The inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge kicks off Monday with a prologue here in Colorado Springs. The Pikes Peak Cycling Society was organized to bring the stage to Colorado Springs. They plan to also support local cycling in other ways in the future.

They’ve put together several local events over the next several days to make this even bigger than the start of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge. Several of the events are also fundraisers for the Pikes Peak Cycling Society. The include racing on the prologue course, great kids event, movies and much more.

Now I don’t want to hear that there’s nothing to do for the next several days. Here’s a list of events.

Thursday Aug. 18

Pikes Peak BMX Track Event

All ages and levels are welcome, and spectators are free. Enjoy an evening of BMX racing at the Pikes Peak BMX Track starting at 7 p.m. For those interested in racing, sign-ups take place between 5 and 6:30 p.m. For more event information, contact Bubba Hayes at bubbablazehayes@yahoo.com or 719.447.7013.

Friday Aug. 19

USA Pro Cycling Challenge Ride of Champions, sponsored by SRM

Escapade through the Garden of the Gods and along the USA Pro Cycling Challenge Prologue course with some of the biggest names in cycling.

Tour SRM’s state-of-the-art facility in Colorado Springs before departing on a two-hour ride with some of cycling’s past and present champions, including Chris Carmichael (CEO of Carmichael Training Systems), Alison Dunlap (Mountain Bike World Champion), Steve Johnson (CEO of USA Cycling), Steve McCauley (USA Cycling Foundation Development Director), founder Uli Schoberer and representatives from SRM and professional cyclists who rely on SRM power meters, as well as several professional cyclists who will be competing in the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge.

After the ride, enjoy a VIP Cocktail Reception with your fellow riders, champions and special guests at the Carriage House Museum at The Broadmoor. Guests will also receive an exclusive gift bag from USA Cycling that includes a Pikes Peak Cycling Society 2012 jersey and more. Proceeds go to the Pikes Peak Cycling Society to help support the costs associated with attracting and hosting the Prologue of the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge. Limited spots are available at $495 per ticket.

Saturday Aug. 20

University Village Colorado Grand Prix of Cycling

Races run clockwise with small undulations and wide turns. First race is at 7 AM and the last race is the Pro/1/2 Men racing at 3:25 PM. There’s a kid’s fun race just before noon. This all-day affair will feature live music, food, fun, autographs from cycling pros and more. Register online until 11:59 pm Aug. 18 to avoid $10 late fee. Go to www.UVCshopping.com for more event info.

Opening Gala

Roll in style at the official Opening Gala! From 7-10 PM guests will enjoy VIP treatment with a dinner, team introductions, live and silent auctions and more emceed by Bob Roll. Tickets start at $200 per person with special table packages available for interested sponsors. Go to Pikes Peak Cycling Society shopping page to purchase. At one point it was sold out but they added more tables and still had some spots last I knew.

Sunday Aug. 21

Colorado Endurance Sports Cheyenne Cañon Time Trial

Race up North Cheyenne Cañon, a challenging 3.2 mile climb with 1250 feet elevation gain. Athletes for decades have gauged their cycling fitness by riding up Cheyenne Cañon and comparing their times to course record holder Tom Danielson of Garmin-Cervelo’s time of 13:34. There will be over $1000 in cash and merchandise as well as an awards ceremony in conjunction with the Kids on Bikes Festival at America the Beautiful Park. Adults race for $35 and juniors $20, the field is limited so sign up early! Check out coloradoendurancesports.com or www.usacycling.org.

Kids on Bikes Family Ride & Parade

There will be tons of fun activities going on throughout the day – from 11 AM – 4 PM – for children of all ages at America the Beautiful Park. The Kids on Bikes Family Ride & Parade will include live music, bike decorating, a kid’s bike safety rodeo, bike art projects, BMX demos, carnival games, crazy bike races, bounce houses, face painting, and more. The Kids Bike Parade will start at 1 p.m. with various distance bike rides starting at 1:30 pm along the trail system. Cost for the ride is $15 an individual or $50 for the entire family. Register online at Active.com.

Peoples Pedal Party, presented by the Downtown Development Authority Board

In honor of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge and to celebrate cycling in Colorado Springs, downtown is hosting the People’s Pedal Party from 4-8 p.m. On the eve of the Time Trial, fans, friends and families will come out to enjoy live music by Grass It Up and Hazel Miller, bike art, entertainment and much more right on Tejon Street between Colorado Avenue and Kiowa Avenue. Click here for more information.

Monday Aug. 22

USA Pro Cycling Challenge Prologue Time Trial Experience

Be one of the few to participate in a once in a lifetime experience and race head-to-head with the world’s top professionals! Just before the professional peloton starts the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge, a select number of amateur athletes will race over the official 5.18-mile prologue time trial course in Colorado Springs. Experience the same precise timing as the pros, the cheers of the crowds lining the course, and professional officiating by UCI officials for a chance to compare times against the professionals. Proceeds go to the Pikes Peak Cycling Society to help support the costs associated with attracting and hosting the Prologue of the 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge. Space is very limited and tickets are $750. Less than 15 spots are left. Buy tickets now.

Tuesday Aug. 23

Movie: Pedal-Driven

Wrap up a month of cycling fun with Pedal-Driven, a documentary that goes behind both sides of a confrontation – riding with the free riders and chasing them down with the rangers – in an exploration of issues increasingly important to all Americans. With an ever-increasing population and a finite supply of unspoiled wild lands, the sense of urgency around protecting and preserving these national treasures only grows. Pedal-Driven will examine the shared philosophies of stewardship and sustainability from both sides and, ultimately, offer examples of the ways in which opposing factions can find common ground in defense of our common grounds. The movie will begin at 7 p.m. at the Stargazers Theatre. Tickets for this event start at $9 in advance online and $12 at the door the night of the show.

Thursday Aug. 25

Movie: Bicycle Dreams

Call them seekers, madmen or angels hell-bent on riding across America. This documentary follows voyagers in the 2006 Race Across America (RAAM) as they discover what is truly at stake, praying for the deliverance only the finish line can bring. By journey’s end, some are saved, others are lost, but all learn that the fuel that takes a soul toward its own true destiny is desire. The movie will begin at 7 PM. at the Stargazers Theatre. Tickets for this event start at $10 in advance and $15 at the door the night of the show. You can read my Bicycle Dreams review here.

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