USA Pro Cycling Challenge | Evolving Consumer

Host Cities Announced for 2014 USA Pro Challenge

The Colorado-based USA Pro Challenge remains one of the most prestigious races in the professional cycling season, which is impressive given that it only launched three years ago. This week the organizers announced that there will be several new additions including the first-ever mountaintop finish.

What else marks the race for 2014 is that the organizers are asking fans to vote on the final stage!

After overwhelming support in 2013, the race is heading back to Aspen for the overall start of the 2014 edition, where elite professional cyclists from around the world will be put to the ultimate test in America’s most difficult cycling race. The host cities and stages of the 2014 USA Pro Challenge include:
• Stage 1: Monday, Aug. 18 – Aspen Circuit Race
• Stage 2: Tuesday, Aug. 19 – Aspen to Mt. Crested Butte
• Stage 3: Wednesday, Aug. 20 – Gunnison to Monarch Mountain (mountaintop finish)
• Stage 4: Thursday, Aug. 21 – Colorado Springs Circuit Race
• Stage 5: Friday, Aug. 22 – Woodland Park to Breckenridge
• Stage 6: Saturday, Aug. 23 – Vail Individual Time Trial
• Stage 7: Sunday, Aug. 24 – ???

Fans will be able to help shape the race by logging on to www.prochallenge.com/PickStage7 and giving their opinion on four options for Stage 7, including:
1. Denver Circuit Race similar to the final stage of the 2013 race
2. Start in Golden (2012 Stage 6 start city) and finish in Denver
3. Start in Boulder (2012 Stage 6 finish city) and finish in Denver
4. Start in Boulder and end in Golden

What’s Your Vote For Stage 7 Official Website
Press Release: Host Cities Announced for 2014 USA Pro Challenge

George Hincapie Goes Grand

Professional cyclist George Hincapie retired this past Sunday after competing in the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. The rider, who competed in the Tour de France a record 17 times, had been a pro for 19 years. Instead of just hanging up the cycling shoes Hincapie – who wants to spend more time with his wife and kids – will be riding in his native South Carolina foothills this October and invites anyone to join him for the Hincapie Gran Fondo. Video after the jump

Weekend Reading List (3.17.12): Pro Cycling Challenge Goes Gran, CDC Butts Out, Fat Cells Burn, MLB Social Swing

USA Pro Cycling Does Texas Gran

From BikeRadar: USA Pro Cycling Challenge partner with Gran Fondo: Texas TMCO

The USA Pro Cycling Challenge, one of the largest professional cycling races in the US, have teamed up with the second-annual Gran Fondo: Texas TMCO to create the KOM (King of the Mountain) Challenge. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (3.17.12): Pro Cycling Challenge Goes Gran, CDC Butts Out, Fat Cells Burn, MLB Social Swing

Ride Where the Pros Race

Touring around the U.S. to see all of the MLB stadiums, NFL stadiums or college stadiums is certainly not a new concept. For years people have been making a pilgrimage to these houses of sporting worship, but most do not even get to step on the playing field of their heroes. Cycling is on of those sports that fans can actually ride on the same “playing field” as the pros if they are willing to guide themselves, learn enough of the local language to communicate with the locals and unfortunately battle traffic. Knowing that fans want to ride on the same course as the pros, numerous touring companies have cropped up offering cyclists to opportunity to ride the famous courses of their heroes. Sometimes even on the same day as the pro race, just hours in front of the peleton, and be fully supported with guide services, food and accommodations. Seeing an opportunity of their own to diversify their business, the bike company Cervélo, has teamed up with the touring company, Butterfield & Robinson Management Inc., to create the Cervélo Pro Travel Experience.

Continue reading Ride Where the Pros Race

Interbike 2011: KineticShift at the Show

We went, we saw, we rode! Last week’s Interbike allowed us to see the latest and greatest in new gear, gizmos and equipment in the world of bicycling. While a lot of this stuff won’t come cheap, it is clear that bicycles are going to lead the way when it comes to fitness technology. Here is our photo recap of Interbike 2011 from Las Vegas. Continue reading Interbike 2011: KineticShift at the Show

Smart Egg or Just Cracked Idea?

To prepare for the recently concluded USA Pro Cycling Challenge many European riders arrived days, even weeks prior to the big event to acclimate to the altitude. But what do you do if you are already at sea level, and can’t spend days in the mountains but still want the benefits of altitude training? You could climb into a really expensive egg.

