LAKEWOOD, Colo., May 26, 2022
/PRNewswire/ -- The Natural Grocers® Cycling Team (with the support
of their title sponsor, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.)
is proud to support women's bike racing at the 2022 edition of the
Jesse Blancarte Memorial 10k Time
Trial on May 29th, 2022,
near Gardner, Kansas.
This longtime Kansas City area
tradition is a USA
Cycling-sanctioned event sponsored by the Blue River Bicycle Club.
The event began in the 1990's with a course on the 210 highway
along the Missouri River, in Kansas
City's Northland. The race was renamed in Blancarte's memory
after his death in 2002 and eventually moved to the current
location at the New Century Air Center.
A time trial is a unique discipline in the cycling world. Riders
start one minute apart on a designated course and race against the
clock in a variety of USA Cycling
specified categories based on skill, age, aero or non-aero
equipment and gender. While the event regularly attracts the area's
top cycling talent, it also boasts a beginner and youth-friendly
atmosphere. Time trials are especially attractive to those who
wish to compete but are not as comfortable in a large rider pack
found in events like road races and criteriums.
The Blue River Bicycle Club (under directeur sportif
Kevin Kramer) continues their
partnership with sponsors Elite Cycling KC and Shawnee Mission
Audi. Joining the sponsorship team this year is Natural Grocers
organic grocery stores providing a grant for low cost racing
opportunities for women. The grant was provided directly to the
promoter to subsidize women's entry fees (bringing the cost down
from $25 to $10).
Dan Messina, Kansas Team Captain
for the Natural Grocers Cycling Team elaborates on the grant,
"Women riding and racing bikes is something the Natural Grocers
Cycling Team feels very strongly about. In the not too distant
past, women and bikes changed the world. When reading about women's
cycling pioneers (both past and present), you can't help but heed
the call to increase women's representation in cycling.
Unfortunately, like many sports, there is still a wide disparity
between men's and women's participation numbers. We decided we
wanted to do something about it. We've partnered with several
Kansas race promoters to subsidize
women's entry fees hoping it might entice local women to race,
maybe for the first time. We've been doing this in Kansas for the past four years — in addition
to supporting an annual women's-only gravel clinic. Come cheer on
the racers this Sunday —the first rider is off at 9 AM. Or better yet, join in the fun by signing
up to race. We hope to see you there!"
Spectators and participants can look for the Natural Grocers'
branded feather flag to find the cycling team at their signature
purple tent. The team will have fresh fruit to sample[I]
— provided by the Natural Grocers Overland Park store, additional team sponsor
samples to share, plus unlimited high-fives.
- To register for Sunday's event, please visit:
https://www.bikereg.com/blancarte.
- To learn more about the Natural Grocers cycling team please
visit: https://naturalgrocerscyclingteam.com/
ABOUT NATURAL GROCERS BY VITAMIN
COTTAGE
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC) is an
expanding specialty retailer of natural and organic groceries, body
care products, and dietary supplements. The products sold by
Natural Grocers must meet strict quality guidelines and may not
contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners, or
partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils. The Company sells only
USDA-certified organic produce and exclusively pasture-raised,
non-confinement dairy products, and free-range eggs. Natural
Grocers' flexible smaller-store format allows it to offer
affordable prices in a shopper-friendly, clean, and convenient
retail environment. The Company also provides extensive free
science-based Nutrition Education programs to help customers make
informed health and nutrition choices. The Company, founded in
1955, has 162 stores in 20 states. Visit
www.NaturalGrocers.com for more information and store
locations.
About The Natural Grocers Cycling
Team
The Natural Grocers Cycling Team has been a living,
pedaling extension of the Company's founding principles since 1987.
The squad has a broad range of riders, encompassing all disciplines
of cycling. With almost 100 members, you'll spot this team on the
trails, the roads, volunteering at events and of course at Natural
Grocers stores all around the country to support healthy living on
and off the bike. The accomplished, yet welcoming team invites
cyclists to join them for local club rides throughout
Colorado, Arizona and Kansas
City.
[I] Quantity limited to stock on hand. We reserve the
right to correct errors. Void where prohibited by law.
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SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.