Almanzo 100 gravel grinder claims to be the largest free bike race event of its kind in the world. Registration starts January 1st, and they’re hosting a film screening party in Minneapolis on Saturday, January 5th to raise money to support the event. Full PR below…
MINNEAPOLIS, MN , DEMBER 2012— World Class gravel cycling race The Almanzo 100™ will receive a boost on Saturday, January 5 when several local Minneapolis companies join together with race founder and director Chris Skogen, for a party and fundraiser benefitting the 2013 edition. Admission is just $10, and all proceeds will help offset the cost of the 2013 Almanzo 100 and Royal 162. The event will take place from 6-10pm. Tickets are available for purchase at the door.
Intermedia Arts at 2822 Lyndale Avenue South will host a bash that will include the unveiling and pre-order of the 2013 Almanzo race kit, designed by Twin Six. Salsa Cycles will present a short film entitled “So Far to Go” and event co-sponsor Royal Antler Films will premier two new cycling-themed short films. The Waffle Truck will provide frites, soup, chili, waffles and beer to the hungry and thirsty crowd. HED Wheels, Calhoun Cycle, and Banjo Brothers will all be on hand, and Challenge Tires will unveil the incredible new Almanzo™ tire. Local rollicking rockers Highchair Kings, fronted by lead-man Trevor Lettman of Space2Burn Web Development and Design, will provide ultra-smooth sounds to round out the program. There will also be a product raffle featuring donated goods from 02 Rainwear, Challenge Tires, Dirt Rag Magazine, Calhoun Cycle, Banjo Brothers, Twin Six and more.
The films which run from 6-10 minutes in length will be screened three times over the course of the evening and would be enjoyable with anyone with a passing interest in cycling. The films are all family friendly. The early showing would be ideal for families with young children.
Gravel road endurance racing is a new phenomenon in the cycling world. Almanzo founder Chris Skogen has played a dominant role in pioneering the events and setting the standard for the course routes and the way the events are operated; including the lack of entry fee. While the races are not sanctioned, they have become increasingly popular among elite amateur athletes and recreational cyclists. The Almanzo course is demanding featuring almost 8,000 feet of vertical climbing and one of the most beautiful, traversing through rural Southern Minnesota farm country.
About the Almanzo100
Since 2007 Chris Skogen and his Almanzo 100 and Royal 162 have provided the premier platform for gravel endurance racing in the United States. Financed solely out of pocket, and with help from a dedicated family of volunteers, Skogen continually sets the bar high for an annual event that is looked forward to by riders of all stripes. Eschewing entry fees, the Almanzo attracts upward of 600 entrants to the rolling hills and farmland around Spring Valley, Minnesota. Registration starts January 1st 2013 and ends January 31st. This year’s event will take place May 18th. You can find more details at www.almanzo.com
2013 Corporate Partners:
In 2013 Almanzo offered corporate sponsorships for the first time so that the event could continue its core mission of keeping the event free of charge. This year’s race will operate with help from the following companies:
Salsa Cycles (salsacycles.com), Twin Six (twinsix.com), HED Cycling (hedcycling.com), CarsRCoffins (carsrcoffins.com), O2 Rainwear (o2rainwear.com), Banjo Brothers (banjobrothers.com) Calhoun Cycle (calhouncycle.com), Challenge Tires (challengetech.it), RP Active Sports (rpactivesports.com), Space2Burn New Media (space2burn.com), Rittler Graphic Design (coroflot.com/craigrittler)
