Cyclocross Down Under Podcast AND CONTEST!

Here's the link to an interview for the Alma GP on the Cyclocross Down Under Podcast with Coach Jeff!

http://www.cyclocrossdownunder.com/?p=97

Cyclocross Down Under is also hosted by the Cyclocross Network, home to some awesome Podcast content! Enjoy...

Here's the photo for the contest:

 Post up your guess to the appropriate conversation on the race Facebook page:
www.Facebook.com/AlmaGrandPrixOfCyclocross

Stay tuned!

While the 'cx season in Michigan has drawn to a close for 2015, stay tuned both here and on the Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/AlmaGrandPrixOfCyclocross) for short track racing at the Alma 'cx venue as well as updates on the 9/12/2015 Alma GP! Don't forget to follow @TheAlmaGP on Twitter as well.

Short track racing will most likely start in May-ish on weeknights. If you did the Ithaca STXC races from a few years back it'll be in a similar format.

Keep posted for sponsorship updates throughout the year and I'll see you in 2015! If you have any questions or are interested in sponsorship information, please feel free to e-mail me, racepromoter @at@at@at gmail.com.

jb

Alma GP Fun Ride! Saturday, 12/6, at 1:00 p.m.

Come join us for a fun few laps on Saturday, December 6th, at 1:00 p.m. Food and beer following at the Alma Brewing Company, and anyone that rides gets $1 off pints.

If you're able to make it, please consider bringing a canned good, a non-perishable food item, or a personal item (toothbrush, toothpaste, laundry detergent, etc.) that we can collect and give to the local Salvation Army. This is just one tiny way we can say thanks to the community for letting us have such an awesome 'cx playground!

Many thanks to the sponsors that are supporting this event - the Alma Brewing Company, Velocity USA, and Ass Savers!

Details and an event invite are on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/923763420986629/

SAVE THE DATE: 9/12/2015

Put this in your calendar right now... First Saturday after Labor day. Planning is already underway for an even bigger, better, and more 'cx-full event on:

Saturday, September 12, 2015

The Alma GP is currently accepting sponsorship commitments for 2015. Information on how to partner with arguably the most visible 'cx race in the state is available by e-mailing overexcited race promoter JB Hancock (racepromoter at gmail dot com).

RESULTS and a survey!

THANK you for racing at the inaugural Alma GP! I appreciate your support of this event and hope to grow its popularity in the coming years.

Tailwind has processed the RESULTS and they are available here:

http://media.wix.com/ugd/107268_a14c7b14eb564d12a9b767618742abe4.pdf

If you could please complete this brief 10-question post-event survey about your experience at this year's race, I would greatly appreciate it! In promoting this and the Ithaca GP previously, my goal is to create a value-oriented, fun event for racers and spectators. Your feedback helps this process and is truly valued:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CYXXFNF

Again, THANK YOU for supporting the Alma GP, and I hope to see you next year!

jb

p.s. REMEMBER, please support the sponsors that support the Alma GP! If you won something and think it's awesome, please let those sponsors know. This goes a long way in continuing the relationships and sponsor support for this event!

Photo information

See photos for info...

 

 

Pre-registration closed, but day-of registration still available!

Pre-registration for the Alma GP on Saturday, 9/6, is now closed, but don't worry! You are still able to register either on race day or at the Alma Brewing Company from 6-8 p.m. on Friday 9/5.

Registration is $30 for your first race and $10 for any additional races. You must have either an annual USA Cycling license or purchase a one-day license ($15). That being said, I still have 15 coupons that you can use thanks to Seals, Tacia, Bartz, Zainea, & Whitmore Optometry to offset the one-day license fee if you don't have one! Just ask at registration - if we have a freebie coupon left, you're welcome to use it!

You might ask yourself, why the heck would I pay $30 to race my bike in Alma? Well here's why:

1) This course is NEW and unlike anything you've seen in Michigan

2) Swag just for entering includes a custom Alma College / Alma GP water bottle from Specialized, XTREME chain lube from ProGold Lubricants, socks or tire levers from Cannondale, Hammer Gel, and for those of you that pick up your bag fairly early, a sweet custom Alma GP coozie from TP Logos!

3) Just by entering you get a raffle ticket good to win awesome swag from our sponsors, including (but seriously, this is about a tenth of the list...): a set of Velocity USA wheels of your choice, a Kuat Rack of your choice, Wolf Tooth single ring/bolts, Heed, Cannondale socks, an Ass Saver, swag from ProGold Lubricants, Camrats from Backcountry Research, NiteRider lights, and Bondi Bands just to name a few.

4) The atmosphere of the Alma GP is truly a FUN place to come watch a few bike races

5) Portable bathrooms are on site...come on, taking care of details is priority #1

6) Milk products from the United Dairy Industry of Michigan for all racers

7) Concession on hand! Ice cream, hot dogs, etc. They are a local business. It's awesome.

8) Corset Shop Intimates is setting up a display of their athletic / active wear in the registration tent

9) Swag from Eclipse Cycling (1st place), Pace Sportswear (2nd place), Corset Shop Intimates (3rd place), The Sufferfest (4th place), and Ass Savers (5th place) delivered to the podium finishers in what are undoubtedly the greatest awards ceremonies outside of the World Championships

10) Seriously, it's going to be a blast. You owe it to yourself to see what this is all about!

So far 141 racers are pre-registered and the weather is looking like it'll be great for racing 'cross. The course is in FANTASTIC shape right now. All of the rain we've had recently might play a part in creating some pretty technical lines through the two Superprestige sections of the course... Hold onto your hats when you hit those.

The Velocity USA stairs are now painted and ready to go as well! Course crossings are marked so you will be able to easily move about the venue without trudging through the weeds. That being said, the walking paths we've created are still very weedy - I'd recommend shoes and pants on race day.

If you have ANY questions between now and 9/6 shoot me an e-mail! (racepromoter at gmail dot com) Remember, t-shirts ($15) and pint glasses ($5) are available but in limited supply!

Hope to see you on Friday and/or Saturday...and remember,

SUPPORT THE SPONSORS THAT SUPPORT THE ALMA GRAND PRIX!

Reminder!

Remember, for the most up to date day-to-day information, check out the race FACEBOOK PAGE HERE!

Pre-registration (HERE) closes on SUNDAY, August 31. Day-of registration is also available!

Don't forget to pick up your number early (if you'd like!) on Friday, September 5, at the Alma Brewing Company from 6-8 p.m. On race day, show your bib number there for $1 off pints!

A limited number of t-shirts ($15) and pint glasses ($5) will be available on race day. Stop by the registration tent to pick one up!

Remember, SUPPORT THE SPONSORS THAT SUPPORT THE ALMA GP!

Shirts and Pint Glasses!

If you're interested in stopping by the Alma Brewing Company on Friday, September 5, from 6-8 p.m. to pick up your number, you may just be in luck...

The first 25 racers to do so will get a FREE pint glass!

But what if you can't make it? Don't worry - I'll have a limited quantity on hand to sell for the low low bargain price of $5 each.

Wow, what an awesome design though! It's not too good to be true... I'll also have a limited run of 50 Alma Grand Prix of Cyclocross shirts on hand as well! Cost is $15 and when they're gone they're gone...

Don't forget, pre-registration is open HERE until Sunday, August 31 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Late registration is available on site for an additional $5. If you are NEW to 'cx and don't hold an annual USA Cycling license you can purchase a one-day license when you register for the Category 5 men's or Category 4 women's events (required for ALL racers). However, thanks to the supporters at Seals, Tacia, Bartz, Zainea, & Whitmore Optometry, I have a discount code to help offset this one-day license fee! E-mail me, racepromoter at gmail dot com, for the code.

Remember, SUPPORT THE SPONSORS THAT SUPPORT THE ALMA GP!

Official Course Preview Video

Registration is OPEN for the 2014 Alma Grand Prix of Cyclocross p/b Eclipse Cycling, and if you were wondering what the course looks like, here is this year's official preview video. Don't forget, if you're new to 'cross and don't hold an annual USA Cycling license, e-mail me (racepromoter at gmail dot com) for a discount to help towards the one-day license purchase.

Pre-Registration is now OPEN!

Online registration through USA Cycling is OPEN until August 31 at 11:59 p.m.!

Click HERE to be taken to the USAC registration page. You MUST currently hold an annual USAC license or purchase a one-day license ($15) to race in any of the categorized races at the Alma GP.

If you are NEW to racing (i.e. you're a first time Category 5 man or Category 4 woman), please e-mail me (racepromoter at gmail dot com) for a discount to apply when you pre-register. This discount is available for the first 20 racers only WITHOUT ANNUAL LICENSES and you must be registering for a beginning race category (cat 5 men or cat 4 women).

This discount is provided by our friends at Seals, Tacia, Bartz, Zainea, and Whitmore - local optometrists that support 'cross like you wouldn't believe.

