Amador County – Amador Council of Tourism is again looking for local business discounts to give to riders of the 2012 Sierra Century bicycle ride, set for June 16, which could bring up to 1,500 riders to Amador County.

The ride features three routes, including “classic routes” not used since 2005. On June 15, early registration begins for the annual ride that starts in Plymouth.

Organizer, Sacramento Wheelmen is a bicycling club and nonprofit organization founded 35 years ago and has 550 members. It schedules daily and weekly bicycle rides. Its members ride between 500 and 7,000 miles a year on club-sponsored rides. The Sierra Century is the club’s biggest ride of the year, and usually brings more than 1,000 riders to the Mother Lode. It is limited to 1,500 participants.

Amador Council of Tourism Executive Director Maurine Funk said organizers of the 2012 Sierra Century are looking for local business discounts to place in the hands of their riders and are interested in hosting an Expo as well.

The Sacramento Wheelmen’s Sierra Century is June 16. Organizers said they will have a good number of riders camping and RV-ing in the Amador County Fairgrounds on Friday, June 15. Those riders who arrive on Friday, whether camping or staying at hotels will come to Early Registration at the Fairgrounds to pick up their rider packets.

Many cycling events in this kind of situation offer a pre-ride dinner. The Sierra Century does not, and lets riders fend for themselves Friday night. This would be an opportunity for local restaurants or wineries to offer discounts, or provide offers that race organizer could put in the rider packets or use in advertising.

Sacramento Wheelmen also want to have an Expo on Saturday, and possibly Friday evening, for sponsors, local cycling or health-related businesses.

For information, call Amador Council of Tourism at (209) 267-9249 or (209) 969-5065.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.