Griffin predicts beautiful weekend for Dam bike ride

Ky Griffin

Up to 200 riders will converge on Jasper for the fourth annual Dam to Dam Bike Ride this Saturday, Oct. 27.

Organizer Ky Griffin said it's not a race but a personal challenge. "There's always guys you want to beat. You keep up with your time. I'm a member of the Coca Cola cycling team, and I know there's guys on the team and other people who will be in the event, and I just want to beat their time," Griffin said with a laugh.

Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the ride starts at 8 a.m. The gazebo on the courthouse square is command central for the ride. The courthouse will be open for restrooms all day.

Riders choose from a 10, 30, 70 or 100 mile events. The shortest goes from Jasper to Martin Dies Jr. State Park and the longest goes to Boykin Springs and back across the Lake Sam Rayburn Dam.

"Most folks who choose the long route will average 20 miles per hour, so that gets them back to the courthouse by 2 p.m. or sooner," Griffin said.

The event grows each year. The full name of the event is The Christus Jasper Memorial Hospital Dam to Dam Ride, and is part of the hospital's district wellness program.

Members of the Jasper Police Department have challenged members of the Jasper Independent School District to match them in the number of riders and/or the number of miles ridden during the challenge.

"Butch (Dean), Chris (Coleman) and Mervin (Cleveland) do not have to wear those spandex bicycling shorts," JPD officer Wanda Brister said.

Griffin said the forecast looks good for clear cool fall weather.

"Last year I was riding with a group from Dallas and they were admiring the view from the dam (on Rayburn). We just crossed the dam when a doe and fawn crossed directly in front of us," Griffin said.

Many local organizations lend their support to this event that brings up to 200 riders plus their families into the area.

The Jasper County Emergency Corps (JCEC) oversees traffic, assists with the sag wagons and keeps in radio contact with the groups.

"When they first start out, they are in a tight group, but as the day goes on, they are spread out over the whole course," said Billy Williford, head of JCEC.

The Texas Department of Transportation, local law enforcement and volunteer firemen also assist with traffic.

EMS services like Stat Care and Priority One are on standby if any injuries occur. Buck Springs supplies water for the riders.

Friends of Martin Dies Jr. State Park set up the first rest stop, but many other organizations sponsor stops along the routes.

Jasper County tax collector Bobby Biscamp and his church have a rest stop at Beech Grove. Dick and Sue Seguin have another at Boykin Springs and The Stump Restaurant sponsors the one at Piney Point.

When riders return to the courthouse square, a hot meal courtesy of several sponsors awaits them. For those with sore muscles, Vickie Zavala will be offering riders a free massage.

Proceeds from registration fees benefit the Jasper Lake Sam Rayburn Area Chamber of Commerce. You can preregister or print route maps at the chamber's website, www.jaspercoc.org. or call 384-2762.