Community Rallies for Bike Run

Update to come! The fundraiser was a resounding success. Meanwhile, click HERE to see some photos.

Canyon Lake bars, residents and bikers from around Texas went on the “run” on Saturday, Aug. 6 to raise funds for school supplies for children from low-income area families.

Food, supplies, donations and auction items for the Canyon Lake Pencils for Education-sponsored motorcycle ride and daylong event at VFW Post 8573  “continue to fall out of the sky.” The event attracted so much attention that KNBT-FM Radio New Braunfels ran public service announcements, and Comal ISD students and families from Canyon Lake organized car washes.

The 50-mile bike run, or motorcycle ride, wound through the beautiful Texas Hill Country with stops at area bars along the way. The $10 registration included a jambalaya-and-enchilada lunch. An auction, community plate lunch and raffle followed at the VFW.

Approximately 100 riders participated and public turnout at the VFW reached 200 people.

The Bike run began at 10 a.m. at Riley’s on the Backbone, 3971 FM 32 in Fischer and passed by Midnight Express and Goofy’s before ending at the VFW, 16425 River Rd, Canyon Lake.

Riders unfamiliar with the scenic area may be interested to learn that Riley’s is a world-famous tourist attraction that sits atop a limestone ridge stretching from Wimberley to Blanco. Some locals say “The Devil’s Backbone” is haunted by ghosts of Native Americans and confederate soldiers.

Great Cajun and Mexican Foods

Jambalaya and enchilada plates were served at the VFW and included jambalaya with cornbread or chicken enchiladas, rice and pinto beans. Homemade lights rolls, one gallon of pico de gallo and a half-gallon of sour cream were also served.

River Sports Tubing purchased 20 plates for its employees.

To donate, please call 210-882-6783, 210-840-5584. Canyon Lake Pencils for Education also has a Facebook events page. Click HERE for more information.

Canyon Lake Pencils for Education

Organizer Curtis Roedl, a lifetime member of the VFW, says Canyon Lake Pencils for Education raised enough funds to purchase 100 fully loaded backpacks and shoe gift cards for Canyon Lake school children.

“There are many families in Canyon Lake that are struggling and need assistance with school supplies and clothing for their school-age children,” he says.

At the VFW, Roedl helps veterans obtain benefits, housing and clothing and recently contributed food for a benefit for an area cancer victim. He worked with VFW Post Commander Ron Fowler to plan the bike run.

“They loved the idea of collecting school supplies, a bike run, a jambalaya-and-enchilada lunch as well as an auction that would benefit the kids of Canyon Lake,” Roedl says.

Families who need help are not required to provide financial information in order to receive assistance. They should call 210-882-6783 or 210-840-5584 to learn more.

Local businesses quickly rallied behind Canyon Lake Pencils for Education.

Jen Crownover, Comal County Commissioner, Precinct 4, attended the fundraiser.

Roedl says the event’s emcee turned 86 the day-of the fundraiser.

Items donated for the auction:

• Dozen roses from Small Flavor Florist
• Fifty pounds of chicken fajita meat from Granzine’s Meat Market (yields 450 enchiladas!)
• Forty pounds of sausage donated by HEB (makes 250 servings of jambalaya)
• Gift basket from Art’s Liquor ($120 value)
• Ten-person private tasting at Dry Comal Creek Vineyard ($200 value)
• Four tubes and a cooler tube from River Sports Tubing ($100 value)
• A year’s worth (partner listing) of free advertising on area news and tourist portal mycanyonlake.com ($400 value)
• Gift certificate from Hitching Post
• $100 in food from Brookshire Brothers
• Food donations for Lowe’s
• Two rounds of golf from Lakeside Golf Club
• 20 tickets to Spazmatic, the ultimate new wave 80s show
• Four tubing tickets from Whitewater
• Gift basket from Bad Girlz
• Several pairs of concert tickets for Spazmatics on Sept 3 at WhiteWater
• $500 Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun will be raffled — 120, $20 tickets will be sold to bikers only (another shotgun will be donated for raffle at the VFW)
• $400, 12-gauge Mossberg Duck Commander 28 shotgun with an autographed “Willie” Robertson bandana, donated by Hill Country Trucks & Firearms. Raffle open to the public.

The Canyon Lake community has provided so much support for this effort that organizers are planning another Canyon Lake Pencils for Education next year.

Regular updates will be posted on MyCanyonLake.com.