Cedar Hill Rotary reports 17th annual bike rally drew about 700 riders; proceeds fund coats for children

Larry Horner, a long-time Cedar Hill Rotary Club member who coordinates the club’s bike rally, presented results from the club’s 17th annual Head for the Hills bike rally and described how proceeds are used in the community.

Horner told council the rally drew just over 700 riders this year, down from about 850 the prior year after a new for‑profit Dallas ride scheduled the same day drew some participants. He said the most popular route remains the 60‑mile course, and that the average rider group falls in the 36–65 age range.

Organizers reported gross receipts from entrant fees and sponsorships, and netted just over $11,000 this year (down from roughly $20,000 the prior year). Horner said the Rotary has netted about $370,000 from the event over time. Proceeds primarily fund the club’s Coats for Kids program, which provides hundreds of new coats annually to Cedar Hill ISD elementary students. Horner said the club has distributed roughly 3,50–400 coats per year and has distributed nearly 6,000 coats to date, costing about $100,000 overall.

Horner described event logistics — rest stops every 10 miles staffed by volunteers, donated in‑kind services, local vendors and a logistics contractor (the Tri Now group) that helps coordinate road closures and public-safety staffing. He thanked the city for long-standing support.

Council members asked whether competing events would affect next year; Horner said the Dallas ride might not continue and that the Cedar Hill Rally is already listed on regional cycling calendars. He also said the event will remain the third Saturday of the month next year and that electric bicycles are not banned.