Asheboro, NC - On Saturday, May 4, downtown Asheboro will again be the scene of high speed bicycle racing as both amateur and professional cyclists from all across the eastern states return to the community to participate in the third annual Asheboro in Motion Criterium. This event will bring race participants and cycling enthusiasts from all over the region to the City of Asheboro for a day of entertainment, including high speed cycling, a BMX stunt show, and Art on Sunset featuring the works of over 30 artists and artisans.

A criterium is a high-speed bicycle race on a closed course over public roads closed to normal traffic, or, as some have referred to it, NASCAR on two wheels. The Asheboro criterium is a 0.6 mile loop comprised of a clockwise loop starting on South Fayetteville Street going north, turning east onto Worth Street, south onto South Cox Street, west onto East Academy Street and finally north again onto the finish stretch on South Fayetteville Street. The cyclists must whip around these corners and master the single hill on South Cox and East Academy Street to stay in the front of the pack. Amateur racing will be held between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The featured professional race will be held at 5 p.m.

Other activities to be held in conjunction with the Asheboro in Motion Criterium are:

•The nationally acclaimed King BMX Stunt Show will be featured in shows at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. (is that correct?) to be held in Bicentennial Park.

•Returning this year is the Great Downtown Asheboro Triketerium. Last year, the team from Randolph Bank defeated all comers and hopefully will be up for taking on all challengers this year to defend their trophy. Trike races will be held at 12:45 p.m., with the semi-finals at 2:30 p.m. and the finals at 3:30 p.m.

•Several classes of kid's races will be held at 4:40 p.m. at the start/finish area of the criterium course.

•Art on Sunset will feature the works of over 30 artists and artisans between the hours of 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. (is this correct?) along Sunset Avenue.

All activities are free for the spectators and are a great way for adults and children alike to learn about one of the fastest growing sports in America. Asheboro's great restaurants and shops will be open for visitors, so plan to bring the family out and spend your day in Asheboro on Saturday, May 4, and see what all of the commotion is about.

The Asheboro in Motion Criterium is being sponsored by the Human Motion Institute of Randolph Hospital, Asheboro-Randolph Chamber of Commerce, Heart of North Carolina Visitors Bureau, and the City of Asheboro. The criterium is being produced by Charlotte Sports Cycling. For additional visitor information and online registration, go to www.AsheboroCriterium.com; or call the Heart of NC Visitors Bureau at 800-626-2672.

To sign up a team for the trike races or your son or daughter for the 4:40 p.m. kid's race, please contact George Gusler at the Asheboro-Randolph Chamber of Commerce at 336-626-2626 or email chamber@asheboro.com.

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