“300 Warriors” (citizen cyclists) to get 4-hour head start on Tour of Utah pro teams on August 16, 2008

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - May 23, 2008 - Terry McGinnis, executive director of the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah presented by Zions Bank announced today the “300 Warriors” citizen challenge. In the fourth and most demanding day in “America’s toughest stage race,” 300 citizen warriors will precede the premier professional teams by 4 hours. Their goal: ride 98 miles and scale 14,778 vertical feet, a feat representing over 28% of the horizontal distance and almost half the climbing in the five-day Tour of Utah stage race.

“Finishing this ride,” said Terry McGinnis, veteran Utah bike racer, coach, and Tour of Utah executive director, “is the equivalent to riding the Tour de France’s Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Télégraphe, Col du Galibier and Alpe d’Huez.”
Continues McGinnis, “Proof of your ‘bragging rights’ to being one of only ‘300 Warriors’ - selected on a first-come/first-served basis - will be limited-edition racing jerseys and medallions. Only 300 jerseys will be produced, ordered to size (with the bib number actually printed on the jersey) as each citizen rider signs up. In addition, each of only 300 medallions issued to participants will entitle its owner to a $300 discount on most Larry H. Miller new or used automobiles.”

The “300 Warriors” will be enlisted in order of their registration. 300 is the event limit. The enlistment cost of $135 per rider will include the commemorative 3-inch-diameter medallion and jersey with bib number awarded in order of registration. The first ten bib numbers are reserved for an as yet unnamed corporate sponsor, and bib number 300 is reserved for Rick Bennett, the 61-year old creator of the event. All riders will responsible for their own SAG support. A downloadable PDF file for rider SAG vehicles will be provided. All net registration proceeds will support the Tour of Utah.
“While this isn’t a competitive race,” said event creator Rick Bennett, “I view it as an excellent tune-up ride for September’s Logan-to-Jackson race. At a racing-age of 62, I don’t know how many more years of this insanity I have left in me. My goal is to elude the thundering herd of pro riders and beat them to the Snowbird finish line. A four-hour head start might do the trick.”
Continues Bennett: “The 300 Warriors don’t even need to complete the ordeal to get their medallions and custom-numbered jerseys. In fact, the value proposition of having such a unique artifact could more than pay for itself on eBay. Worst case, buy a Larry H. Miller car and more than double your registration fee in savings. It’s a win-win for everyone, and supports Utah bicycling, too.”

“Before signing up as one of the 300 Warriors,” said Chairman of the 2008 Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah Presented by Zions Bank, Greg Miller of the Larry H. Miller Group, “Each participant must view a 3-minute video on bicycle/automobile safety. This is a subject near and dear to all cyclists who have spent much time sharing the road with cars.”

“I’d like to sincerely thank each citizen warrior,” concludes Greg Miller, “For their support of Utah cycling and the Tour of Utah. Ride safely and have the time of your life.”

To sign up as one of the 300 WARRIORS, go to www.tourofutah.com and click on the 300 WARRIORS tab. Or for more information on the Tour of Utah, contact Terry McGinnis, executive director, at terrymac@xmission.com or call 801-273-8790.