Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
On Saturday, June 21, 2025, more than 100 cyclists pushed into the second day of the grueling SB250 cycling event, a 250-mile journey from Edinburg to San Antonio designed to raise awareness and funding for spina bifida. Riders, sponsors, and volunteers gathered as early as 4:30 a.m. in Freer, Texas, preparing for a 110-mile stretch through the South Texas heat—an intentional challenge reflecting the day-to-day obstacles faced by families affected by spina bifida.
The event, now in its 15th year, was founded by Casey Swanson and has grown into a major initiative under the Suzannah Smiles organization. Swanson, a contractor and real estate broker, started the event after his daughter, Suzannah, was born in 2003 with Myelomeningocele, the most severe form of spina bifida. Initially organized under Team McAllen Cycling, the SB250 was designed to mirror the physical and emotional resilience required by families living with this rare spinal birth defect.
“In 2003, our daughter Suzannah was born with Spina Bifida,” said Swanson. “We didn’t know anything about it at the time. Spina Bifida Texas became our lifeline, connecting us with resources and other families. This ride is a way of giving back.”
Multiple sponsors and community stakeholders, including the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation, support the SB250. Raudel Garza, executive officer of the EDC, has been participating in the ride for twelve years. Both the City of Edinburg and the EDC continue to actively support the event actively, recognizing its profound impact on fundraising and community solidarity.
Saturday’s schedule included a breakfast sponsored by Aries Tortillas, a watermelon break hosted by Power Watt Coaching in Tilden, and a midday lunch at Jourdanton Methodist Church courtesy of Frank “WOOHOO” Cano. Riders were grouped by pace and escorted by support vehicles to ensure safety and coordination across the long rural stretches.
At 2:00 p.m., all groups staged at Texas A&M San Antonio before riding to Rancho El Chema for a finish-line celebration organized by InterMat and Spina Bifida Texas. The event will conclude with a barbecue and a ceremonial check presentation sponsored by Arroyo Vista Ranch.
Since its inception, the SB250 has raised significant funds and established a vital network for spina bifida families. Scholarships, equipment grants, and direct support continue to reach individuals through Suzannah Smiles, which added a second event—Shred de Roots, a mountain bike race in Huntsville—in 2022 to extend its mission further.
“It’s a hard ride,” Swanson said. “But that’s the point. We ride through the heat and the exhaustion because these families live with constant challenges. If this ride helps even one family feel supported, it’s all worth it.”
Individuals are encouraged to visit the event website for more information or to get involved. https://www.suzannahsmiles.org/
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