About the Tour de Nez
The Tour de Nez is a series of bicycle races and other events staged in the streets of downtown Reno. The main events are criterium races for both men and women pro riders, and handcycling races. These races attract top cyclists and are an official event on the National Racing Calendar (NRC) with USA Cycling. The 2012 Tour de Nez will be a one-day event staged in Reno on Sunday, July 29.
2012 marks the 20th Anniversary of The Mighty, Mighty, Tour de Nez. The event has come a long way since 1992 and now attracts top professional riders from literally around the world. The purpose of the Tour de Nez was to celebrate the anniversary of Reno's Deux Gros Nez coffeehouse (since closed). Feeding on its initial success, the Tour de Nez has grown into a major Reno / Tahoe event. Come out and enjoy pro and amateur bicycle racing, live music, great food and drink, bike decorating contests, face painting, and an expo with displays from bike, adventure sports, and outdoor gear companies. The community is invited to join the Tour de Nez fun by participating in events like races for clunkers and kids, and parties at the event venue and various other downtown Reno locations.
Tour de Nez Venue
For 2012, the Tour de Nez will be staged during the morning and afternoon on Sunday July 29, with the men's pro criterium ending at around 7:45 p.m. As before, the center of activity will be Wingfield Park and the start-finish line on the Arlington Avenue bridge over the Truckee River.
Fans of past Tour de Nez bicycle races will recognize the criterium course through downtown Reno (Note: this link is to the 2011 course, but I think it will be the same for 2012). This course affords up close and personal views from just about anyplace along the route. My favorite spot is the tight S turn at Flint Street - Court Street - Arlington Avenue (by the Lake Mansion). The racing here is fast and exciting, and it's a good spot for some action photos.
This same course route will also be used for handcycle racing, the clunker race, kids' racing, and the Tour de N'Ally Cat. On Saturday, July 28, there will be a handcycling time trial at 10 a.m. in Cold Springs Valley, north of Reno on U.S. 395.
Tour de Nez Schedule of Events
Things sometimes change, so refer to the official Tour de Nez schedule of events for the latest information.
Sunday, July 29 – Criterium in Reno, NV
- Ride with The Pros: 9 a.m.
- Handcycles: 11 a.m. - 11:35 a.m.
- Category 4 / 5 Men: 11:45 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
- Category 4 / 5 Masters (ages 35, 45, 55+): 12:30 p.m. - 1:05 p.m.
- Tour de N'Ally Cat: 2:20 p.m.
- Kids Races: 2:30 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.
- The Legendary Clunker Classic: 3 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
- Masters Categories 1, 2, 3 (ages 35, 45+): 3:35 p.m. - 4:35 p.m.
- Women Pro: 4:55 p.m. - 5:55 p.m.
- Men Pro Categories 1, 2: 6:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.
Ride with the Pros and VIP
For $100, you can get access to the VIP tent and seating at the start-finish line, plus a Sunday morning ride with both pro and amateur bicycle racers. There are other goodies involved as well. If you'd just like to go for the bike ride, it's $50. (Note - This information is from the 2011 Tour de Nez. I haven't seen any updates yet.)
Related Events at the Tour de Nez
6th Annual Reno Bike Project Bike Swap will be at Barbara Bennett Park basketball courts on Sunday, July 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Get great deals on bikes and other cycling gear, or sign up as a vendor and unload some of your excess bike stuff.
Pop Art Cycles is an Artown event, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Wingfield Park. It's free to check out this wild collection of art bikes while downtown for the Tour de Nez bike races.
Forage, on Saturday, July 28, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. takes riders on a multi-stop interactive bike tour of Reno art hot spots. The free ride is hosted by The Holland Project and The Reno Bike Project. Everyone is invited to pedal along.
See Tour de Nez Pictures & Videos
Photographers and videographers will find the Tour de Nez a colorful and challenging event. Check out my collection of Tour de Nez pictures and video clips and you'll see what I mean.
Source: Tour de Nez website, Abbi Public Relations, Inc.
