Spring into Cycling- Woodstock Women's Cycling Grand Prix '16
Women's Woodstock Cycling Grand Prix - Home
Spring blooms are the perfect back drop for the blossoming Women’s Woodstock Cycling Grand Prix this Saturday. The growing women’s only cycling race is in its fourth year and is becoming a staple of the early cycling season for professional and amateur cyclists alike.
Four categories of riders will start off from Rock City Road beginning at 8 am. The Pros and Cat1/2 riders will ride 60 miles through Woodstock, Saugerties, Phoenicia, and the Town of Olive and up and down the 1764 feet of Overlook Mountain, the Seven Sisters for a total of 3707 of elevation gain and 3704 back down. The Cat 3 women will ride 53.0 miles and gain 3480 feet in elevation and loss 3478 feet. Even the Cat 4 and first time riders will go over Overlook Mountain as part of a 34-mile loop that includes 2300 feet of elevation gain and loss. That’s riding in the Catskills!
The field is about 100 riders, according Martin Bruhn, Race Director. The race is growing every year, but they like to keep it on the smaller side to ensure that everyone has the best riding experience possible.
“It’s important that we show that we can put on a race of world class proportions with safety and the course. The sponsors want to help grow the race with positive modesty”.
Spring blooms are the perfect back drop for the blossoming Women’s Woodstock Cycling Grand Prix this Saturday. The growing women’s only cycling race is in its fourth year and is becoming a staple of the early cycling season for professional and amateur cyclists alike.
Four categories of riders will start off from Rock City Road beginning at 8 am. The Pros and Cat1/2 riders will ride 60 miles through Woodstock, Saugerties, Phoenicia, and the Town of Olive and up and down the 1764 feet of Overlook Mountain, the Seven Sisters for a total of 3707 of elevation gain and 3704 back down. The Cat 3 women will ride 53.0 miles and gain 3480 feet in elevation and loss 3478 feet. Even the Cat 4 and first time riders will go over Overlook Mountain as part of a 34-mile loop that includes 2300 feet of elevation gain and loss. That’s riding in the Catskills!
The field is about 100 riders, according Martin Bruhn, Race Director. The race is growing every year, but they like to keep it on the smaller side to ensure that everyone has the best riding experience possible.
“It’s important that we show that we can put on a race of world class proportions with safety and the course. The sponsors want to help grow the race with positive modesty”.
Bruhn says the race is becoming an annual tradition to start off the competitive cycling season for some pro cyclists.
“Emma White of Rally Cycling, came in second last year and is coming back this year to win it,” Bruhn said. She’s bringing 18-year old Canadian, Katherine Maine with her.
“Both of these women can be part of the Olympics women’s cycling team in 2020 for the US or Canada,” according to Bruhn. “Having them in the field is the real stamp of approval.”
The Cyclery – Opus Team, out of Ottawa, Canada, and sponsored by, Volvo is coming back for the fourth year.
International component aside the WWCGP is a community event.
“The race represents an overall vibe of community,” Bruhn said. “There is a huge law enforcement support of the race.”
He hopes that being part of the race raises awareness of cyclists in the community and with those who ultimately enforce the rules of the road.
There will be ‘bike diplomates’, cyclists who are there to help other cyclists as well drivers and traffic directors, at different intersections to solve problems.
Spectators can walk to Overlook Mountain, see some of the toughest part of the race, and make it back for the finish.
The race gets a lot of support from the community- the Ulster County Sheriffs, Woodstock Police and the Woodstock Fire Department. The Blue Knights motorcycle club will ride escort and Overlook Mountain Bikes is providing neutral support, meaning they help everyone.
In the afternoon there is a BBQ and a children's bicycle safety clinic. Check here for details.
The proceeds of the race go to support the Woodstock Fire Department, the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Kingston and Mountain to Mountain, an Afghani organization that helps to get woman on bikes and uses the mountain bike as a vehicle for social justice with survivors of gender violence to create a ripple of change through their communities.
Bruhn is a former professional cyclist himself and has seen first-hand how cycling can be a game changer. He has also seen first-hand how the field is not level for male and female cyclists. This is large part why he started the WWCGP, he wanted to highlight the need for equal sportsmanship and attention for female bicycle racers in the male dominated sport of competitive cycling. But not just that he wanted to do something to level the field, if even for one day.
Saturday, May 7 is that day, Pro, Cat 1,2,3, 4 or first timer it will be a beautiful and challenging course with top notch completion and support- have a great ride!
“Emma White of Rally Cycling, came in second last year and is coming back this year to win it,” Bruhn said. She’s bringing 18-year old Canadian, Katherine Maine with her.
“Both of these women can be part of the Olympics women’s cycling team in 2020 for the US or Canada,” according to Bruhn. “Having them in the field is the real stamp of approval.”
The Cyclery – Opus Team, out of Ottawa, Canada, and sponsored by, Volvo is coming back for the fourth year.
International component aside the WWCGP is a community event.
“The race represents an overall vibe of community,” Bruhn said. “There is a huge law enforcement support of the race.”
He hopes that being part of the race raises awareness of cyclists in the community and with those who ultimately enforce the rules of the road.
There will be ‘bike diplomates’, cyclists who are there to help other cyclists as well drivers and traffic directors, at different intersections to solve problems.
Spectators can walk to Overlook Mountain, see some of the toughest part of the race, and make it back for the finish.
The race gets a lot of support from the community- the Ulster County Sheriffs, Woodstock Police and the Woodstock Fire Department. The Blue Knights motorcycle club will ride escort and Overlook Mountain Bikes is providing neutral support, meaning they help everyone.
In the afternoon there is a BBQ and a children's bicycle safety clinic. Check here for details.
The proceeds of the race go to support the Woodstock Fire Department, the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Kingston and Mountain to Mountain, an Afghani organization that helps to get woman on bikes and uses the mountain bike as a vehicle for social justice with survivors of gender violence to create a ripple of change through their communities.
Bruhn is a former professional cyclist himself and has seen first-hand how cycling can be a game changer. He has also seen first-hand how the field is not level for male and female cyclists. This is large part why he started the WWCGP, he wanted to highlight the need for equal sportsmanship and attention for female bicycle racers in the male dominated sport of competitive cycling. But not just that he wanted to do something to level the field, if even for one day.
Saturday, May 7 is that day, Pro, Cat 1,2,3, 4 or first timer it will be a beautiful and challenging course with top notch completion and support- have a great ride!
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