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Glenwood groups make Ride the Rockies run smoothly

Cailey Arensman
Post Independent Intern
Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado – This weekend, Ride the Rockies will bring upwards of 2,000 people to Glenwood Springs. Several local groups have stepped up to help accommodate the sudden stream of visitors.

People attending the festivities before the cyclists depart are likely to notice the food being served there. Food service for this event will be provided by the Glenwood Springs High School cheerleaders.

“They are doing this as a fundraiser to help fund their uniforms,” says Jodi Jordan, a coach for the team. The cheerleaders were approached by Krista DeHerrera, of Valley Events Inc., to provide three meals for the cyclists or whoever else attends the event.



Though the group provided food for Ride the Rockies when it stopped in Glenwood in 2007, Jordan says they don’t know how much money will be made. Previously, Glenwood Springs was just a stop along the route, but this time, it kicks off the whole tour.

The group will serve lunch and dinner on Saturday, and breakfast Sunday morning. The cyclists will depart Glenwood for Hotchkiss (80 miles) on the first leg of the tour. Lunch will consist of a meal deal, with grilled foods like hamburgers and chicken, dinner will have a pasta bar, and breakfast will include pancakes and other breakfast foods.



A group equally important to the execution of the event is the Glenwood Springs Percussion Ensemble, who will be providing parking help and bicycle security for the event.

“We really are looking for ways to get money to the high school, because much of the group is self-funded,” says Ken Newton, bicycle security coordinator and parent of an ensemble member. The group will raise money at this event by selling parking spaces. They will direct cars to spots north of the high school, in the American Furniture Warehouse parking lot, and at St. Stephen’s Church.

In terms of bicycle security, the group is working hard to ensure that no bikes are stolen or distributed to the wrong people. “There’s a number that goes with the person, and then a tag that goes with the bike, a corresponding number,” says Newton.

Bikes will be kept on the practice field at the school until people come to check them out Sunday morning by showing that their number matches the bike they’re taking. With a potential 2,000 bikes getting checked out, Newton says, “I think Sunday morning is going to be a very, very busy morning.” He has increased the number of volunteers helping during that shift.

Fundraisers like this are important to the ensemble, which consists of students from the Glenwood Springs Middle and High schools. “They want to go to worlds, which is a competition that takes place in Dayton, Ohio,” says Newton, “and we’re trying to raise money for that so each participant will have less out-of-pocket expenses for that.”

In addition to the assistance provided by these groups, other local nonprofits will have booths set up. “We try and use it as an opportunity, not only as an opportunity for nonprofits to get out and make some money, but also to let them get out and share a bit about what they do,” says DeHerrera. Organizations represented include the True Media Foundation, the Kiwanis Club, the Boy Scouts and Basalt Community Church.


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