Recently in Cycling Category

To celebrate his 50th birthday Austin businessman Steve Hicks hosted 100 friends at a Caribbean getaway; Jimmy Buffet and the Beach Boys entertained. Hicks turns 60 in February and will mark the milestone in a dramatically different way: rallying 49 people to join him in bicycling 850 miles across Texas.

On March 6, 2010 Hicks and his fellow bicyclists will set out from the Louisiana/Texas border and head west, averaging 60 miles a day. Starting from Orange, they'll wind up in Presidio two weeks later on March 20.

Hicks, owner and executive chairman of Capstar Partners, conceived of the ride, the Rise Across Texas Challenge, as a fundraiser for the Rise Schools of Texas, which educate typical children alongside those with developmental disabilities. Lance Armstrong is the ride's honorary captain; Mack Brown and Gene Stallings are honorary coaches.

Hicks is appealing to riders as determined as he is. "For my 50th I showed lots of people a good time, but for my 60th I want to give something back to the world," he says. "Some adventurous types have already signed on for the full ride. Anyone raising a minimum can join for part of the ride, too."

Proceeds will launch a campaign to build a permanent home for the Rise School in Austin, which currently leases space. Subsequent funds will benefit Rise Schools in Dallas, Houston, and Corpus Christi.

Hicks is not an elite biker -- far from it, at least now. When not recruiting sponsors, he's relearning something that one proverbially never forgets. "I got my cycling merit badge as a Boy Scout, and that's pretty much it," he says. "Right now I'm trying to get used to being on the bike without falling." Never fear, though: Kevin Livingston, six-time Tour de France Rider and U.S. National Champion, has agreed to train the riders for their venture.

Towns slated as ride stops include Kountze, Montgomery, Brenham, Bastrop, Austin, Wimberley, Kerrville, Leakey, Brackettville, Del Rio, Sanderson, Marathon, and Marfa.

Event sponsors to date include DMX, Harden Healthcare, Livestrong, Mellow Johnny's, Pedal Hard and Texas Monthly. Trek Travel is the official bike tour operator.

For more information on the Rise Across Texas Challenge, please visit riseacrosstexas.org

SOURCE Rise Across Texas Foundation

3 guys, 1 bike, 100 days, 13,000 miles, 65 cities

A mission to fight world hunger

Three Reverends on a 13,000-mile ride on a one-of-a-kind triplet bamboo bike are stopping in New York City June 10-12 as part of their nationwide trek to fight world hunger.

The Lutheran ministers are raising visibility, awareness and $5 million -- one dollar for every pedal stroke of their journey. "We're riding to remind people that hunger exists everywhere; not just in poor countries, but right in your own backyard," Rev. David Twedt said. "The money we raise will help people right here in America, along with those less fortunate overseas."

By the time they get to New York, the Reverends Ron Schlak Jr., Fred A. Soltow and David A. Twedt, all from West Virginia, will have pedaled thousands of miles in 29 days. They left Chicago on May 13 and will finish in Minneapolis on August 20 after visiting 65 cities, 31 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.

In New York, the Reverends are holding events to bring attention to the hungry and help local churches raise community awareness in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, The Bronx and Westchester.

"It's especially important for all New Yorkers to help people in need during these tough economic times," Rev. Twedt said.

As part of the trek, donations are encouraged to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's World Hunger Appeal, which can be made by going to www.tourderevs.org.

Schedule Highlights

Wednesday, June 10

• 11:00 a.m. - Greet 180 elementary students and visit weekend food pantry at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Staten Island (309 St. Paul's Ave.)
• 4:45 p.m. - Times Square (pedestrian mall/walkway - 47th to 42nd Street)
• 7:00 p.m. - Dinner/presentation at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church (155 E. 22nd St.) about daily lunch program for senior citizens

Thursday, June 11

• 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Meal for the homeless and distribution of food from the pantry at Trinity Lower East Side, (602 E. 9th Street)
• 2:00 p.m. - Arrive at St. John's/St. Matthew's/Emanuel (283 Prospect Ave., Brooklyn) to discuss feeding program for seniors
• 5:00 p.m. - Travel to Lutheran Church of Good Shepherd (7420 4th Ave., Brooklyn) for evening meal/presentation from Good Shepherd, a partner in South Brooklyn Interfaith Coalition for Health and Wellness.

Friday, June 12

• 9:00 a.m. - Travel to Transfiguration Lutheran Church, Bronx (Rev. Paul Block) to hear about food pantry program.
• 10 a.m. - Travel to Westchester

SOURCE Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's World Hunger Appeal