Tahoe/Reno area cyclists have a rare chance to meet and Ride with Tour de France Champion Andy Schleck and cycling legends Jens Voigt and Frank Schleck, Friday, August 16. These renowned international athletes training in Reno and Lake Tahoe will be riding with community members in support of the Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway and Tour de Nez.

From News Release...

Reno, NV (August 12, 2013)  -- Cycling enthusiasts are invited to meet and ride with Tour de France Champion Andy Schleck and cycling legends Jens Voigt and Frank Schleck at two public events and to show support for the Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway and the Tour de Nez.
 
The internationally renowned athletes will be in Reno-Tahoe to relax and train for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge starting Monday, August 19 in Aspen, CO.
 
These legends are hosted by Reno's cycling enthusiast Franz Weber, an Olympian and six-time consecutive World Speed Skiing Champion who chose to relocate to the area in 1984.  "Many world-class athletes favor the Reno-Tahoe area to train due to the altitude, weather, and diversity of recreational opportunities and absence of state income tax."

“Reno-Tahoe’s reputation as a destination of choice for cycling enthusiasts and world class athletes continues to grow.  I’m happy that healthy lifestyles such as cycling are an important part of our community and is an accessible sport for many who reside here,” Stacie Mathewson of the Stacie Mathewson Foundation said.
 
The Foundation is a community based substance abuse organization for youth, and title sponsor for the 20th Tour de Nez.
 
Schedule for Friday, August 16, 2013 in Tahoe
Meet and greet the pros at 9:00 a.m. at the Homewood/West Shore Café parking lot and ride with the pros for the first 20 miles of their training ride. A donation of $25 for the ride and $100 for ride and photo opportunity is suggested and benefits the Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway.
 
“This is a rare opportunity to ride with three of the world’s most accomplished cyclists and to further our vision of creating one of the most scenic bikeways in America,” Janet Phillips, Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway president, said. “The Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway, when completed, will give enthusiasts access by foot or by bicycle from its source at Lake Tahoe to its desert terminus, Pyramid Lake and descend over 2,000 feet in 116 miles.”
 
“Having had the opportunity to follow the fabulous careers and impressive results we are excited to welcome these athletes to the greater Reno-Tahoe area,” David Hartman of The Reno-Tahoe Audi Cycling Team, said. “Sharing the passion we feel for the sport across the community is special indeed and we look forward to the experience with everyone in attendance.”
 
Local clubs and businesses with ties to the cycling economy rallied quickly to support this last minute opportunity, including: Tour de Nez title sponsor Stacie Mathewson Foundation, The Siena Hotel Spa Casino, JMA’s West Shore Café, Homewood Mountain Resort, Constellation Residences at Northstar and Ritz-Carlton at Tahoe, Procrastinating Peddlers of Reno bike club, Audi Reno-Tahoe Cycling Team.
 
For More Information
Visit RenoTahoeCycling.com for more details, route descriptions, and to connect with fellow cyclists. For event logistics, contact David Larson (775) 762-5418. Special rates of $40 plus resort fee will be offered to all participants at the Siena Spa and Casino.
 
About the Pros
Andy Schleck is a Luxembourgish professional road bicycle racer for UCI Pro Tour team RadioShack-Leopard-Trek and is the 2010 Tour de France Champion and runner-up at the Tour twice.
 
Jens Voigt
Jens Voigt is a German professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam RadioShack-Leopard-Trek and was the oldest competitor at the 2013 Tour de France at age 41. No matter the country, no matter the age group, most people would be hard pressed to think of a more popular rider than Jens Voigt.
 
Frank Schleck
Frank Schleck, older brother of Andy, is a Luxembourgish professional road bicycle racer with a long career of podiums and accomplishments and best known for his winning the mountain stage in the 2006 Tour de France which finished on the Alpe d'Huez.
 
Upcoming Cycling Events in Reno Tahoe USA
August 25, 2013: Reno Tahoe Gran Fondo http://www.renotahoegranfondo.com
September 15, 2013: 2013 Edible Pedal 100 http://www.ediblepedal100.org
September 21, 2013: – Sierra Valley Gran Fondo http://svgf.org/