On Saturday, May 31st, 2008, Bicycle Sport Shop will present the 2nd Annual Real Ale Ride. The ride will start in Blanco, TX, at the Real Ale Brewing Company and is expected to draw more than 1500 cyclists, volunteers, and their guests to the beautiful town of Blanco. Participants may choose routes of 15, 30, 50, 65, and 80 miles, with challenging hills and beautiful vistas on the scenic back roads in the heart of the Texas hill country. All proceeds from the event will benefit the new Blanco Library.

In addition to donating the proceeds to the library, Bicycle Sport Shop will welcome the community’s support by asking local businesses and organizations to sponsor one of their 8 rest stops along the course. Our rest stop partners have been asked to provide their own volunteers at their stops and a theme to give it some local flavor and pizzazz. Volunteers will hand out water and food as well as provide an encouraging and energetic atmosphere for the cyclists who stop by.

Local businesses currently supporting the ride are Real Ale Brewery, JM Realty, NAPA Auto Parts, On the Square, Blanco National Bank, Luckenbach Town Loop, Sisterdale Roadhouse and the Blanco Library.

The ride is sponsored by: Bicycle Sport Shop, Real Ale Brewery, Specialized, Pure Austin Gym, Clif, Accelerade, Riley’s BBQ (Blanco, TX), Sweet Leaf Tea (Austin, TX), Home Slice Pizza (Austin, TX), Advanced Rehabilitation (Austin, TX), Kool Kones (Austin, TX), Austin Flyers Cycling Club, and the Austin Cycling Association.

Parties interested in making a donation to the Blanco Library, please contact Chris Carter at chris_c@bicyclesportshop.com

Bicycle Sport Shop was founded in 1983 as a mountain bike specialty store. Purchased in 1985 by its current owners, Hill Abell and Laura Agnew it has grown into one of the most successful independent bicycle retailers in the U.S. and offers every type of cycling equipment and clothing available. Over the past 25 years, Bicycle Sport Shop has cultivated an experienced staff of professionals who pride themselves on offering great service and an unforgettable shopping experience.

With two locations in Austin, Bicycle Sport Shop offers a full compliment of services including Professional FIT, Rentals and their upcoming Bicycle Sport Shop University. For more information about Bicycle Sport Shop please go to bicyclesportshop.com. To register for the Real Ale Ride go to realaleride.com.