An Oblate Trail Ride, a bicycle tour with 25, 50, 62.5 and 115-mile routes, is scheduled for Saturday, March 8, 2008. The route will follow the famous Oblate Trail along Military Highway, an area the Oblates of Mary Immaculate traveled by horse more than 100 years ago to celebrate Mass in the remote communities along the Rio Grande River. Funds raised from this event will go towards the Catholic Campaign for Human Development to help break the cycle of poverty in the Valley.

The 25, 62.5 and 115-mile routes will begin in Brownsville at Immaculate Conception Cathedral. The 25-mile ride will end in Santa Maria at Our Lady of Visitation Church; the 62.5-mile ride, in Mission at La Lomita Chapel; and the 115-mile ride in Roma at Our Lady of Refuge parish. A second start location from the La Lomita Chapel in Mission is available for the 25-mile and the 50-mile routes to accommodate riders from different ends of the Valley.

Early registration for each rider is $25. A $5 discount will be applied for each member of a group of five or more. Rest stops will be available along the route approximately every 10 to 15 miles to provide riders with water, fruit and other snacks.

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