Calgary Bike Week - PRESS RELEASE

CALGARY BIKE WEEK

Cyclists prepare to "Grind It Out" in Calgary

Press Release July 2, 2008

Calgary, AB - With only 30 days until the kick-off of the first annual “Calgary Bike Week” the Alberta Bicycle Association (ABA) has announced the final events to be contested during the week. The ‘festival of cycling’ will take place from August 2 - 10, 2008 and will include a veritable smorgasbord of cycling disciplines: time trials, hill climbs, criteriums, road races, as well as Provincial and Youth Championships. Calgary Bike Week is expected to attract close to 500 athletes from all across Alberta and Canada for a spectacular and challenging nine days of racing. "We are delighted to support the Calgary Bike Week initiative, especially as it will draw a number cycling enthusiasts to the province. We look forward to working with local organizers to put on a great event,” said Kipp Kaufmann, Executive Director of the ABA. The popularity of road biking in North America has exploded in the last 10 years with an wide range of skills and abilities catered to in each race. Calgary can expect a variety of racers converging on the city, including professional trade teams to weekend warriors, with families in tow. For more information on Calgary Bike Week, contact Kipp Kaufmann at 780-427-6352 or visit the Calgary Bike Week Website (scroll down for details).

Key Messages:

• Calgary and Alberta are becoming a global presence on the International cycling scene.
• The Alberta Bicycle Association [ABA] is the provincial body responsible for cycling in Alberta Bicycle Association and is the sanctioning body for Calgary Bike Week.

The CHALLENGE is ON!!

Seven races over the span of nine days!!

That's what awaits you during Calgary's first ever Bike Week, August 2-10, 2008 ! What a veritiable smorgasbord of events to choose from: time trials, hill climbs, criteriums, road races, as well as Provincial and Youth Championships. With such a diverse selection available, the challenge to "Race your Pace" is but a sign-on away. One, two - or all seven events - set aside the week and ride to your heart's - and bike's - content!! With the "usual" races we've come to anticipate highly still in place - Tour de Bowness, Ride for the Wild Roses Criterium, and the Rundle Mountain Cycling Club's Time Trial, in picturesque Canmore - three new additions will add some spectacular "twists and turns" to the schedule:

• the Tour de Bowness will host a road race in neighbouring Cochrane which, in conjunction with the Hill Climb at Canada Olympic Park and Provincial Championship Criterium in downtown Bowness, makes this a Stage Race you will definitely want to challenge;
• Tuesday evening, you'll have an opportunity to ride a mid-week criterium hosted by Midweek Mayhem,
• on Thursday, the Bearspaw Open, will launch what we anticipate will become a well-attended annual event, comprising a full day and evening of racing;

Book your calendar (and "up your training") now for:

Calgary Bike Week, August 2-10, 2008