About the Race

DrinkMore Water Grand Prix of Silver Spring

Montgomery County-based DrinkMore Water has signed on as event title sponsor for the third annual running of this marquee cycling race. A bigger and better event is promised, supported by increased media coverage and greater attendance as the popularity of this event grows every year.

Scheduled for Sunday, July 22, 2007, races will be run for both amateurs and Pro/Elite men and women. The reputation of this cycling race draws top competitors from around the country. Marty Nothstein of Olympic Gold fame won the Men's Pro/Elite race in 2005 (the inaugural running of the race). Thanks to cash prime sponsor Minshall Stewart Properties (a Bethesda-based commercial real estate investment and management firm) the men's and women's Pro/elite races will be fast and furious. Kids' races are also on the day's schedule (see below).

As in years past, the "DrinkMore Water Grand Prix" will be held in the new revitalized downtown of Silver Spring, Maryland. The central business district of Silver Spring is closed off during the race, creating a very festive atmosphere for the crowds to gather and watch the race or visit the many restaurants and retail stores that line the course. Given the support of the host city government and police department, the event gets a great deal of attention from the local community.

This spectator-friendly event organized by Team Clean Currents and co-promoted with Montgomery County and the Silver Spring Regional Center. The DrinkMore Water Grand Prix is part of Silver Spring's downtown events, which include AFI/Discovery Channel Silverdocs Documentary Festival, the Silver Spring Swings Summer Concert Series, the Silver Spring Jazz Festival, and the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade, etc.

The DrinkMore Water Grand Prix will be "Carbon Neutral"

Thanks to a generous donation of renewable energy credits from Silver Spring green energy broker Clean Currents, the carbon emissions attributable to the DrinkMore Water Grand Prix will be measured, certified, and then offset.

As such, the DrinkMore Water Grand Prix will be carbon neutral and among the first of its kind in cycling history, as well as one of the first two carbon neutral events put on in downtown Silver Spring—the second being the highly popular AFI/Discovery Channel Silverdocs Documentary Festival.

Signal Financial Kids' Helmet Races

For 2007, local federal credit union Signal Financial will sponsor the "Kids' Helmet Races." The kids' races are run before the Men's Pro/Elite race and, not surprisingly, are one of the day' most popular events, attracting hundreds of children and their parents. There are a number of "races" offered:

• children 3 - 5 years (200 meters)
• children 6 - 7 years (200 meters)
• children 8 - 9 years (one lap)
• children 10 - 11 years (one lap)

Signal Financial's generous event support will provide up to 200 free kids helmets and free shirts to all children entering the event. Signal Financial is also covering the costs of the entry fees, so all children will race for free.

Pre-Event and Event-Day Promotion and Advertising

Silver Spring-based Comcast will be the 2007 event television media sponsor. Comcast has generously committed advertising, public service announcements, and Newsmaker interviews to help publicize the event. A 30-second commercial will be aired during the lead-up to the race.

The Gazette of Silver Spring has signed on to be the race's 2007 print media sponsor. The Gazette will provide news stories, announcements, advertisements, and other print exposure before and after the event.

With these media commitments, pre-race interest and hype is expected to reach a large portion of the local metropolitan Washington, DC population. Race-day coverage is expected to reach the DC regional general population through local print and television media, and nationally through cycling-specific press.

Cycling Demographics

As a separate demographic, there are 90 million recreational cyclists and cycling enthusiasts, six million bicycle commuters, and 205,000 competitive racers in the U.S. More people in the US ride a bike than play golf, tennis, or ski combined, with one in every three Americans owning a bike.

The sport of cycling enjoys a balanced gender split with 55% of cyclists being male and 45% female. Ninety percent of recreational cyclists have attended college, nearly 40% are post graduates, over 60% are professional managers, and more than 50% rate their brand loyalty as "high." Nationwide, cyclists enjoy an annual income well in excess of $80,000 and on average spend in excess of $4,000 - $5,000 on the equipment they ride and race.

Further, competitive racing has grown over 25% in the last three years alone, and recreational cycling has grown by nearly 30% given the storied success and accompanying media attention surrounding Lance Armstrong. Few other outdoor activities can offer such attractive numbers.

About the Race and Event Promoters and Organizers

Clean Currents p/b Don Beyer Volvo (DC Velo Limited)

"Clean Currents presented by Don Beyer Volvo" is the licensed cycling race team name of DC Velo Limited, which is a registered club under the United States Cycling Federation (USCF)—the official organizing body for all US road and track bike racing. DC Velo Limited is incorporated as a District of Columbia 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation. DC Velo is a community-driven organization dedicated to promoting both bicycle racing and recreational cycling. Founded in the mid-1980s, the club seeks to foster the fellowship and friendships that well-run associations of like-minded people offer. More information on DC Velo is available at www.teamcleancurrents.com.

Silver Spring Regional Center

Silver Spring's downtown has undergone a spectacular revitalization and renaissance that has attracted the AFI to the Silver Theatre, and a tremendous array of organizations like Round House Theatre, Maryland Youth Ballet and Pyramid Atlantic, Discovery Communications' headquarters, the American Nurses Association, United Therapeutics, Social and Scientific Systems and much more. As the area grows in excitement and appeal, the roster of special events, including the "DrinkMore Water Grand Prix" and "Signal Financial Kids' Helmet Races," continues to expand. To discover all there is to do and see, visit www.silverspringdowntown.com.