Family fun, friendly competition at Rockwall Hot Rocks Bike Ride

Melissa James IMG_2437 — Photo by Melissa James

(ROCKWALL, TX – July 13, 2015) Enjoy family fun and friendly competition at the 2015 Hot Rocks Bike Ride, which begins at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, August 8 at Wilkerson-Sanders Stadium.

Presented annually by the Rockwall Noon Rotary Club, Hot Rocks has been growing in popularity every year, attracting cyclists of all ages and skill levels. Proceeds from the ride benefit Rotary college scholarships. In 2014, the event raised over $33,000 for Rockwall ISD students.

“For the last 24 years, the Hot Rocks Bike Ride has been the Noon Rotary Club of Rockwall’s primary effort to help deserving high school seniors in the Rockwall ISD attend college by providing scholarships. This year, we have added our Bikes for Kids program and proceeds from Hot Rocks will provide 175 deserving younger children a bicycle at Christmas time through a joint effort with Rockwall County Helping Hands. For many of the kids, it will be their very first bicycle,” said David Watlington, 2015 Hot Rocks Bike Ride Chairman.

More than 1,000 participants are expected at this year’s event, from competitive racers and beginners to families with young children. With improved roads and a better course – including routes of 59-miles, 40-miles, 23-miles, 13 miles and the newly introduced 3-mile or 6-mile kids loop – the 2015 event offers safe, fun and challenging options for all ages and abilities.

There will be fully stocked rest stops sponsored by local businesses, support along the route from local law enforcement, roving bicycle mechanics providing technical support, and support vehicles patrolling between each rest stop. The JER Chilton YMCA at Rockwall will have a bounce house on-site for the kids. Luby’ and Applebee’s will provide refreshments, Oak Dairy Farms will provide frozen treats, and Rockwall Dermatology is donating sunscreen.

All entrants receive a Hot Rocks T-shirt and an on-site lunch from local restaurants. The top three male and female finishers of the 59-mile ride receive cash awards of $250, $200 and $150 respectively.

Caffarel_20140809_8375 — Photo by Greg Caffarel

“While the 59 mile course is a competitive ride, the 5K ride is designed for families to come enjoy a fun bike ride together. Whether you are loyal Hot Rocker or first time ride, we hope you will join us on August 8th!” said Watlington.

Thank you to the Hot Rocks sponsors to date, which include:

Finish Line Sponsor

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall

Rest Stop Sponsors

American National Bank

First Presbyterian Church Rockwall

City of Heath

Inwood National Bank

Ride Sponsors

Law Office of Susan Satterwhite

Home Bank

Rockwall Crossing Orthodontics