Success is the sum of small efforts
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Whatever your 100 looks like
Team LIVESTRONG Challenge 2012 in Austin, TX
The Team LIVESTRONG Challenge Austin 2012 invites you to join their ride on October 19-21, 2012 starting at Palmer Events Center – 900 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX
We were lucky enough to be granted an interview with Matt Florio of Team LIVESTRONG Challenge Austin to ask some questions about their upcoming ride.
How long has the event been around?
This is the 16th year of the event.
What was the motivation behind starting the tour and who benefits from it?
Lance Armstrong started the ride, originally called the Race for the Roses, in 1997 to raise money for cancer survivors and their families in Austin. The event has blossomed as the Foundation has grown and matured. The money raised goes back to LIVESTRONG and is used to fund programs and services for people affected by cancer. Thanks to our generous sponsors who cover the production costs, 100% of money raised goes back towards the programs.
How have they been able to utilize the funds in the past?
To support local, national and international programs that are available to cancer survivors. These can include Navigation services, health & wellness programs, fertility preservation, insurance issues, emotional support or clinical trial options. We work with various organizations who help us fulfill and run these programs.
Do you hav a map of the start facility showing registration point, parking, all toilets, water/snacks, start line?
A map of the venue can be found at www.livestrong.org/
Logistically, can you give us an idea how many volunteers, finances, and
Over 300 volunteers and about a year of planning to successfully run an event like this.
What was the most rewarding experience throughout the years hosting this event?
Seeing cancer survivors finish the ride. For most it is a milestone in their recovery/treatment and huge accomplishment. Some of these people were told that they would have 6 months to live and then the next year they finish a 100 mile bike ride with other like them. It’s a very moving scene to witness. Each survivor is handed a yellow rose at the finish line, a trend we have kept every year at all of our events since the original race for the Roses.
What is the average number of participants per year? How many riders do you assist during the average race?
We average about 2,500-2,800 riders. This year we currently have over 3,300 and we are shooting for 4,000. We are a fully supported ride with SAG and PowerStops loaded with nutrition, water, mechanics, medics and restrooms.
What was the most unforgettable experience or worst accident you had in this event?
Standing by the Finish line at the end of the day and watching the last riders come in. Some have been out on the course for 8-9 hours and won’t stop until they cross the finish. It’s truly a matter of will and determination that get’s them through it. I am just happy to know that we continue to be a symbol of hope and inspiration for people.
What can folks do to support you and your mission?
Be an advocate for cancer survivors, volunteer with us, fundraise, donate, spread the word of the work we do.
What is your role in this race and to the success of it?
I work with all of our participants and answer their questions about the ride and the logistics of the event. I also play a role in encouraging and assisting their fundraising throughout the year and leading up to the event.
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 like to ride on the north east side of town by Decker Lake.
Top 3 Rides
1. LBJ 100 Ride
2. Real Ale Ride
3. Shiner Gasp
If you had to come up with a David Letterman style top 10 about the race, what would it read like?
The great thing about our event is that we fully encompass our participants in the LIVESTRONG experience. People should leave our event knowing a little more about the Foundation and the work we do. Hopefully we empower them to take action and lead some efforts on our behalf in their own communities. We promise a good ride, good food and a great time!
Thanks Matt for this quick interview and we hope to catch everyone at the ride!
Click here to view the event details of the Team LIVESTRONG Challenge Austin 2012
Springtown Spin Ride in Springtown, TX
The Springtown Spin Ride invites you to join their ride on October 20, 2012 starting at Springtown High School 915 Highway 199 Springtown, TX
We were lucky enough to be granted an interview with Tacia Torres, Executive Director of the Tarrant County Youth Collaboration and the founder of the Springtown Spin Bike Rally to ask some questions about their upcoming ride.
Why join the Springtown Spin Ride?
This is a great opportunity to get a final ride of the season in such a beautiful place for a beautiful cause, non profit programming for the children and youth of Dallas & Tarrant counties.
How long has the event been around?
This is our 5 year celebration! We will have commemorative t-shirts marking our 5 years of success for all pre-registered riders and first come, first serve for all day of registrations. We also have live bands this year as part of our celebration.
