EVO-Cross, the season-opening race in the $30,000 Verge Mid-Atlantic Cyclocross Series takes place this Sunday, October 9, in historic Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The 2005 series is once again sponsored by Verge Sport, which manufactures of top-of-the-line cycling apparel for the U.S. market using unique European craftsmanship and design, and features the best cyclocrossers in North America.
This proceeds from this weekend's EVO-Cross race at the None-Such Farm in Buckingham, Pennsylvania will benefit the American Cancer Society and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, also known as PanCAN. Based in El Segundo, California, PanCAN is dedicated to focusing national attention on the need to find a cure for pancreatic cancer. PanCAN embraces the urgent need for more research, effective treatments, prevention programs and early detection methods.
The organization also provides patient and liaison services via a toll free number, 877-272-6226, and through it's website -- www.pancan.org. It is an effort close to the heart of race promoter Tammy Ebersole. "My brother, Todd Ebersole, died of pancreatic cancer at age 35 almost three years ago. PanCAN helped us with information and support," says Ebersole, "and really there is not a lot of publicity generated about pancreatic cancer. It's one of the most deadly forms of cancer and needs more focus by the medical community." One of the objectives of the race, with its international media attention, is to bring more attention to the work of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
A free cyclocross clinic starts the program at 9:00 am, followed by the full slate of MAC amateur and Elite classes. The Pro Double-Header portion of the program kicks off at 1:00 with a free kid's race, followed by the Elite events where reigning champions Ryan Leech and Betsy Schauer, both of Pennsylvania-based FORT/GPOA will start the defense of their Verge Sport Championship Jerseys. The complete schedule and race details can be found at www.BikeReg.com, the official online event registration site for the MAC Championship series. BikeReg.com can be accessed directly, or from the Verge Mid-Atlantic website at www.monkeyhillcs.com/mac/mac2005/.
Many of the racers in the Verge Mid-Atlantic Cycling Series are fueled and tuned by Honey Stinger Energy Gel and Cadence Performance Cycling Center. The Official Energy Food of the 2005 Verge Mid-Atlantic Cycling Series, Honey Stinger uses Pure Honey as the main source of carbohydrates because studies show that honey is low on the glycemic index and therefore provides a long, steady source of energy instead of a spike and crash caused by man made carbohydrates commonly found in other energy gels. Directed by Brian Walton, a 3-time Olympian, USAC Developmental Coach of the Year and winner of the first-ever Mid-Atlantic Cyclocross Series race, Cadence Performance Cycling Center provides cyclists of all levels with the Nation's finest range of performance oriented training and testing services to help riders of all abilities improve their cycling skills.
Spectator admission and parking will be free courtesy of None-Such Farms and the race's sponsor, Evolution Pro Bike and Ski Shop. Evolution is located less than a mile away from the races should anyone break any parts at the last minute. An extra bonus this year is that the EVO-Cross races coincide with None-Such Farm's Pumpkin Festival, which runs weekends from October 8 through 23. Activities include Pick-Your-Own Pumpkins, live Bluegrass music, hay rides and corn mazes -- among others. Other nearby attractions include the restaurants and shops of the aptly-named Peddlers Village boutique shopping village and the very eclectic New Hope shopping district, as well as numerous museums and historic sites.
