When Veon McReynolds originally came up with the idea of Tour de Hood, his original intention was to get youth and adults out on bikes to get them in better shape, physically. Most of his riders came from the inner city of Houston.

McReynolds has a doctorate in Community Psychology and is interim Director for Institutional Effectiveness at Texas Southern University. He's also a serious bike rider, a member of the Southern Elite bike racing team, and has been participating in road and track racing since 1980.

"One of the things I am seeing is a health crisis, particularly in minority and poor people across all races that is not getting any better," said McReynolds. "I am looking out the window of my office now and there is a lady that must be 200 pounds overweight. That's not a rare sight. We need more and more opportunities for people to exercise."

Young and old are invited to the Tour rides.

"I try to get out everybody I can," McReynolds said. "For example, one lady came one Saturday and the next week she brings her kids, her daughter. Then her daughter brings her kids, a family event. This gives us something that a whole family can do — a grandmother bringing kids, as well as children bringing others."

Total numbers of riders on a Saturday morning is not huge.

"It's not a big group, somewhere between eight to 25, usually between 15-20. Every week we will have two to three different people," he said.

McReynolds now wants to get the elderly out on bikes.

"I have talked to quite a few of the seniors and they have told me that they don't know about getting out on a bike, can't ride that fast, that sort of thing. A lot of them are using canes. If I had some three-wheel bikes, maybe they could ride," he said.

McReynolds has been talking with Mike Gladu, a fellow member of Southern Elite, and who also works with Roland Bikes in Houston who design and build bikes.

"We are trying to decide which bike is right for him so he can get a line on purchasing some inexpensive versions of these bikes," said Gladu. "He pays for them out of his own pocket. It's an issue of getting the best bang for the buck, you might say."

Attaining funding to maintain the Tour rides, especially since they are growing, is becoming a challenge.

"The funding thing is really killing us. It's like going to church, you as a die-hard Christian thinking you need to put more in the offering plate because the air conditioner is out, that sort of thing, but then you come home and you don't even have money to run your fans," McReynolds said.

"I am trying to do some more stuff. I am charging some of the things to my credit cards, like $1,500 for camping equipment because we were taking 50 kids out camping earlier this year. Now I am getting ready to charge up more to get some three-wheel bikes to try to get some seniors out, older people that can't ride."

In May, McReynolds and other volunteers took 50 young kids to Lake Livingston on a camping trip. In July, a group spent a cycling weekend at Galveston Island State Park, camping, cycling and kayaking, with camping and kayaking equipment provided by REI.

Tour de Hood also needs a new truck and trailer. Presently McReynolds uses his 1983 Chevrolet pickup and a trailer to haul bikes, equipment, food and drink for the rides.

"If you could see my truck and the trailer I use, it's still holding together, but I think we could do a lot more if we had like an 18 passenger van and a trailer that would hold 50 bikes. It would make it a lot easier to get out and do the event. I think it would make people think, 'Yeah, this is a legitimate thing.' Look at my truck and you think what is this guy doing? It looks like I am in desperate need," he said.

Rather than investing another $15-20,000 in a truck, McReynolds would rather put that money into food and equipment for the rides.

Al Whaley, another Southern Elite bike riding competitor, plans to solicit the help of individuals or corporations in buying or funding a new van.

"The kids are out of shape," said Whaley. "You can be strong mentally but you don't make it to 25-30 years old because of your health. We are trying to take these kids and give them some type of exercise to improve their health. The goal is to get every kid in Houston and surrounding areas on a bicycle before they reach the age of 18. If they can't afford one, to let them have the use of a bike."

McReynolds always welcomes new riders, volunteers to help on the rides and any financial assistance. Weather permitting, the bike rides depart at various locations throughout Houston every Saturday at 8 a.m.

"All ages participate and benefit from increased fitness and community fellowship," says McReynolds. "Bikes are provided. Just show up and ride!"

For more information on the rides, call McReynolds at 713-894-1961 or e-mail him at mcreynolds_vx@tsu.edu.