[harristkj]

The 2009 Nature Valley Pro Ride calendar has been approved:

Jefferson Cup RR Richmond VA March 29

Hillsboro Roubaix St. Louis, MO April 4

Wente Vineyards San Francisco, CA April 25 & 26

San Luis Rey Road Race Los Angeles, CA May 3

Seattle Road Race Omnium
Glenwood Road Race Seattle, WA May 2
Longbranch Classic Seattle, WA May 3

Bear Mountain RR New York, NY May 10

This a opportunity to send the top amateurs to the 2009 edition of the Nature Valley Grand Prix (Minnesota, June 10-14) to compete against the country’s top men and women professional bicycle racers.

Entering its second year, the “Nature Valley Pro Ride� will select amateur men and women at regional races around the United States to become part of a pair of Nature Valley composite teams for the 11th annual edition of the five-day stage race that begins June 10.

The Nature Valley Grand Prix ranks as one of the premier events on the USA Cycling National Race Calendar (NRC) each year, attracting tens of thousands of cycling enthusiasts, pro athletes and avid recreational riders to Minnesota.

The riders who are selected, can look forward to racing in front of huge crowds and being treated like a rock star.

Amateur racers (Category I men and Category 1,2 women) who qualify at a Nature Valley Pro Ride event receive a “battlefield promotion� that earns them free entry to the race, travel stipends, team clothing, housing, ground transportation, and staff support for their composite team.

Nature Valley selected the top regional races and considered road races, criteriums and stage races, as long as they get strong fields.

About the Nature Valley Grand Prix
The Nature Valley Grand Prix began as a one-day criterium in Saint Paul in 1999. Its schedule and prestige have grown steadily until now, in its 11th year, it is ranked at the top of the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar. The 2009 Nature Valley Grand Prix schedule includes a unique mix of three criteriums (short circuit races), two road races and a time trial as the stages of the race move from downtown Saint Paul, to Cannon Falls, to Minneapolis, to Mankato, and, finally culminates in Stillwater. For more information visit: www.NatureValleyGrandPrix.com

About Nature Valley
Nature Valley, the brand that created the granola bar category in 1975, brings variety to healthy, active consumers looking for wholesome and great-tasting snacks. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Nature Valley is part of General Mills, a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer foods products.
Click here for the Website.

[Gupster]

harristkj, on Feb 12 2009, 10:06 PM, said:

being treated like a rock star.

Only if that was true. Only a few people are treated like rock-stars, and those are the really good pros and the winners. Chances are they're the winners. Everyone else is just spectator food.

on another note, this will make hillsboro a little harder, which will make for a good race.

[cleeland]

Good job, ICCC! And congrats to you, Rich, for your baby growing up just a little more!

[jason ozenberger]

Gupster, on Feb 13 2009, 10:03 AM, said:

harristkj, on Feb 12 2009, 10:06 PM, said:

being treated like a rock star.

Chances are they're the winners. Everyone else is just spectator food.

I didn't realize that spectators ate people, specifically bike racers, on a composite team. Do they dip the racers in oil, then fry them up before consumption?

[Gupster]

jason ozenberger, on Feb 13 2009, 09:48 PM, said:

Gupster, on Feb 13 2009, 10:03 AM, said:

harristkj, on Feb 12 2009, 10:06 PM, said:

being treated like a rock star.

Chances are they're the winners. Everyone else is just spectator food.

I didn't realize that spectators ate people, specifically bike racers, on a composite team. Do they dip the racers in oil, then fry them up before consumption?

No we're just there so the spectators can watch us get torn to threads by Rory and Floyd.

[Mike S.]

Nature Valley?

mmmmm, I love thur ganola bars.

[FattyM]

I don't think this will change a thing. Chances are the guys who give two craps about getting into nature valley were planning on doing hillsboro anyhow.

Floyd and Rory sure as hell won't show up.

[Mike S.]

Is it me or is this race and its rise to fortune not being talked up enough?

Wow! What blessing to have the best riders in IL, MO and a Pro Race happening only 60 miles north of StL!

