Interview- Bike Through the Forest and the Hills 2014 – Coldspring, TX

Here is another ride to prep for the BPMS 150! Located in beautiful Coldspring, less than an hour north of Houston and Lufkin, this race is a great one for all skill levels. Check out our interview with Craig Sauer, the director of the event.

 

Why join the Bike Through the Forest and the Hills?

This year’s BP MS 150 endorsed bike ride benefiting the Kingwood High School dance team takes place on Sat., Jan. 25 beginning at the court house in Coldspring, TX. This ride has four routes: 12, 25, 33 and 50 miles, so we can accommodate all skill levels.

train for the BP MS 150

How long has your ride been around?

6 years, and participants include everyone from novice all the way to experts, shorter routes all the way to longer routes. Also, the ‘New Years Resolutions season’ helps add in more people. We are located 45 minutes north of Houston and Lufkin.

Also this ride is recommended by BPMS 150 – one of the first of the year – BPMS is in April, so they get to train for that race in this one. It’s kind of like a warm-up ride.

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

It’s part of our fundraiser for Kingwood Fillies dance team, 16 time national winners. This will support them in a verity of ways, such as purchase of uniforms and trips for the team. It’s one of the largest fundraisers of the year.

Kingwood Fillies dance team

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

In the past, we have been able to get uniforms for the team, as well as provide funds for trips to California and Florida.

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

We have about 30-40 parents volunteering, the drill team works the rest stops, parents do jobs like hauling food, running side wagons, cleaning signs, table set up, working the PA system. We also work with law enforcement for setting up the ride.

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

Bike Through the Forest and the Hills map 2014

What is the most rewarding experience of hosting this event?

Raising funds for a good cause, seeing all the riders enjoying and benefiting from our hard work.

What is the average number of participants?

We usually have about 800 riders.

What can folks do to support you and your mission?

Come out and join the ride!

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

I ride a mountain bike – it’s a specialized stump jumper – although I don’t do any stump jumping – it’s supposed to do that, but I’ve yet to jump any stumps!

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

It’s growing every year! Additionally, among the riders, the drill team has become FAMOUS for their banana muffins, all the girls and their families make them.

Participants are asked to pre-register on the Fillies Website (www.kingwoodfillies.net) by Jan. 18 to be guaranteed an event t-shirt and secure the $35 entry fee. After Jan. 19, registration will be $40 per rider. Walk up registration opens at 6 a.m. the day of the ride which starts at 8 a.m. Bike ride packets may be picked up in advance at several Houston-area bike shops. See the Fillies website for exact locations, dates and pick-up times.

For more information:
CLICK HERE or

Contact the director at: bikedirector@kingwoodfillies.net

Why I Ride…

We are thrilled to have Lisa Hanson Tilley as a guest today. Lisa has a great story about the very thing that pushes us to do more each and every day and how sometimes all it takes is the feeling of accomplishment to make you want to just go one more mile.

Lisa Hanson Tilley

Thank you for sharing your story Lisa.

‘Why I Ride’ As seen in The Racing Post…

Getting on the bike allows me to clear my mind and lets the details of the day fade into the background for just a little while. Instead, I focus on the sunshine and the Texas wind and hills ahead of me. It’s a chance to remember who I am from the inside-out, and to surprise myself on a pretty regular basis as to who I can be when I challenge myself. It has transformed me physically, mentally, and socially. It’s an addiction that happens to have ceaseless benefits.

The physical accomplishments are the easiest to point out. I was inactive and overweight for over a decade before I started riding.  I have conquered hills I have previously only traversed by car, never dreaming that I’d ever power myself over them by bike. I have completed distances that exceed the 90 minute car ride to Nana and Papa’s house from Fort Worth to Meridian, TX. (This is particularly impressive to my children). In addition, I have completed the HHH 100k and earned a century patch at Bike MS (Go Team Plebeian Horde!), riding from Frisco, TX to Texas Motor Speedway. There is great personal triumph in completing a ride when everything in you is screaming that you cannot finish. I now registered for my first race with MBBC at the Tonkawa Time Trails—a 12 hour solo endurance race, and then I will conquer the HHH 100 mile route this August.

It’s no secret that exercise is a stress-reliever. Add camaraderie to that and you have a real chance to de-stress on the bike. I participate in rallies monthly and meet new people who become friends nearly every time I get on the bike. I met my forever-HHH-roommate at the Weatherford Peach Pedal after a 5 minute chat at the start-line.

