Ride The Rockies is here and we want to provide you with some helpful information. Included in this newsletter: Important Dates and Times Registration Route Vendors Safety Letter Cycling Seminars Info Tent Private Support Vehicles Emergencies Bike Boxes Week-Long Parking WD-40 Bike Ride Officials Peak Pedalers Photography Timberline Plaques RTR Movie Night Colorado Springs Overnight Package Traveling Silent Auction Nutrition Tip Yoga Sports Massage Weather Recovery Pale Ale Collaboration Corner – Project Recycle – Bikes for Humanity Recognizing Our Partners We look forward to seeing you on Saturday! Quick Links: • Tread Lightly • Rider Manual • Route Map • Safety • Equipment • Shop RTR • About Us Important Dates and Times June 9th at 7:30 a.m. – Opening Ceremony at Telluride High School main parking lot National Anthem sung by Andrew Malloy Welcome from Tour Director, Chandler Smith Featured guests include pro term Mayor, Bob Sanders; Kirk MacDonald, Executive Vice President of Sales, Digital First Media; Vice President of Wells Fargo, Bill Moran; and Outreach Director of Bicycle Colorado, Scott Christopher A raffle for a new Felt cruiser (must be present to win) June 15th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. - Tour End Celebration at Cheyenne Mountain Resort (Closing Ceremony at 1:30 p.m.) Beer, food, and entertainment all day Congratulations and remarks by Mr. Todd Felsen, General Manager of Cheyenne Mountain Resort and Country Club; Bill Moran, VP with Wells Fargo; and Tour Director, Chandler Smith. Bill Davis and Ron Kiefel to present a Parlee bicycle and a Mavic wheel set (must be present to win) The Denver Post Community Foundation Check Presentation to Kids on Bikes Registration Upon arriving in Telluride, you will register at Telluride High School. Registration will be open from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 8th. If you are unable to register on June 8th, registration will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 9th. At registration you will receive: Ride The Rockies cycling jersey Ride The Rockies cycling water bottle provided by Wells Fargo ID wristband Luggage tag Bicycle tag Map book (ride/activities guide) Safety tag The wristband, luggage tag, and bike tag are all printed with your registration number to be used for security and services. The wristband and luggage tag are color-coded to help you spot your gear. All ID items are non-transferrable. Attempting to transfer registration items will destroy them. NOTE: Registrations are non-transferable. Each rider must pick up his/her own registration packet. Please bring a photo ID to registration. LATE REGISTRATION: If you’re planning to join the tour after it starts, you’ll need to register at the Information Center located in each of the host communities. Event Guide Be in the know about this year’s route attractions and fun activities in each host community; and you’ll smile for miles! Click here for our 2013 Event Guide. Route Vendors Like being able to plan ahead what you will eat while on the tour? Now you can! Click here to review where your favorite route vendors will be located each day of the ride. Also know, that this year, all of our Ride The Rockies Route Vendors are participating in a zero waste initiative by using only ZeroHero approved compostable or recyclable products! Please help our efforts by remember to dispose of your products in their appropriate receptacles while on the course. Safety Letter The safety of participants and event volunteers is Ride The Rockies’ number one priority! Be on the lookout for your safety letter and medical sticker, provided by St. Anthony Hospital, which should have arrived in the mail by now. Don’t forget to fill out the sticker and place it on the inside of your helmet; it could save your life! Cycling Seminars Each evening of the Tour, Ride The Rockies will feature a series of cycling seminars that will highlight a particular topic relevant to the biking community. The series will be hosted by Olympic medalist and former pro racer Ron Kiefel and we are thrilled to present the following line-up of guest speakers: June 9, Cortez: Cortez Recreation Center – Outside Amphitheater @ 4:30pm George Hincapie; 17-time Tour de France competitor & 2011 US Pro Challenge stage 2 winner June 10, Durango - Durango High School - Auditorium @ 4:30pm Bob Roll; Former American professional cyclist, author and television sports commentator June 11, Pagosa Springs - Pagosa Springs High School - Auditorium @ 4:30pm Michael Seeberg, Author of "Road Biking Colorado: The Statewide Guide" June 12, Alamosa - County Shop, across from the Alamosa Rec Center @ 5:00pm Wayne Stetina; VP of Shimano, Cycling Hall of Fame & Olympic team competitor June 13, Salida - SteamPlant Event Center @ 4:30pm Shannon Galpin; Founder of Mountain2Mountain June 14, Cañon City - Cañon City Middle School - Auditorium @ 4:30pm Chris Carmichael; Founder and CEO of Carmichael Training Systems What’s happening at the Info Tent? Cyclists can visit the Information Tent at the headquarter site in each community to find out the next day’s weather, to leave messages on a message board, to look for lost and found items, and much more. Times of operation are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day (with a 3:00 p.m. end on the final day). You can find information about each town at the Community Tent conveniently located next to our Information Tent. Private Support Vehicles The presence of private support vehicles is the most common complaint of Ride The Rockies cyclists and the greatest detriment to safety on the Tour. IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE BEHIND. If you absolutely must bring a vehicle, please advise family and friends to use alternate routes. Click here for alternate driving directions. Emergencies If your family has an emergency message for you during Ride The Rockies, they may leave a message at the Ride The Rockies Emergency Message Center at 303-954-6705. Voice messages will be checked periodically from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. during Ride The Rockies (June 9-15). This service is for true emergencies only. All messages will be screened. Violators will not be eligible for future Ride The Rockies tours.Click here for alternate driving directions. Bike Boxes Do you need a bike box transported from the start to the finish? Contact High Country Shipping! They’ll transport your bike box from Telluride to Colorado Springs for only $25. Additional services including bike assembly/disassembly are available for $45 per service. Sign up at highcountryshipping.com or give them a call at 877-231-1363. *IMPORTANT: Bike boxes may NOT be used as luggage containers.* Week-Long Parking Week-long parking will be available to cyclists in Telluride and Colorado Springs. Telluride Mtn. Village Gondola Parking (behind Town Hall Plaza) NW of the Gondola Terminal Station Village Parking $15 for the week Hours: Sat., 6/8 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Colorado Springs Cheyenne Mountain Resort (3225 Broadmoor Valley Rd) Clubhouse Dr. & Vietnam Veterans Memorial Hwy) $25 for the week Hours: Fri., 6/7 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Sat., 6/8 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. WD-40 BIKE Ride the Rockies 2013 welcomes WD-40 BIKE! Developed for the whole bicycle, WD-40 BIKE products have been meticulously tested to provide superior cleaning, lubrication and protection. For the very first time, Ride the Rockies riders will enjoy the hands-on services of the WD-40 BIKE Tech Support Team. This expert crew includes pro team mechanics and bike shop wrenches. They will be on-site throughout the event to provide an exclusive, three-step “Clean, Lube and Protect” bike care experience to those who need it. RTR Riders can count on the WD-40 BIKE Tech Support Team to take a close look at their machines, and advise on the best ways to keep them running smoothly and looking great. Go to www.wd40bike.com for more info. RTR Ride Officials For the sixth year, a number of riders participating in Ride The Rockies are volunteering as Ride Officials. These individuals are experienced cyclists responsible for modeling proper sharing of the roadways with other cyclists and motorists. Each volunteer wears a Ride Official armband & Helmet cover and assists cyclists in need, encourages safe and skillful ride practices, and offers suggestions to riders who could improve their riding experience. These Ride Officials will help to enforce all of the safety rules of Ride The Rockies: Rules of the road apply – same rights and duties as drivers of any other vehicle Ride single file where necessary – maximum of two abreast when conditions allow, and do not impede traffic Ride as far right as possible Be predictable – ride in a straight line Obey all traffic lights, signs, and regulations Pass on the left only, announcing “passing” or “hello” or “on your left” Use hand signals to indicate road hazards, stopping, slowing, and right and left turns Move completely off the road and shoulder when stopped Beware of rumble strips – ride to the right Prepare properly – nutrition, hydration, training, and changing weather conditions Respect others – riders, volunteers, host communities, motorists, pedestrians, law enforcement, and the environment Bicycle trailers and child seats are not permitted No headphones while riding