Denver (August 3, 2015) - Go Ride Steamboat  presented by UnitedHealthcare, a recreational bike ride sharing the same roads as the USA Pro Challenge will be on Saturday, Aug. 15, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.  The fun and entertaining family and friends bike ride kicks-off the celebration activities for the start of the professional cycling event. 

Go Ride Steamboat gives avid and recreational cyclists an opportunity to experience what it feels like to be a pro during the opening weekend of the USA Pro Challenge.  The ride is open to all skill levels, and riders can participate in a 25- or 50-mile ride.  Cyclists will start under the official USA Pro Challenge truss and will be joined by professional riders. 

"This is one of the most popular activities we offer our fans. It's a great chance for riders of all skill levels to enjoy the same route as the professional race and experience the majestic landscape Steamboat Springs has to offer," said Shawn Hunter, CEO of the USA Pro Challenge.

"UnitedHealthcare is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Pro Challenge experience and bring the excitement of a professional race course to amateur cyclists," said Beth Soberg, president and CEO, UnitedHealthcare in Colorado. "Cycling is a great way to get outdoors, enjoy our beautiful state and improve our health and well-being." 

Route:
The 25-mile course is a scenic ride for the casual cyclist, family or cruiser-bike rider. The 50-mile course gives participants the opportunity to ride the same course as the pros and compete for the King of the Mountain for the opportunity to ride in the official Pro Challenge Amateur Time Trial. No matter the route, cyclists will experience the start and finish of Go Ride Steamboat with the same grandeur as the pros under the official USA Pro Challenge truss.

KOM Competition:
The King of the Mountain (KOM) climb will be chip-timed for those participating in the 50 mile ride. The Go Ride Steamboat "King" and "Queen" of the Mountain (the riders with the fastest times to the top of this marquee climb) will be crowned at the post-ride party, and each will be awarded an entry into the Amateur Time Trial before Stage 5 of the USA Pro Challenge in Breckenridge on Aug. 21.

Details:
The cost to participate in Go Ride Steamboat presented by UnitedHealthcare varies by distance and time of registration. Each ride begins between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. MT, depending upon the distance. Registration includes an exclusive Pro Challenge Experience presented by UnitedHealthcare tech T-shirt and a post-ride lunch complete with two tasty brews. The first 100 registrants receive a free pair of Smith Optics sunglasses. For registration and more information, visit www.prochallenge.com/goride.

 

About the USA Pro Challenge:
Referred to as "America's Race," the USA Pro Challenge will take place Aug. 17-23, 2015. For seven consecutive days, the world's top athletes race through the majestic Colorado Rockies, reaching higher altitudes than they've ever had to endure. The inaugural Women's USA Pro Challenge is a three-day invitation-only event and will kick off in Breckenridge on Aug. 21, and conclude in Golden on Aug. 23. One of the largest cycling events in U.S. history and the largest spectator event in the history of the state, the USA Pro Challenge is back for 2015. Featuring a challenging course, the fifth annual race will spotlight the best of the best in professional cycling and some of America's most beautiful scenery. More information can be found online at prochallenge.com and on Twitter at @USAProChallenge.

About UnitedHealthcare:
UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers, military service members, retirees and their families, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 850,000 physicians and care professionals, and 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com or follow @myUHC on Twitter.

More information can be found online at www.USAProChallenge.com and on Twitter at @USAProChallenge. 

Heather Krug (PR & Marketing)
310-463-1415 or heather@heatherkrug.com