550 riders turn out for Jalapeño 100

HARLINGEN — Hundreds of bicyclists beat the potential of severe weather Saturday morning as the Jalapeño 100 Bicycle Tour kicked off its 22nd annual ride.

“It got off to a great start this morning,” Harlingen Parks Superintendent Jeff Lyssy said afterwards. “We had about 550 participants and I was fearful that the weather was going to be worse than it actually was, so everybody is happy.”

The morning began with gray skies and a drizzle of rain. But a cold front had moved offshore by the time the first wave of riders left the Old Oil Mill pavilion on Wichita Avenue.

Registration for the ride began bright and early at 6:30 a.m. Riders braving the 100- and 62.5-mile courses headed out at 7:30 a.m. People pursuing the 50-, 25- and 12-mile routes left the gates at 7:45 a.m.

The ride also attracted bicyclists who are not from the Rio Grande Valley, Lyssy said.

“This is one of the first century rides in the nation and that lends itself to be a good training ride for some of these bikers that want to do more competitive racing since it’s in the Valley and we have milder weather,” he said. “We had 550 participants and about one-third of those are from outside the Rio Grande Valley. So the ride also draws some tourism.”

Lyssy said one rider he talked to was from Corpus Christi and a spoke on his bike broke. When Lyssy went to pick him up, he said the rider had nothing but good things to say about the Valley.

“That particular gentleman said everybody was extremely friendly and courteous and he was a return visitor to this event,” Lyssy said. “He said he came back because of the rest stops and friendliness and the distinguishing signage used on the routes. It’s great directional signage and on top of that, we have quirky humorous signs to keep our riders going.”

Lyssy said the majority of riders finish their routes. If they don’t, it’s usually because of mechanical problems with their bikes.

Last year, the ride saw 600 participants.

“But with all this recent rain and the forecast, it maybe scared a few people away. This event continues to remain strong and it will only get better,” he said.

After the ride wound down, the riders were treated to a post-ride celebration in the old Oil Mill that featured burgers and cold drinks.

“It’s a very fun atmosphere because these people feel a sense of accomplishment because they finished their rides,” Lyssy said. “And it’s also an atmosphere of camaraderie.”

Proceeds from the event benefit Harlingen Youth Athletics, Harlingen Boys & Girls Club and other local nonprofit organizations.