Montrose Bike Month

The Town of Montrose, Colo. – host to the Stage 2 start of the 2012 USA Pro Challenge cycling race – is offering a number of ways for cycling fans to enjoy themselves before, during and after the big event rolls through town.

Montrose has dubbed August “Bike Month” and has a jam-packed events calendar that includes rides, concerts and more. Tickets for the Pro Challenge VIP tent are $75 each and may be purchased by calling 970-249-5000. Montrose lodging partners are also offering amazing deals, with rooms starting as low as $75 at the Country Lodge. Lodging is also available at Days Inn (rates start at $135) and Hampton Inn (starting at $149). This is just a sampling of what’s happening in Montrose around the USA Pro Challenge in Montrose.

• Aug. 16 MBA Community Costume Cruise
This event, sponsored by the Montrose Area Bicycle Alliance (MABA) and Main in Motion, promotes bicycle advocacy in Montrose. Enjoy the parade down Main Street, as well as a costume contest for prizes.
• Aug. 16 Bike Decorating Contest on Main Street
Businesses, non-profits, families and individuals are invited to decorate a bike to display on Main Street from Aug. 16-22. The first-place winner gets a $500 prize.
• Aug. 18 Youth Appreciation Day
This event, celebrating all things kids, features activities for youth at Baldrigdge Park and all over town.
• Aug. 18 Downtown Poker Cruise & Crawl (3-6 p.m.)
Walk or ride your bike to various downtown restaurants and businesses to collect five playing cards. The players with the best three hands win prizes.
• Aug. 18 MABA/MRLD Bike-In Movie (6 p.m.)
Bike to Rotary Park to enjoy food vendors, live music, a presentation by actor Bruce Thompson, and a showing of the bike-themed movie, “American Flyers,” in which Thompson starred.
• Aug. 19 UPC/MABA Club Ride
This 27-mile ride utilizies the parade loop of the USA Pro Challenge Stage 2 start. The first 75 riders to sign up receive a USA Pro Challenge bag that includes a commemorative t-shirt, sticker, bike tool and more. The $25 entry fee includes a post-ride meal at RnR Sports Bar. Download the registration form at www.montroseUSAprochallenge.com/clubride/.
• Aug. 20 Rally with the Wailers Concert (The Bridges Golf & Country Club)
Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the opening band starts playing at 5:30. The Wailers take the stage at 7 p.m. General admission tickets are $20 and may be purchased by visiting www.brownpapertickets.com/event/256459. (iSponsors can purchase a combo package, which offers $5 off the concert ticket price.) Concert-goers are encouraged to bring a blanket or camping chairs on which to sit. New Belgium Brewing, the official beer partner for the USA Pro Challenge, will be available at the concert, along with various other food and beverage items.
• Aug. 21 USA Pro Challenge Stage 2 Start (10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
Get up close and personal with the pro riders at the Start Village at Montrose Pavilion. The race begins at 11:25 a.m. After the cyclists take off the party continues at the Pavilion with live music, food, drinks, fun and games. There will also be a JumboTron to watch the race action live.
• Aug. 31 Full Moon Cruiser Ride (9 p.m.)
Grab your bike lights and glosticks for this ride around Montrose under the full moon. Meet outside Horsefly Brewery.

The USA Pro Challenge leads 135 of the world’s best cyclists on a race through the Colorado Rockies, Aug. 20-26. Montrose will serve as the Aug. 21 host of Stage 2 Start on Tuesday, Aug. 21.

About the USA Pro Challenge (www.USAProCyclingChallenge.com)
For seven consecutive days, the world’s top athletes race through the majestic Rockies, reaching higher altitudes than they’ve ever had to endure – more than two miles in elevation. One of the largest cycling events in United States history, the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge will feature the best of the best in professional cycling, competing on a challenging course through some of America’s most beautiful scenery.
Referred to as “America’s Race,” the second annual USA Pro Cycling Challenge will take place August 20-26, 2012, and travel through 12 host cities from Durango to Denver. More than 1 million spectators are expected to once again line the route to see if Levi Leipheimer will defend his title as reigning champion, while millions more around the world watch the race live on television and online through the Tour Tracker.