The 2nd Annual Belton Lions Club — Stampede on the Chisholm Trail benefiting the Belton Lions Club invites you to join their ride happening on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at Belton Park and Ride at Confederate Park 505 East Avenue C @ IH 35 – Belton, Texas
We were lucky enough to be granted an interview with Robert Jones of Stampede on the Chisholm Trail to ask some questions about their upcoming ride.
1. Why participate in The Stampede on the Chisholm Trail?
The ride is a project of the Belton Lions Club in Belton, Texas. The motto of Lions Clubs worldwide is, “We Serve.” Your participation in our event will help us to continue to serve the greater Belton community. The ride begins with a stroll through downtown historic Belton, across Nolan Creek and the Hike and Bike Trail out west of town where all riders will be challenged by a climb up Nolanville Hill (a 1 mile climb). The 50 and 62 mile routes then cross Stillhouse Hollow Dam and head east into the back roads near Salado, Texas. For the 62 mile route there is a “King of the Hill” trophy for the first male and female to make it to the top of Campbell Hill. The route passes by the historic Summer’s Mill and returns to finish on the Belton Hike and Bike Trail along Nolan Creek.
2. How long has the event been around?
This is the 2nd year for the ride.
3. What was the motivation behind starting the tour and who benefits from it?
The ride started last year as a fundraiser for the Belton Lions Club. We have quite a few riders in the club and felt because we are riders we could sponsor a race that would provide the little things that make a ride fun and enjoyable. We have good volunteers, a beautiful route, and well stocked rest stops.
4. How have they been able to utilize the funds in the past?
The funds help the Belton Lions Club serve the community in a number of ways. First, we provide eye exams and eye glasses for needy children in Belton. Second, we sponsor local special needs children each year at the Texas Lions Camp in Kerrville, Texas. Third, we provide annual scholarships for graduating Belton High School seniors. Fourth, we support youth at the Belton Christian Youth Center. Finally, we built and maintain a Lion’s Pavilion concession stand in Heritage Park, which serves thousands of youth each year.
5. Can we get a TCX or GPX file included for download? Over 63% of folks say they are more up to attend a ride for which they have information about the routes for their on-bike devices.
Not in those formats, but that is a good idea for next year.
6. Do you have a a map of the start facility showing registration point, parking, all toilets, water/snacks, start line?
We have a map that you can access by going to the Belton Lions Club at www.beltonlionsclub.com It shows the route to include rest stops. Parking, restrooms, registration, etc are all at the Start/Finish line and easy to find.
7. Logistically, can you give us an idea how many volunteers,finances, and planning it takes to put on this event?
Our volunteers consist of about 25 Lions Club members, 25 students from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and various City of Belton employees. In addition to the rider entry fees, we have a number of local businesses that sponsor the ride at different monetary levels.
8. What was the most rewarding experience throughout the years hosting this event?
Student volunteers from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) were helping at the rest stops last year. In the group of students that were at the first rest stop overlooking Stillhouse Hollow Lake were a group of football players from UMHB all dressed in purple and gold UMHB colors. As each rider would ride into the rest stop, the football players were clapping, whistling and congratulating them. I know it sounds silly, but you couldn’t help feel a little extra adrenaline as you rode by. We had so many good comments about the energy that the students brought to the ride.
What is the average number of participants per year? How many riders do you assist during the average race?
Last year (our first) we had 75 riders. We anticipate a large increase this year based on the positive reviews from the riders about the route, rest stops, and the volunteers.
9. What can folks do to support you and your mission?
Come to Belton, Texas on April 14th and ride in the Stampede on The Chisholm Trail bike ride.
10. What is your role in this race and to the success of it?
I am the chairperson in name, but in fact I have a group of Lions Club members that help with all of the aspects of the ride. Additionally, we have great support from the local university and the City of Belton.
11. Do you ride and if yes, what kind of bicycle do you ride and what is your favorite route in your area? Which are your top 3 favorite MUST DO rides in Texas (besides your own)?
Yes, I do ride. I have a Trek 2200 and my favorite route actually follows some of Stampede on the Chisholm Trail’s route. The rolling hills south of Belton near Salado, Texas are beautiful. I especially like crossing the rivers and creeks. A “MUST DO” ride is the Hotter N Hell 100 in Wichita Falls, Tx.
11. If you had to come up with a David Letterman style top 10 about the race, what would it read like?
The top ten reasons you should ride in the Belton Lions Club Stampede on the Chisholm Trail ride:
#10. Our SAG support is excellent.
#9. We have friendly volunteers at our rest stops
#8. You get a police escort to begin the ride
#7. Stop and take in the beauty of historic Summer’s Mill.
#6. We award trophies to the male and female “King of the Hill”
#5. The view from the Stillhouse Hollow Lake Dam is beautiful
#4. The ride crosses Nolan Creek, the Lampasas River, and Salado Creek.
#3. There is a great post ride meal (free hotdogs, chips, and drinks)
#2. We have donuts, bagels, and bananas for breakfast
#1. The proceeds are used to benefit youth in the Belton community
12. Additional stuff you would like the folks to know about this year’s ride?
Ride day registration begins at 6:30 on April 14th. Registration is at the start/finish line located at the Belton Park and Ride, 505 East Ave C & IH 35, Belton, Texas.
Thanks Robert for this quick interview and we hope to catch everyone at the ride!
Click here to view the event details of the Stampede on the Chisholm Trail