By Dan Schroeder
Despite the light drizzle, about 100 riders showed up at the Ogden Rodeo Grounds this morning for the start of Ogden’s “Tour de Drome” bike ride.
The ride began at 9:00 a.m. and continues throughout the day, following designated routes through Weber and Davis Counties. Riders choose one of three distance options, from 27 miles up to 104 miles. In addition, about six children participated in a two-mile “Fun Ride” along the Ogden River Parkway.
Ogden Chief Administrative Officer John Patterson was among the riders. He said he and his wife Cindy intended to do the 27-mile ride, but they had gotten a few funny looks from the other riders because they had brought their fat-tired mountain bikes instead of the customary road bikes with skinny tires.
Aid stations along the Tour de Drome route are being sponsored by Costco, Roosters, Subway, and Taggart’s Grill. Three local bike shops are providing additional support.
The purpose of the event is to raise money and awareness for Ogden’s planned Velodrome, an indoor bike racing track. The city contracted with Cindy Yorgason, a experienced bike racing enthusiast, to organize the event. Two weeks ago, Yorgason took Patterson and Mayor Matthew Godfrey on a trip to see the nearest comparable facility, in Los Angeles. This morning, Yorgason expressed excitement about Ogden’s planned Velodrome and said she is confident that it will be built. She said the next event to promote the Velodrome will be held in the fall.
Registration for the Tour de Drome was handled by Carolyn Brierley, Ogden City Events Coordinator, with help from other city employees and volunteers. Brierley said that 90 riders had pre-registered for the event, not including the six children who did the Fun Ride. Although registration was scheduled to end Thursday night at midnight, the deadline was extended to allow on-site registration which brought in another 15 riders.
The cost of registration was $50, so the event apparently raised $5250 in registration fees, plus small additional amounts from Fun Ride participants, merchandise sales, and donations. According to Brierley, the proceeds from the event are being “run through the Ogden Community Foundation” because the city needs a 501(c)(3) charity for that purpose.
Patterson also confirmed that the Ogden Community Foundation (OCF) would receive the proceeds from the event. He said there was no contract between Ogden City and OCF to ensure that the funds would be spent on the Velodrome, but that OCF is run by good people. Patterson declined to name any of the individuals who have control over OCF.
Another of the Tour de Drome riders was Charles Trentelman, an avid cyclist and reporter for the Standard-Examiner. When asked if he knew where his money was going, he answered, “for the t-shirt”.
Update 5/2/10 10:00 a.m.: Here's Schwebke's writeup in this morning's Standard-Examiner:
Don't let the cat get your tongues.
Update 5/2/10 10:00 a.m.: Here's Schwebke's writeup in this morning's Standard-Examiner:
• Bike race aims to create buzz for downtown velodrome
