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 2011 Tour de Nez will be a one-day event staged in Reno on July 31. Fans of past Tour de Nez races will note that the event date has moved from June. According to Tour de Nez, the crowded June cycling calendar made it difficult to run the Reno race and still attract top riders. The date change helps alleviate that issue, and also permits the event to work with Artown on a PopArtCycle project merging art and cycling.
It all started 19 years ago as a single criterium race through the streets of downtown Reno, the purpose of which 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 Events
For 2011, the Tour de Nez returns to its roots as a one-day affair in downtown Reno. It will be staged during the morning and afternoon on July 31, with the men's pro criterium ending at 4:30 p.m. As always, 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. It's the same one used for past races and affords up close and personal views from just about anyplace along the route. My favorite spot is the tight S turn at Flint St. - Court St. - Arlington Ave. 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 N’alleycat. On Saturday, July 30, 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. Bicycle racing ends in time for the day's other big event in Wingfield Park, the evening grand finale of Artown.
Sunday, July 31 – Criterium in Reno, NV
- Handcycles: 10 a.m. - 10:35 a.m.
- Handcycle Juniors (14-18): 10:45 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
- Handcycle Masters (35+): 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- NRC Pro/Elite Women: 1:40 p.m. - 2:40 p.m.
- NRC Pro Men: 3 p.m. - 4:30 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.
PopArtCycle
According to the Tour de Nez website, "PopArtCycle is a partnership project between Artown and the Tour de Nez to celebrate the merging of art and cycling. Your business can join the fun, get some free visibility, and help out a local non-profit organization that helps connect people with bikes for transportation and recreation."
The non-profit organization is the Kiwanis Bike Project at 2500 Valley Road, Suite A, in Reno. For $100, you get a bike to decorate for PopArtCycle. On July 30, there will be a mass display of art bikes at Wingfield Park, and you'll get to ride the Tour de Nez course on July 31. Get all the details from the PopArtCycle website.
See Tour de Nez Pictures & Videos
Photographers and videographers will find the Tour de Nez a colorful and challenging events. 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.
