The culmination of Bike Fest 2011 will beckon folks to Tucson’s lively urban center to experience a fun, free and family-friendly event; think 2nd Saturdays-style vibe, but an afternoon hang-out featuring thrills, speed, athleticism and inspiration.
It’s The Old Pueblo Grand Prix and is happening downtown on Sunday, April 17. The bike race – or more accurately, a series of races for pros and amateurs alike – promises to be “very dynamic and so much fun to watch,” according to Susan Frank, owner of 02 Modern Fitness (with her business partner/fiancé Kurt Rosenquist ) and the event promoter.
“The course is a .6 mile urban loop, with racing speeds reaching over 30 mph – plus some sharp, quick turns and plenty of excitement.”
This inaugural run aims “to revive a tradition in the hope of creating an event that the community will look forward to every year” explains Frank. She goes on to point out that Tucson-based cycling pro Gord Fraser has been instrumental in helping market the event, recruit riders and plan the course.
“Bringing this type of race to downtown will bring some of the country and eventually the world to compete in the streets of Tucson,” Fraser says in an email about the event. “What could be more exciting than that?”
The prize money is exciting too, with race winnings ranging from $180 to almost $10,000. Local and national sponsors have stepped up to make this a viable event. For instance, title sponsor Jim Click, a Tucson businessman and cycling enthusiast, donated $10,000 toward the total $20,000 in cash prizes, and the official bike sponsor, Cinelli USA, has offered up a top-notch racing bike worth $2,000 for raffling off on race day.
The event, known as a criterium, is “the quintessential American-style race that happens in towns all over the country,” says Frank. “This takes bike racing in Tucson to a bit more professional level, involving pro athletes from around the country, but there are (also) plenty of amateurs racing. There will even be a free kids’ race that will be kind of a half-time show,” where kids ages 3-9 can take a whirl on the same course the pros will use minutes later. “It’s really cute, and a blast for the kids and the spectators!”
The route begins and ends near the Church Avenue courthouse plaza and main library square across the street and loops around the expo area on Church Avenue, Congress Street, Scott Avenue, Pennington Street and Alameda Street. Limited bleacher seating will be available, but chances are you’ll want to stroll the course and browse through the vendor expo, whether you’re signed up for one of the races or just plan on witnessing the spectacle. There are numerous restaurants along the race course, and a good half-dozen or so (ranging from a coffee shop to a pizza pub to a neighborhood steak joint) within ambling distance.
Rubber-necking is free, but there are fees to register for the races and a chunk of that $20,000 in prize money. The first of eight races starts at 12:30pm, with the final race of the day – the Men’s Pro, whose winner goes home with $9,950 – starting at 5 pm. The day’s events should wrap up around sunset.
The website, OldPuebloGrandPrix.com, has all the information necessary for racers and spectators, including a course map, registration fees, race start times, a list of restaurants on the route and an expo vendor listing. Pro and amateur pedalers have until April 10 to register, and must do so at BikeReg.com.
