sponsors. I may have a baton in my hand, but you can’t play a symphony without the players.
Do you do cycling too? If yes, what kind of bike do you own?
I’m an avid cyclist, so I know about what I speak, when it comes to the routes we have for our event. They’re like stepping back in time!
I guess my cycling interest peaked in 2005, when I pedaled across the U.S. (San Diego to St. Augustine, FL) over a 62-day period. Not too bad for an old timer; I celebrated my 65th birthday on the trip. A fantastic trip with an international group, and we still correspond. We’re talking about a ten-year reunion — but no long trips. Maybe a gathering at the LBJ 100!
With regard to bikes, I have several: An Orbea carbon fiber road bike, a Surly Long Haul Trucker touring bike, and a Marin “29er” (has bigger diameter rims), the latest rage in mountain bikes. Right now, I’m wearing a boot (torn tendon) prescribed by my podiatrist, so I’m prohibited from getting on any of them. Frustration reigns!
Additional stuff you would like the folks to know about this year’s ride?
In addition to the use of our usual tag line, “A Ride to Preserve History”, I’d like to say that this year will be a combination of patriotism, with some fun and whimsy thrown in.
The patriotism comes from the group of Wounded Warriors riding this year – British and American troops who have undergone re-hab. The British hosted the Americans in England last year, and now we return the favor. What better venue! These guys are fantastic! I hope the public will come and tell them how much we appreciate their efforts.
The fun comes from the fact that we will have Michael Stuart, an Austin-based actor who portrays LBJ, driving a ’66 Continental convertible down the air strip as a pace car, leading the Wounded Warriors until they get to the Ranch confines.
The fun continues, as “Bottle Boy” will be making an appearance at the LBJ 100. If you don’t know who “Bottle Boy” is, go to www.CleanBottle.com. The video shown on the site is of “Bottle Boy” making a splash at the Tour de France, cheering on the riders. On March 26, he’ll be cheering on our riders!
Thanks Nolan Kuehn for this quick interview and we hope LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour all the best!
Click here to view the event details for the LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour