By Stephanie Bunker
Moapa Valley Progress
The Moapa Valley will be hosting an all new bicycle race challenge next month. The first Valley of Fire Stage Bicycle Race will be held February 23-24 and it will be based out of Overton.
The event will consist of three stages. The first stage will begin at 8:00 am on Saturday, February 23, at the intersection of I-15 and Hidden Valley Road (Highway 78.) The riders will ride North to the turnaround just short of the intersection with NV-168 and then return to the finish line.
The second stage will be held that Saturday afternoon beginning at 3:00. Cyclists will perform a lapped road race around Moapa Valley High School. The start/finish line is on N Yamashita Street in the middle of the block. This race will be in pack style and the riders will race clockwise around the high school.
On Sunday the last stage of the event will take place. It will begin at Lin’s Marketplace in Overton. The riders will take Highway 169 south to the Valley of Fire turn off. From there they will travel through the Valley of Fire until they reach the Moapa Paiute Travel Plaza where they turn around and come all the way back. The finish line will be on Cooper street in downtown Overton near Maverik.
The Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce are working with those putting on the race in an effort for it to run smoothly. Rotarians are taking volunteers to help out with refereeing, judging, and providing lead vehicles.
“The purpose is to be on the list of big events every year,” said Rotarian Chris Green. “It isn’t a huge spectator sport but it brings business to the valley.”
Race Event Manager, Dirk Cowley, confirmed that each rider that participates brings an average of 1.5 people with him and each person spends an average of $85 a day. Cowley expects around 300-500 riders to register in the race.
Cowley wants the event to be good partners with Overton and the Valley of Fire.
“Everyone we’ve talked to at the Moapa Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Valley of Fire State Park has expressed their excitement for the event and has been great to work with,” Cowley said.
Moapa Valley Chamber President Kent Slight said, “The community is very fortunate and excited that this location was chosen to hold this new event. The Chamber and the community will do everything in our power to make this a memorable and hopefully an annual event.”
For more information or to register for the event go to www.racedayeventmanagement.com .
