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May 2011
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2011 Great Western Bicycle Rally
Memorial Day Weekend
May 27 - 30, 2011
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Online Reg Closes
Saturday,
May 21 at 6pm
We Will Be Taking On-Site
Registrations |
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PLAN
AHEAD
DOWNLOAD A RALLY
SCHEDULE |
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| In This
Issue |
Event
News |
 GWBR 101
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IMPORTANT NOTICES:.
- Help! Volunteers
Needed: If you have a spouse or friend coming with you that is not
riding we need volunteers to work the rest stops on Sunday at the Metric &
Century. Please contact Sharon at 866-909-4927
- Campers: Last year
we noticed that too many vehicles were parked on the grass in particular areas
of the Fairgrounds. This forced some tent campers to camp on the decomposed
gravel, when in fact there is room for them to camp on the grass. To rectify
this situation, we have hired professional parking control to help guide you to
a spot to ensure you are efficiently parked (RV's & Motorhomes). In
addition we will try to have as many cars parked as possible off the
grass.
- Time Trial
Participants: Due to construction on Hwy. 46 East, do not ride out
to the time trial on Hwy 46. We have an alternative routes available at
registration and it is not the same route as last year. Driving to
the time trial is recommended.
- Those riding routes going on 45 West, there is a
mile-long construction area. Please be sure to use the alternative routes
provided on your route instructions to avoid the construction.
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| Around the Hills to Adelaida |
Wine Tasters Tour
- We Pick
Up The Wine You Buy! |
| Awesome Velo de Femme Raffle Prizes |
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Tri-tip BBQ Santa Maria
Style
- Sunday Night |
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Some Helpful Info When You Arrive:
A map
of the fairgrounds and RV hookups will be available when you arrive. Please
note that the RV lot near the freeway will not be available for us to use. (we
tried wholeheartedly to reserve it but the Event Center Management would not
budge).
Master mechanic Kevin a.k.a. Shifty, from
ShiftyUSA will be on-hand for your
mechanical needs
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Kid's Games and Roadeo |
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Geo Cache Ride: Bring your GPS's! This is a fun
ride you can do anytime and find the cache's around the area. The route
instructions are available at registration. Many thanks you to Jeff and Mike
Bailey who organize this each year! Want to learn more about Geo Caching? Go to
geocaching.com
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Sunday Night Santa Maria Style
Tri - tip BBQ: 2 - 7pm
Music from 4-7pm.
All
Proceeds Go to Lions Club Mobile Eye Trailer and Can Be Purchased at Rally
Headquarters
Tickets: $10
The Lion's Club sponsors the eye mobile trailer which
conducts eye site screening of both high school and elementary school children.
They also do screening at local private schools.
The trailer is owned by the Atascadero Lions Club and
local doctors man the trailer during the screening. The doctors are paid a
stipend that is funded by the different clubs throughout the County. The club
also pays for exams and glasses for students that are referred to the Lions
Club by the school nurses. |
Other Tidbits:
New
Vendors! Luna Sport Gear
and Amy Snyder, Author of Hell On Two Wheels
will be coming as vendors.
Team Chain
Gang will be at the Rally with a booth to raise awareness for MS as
well as distributing information regarding BIKE MS. They will also assist with
the Velo De Femme.
If you ride by
Sylvester Winery on
Saturday, they will be serving Lasagna & Salad lunches for $8.00 or Panini
Sandwiches for $4.99
Paso Robles Festival of the Arts
on Saturday at the Central Square. Music and art down at the
square! |
| New Raffle Item: The "On Your Left
Bell" is a unique way of letting fellow riders that you are approaching
from behind on the left on your bicycle. |
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Commemorative GWBR Wine
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- Around the Hills to Adelaida -
Always a Favorite |
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Step right up and get your GWBR wine! Produced and
bottled by Sylvester Winery it is some of Paso's best.
Local professional artist
Kathleen
King donated the artwork.Sylvester Winery, who will deliver your purchase to the
Rally headquarters Sat night. They will also take orders at the GWBR Wine and
Cheese Social
Commemorative Wine and Posters Will Be For
Sale
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This route is so popular that it has been offered at
the Rally every year for the past 25+ years. Sometimes this route is a bit
strenuous, but the scenery and solitude of the backroads west of town are well
worth it. Be sure to stop at Norman Vineyards where there will be restrooms,
refreshments, and water for all of you. There are reports of riders spending
the entire afternoon there. Truly this is one of the prettiest rides at the
Rally. Many take a slightly shorter and easier route back from Norman
Vineyards. This is the same return found at the end of the Wine Taster's
Tour.
