Everything the San Jacinto College Cycling Club has worked hard to prepare for this year, will be put to the test at the Tour de Houston taking place Sunday, March 16.

The event is an annual fundraising bike ride that, this year, is primarily sponsored by the Apache Corporation among other companies. The ride includes three separate routes, a 20, 40 or 60-mile ride that riders select based on their endurance, and skill as a cyclist.

Each ride begins and ends at Herman Square in front of City Hall with the earliest of the three starting at 7:30 a.m.

Cycling Club Coordinator Ruben C. Ramirez Jr. said this ride is aimed at promoting “physical fitness, well-being, and ‘going green’” by using alternative transportation methods.

According to Ramirez, all proceeds from the ride will be donated to the park restoration program created to replant trees in the parks located in the city of Houston that were affected by the numerous droughts of recent years.

The event is widely recognized as one of the training rides for the MS-150.

“San Jac sponsors four riders,” Ramirez said, “three of which are Cycling Club student members, and one alumni member. The Club has 13 active student riders and several more faculty riders.”

Ramirez said Club membership offers participants a number of benefits including “pride, health, and camaraderie; just believing in the riders; (the Cycling Club) motivates students to not give up.”

In addition, Ramirez said the Club encourages members to reach their full potential as cyclists. He said one of the club’s newer members, Jessica, is a perfect example.

“During BikeFest last fall,” he said, “Jessica stated at the beginning of the race that she could only do ten miles. I encouraged her and told her she could do thirty miles. Jessica finished the thirty mile race in two hours going fifteen miles per hour.”

Ramirez said the experiences cyclists gain from participating are not limited to cycling.

“I hope the riders are able to take what I teach them,” Ramirez said, “of never giving up from the rides – into their schooling and futures.”