Jim Anderson
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
JIM ANDERSON
RACE DIRECTOR
503-975-8229
JIM-ANDERSON@COMCAST.NET
WWW.CYCLINGCIRCUS.COM
Hundreds of racers will take to the streets for this second annual Cirque
du Cycling Criterium - Bicycle racing in the north Mississippi Avenue
neighborhood on June 13th 2009
Portland, Ore.- Bicycle racing comes to North Portland on June 13 for the
Cirque du Cycling Criterium presented by Laughing Planet Café, which is just
part part of a full afternoon of cycling activities that includes a family
ride, live music entertainment, an art bike parade and a beer garden, and
exhibitors. The event is a benefit for Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI), a
nonprofit organization dedicated to guiding underserved youth to realize
their full potential.
This unique race course is unique because it includes features two-way
racing along Mississippi Ave. most race courses are not designed like this
and this course allows for allowing spectators to see more of the action up
close as racers zoom by in both directions. The remainder of the course
twists through the Mississippi Avenue neighborhood.
³Bicycle racing in an urban area in Portland is a rare treat, and to add to
it that it is in a bustling and energetic destination neighborhood like
Mississippi Avenue is even better,² said Jim Anderson, Cirque du Cycling
Criterium Race Director. ³After the overwhelming success of our first 1st
year, racers are looking forward to come back to race this unique event
course in a fantastic community and neighborhood. This is an event that
racers talk about year-round.²
ABOUT CRITERIUM RACING
A criterium is a type of bike race held on a short course, often run on
closed-off streets. Racers are challenged to complete the most number of
laps in a set period of time. Success in criteriums requires a mix of good
technical skills in particular, the ability to corner rapidly and sharply
and riding safely with a large group on a short circuit and exceptional
fitness to accelerate hard from the corners.
Spectators can get up close to the action at any point on the course close
enough to the action to actual feel the wind as racers rush by. Expect to
see racers zipping by at 30+ mph and leaning hard as they navigate tight
turns along the course.
HOT VIEWING
Some highlight spots to view the most racer action include racers are at
the following areas: Start/Finish at Laughing Planet Café on Mississippi
Avenue (between Failing and Beech Streets), Mississippi Avenue and Beech
Street, and Mississippi Avenue and Shaver Street.
RACE DETAILS
The racecourse along north Mississippi Avenue (between north Mason and
Fremont streets) is one1 mile in length. Registration opens at 4pm, located
at Laughing Planet Café patio area. Races start at 5:00pm with the Category
3s race and the Professional/Category 1 and 2s at 6:00pm on June 13th 2009.
Start/Finish area is on Mississippi Ave between Failing and Beech Streets,
across the street from Laughing Planet Café. Race entry fee is $25 ($30 day
of event). An Oregon Bicycle Racing Association (OBRA) license is required
which and can be purchased day of at the event. The race event is free to
watch. Volunteers are needed and will receive a special event T-Shirt. For
more information on the Cirque du Cycling event, cruise over to our website,
at: www.CyclingCircus.com
ABOUT SELF ENHANCEMENT, INC.
Cirque du Cycling is a benefit for Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI), a youth
development organization that has enriched the lives of youth for 27 years.
Working with schools, families, and community organizations, SEI provides
opportunities for personal and academic success, serving more than 2,500
inner-city young people and families annually in year-round academic,
enrichment, and family support programs. Learn more at
www.SelfEnhancement.org.
ABOUT LAUGHING PLANET
Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, Laughing Planet¹s six, quick-service
cafes offer tasty, affordable, wholesome food in a convenient, family
friendly, neighborhood-centric format. The restaurant emphasizes fresh,
whole, and organic foods with balanced nutrition. For more information and
locations visit www.LaughingPlanetCafe.com
START TIMES AND CATEGORIES:
Races are open to all ages and genders. Free lap rule is in effect. Warm-ups
are 15 minutes before each race.
Category 3 - 5:00pm (45 minutes + 1 lap)
Category Pro/1/2 - 6:00pm (1 hour + 1 lap)
COURSE/DISTANCE:
The Cirque du Cycling Criterium is one of the mostly anticipated races of
the Oregon racing season. Out-of-towners: You're gonna love this race, and
visiting Portland! It is an urban, flat, and fast criterium. Includes 2-way
racing on Mississippi Avenue. Course is 0.8 mile in length. Start finish
area will be between Beech and Failing streets, across from the Laughing
Planet Café.
WHERE:
North Mississippi Avenue, Portland, Oregon. Course runs between N. Shaver
and N. Fremont streets. Riding to the event is highly suggested. Parking is
extremely limited. We suggest riding, carpooling or taking transit.
REGISTRATION:
Registration opens at 4pm, located at Laughing Planet Café patio area on
Mississippi Avenue. An Oregon Bicycle Racing Association (OBRA) license is
required to race and is available at registration for $5 (single-day) or $20
(annual). You may purchase a day or annual membership at race site.
PRIZES
Chris King Components, Yakima cargo boxes, Rapha cycling apparel, River City
Bicycles gift certificates, food and drink. There will be tons of primes
from local businesses in the neighborhood.
Total: $4,000 in donated product: Pro/1/2 - $2500, 10 deep, Cat 3 - $1500,
10 deep
RULES
Approved helmets required. All OBRA Racing Rules apply. OBRA and the
organizers of this race do not provide insurance coverage for injuries that
occur at the race. The costs related to those injuries are the
responsibility of the individual participant.
ENTRY FEE
$25.00 pre-registration, $30.00 day of event. Online pre-registration ends
on June 11th at 12midnight. FIELD SIZES WILL BE LIMITED - PRE-REGISTER TO
ENSURE A SPOT! Register online at CyclingCircus.com
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Course marshal volunteers are needed, so recruit your friends to watch you
race! See CyclingCircus.com for more information OR
http://cyclingcircus.com/volunteer_cirque_du_cycling.html
CONTACT
www.CyclingCircus.com
Race Organizer:
Jim Anderson
jim-anderson@comcast.net
503-975-8229