-- Beer --
The Old Man Winter Bike Rally
Don't hang up your bicycle for the winter just yet. The Old Man Winter Bike Rally (OMW), a winter cycling celebration for bike aficionados and beer lovers, will debut in Boulder County, Colorado, on February 8, 2015. The OMW is a 50 km or 100 km adventure ride and race that promises dirt, snow, sweat, and beer, a hard-to-find combination for cyclists in the dead of winter.
The Old Man Winter Rally offers two courses, both starting and finishing at the Oskar Blues Brewery in Lyons, Colorado. The 'short course' is approximately 50 km of scenic gravel and paved roads through rural farmland. It's designed to be a fun ride for riders who want to bundle up and enjoy the camaraderie and scenery. The long course is approximately 100 km and starts with the same country riding as the short course, then shoots riders into the mountains. Riders of the 'long course' will push themselves against the clock and their fellow competitors as they go up and down canyons, over primitive roads, and through a 'secret trail'. Part of the adventure is choosing the right gear to tackle extreme variations in terrain and temperature, and close to 5,000 feet of climbing in the majestic canyons west of Boulder. If Old Man Winter does decide to blow on event day, riders will be able to take a break at the well-stocked rest stations. Heat lamps, hot drinks, and real food will help everybody warm up.
Riders on both courses are encouraged to look for "Snowballs," hidden snowball like globes that contain raffle tickets for prizes that range from a custom $1600 REEB bike frame, to bike tune-ups, to apparel, to a hot cup of coffee.
Riders are welcomed back to Oskar Blues Brewery in Lyons for a post ride party with hot food, cold beer, and live music. Both short and long course riders are expected to finish around 2:30 p.m., so they can enjoy the awards ceremony for the fastest men and women, the 'Snowball' raffle, and an Oskar Blues craft beer while unwinding with a live bluegrass band.
The Old Man Winter Bike Rally raises money for CAN'd Aid, the non-profit side of Oskar Blues Brewery, dedicated to giving back and making a difference. CAN'd Aid's Executive Director, Diana Ralston, says, "Oskar Blues & Adventure Fit wanted to create an authentic and challenging event that showcases the surrounding hills of the Lyons, CO & Boulder, CO, area that drove our passions to put craft beer in a can and create the CAN'd Aid Foundation "Treads & Trails" program." Funds raised will go toward rebuilding flood-damaged trails for hiking and biking. Other sponsors include Keen, CLIF Bar, Bicycle Times, Osprey, and Dirt Rag.
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