I am connected to some tremendous people, event coordinators, like Brent Grelle at Tour de Norway, who are constantly networking and working to improve their routes and races for cyclists. I have ridden with Bike Friendly Mid Cities, a sociable group for new and experienced riders who support a locally owned restaurant by cycling to a location and chat over coffee or beer. On occasion due to schedule, I get to ride with Bikes Inc. or MBBC. We remember riders who are no longer with us, promote cycling alongside our Fort Worth Mayor, Betsy Price, and celebrate holidays with a parade, a bike crawl or by following the Fort Worth Cycling Pub. I ride with a private group of friends who have the same interests as far as pace and enjoyment of the surroundings. The synchronous way in which we manage is almost surreal and definitely relaxing. The point is that each group is extended family. The sense of support and belonging is priceless. The opportunities to ride are infinite.

I ride to inspire myself, my children and others. I ride to beat my own personal records, related to distance, endurance and occasionally speed. I enjoy impressing my children by accomplishing great things on the bike –things they can’t do just yet, while encouraging them to ride, too. My daughter recently wrote a note that said, “I want to become determined like my mommy.” THAT is exactly what I hope for for my girl. I ride because there was a time when I could not due to my health.

I am a reminder to myself others that it IS possible to change the direction one’s life has taken! The global CycloFemme ride is a great example of this. Every Mother’s Day around the world (based on the U.S. date) groups of women (and men, too) ride and encourage others to ride who have never done so before. This year I rode with the ReGeared group in Grapevine, TX with my daughter. It was her first ride outside of our neighborhood.

Just as importantly, it is my honor and pleasure to promote both cycling and rallies by writing about the events for The Racing Post. The opportunity to review Texas cycling rallies has literally transformed my life as a cyclist and as of this month, my tenth review has been published. I have been all over the state, as far east as the piney woods and as far south as the Sam Houston National Forest. Each event represents enthusiastic volunteers and a whole lot of hard work, benefitting charities, schools, first responders and more. The opportunity to ride and write has taken me to a myriad of places that I could never have guessed. I am lucky. And blessed.

I ride because I always have something to look forward to. I am inspired to stay busy at the gym so I can meet my next challenge with confidence and keep my goals for health in check. I look forward Texas Forts Tour this fall, which provides up to 300 miles of supported miles Columbus Day weekend and the HHH Triple Threat in 2014. And then there are the bucket list rides… the East coast in the spring cherry blossoms or the fall foliage, Holland in the flower fields, and Norway to encounter the dramatic landscape. If there is one thing I’ve learned on a bike, it is this:

One can dream.

 

photo credit: Maggie McDonald Photography

 

FrostBike 50 Interview

Ready for your first race of the New Year WheelBrothers? Maybe you have already hit the streets this year, but if you are looking for a great way to kick off 2014, look no further than the 12th Annual FrostBike 50. Check out our interview with Stacey Gascon, the host of the event, scheduled for January 12th, 2014.

 

Why join FrostBike 50?

It is a great way to start your BP MS 150 training. We are the first recommended ride of 2014. In order to participate in the National MS society’s April 12th ride you must ride in at least two recommend rides.

How long has your ride been around?

This is the 30th year for the National MS Society to ride the BP MS150 from Houston to Austin.  In 2013 more than 100,000 cyclists raised over $80 million dollars to help create a world free of MS.  Please join us again in 2014 for the ride of your life!

This is the 12th annual FrostBike50. There are three routes again this year 17, 45 and 55 miles. We try to accommodate any skill level and the 17 mile route has a lot of younger riders that ride with their parents.  We have quite a few riders that come back and ride with us every year. They say it is because our dancers are so welcoming (and the banana bread).

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

Proceeds benefit the Jersey Village High School Gold Duster Drill Team and the National MS Society.

frost bike 50 riders

 

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

The research for Multiple Scoliosis is very important. Everyone knows someone who suffers for this debilitating disease. We are working with the National MS Society and it is very rewarding to know that we are doing our part to help families with MS.

As well as sending our Award Winning Gold Dusters to competitions, this year our dancers are traveling to New York City.

