Sun shines on Rotary, Deer Park as bike ride exceeds record numbers
Some 800 bicycle riders prepare for the start of the Deer Park Rotary Club's third annual Texas Independence Bicycle Tour sponsored by Shell Deer Park. Photo provided by Deer Park Photos.
On a beautiful, sunny Sunday morning, more than 800 riders began their trek through the surrounding area as part of the Deer Park Rotary's third annual Texas Independence Bicycle Tour.
In only its third year, the ride has exponentially drawn more riders than its previous years. Rotary Club President-Elect Ed Mills attributes the rise in the number of riders to a combination of great weather and word-of-mouth.
"The people who rode it last year said it was a great route; they loved the route," Mills said. "Word's gotten out."
Last year, the tour earned "recommended" status by organizers of the BP MS 150, which Mills said helped with getting publicity for the ride.
The tour, separated into 30, 48 and 62-mile routes, took riders from Clyde Abshier stadium to the San Jacinto monument and down into the Clear Lake area. Rider Jesse Gonzales, a 25-year veteran of such rides, enjoyed his first time participating in the tour. He, like most riders, thought the route was well-planned and very well organized.
Deer Park resident and first-time rider Michelle Jordan rode with her husband and son who both talked her into participating.
"My son does it, and then my husband started doing it," Jordan said. "Then they asked me to go. I go with them on their practice rides, but I don't normally do the ride itself, but this time I figured 'what the heck.' I don't mind doing it because of where the funds are going."
Used as a fundraiser for the Deer Park Rotary, the proceeds from the race go towards scholarship opportunities, educational support and other needs throughout the Deer Park community.
"We've done things for kids going off to college who didn't have much of anything," Mills said.
Some riders, like first-time rider Armando Espinosa, participated as a way of training for the racing season.
"I want to start doing Category 5 racing and the season started last weekend, so I thought this would be a great way to start it off," Espinosa said. "This was an awesome ride with beautiful weather."
After the tour, riders were treated with a free lunch provided by Firehouse Subs and volunteers who provided any assistance the riders needed.
"It was very well organized," said Roy Giordano, Deer Park High School teacher and three-time participant. "All the support staff was excellent. It went as smooth as glass and had a very friendly group of riders and volunteers."
The tour was the idea of former Deer Park Rotary President Jason Cable who rides bikes as a hobby and participates in the BP MS 150.
"I participated in other rides, recommended rides for the MS 150 so I thought this would be fun to do," Cable said. "Somebody at Rotary was like 'hey, we're tired of making barbeque, can we do another fundraiser?' so I threw that out there. Next thing you know, we have a bicycle event."
Cable said it's exciting to see how the tour has grown from the first year and how it brings the community together.
"It's great to see the community get more involved and all the different sponsors to get more involved," Cable said. "It's the best thing to see it all come together."