Northeast Kingdom Cycling Center to Open at IROC
By
Vermont Sports
Posted February 21st, 2011
Indoor Recreation of Orleans County is pleased to announce the opening of the Northeast Kingdom Cycling Center at its facility on 400 Quarry Road, Derby. The mission of the center is to promote and support cycling in the Northeast Kingdom. The Center’s Opening day will be April 15. The first phase of the Ccnter is relatively simple.
• The Kingdom Cycling Center at IROC will offer parking and use of the facility for $5 per day per rider.
• The Center will provide maps and directions for the five routes used during the Tour de Kingdom which include longer and shorter options on each route.
• The Center will serve as home base for day trips by self guided individuals and parties on one or more of our pre mapped routes
• IROC staff will be trained to help advise cyclists on the pro’s and cons of various routes depending on their cycling experience and abilities.
• Riders will be encouraged to let us know emergency contact info, the routes they plan on riding, estimated time of return, and any other special information that might be helpful in the event of a problem out on the road.
• If riders get into trouble out on the road, they will be able to call IROC and we will help to arrange for assistance, including a driver to pick them up and their bike(s). Cost for a pick up will be $25 per person plus $0.50 a mile round trip.
The Center will also post local rides and provide local contact information so that out of area riders who are here for a visit can team up with Kingdom Velo Group and White Mountain Velo riders, if they are looking for some cycling company during their visit.
Phil White, executive director of IROC, said that the idea for the NEK Cycling Center arose out of the excitement generated by the fast growing Tour de Kingdom, which is now in its fifth year and has expanded to include five days of riding. White said, “Riders have consistently told us that the Northeast Kingdom is one of the best places to ride in the East—great views, light traffic, and friendly reception out on the road. Our facility is open and staffed 108 hours a week. We’ve got plenty of parking, showers, rest rooms, and a pool. We want to be a resource to promote and support cycling in the Kingdom not just during the first week of June when we hold our Tour de Kingdom but throughout the cycling season. As the NEK Cycling Center grows into itself, we plan to host other tours and offer training and conditioning programs during the summer.”
For more information, e-mail at bike@orleansrecreation.org or contact Phil White or Julie Gunn at (802) 334-8551.
