All up to date 2021 Texas bicycle rides in one location

Another great holiday ride is coming up! We snagged an interview with Suzee Bolton, to find out more about this inaugural event on July 4th, 2014. If you were looking for a great family friendly, 4th of July event, look no further! Actually, do look further down the page for the complete interview! Read on!

Why join your ride?

Spokes of Freedom is on the longest trail in North East Texas, North East Texas Trail; which is an old Railroad bed which is being converted into a biking, hiking and equestrian trail where much of it is already passable. The ride is FREE and after the ride everyone is invited to come to SouthLakePark just south of town for a free fireworks show hosted by the Farmersville Volunteer Fire Department.

How long has your ride been around?

This is the inaugural event of Spokes of Freedom.

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

Cadence Cyclery is a strong supporter of the local communities and wanted to couple a great ride on an historical trail with a community event, so cyclists, their families and friends can come enjoy all the day has to offer.

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

Since there is no charge for the ride there are no funds being utilized, however we will be taking donation for the clearing and cleaning efforts that are taking place on the trail.

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

As Team Cadence Cyclery Event’s Coordinator, I have been working on this event since February. As the event is being designed, there are minimal volunteers needed. I anticipate we will need about six volunteers a few for registration efforts and one good man offering SAG.

Do you have a map of the start facility showing registration, parking, all toilets, water/snacks, start line?

Farmersville’s Onion Shed is easy to locate. Farmersville is located south of McKinney/North of Greenville off of Hwy 380 and South of Garland off Hwy 78. Head toward downtown and you will see a sign for the Onion Shed on South Main Street. You can’t miss it. It is an old Railroad loading Dock with a tin roof and right next to the city park. There are three bathroom facilities, between the park and a community center and along Farmersville Parkway there is ample parking.

 

 

What is the most rewarding experience of hosting this event?

We did an event in February called Love the NETT and I’d have to say from that experience that the most rewarding part is simply seeing cyclist enjoy the trail and realize that a trail the NETT present its own unique challenges, from cyclists who have never ridden the trail to those who have ridden some portion in the past.

What is the average number of participants?

Since this is our inaugural Spokes of Freedom Ride it is uncertain. However if the numbers from the last ride and other organized rides remain true we anticipate somewhere around 100 cyclists.

What can folks do to support you and your mission?

Come out, bring family and friends. Even if they are not cycling enthusiasts hiking the trail is really cool, too. The City Park is right next to the take out place at the, The Onion Shed, or they can come out later and join you at South Lake for food, entertainment and fireworks. Bring some cash for the post ride meal as the proceeds go to support the Volunteer Fire Department. Lastly, we will be taking donations to support the clearing and cleaning efforts that are happening on the trail.

Do you ride, and if so, what kind of bicycle do you have?

Oh yea, I ride and love it. I have both a mountain bike and a road bike. Both are Giant’s and I love them so much I named them, Sylvia Blu (road) Black Rebel (mountain).

Anything else you’d like to tell folks about this ride?

Anyone on any bike can ride the first 10 miles (round trip) of the trail or they could just hike a while. So bring the little ones, the spouse, friends and anyone who enjoys nature, rail roads, parks, small town hospitality, fireworks and just plain fun! (All youngsters under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult).

 

 CLICK HERE – for more info

Thanks again for reading another of our interviews! If you do this ride, and want to let us (and everyone else) know how it was, send us a Ride Report! See ya on the 4th!

Attention all Wheel Brothers! We know you have been waiting for it, so here it is! The Bike MS Valero Ride the Rim interview! April M. Brownlee took time out of her busy schedule of getting this race ready, and gave us all the best details about this sweet ride on June 21st and 22nd!

 

 

Why join your ride?

Bike MS is the ride of a lifetime, no matter which Bike MS across the country you choose. But Bike MS: Valero Ride the Rim 2014 is an especially extraordinary ride because of its focal point, PaloDuroCanyon. Day 1 is a 104 mile loop that takes cyclists around the rim of the canyon, giving them views of the west, north and east rims. The east rim is particularly amazing! It is 10 miles of absolute breathtaking beauty. But those 10 miles also include a category 3 climb and descent. We provide tons of support to help cyclists of all skill levels, including plenty of SAG opportunities if they don’t feel comfortable riding up or down the steep climbs and we have official finishes at 35 and 75 miles along with the century finish. We’ve really worked to boost our finish line this year, adding a hamburger cook-off, ice cream service, battle of the bands, vendor expo, jersey contest, and silent auction. On day 2, cyclists ride to the entrance of PaloDuroCanyonState Park, where shuttles take them down into the state park. They then enjoy a cowboy breakfast in Pioneer Amphitheater, which is home to the outdoor musical drama, “Texas.” Many have said the day 2 breakfast is the highlight of the event.

 

How long has your ride been around?

This is the 27^th year for Bike MS in the Texas Panhandle, but only the second year for our PaloDuroCanyon route.

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

Bike MS is a long-standing official event of the National MS Society. Our mission is to mobilize people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS. Our vision is a world free of MS. The Amarillo office of the National MS Society has been in operation since the 1950’s and we held our first Bike MS event in 1987.

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

Our national organization has a very thorough and well laid out timeline for designated initiatives, which includes focus on research and the development of new treatments. Additionally, we offer scholarships, vital programs and services for those living with MS, their families and caregivers, and a wonderful direct financial assistance program to help offset the extreme cost of living with MS. Current estimates say it costs about $70,000 per person, per year to live with MS. In 2013, our region funded 879 financial assistance requests totaling more than $300,000.

 

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

To support our 250+ riders we have a volunteer force of about 300 people. That includes nurses and ham radio operators at every rest stop, law enforcement support at every intersection and key areas of the ride, rest stop crews, route crews, SAG drivers, massage therapists and more. We have a great planning committee that meets throughout the year and helps leverage community resources and contacts to pull this event together with the attention to detail and focus on safety that Bike MS is known for.

Do you have a map of the start facility showing registration, parking, all toilets, water/snacks, start line?

 

What is the most rewarding experience of hosting this event?

I almost want to cry each year when I head out on the route the morning of the ride and see our hundreds of volunteers not only in place, but excited for the day. We get so many compliments on our volunteer support. I’m always amazed and humbled to see hundreds of people show up and do such an amazing job. We never have issues with people not showing up when they’re supposed to. They always show and they’re always excited and it just amazes me. I think that means we’ve done a good job of providing a great volunteer experience, as well as a great participant experience. But also that we’ve done a good job of communicating what the National MS Society is all about and why those living with MS need their support.

What is the average number of participants?

250

What can folks do to support you and your mission?

Ride, donate and volunteer!

Do you ride, and if so, what kind of bicycle do you have? I ride recreationally with friends and family on a Specialized hybrid. I can’t ride my own event, but I’d love to ride a Bike MS event someday when I can carve out some time. I’m a total wanna-be and in complete awe of our cyclists.

Anything else you’d like to tell folks about this ride?  This ride is difficult. For many, finishing the full 104 miles on day 1 is a bucket list item because of the climbs, the scenery, and the challenges of the PaloDuroCanyon area terrain. Several people last year said it was the toughest ride they’d ever completed, but also the most rewarding because of that challenge.  However, we offer enough route support and official finishes at 35 and 75 miles that this route, though challenging, can accommodate any rider of any level and still give them an opportunity to take in the gorgeous red rock views, so there really is something for everyone.

 

CLICK HERE – for more info on this awesome ride!

If you attend this event, and want to give us a ride report of how it went, please let us know! We would be happy to share your experiences, and make you a WheelBrothers superstar!