gregg
02-13-2006, 08:23 AM
Moab, UT -World renowned as the "ecca of Mountain Biking", Moab
has a secret; it's a premier road cycling destination. The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) has selected the Moab Skinny Tire Festival, March 3-6th, as the kick-off of their new advocacy program and their nationwide rollout, once again, thrusting this legendary community in southeastern Utah into the national spotlight.
Lance Armstrong's personal coach Chris Carmichael has also caught 'canyon fever', attending this event located in the heart of the red rock canyon country as a guest speaker. Also speaking is industry personality and Outdoor Life Network color commentator Bob Roll who will add, well, color to the event. Major industry sponsors like Serrotta, Moots and Trek Bicycles have joined to showcase new products along with premier clothing and tour companies.
But why Moab? Perhaps that is best answered in two words: Mark Griffith. As a local Moabite who lost his brother to cancer seven years ago, Mark has dedicated himself to building world-class events, allowing cyclists to put purpose to their cycling. Colette Johnston joined Griffith to help promote the festival after losing her brother to cancer. “Road cyclists want to put meaning behind what they do,” Johnston says she hopes to reach a particular quality in the riders: “It’s not affluence; it’s heart.”
It seems 'heart' is what draws cyclists from literally all over the country, and attracts industry heavyweights including the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF). Founded by the seven-time Tour de France bicycling champion and cancer survivor, the LAF chose the Moab Skinny Tire Festival because of the nationwide rider participation and the focus of the event on making a difference. Not to mention, they just couldn’t resist being part of the newly discovered world-class road cycling destination.
Now in its’ sixth year, the four-day Festival is built around daily bicycle tours and attracts hundreds of riders for professionally supported group rides through unsurpassable landscape including Arches National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Canyonlands National Park, and the Colorado river corridor.
The top fundraisers will also earn a ride and dinner with the pair. Of course, there are also a time trial competition, a silent and live auction with Lance autographed items, and vendor expo. Riders can sign up for any or all of the rides, with a registration fee and a base-level donation to the LAF. The Moab Skinny Tire Festival is almost entirely volunteer; all of the donations go directly to the LAF.
You can register online, or download a registration form, at www.skinnytirefestival.com, or you can call (435)259-2698 for more information. For more information on the Lance Armstrong Foundation please visit www.LAF.org
has a secret; it's a premier road cycling destination. The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) has selected the Moab Skinny Tire Festival, March 3-6th, as the kick-off of their new advocacy program and their nationwide rollout, once again, thrusting this legendary community in southeastern Utah into the national spotlight.
Lance Armstrong's personal coach Chris Carmichael has also caught 'canyon fever', attending this event located in the heart of the red rock canyon country as a guest speaker. Also speaking is industry personality and Outdoor Life Network color commentator Bob Roll who will add, well, color to the event. Major industry sponsors like Serrotta, Moots and Trek Bicycles have joined to showcase new products along with premier clothing and tour companies.
But why Moab? Perhaps that is best answered in two words: Mark Griffith. As a local Moabite who lost his brother to cancer seven years ago, Mark has dedicated himself to building world-class events, allowing cyclists to put purpose to their cycling. Colette Johnston joined Griffith to help promote the festival after losing her brother to cancer. “Road cyclists want to put meaning behind what they do,” Johnston says she hopes to reach a particular quality in the riders: “It’s not affluence; it’s heart.”
It seems 'heart' is what draws cyclists from literally all over the country, and attracts industry heavyweights including the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF). Founded by the seven-time Tour de France bicycling champion and cancer survivor, the LAF chose the Moab Skinny Tire Festival because of the nationwide rider participation and the focus of the event on making a difference. Not to mention, they just couldn’t resist being part of the newly discovered world-class road cycling destination.
Now in its’ sixth year, the four-day Festival is built around daily bicycle tours and attracts hundreds of riders for professionally supported group rides through unsurpassable landscape including Arches National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Canyonlands National Park, and the Colorado river corridor.
The top fundraisers will also earn a ride and dinner with the pair. Of course, there are also a time trial competition, a silent and live auction with Lance autographed items, and vendor expo. Riders can sign up for any or all of the rides, with a registration fee and a base-level donation to the LAF. The Moab Skinny Tire Festival is almost entirely volunteer; all of the donations go directly to the LAF.
You can register online, or download a registration form, at www.skinnytirefestival.com, or you can call (435)259-2698 for more information. For more information on the Lance Armstrong Foundation please visit www.LAF.org