Touring the Hill Country

More than 750 biking enthusiasts participated in the annual Tour de Boerne charity ride on Saturday. The cyclists took off from Don Strange Ranch north of Boerne promptly at 7 a.m. and headed north on Waring Welfare Road to travel one of three routes of various lengths through the Texas Hill Country. Depending on the course, riders traveled through Waring, Welfare, Luckenbach, Sisterdale and Comfort. Affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, Tour de Boerne is a nonprofit organization. Event beneficiaries this year are the Waring Volunteer Fire Department, Hill Country Boys & Girls Club, Blessings in a Backpack, Coats for Kids and Open Trail Ranch in Boerne. First photo: The more than 750 cyclists take off from the starting line at Don Strange Ranch to embark on their journeys. Second photo: From the starting line, riders headed off the Don Strange Ranch property and onto Waring Welfare Road. Third photo: A group of cyclists heads north on Waring Welfare Road. Fourth photo: Father Norm Ermis of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church leads the bikers in prayer before the start of the ride. Star photos by Keith E. Domke