PROFILE: 2170 feet of elevation gain. No long extended
climbs, but many rolling hills gently climbing for the first half of the ride.
There is a very fast, thrilling downhill on Chimney Rock Rd. that will make the
climbing worth it for some. The break at the Norman Winery makes this route
less difficult than it might otherwise be. Mostly country roads
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Velo De Femme Women's
Ride |
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The Velo De Femme is sponsored by the City
of Paso Robles. We thank Shonna Howenstine, Tourism Coordinator for putting
together a great list of raffle prizes. We also thank
Team Chain Gang and
Cambria Bicycle Outfitters for road
support during the ride
Raffle Prizes:
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GWBR 101 |
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Directions to the Rally
It's easy to get to
the Rally, as it is located right off Hwy 101.
Go to our
directions page.
Weather
Well we can't predict the weather,
but this time of year in Paso is usually lovely with moderate temrperatures.
Some mornings can be cool with fog and some afternoons can turn hot after 1pm.
Layering your clothing works best.
What to Pack
Of course, your bike! Although we will be having bikes
for sale in the vendor area. You can also shop for new duds at the vendor fair
and/or purchase Rally merchandise.
- Sunscreen and lip balm.... you will need for the Paso
Robles sunny skies
- Camera..... to record those fun times!
- Money honey, for food and for purchases from our
participating vendors and local stores and restaurants. For you card carriers,
there are many banks in Paso Robles within walking distance. There is also an
ATM at the fairgrounds. Sunday night we have hot coals in the BBQ that you
may use at our annual cookout.
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What to Expect
Expect to feel free of deadlines and "have to's". You
will have the freedom to choose what you want to do each day, ride as far and
as hard as you want. The eating and drinking selections are incredible in Paso
Robles so enjoy yourself. You will be surrounded by people who love cycling and
are typically friendly and ready to share and meet new friends. Paso Robles is
a wonderful "small town" that is welcoming us with open arms. Wineries are
participating more than ever this year, so expect to have a wonderful time
visiting them as your ride through the countryside.
If you are camping, expect a nice hot
shower! |
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Bicycle Roadeo and Non-Cycling Games
& Activities: Sunday |
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| Bicycle Roadeo
The Bicycle Roadeo is a great way to introduce your
children to bicycle skills and safety. This gives the Rally an opportunity to
educate parents and children about the safety aspects of riding a bicycle on
streets and roads. The goal is to empower young cyclists with a minimal set of
skills for on-road riding. A miniature "chalk street" course set up in a
parking lot where young cyclists are shown where and how to apply the rules.
The main focus of a bike rodeo is Cycling Safety for young cyclists, age's
kindergarten to 14 or so. The "Roadeo" is organized by the Barbara Heughins and
her volunteers.
Bicycle Roadeo Participants
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Non-Cycling Games and
Activities
Each year fun activities such as the "Huffy Toss",
paper plane throwing contest, 3- legged race, egg toss and more are organized
by Rally volunteers.
Paper
Airplane Throwing 
Getting Ready For the Egg Toss  |
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Wine Taster's Tour --- 30 miles & We
Pick Up Your Wine! |
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PROFILE: 1920 feet of elevation gain. That's a fair
amount of climbing for a 30 mile ride, but it's not as bad as it sounds. A few
short, sharp hills in the early portion of the ride are followed by a long
up-grade on Vineyard Road and continuing on the first portion of Adelaida Rd.
However, except for a 4 mile grade on Adelaida, most of the climbing is broken
up with short downhills allowing you to catch your breath. The route finishes
with a terrific 9 mile downhill which we |
This has been a Rally tradition for a number of years
now in one form or another. The current version cuts out some of the hills to
give you more wine, and less whine. It gives you a chance to visit five local
wineries: Peachy Canyon Winery, Castoro Cellars, Donati Family Vineyard,
Norman Vineyards, and Halter Ranch Vineyard. By arrangement with these
wineries, if you choose to purchase any wine during your visit, you don't have
to carry it on your bike. The Rally will pick it up for you and you can
retrieve it Sunday evening at Registration on the fairgrounds. Even if you
don't stop to taste the wine, this is a pretty ride. Some of these wineries
will be providing wine for tasting at the Saturday night wine and cheese party
at the Rally. Note: The late suggested start time is because the tasting rooms
often do not open until 11:00am. |
We need volunteers!
It's fun to do and a
great way to meet other people.
Email Us
Here
Thank you to our sponsors!
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