Over 1,000 cyclists ride through the county
Cyclists make their way up Highway 16 S during last Sunday’s race. For more pictures from the event, visit the Bulletin’s Facebook page. BULLETIN PHOTO/Tracy Thayer
Riders make their way through Bandera during last week’s race. Several riders flashed the peace sign at those who cheered them on as a sign of thanks. BULLETIN PHOTO/Tracy Thayer
On Sunday morning at about 8:45 AM, over 1,000 cyclists began streaming through Bandera County and the city on a hundred-mile-long race called the L’Etape San Antonio.
This race sponsored by the Tour de France began at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Riders rode to Boerne, turned on State Hwy 46 and rode toward Bandera at 46’s junction with Highway 16.
When they pulled into town, they turned on Hwy 173 southbound to Wharton’s Dock Road, where they began a meander through the Hill Country, passing over the Medina River.
Coming out on Hwy 1283, they rode to Culebra Road and finished up on the west side of San Antonio. Bandera was mile 44 on the challenging course designed by the Tour experts.
The riders rolled by with jerseys of many bright colors announcing their affiliations like HEB, Autism, USAF, and riders' clubs as well their home countries. The effect was somewhat like a flock of butterflies floating in the wind down the highway.
The riders listened to music, talked with their fellow cyclists or rode silently up the hills of the Bandera countryside. Some were from San Antonio, but others were clearly from other areas of Texas, the US and Mexico. They spoke quietly to each other in English, Spanish and in rider hand signs.
Many Bandera residents and families of riders lined the highways to cheer the riders along. Each clapping and cheering for the cyclists as they passed. Their efforts were appreciated as the riders waved, smiled and showed the peace sign, a sign used by cyclists and motorcyclists alike to represent “thank you.”
Each rider was unique. The field was composed of the young, middle-aged and elders. Each rode with the same enthusiasm as their cycling competitors. While most of the riders were men, about one in five riders was female.
Cyclists rode individually, in pairs, in threes and a few in pelotons or larger groups. Not all the riders were of the expected slender athletic build. Many came by with a much huskier physique which gives rise to the notion that cycling is indeed for everyone.
All the riders seemed to enjoy their experience and comradery of the race. Most were focused and seemed to have stamina to spare.
An aid station was set up by the Medina River Park where riders could fix their bikes, get first aid, and talk with other competitors. The riders milled around at the tents talking to volunteers and finally found their way back on the course.
Maria of McAllen waited by the side of the highway to cheer her husband along. She had done 60-mile races with him but was daunted by the 100-mile race in San Antonio. She watched her phone to mark his progress as she anxiously scanned the road.
When asked why he chose to ride in this lengthy race, Maria responded, “It's the Tour de France!”
As her husband rode by with a smile and a wave, she cheered and clapped for him. After he had passed, she jumped in her pickup truck, and drove away to get to the finish line to await him there.
The L’Etape San Antonio is finished but all the riders are sure to remember the beautiful scenery, challenging hills and friendly people of Bandera.