What was the motivation behind starting the tour and who benefits from it?
The Tarrant County Youth Collaboration went 10 years without a fundraising event. Our tagline reads: Mobilizing the Community for Children and Youth. As a cyclists and from a cycling household, we decided to actually MOBILIZE the community.
How have they been able to utilize the funds in the past?
Funds raised from Springtown Spin have been used in parental involvement and community engagement programs in the Dunbar Stop Six pyramid within Fort Worth ISD and in our social development Dancing Classrooms North Texas program in Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISDs, Dallas Catholic Dioceses and Uplift Education schools serving more than 7,000 students from DFW.
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.
The course maps are listed on our website at www.tcyc4kids.org
Do you hav a map of the start facility showing registration point, parking, all toilets, water/snacks, start line?
No, but we are located at the Springtown High School at 915 W. Hwy 199 Springtown TX 76082. All facilities are clearly mapped upon entry into the parking lots. We have same day and pre registration, on site toilets and showers, lots of snacks and beverages, and a well marked start line.
Logistically, can you give us an idea how many volunteers, finances, and planning it takes to put on this event?
Planning is year-round with the heavy lifting occurring between July-October. We are a 2 person office who also runs all of our children and youth programming simultaneously. We have a volunteer Board of Directors consisting of 9 members who seek donations and sponsorships between July-Oct. On average the rally costs about $5,000 and this year we will make a 100% profit due to sponsorships and the hard work of our staff and volunteers!
What was the most rewarding experience throughout the years hosting this event?
Watching it GROW! Our first year we had about 70 riders and by year two, we brought in 250 riders.
What is the average number of participants per year? How many riders do you assist during the average race?
We average about 300 riders and hoping to push the number to 500 this year. We assist about 50 riders per event due to tires, bike issues, unable to finish, etc.
What was the most unforgettable experience or worst accident you had in this event?
We had a full family ride our 40 mile course last year with an 8 month old in tow! It was great to see the parents with their two children and all the family fully value the experience. We love to see parents instill cycling so early and giving back to their community through non profit fundraising.
What can folks do to support you and your mission?
RIDE! If you can’t ride, log on to www.tcyc4kids.org and donate towards the cause.
What is your role in this race and to the success of it?
I (Tacia Torres) am the Executive Director of the Tarrant County Youth Collaboration and am the founder of the Springtown Spin Bike Rally. None of this would be possible without of logistics and marketing director, Clayton Root and our fundraising director, Kasey Logan.
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)?
I am a mountain biker, not a rode cyclists. I ride a Specialized and LOVE Boulder in South Dallas. My husband is a road biker (and helped create SSpin…okay fine, the ride was his idea but he doesn’t have to get all the credit lol). His must rides are Head for the Hills in Cedar Hill, Red Hot Chili Pepper Ride in South Dallas, and any beautiful ride in Tyler.
If you had to come up with a David Letterman style top 10 about the race, what would it read like?
10. No cell service…get off the tech devices.
9. Porta potties are cleaner than your kids bathroom.
8. PB&J made with LOVE!
7. Brand new t-shirt design. Check it out www.facebook.com/springtownspin
6. Enough food to feed Hotter Than Hell (LOL)
5. Live music in Springtown that is not Country.
4. Volunteers that don’t know what their doing but have a great time getting it done!
3. Trucks to pick you up when you feel like the whole course is up hill.
2. Staff who give a damn and…
1. BBQ that is damn good!
Additional stuff you would like the folks to know about this year’s ride?
One stop light, beautiful scenery, amazing BBQ following the ride, and live music from The Bicycle Thieves!
Thanks Tacia for this quick interview and we hope to catch everyone at the ride!
Click here to view the event details of the 5th Annual Springtown Spin Ride
Bicycle rides in the State of Texas for the month of October, 2012
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zXB1owcWfE]
Every month we present to you all of the bicycle rides and criteriums in the state of Texas in less then 120 seconds.
Look through the rides, pick your rides or criteriums, on our pages you will find all the registration information including maps on how to get there.
Texas Bike Rides: http://ventidev.com//texas-bike-rides/
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