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GOLDEN GETS A BIT MORE GIDDYUP

by OnSight | Feb 2017 | BIkes, Golden Giddyup

The Golden Giddyup, a trail stewardship and mountain bike event held in Jefferson County, announced a major partnership with REI. The outdoor co-op and specialty retailer invested $30,000 in stewardship funding for Golden Giddyup projects in 2017. This partnership establishes the two-year old event as a significant community partner in the Golden area, with engagement of more than 200 volunteers donating more than 3,000 hours to maintenance and trail-building efforts in the Apex, Windy Saddle (chimney) and North Table Mountain parks.

“We’re excited to have earned the support of such a strong partner for the Giddyup Trails Team,” said Al Head, Director of Trail Stewardship for the Golden Giddyup organizing team. “This support ensures we’re able to put a shovel where our voice is, working through a great list of projects with the help of our friends at Jefferson County Open Space.”

REI is the official partner of the Giddyup Trails Team, the year-round trail stewardship program that was started in 2013 to address flood damage on the Apex, Chimney and North Table Mountain trails. Following three years, and more than 3,000 hours of community service on Golden-area trails, the first Golden Giddyup mountain bike event was held with the support of Jefferson County Open Space and the City of Golden. The event has a unique format of three timed climbs and three timed descents on iconic local trails, ensuring great local engagement and support from riders of all ages and skill levels.

“The Giddyup’s work proves the powerful impact that mountain bikers can have in their community,” added Jon Frankel, REI Colorado Outdoor Programs Market Manager. “For the past three years riders, volunteers and organizers have stayed focused on delivering long-term benefits for Golden-area trails, building strong partnerships with local land managers and businesses. Stewardship is a core value at REI and a value we celebrate through our partnerships.”

This year, the Golden Giddyup is engaging Brad Reeder, an expert trail-builder and local rider, to manage the Giddyup Trails Team efforts in all three parks. Brad’s work in 2016 led to the rehabilitation of the Chimney Gulch trail, increasing sustainability and smiles for trail users.

“This year we’re set to tackle some great projects with a focus on improving trail experiences for all users,” said Ben Davis, a Golden Giddyup organizer and local rider.

The Golden Giddyup is a collaborative effort between local trail riders and advocates, Al Head, Jen Barbour, Ben Davis and Mike Melanson. The event is scheduled to take place at Lions Park, in Golden, Colorado on Sunday September 10th, 2017. Registration opens at 6AM on March 15th. Discounted registration for 2016 trail volunteers is available. With more riders than space, supporters are encouraged to mark their calendars. The Golden Giddyup is a non-profit organization dedicated to trail stewardship activities in partnership with the great staffs at Jefferson County Open Space and the City of Golden.

BLACK FOREST HILLS ELEMENTARY STUDENT CHOSEN AS COLORADO WINNER IN DOODLE 4 GOOGLE COMPETITION — SECRETARY OF STATE WAYNE WILLIAMS CELEBRATES IN AURORA

by OnSight | Feb 2017 | Google

A talented student in Aurora, Colorado, could soon have her art on the Google homepage for hundreds of millions to see.

Google is announcing the 53 state and territory winners in its ninth annual Doodle 4 Google competition, a contest open to K-12 students across the United States to redesign the Google logo inspired by the theme “What I see for the future…”.

Madison J. Lee, a 4th grader from Black Forest Hills Elementary School in Aurora, is one of the 53 winners with her doodle, “What Awaits Us in the Future”, depicting a futuristic, alien-filled landscape. Her doodle was selected from thousands of entries received this year.

Secretary of State Wayne Williams was on-hand at Black Forest Hills Elementary School to help Lee celebrate during a surprise assembly.

“As someone who regularly uses Google and enjoys the ever-changing art, it is an honor to present this award,” said Secretary Williams.

To help their favorites succeed, everyone across the USA can vote for their favorite doodle from the 53 state winners. Voting will be open from February 23rd to March 6th on this site: http://www.google.com/doodle4google/vote.html, and the public vote will determine the five national finalists (one in each grade group).Voting ends at 5pm EST on Monday, March 6th. Google will announce these five national finalists and one of them as the national winner on March 31 — and the winner’s doodle will go live on Google.com that day.

