The Valley Preferred Cycling Center

Valley Preferred Cycling Center will host military members and veterans for Military Appreciation Night this Friday, July 27.  All active and retired military personnel receive a free ticket to the night’s racing event with proof of service, including military identification.  Military Appreciation Night is being held in conjunction with the Keirin Cup, one of the most exciting events on the World Series of Bicycling calendar.

Military members and veterans are invited to be our guests on the popular VeloDeck on Friday.  This shaded area is a favorite place to watch the racing action.

Military members and veterans can get their tickets by showing their I.D. at the box office.

Donate and Get a Free Ticket:  In an effort to help fans contribute to a military-based cause, Valley Preferred Cycling Center has aligned with the Folds of Honor Foundation for a special ticket offer.  For every $10 donated to the Folds of Honor Foundation, that fan will receive free ticket to that night’s event.

Folds of Honor Foundation, which is supported by Valley Preferred Cycling Center partner Budweiser,  is rallying a nation to ensure no family is left behind in the fight to preserve American freedom. Through scholarships and other assistance, the organization gives back to the spouses and children of soldiers killed or disabled in service to our country.

Did You Know? Over 700,000 soldiers have been killed or disabled in the military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan–Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn. These service members’ families exceed the national average of 2.5 dependents per household. As of January 1, 2012, over one million dependents have been adversely affected by multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 87% of the dependents affected by the recent wars do not qualify for federal scholarship assistance.

For more information on Folds of Honor Foundation, please visit www.foldsofhonor.org.

Free Beer … On Us: Military Appreciation Night came to be after a recent meeting with Allentown Beverage Company, a distributor of Budweiser.  For this Friday night, the first 250 that are age 21 or older will get a free pour of Budweiser.

Great Racing: The night’s racing promises to be fast and furious.  The Keirin Cup is one of the most coveted prizes in American track cycling, and this week’s event is sure to draw a lot of star power.  The Keirin, which originated in Japan, is an intriguing event for new fans, mostly due to the use of a motorized pace bike.  As the race progresses, the pace vehicle will gradually accelerate.  Although the riders may not pass the pace, they are free to jockey for position behind him.  Eventually the pacer swings off the track, and the field is in full sprint to the finish.  The Keirin is a very physical race, and contact between riders is not uncommon.

Besides the great racing, Valley Preferred Cycling Center will also be recognizing our local riders who achieved success at the recent USA Cycling Juniors Track National Championships earlier this month.  In addition, Bob “The Bike Guy” Swaim will be at Valley Preferred Cycling Center on Friday to attempt a new world record of riding the 7-foot wheel dicycle around the Velodrome.  The dicycle is where the rider rides in a recumbent position with horizontal wheels.

Event Details: Friday’s Keirin Cup presented by Coordinated Health kicks off with gates opening at 5:30.  Racing starts at 7:30.  Valley Preferred Cycling Center features a locally-sourced all-organic concession stand and local craft beer and wine.  Tickets start at just $5.00, and kids 12 and under are free.