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Discuss upcoming mountain bike races and events in Colorado. Send a PM to trek7k if you would like to be considered for the Colorado forum moderator position (don’t forget to include the name of the state you would like to moderate).
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Just learned that the American Red Cross Fat Tire Classic, held annually in Winter Park, is no more. I think I managed to ride in 8 of the 17 seasons, and each year was a stone blast, two days of sweet singletrack, manic fire road downhills, and good-time partying. Hopefully, they’ll bring it back sometime. If you ever rode in it, you’ll know what I’m talking about, if you missed it, you missed a fantastic weekend.
Here is the press release from ARC:
February 8, 2007
Dear Friends,
For nearly two decades, the American Red Cross Fat Tire Classic has been a summertime staple for thousands of mountain bikers and hikers, volunteers, and countless supporters of the American Red Cross Mile High Chapter.
After much deliberation and analysis, the Mile High Chapter announces it will not be holding the Fat Tire Classic in 2007. The reasons for this decision are many, but come down to a few basic truths:
Beginning in 2002, individual participation and corporate support in the Fat Tire Classic has dropped with increased competition from other biking events and increased charitable options for donors. With the decrease of participants over the years, the net results of the event have dramatically decreased making this a poor return on our investment.
Even with the support of hundreds of dedicated volunteers, the logistics of the event stretched our chapter resources in a way that is not supportive of our mission to help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
This has been an incredibly difficult decision and we want you to know that we explored many other avenues to continue with the event, but in the end, none of them proved to be a prudent business decision.
We have retained and trademarked the name Fat Tire Classic, so it will continue to be an asset of the Mile High Chapter. Over the next year, we will explore how we might best put that asset to use. Please view our frequently asked questions or e-mail us at [email protected].
We have also created a Fat Tire Classic chat group on Google Groups. This is a forum for you to share ideas and thoughts about the Fat Tire Classic with your fellow riders, hikers and volunteers. Just click on http://groups.google.com/group/fattireclassic and then register to be part of the group by clicking ìJoin this group.î If you missed out on purchasing Fat Tire merchandise, you’re in luck! Our whole inventory of items is on sale here.
As volunteers and donors, we are there for our families, friends, and neighbors here at home when they need us the most. Thatís our promise to Colorado. This decision is necessary for us to continue to make good on that promise.
Seventeen years ago, the Mile High Chapter was on the leading edge with the design of the Fat Tire Classic. Thanks to thousands of supporters over the years it was one of the most successful fundraisers for the Red Cross anywhere in the country. We are grateful for your commitment to the Fat Tire Classic and we look forward to your continued support of the American Red Cross Mile High Chapter. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Christine Benero
CEO, American Red Cross Mile High Chapter
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