The annual Real Ale Ride, Bicycle Sport Shop’s most popular event, rolls through the scenic hills of Blanco on Saturday, May 21, 2016. It’s a ride for cyclists of all levels, with distances of 15, 30, 50, 65, and 80 miles. Routes are fully supported with rest stops that provide water and nutritional snacks for participants along the way, as well as “SAG” vehicles to help cyclists with mechanical issues or those who need help getting back to the finish line. Afterwards, everyone gathers at the Real Ale brewery for a post-ride celebration with live entertainment, local beer, and barbecue. Old 300 BBQ will provide delicious food and beer is, of course, provided by Real Ale Brewing Company.
Bicycle Sport Shop always makes a sizeable charitable donation from the proceeds of the ride. This year, a portion of the proceeds from the Real Ale Ride will go to Bike Austin and Blanco Friends of the Library. Bike Austin improves quality of life for all of Austin and Central Texas by growing bicycling as a form of transportation, exercise, and recreation. Blanco Friends of the Library is a volunteer, non-profit organization committed to the preservation, protection, and improvement of the Blanco Library. The organization raises money to purchase books for the library, provide periodical subscriptions and programs, as well as help to fund a variety of special events and needs. Bicycle Sport Shop and Real Ale Brewing Company are thrilled to be able to assist both organizations and their mission.
For over 30 years, Bicycle Sport Shop has sold countless bikes and accessories to Central Texas cyclists. Sharing their passion for cycling is a tradition that began with Hill Abell and Laura Agnew in 1985 when they bought a small bike shop on Barton Springs Road in South Austin. Back then, what Hill and Laura lacked in business experience they made up for in sheer exuberance for riding.At the time, the tiny Barton Springs Road location was one of only a handful of stores in Texas that sold mountain bikes. Soon, that little specialty store gave way to a second, larger store that carried mountain bikes, road bikes and an expanding selection of cycling accessories. Today, Bicycle Sport Shop's three Austin locations offer a large but thoughtfully chosen selection of cycling products, as well as services, educational programs, weekly group rides and special events, from a diverse staff of passionate cyclists with a common love for riding. They’re excited to be opening two new locations—one on Guadalupe Street near the University of Texas campus and another in Bee Cave.
It is not too late to register to participate in the Real Ale Ride. To register, or for more information, go to RealAleRide.com. Participation will be limited this year to the first 2,000 registrants.
