Pedal the Plains Bicycle Tour Includes Lamar, La Junta, Eads

DENVER — Wednesday, April 24, 2013 — Gov. John Hickenlooper, The Denver Post and the Office of Economic Development and International Trade today announced the route for the second annual Pedal The Plains Bicycle Tour, scheduled for Sept. 20-22, 2013.

The tour this year will stop in Eads, Lamar and La Junta.

A press conference this afternoon at the Colorado History Museum featured remarks from Hickenlooper and Dean Singleton, publisher of The Denver Post. State Historian Bill Convery also talked about the historical features along the route, including the Santa Fe Trail, Bent’s Old Fort, Sand Creek Massacre Site, Amache Internment Camp and the Fort Lyon Correctional Facility.

“The rolling hills and sweeping vistas of Colorado’s southeastern plains are some of the most beautiful landscapes in the state,” Hickenlooper said. “Last year’s Pedal The Plains tour was a blast and this year is going to be a phenomenal sequel.”

After the official route unveiling, attendees saddled-up on bikes provided by B-Cycle, Denver’s bike sharing program, and took a ride led by Hickenlooper to an after-party at Denver Bicycle Café. There, attendees enjoyed Colorado craft beer, hors d’oeuvres and bluegrass music performed by local musicians.

“Pedal The Plains is all about celebrating Colorado’s heritage, and what better place to announce this year’s route than the Colorado History Museum,” Singleton said. “We are excited for this year’s tour and look forward to working with these three exceptional host communities. Riders and spectators alike will not be disappointed.”

Pedal The Plains, sponsored again by Fort Morgan-based Viaero Wireless, gives riders and spectators an opportunity to explore the communities and landscape of Colorado’s Eastern Plains. Each host community on this year’s route will feature live entertainment, interactive educational offerings and family-fun activities for event participants, volunteers and spectators.

“We are thrilled to partner with Pedal The Plains for another year and showcase the state’s beautiful high plains,” said Frank DiRico, CEO and President of Viaero Wireless. “We look forward to riding with our wireless users and linking them together on this journey by providing exceptional 4G wireless broadband services.”

Last year’s ride featured stops in Yuma, Burlington and Wray. The event proved to be economically beneficial for the state and the host communities. The inaugural event had a regional economic impact of more than $250,000 and catered to nearly 1,000 cyclists over three days.

All proceeds from Pedal The Plains benefit The Denver Post Community Foundation in support of the National FFA Organization and Colorado 4-H.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with this year’s route,” said Chandler Smith, tour director of Pedal The Plains. “Each stage lends itself to a number of educational opportunities and the views are all incredible and uniquely Colorado.”

Cyclists of all ages and abilities may select from the following ride offerings; three-day tour, century ride and family fun ride. Online registration is now open at pedaltheplains.com.