HARLINGEN — It’s not a race, it’s a challenging bike ride that’s been around a long, long time.
This year marks the 26th annual Jalapeno 100 bike ride.
“It’s just a fun time,” said Kelly Roberts, event organizer.
And all the proceeds from the event are donated to the Harlingen Boys & Girls Club.
Last year, the Jalapeno 100 brought in more than $3,500 for the club.
The Jalapeno 100 took over where the Border Surf and Citrus 100 ended.
When Citrus 100 stopped happening, the Bicycle World owners moved the event to Harlingen, changed the name and the starting and finishing line.
Before the Jalapeno 100, the Citrus 100 started and ended on the Island.
“My parents started this race,” fellow organizer Tracy Roberts said. “It’s real exciting this year because we have the highest number of participants we have ever had already pre-registered.”
Tracy reported more than 500 riders and more riders are welcome to register on site Saturday morning before the start of the ride.
“This is something we are super pumped about,” Tracy said.
Tracy used to participate in the event when he was in high school and college. Now he is in the front lines of organizing the event with other volunteers six months in advance.
“We’ve got riders coming from all over,” Tracy said. “We have riders from as far as Chicago, San Antonio, Houston and Mexico.”
Tracy said he expects more than 100 cyclists to complete the full ride.
The event organizers and riders know very well the ride is no joke.
“The hot shots will do it in four hours,” said Kelly Roberts, event founder. “The regulars are just going to enjoy it and take their time.”
Riders take on a long stretch of road, hot weather and fight gusts of winds up to 50 mph strong.
The event is mapped out and has directions and pit stops along the way for the riders.
“We have a lot of people that are going to take about eight hours to do it, but their going to finish their first century ride,” Kelly said.
IF YOU GO
DATE: Saturday, February 20, 2016
TIME: 6:00 a.m. – Registration & Packet Pickup (ride)
7:15 a.m. – Announcements
7:30 a.m. – 100 mile
7:45 a.m. – 62.5 mile and 50 mile
8:00 a.m. – 25 mile and 12 mile
11:00 a.m. – Post ride celebration begins
4:00 p.m. – Course Closes
