Texas 4000 ride brings cancer awareness to Runnels County

By Ruben Cantu-Rodriguez

WINTERS– Pedaling their way from Cedar Park, Texas to Alaska, one of the world’s toughest bicycle rides stopped this week in Winters, to raise awareness among local residents about cancer, and enjoy the hospitality of town.

The Texas 4000, one of the toughest bicycle rides in America, is traveling 4,600 miles from Cedar Park, Texas to Anchorage, Alaska. Last Monday, June 3, one of the ride’s three teams spent the night in Winters, coming from Brownwood and on it’s way to Snyder, Texas.

The group met at Lone Star Video and Diner, where they networked with local residents raising awareness about cancer, visited with local residents and went to different houses to spend the night.

“They were very excited,” said Winters Area Chamber of Commerce Secretary Pam Barnes, “because this was one of the few places were they were provided a place to spend the night, in other places they have to camp where they can.”

The riders, University of Texas students, have raised $4 million for cancer research and support services since the first edition of the ride, 10 years ago.

Following the first stop, in Lampasas, Texas the riders split into three groups. A group headed to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, another group aimed for the Rocky Mountains and the third squad will cut across the Ozarks. All three teams will ride the last 10 days of the ride together in Alaska.

Passing through Winters was the Sierra Nevada team, comprised of 24 riders and a film crew of 3.

To join the ride each rider is required to raise a minimum of $4,500 and complete at least 50 hours of volunteer work. They also lead educational programs in the communities they visit.

Tuesday morning the riders were escorted by the Winters Volunteer Fire Department on their way out of town.

Original content from Brownwood Bulletin