SUPPORT THE SPONSORS THAT SUPPORT THE ALMA GRAND PRIX p/b Eclipse Cycling!

OFFICIAL COURSE MAP

Jersey pre-order!

Interested in a jersey but not sure you can win your race category to snag one? That's OK! If you order and pay by FRIDAY, July 4, at midnight, you're in luck!

Short sleeved jerseys are $30. LS jerseys are $34. LS thermal jerseys are $41. Add $5-7 for shipping or work it out to meet me somewhere mutually convenient!

E-mail racepromoter at gmail dot com with your order and for payment information.

Work day on Saturday, June 21!

THIS SATURDAY, June 21, from 10-1, will be a work day at the venue. Things needed:

Detroit Mower Gang - style mowing of the path. Push mowers at this point are best, as some of the lumps are large and in charge. Four push mowers would probably necessitate only two laps of the course for a complete cutting. Please bring gas, but I'll have a few gallons on reserve.

Following behind the mowers, the course should be raked to be free from debris. If you want to rake please bring a rake!

One of the old compost mulch piles needs to be cut down from scratch; two others need to be cut down a bit more than they already are. If you want to dig, please bring a spade and or a hard metal rake if you have one to help grade the ramps.

Random dirt-filling of old ruts from when this was an active compost area - these are hit and miss; some are worse than others but there are five or six that at this point would cause more than just an annoyance to your front wheel...

If you want to bring a bike to ride afterwards, I'd recommend 29'ers at this point, as the course is rough.

Plan on 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. (ish) on Saturday! If you are interested and available please either e-mail me (racepromoter at gmail dot com) or post up on Facebook in the comments!

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP! The next work day will be towards the end of July.

Course work

Spy photos are available on the Facebook page HERE!

Flame Cycling

Thanks to www.FlameCycling.com for sponsoring this year's bib numbers!

Alma GP featured on Cyclocross Today!

Cyclocross Today's 9th show features the Alma GP! After the show we explored the new venue, taking note of the tentative location of the race announcer's stand (to be staffed by Scott Dedenbach of The Cyclocross Network) and other features of the area. Download the episode now...'cross season is NOT far away and kicks off with the Alma GP!

Spy Photos 2.0

 More spy photos from a recent recon walk on the property!

This photo is looking almost directly north. On the left you can see one of the many long mounds of decomposing piles of former yard waste. Some vary in height from 2' to 5' and have varying grades. Those will be fun.

One nice surprise were a few large piles of staircase material. Hopefully one of the coolest course features will be a 6 or 7 stair rise right near the registration tent, start/finish straight, and the race announcer. Based on the condition of the materials I'll see if I can get one other stair set on the grounds.

This is looking almost directly east down the start/finish straightaway. 125 to 150 m in length, all crushed gravel. Not pavement but the next best thing. Parking will be on the left in the above photo; the race course will be to the right (south).

Stay tuned for more updates - share this link and LIKE the Facebook page!

www.Facebook.com/AlmaGrandPrixOfCyclocross

Spy Photos

5th place sponsor www.ass-savers.com keeping things dry all day

Logo!

Many thanks to TP Logos for continued awesome work on all promotional items and artwork for the Alma Grand Prix of Cyclocross p/b Eclipse Cycling!

Returning sponsor - Michigan Dairy Farm Families!

A BIG thanks to the Alma GP's newest sponsor, Michigan Dairy Farm Families!
http://www.udim.org/local-milk

ONCE AGAIN you'll be treated to free ICE COLD chocolate milk, white milk, yogurt, and cheese at the Alma GP. Additionally, registration and race HQ will be all underneath the tent sponsored by the Michigan Dairy Farm Families.

How can it get even MORE amazing? We'll once again have honest to goodness local dairy farmers helping out with awards! Apparently they had a blast last year and are looking forward to watching crazy cyclists ride and run around the venue on race day.

Now go buy some milk, ice cream, or other MICHIGAN made dairy product and support local milk!

Announcing the Alma Brewing Company!

After you pre-ride the course on Friday, September 5, stop by The Alma Brewing Company to pick up your bib number. Save the hustle and bustle on race day!

Of course they will be open after the race too...

Announcing, the Alma GP!

Formerly known as the Ithaca Grand Prix of Cyclocross, the 2014 Alma Grand Prix of Cyclocross will kick off the Michigan 'cross season on Saturday, September 6.

Enjoy the ride...it's going to be a great year.