Maximum pace length is 5 cyclists Wear a helmet at all times – NO EXCEPTIONS Rearview mirrors are strongly recommended Have you been reading the Peak Pedalers? Our community blogging team, the Peak Pedalers, have been submitting some inspirational, funny, and useful posts on topics ranging from mountain rides to flatland training, fatherhood, parenting, cycling as therapy, bike bling, and dealing with bad weather by either embracing it or avoiding it. You can meet the Peak Pedalers here, and keep reading for training ideas, photo essays, packing advice, and last minute tips as Ride The Rockies approaches. They'll also be blogging along the entire ride, so if you've got a story to share or just want to let them know you connect with their stories, track them down to say hi! Also, don’t forget to keep up with Ride The Rockies on Facebook and Twitter. Stay involved by using hashtags #rtr2013, and #rtrpic for our daily photo contests. Daily videos and pictures of the ride will be posted on our web site, too. Photography Sundance Images will be providing photography services for the 2013 Tour. Photographers will be positioned along the route, taking great shots of cyclists on the ride. As cyclists ride by, a large letter (alphabet A-Z) that represents the “letter group” will be displayed. There will also be a clock present. Sundance Images will set up at the end of each day at the headquarters or entertainment site. Cyclists may find and purchase their photo by the “letter group” that was identified on the route or the time displayed while riding. Timberline Plaques Seven glorious days: 515 miles, 20,400 feet of climbing, breathtaking scenery and memories to last a lifetime. Commemorate your 2013 Ride The Rockies experience with this personalized plaque. Personalized with your name(s) or your team name, your plaque will display a relief map of Colorado showing the ride’s route, host towns, daily mileages and contour profiles. A handsome way to remember your RTR experience … and a great conversation starter! Prior years’ plaques are available for most Ride-the-Rockies tours. $45.00 (taxes and postage included) Timberline Outdoors, Inc. timberlineplaques.com (303) 816-1300 RTR Movie Night High Country Shipping is proud to host a night at the movies for all riders and locals. FREE bike related short films courtesy of Mountain Film in Telluride. Show time is 8:30p.m. at the Elks Building , June 8th in Telluride. (472 W. Pacific. Corner of Pacific and Townsend) One hour of inspirational bike films to put you in the right frame of mind before you ride! (We will show films again during the pancake breakfast on the morning of June 9th for those not able to attend the first showing.) Colo. Springs Overnight Package Cheyenne Mountain Resort would like you to join them at the finish line of the 28th annual Ride The Rockies bicycle tour for food, music, entertainment and accommodations on June 15, 2013! Book now to reserve your guest room for before, or after, the celebration. Special RTR rate of $189* available! (*Applicable taxes and fees may apply) Click Here to Reserve. Traveling Silent Auction RTR is celebrating its fifth year with the popular Traveling Silent Auction Tent! 2012 was a huge success bringing in over $20,000 for our charitable programs. Our partnering demo companies, sponsors, and host communities have all graciously donated top of the line bicycles, components, weekend get-a-ways, and other exciting items! The silent auction tent will be ready for your bids from10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. The auction will close on Friday, June 14th at 6:00 p.m. in Cañon City. Please check in at the Silent Auction Tent to see if you were the top bidder. Items may be claimed on Friday, June 14 or Saturday, June 15 at the Silent Auction Tent. Nutrition Tip by Jessica Loring, Registered Dietitian Reducing Muscle Cramps While there are many factors that lead to muscle cramping and soreness, the exact cause of a muscle cramp is unknown. Calcium, potassium, and sodium all play a role in muscle function. Although the following nutritional tips are not guaranteed to eliminate cramps, adding some of the foods below to your diet may help to relieve the burn. Calcium – Try to eat at least two dairy products per day. Yogurt and low-fat milk are great sources of calcium and provide needed carbohydrates as well. Potassium – Consume foods rich in potassium: avocados, potatoes, orange juice, bananas, raisins, and tomatoes. Sodium – Not only are cyclists loosing salt through their sweat, athletes often restrict their salt intake. Sports drinks can help replace sodium losses. This is not the week to restrict salt. Fluids – As a general rule, drink 20oz of