Rise Schools help kids of all abilities - support them by making a donation to the Challenge.

Many thanks to everyone who has supported the Rise Across Texas Challenge!Your donations help children of all abilities get a strong start in life.

The Finish Line: Marfa to Presidio

They did it! The Rise Across Texas Challenge cyclists reached their finish line in Presidio shortly after noon today. The journey that spanned two weeks, 872 miles, a kaleidoscope of Texas landscapes, sunshine and clear skies, wind, rain, heat, cold, valleys, and altitudes reaching 5400 feet was at last a victorious finish at Fort Leaton in Presidio. Despite the elements and fatigue that may have challenged them on their trek the cyclists' stalwart determination,  spirit, and unwavering dedication to the children for whom they rode—those at Rise Schools of Texas—hold up as an inspiration to us all.

Click to watch videos of each leg of the Challenge:

March 6  Orange to Kountze
March 7  Kountze to Montgomery
March 8  Montgomery to Brenham
March 9  Brenham to Bastrop
March 10  Bastrop to the Rise School of Austin to Wimberley
March 11  Wimberley to Kerrville
March 13  Kerrville to Leakey
March 14  Leakey to Brackettville
March 15  Brackettville to Del Rio
March 16  Del Rio to Sanderson
March 17  Sanderson to Marathon
March 18  Marathon to Marfa
March 19  Marfa to Presidio

Click here to track the cyclists' progress.

See more photos on Facebook!

Challenge Cyclist and Rise School of Austin director Mandy Myers with one of her students at the Celebrity Ride luncheon.

Ben Bollman after the finish

Challenge founder Steve Hicks and Rise School of Austin director Mandy Myers celebrate their finish 

Team House or Team Senate? Lend your support to the Challenge team led by Representative Carol Alvarado or the team led by Senator Rodney Ellis. Or support both! Visit their pages to donate on their behalf.

Senator Rodney Ellis and Representative Carol Alvarado, Rise Across Texas Challenge cyclists and Celebrity Ride team leaders.

The Rise Across Texas Challenge

Two weeks. Thirteen counties. More than 850 miles of Texas.

Starting in Orange and ending in Presidio, the Rise Across Texas Challenge powers bicyclists from the Piney Woods through quad-burning Hill Country slopes to desert straightaways.

The Rise Across Texas Challenge pushed its riders to extremes for a cause that’s worth the sore muscles: to raise money for the Rise Schools of Texas. The non-for-profit Rise Schools provide the highest quality early childhood education services to children with and without special needs.

Whether pedaling from Orange to Presidio, participating in the Celebrity Ride, or acting as a virtual rider accompanying cyclists in spirit, each supporter can take pride in helping improve the lives of Texas children and their families.

Please join us to help the Rise Schools rise even higher.

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