[Texas] Wheels of Poverty

from The Brownsville Herald

Bikers hit the pavement for the poor

BY KEVIN GARCIA
The Brownsville Herald

March 5, 2006 - In 1849, Catholic missionaries road by horse and carriage from one end of the Rio Grande Valley to the other. More than a century later, they are still doing it for a slightly different purpose.

Early Saturday, cyclists could be seen pouring out of the Brownsville Cathedral and into the streets for the second annual Oblate Trail Ride, a biking event that traces the path the early missionaries.

“The primary focus is brining awareness of how much poverty there is in the Valley,” explained the Rev. Carlos Villarreal, 34, event organizer. “When you bike you go slowly, you see some of the poorer areas of the Valley you miss by driving.”

Money raised from fees for the bikers goes into the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, a fund created to help the economically disadvantaged.

As a bonus, however, clergy, parishioners and non-Catholics got to enjoy an exciting morning together.

“We get to let people know that the church also has fun,” Villarreal said. “Sometimes, the stereotype is that the Catholic Church people are boring.”

Although a flat tire delayed her start, 28-year-old Sister Imelda Estrada was looking forward to the biking the first 25 miles of the ride.

“I’m going to try to go as far as I can before the cramps set in,” Estrada said. “In my mind, I can go all the way. Physically, I think El Ranchito is my destination.”

Riders came in all ages and sizes.

“This is my first real long ride,” said 12-year-old Los Fresnos resident Philip Arista, who was looking to earn a Boy Scout cycling merit badge.

Another young rider, 14-year-old Ronald Lyssy of McAllen, was looking to beat his old record.

“The closest I’ve done is 18 (miles),” Lyssy said. “I want to push myself and see if I can do it.”

He did it. Two hours, 25 miles and some well-deserved rest later, Lyssy was proud of his accomplishment.

“To me, it was pretty tough,” he said. “I just kept thinking about was the finish.”

He also saw the poverty organizers talked about.

“They looked really, really poor,” Lyssy said of the rural communities. “Their houses weren’t really well-built. Most didn’t have cars, and those that did looked like they were on their last legs. Maybe if we gave more government housing and maybe a better system of schools.”

Canadian resident Peter Stevens, 67, learned about the Oblate Trail while participating in another South Texas bike ride and was excited to cycle the entire ride.

“Any reason to get out and bike is a good thing, and this is for the poor, so that’s great,” he said.

After biking all 115 miles, a breeze for a man that cycles more than 12,000 miles each year, Stevens said he plans to return next year.

“I thought it was a great ride,” he said, adding he could see why the route was chosen for awareness. “Its not what I would call a booming industrial area. I do believe that people have hard times in this area, and I could see that.”

Riders were also exited to promote the sport of cycling.

“We’re getting out (the message) to the community that cycling is a great exercise,” said Mission resident Letty Zavala, 30, president of Team McAllen.

“Hopefully, this will inspire some people when they say ‘look at those crazy people,’” said her teammate, Jorge Gil de Leyva, 35, of McAllen.