According to reports from The Wall Street Journal, and now making rounds throughout the blogosphere, tennis star Novak Djokovic uses a special CVAC Pod every single day. He climbs into the egg-shaped pod, which sorts of evokes memories of Lady Gaga’s arrival at the Grammy Awards earlier this year, but whereas her egg was just for show, Djokovic’s $75,000 device – which is just one of only 20 in the entire world – is meant to compress the body’s muscles by using computer-controlled valve and vacuum pump to simulate being at high altitudes. Basically it is akin to a trip to the mountains without the need to be stuck in a tight and extremely uncomfortable airplane seat breathing recycled bad air.

On second thought, it seems the device is actually just like being on a coach airline seat, something Djokovic probably hasn’t had to endure in years. But the difference is he only has to spend 20 minutes at a time, and just three times a week – although reports suggest the tennis star is in the egg daily. All things considered it does seem to be more of a compression rather than decompression device, but if it helps his game he might prove to be one smart egg.

[Via Wall Street Journal: Novak Djokovic’s Secret: Sitting in a Pressurized Egg]

KineticShift Rides Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge and Comes Back with Spectator Info!

(Video by Mike Prendergast) For a higher resolution video click here

From August 22nd through August 28th, one of the biggest professional cycling races in the United States will commence in Colorado Springs. This is one of the largest U.S. stage races in recent years, drawing international stars like Cadel Evans and the Schleck brothers to do battle on our soil, with our heroes including Levi Leipheimer, George Hincapie and Colorado favorite, Tom Danielson. KineticShift.com will be there; and actually we have already been there and had a chance to pre-ride Stage 2, the ‘Queen Stage’ of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge (UPCC).

At 131 miles and with two 12,000-foot mountain passes, Stage 2 of the UPCC will arguably be the hardest day of racing for the pros due to the altitude, length and unpredictable Colorado weather. Experience it here from a rider’s view as we climb, descend and film our way through the Queen Stage… returning with some interviews and insight for you!

This week’s coverage:

The Riding of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge – Part 1: Gunnison to Buena Vista
The Riding of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge – Part 2: Buena Vista to Aspen
Watching the Queen Stage – Spectator Information for Gunnison to Buena Vista
Watching the Queen Stage – Spectator Information for after Buena Vista to Aspen
Inspired by the USA Pro Cycling Challenge to Climb Some Colorado Mountain Passes?
USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Strider World Cup Answers the Challenge

Continue reading KineticShift Rides Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge and Comes Back with Spectator Info!

USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Strider World Cup Answers the Challenge

While the riders are probably too young to handle the climbs, not to mention the descents, of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, they’ll get their chance to make the podium as part of the Strider World Cup. Toddlers, age two to five, will take to the track at the Downtown Denver Finish Festival on August 28.

Every rider will receive a Team Strider t-shirt, Strider handlebar bag/number plate and souvenir cowbell, and every racer will earn a medal for participation, while the top-three finishers in each age group will be awarded trophies during the podium ceremony. Riders will race on the Strider No-Pedal Bikes, which can help toddlers age one to five learn balance and coordination.

Pre-registration is required, and limited to 200 racers. Entry fee is $25, but the chances of a podium finish… priceless. Just ask Cadel Evans!

(Video after the jump) Continue reading USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Strider World Cup Answers the Challenge

Inspired by the USA Pro Cycling Challenge to Climb Some Colorado Mountain Passes?

After watching the great coverage on Versus or NBC of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge (UPCC), you may be inspired to come out to Colorado and tackle some of the highest, paved passes in the country. One of the great cycling experiences in the state of Colorado is climbing in the mountains, but it is difficult to pick your routes with just a road map. The state has a tremendous selection of canyons, passes and mountains to ascend with some of the most breathtaking views imaginable. Over the years my wife and I have been drawn to climb many of the passes and “classic climbs” in the state. We started in the San Juan mountains of southwest Colorado climbing Coal Bank, Molas and Red Mountain.

(Video after the jump)

Continue reading Inspired by the USA Pro Cycling Challenge to Climb Some Colorado Mountain Passes?

USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Spectator Information for Stage 2 – Buena Vista to Aspen

Top of the last climb of Stage 2 - Independence Pass

The second half of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge is not going to be any easier to get around and watch than the first half from Gunnison to Buena Vista, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth trying.

