larger view

 What do beautiful, historic churches have in common with bicycle riding?

 For those of us riding our bicycles in Schulenburg on Saturday, May 17, the common factor was the 2008 Steeple Chase bike ride. The routes took us to two of the four beautiful churches in the Schulenburg area. Actually, our rest stops were situated on the grounds of the churches so that we thirsty and hungry riders could stock up on fruit and water and tour the inside of these wondrous structures before tackling the miles ahead.

The first church/rest stop was Saint Mary's Catholic Church at High Hill on FM 2672, just four miles into the ride. Most riders skipped this stop but returned later as the route looped back around to this site. The second church/rest stop was on the grounds of the nearly century-old Saint John's Catholic Church in Ammannsville. We bicycle riders must have been a strange sight to anyone else visiting the churches that day as we were decked out in our bike helmets, colorful jerseys, Spandex bike shorts and clip pedal shoes.

Returning to Saint Mary's, riders refilled their water bottles, snacked on peanut butter and bread, apples and bananas and then quietly toured the church. According to the Schulenburg Web site, Saint Mary's was the third church built on the original nine acres deeded to the church in 1868. It featured a Gothic Revival style with beautiful artwork and stained glass windows. Definitely worth a look - and you don't have to ride your bicycle to get there.

After this rest stop, we riders headed north on FM 2672 and had a long loop and a short loop, both of which took us back to High Hill. Unfortunately, both loops included bone-jarring, teeth-rattling rough asphalt surfaces. It made riding a bit difficult but bicyclists must be able to negotiate all types of surfaces as well as curves, inclines and downhills.

Although I came to the ride alone, I gained a ride buddy. Marcia of Houston had chatted with me briefly on the Columbus ride last weekend and rode along with me for part of the Steeple Chase ride. Her husband, Clay, and daughter, Arielle, were riding the 40-mile route on a tandem bike so Marcia was pedaling solo. She was a few miles faster than me but I did my best to keep up with her most of the ride. Our conversations on the road helped pass the time and made the ride that much more enjoyable.

The route was well-marked with colored arrows indicating various distances and we each had a map with detailed instructions on where to turn. Despite all that, some riders got lost (not Yours Truly, of course). Ride hosts, the Schulenburg Lions Club, kept in walkie-talkie contact with each other at various points on the routes and were able to pick up any stragglers or lost riders.

The ride ended where it began - at Wolters Park. We riders were treated to hot dogs, homemade chili and live music.

It was an excellent ride. Thank you, Schulenburg Lions Club!