Cyclists To Fill Greenville Streets Saturday & Sunday

GREENVILLE, S.C. (August 27, 2009) – A full weekend of activities for sports fans, recreational cyclists and families heat up just before the Labor Day holiday on August 29-30 with the 4th annual Greenville Hospital System USA Cycling Professional Championships. Event organizers expect huge crowds in the Upstate of South Carolina for the two-day event, including children’s bicycle races, Health & Wellness Expo, fundraiser bicycle ride, elite handcycling races and the championships for U.S. pro cyclists..

On Saturday, Aug. 29, the 20.7-mile Professional Individual Time Trial Championship, presented by Duke Energy, will return to the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR). On Sunday, Aug. 30, the 110-mile Professional Road Race Championship will be contested, utilizing a start/finish in the West End section of downtown Greenville. Both courses will also host new races for the U.S. Handcycling Series, presented by the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Families can get involved in some free activities, such as the Family Fun Ride in Falls Park on Sunday morning, or the Duke Energy Kid’s Races in downtown Greenville Sunday afternoon. Early on Sunday is the Stars and Stripes Challenge, fundraiser bicycle ride for cancer research. This is the 4th year for the recreational ride that uses the same course, including the climb over Paris Mountain. Organizers expect more than 600 recreational cyclists, raising money for GHS’ Oncology Research Insitute and Lance Armstrong Foundation. Both the Family Fun Ride and Kid’s Races are free, though waivers must be signed. Registration for the Stars and Stripes Challenge is $50.00 by August 28 and $60.00 day of the event. For more information click here.

Main Street near Broad in downtown Greenville will be the headquarters for the Health and Wellness Expo from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday. Greenville Hospital System, the title sponsor for the championships, will provide a hand cycling demonstration and activities with Safe Kids. Other event sponsors in the expo include Hincapie Sportswear (merchandise trailor), AVF Creations (photo booth), Soby’s (special Sunday Block Party), Café-ine (coffee drinks for purchase) and Novartis (complimentary blood pressure readings and fire truck display). There will also be interactive activities for children, including face painting, fair hair, and bounce house.

This marks the fourth consecutive year that Greenville has hosted the dual championships for professional cycling. 2009 is also the 25th anniversary of the Professional Road Race Championship. Some of the elite cyclists confirmed are two-time U.S. Pro Road Race Champion George Hincapie (Team Columbia-HTC), three-time U.S. Pro Road Race Champion Fred Rodriguez (Rock Racing), and three-time U.S. Pro ITT Champion David Zabriskie (Garmin-Slipstream). In fact, Zabriskie has never lost since the Pro ITT race has been in Greenville.

Parking for the Individual Time Trial will be located at the CU-ICAR facilities off Laurens Road. The U.S. Handcycling Series, presented by the Paralyzed Veterans of America, begins at 8:30 a.m. The USA Cycling Professional Individual Time Trial Championship, presented by Duke Energy, will begin at 11:30 a.m. Spectators should access the facility from Laurens Road by turning onto Millennium Blvd., located to the south of I-85. Parking is located at the parking deck at Innovation Place. The USA Cycling Professional Road Race Championship will use rolling roadblocks to restrict traffic along the official race route on Sunday. for the professional cyclists and official caravan vehicles. The course will consist of a total of 10 circuits - three short start laps in the downtown area, four longer laps over Paris Mountain, and conclude with three finish laps in the downtown area.

Over 400 volunteers contribute time and hard work for all events, with individuals representing more than 10 states. Local organizations that provide support include employees of Greenville Hospital System and members of community organizations such as Hands on Greenville, RoundTowners, Bikeville and Greenville Spinners Bicycle Club. Subway® continues to support the event for a fourth year by providing all volunteers with Fresh Fit Meals.

For more information about the event, iincluding maps of the courses and fan viewing tips click here.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

All times are subject to change. Visit official web site for updates

Saturday, August 29

8:30 – 9:30 a.m. – US Handcycling Series, presented by Paralyzed Veterans of America, Time Trial

9:30 -10:30 a.m. – Stars and Stripes Challenge ITT for top fundraisers*
11:30 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. - USA Cycling Professional Individual Time Trial Championship presented by Duke Energy (20.7-mile race)

Start/Finish - Millennium Blvd and Research Drive at CU/ICAR, Greenville, S.C. 29607

Cost - FREE for all spectators watching Individual Time Trial events; food/beverage and cameras permitted

Sunday, August 30

7:30 – Noon - Stars and Stripes Challenge Bicycle Ride

Start/Finish – S. Main & Camperdown streets in downtown Greenville, S.C.29601
Cost - $50 adults advance registration for Stars and Stripes Bicycle Ride (www.P3Ride.org)

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.- Family Fun Ride in partnership with Activate Upstate

Location – Falls Park on the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail

Cost – FREE for all families

1:00 – 5:30 p.m. - USA Cycling Professional Road Race Championship

Start/Finish – S Main & Camperdown streets
Cost - FREE for all spectators watching races; food/beverage and cameras permitted.

1:35 – 2:05 p.m. - US Handcycling Series, presented by Paralyzed Veterans of America, Criterium
Start/Finish – S. Main & Camperdown streets

2:30 – 2:45 p.m. – Duke Energy Kid’s Races (registration closes 1p.m.)
FREE for kids 3-12; Registration in Expo at Main & Broad streets

11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Health & Wellness Expo for GHS USA Cycling Professional Championships

FREE. Main Street near Broad.
Complimentary Bike Valet provided by Bikeville from 10am to 6pm(www.bikeville.org)

1:00 – 5:00 p.m.- Soby’s Block Party
FREE. Corner of Main and Broad streets