DENVER — Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012 — Gov. John Hickenlooper will join The Denver Post and Viaero Wireless to kick off the inaugural Pedal The Plains at the opening ceremony on Friday in Yuma. Pedal The Plains offers a Gran Fondo, a family fun ride and a three-day bike ride across Colorado’s Eastern Plains.
“Pedal The Plains is the ride for the rest of us to experience and enjoy the great outdoors, recreation, food, entertainment and wide open views,” Hickenlooper said. “We are excited to ride bikes with friends and family over the rolling Colorado plains while visiting some incredible towns.”
The ride across Colorado’s Eastern Plains is a celebration of Colorado cycling culture, combining great rides, delicious eats and close friends. Billed as “a ride for the rest of us,” Pedal The Plains is set in the heart of western agriculture, home of the frontier spirit that inspires all of us to keep pedaling.
The three-day ride will cover between 30 to 100 miles and pass through multiple towns each day, ending in the host communities of Yuma, Wray and Burlington. Riders will pedal between entertainment and festivities, eat meals made with local produce, and stay in accommodations ranging from tents to bed and breakfasts. Participants can enjoy their time off the bicycle seat as much as on it. From pie-eating contests to beer gardens to live music and games, Pedal The Plains has it all.
The Denver Post Community Foundation, which has managed the world-class cycling event Ride The Rockies through 27 successful years, is also the organizer for this uniquely Colorado event.
“Our world-class team running Ride The Rockies has spent the past year building Pedal The Plains into an annual end-of-the-cycling-season bash,” said Dean Singleton, Publisher of The Denver Post.
Pedal The Plains’ design and location have attracted support from business leaders throughout the state including, most notably, Fort Morgan-based Viaero Wireless. The rural wireless provider will be the Presenting Sponsor of Pedal The Plains.
“There is no greater day for a homegrown community business than one where we have a chance to give back,” said Frank Dirico, President, Viaero Wireless. “We are excited to not only ride the next three days, but to also be providing wireless 4G access to carry every tweet, facebook update and photo from our riders.”
Pedal The Plains will provide numerous economic benefits and opportunities for host communities’ lodging, restaurant, retail businesses, as well as entertainment, community meals, home stays and transportation.
All event proceeds will benefit The Denver Post Community Foundation in support of Future Farmers of America, 4-H and Rural Solutions.
An advisory committee comprised of regional businesses and community organizations has worked to ensure the tour offers the most dynamic experience possible for riders while providing the greatest economic impact for both the host and neighboring communities.