Contact: Megan Distaso (209) 571-5193
No. 08-135
May 9, 2008

Family Cycling Festival and Criterium

The 2008 Family Cycling Festival & Criterium returns for the 13th year to downtown Modesto on Saturday, May 17. Festival hours are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the Criterium runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A Criterium, or crit, is a type of bike race held on a short course (usually less than 5 km), often run on closed-off city streets.
Bring the family for a full-day of cycling fun, beginning in front of the Stanislaus County Courthouse on I Street between 11th & 12th Streets.

The festival includes all-day free cycling entertainment for the whole family. This year, the Perfection on Wheels Bicycle Stunt Team from Southern California will top the entertainment list. This team performs throughout the United States and is world renowned for their extreme spectacular, non-stop, action-packed bicycle stunt shows! Other entertainment includes a unicycle performance by John Foss-the Unicyclone, a professional unicycle performer.

Free bicycle safety checks, bicycle licenses and bicycle safety information will be available. Take the challenge and climb the rock wall, which is fun for all ages! Participants of all ages can enter drawings to win free bicycles. Children's activities will include bounce houses, games, prizes, face painting, and more. Free helmets will be fitted and given to children.

The Modesto Criterium, promoted by Ciccarelli Enterprises and Fiscalini Cheese Company, follows national cycling rules and permits. The beginner/children's races run from 12:50 - 2 p.m. There is a $2 entry fee, and registration closes 20 minutes prior to scheduled start of each race. A parent or guardian must be present for a child to participate in a race, and helmets are required. The Criterium races begin and end at the intersection of 13th and H Streets. Pro races run at various times throughout the day. For more Criterium details, contact Rick or P.J. Ciccarelli at (209) 605-7315.

For more information on the festival, contact the City of Modesto's Rideshare Coordinator Megan Distaso at (209) 571-5193 or email mdistaso@modestogov.com or call Nancy Young from the Downtown Improvement District at (209) 529-9303. Also visit the web at www.modestogov.com/pwd/ride.

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To contact the City of Modesto Public Information Office, 
call Jessica Smart at (209) 571-5125. Email: jsmart@modestogov.com