VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

The Menil Collection presents the Tour de Hood Bike Tour, Saturday, March 26, 2011, 8:30 a.m.

Join us for a two-and-half-hour bike tour of civil rights-era Houston led by community activist Lenwood Johnson and organized by Tour de Hood, a nonprofit neighborhood health organization. Stops include the Gregory School, Texas Southern University, Emancipation Park, and other historic sites in the Third and Fourth Wards.

Refreshments will be provided en route and at the end of the ride.

Bikes and helmets are available on request and a $25 donation to Tour de Hood is strongly suggested.

More about Tour de Hood:  Tour De Hood is an non- profit 501 (c) 3 organization that is gears getting people the practical information they need to be healthy mentally and physically. It started in about 2003 with Dr. Veon McReynolds, riding with friends and family around the neighborhood. He wanted to promote that living healthy does not mean you have to be in the gym six times week, but that a nice bike ride every week can encourage healthy living choices. It has evolved to a tradition where people of all fitness levels, ages, and family sizes come together to ride around Houston to view the history and beauty that most of us don't notice. The most important thing is that when you come, you do not have to bring anything. Tour de Hood supplies bikes, helmets, water, and fruit. We try to make it so people don't have an excuse not to come and participate. Also, if you have your own bike and wish to ride it, that's great. If your bicycle is broken you can contact us and we can help you fix it. We have a bunch of parts and tools. Generally Fridays are fix it days.

We introduce safe riding to some riders that do not know the procedures of safe riding. It is important to follow the rules that Dr. V sets. Most people know how to ride a bike, but not many know about the laws and safety measures to ensure a safe ride. Whenever a rider is riding he or she MUST be wearing a helmet. During the ride, we ride at a pace that is suitable for all riders. It is not a race, we want to ride so that you can take in the scenery and learn about the city.