Sunday, June 30, 2024
The Gatesville Exchange Club will hold its 28th annual 100K Fire Ant Tour on Saturday, June 8, at the Gatesville Civic Center.
Since the early bird registration has ended, the price per person to register will cost $50. Early packet pickup will be on Friday, June 7 from 4-7 p.m. and on the morning of the race from 6:15-7 a.m. at the civic center.
Onsite registration does not guarantee a finisher medal or an event T-shirt, although, SWAG bags will be given to the participants. Each bag will contain a free pass to the local fitness center or pool to gain access to a hot shower.
The routes are comprised of 11 miles, 32 miles, 50 miles, and a 100K and will take place on paved county roads.
The start time for the 50-mile and 100K race will be at 7:15 a.m. and the start time for the 11-mile and 32-mile race will be at 7:45 a.m. There will be no late starts after 8 a.m.
Be sure to choose the route that fits you best on the morning of the race. All riders are required to wear helmets and safety gear. E-bikes are welcomed and encouraged.
Shortly after, the Fire Ant mascot will follow behind the riders to stop by and thank anyone that has a cheering station set up.
SAG stations will be placed at 10-mile intervals along all routes. Porta potties will be available at all stations, and SAG wagons will be driving on each route throughout the race to assist when needed.
Turn by turn directions
The riders will turn right onto US 84, right onto US 36, and another right onto FM 929. At the top of the hill by the Hughes is a rest stop. The riders will then stay on FM 929 and will travel to Coryell City Water Supply for their next rest stop. Then they will take a left onto FM 185 to Crawford High School. Leaving Crawford High School, the riders will take a left on Prairie Chapel Road and ride out to Morgan Road and turn around, stopping once again at Crawford High School. Then they will continue down FM 185 back to FM 929, where they will have another rest stop. They will take a left at the rest stop onto FM 929 and then a right on CR 265. The riders will then follow CR 265 around to FM 929, taking FM 929 back to Hughes. They will arrive at their final rest stop on Cedar Mountain Road, where they will take that same road to CR 274 and then to Old Osage Road. Finally, the riders will take a left and then a right onto Barton Lane, and then a right onto US 84, and back to the Civic Center.
This year the Exchange Club is encouraging the community to set up cheering stations along the route of the Fire Ant Tour. Coryell Valley Church is an ideal location to put together a cheering station for the riders.
Noise makers, music, etc., are all good for cheering on the riders.
“When the community has folks cheering them on, there is a camaraderie built with each other that cannot be explained,” Fire Ant Tour Director Monty Van Horn said.
As of Friday, May 24, there have been over 160 people registered for the race. Last year, it was noted that there were over 328 cyclists who participated in the race.
“We have riders from all over Texas, some on the north side of Dallas/Fort Worth, east to Longview, and south to Houston and San Antonio,” Van Horn said.
The weather will have a lot to do with the total number of people attending the event.
“Many will wait for the ten-day forecast before registering,” Van Horn said.
“Cyclists from all over come here to support the Fire Ant Tour, and one of the big things about cyclists is they like to ride for a cause,” Van Horn said. “Everyone, or nearly everyone riding, knows that they are supporting an organization (Gatesville Exchange Club) that supports numerous programs in the community.”
This includes things like college scholarships, local youth groups, senior citizens care programs, and many others.
All proceeds will go toward local scholarships for Gatesville Independent School District seniors and many other community service projects.
“The Exchange Club pours so much money into all things that we support,” Van Horn said. “Without this fundraiser we couldn't provide for the community like we do.”
To register for the race, visit gates.clubexpress.com.
The Gatesville Civic Center is located at 301 Veterans Memorial Loop.