The National Winner will take home a $30,000 college scholarship and his or her school will receive a $50,000 Google for Education grant towards the establishment and improvement of a computer lab or technology program.

To see a full list of state winners and to vote online, visit: http://www.google.com/doodle4google/vote.html

If you have any questions or would like to speak with a Google representative, please send an email to press@google.com.

RPM EVENTS GROUP ANNOUNCES NAME FOR NEW PRO BIKE RACE IN COLORADO, 2017 HOST CITIES

by OnSight | Jan 2017 | BIkes, Colorado Classic, USA Pro Cycling, Velorama

RPM Events Group announced today that professional bicycle racing will return to the Centennial State as the inaugural Colorado Classic rolls through Colorado Springs, Breckenridge, and Denver for four exciting and entertaining days this summer.

From Aug. 10-13, a world-class and international field of professional, men cyclists will race more than 300 miles in multiple, fan-friendly circuits, combining the exciting elements of each day’s start and finish into the same location. The Colorado Classic will also feature two days of professional women’s cycling, beginning in Colorado Springs on Aug. 10 and concluding the following night with a women’s-only event under the lights in Denver.

“From the Red Zinger Bicycle Classic, to the Coors Classic and on to the USA Pro Challenge, professional bike racing has become a part of our identity in Colorado. I can’t wait to once again show off this wonderful state to the world during the Colorado Classic,” said Ken Gart, Chairman of RPM Events Group, the organization formed to put on the race. “The Colorado Classic is being developed to appeal not just to cycling fans, but a wide array of Coloradans and visitors to the state.”

The schedule for the four-day stage race:

Aug. 10 — Stage One: Colorado Springs (men and women)
Aug. 11 — Stage Two: Breckenridge (men)
Aug. 11 — Denver circuit race (women)
Aug. 12 — Stage Three: Denver, start and finish RiNo Art District (men)
Aug. 13 — Stage Four: Denver, start and finish RiNo Art District (men) and closing festivities

“I raced in Colorado in 1977 for the first time in the race known as the Red Zinger which grew into one of the biggest bike races in the world. Now 40 years later, I’m excited to see Colorado once again leading the way forward for men’s and women’s pro racing,” said Connie Carpenter Phinney of Boulder, who won the first-ever gold medal in a women’s Olympic road race.

Each day of the Colorado Classic will showcase an interactive start/finish area; and the daily routes will combine downtown circuits of each city with the beauty of Colorado’s legendary terrain and landmarks.

The inaugural Colorado Classic, designated a 2.HC race by Union Cycliste Internationale (Aigle, Switzerland), will host 18 world-class, domestic and international teams, comprised of 6-riders each. The women’s field expects some of the top professional cyclists in the U.S.

“Coloradans love pro bike racing,” said Derek Bouchard-Hall, President & CEO of USA Cycling, “and we’re extremely pleased that the Colorado Classic will continue the state’s proud tradition with both men’s and women’s events.”

The Denver portions of the race will feature a companion festival of national music acts, a marketplace and much more. Details on those plans will be released in the coming weeks.

“We’re very excited to see professional cycling return to Denver and Colorado, and proud that our great city will play host to a lively and fun-filled event,” Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock said. “Previous major races have been great showcases for the city and state, and we have no doubt the Colorado Classic will build upon that history, delivering an epic event for everyone.”

Said David Koff, CEO of RPM Events Group: “This really is a broad-based community event. The Colorado Classic wouldn’t be happening this year without the phenomenal work and support of Gov. John Hickenlooper, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and our community partners in Colorado Springs, Breckenridge and Denver.”

To sign up for additional information, visit: ColoradoClassic.com

BREAK OUT THOSE CALENDARS!

by OnSight | Jan 2017 | BIkes, Golden Giddyup

Bust out your calendars and clear the date: September 10, 2017 is on the books for the SECOND EVER GOLDEN GIDDYUP.

And if they’re not already, please make sure your friends, family, riding buddies, and even lifelong nemeses are on our email list. It’s the best way to keep up with Giddyup-related events, volunteer opportunities, and registration deadlines!

Keep in touch on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter in the meantime.