Wheels Down for Gear Up 2025
May 3, 2025

Why Do We Gear Up Against Kids Cancer?

With cycling becoming an increasingly popular activity in San Antonio and south Texas, the inaugural Gear Up Against Kids Cancer was launched on April 2, 2022, to address a critical need for increased support for pediatric cancer research. Recognizing the significant emotional and financial burdens faced by families dealing with childhood cancer, the event aims to channel community energy into a meaningful cause.

This bike ride serves as a fundraising mechanism and a community engagement tool. Participants from various backgrounds unite under a common goal: to contribute to the fight against pediatric cancer. 100% of the funds raised will remain local and directly support the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute – UT Health San Antonio, helping them transform today’s research discoveries into tomorrow’s treatments., increase survival rates, and enhance the quality of life for young patients.

This ride is fully supported with multiple rest stops along the way and SAG support for riders who need a little help finishing.

Gear Up Against Kids Cancer Bike Ride Poster

Beyond the financial impact, the Gear Up Against Kids Cancer bike ride fosters a sense of solidarity and hope within the community. It brings together individuals passionate about making a difference and creates a platform to share their stories and support each other. By participating in the ride, individuals and families contribute to a broader movement, highlighting the importance of continued investment in pediatric cancer research and reinforcing the commitment to finding cures and improving care for children battling cancer.

Ready to Gear Up? Grab your bikes (don’t forget your helmets) and register today for the FOURTH ANNUAL “Gear Up Against Kids Cancer” on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

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With heartfelt appreciation,

Gear Up Against Kids Cancer, Organizing Committee
(below is a link to photos taken on 5/11/24)

Ready to Gear Up?

Click HERE to download your favorite Gear Up ’24 moments!

There’s a Route for Everyone!

Full Turn-by-Turn Directions (Strava & Ride w/GPS) Can be Found by Clicking on the Route Maps Below

The Gear Up Against Kids Cancer bike ride routes were carefully designed to achieve several key objectives, each contributing to the event’s success and impact. First and foremost, the routes were crafted to be challenging and accessible, accommodating a range of cycling abilities and fitness levels. The event encourages broader participation by offering different route options, from shorter, less demanding paths to more challenging ones, allowing more people to engage with the cause and contribute to the fundraising effort.

Finally, the route planning considered safety and logistical factors, ensuring the paths are safe and monitored. This careful planning aims to provide a secure and pleasant experience for all participants, minimizing risks and maximizing the event’s positive impact. By balancing challenge, community engagement, and safety, the routes are integral to making the Gear Up Against Kids Cancer bike ride a memorable and effective fundraising event.

All three routes start and finish at the Floresville Event Center (600 TX-97, Floresville, TX 78114), which gives you plenty of flat terrain with great hills to push and challenge you.

Packet Pickup:

TBD

The Routes: (Google Maps)

The 28-mile route travels along beautiful ranch and farmland, giving you plenty of distance to cover without going overboard, especially for the riders new to cycling.

The 40-mile route is a great chance to stretch your cycling legs, venture to the far southwest corner of the county, and then wind your way back into the City of Floresville and the Floresville Event Center.

The 60-mile route is perfect for those wanting a more challenging ride. The route expands your tour of Wilson County and travels to the City of Poth, TX, makes its way into southeast Wilson County, and, just like the other routes, ends at the Floresville Event Center.

Wilson County Sheriff’s Office will be strategically positioned in high-traffic areas to assist riders in safely navigating the routes.

28mi turn-by-turn cue sheet (PDF)

40mi turn-by-turn cue sheet (PDF)

60mi turn-by-turn cue sheet (PDF)

Individual & Team Registration

Early-Bird Registration: 
  • $50 (register by March 7, 2025, to guarantee a Gear Up ’25 shirt!)
Full Registration:
  • $70
Dates to be made aware of:
  • TBD
How do I Register a Team:
  1. When a person wants to register, they must first click on one of the categories (28mi, 40mi, 60mi)
  2. When they click on that, they can “Create/Join a Team.”
  3. Enter your team name (Be creative! Examples)
  4. The first person to register on a team registers as captain and enters the team name  (this can be changed later)
  5. Anyone who wants to join that team will register as a teammate and choose the team name from the drop-down menu.
How do I Register Multiple Riders on a Single Payment:
  1. When the first person registers, they fill out their information, then hit “Add Another” at the bottom of the form.
  2. Make sure to click on each rider’s ride distance category (28/40/60).
  3. You can keep doing this with as many people as you like, and when you get to the payment page, you can put in one credit card.
I am a UT Health San Antonio Employee. Can I Pay for an Individual/Team with a PID?

Yes, we need an email sent to Brian Phillips (phillipsb@uthscsa.edu) from the PID approver with the following:

      • Participant Information:
        • First/last name
        • Phone#
        • Address
        • Email
        • DOB
        • Emergency contact info
        • Shirt size
      • IDT Dept #
      • PID #
      • Fund #
      • Total amount
Can I make a donation to support the Greehey CCRI’s mission without participating?

Absolutely!  Please click on the “Donate” button below.

 

Sponsorship & Fundraising

Your fundraising efforts will help advance local childhood cancer research.

Fundraising for the Gear Up Against Kids Cancer bike ride is an impactful way to support the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute (Greehey CCRI) mission, which focuses on translating cutting-edge research into life-saving treatments for pediatric cancer.

Here are just a few key reasons to get involved:

  • Empowering the Next Generation of Scientists: Fundraising helps ensure that promising young researchers have the resources they need to pursue innovative ideas that could lead to future breakthroughs in pediatric oncology.
  • Advancing Pediatric Cancer Research: Greehey CCRI is at the forefront of groundbreaking discoveries dedicated to understanding childhood cancers at the molecular level. Your fundraising efforts directly contribute to developing innovative therapies that can improve survival rates and reduce the long-term side effects of treatments for young patients.
  • Supporting Local Research: The funds raised stay within the community, supporting local scientists and their teams at Greehey CCRI in San Antonio. Participating in this event involves investing in global pediatric cancer solutions and your local research community.
Click the Image Above to Download the Sponsorship Prospectus

Safety Tips

While this is not an exhaustive list, following them can greatly increase your safety and help prevent injury to yourself and others.

Additional Safety Information

Connect With Us

Future Gear Up Dates

  • Sat, May 3, 2025
  • Sat, May 2, 2026
  • Sat, May 1, 2027
  • Sat, May 5, 2028
Contact US
Sending

SAG Support:

210-450-8271

Gear Up Organizing Committee:

Brian Phillips, BA
Greehey CCRI Program Coordinator – Sr.
phillipsb@uthscsa.edu or 210-450-8271

Gregory J. Aune, MD, PhD
Greehey CCRI Principal Investigator

Norman Mendez
Greehey CCRI Operations Manager

Victor Aguilar
Greehey CCRI Executive Assistant to the Director

David Rodriguez
Greehey CCRI IT Specialist

Evie Rodriguez
Research Coordinator-Senior • Mays Cancer Center

Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute – UT Health San Antonio
8403 Floyd Curl, MC 7784
San Antonio, TX 78229-9880
gccri.uthscsa.edu
(210) 562-9000