The Raúl Alcalá Bike Ride Challenge – Gran Fondo is a 32- and 100-mile mass cycling event led by 1984 Mexican Olympian cyclist Raúl Alcalá. He is also the first Mexican to participate in the Tour de France in 1986.
“The Raúl Alcalá Bike Ride Challenge is an important event for TSC to be a part of because it involves Brownsville and the majority of the communities in Cameron County,” TSC Interim Vice President of Student Services Alejandro Salinas said. “We strongly believe in promoting healthy activities in the community and getting students involved. This event provides us that opportunity. We pride ourselves in doing community service and being there for the community.”
The Challenge – Gran Fondo will begin in Brownsville at the TSC ITEC Center at 7 a.m. on Nov. 6 and tour the surrounding communities of Los Fresnos, Port Isabel, Laguna Vista, Bayview, South Padre Island, San Benito and Rancho Viejo.
The 32-mile Challenge route will end at South Padre Island, while the 100-mile Gran Fondo route will conclude at the TSC ITEC Center.
“We’re grateful to TSC for being a big part of the Bike Ride Challenge – Gran Fondo by hosting this event for the community for the second year in a row,” Alcalá said. “In a city where there is cycling, there’s business, health and family harmony. This is important for a community, including students, so that they see the kind of mobility that cycling can give them.” Registration for the Challenge – Gran Fondo will be held on Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the ITEC Center.
About Texas Southmost College
Originally established in 1926, Texas Southmost College currently offers the first two years toward a bachelor’s degree, along with career and technical education leading to certificates and associate degrees, college preparatory studies to prepare students for college-level work, workforce training, and continuing education. Recently selected as a Bright Spot by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, TSC offers 53 programs of study leading to an associate degree or certificate.