2010 Chainge the World Bike Ride
May 1st, 2010
Dear Sponsors,
On behalf of Refuge International, please allow me this opportunity to extend my gratitude to you for sponsoring the 2nd Annual Chainge the World Bike Ride this year. It was a tremendous success! Thanks to sponsors like you in our community, we managed to put on a first-class cycling event.
Everyone involved had a great time. What a pleasure it was to see all the volunteers, participants and sponsors alike, working together to make this event the great success it was. It was a privilege for me to be part of it and I am already looking forward to next year’s Chainge the World Ride.
Once again, thank you for your support. It was greatly appreciated by all.
Sincerely,
Deborah Bell, RN, MSN, FNP-BC
President
Refuge International
Rider Comments
The first annual Chainge the World Bike Ride, held in 2009, was a successful, but wet one. Some of the riders' comments were:
"Beautiful ride, a little damp. 90% of rallies are in the Spring; East Texas is beautiful in the Fall, and less competition from other rides. BBQ sandwiches were the best lunch I have ever had after a ride."
"Deborah & Others in Gilmer!
Even though the weather was rough and I only rode the 22 miles, I enjoyed the ride and thought your group did a marvelous job! The amentities were super and everyone was really nice and helpful. I hope you will continue the event because I think it has great potential. Beautiful country routes that lend themselves to great cycling. The weather is always a factor for any cycling event!
"We, at the Marshall Chain Gang (Marshall Bicycle Club) will be glad to help you any way we can. Also, we want to invite your cyclists to the Tour de FireAnt in October here in Marshall. Our ride has really grown (about 300 last year) and is well done. We will be in touch!
"Thanks again for a great time!"
"Thanks Deborah, We really enjoyed the bike ride and will definitely come back. The layout was beautiful and the roads were marked very well. My wife and I appreciate your efforts and enthusiasm. Thank you for your kindness and we look forward to next year!
"Deborah, I just wanted to thank you and Refuge International for bringing a first-class bike ride to East Texas. Despite the weather, it was SO organized and the volunteers were so helpful. I am very grateful to the young man who gave me a ride aftermy flat. I will be the first in line for next year's ride, so count me in! It was a wonderful experience.....rain and all. Thank you again."
"The ride was very well organized and I honestly can't think of a thing you could have done to make it better! I loved the t-shirt, the goody bag, food, and fellowship. The weather only made things more challenging. I honestly can't think of a Saturday morning lately that was so much fun. Dr. Murry, his family and two black labs were our gracious hosts at the rest stop and Dr Murry even got his trailer to haul us all in if need be. We made some memories!"
Bike Ride Route Maps
Ten Mile Route
Enjoy a leisurely ride through Gilmer Texas and along the historical Cherokee Trace. A rest stop at 5 miles waits for you at Lake Gilmer. This ride is for those wanting an easy, leisurely ride on a spring day. Cherokee Trace is a county road and has a couple of bumpy places along the way. Map this route (really more like 8 miles)
Twenty Mile Route
The 20-mile-plus ride is a nice ride for the beginning of the riding season. There are a couple of challenging hills, one of which is Barnwell Mountain. There is a rest stop at about 10 miles. A beautiful ride! Map this route
Forty Mile Route
A great ride with rolling hills and wonderful rest stops along the way. Travel the back roads through Uphsur County and enjoy your day. There are rest stops about every 10 miles. Not overly challenging but a great ride! Map this route
100K Route
A wonderful ride through Upshur and Camp Counties! A challenge with lots of hills, some tougher than others. Rest stops are there for the rider about every 10 miles. Beautiful scenery and good roads. Map this route
100K Route Plus Stop at Los Pinos Winery
Enjoy a gorgeous ride through Upshur and Camp Counties! This is a great ride! There is a side trip to Los Pinos Winery with good roads except the last mile or so, where the road is a little bumpy. If you decide that you can’t make it home after relaxing at the Winery, you can catch a ride home on one of the SAG wagons! Rest stops can be found at about 10 mile intervals along the way. Map this route
How You Can Help With the Chainge the World Bike Ride
Download information on volunteer opportunities and sponsorship levels (Microsoft Word document).
Make a Donation
- Donate By Phone: (903) 843-6203
- Donate by Mail:
Refuge International
104 N. Montgomery
Gilmer, Texas 75644 - Donate Online through PayPal:
- We accept all major credit cards, including American Express.
