NEWS
For Immediate Release
June 17, 2008

Contact
Julie Whitley
(614) 832-5373
whitleyj@columbus.rr.com

GRANDVIEW HEIGHTS, Ohio – Details have been finalized for the 2008 Germain.com Tour de Grandview Cycling Classic, June 28-29. Riders, teams and spectators alike will have a host of options and accommodations available at this year’s Tour, which will mark its 16th year as Ohio’s premier professional cycling event.

COMING TO GRANDVIEW:

The Tour is held in the city of Grandview Heights, just minutes west of downtown Columbus near I-70, I-71, I-670 and S.R. 315. The event is most easily accessible from I-670 by taking the Grandview Avenue exit and heading approximately 1 mile north.

The Tour races are free and open to the public. Spectators are welcome to sit, stand and walk around the hilly, tree-lined streets that make up the race courses throughout the event. Visit www.tourdegrandview.com for more information and course maps.

PARKING IN GRANDVIEW:

Riders and teams should plan to park cars and team vehicles at the blue glass 4-story building located at 855 Grandview Avenue and ride up Grandview Avenue to get to the courses. Saturday's registration and start/finish line is on W. First Avenue at Avondale; Sunday's registration and start line is on W. First at Broadview. No one should plan to park in the National City Bank parking lot on Sunday.

STAYING IN GRANDVIEW:

Several affordable lodging options are located within minutes of the race courses. The Tour has negotiated special discounts with two nearby hotels, and a limited amount of host family housing is available exclusively to riders and teams.

University Plaza Hotel and Conference Center
3110 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, OH 43202
614-267-7461
www.universityplazaosu.com
$89/night, including breakfast

Varsity Inn
1445 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, OH 43212
614-291-2983
www.varsityinn.com
$59/night

Host housing is available by contacting Julie Whitley at whitleyj@columbus.rr.com.

COMPETING IN GRANDVIEW:

Course maps are available at www.tourdegrandview.com. Saturday's course has been extended slightly. The awards ceremony for the men's and women's Pro I-II Saturday race will be at the main entertainment stage of the Street Party, not on W. First Avenue.

The categories, prize lists and start times are available on the Tour website under "Racers".

CELEBRATING IN GRANDVIEW:

A Street Party and numerous other entertainment options are scheduled for Saturday evening all along Grandview Avenue. Stop by for food, refreshments and live music.

CHEERING AT THE TOUR

For spectators attending the Tour or street party, nearby bicycle and car parking will be available:

If riding to Grandview Heights, a free Bike Corral sponsored by A Gear Higher will be located on Grandview Avenue just north of the intersection of W. First Ave.

If driving, there will be free parking available on Saturday along W. First Avenue (west of Grandview Avenue) at National City Bank, Deyo-Davis and Edison Intermediate School. To reach the parking areas, follow Broadview northbound from Goodale or southbound from Third Avenue, since Grandview Avenue will be blocked off for cycling.

EXHIBITING AT THE TOUR:

For Tour sponsors whose sponsorship includes an exhibitor booth, tents will need to be set up and vehicles removed before noon. Contact Jeff Shaw at jeffs@shawpp.com for exhibitor information.

The Germain.com Tour de Grandview Cycling Classic is Ohio’s premier cycling event, attracting an international field of more than 300 professional cyclists to central Ohio each year, as well as hundreds of cycling enthusiasts and spectators. Celebrating its 16th year in 2008, the Tour is organized by the non-profit Grandview Community Association with the support of the City of Grandview Heights and a host of local volunteers and sponsoring businesses. More information is available at www.tourdegrandview.com.

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