Nature Valley Bicycle Festival Features Top Pro Bike Race in 2012

 

The Nature Valley Grand Prix, the premier event on the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar, opens June 13 in Saint Paul with a morning time trial along the Saint Paul Riverfront. The action moves to downtown Saint Paul that evening with a criterium (short circuit race) held around the beautiful Rice Park area. The ambiance of the criterium route is reminiscent of the famed pavé races in Europe, with the turrets of the Landmark Center, bricked streets in front of the Ordway Center and classic architecture of the century-old Saint Paul Hotel framing this idyllic town square.

 

On Thursday, the race moves south to Cannon Falls for a rural road race showcasing the wide open spaces of Minnesota’s heartland, dotted with family farms, boutique wineries and the famed Cannon Valley Trail, stretching 20 miles along the Cannon River. The race finishes with multiple laps at high speeds through the quaint downtown. On Friday, it’s back up to Minneapolis for an evening criterium in the city’s dynamic Uptown area, a neighborhood of trendy shops, bars and restaurants located just south of downtown near the chain of Minneapolis lakes. The FREE Kids Race, a feature at every stage of the Nature Valley Grand Prix, is always a highlight in Uptown, with hundreds of kids 12 and

under riding the crit route in a friendly competition. Every child receives a free bicycle racing medal.

 

The weekend presents an opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful terrain in the Midwest for the Menomonie and Stillwater stages. Cheer for the pros as well as local amateurs who can take part in these races. In Menomonie the road race tests the cyclists’ endurance as they traverse 95 miles of rolling farmland in the heart of Wisconsin’s dairy country, finishing with multiple laps of an in-town circuit. Menomonie will also host dozens of events throughout the day, introducing visitors to the arts, historic sites and friendly, family-owned shops and restaurants. Activities also include kids’ contests, tours and a challenging Gran Fondo Ride for experienced cyclists as well as Spectator Rides for all levels. (Pre-register at (http://www.naturevalleybicyclefestival.com/Gran_Fondo)

 

Stillwater, Minn. is host to Sunday’s grand finale June 17. The Stillwater Criterium is legendary for weeding out the field – only 30% of the racers finish this stage, which features a 24-degree climb up Chilikoot Hill – the steepest in North American racing. This picturesque town is built on the bluffs of the St. Croix River and the route features a series of sharp turns throughout the city’s historic neighborhoods and charming Main Street area. Make plans for a Father’s Day brunch at a riverfront restaurant or grab a treat at one of the town’s plentiful ice cream shops or candy stores along the way.

 

Fan Zones set up at every stage of the Nature Valley Grand Prix include stunt riders, live music, bike and fitness expos and The FREE Shimano Tour de Kids fun race open to children age 12 and under.

 

The Minneapolis-Saint Paul area is a premier tourism destination offering arts and cultural attractions, museums, zoos, amusement parks, Mall of America, major league sports, golf, boating and other outdoor recreational activities. Named the top city for cyclists by Bicycling Magazine in 2010, the area boasts hundreds of miles of cycling paths connecting the downtowns to neighborhoods, suburbs and trails along lakes and River. Visit the following special events during the festival:

 

Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the “Whydah” from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship which features real treasures from America's only known authenticated pirate shipwreck. Science Museum of Minnesota, www.smm.org; Dinosaurs! Featuring 15 larger-than-life animatronic dinosaurs including tyrannosaurus rex, giganotosaurus and brachiosaurus.

Minnesota Zoo, www.mnzoo.com; Diana, A Celebration thru June 10. This collection showcases 150 objects of Princess Diana, including her wedding gown, designer dresses, family heirlooms, photos, home movies and mementos. www.mallofamerica.com.

 

The Minnesota Fixed Gear Classic brings world-class track cycling to the National Sports Center Velodrome in Blaine, MN June 7-9. Track racing is an Olympic sport and a number of the competitors will be representing their countries at the London Olympics two months later. This thrilling event pits professional and elite amateur track cyclists in fast-paced sprint and brutal endurance events. Men and women compete in a series of fast and furious races using fixed gear bikes, which have only one gear and no brakes. Riders only make left turns and control their speed solely by pedaling faster or slower. Achieving speeds up to 40 mph, riders race on a wooden track with 43 degree angles making the races incredibly exciting for both racers and spectators. The Minnesota Fixed Gear Classic is FREE and open to the public.

 

About the Nature Valley Bicycle Festival

Now in its 14th year, the Nature Valley Bicycle Festival is a ten-day celebration of bicycling that includes amateur and professional racing and community events. The Nature Valley Grand Prix has become the premier professional bike race in the U.S., attracting top American racing teams and nearly 300 top riders from around the world. Races are free and open to the public. It is the only professional sporting event in Minnesota for which no admission ticket is required. Proceeds from the Nature Valley Grand Prix are donated to Children’s Lighthouse of Minnesota, a pediatric hospice project. For a detailed schedule of events visit www.naturevalleybicyclefestival.com.

 

About the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar

Entering its 16th season in 2012, the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar (NRC) is a road cycling series sanctioned by USA Cycling. It is designed to provide a ranking system for all elite-level cyclists, both amateur and professional, through participation in the nation’s premier cycling events.

 

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.