After a lot of discussion and careful consideration, we’ve made the difficult decision not to hold the Real Ale Ride this year.
This wasn’t an easy call.
To be clear: this decision is not about participation. The cycling community has continued to show up, and we’re incredibly grateful for that support.
The Real Ale Ride has been part of who we are for a long time — bringing people together, celebrating the Hill Country, supporting local charities, and creating traditions that mean a lot to all of us. We know this event matters deeply to many of you because it matters deeply to us too.
Over the years, the roads in and around Blanco have changed. Traffic has continued to increase, and sections of the route that were once comfortable for riders have become significantly busier. After extensive conversations and evaluation with our ride production team, local law enforcement partners, and public safety officials, we no longer feel we can deliver the experience safely in a way that meets the standard we expect for this event.
At the end of the day, rider safety has to come first.
While the Real Ale Ride won’t take place this year, our commitment to the cycling community, supporting local charities, and creating ways to gather and enjoy the Hill Country isn’t going anywhere. We’re already thinking about new ways to bring people together at the brewery and continue supporting the causes and community that have always been at the heart of this event.
Thank you to every rider, volunteer, partner, and supporter who has been part of the Real Ale Ride over the years. We know many of you will be disappointed. We are too.
We appreciate your understanding — and we’ll see you at the brewery soon. 