The two-day event is expected to involve around 2,000 riders and create $200,000 of economic activity in its first year. NEOCycle will also promote Cleveland's emergent cycling-friendly attributes, healthy and active lifestyles, and many of Cleveland's outstanding natural and man-made resources.
"NEOCycle takes advantage of Cleveland's already vibrant cycling movement and provide a unique opportunity for riders of all styles, ages and skill level," said David Gilbert, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission President and CEO. "By creating powerful partnerships with Cleveland's cycling, corporate and civic community, the event is poised to become the top cycling festival in the Midwest. NEOCycle fulfills the Sports Commission's mission by adding hundreds of thousands of dollars to the local economy through visitor spending. The event also adds a new thrilling entertainment option to the Cleveland landscape."
NEOCycle will be the umbrella festival for a minimum of five races and rides in its first year and the festival schedule will allow cyclists to compete or participate in multiple rides throughout the weekedn. Registration prices for the races will range between $25 and $35, with discounts being offered for registering for multiple races. Registration for the event will open on April 1. The races and rides, along with a brief description, can be found in the table below:
Race/Ride Name
Date - Time
Location Description
Velodrome
Sat. Sept. 27 - AM
Cleveland Velodrome High-speed track racing at the Cleveland Velodrome –
Ohio’s only Velodrome complex
Cyclocross
Sat. Sept. 27 - AM/PM
Edgewater Park Competition managed by Team Spin requiring cyclists to disembark and carry bicycle’s over and through obstacles
Night Ride
Sat. Sept. 27 - PM Edgewater Park A unique ride through downtown Cleveland with a
backdrop of a Lake Erie sunset and the city skyline
Criterium
Sun. Sept. 28 - AM Wade Oval Road Race featuring many laps of a course on city streets –
in this case in University Circle run by Velogoat
Fundo
Sun. Sept. 28 - PM Edgewater Park A non-competitive distance ride through Greater
Cleveland with routes of 10, 33.8 and 66.2 miles being
conducted by Bike Cleveland
NEOCycle will receive significant support from both Cuyahoga County and the Cleveland corporate community. the event will be part of the Cuyahoga County Health Alliance and Ohio Savings Bank will be the event's presenting partner.
"The strong partnership between the County abnd the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission will allow NEOCycle to promote better heath and active living through cycling to our residents, particularly to the 22 communities and 28 institutional partners who are engaged in the Cuyahoga County Health Alliance. The Health Alliance, our top wellness initiative was launched to elevate the conversatino around healthy living and support programs just like NEOCycle across the County," said Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald.
"I am proud of Ohio Savings Bank's sponsorship of this important event. Ohio Savings Bank and our parent company, New York Community Bank, believe in the mission of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commision and the positive impact this event will have on our community," said Cindy Flynn, chief administrative officer of New york Community Bancorp, Inc., and Sports Commission trustee. "Our more than 1,000 employees -- many of whom are cyclists themselves -- are deeply committed to making Northeast Ohio an even better place to live and work."
The event's festival village and headquarters will be known as The Hub at Edgewater Park. The Hub will feature live music; cycling and outdoor lifestyle vendors, exhibits and activities; a build-out by Ray's Indoor Mountain Park; Brewery and New Belgium Brewery. A portion of Fat Head's beer sales will be donated to the Cleveland Metroparks Trail Fund. General Electric Lighting will be the sponsor of the entertainment stage at The Hub at Edgewater Park. The stage will be powered by GE Lighting B3 bikes, which have previously helped power the Winterfest Christmas Tree in Public Square. Admission for The Hub at Edgewater Park will be free.
About the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission
The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission prides itself on being one of the most distinguished Sports Commissions in the country, effectively leveraging sports events and activities to further economic development in Northeast Ohio. The philosophy of the Sports Commission sets it apart from others by operating as an economic and community development organization utilizing sports as a vehicle to forward other community agendas. The organization takes the unique approach of becoming a management and financial partner in each event with the goal of producing events that are more successful in Cleveland than other cities in which they have been held. Since 2000, the Sports Commission has been responsible for attracting over 150 sporting events, contributing to more than $400 million in economic activity.
For more information, visitwww.clevelandsports.org.
###
PRESS RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Nick VanDemark, Communications Manager
Greater Cleveland Sports Commission
[email protected]
O: 216-479-6399
C: 419-769-3544