water before the ride; 5 oz every 15 minutes while you ride; and 30 - 40 oz after the ride. Avoid beverages that contain caffeine in them. Coffee, soda, and tea can cause dehydration, which can lead to muscle cramps. Yoga Gillian Parson, a Yoga instructor and RTR participant, will be leading classes daily during this year’s Tour. A basic form of yoga will be taught with stretches geared toward cyclists. All levels are welcome. Thirty-minute classes will be held at 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Classes are limited to 20 people, first come first served. Schedule: Cortez: Cortez Rec Center Mesa/Canyon Rooms Durango: Durango High School Wrestling Room Pagosa Springs: Pagosa High School Weight Room Alamosa: Alamosa Rec Center Auxiliary Room Salida: Salida High School Wrestling Room Cañon City: Cañon City Music Room Building Sports Massage Certified massage therapists will accompany Ride The Rockies to provide sports massage therapy at the event headquarters sites and hotels in each host community. Advance reservations are strongly recommended and will be taken on Saturday, June 8 at Telluride High School. Fees are $40/half hour and $80/hour. Weather Ride The Rockies has been scheduled during a time when we hope weather conditions will be favorable, but in the event of inclement weather, the Tour will continue to roll. Come prepared for all types of weather, including rain, hail, and possible snow showers at higher elevations. Carry inclement weather gear, including full-finger gloves and shoe covers. Cyclists camping out can expect temperatures to drop as low as 30º F at night and should bring a tent in addition to a sleeping bag. Sunlight at higher elevations can be particularly intense. All cyclists should wear sunscreen to prevent sunburns. Sunscreen will be available at each aid station by request, while supplies last. RTR Recovery Pale Ale After a long day of riding, make sure you head on over to the Beer Garden for an ice cold Recovery Pale Ale, a light pale ale with crisp hop character brewed specially for RTR by our friends at Odell Brewing Company. Enjoy this specialty brew with a friend or two. Only one keg per town so don’t miss out! Also on tap, get your Recovery Pale Ale merchandise! This limited edition gear won’t be around forever, so get it while it lasts at the merchandise tent! Collaboration Corner In addition to new partnerships, we also have a number of exciting collaborations this event season. Ride The Rockies is proud to work hand in hand with the following organizations in an effort to increase awareness, funds, and volunteers for their services both locally and internationally; Trips for Kids, The Davis Phinney Foundation, Adaptive Sports, Rite of Passage, Bicycles for Humanity and Project Recycle. Highlighted in this month's newsletter are two of these organizations. Project Recycle Project Recycle is a program of 3t Ministry, a 501(c)3 public charity, who provides distribution of bikes all year long. We host several annual events. “Community Bike Fairs” in the spring “Build a Bike” late summer and “Bikes for Tykes” for Christmas. Through these events we have had the opportunity to help serve the unmet needs of underprivileged, abused or neglected children throughout Colorado. Our program gives us the opportunity to reach out to Colorado youth and empower them with the Pride of ownership and Freedom through the simple vehicle of a bicycle. Through Project Recycle, we are better able to teach how a bicycle promotes healthy living and exercise while practicing environmental responsibility. Bicycles for Humanity Founded in 2007, Bicycles for Humanity-Colorado (B4H) is a non-profit dedicated to bringing the gift of bicycle transport to rural sub-Saharan African villages. Bikes utilized by healthcare workers and teachers alike, B4H operates 5 bike shops across Namibia, Kenya and Zambia. B4H gathers donated bikes from local bike shops, universities and community groups and sends them to Africa in a shipping container along with parts and tools. Paired with local trainers, each bike shop is a sustainable enterprise serving the local community.Bikes can be donated at any of our front range bike shop partners including Wheat Ridge Cyclery, The Pedal (Littleton), Golden Bike Shop, University Bikes (Boulder) Full Cycle (Boulder/Ft Collins), and the Sports Garage (Boulder). Contact us at info@B4Hcolorado.org or B4Hcolorado.org Recognizing Our Partners An event of this magnitude would not be possible without the support and contributions of various organizations and companies in our community. To view all of our Tour Partners, click the link. Can't see content of this e-mail? Click here for browser version. Unsubscribe here