Independence Day weekend brings the ID3 time trial road bike races back to downtown Roanoke, July 3, 4 and 5. The Mill Mountain Time Trial, July 3, starts at the bottom of the mountain, covering 1.87 miles, with 900 feet of elevation gain. The SkyPix Criterium is a six-corner, .7 mile timed course for ages 4+ Saturday, while the East Coasters Criterium Sunday, July 5 is another short course featuring 5 corners, “long straight aways and classic brick sections,” as described in the brochure at id3races.com.
Entry fees range from $10-$30, although the youngest races (4-9) can try the SkyPix Criterium on Saturday for free. Cash prizes and other gifts will be awarded to the top finishers.
“We are trying our best to make this a signature event for not only the valley but for the Roanoke Regional Partnership and its outside campaigns [to attract people to the area],” said ID3 marketing director Bob Bowman, who is also with the Roanoke Cycling Organization. “We have great new routes …like the Mill Mountain HillClimb – 1.87 miles of pain.”
Despite economic jitters and some ups and downs regarding biking events, Bowman is hopeful that Roanoke is on its way as a road racing Mecca.
“I have faith in the valley as an area to be reckoned with and [it] soon will again be on the … map of places one must race,” said Bowman.