This year’s Sloan Everett Bike Ride to benefit local volunteer fire departments
This year, the third annual bike ride in honor of the late Sloan Everett has undergone several changes, ranging from the name of the event to its purpose.
The newly renamed Sloan Everett Pure Country Pedal Memorial Bike Ride will begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Breckenridge City Park (aka Miller Park). The event will start with a welcome at the Sloan Everett Memorial, which was dedicated at the first bike ride in 2017, just a few months after he died in a wildfire on a ranch in the Texas panhandle. The memorial is located near the park’s Disc Golf Pavilion, behind the old American Legion Building (611 E. Walker St.). Those participating in the ride are encouraged to park in the City Park’s parking lot and walk up to the Disc Golf Pavilion.
One of the major changes this year is that there is a registration fee and the funds collected will be donated to three local volunteer fire departments, the Wayland VFD, the Hubbard Creek VFD and the Caddo VFD.
“The (Everett) family talked about it and wanted it to be more of a benefit to the community,” said Carrie Holson, executive director of the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce, which hosts the bike ride. The proposed changes were presented to the Chamber’s Board of Directors, which approved the new aspects.
In addition to the fee, all riders must be registered for the ride. The registration fee is $25 for all riders age 12 and older. Those younger than 12 can ride for free but still must be registered. Those interested in riding in the event can register online on the Chamber of Commerce’s website, https://breckenridgetexas.com/purecountrypedal through 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, or at the event on Saturday.
As of Tuesday morning, 75 people had already registered to ride in the event. Last year, there were 33 riders.
About 30 riders of all ages participated in the 2018 bike ride. This year, 75 have already registered. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Participants will receive an event t-shirt (while supplies last) and a ticket for a lunch in the park pavilion afterwards. A limited number of tickets for the lunch will also be available for purchase at the park on Saturday. Meal tickets for non-riders will cost $10 for ages 12 and older, and $5 for those age 11 and younger.
The bike ride also has new and different routes this year. In the past, there have been three routes, but this year, there are four, longer routes. The routes are:
- Family Ride – 7.5 miles
- Short Ride – 18.5 miles
- Medium Ride – 29 miles
- Long Ride – 43 miles
More information about each ride and maps of the routes are available online (https://breckenridgetexas.com/purecountrypedal).
In 2017, the Chamber of Commerce worked with the Everett family to plan the bike ride in honor of Sloan Everett, who was a member of the Chamber board, as well as an avid bike rider.
“The Chamber is honored to continue doing this for him and his family,” Holson said.
Also on Saturday, the Chamber is sponsoring the 2019 Community-Wide Sidewalk and Garage Sale. The deadline to get a garage/sidewalk sale on the Chamber’s list is noon Thursday, Oct. 17. To get a sale on the list, call 254-559-2301. The list of garage sales and a map will be available at the Chamber office starting at 9 a.m. Friday morning, Oct. 18.
Additionally, Saturday is the day of the October Breck Trade Days at the Trade Barn in the City Park. This month, the City is hosting a Cornbread and Beans Cook-off.
Story by Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan
Cutline, top photo: Participants line up last year for the second annual Sloan Everett Memorial Bike Ride. This year’s event will benefit local volunteer fire departments. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
