It’s not Tour de France but cyclists say Houston’s version is rewarding

>>>Scroll through the gallery to see more scenes from Sunday's Tour de Houston less Jeff Syptak, a member of Mayor Sylvester Turners staff, at the start one of the waves at the Tour de Houston, the city's annual fundraising bike ride. The ride is presented by Apache Corporation and benefits the Re-Plant Houston Program. (For the Chronicle/Gary Fountain, March 19, 2017) Jeff Syptak, a member of Mayor Sylvester Turners staff, at the start one of the waves at the Tour de Houston, the city's annual fundraising bike ride. The ride is presented by Apache Corporation and benefits ... more Photo: Gary Fountain/Gary Fountain/For The Chronicle Photo: Gary Fountain/Gary Fountain/For The Chronicle Image 1 of / 33 Caption Close It’s not Tour de France but cyclists say Houston’s version is rewarding 1 / 33 Back to Gallery

Sandra Tezino is training for the Boston Marathon next month, so she ran 20 miles on Saturday.

Then she matched that distance Sunday cycling in the Tour de Houston.

The ride, the second time the 49-year-old Tezino has participated in the 12th annual city-sponsored event, was a training opportunity as well as a chance to pedal through some of the more scenic neighborhoods of Houston. The 20-mile course through River Oaks and West University took about 90 minutes, she said, where she hit speeds up to 21 miles an hour.

"It's a wonderful ride," said Tezino, who waited at the finish line for her daughter to complete a 44-mile trek.

Tezino was one of about 4,000 riders who participated this year in the event that raises money to plant trees in Houston parks.

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The bikers had a choice of three different courses: 20 miles, 44 miles or 61 miles. The starts were staggered in front of City Hall beginning at 7:30 a.m., then the routes brought bikers back to City Hall to a return welcome from Houston Christian radio disc jockey, "Johnny B."

"Way to go, guys," he shouted, as riders crossed the finish line. Some of them took the opportunity to take their hands off their handle bars to pump their fists into the air. Others rode side-by-side, holding hands.

Like many riders, Tezino was decked out in form-fitting cycling gear. Her mint green "Felt" brand bike cost $1,600. But there were plenty of leisurely riders who made the route in fat-tire beach cruisers. Some had children strapped into seats.

Among the more leisurely cyclists were four couples from Cypress. Neighbors and in their late 50s, they used to jog together but as that became more difficult, they decided to "put wheels on it," said Lesa Azra, 58. Now they go biking once a month. Next month, they're headed to Waller County for a bluebonnet ride.

The wives and two of the husbands did the 20-mile route. The other two husbands did the 44-mile trek.

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Azra said they like organized events like Tour de Houston because they provide protection from traffic and support to cyclists. Sag wagons traveled along the route in case riders got too tired to go on. Medics were on hand in case riders took a tumble. Rest stops were stocked with fruit, granola bars and kale chips for instant energy. And at the end of the ride, sponsors handed out sandwiches, energy bars, sodas and beer.

Other riders were hoping that sponsored events like Tour de Houston will encourage more biking and, in turn, more dedicated bike trails and bike lanes.

Alvin Carter, 55, said there are no biking trails where he lives in Spring. It's too dangerous to go out on the roads to ride, said Carter, who did the 20-mile trek in the Tour de Houston on a bike he bought from Walmart. It was the first time for Carter to participate in the Tour de Houston although he has participated in other organized rides.

"I'm a daredevil," said Carter. "I can take some chances."

Many of the riders Sunday were part of a team. Some sported corporate logos of energy companies, banks and grocery stores. Others favored their local mascot.

It wasn't difficult to spot the group with tight-fitting jerseys sporting neon yellow aardvarks. Initially the 20 or so members were known as the "Aardvarks" but the group is so hard-core — members typically ride a dozen or more miles each way just to get to the starting line of cycling events — that they decided to add an "H" to the name.

Now the group, whose members range in age from their 20s to their 60s, call themselves the "Haardvarks."

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"We go pretty fast," said Yobi Guzman, 29. He rode the 61-mile trek, he said, but if he added the 15 or so miles each way from Hobby Airport where he started, it's more like 90 miles.

Not everyone was aiming to break a record.

Carl Roecker came to Spandex late in life. The 72-year old wasn't a biker until about six years ago, when he had a flash of insight while waiting to pick up his girlfriend and her sister from the MS 150 in Austin, a two-day ride from Houston to Austin that raises funds for multiple sclerosis.

"I've got to do that," he decided, recalling that magical moment he decided to put on some biking gear and try it out himself.

Now he trains regularly and will be participating in his fourth MS 150 this spring. On Sunday, Roecker rode the 61-mile loop, a journey that took nearly four hours.

"No wind and no hills," said Roecker, who timed himself at 16.3 miles per hour. "For me, that's good."

>>>Scroll through the gallery to see scenes from Sunday's Tour de Houston