Racing Is Not JUST For Hurting

[gpickle]

Most bike races are held in out of the way venues and are attended by only racers and their friends and familys, but they can be more. The Nature Valley Grand Prix in Minnesota has been running for years now and continues to gather steam. This year is looking better than ever for the event and it points to great involvement between the race organizers and local governments.

The mayor of St Paul: "Bringing a major professional sporting event like the Nature Valley Grand Prix to St. Paul is a coup for our city," said St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly. "Our goal is to make bicycling the favourite pastime of St. Paul, so the Great River Energy Bicycle Festival is a perfect fit."

WOW! How can we make bicycling the favourite pastime of Iowa City? Iowa? The USA? Can racing help by showcasing cycling here? I think so. More info on the Nature Valley race is here:

www.MinnBikeFest.com

-gpickle (the g is not green, atlthough I am)

[themostlyreverend]

i can't believe that this post has been read nearly 100 and NO one has responded except me. that's just disgusting. or maybe it's a relection on the poster as much as it is an indictment of the lurkers who simply read but do not reply.

SHAME on you guys. POST! even if it's just something as silly as this.
which, by the way, is NOT silly. so there you are.

what am i going to do to make cycling the favourite pastime [and isn't it "pasttime"?] of capitol city, my home town? why, i'm going to minnesota to do a race, THAT'S what!!

[Skinny]

Ok, I'll reply.
I don't know what our club could do to get more viewers, maybe not starting at 8 am would help. We've held a few spectator friendly events, unfortunately, road races and TT's are about the most boring events to watch for the average citizen.
I am inviting the Public Works Director of Iowa City to come and view Kent Park, he just bought a new bike and seems very interested in bike related causes.
I'm always amazed at the amount of "racers" I see at group rides compared to how many show up to races held in there back yard.

[themostlyreverend]

ah, skinny, that's an excellent idea.