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The Verde Valley Rally is returning for its third 12 months as a community-driven bicycle race providing two days of racing, dwell music, family-friendly actions, meals vans and a farmer’s market.
Hosted by the Verde Valley Bicycle Firm, the occasion encourages the group to get pleasure from biking and the outside whereas supporting younger riders and native nonprofit Chain Response, which focuses on getting children on bicycles and creating bike paths within the space. The nonprofit is at the moment constructing a mountain bike course at Clarkdale-Jerome Elementary Faculty.
Verde Valley Bicycle Firm proprietor Greg Miranda mentioned that the occasion has all the time been community-oriented and goals to offer what he considers to be a wholesome atmosphere for kids by retaining them off screens, medicine and alcohol. He added that the occasion additionally attracts like-minded folks from out of city who wouldn’t usually go to.
Miranda described the occasion’s objectives as security, being invited again by their group companions and having enjoyable. He additionally pressured the significance of encouraging children to put on helmets when using bikes.
“It’s family-friendly and community-based however then there’s additionally a bit little bit of a aggressive edge to it, if that’s what you need,” Miranda mentioned.
The occasion will embrace two races, the Historic Clarkdale Criterium on Saturday, April 6, and the Verde Valley Rally CrossCountry Race on Sunday, April 7.
The previous will lap round Clarkdale and shall be organized into a number of classes based mostly on distances, together with a one mile all-wheels group parade that’s free.
The cross-country race will supply 5 totally different choices that cross the Coconino Nationwide Forest and are each aggressive and non-competitive.
The rally will even embrace an all-day bike rodeo sponsored by Sedona Mountain Bike Academy and a scavenger hunt for youths.
“We’re excited to see the mountain bike racing scene setting foot within the Verde Valley,” U.S. Forest Service consultant Mike Suggs said in a press launch.
“I really like grassroots, family-friendly group occasions,” native mountain biker Tim Allen mentioned in a press launch. “The Verde Valley Rally encapsulates the essence of Cottonwood and the higher Verde Valley with mountain bike tradition and competitors open to all talent ranges whereas giving again to the group.”
Miranda likened the bike store, the nonprofit factor of the rally and its occasions to the Olympic rings, with the bike store because the hub being linked by Chain Response to the occasions they placed on and the crew they began at Mingus Union Excessive Faculty.
He mentioned {that a} joke he and his fellow bicycle advocates make is that they wish to make bike racing cool once more.
Registration continues to be open to take part within the races. The occasion can be in search of volunteers to assist out on each days. For extra info, go to verdevalleyrally.com.
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