Comments on: Downtown Ann Arbor Cycling Race http://annarborchronicle.com/2008/09/08/downtown-ann-arbor-cycling-race/ it's like being there Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:55:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Dave Askins http://annarborchronicle.com/2008/09/08/downtown-ann-arbor-cycling-race/comment-page-1/#comment-17677 Dave Askins Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:46:23 +0000 http://annarborchronicle.com/?p=2958#comment-17677 Dan, I put out a query to Priority Health. As an afterthought, I rummaged around myself to see what might turn up. Grim news for the race: "Priority Health has made the difficult decision to suspend its sponsorship of cycling races in 2009. This affects the Tour de Leelanau and the Priority Health Cycling Classics in both Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor. These races were a great success in their respective communities, providing a significant boost to local merchants. They also were very effective at reinforcing the brand for Priority Health and our other sponsors. Unfortunately, the current economic realities simply prohibit continued investment in these races. The future of the races is unclear. Priority Health worked with professional organizations to stage these races and we hope they will be successful in securing new sponsors so the races may continue. Priority Health values the sport of cycling and its ability to help kids and families embrace health and wellness. That is why we have maintained our sponsorship of the Priority Health Cycling Teams to be able to continue to promote safety, health and wellness to the community. To learn more about the Priority Health Cycling Team visit <a href="http://teampriorityhealth.com" rel="nofollow">teampriorityhealth.com</a>." <a href="http://www.priorityhealthclassic.com/" rel="nofollow">Link</a> Dan,

I put out a query to Priority Health. As an afterthought, I rummaged around myself to see what might turn up. Grim news for the race:

“Priority Health has made the difficult decision to suspend its sponsorship of cycling races in 2009. This affects the Tour de Leelanau and the Priority Health Cycling Classics in both Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor.

These races were a great success in their respective communities, providing a significant boost to local merchants. They also were very effective at reinforcing the brand for Priority Health and our other sponsors. Unfortunately, the current economic realities simply prohibit continued investment in these races.

The future of the races is unclear. Priority Health worked with professional organizations to stage these races and we hope they will be successful in securing new sponsors so the races may continue.

Priority Health values the sport of cycling and its ability to help kids and families embrace health and wellness. That is why we have maintained our sponsorship of the Priority Health Cycling Teams to be able to continue to promote safety, health and wellness to the community. To learn more about the Priority Health Cycling Team visit teampriorityhealth.com.” Link

]]> By: Dan http://annarborchronicle.com/2008/09/08/downtown-ann-arbor-cycling-race/comment-page-1/#comment-17672 Dan Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:26:31 +0000 http://annarborchronicle.com/?p=2958#comment-17672 Dave, Great article. Do you happen to know if there will be another bike race here in 2009? Thanks Dan Geck Dave,

Great article. Do you happen to know if there will be another bike race here in 2009? Thanks

Dan Geck

]]> By: Wendy Correll http://annarborchronicle.com/2008/09/08/downtown-ann-arbor-cycling-race/comment-page-1/#comment-61 Wendy Correll Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:02:15 +0000 http://annarborchronicle.com/?p=2958#comment-61 The Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation will be using the $1400 referred to by Mr. Askins to fund programs in the schools for fitness, health and wellness programs. Historically we've had requests for such things as pedometers, portable tents for sports team benches to minimize sun exposure to our young athletes, daily fruit bowls for the nurses office in the high schools, etc. Thank you cycling community and Priority Health for your support! The Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation will be using the $1400 referred to by Mr. Askins to fund programs in the schools for fitness, health and wellness programs. Historically we’ve had requests for such things as pedometers, portable tents for sports team benches to minimize sun exposure to our young athletes, daily fruit bowls for the nurses office in the high schools, etc. Thank you cycling community and Priority Health for your support!

]]> By: Dave Askins http://annarborchronicle.com/2008/09/08/downtown-ann-arbor-cycling-race/comment-page-1/#comment-45 Dave Askins Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:58:05 +0000 http://annarborchronicle.com/?p=2958#comment-45 Ticket sales to the VIP area at $25 apiece raised $700 for the Ann Arbor Public Schools. Priority Health is matching that for a total of $1400. Also worth mentioning is that the pre-race national anthem was sung by Chavonna Bigham, 15, from Ypsilanti, Michigan. Worth mentioning because she <em>owned</em> the Star Spangled Banner on Main Street that morning. People in the crowd on Main Street were slack-jawed -- that's how good it was. Ticket sales to the VIP area at $25 apiece raised $700 for the Ann Arbor Public Schools. Priority Health is matching that for a total of $1400.

Also worth mentioning is that the pre-race national anthem was sung by Chavonna Bigham, 15, from Ypsilanti, Michigan. Worth mentioning because she owned the Star Spangled Banner on Main Street that morning. People in the crowd on Main Street were slack-jawed — that’s how good it was.

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