Not only will you get to see some great cycling in action, you’ll be treated to some of the most scenic beauty that ‘Colorful Colorado’ has to offer.

After riding this stage (The Riding of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge – Part 2: Buena Vista to Aspen), we agree that a much better viewing experience is to be had by selecting a spot and soaking in the action. The following are our thoughts regarding spectating of this stage for the portion after Twin Lakes.

Continue reading USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Spectator Information for Stage 2 – Buena Vista to Aspen

USA Pro Cycling Challenge: The Riding of Stage 2 – Part 2: Buena Vista to Aspen

The racers pass Twin Lakes at about mile 93, but still have 17 miles and 2,500 feet of climbing to the summit of Independence Pass

We continue our coverage of the “Riding of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge” (The Riding of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge – Part 1: Gunnison to Buena Vista)

Once my cleat malfunction was addressed in Buena Vista, Mike Prendergast and I continued our ride of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. At this point, we were 67 miles into the 131 mile stage from Gunnison to Aspen. From Buena Vista at 7,965 feet, we had almost 43 miles until we reached Independence Pass at 12,095 feet – the Continental Divide for the second time. As we rolled out of Buena Vista, the skies did not look so good. With only a couple of tiny sections of blue sky, dark clouds started to form and the wind started to pick up. US-24 closely follows the Arkansas River for almost another 20 miles, but only climbs about 1,100 feet. Though this road is very heavily traveled, there is a wide shoulder for most portions of this section of the stage – not important for the racers as the road will be closed, but nice if you are just out for a ride. There is some nice scenery even though this section is a grind… it is probably the least enjoyable section of the ride due to the traffic and winds. As we approached Granite, the grade increased slightly, but it felt easier. From Granite up to CO-82, the grade or reduced headwind allowed for a large chain ring climb to the turn at CO-82. Continue reading USA Pro Cycling Challenge: The Riding of Stage 2 – Part 2: Buena Vista to Aspen

USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Spectator Information for Stage 2 – Gunnison to Buena Vista

Sign at the top of Cottonwood Pass — 12,126 feet above sea level on Cottonwood Pass

If you can’t ride the course with the pros, the next best thing is watching them in action, and next week you can get your chance if you head out to Colorado to watch the “Queen Stage.” After riding the course (The Riding of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge – Part 1: Gunnison to Buena Vista), we thought we’d share our thoughts on the best way to take in the course.

With road closures and traffic, it is going to be quite a feat to see Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge (UPCC) from both the start in Gunnison and the finish in Aspen. For the brave or those who would rather sit in a car than hang out at the host cities, there is a route that is only a 2.5 hour drive. Getting out of Gunnison, driving the distance between both cities, finding parking in Aspen and hoofing it to the finish line is going to be tough. After riding the stage, we agree that a better spectating experience will be had by not trying to see both ends of the stage. The following is our thoughts with regards to viewing along the first half of Stage 2. Continue reading USA Pro Cycling Challenge: Spectator Information for Stage 2 – Gunnison to Buena Vista

USA Pro Cycling Challenge: The Riding of Stage 2 – Part 1: Gunnison to Buena Vista

City of Gunnison - The start of Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge

With our plans in place to ride the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, Mike Prendergast and I left our homes on the Colorado Front Range and began our journey with a four hour drive to Gunnison. We chose to make the trip late on a Wednesday, meet the representatives from Gunnison and roll out early Thursday morning for the ride. We arrived in Gunnison with enough time to check in to our hotel, drop our bags, shoot some video of the city and make it to Garlic Mikes for dinner.

We met with four representatives on the Gunnison side of Stage 2, Joellen Fonken, Petra St. George, John Messner and Jon Brown, all who had various roles in bringing the stage to Gunnison. John Messner, the Facility and Events Manager for the City of Gunnison, was a major driving force behind the task of securing a stage and explained to us that it was not the race organizers who proposed the stages, but each town and city in Colorado had the opportunity to submit a bid outlining four to five different stage routes through their community. Gunnison submitted a number of options including one through Black Canyon. Though the race organizers were reluctant at first to go with the stage over Cottonwood Pass due to the dirt road, that was the option that was finally selected. Continue reading USA Pro Cycling Challenge: The Riding of Stage 2 – Part 1: Gunnison to Buena Vista