February 28, 2006 – The Redlands Bicycle Classic announces changes in key personnel for 2006. Bob Peppler, the 2005 Corporate President and Race Director, stepped down after accepting a position with the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C. Brian King, former Assistant Race Director and a ten-year member of the organizing committee, will replace Peppler as Race Director. Dick Nance, a five-year member of the organizing committee, will now serve as Corporate President and Assistant Race Director.

Ed McCormick has returned to the Classic committee. He was a 12-year member from 1987 to 1998 and was Corporate President for several years. He will take over as Director of Event Operations, responsible for overseeing non-technical events including the Expo Experience.

The remainder of the key positions have stayed intact, however there are approximately twenty new members on the event’s organizing committee, many of which are also members of the Redlands Water Bottle Transit Co. bicycle club.

About the Redlands Bicycle Classic: The Redlands Bicycle Classic is an all-volunteer organization, including the Directors. The 22nd Annual Redlands Bicycle Classic is scheduled for March 24-26. The event was founded in 1985 by a community group chaired by then-Mayor Carole Beswick to promote awareness of downtown Redlands. Since that time, professional cyclists from around the world have been racing in this event centered around the city of Redlands, California.

The Redlands Bicycle Classic is on the United States Cycling Federation (USCF) National Racing Calendar (NRC).
About the Redlands Water Bottle Transit Company: The Redlands Water Bottle Transit Company is a recreational bicycling club devoted to the promotion of cycling in Redlands California. Located in the heart of the Inland Empire, Redlands offers superb cycling with mountain passes over 8,000′ to the North, desert scenery to the East and rolling hills to the South and West.

For more information www.rwbtc.org.
For more information, please visit our website at www.redlandsclassic.com.

To participate in the Expo, please contact Alison Moore, amoore@redlandsclassic.com.

For sponsorship opportunities or information, please contact Maryann Stanson, mastanson@redlandsclassic.com.

For media or marketing information, please contact Manuel Ruiz, mruiz@redlandsclassic.com.

Dates and Schedule announced for 2006 Redlands Bicycle Classic

REDLANDS (February 28, 2006) – The Redlands Bicycle Classic announces dates for the 22nd annual event. March 24 through 26 will see racing by professional cyclists from around the world. Following is an abbreviated schedule of events:

Friday, March 24
Stage 1, The 1st Centennial Bank Time Trial — Racing on an exciting new course in Redlands starting on Highland Avenue at Redlands Boulevard in Redlands. One rider leaves every 30 seconds in a race against the clock. The course is 3.2 miles from Highland Avenue to the top of Sunset Drive through the steep rolling hills of South Redlands. Best spectator viewing is on the Start Line on Highland Avenue, along with the steep climbs of Wabash Street and Sunset Drive.

Saturday, March 25
Stage 2, The Beaver Medical Group Criterium — a 1.0-mile course in downtown Redlands with the Start/Finish Line on Citrus Avenue between Fifth and Sixth Streets. Women compete in a 60-minute timed run while men ride for 90 minutes. The course is almost flat with nine turns at all different angles including two corners in one intersection. Best Spectator Viewing is on the Start/Finish Line, the corner of Citrus and Olive avenues, and the corner of Cajon and Vine streets.

IEHP Public Races featuring Shimano Youth Series
Start/Finish Line on Citrus Avenue in downtown Redlands. Local riders from toddlers to seniors participate in sprints and criteriums.

Expo Experience – Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, located atop the parking structure at Citrus Avenue/Sixth Street and the Wells Fargo Bank parking lot. Experience fantastic cuisine brought to the event by local churches, service clubs and nonprofit organizations. Visit with Redlands Bicycle Classic sponsors and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the racing and the Start/Finish Line. Participate in climbing walls, product demonstrations and test ride bikes and scooters.

Kiwanis Club of Redlands Pancake Breakfast – Returns once again on Saturday and Sunday morning from 7 to 11:30 a.m. in the Expo area on the upper deck of the parking structure at Citrus Avenue/Sixth Street. Only $5 per person to partake in this tradition. Pay at the breakfast, or for advance tickets call
(909) 793-7236

Redlands Bicycle Classic Rotary Ride – This public recreational ride (formerly known as the “Tour of the Canyons”) offers a variety of fun, scenic and challenging tours for every level of rider. Choose from Simple to Scenic to Savage rides. Held rain or shine, each participant will receive a free T-Shirt and gift bag. All proceeds to benefit local charities supported by the Rotary Club of Redlands.

Finish Line Party at the Boiler Room (www.theboileroom.com)
Outdoor Finish Line Festival hosted at the Boiler Room, 345 N. Fifth St., Redlands, 5 p.m. to midnight Saturday. Entertainment provided by a lineup of top bands along with Wine Tasting, Microbrew Beer Garden, Martini Tasting and Tropical Drinks.

Sunday, March 26
Stage 3, The Sun Sunset Road Race — Riders start and finish at Citrus for the last race of this event. After a fast start downtown in Redlands, the course twists and climbs on a 6.2-mile loop that climbs 500 feet each lap on the south side of Redlands overlooking the city. The race then descends back downtown for five criterium laps to decide the champion. Women ride eight laps for a total of 62 miles, and Men race 11 laps for a total of 88 miles. Best spectator viewing is on the Start/Finish Line on Citrus for both ends of the race and at Simonds Parkway for the Sunset Loop as well as along the entire loop.

Criteriums for USCF Categories – Start/Finish Line on Citrus Avenue in downtown Redlands. An opportunity for non-pro, licensed riders to compete on the same closed-course as the Pros.

About the Redlands Bicycle Classic: The Redlands Bicycle Classic is an all-volunteer organization, including the Directors. The 22nd Annual Redlands Bicycle Classic is scheduled for March 24-26. The event was founded in 1985 by a community group chaired by then-Mayor Carole Beswick to promote awareness of downtown Redlands. Since that time, professional cyclists from around the world have been racing in this event centered around the city of Redlands, California. The Redlands Bicycle Classic is on the United States Cycling Federation (USCF) National Racing Calendar (NRC).

For event registration or for more information, please visit our website at www.redlandsclassic.com.