San José Cycling Classic is back with more

Wow, the San José Cycling Classic is going to be a huge undertaking this year. The week-long celebration of all things cycle related has something for everyone - families, racers, weekend warriors, commuters, and casual pedalers. Let's let the City of San José sum it all up:

The San José Cycling Classic will be held May 15-20 throughout San Jose in conjuction with the upcoming Amgen Tour of California. The multi-pronged event will encompass professional, amateur and community cycling activities, including a first-ever ViaVelo, a recreational ride, a non-competitive timed ride, CEO Challenge, cycling instruction and a cycling film night. The week of amatuer and professional cycling events is expected to attract more than 5,000 cycling athletes, 20,000 spectators, participants and cycling-related exhibitors.

“Cycling is an important form of alternative transportation, and San José’s Green Vision puts San José on the path to being a cycling-friendly city,” San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed said. “The San José Cycling Classic lets cyclists everywhere know that San Jose and the greater South Bay region is a one of the best places in the world to cycle whether you’re an amateur or a professional.”

The San José Cycling Classic will kick off with the Mattson Technology San Jose ViaVelo: Urban Free-wheelin’ Fun! Co-produced by the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition, this kick-off event for a week-long celebration of cycling activities beginning on Saturday, May 15 will include a family fun ride, a geo caching scavenger hunt, community booths, demonstrations, live music and other free activities. The Mattson Technology San José ViaVelo will transform San Fernando Street in Downtown San José into a car-free promenade to gather to bike, walk, dance, stroll, play games, just have a great time and enjoy a sunny May day in a care-free environment. Events such as this have been held all over the world, but have yet to hit San José streets until now.

The San José Cycling Classic continues with the Get Back on Your Bike! cycling instruction presentation, noon-1 p.m., Tues., May 18 at the San José Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 150 E. San Fernando Street. Presented by John Brazil, head of San José’s Pedestrian & Bicycle Program, this free lunchtime course provides important tips on using the bicycle for recreation and commuting.

On Wed., May 19, San José will welcome back The King of the Mountain Time Trial Ride, and a CEO Challenge powered by SunPower and co-presented by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group for the fourth year in a row. Held on Sierra Road in San Jose, the 3.7 mi. individually timed ride will be held on the same challenging course that the professional cyclists will tackle during the Amgen Tour of California later in the day. Beginning at the base of Sierra Road, participants will bike to the top where a VIP brunch will be served. While at the top, participants will also be able cheer on the professional cyclists as they ride their way through Stage 4 of the Amgen Tour of California, also taking place on Wed., May 19.

With a race start at 11 a.m., Wed., May 19, at Park Ave. and Almaden Blvd., San José will be a host city for the Amgen Tour of California for the fifth year in a row—one of the few cities in California to be able to stake this claim. And, San José will, for the second time, serve as a start city to one of the most challenging legs of the race. Festivities, beginning at 9 a.m., will include a healthy lifestyle festival and “autograph alley,” a designated area where cycling fans will have the opportunity to meet their favorite riders, including Lance Armstrong, who is taking part in the Amgen Tour of California as a member of the Radio Shack Cycling Team, and who is considered to be one of the greatest cyclists of all time.

The San José Cycling Classic concludes with a special free San José Cycling Classic Film Night at 7 p.m., Thurs., May 20, Camera 12, 201 S. Second Street.

For a complete schedule, and registration and registration information, visit www.sanjoseclassic.com

For more information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Tricia Fornesi, 408.277.5144, ext. 33, or tricia.fornesi@sanjoseca.gov.

For more information on the Amgen Tour of California, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com

Sounds like quite a week. See you there!