The Herald-Zeitung

By Eric J. Weilbacher

The Herald-Zeitung

If you need a break from trick-or-treating, or wurst, beer and polka, the Tour de Gruene might be what you’re looking for.

Whether you are participating in a 15-, 30- or 50-mile recreational ride, or want to be a spectator at one of the time trials, this world-renowned bicycle tour, with clear skies and mid-70 degree weather predicted, should suit your needs.

“It’s really under everybody’s radar,” said Will Rotzler, a founder and organizer of the tour. “Lance Armstrong really made River Road his Autobahn.”

The recreational rides twist up and down River Road, through Sattler and Gruene. The extended 50-mile ride winds out Kohlenburg Road to York Creek Road, cutting back to Gruene at Hunter roads. All recreational rides begin at 8 a.m. Saturday.

The individual time trials begin at 2:01 p.m. Saturday, and loop up and down River Road, beginning at River Crossing 1 and heading up to the Pecan Creek Turnaround and back, for a 16-mile ride.

The two-person team time trials begin at 8:01 a.m. Sunday, in front of Gruene Hall, winding through Ervenberg Avenue and Edwards Boulevard to River Road, then up through Sattler and down Farm-to-Market 306 back toward Gruene to complete the loop. The two-person team time trials are 27.3 miles.

The tour is a charitable event. Registration fees for riders, as well as sponsorship from various area businesses, generate proceeds that benefit New Braunfels Chapter of the American Red Cross and Sally Kingsbury Knock Out Sarcoma Research Foundation this year.

It may be difficult to register for one of the tours, as pre-registration ended on Oct. 23, but organizers said they still have limited room. Post-registration begins Saturday morning at 6:30 a.m. and costs $45 for adults and $20 for children.

While someone as high-profile as Lance Armstrong (the 2008 Tour de Gruene winner) or Eddy Merckx will not be competing this year, some current big names in the cycling world will be competing.

Kevin Livingston, Armstrong’s 1997 U.S. Postal Service teammate, John Korioth, Kevin Kremke, Zack McBride and Adam Leibovitz, the current U.S. national collegiate champion, will be racing.

Alan Goss, a spokesman for the tour, said that anyone who wants to set up a lawn chair and watch the trials can, but setting up along River Road requires some planning.

“This road doesn’t really have a shoulder, but most spectators could bring lawn chairs,” he said. “The road won’t be closed, but we’re going to have police, they kind of ride behind the ride.”

Where to go

Tour de Gruene Recreational Ride

8 a.m. Saturday, line up near the front of Gruene Hall on Gruene Road

Individual Time Trials

2:01 p.m., River Road River Crossing 1

Team Time Trials

8:01 p.m., line up near the front of Gruene Hall on Gruene Road

For maps and other information: www.tourdegruene.com