Jersey Village High School Gold Duster Drill Team

 

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

 

We start in August with the first MS ride directors meeting. From there we have to map a route and secure the use of rest stops along the way. The art department at Jersey Village High School has a contest and the students submit drawings for our T-shirt design every year. The winner this year was Alondra Lajano, she received a $50.00 gift certificate and the finished t-shirt. Her cute penguin design will be worn proudly by hundreds of riders this year. Our sponsor and local bike shop, NW Houston Cycling Centers, help us promote the FrostBike50. We rent equipment, hire local Police Officers, EMS and even make homemade banana bread for all of our riders. Most of our volunteers are the parents of the Jersey Village Gold Dusters, it takes everyone pitching in with one or more positions to keep our ride running safely.

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

 FrostBike50 map

What is the most rewarding experience of hosting this event?

It is a lot of fun and very rewarding to know that not only have you been a part of a successful fundraiser for the Gold Dusters but you’re serving a nationwide charity – the National MS Society.

 

What is the average number of participants?

We average about 700 riders and 200 volunteers and many Police, EMT’s, Ride Marshalls and SAG (safety and gear help) . A lot of our participation depends on the weather. We are hoping for cold and sunny this year, that is how we got the name FrostBike50. Last year we had to delay the ride start for two hours due to a terrible fog that rolled in that morning. Luckily it burned off and the sun came out for a beautiful day and a successful ride. We do ride Rain or Shine but the fog was extremely dangerous.

riders at the FrostBike 50 Race

What can folks do to support you and your mission?

Whether your contribution is time, skills, funds, or ideas, it can make all the difference.  Get involved! Contact your local MS Society office to find out how you can help create a world free of MS.

national multiple sclerosis society

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

No, I am not a cyclist. I do admire the hard work and dedication it takes. I am the Mom of the ’13/’14 LT. Colonel of the Jersey Village Gold Dusters. This is my 4th year with the FrostBike50 and my first year as ride director. My Daughter will graduate this May and my position will be taken over by my Assistant Director’s Cindy and James Deitiker.

 

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

Drill team is a way of life. Unlike other high school organizations, being a member of the drill team is an eleven month commitment. Practice lasts 3 hours each day, with two hours being dedicated after the school day officially ends. All day practices are held in the summer, with some girls devoting 4 weeks of their summer preparing for camp, choreographing dances and learning routines. “A tradition of excellence” is our motto, appropriately depicting our ultimate goal and we are proud of our accomplishments. The Gold Dusters’ year is divided into three distinct categories. The ‘kick-off’ of the Gold Dusters’ year coincides with the Jersey Village Falcon football season where the drill team provides half time entertainment. Preparation for contest season starts in November and culminates with competition on the local, regional and national levels in February and March. Spring Show, held in April, showcases both individual and group talent for the student body and community. In addition to dancing, the girls, at a minimum, maintain UIL required scholastic levels but many are honor students participating in advanced level classes and earning college hours while attending Jersey Village High School. Our girls are hard workers and leaders at school. Drive and determination motivate the members of the team to excel in all aspects of their life and our goal for them is that they will apply what they have learned about hard work and dedication to future endeavors.

 

Thank you Stacey for the wonderful interview, and we hope to see everyone on race day!

CLICK HERE  For more information about the event.

Happy New Year 2014

 

Happy New Year 2014! 

 

This is it. It’s the New Year. You’ve set your goals, made your resolutions, now it’s time to go forth and make them happen.

 

WheelBrothers will be along for the ride with you. We will be making some huge improvements to the WheelBrothers site in the near future, and are excited for you to be a part of it. Get ready for some fantastic new stuff. Don’t forget to tell your friends and family about us AND, if you haven’t already, like us on Facebook… https://www.facebook.com/Wheelbrothers

 

The New Year is bound to be filled with challenges, but let your determination guide you to success.

 

Welcome to 2014.

Happy New Year 2014
Have you made your resolutions? Let WheelBrothers help you achieve your goals this year!

Wheelbrothers.com – Limited Edition T-Shirt sale expired!!!

Picture of the Tshirt – with 4 colors

 

Our first Limited edition Wheelbrothers.com T-Shirt sale expired!

We listened to your suggestions on Facebook.com/wheelbrothers and are making the shirt available in Maroon, Skyblue, Khaki and Green. T-Shirts will be 50%pre-shrunk cotton and 50% polyester which means they are comfortably soft on your skin, last longer and won’t shrink.

Sale price for this limited edition T-Shirt (after Wednesday we won’t print any more of this design) was only $20 which included FREE shipping!

Delivery should be 6-10 days after Wednesday. We’ll get them printed and then send them out immediately.

Thank you for your support!