7TH Annual BMW River Gorge Omnium August 23 & 24
posted August 18, 2008
Cyclists and sports fans alike will have a chance to see live bike racing this weekend when hundreds of top professional and amateur cyclists from throughout the Southeast descend on the Scenic City to race for $8,500 dollars in prize money.
The weekend-long event starts Saturday morning, August 23rd, when cyclists hit the scenic roads of the Tennessee River Gorge in both 40 and 62 mile road races that culminate with one of the regions most arduous climbs – 3.5 miles straight up to the top of Raccoon Mountain.
A few hours later, riders must be ready to test themselves on a time trial course around the TVA Reservoir on top of Raccoon Mountain. Known as “the race of truth,” the time trial sends individual racers onto the course at timed intervals – with no opportunity to draft or work with teammates.
Racing comes to downtown on Sunday morning with the spectator-friendly criterium races. The cycling equivalent of NASCAR, and a crowd favorite, the “crits” feature multiple laps around Broad and Market Streets (connected by 11th and 13th streets). In addition to the prizes for the overall win, racers will vie for randomly announced “preem” laps with cash and merchandise at stake. Team tactics and high speeds make this the event to watch! Crit races begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude with some of the area’s most elite professionals at 2:15 in the afternoon.
Sunday will also feature the ever-popular “kiddie crit” just before noon – kids 10 and under are invited to bring their trikes and bikes to take part in this free family event. BMW of Chattanooga, the title sponsor of the event, will also be raffling off $50 gas cards to spectators during the races and will have vehicles on display near race central.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Road Race
When: 8:00 a.m. start; first finishers at approximately 10:30 a.m.
Where: Start at John A. Patten Recreation Center in Tiftonia; finish at East Overlook parking area on Raccoon Mountain.
Individual Time Trial
When: 3:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Where: Atop Raccoon Mountain around the TVA Reservoir loop.
Sunday, August 24th, 2008
Downtown Criterium Races
When: 8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Where: Downtown Chattanooga – Broad and Market between 11th and 13th.
Kiddie Crit
When: 11:40 a.m.
Where: Downtown Chattanooga – Corner of 12th and Market Streets.
For Spectators:
Raccoon Mountain offers the best place to see the action on Saturday – watch racers battle the mountain roads at the end of the road race, see the finish at the East Overlook parking area, then watch them hammer out the ultimate test of speed in the individual time trial around the TVA reservoir.
Sunday’s criterium means fun for the whole family – kids are invited to bring their trikes and bikes for the “kiddie crits” held during the midday break. Entry is free!
Portable chairs and cameras are recommended!
Terminology Cheat Sheet
Criterium: A multiple lap race around a short (less than 1 mile) course; riders race as a pack, trying to complete as many laps as possible within a specified time period. Premium, or “preem,” laps are announced randomly. These specialty laps feature cash or merchandise for the first rider to cross the line on that particular lap.
Individual Time Trial: Racers ride the course one at a time, competing to see who turns in the fastest time. The ultimate test of speed.
Omnium: Racers who sign up for all three races (road race, time trial and criterium) will be eligible for prizes based on their point total from all three events.
Road Race: Often thought of as a “traditional” bike race, cyclists race over longer distances. Racers may compete as individuals or as part of a team – where several riders may work together to draft and help each other throughout the race.
Hosted by Scenic City Velo cycling club, with help from title sponsor BMW of Chattanooga, the River Gorge Omnium is a United States Cycling Federation (USCF) sanctioned event and part of the Tennessee Bicycle Racing Association (TBRA) points series as well as a proud member of the Southeast Women’s (SEW) Cycling Series.
Course maps, additional race details and registration information are available at http://www.sceniccityvelo.com. Registration for all races, except for the Kiddie Crits, ends at midnight on Wednesday, August 20th.
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