ATTENTION BICYCLE ENTHUSIASTS: For one week each year, The USA Pro Challenge, known as “America’s Race”, fills Northern Colorado streets with displays by many of the world’s most renown cyclists. This August 17 – 23, 2015, the annual week-long race will ride through the Colorado Rockies yet again, making it’s way to Larimer County for Stage 6 of the event on Saturday, August 22. Stage 6 will begin at 11:35 a.m. in Loveland at The Ranch Events Complex, and will conclude in Old Town, Fort Collins at 3:30 p.m. (men’s race).
New this year to the event, one local bike shop has been given a “big shot” by the USA Pro Challenge Northern Colorado Local Operating Committee. The Fort Collins-based cycling store, Big Shot Bikes, has been formally asked by the organization to design a custom trophy bike for the Stage 6 winner of this challenging, yet beautifully scenic race.
Since the stores founding in 2009, Big Shot Bikes has been Fort Collins’s most direct route to great quality, unique track and fixed gear bicycles. Incorporating the company’s distinct style into it’s custom trophy for the event, Big Shot Bikes decided to utilize the USA Pro Challenge colors of red, white and blue while also including the names of all northern Colorado Stage 6 communities into the design. Mentioned on both the front and back wheels are Fort Collins, Loveland, Larimer County and Windsor.
“We are excited and flattered to be chosen to design the Stage 6 trophy. This is a great opportunity to highlight our company and our products as well as support the race as it comes through northern Colorado,” said Matt Peterson, owner of Big Shot Bikes, in a press release. “We love that the USA Pro Challenge Stage 6 course highlights northern Colorado and the beauty of the area. Seeing our community highlighted and seen by millions of viewers around the world through the race is a great opportunity for northern Colorado cycling to be in the spotlight.”
Although the professional cyclist to win Stage 6 of the USA Pro Challenge will be awarded this custom bicycle during the finish award ceremony in Old Town the same day, obtaining a replica is possible. Big Shot Bikes created ten additional, identical bikes which will be available through the purchase of the USA Pro Challenge Northern Colorado Committee’s Big Shot sponsorship package.
“As we were working with Big Shot Bikes on the trophy bike, we saw a great opportunity for local cycling fans and northern Colorado businesses to get in on the action and be able to share in the experience by owning their own custom Stage 6 Big Shot bike,” explained Local Organizing Member, Eric Thompson.
For more information, connect with the Northern Colorado USA Pro Challenge on Facebook.
Planning to watch the USA Pro Challenge as it passes by your community?
The Downtown Fort Collins Business Association recommends Bingham Hill, Horsetooth Reservoir and Old Town as the best spots to relax and view the race.
All attendees are encouraged to ride their bikes to the event itself. It is also possible to take Transfort’s MAX, which will run every ten minutes on race day. There will also be two minor interruptions when the racers cross Mason Street, but the services will run as normal otherwise.
Rather volunteer than spectate? Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks the day of the event. To learn more, visit the USA Pro Challenge Volunteer page.
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