By Brian Porter
Brush News-Tribune
POSTED: 08/30/2017 06:55:25 PM MDT
More than 1,000 cyclists of all abilities will roll into Brush in a matter of a couple of weeks.
The town joins Keenesburg and Kersey as host cities for the Pedal the Plains bicycle tour through northeastern Colorado. Brush is the eastern most leg of the tour from Sept. 15-17, sponsored by the Denver Post and Viaero Wireless.
Participants will begin Sept. 15 with a 50-mile tour from Kersey to Keenesburg, then a 62-mile second leg Sept. 16 from Keenesburg to Brush and a final 65-mile tour Sept. 17 from Brush back to Kersey.
Hotels will be booked to capacity in Brush and Fort Morgan, and other accommodations will include outdoor camping at Brush’s VFW Memorial Park and indoor camping at the Morgan County Fairgrounds.
Local residents are also being asked to participate in a “Home Stay” program where cyclists are given an option to stay the night in a local home in the three communities as past of the experience.
Fifty cyclists have expressed a desire to participate in the “Home Stay” program, although Brush to date has just two homes to have expressed their willingness to accommodate the visitors for the night.
“We need your help making their experience in Brush a great one,” said Tyler Purvis, Brush’s marketing director. “Some are singles, some are couples, and others are friends enjoying the weekend together on the bike tour; but all need a soft place to rest their heads on Saturday night.”
The cyclists will need a scheduled pickup Sept. 16 from the park, and to be provided with a clean bed, bathroom of their own and a drop-off ride the next morning. Some of the cyclists are even willing to sleep on a couch. Homeowners can even collect the $30 cyclists have been asked to pay in order to participate in the “Home Stay” program.
“The City of Brush is very excited for Pedal the Plains and all of our guests that will be visiting, and the local support of our community,” Purvis said. “For those willing to open your homes, this would be a tremendous reflection of the friendship of our community.”
All communication between host homes and cyclists will be coordinated beforehand, so homeowners will know their guests.
Contact Purvis to let him know your home is available, and for how many people. You may reach him at 970-842-5001, or email him at tpurvis@brushcolo.com.
“Thanks for your partnership in making this experience a great one for our guests in town,” Purvis said.