UPCC News Round-up, 9/23/2011

Factoid

The USA Pro Cycling Challenge (UPCC) was the first professional race in Colorado since the Coors International Bicycle Classic ended after the 1988 edition.

2012 dates announced

The UPCC will return in 2012 for seven days from August 20 to 26.

What cities want to host a start or finish in 2012?

The local organizing committee (LOC) is an important contributor to the success of the UPCC at the local, statewide and international levels; it helps plan and facilitate the race in its community.

Winter Park, Granby, Boulder, Frisco, Copper Mountain, Montrose, Telluride and Ouray have been mentioned as receiving invites to bid, which suggests the race organizers are contemplating stages in their neighborhoods. In addition to these towns, the following have indicated interest, according to the Denver Post: Alamosa, Cañon City, Castle Rock, Crested Butte (Mount Crested Butte, the resort, hosted in 2011), Delta, Estes Park, Evergreen, Fort Collins, Glenwood Springs, Greeley, Idaho Springs, Lake City, Longmont, Loveland, MorgulBismark/Superior, Morrison, Pagosa Springs, Pueblo, Woodland Park, Grand Junction and Durango.

Green thong on Rabbit Ears Pass - expect these on Lookout (D.J. Molny)

All eleven of the host cities for the UPCC 2011 edition have expressed interest in a stage for 2012. They are: Colorado Springs, Salida, Gunnison, Aspen, Mount Crested Butte, Vail, Breckenridge, Avon, Steamboat Springs, Golden and Denver. Aspen and Steamboat Springs have said they are definitely submitting a bid for 2012.  The fact that Vail’s proposed 2012 municipal budget recommends using the General Fund balance to finance the race indicates they are committed.

It’s sounding like Boulder is a shoe-in to host a stage. Shawn Hunter, race co-chairman, said he has talked a couple of times over the past six months with Boulder’s organizing committee. “They have a very solid vision for how to get Boulder in the race. The good news for them is they’ve been thinking about this since February and really planning…”

How will the selection process work? “It’s going to be a hard decision,” Hunter said. “What it’ll boil down to is selecting a route that is keeping it interesting for the athletes, interesting for the spectators and allows us to showcase different parts of the state.” According to race organizers, the request for proposals will be posted on the UPCC website at the end of September. Proposals are due on Oct. 31, with the next host cities for the UPCC announced by the end of November.

Mountain-top finish?

Hunter said he wants a mountaintop finish in 2012. Mount Evans, the highest paved road in North America at 14,240 feet, will be considered.

Swan Mountain, 2011 UPCC (photogjono)

Host City’s Costs

• The total cost of the race in Steamboat Springs was $220,728; this includes the value of 2,600 hours of city staff time.
• In Aspen expenses to host the race were $258,952. The city supplied $60,000 the Aspen Chamber Resort Association picked up $50,000. Sponsorships and patron fundraising covered most of the remaining amount.

Economic Impact in Host Cities

• A member of Grand Junction’s organizing committee said, “We’re told that in the Tour of California, some towns had a 6-1 dollar ratio. Every dollar they spent, they saw $6 come in. That’s hard to confirm. But after this race went through Salida and Gunnison, those towns are champing at the bit to get back.”
• Kremmling Chamber Executive Director Beres said even though the race passed through town as a sprint location, it brought an economic boost to business owners. Restaurants had their share of traffic before the race came through, Beres said, and some retailers were pleased with sales to international customers.
• In Steamboat Springs many lodging properties reported being at or near capacity Friday night but not Saturday night. And many local restaurants and businesses didn’t report a noticeable increase in sales that weekend.
• Aspen: 95 percent of local businesses expressed support for the event in a recent city survey. Questions about the impact on local businesses met with mixed results. Comparing Aug. 24 to the same Wednesday a year ago, 43.4 percent said business was about the same, 28.7 percent said sales were higher, and 27.9 reported that it had decreased.

Road closure sign in Golden for 2011 UPCC

Other

• Aspen estimates 18,000 and 25,000 people were in town on the day of the race.
• However, Aspen city officials recognized they can do better when it comes to logistics like pedestrian flow in town, better access for retailers and more activities post-race — like a concert.
• Per the UPCC Facebook page, more than 3500 riders logged their miles during the inaugural USA Pro Virtual Cycling Challenge on MapMyRide, raising $25,000 for our official charity, Millennium Promise.