- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- Contact: Kristopher L. Anderson, Director of Event Operations and Safety, Pelotonia, 614.221.6100
Pelotonia Announces New One-Day and Two-Day Routes for 2012
(Columbus, OH – April 25, 2012) – In its fourth year, approximately 6,000 Riders are expected to participate in Pelotonia, a grassroots bike tour, over a three-day weekend, August 10 – 12, 2012. Pelotonia 12 will offer six route options with varying mileages and fundraising minimums, for cyclists with a wide range of riding abilities. Registered riders may choose from one-day 25-mile, 50-mile, 75-mile, or 100-mile rides and two-day 155-mile or 180-mile rides. As part of their commitment, two-day riders are hosted overnight in Kenyon College’s dorm rooms. Since its inception, 100 percent of every dollar raised by riders goes directly to cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.
Announced earlier this year, Pelotonia 12 will be starting at Columbus Commons, the newly opened 9-acre green space in downtown Columbus, and riding to Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, before returning on August 12 to the Northeast quadrant of Central Ohio. While the one-day and two-day routes no longer pass through the Hocking Hills of southeastern Ohio, this year’s riders will have a decision to make for the final 30 miles into Gambier. When riders reach Dutch Lane in Licking County, the route will split, offering two distinctly different riding experiences for the final leg of the tour. Riders who want challenging climbs for the final 30 miles will select the iconic Reynolds Road stretch, while the Bennington Chapel alternative offers a fulfilling yet less rigorous final leg of the ride. The Reynolds Road option, which is more comparable to last year’s century ride, offers over 4,600 feet of climbing, while the Bennington Chapel route offers approximately 3,500 feet of elevation. As in years past, the 25-mile route offers a ride without any meaningful elevation change, while the 50-mile route has approximately 13% less elevation change versus last year.
In addition to the one-day rides, Pelotonia 12 will present a completely different second day ride with roads that wind through scenic Ohio farmland not encountered on the first day. Two-day riders will enjoy a more pleasurable return to Columbus as elevation for Sunday’s route totals approximately 3,500 feet as compared to over 4,800 feet of climbing in 2011.
Route options for this year’s ride are as follows:
One-Day Rides
25 Miles: Columbus to Pickerington
50 Miles: Columbus to New Albany
75 Miles: Pickerington to Gambier
100 Miles: Columbus to Gambier
Two-Day Rides
155 Miles: Pickerington to Gambier (Saturday) & Gambier to New Albany (Sunday)
180 Miles: Columbus to Gambier (Saturday) & Gambier to New Albany (Sunday)
Including the start and finish options along the route, riders will also be stopping in the following communities and counties for rest breaks and meals: Columbus, Pickerington, Pataskala, New Albany, Granville, Homer, Utica, Gambier, Danville, Butler, Fredericktown, Sparta, and Hartford in Franklin, Fairfield, Licking, Knox, Richland and Morrow Counties.
Registration for Pelotonia 12 is currently open to riders, virtual riders and volunteers. Please visit www.pelotonia.org for additional information regarding these opportunities to be part of the Pelotonia movement…One Goal.
About Pelotonia:
Pelotonia consists of a three-day experience that includes cycling, entertainment and volunteerism. Pelotonia riders agree to a personal grass roots fundraising commitment that involves requesting donations from friends and family. Over the past three years, thousands of Pelotonia riders have raised over $25 million for cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. Due to the generosity of Pelotonia’s funding partners, the organization is able to direct 100% of all donations to life saving cancer research.
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