Refuge International, a nonprofit organization whose headquarters is in Gilmer, Texas is holding the 2nd Annual Chainge the World Bike Ride fundraiser to be held on Saturday, May 1st 2010. Refuge International is a compassionate 501(c)3 volunteer organization dedicated to the goal of improving the lives of families and individuals through the collaborative development of sustainable programs in areas where healthcare, adequate nutrition, clean water and education are lacking or non-existent. Refuge International has taken close to 50 mission teams to Guatemala and Kenya.

Bike riders will have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful back roads of both Upshur and Camp Counties. Different rides will appeal to different levels of riders and include 10, 20, 40, and 100k. The longest ride includes a detour to the Los Pinos Vineyard, just south of Pittsburg. This is a fully supported ride with rest stops about every 10 miles. The ride will start at the Refuge International Headquarters at 104 N. Montgomery, Gilmer, Texas at 8 am.

Last year’s riders sent in several positive comments, including, “….I enjoyed the ride and thought your group did a marvelous job! The amenities were super and everyone was really nice and helpful. I hope you will continue the event because I think it has great potential. Beautiful country routes that lend themselves to great cycling.” Another rider wrote, “We really enjoyed the bike ride and will defiantly come back. The layout was beautiful and the roads where marked very well. My wife and I appreciate your efforts and enthusiasm. Thank you for your kindness and we look forward to next year!”

This year, riders from Colorado, the Dallas area, Texarkana, Shreveport, Tyler, Longview and Marshall have already signed up to ride. The hospitality shown by the people of Upshur and Cass County will help make this a memorable experience for the riders and hopefully encourage them to bring their friends next year. Steve Dean with the Flight of the Phoenix Air Museum will start the ride with a flyover. Several motorcyclists in the area, including George Wolfe with State Farm, will escort the bike riders at the beginning of the ride and along the various routes.

Riders will start at the corner of Montgomery and State Highway 154 passing through the town square. Routes are along several different state and country roads including State Highways 154 and 155. County Roads 555, 2796, 1975, 557, 556 852 and 2263 will also be on the routes taken by Chainge the World Bike Riders. Two of the routes lead back to Gilmer on the Old Coffeeville Road, down Titus and then to the town square. The shortest route begins on Montgomery and follows Cherokee Trace to the Lake Gilmer Park. There Dr. Steve and Cindy Murry will host a rest stop for the riders. Riders will then return following a route from Cherokee Trace to Buffalo and then Bradford to Montgomery.

People living along these routes are encouraged to show support and encouragement to the riders by waving and cheering for them as they pass by! Those driving along the routes on Saturday, May 1st are asked to be courteous and keep the bike riders safe!