Pedal The Plains (without leaving the couch)

by OnSight | Dec 2012 | Pedal the Plains

Happy riders at the finish line in Yuma.

Wide open spaces, a few gusts of wind, a pedal-powered Governor and hundreds of cyclists of all ages, abilities, and spandex coverages…Pedal The Plains 2012 was a truly unique and unforgettable adventure on Colorado’s Eastern Plains.

Along for the ride was Denver’s High Noon Entertainment, who (with help from the Colorado Film School) put together an all-too-brief documentary about the experience. The film follows several teams of riders, from the experienced pro-racers Megan (one of PTP’s “Plain Pedalers“) and Katie,  who were shadowed by two strapping, corn-fed, cycling novices from the Future Farmers of America; a team of eastern plains riders of extremely diverse skill levels; and a group of troubled youth whose team leader uses cycling to provide a healthy outlet for his charges.

Narrated by Governor Hickenlooper himself, and set to a hard-rocking soundtrack, the film is a fantastic, funny, and freewheeling journey into the heart of the ride.

You can still catch the special on Altitude Sports Network:

Dec. 10, 8 p.m.
Dec. 15, 2 p.m.
Dec. 17, 3 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Dec. 18, 11 a.m.

 A wonderful job by High Noon, the intrepid narrator of the documentary, and all the Pedal The Plains organizers. What a wonderful ride!

Pedal The Plains 2012 Wrap-up

by OnSight | Oct 2012 | Pedal the Plains

If you missed the inaugural Pedal The Plains Ride, there’s plenty of ways to catch up! The event was a major success, with close to a thousand riders (including Governor Hickenlooper) tackling the rolling hills of the Eastern Plains of Colorado.

• Denver Post coverage on Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3.
• Reports from our Plain Pedaler correspondents.
• Pedal The Plains Facebook page and Twitter feed, featuring tons of pics, updates, and comments from participants and sponsors.

• Day 1 PTP blog:
  The first day of the first ever Viaero Wireless Pedal The Plains is in the books, and what a great day it was. It dawned crisp, calm, and clear, with volunteers bustling around Old Thresher’s Village in Yuma. Riders and locals pouring into the village over the course of the. Pics from Day 1.
• Day 2 PTP blog:
  

  The "Top Hogs" performance was a crowd-pleaser in Burlington!

  Saturday brought a headwind to frustrate riders, but also rolling hills, gorgeous vistas, and educational stops including tours of the historical Beecher Island battle ground. Trivia signage dotted the roadside to keep cyclists alert and informed about the history and industry of the local countryside. Pics from Day 2 and  Party on the Plains.

• Day 3 PTP blog:
  A slight overcast on Sunday allowed riders to ease more smoothly into the morning, and kept temperatures seasonably cool and pleasant throughout the day. After loosening up sore muscles heading west into a stiff and chilly headwind, the course turned northward, and the wind assisted riders along. Over rolling sage-brush hills, through now-familiar corn crops, past farmsteads both active and abandoned, and alongside some unexpected spectators, cyclists pedaled the ride’s longest leg, covered over 80 miles. Pics from Day 3.

Pedal The Plains was designed to provide numerous economic benefits and opportunities for host communities’ lodging, restaurant, retail businesses, as well as entertainment, community meals, home stays and transportation.

All event proceeds will benefit The Denver Post Community Foundation in support of Future Farmers of America, 4-H and Rural Solutions.

Plain Pedalers bringing you the news

by OnSight | Jul 2012 | Pedal the Plains

The Denver Post’s Pedal The Plains has chosen its three summer correspondents, and these Plain Pedalers are riding (and posting) like crazy.

Meet Meredy, Brian, and Megan and follow them all summer as they bring ride recommendations, tips for riders of all ability levels, and amateur reporting from the ride on September 21-23rd.

Registration for the ride is still open!

Announcing the Plain Pedaler Contest!

by OnSight | Jun 2012 | Pedal the Plains

Pedal The Plains is in need of three people to carry the banner of the Plain Pedaler this summer. Plain Pedalers will get FREE ENTRY into Pedal The Plains, as well as other cycling events in Colorado. PLUS they get the opportunity to tell their stories and share their photos of training, riding, and exploring the state on the Pedal The Plains web site.

This exciting contest will take advantage of social media outreach and highlight riders’ creativity and social media connections. It will harness the power of cycling fans’ existing social networks to promote the race itself, as well as cycling all over Colorado, while giving participants the chance to be creative and publicize their own photos and writing through Pedal The Plains’ networks.

More information on how the whole things works here.