I hope that all of these sponsors are given free, one-day all-access passes to the Nature Valley Grain Prix:

The Journal News

ICCC

Wheelfast

BIPOD

ECAPS

JonnyQuest (whoever he is)

Dr Kirk and Terry Hess

Hayes Abrasives

Hillsboro Free Method Church

Patton and Co.

Circuit Clerk Mary Webb

Dennis Fenton ie. State Farm

Drs Bob and Barb Mulch

First Community Bank

Wright Automotive

Fleming's Portable Toilets

Representative Gary Hannig

Senator Deanne Demuzio

Hillsboro Area Hospital

McKay Auto Parts

Dr Roger and Doris McFarlin

Jorn Sign Co.

SimmonsCooper LLC

John's Medical Pharmacy

Family Eye Care

Dr Bryan and PAtty CAdy

Tee Shirts, Ink

Rehab Edge LLC

Montgomery County Realty

It may be also be wise for us to write to these sponsors to thank them for their support of our sport and let them know that their patronage is not forgotten.

Also, I noticed that the folks up in that area were kind of upset about the prospect of a new and invasive coal mining operation.

I can understand that, but they probably need some kind of economic activity and, although they may have to slow down thur cars fur a few seconds each year, bicycle racing is a pretty freindly way to generate economic activity.

If anyone has an address for the Journal News they can fwd this. I already checked and did not find them on on-line.


Cheers,



Mike S.

[Mike S.]

Gupster, on Feb 13 2009, 11:03 AM, said:

harristkj, on Feb 12 2009, 10:06 PM, said:

being treated like a rock star.

Only if that was true. Only a few people are treated like rock-stars, and those are the really good pros and the winners. Chances are they're the winners. Everyone else is just spectator food.

on another note, this will make hillsboro a little harder, which will make for a good race.

--------------

I think I know, and agree with what you mean; at the same time I have to ask: If Rock Stars aren't spectator food, what are they?

For about 3 yrs running I had all-access passes to the rock concert venue on a college campus. They had all shows like Counting Crows, Collective Soul, Wallflowers.

A few Rock Stars are rich enough to hIre people to treat them like Rock Stars but that's only while they are not on the road, in the studio or wanting to have a continued career.

The rest of the time they are moving from venue to venue so fast and owned by their agents and promoters like sacred cash cows so that not even the people they hire can keep up with them.

The rest of the time, they just hang around in the motel room and, wander round back stage, 'til those lights come up and they hear that sound and they remember why they came.

Seriously, they have good catered meals and an easy lifestyle but not anything like the way you'd think if you watched and beleived what you saw on MTV.

So I guess I'd say that even Rock Stars don't get treated like Rock Stars.

Ciao,



Mike S.

[EasyRider]

If the categories opened up...ie. 4/5 to accomodate larger fields, sponsors would be more excited. More riders, more bang for their buck.

[shawn m]

Mike S., on Mar 19 2009, 12:32 PM, said:

JonnyQuest (whoever he is)

Are you serious???

[FattyM]

shawn m, on Mar 20 2009, 08:57 AM, said:

Mike S., on Mar 19 2009, 12:32 PM, said:

JonnyQuest (whoever he is)

Are you serious???

nothing like a backhanded compliment.

[tim]

i thought EVERYONE knew jonny quest!

[rich pierce]

EasyRider, on Mar 19 2009, 04:24 PM, said:

If the categories opened up...ie. 4/5 to accomodate larger fields, sponsors would be more excited. More riders, more bang for their buck.

Can't be done; officials won't allow it and the course won't allow it. 500 racers on a 22 mile course in 9 fields (16 vehicles) is as much as can possibly be jammed into that race.

[EasyRider]

rich pierce, on Mar 23 2009, 11:12 AM, said:

EasyRider, on Mar 19 2009, 04:24 PM, said:

If the categories opened up...ie. 4/5 to accomodate larger fields, sponsors would be more excited. More riders, more bang for their buck.

Can't be done; officials won't allow it and the course won't allow it. 500 racers on a 22 mile course in 9 fields (16 vehicles) is as much as can possibly be jammed into that race.

Obviously haven't participated in the past, but heard it was a fun, challenging course......and popular! Will make a mental note for next years race. Thanks.