Thiensville may host bike tour
Board OKs concept for June 18 race, details needed
Thiensville — The Tour of America's Dairyland bike race will likely be spinning around the village on June 18, 2010.
John and Karrie Timm, owners of Extreme Ski & Bike, have a 70 member bike team that has been participating in a variety of bicycle races the last nine years.
"We started out with a mountain bike team," Karrie said. "We added road racing two years ago."
The team caught the eye of tour organizers who approached them about having an event in the village.
The Timms took the idea to the Village Board, which gave conceptual approval.
"They want them to return when they have more specific details and after they have contacted the other businesses in the village," said Village Manager Dianne Robertson.
Karrie said the day-long event would include a series of criterium races around a 0.9 mile route in the village. The route would follow Main Street to Freistadt Road to Vernon Avenue to Riverview Drive and back to Main Street. In criterium racing, riders ride laps until they have reached a specified time or a total distance, depending on the individual race.
Karrie said organizers were working on a three-day series of races. Grafton is sponsoring a day-long series the following day and the tour is working with Cedarburg on a possible professional race the evening before the Thiensville races.
"That would bring the racers to Ozaukee County for three days," Karrie said.
The economic value of the visitors could be substantial. Based on reports of 2008 races in Cedarburg and Grafton, it is estimated a Friday race in Thiensville could bring 2,000 to 3,000 spectators and generate income of $20,000 to $30,000. A three-day event would likely generate more business for local motels and restaurants in addition to introducing people to Thiensville.
John Timm estimated the local race would bring a minimum of 500 riders to the village.
The Timms expect to be very busy arranging the details of the race, including contacting local businesses to provide them with information about the event and organizing fundraising and sponsorships.
Join the Mequon-Thiensville Education Foundation for its biggest fundraiser of the year, the 11th annual Tartan Ball. This event, set for Jan. 30 at the Pfister Hotel, features dinner, music and a silent auction.
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