University Star

Students pulled out old dresses and dingy tuxedos for the Bike Prom at Tantra Coffeehouse Saturday.

The Bike Prom, based on similar events in Austin, was held to raise money for the Texas State Cycling Team.

Buzz n’ Bangs performs Feb. 18 at Tantra Coffeehouse during Bike Prom, an event held to raise money for the Texas State Cycling Team.

Colin Bromley, president of the cycling team, said the event included a “cheesy” photo booth. They played tracks from Queen and other ‘80s hits to keep with the prom theme.

Gift cards from Gumby’s Pizza and Zookas Burritos and bike merchandise from The Hub were put in raffle drawings to raise money for the club.

Alex Vogt, geography junior, said everything from bicycle gears to a complete bike was raffled.
“This fundraiser is right before the peak of our road race season, so we definitely need all the help we can get,” he said.

Local bands Pocohauntus, The Phantomatics, Buzz n’ Bangs and Loose Leaf performed between the raffle drawings. It was Loose Leaf’s first time to play for the sports club.

“Our bass player is a huge cyclist, so we all wanted to help out,” Spencer Johnson, Urban and Regional Planning junior, said. “We want to eventually make them a beneficiary, to where all the proceeds of a show go to the team.”

The team is part of the South Central Collegiate Cycling Conference. Races are held all over the country. Last fall the team went to nationals in New Mexico.

“These guys definitely have the skill and experience to compete at any race,” Johnson said. “The only problem is getting them there. Hopefully this will help them start the season off right.”

Each race costs $35 to register, without factoring gas money to get there, Bromley said. Annual dues only cover a race or two, so the team has to come up with money from their own pockets.
Bromley said the turnout far exceeded expectations, and brougt in $800.

The money will pay for race registration, gas and a race the cyclists are hosting.

Bromely said the cycling team will co-host the Pace Bend Road Race March 24 and a race starting at the San Marcos high school the next day.