Windham Mountain Bike World Cup highlights busy cycling weekend
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Print With the Tour de France, the Giro Donne, the Tour of America's Dairyland, the Galena Grinder and the Windham Mountain Bike World Cup on tap, July's opening weekend is an exciting one for American cyclists.
Beginning Friday, June 29 the Windham Mountain Bike World Cup will offer world-class racing and activities for all ages in Windham, N.Y. On Saturday, June 30, watch U.S. Olympic athletes in a preview of the London Olympics at the UCI Elite cross country races (9 am–6 pm.) Also, Pro-Am athletes are invited to participate in the Gravity East downhill event (3:15 pm start time; to register, visit https://www.bikereg.com/Net/16446.)
World Cup downhill leader Aaron will light up Sunday's downhill competition.On Sunday, July 1, Windham will host U.S. racer Aaron Gwin in his quest for back to back wins at Windham and for the World Cup Series title at the UCI Elite downhill races (1-4 pm.) Also, Pro-Am athletes are invited to participate in the Kenda’s Race the World cross country event (races begin at 8 am; to register, visit https://www.bikereg.com/Net/15287.)
In addition to the Union Cyclist Internationale (UCI) Elite Mountain Bike World Cup races, several exciting family-friendly activities will be featured at the 2012 Windham Mountain Bike World Cup Festival Thursday, June 28 to Sunday, July 1.
Kicking off the weekend festivities is the “Ride the Plank Challenge” on Thursday at 7 p.m. Riders (anyone under age 18 will require a parent’s permission) will attempt to cross a pond –adjacent to Windham Mountain parking lot E -- on wooden planks supported only by inflatable tubes floating on water. Bikes, helmets, towels, and life vests will be provided. Awards will be presented for shortest distance, longest distance, craziest costume/outfit, most spectacular crash and more.
From Friday through Sunday those in attendance can find new and innovative mountain biking products, meet participating teams and sponsors and purchase local products and food at the indoor/outdoor expo. A dunk tank will be on the mountain to entertain spectators throughout the weekend as well.
The Main Street block party in downtown Windham will run from 8 to 11 p.m. on Friday, during which time the road will be closed to vehicular traffic. The block party will feature a 22-foot, inflatable movie screen showing a newly released mountain bike movie with footage from the 2011 Windham World Cup. A unicycle show with comical stunts and Fire Play, a choreographed, costumed street show, will both perform. Jeff Lenosky of Giant Bicycles will entertain crowds with a bike stunt show and Crossroads Brewing Company of Athens, N.Y. will serve beer. Tas Cru of Upstate N.Y. will also play some of his original songs.
Saturday’s events include a Motocross Aerial Show featuring Team FMX, a freestyle motocross team. With their portable FMX ramp, team members will give the audience an exciting exhibition full of extreme stunts. Directly after the Motocross Aerial Show, a free concert featuring three bands – Voodelic, Ciarlante/Katz/Sharrard (CKS), and The Band 3 – will perform a concert catering to all musical tastes.
Younger participants will get their chance to race in the GNH Lumber Kid’s Fun Race on Sunday. They will ride alongside cheering fans as they race for prizes and fun.
Unlike most international World Cup venues, there will be no fees charged to enter the venue or the consumer and tech expos. To help defray the tremendous organizing costs and to keep the World Cup in the U.S., a minimal fee for parking - $10 for an entire carload for one day, or $25 for three days - will be charged.
The World Cup Festival in Windham is the eighth stop – stops also include Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Houffalize, Belgium; Nove Mesto na Morave, Czech Republic; La Bresse, France; Val di Sole, Italy; Fort William, Great Britain; Mt. Sainte-Anne, Canada; Val d’Isere, France; and Hafjell, Norway – along the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup circuit and the only one in the United States. After being devastated by flooding as a result of Hurricane Irene, the Windham community looks forward to hosting the event after almost a year of rebuilding.
For more information or to volunteer, visit www.racewindham.com.
Beginning Friday, June 29 the Windham Mountain Bike World Cup will offer world-class racing and activities for all ages in Windham, N.Y. On Saturday, June 30, watch U.S. Olympic athletes in a preview of the London Olympics at the UCI Elite cross country races (9 am–6 pm.) Also, Pro-Am athletes are invited to participate in the Gravity East downhill event (3:15 pm start time; to register, visit https://www.bikereg.com/Net/16446.)
World Cup downhill leader Aaron will light up Sunday's downhill competition.
In addition to the Union Cyclist Internationale (UCI) Elite Mountain Bike World Cup races, several exciting family-friendly activities will be featured at the 2012 Windham Mountain Bike World Cup Festival Thursday, June 28 to Sunday, July 1.
Kicking off the weekend festivities is the “Ride the Plank Challenge” on Thursday at 7 p.m. Riders (anyone under age 18 will require a parent’s permission) will attempt to cross a pond –adjacent to Windham Mountain parking lot E -- on wooden planks supported only by inflatable tubes floating on water. Bikes, helmets, towels, and life vests will be provided. Awards will be presented for shortest distance, longest distance, craziest costume/outfit, most spectacular crash and more.
From Friday through Sunday those in attendance can find new and innovative mountain biking products, meet participating teams and sponsors and purchase local products and food at the indoor/outdoor expo. A dunk tank will be on the mountain to entertain spectators throughout the weekend as well.
The Main Street block party in downtown Windham will run from 8 to 11 p.m. on Friday, during which time the road will be closed to vehicular traffic. The block party will feature a 22-foot, inflatable movie screen showing a newly released mountain bike movie with footage from the 2011 Windham World Cup. A unicycle show with comical stunts and Fire Play, a choreographed, costumed street show, will both perform. Jeff Lenosky of Giant Bicycles will entertain crowds with a bike stunt show and Crossroads Brewing Company of Athens, N.Y. will serve beer. Tas Cru of Upstate N.Y. will also play some of his original songs.
Saturday’s events include a Motocross Aerial Show featuring Team FMX, a freestyle motocross team. With their portable FMX ramp, team members will give the audience an exciting exhibition full of extreme stunts. Directly after the Motocross Aerial Show, a free concert featuring three bands – Voodelic, Ciarlante/Katz/Sharrard (CKS), and The Band 3 – will perform a concert catering to all musical tastes.
Younger participants will get their chance to race in the GNH Lumber Kid’s Fun Race on Sunday. They will ride alongside cheering fans as they race for prizes and fun.
Unlike most international World Cup venues, there will be no fees charged to enter the venue or the consumer and tech expos. To help defray the tremendous organizing costs and to keep the World Cup in the U.S., a minimal fee for parking - $10 for an entire carload for one day, or $25 for three days - will be charged.
The World Cup Festival in Windham is the eighth stop – stops also include Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Houffalize, Belgium; Nove Mesto na Morave, Czech Republic; La Bresse, France; Val di Sole, Italy; Fort William, Great Britain; Mt. Sainte-Anne, Canada; Val d’Isere, France; and Hafjell, Norway – along the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup circuit and the only one in the United States. After being devastated by flooding as a result of Hurricane Irene, the Windham community looks forward to hosting the event after almost a year of rebuilding.
For more information or to volunteer, visit www.racewindham.com.
Related Articles
- Windham to host Mountain Bike World Cup for 3rd year - Mar 15, 2012
- Gould rides to second at Mont-Sainte-Anne MTB World Cup - Jun 23, 2012
This Article Updated June 29, 2012 @ 05:10 PM For more information contact:
