FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Meet and Ride with Tour de Champion and Cycling Legends and Frank Schleck, Thursday, August 15th and Friday, August 16th

Renowned International Athletes Training in Reno Tahoe to Ride with Community in Support of the Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway and Tour de Nez

Reno, NV (August 10, 2013) -- Cycling enthusiasts are invited to meet and ride with Champion Andy Schleck and cycling legends Jens Voigt and Frank Schleck at two public events and to show support for the Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway and the Tour de Nez.

The internationally renowned athletes will be in Reno Tahoe to relax and train for the US Pro Cycling Challenge starting Sunday, August 19 in Aspen, CO.

These legends are hosted by Reno's cycling enthusiast Franz Weber, an Olympian and six-time consecutive World Speed Skiing Champion who chose to relocate to the area in 1984. “Many world-class athletes favor the Reno Tahoe area to train due to the altitude, weather, diversity of recreational opportunities,” Weber notes. “It was here that three time Tour de France Champion Greg LeMond got his start.”

“Reno Tahoe’s reputation as a destination of choice for cycling enthusiasts and world class athletes continues to grow. I’m happy that healthy lifestyles such as cycling are an important part of our community and is an accessible sport for many who reside here,” said Stacie Mathewson of the Stacie Mathewson Foundation, which is a community based substance abuse foundation for youth, and title sponsor for the 20th Tour de Nez.

Schedule for Thursday, August 15, 2013 in Reno Meet and greet the pros at the old Reno Arch at the Siena Hotel Spa Casino from 8:00am to 9:00am. Ride departs the Siena at 9:00am and takes a scenic tour through Reno at a leisurely pace (15 m.p.h) and concludes at Galena Market on Thomas Creek Road. A donation of $25.00 for the ride and $100.00 for the ride and photo opportunity is suggested and benefits that Tahoe- Pyramid Bikeway. Advanced riders wishing to test their legs and endurance are welcome to try and keep pace up the Mt. Rose Highway to Lake Tahoe as the pros resume their training pace.

The Siena Spa and Casino is offering a room rate discount for visiting guests. Call (877) 743- 6233.

Schedule for Friday, August 16, 2013 in Tahoe Meet and greet at 9:00am at the Homewood/West Shore Café parking lot and join the pros for the first 20 miles of their training ride. A donation of $25.00 for the ride and $100.00 for ride and photo opportunity is suggested and benefits that Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway.

“This is a rare opportunity to ride with three of the world’s most accomplished cyclists and to further our vision of creating one of the most scenic bikeways in America,” remarked Tahoe- Pyramid Bikeway president Janet Phillips. “The Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway, when completed, will give enthusiasts access by foot or by bicycle from its source at Lake Tahoe to its desert terminus, Pyramid Lake, and descend over 2000 feet in 116 miles.”

“Having had the opportunity to follow the fabulous careers and impressive results we are excited to welcome these athletes to the greater Reno-Tahoe area,” noted David Hartman of The Reno- Tahoe Audi . “Sharing the passion we feel for the sport across the community is special indeed and we look forward to the experience with everyone in attendance.”

Local clubs and businesses with ties to the cycling economy rallied quickly to support this last minute opportunity, including: Tour de Nez title sponsor Stacie Mathewson Foundation, The Siena Hotel Spa Casino, JMA’s West Shore Café, Homewood Mountain Resort, Constellation Residences at Northstar and Ritz Carlton at Tahoe, Procrastinating Peddlers of Reno bike club, and the Audi Reno-Tahoe Cycling Team.

For More Information Visit RenoTahoeCycling.com for updates, detailed route descriptions, and to connect with fellow cyclists. For event logistics or to participate as a business sponsor, contact David Larson (775) 762-5418. Special rates of $40 plus resort fee will be offered to all participants at the Siena Spa and Casino.

About the Pro Riders Andy Schleck is a Luxembourgish professional road bicycle racer for UCI Pro Tour -Leopard-Trek and is the Champion and runner-up at the Tour twice.

Jens Voigt is a German professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam RadioShack-Leopard- Trek and was the oldest competitor at the at age 41. No matter the country, no matter the age group, most people would be hard pressed to think of a more popular rider than Jens Voigt.

Frank Schleck, older brother of Andy, is a Luxembourgish professional road bicycle racer with a long career of podiums and accomplishments and best known for his winning the mountain stage in the which finished on the Alpe d'Huez.

Upcoming Cycling Events in Reno Tahoe USA August 25, 2013: Reno Tahoe Gran Fondo http://www.renotahoegranfondo.com September 21, 2013: Sierra Valley Gran Fondo http://svgf.org/

Contact: Franz Weber [email protected] Tel: +1 (775) 786-0226 Cell: +1 (775) 721-8550

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