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 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!

That's right folks, May is officially BIKE month. And we are in the middle of bike to work week!

The worst thing about being a reporter is you need to drive a car. A lot.  My last job was in Boulder County, Colorado, where lots of people bike to work daily. Bike to work day (usually a Wednesday in June) is a big deal there -- lots of places have free breakfast stops and after-work happy hours. I covered three bike-to-work-day events, but never participated. Sigh.

This year, I'm thinking of parking my car at the Advocate Thursday night, riding my bike home, then biking to work on Friday.

Does anyone else plan a bike commute? Any good routes or tips for riding in Victoria?

Leslie

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 Well, I just returned from the annual Rolling Hills Challenge bicycle ride in Columbus on May 10 and it was quite a challenge. Yes, there were hills and they were rolling.

 On earlier rides this year, I pedaled between 30-40 miles but today the ante was upped when I signed up for the 50-mile ride. This route took riders north of Columbus and onto country roads in Columbus and part of Fayette counties.

 For the first third of the ride, I had my bike in high gear and that had me exhausted early in the ride. A switch to the lower gears seemed an improvement but I still got tired.

Although there were hills, the inclines weren't steep, just long. At about mile 20, we riders faced a rather steep incline that forced some folks off their bikes and on their feet to walk it. I put the bike in the lowest gear possible and started pumping but I admit I stopped halfway up to catch my breath and get a sip of water. But I made it without walking (Lance Armstrong wouldn't walk his bike up a hill, would he?).

Later, another stretch of road had all us riders on high alert. Farm-to-Market Road 109 had a rough surface and no shoulder, which resulted in a bumpy and rather dangerous ride. The wind was blowing against us as pickups and larger vehicles whizzed past us just a few feet away. This was only about a 2-mile stretch of road but I was very happy when the signs directed us onto a smaller less-traveled road.

 Rest stops were situated every 10 miles and had fruit, cookies, water and Gatorade for tired and thirsty cyclists.

It took me 4 hours and 22 minutes (not including rest stops) to complete the course. I am a slowpoke, I know.

 The ride began and ended at Beason's Park along the Colorado River. After the ride, the Columbus Lion's Club (ride sponsors) served up hamburgers and cheeseburgers. All in all, it was a great ride and I look forward to doing it again in 2009.

 Next up: The Schulenburg ride on Saturday, May 17. Anybody wanna come with me?

- Eric