Tour of the Moon
| Icon Lasik Tour of the Moon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Bicycle tour |
| Frequency | Yearly |
| Location(s) | Colorado National Monument, Grand Junction, Colorado, United States |
| Inaugurated | October 6, 2012 |
| Attendance | 2,000 (2013) |
| Organised by | Icon Lasik |
| Website | |
|
www | |
Icon Lasik Tour of the Moon, or simply known as the Tour of the Moon, is a yearly bicycle tour organized by Icon Lasik and is held at the Colorado National Monument, Grand Junction, Colorado, United States.
The inaugural season took place on October 6, 2012 with two thousand cyclists participated in the said event.[1][2] The proceeds of the tour will go to The Colorado Riverfront Foundation, Inc. and the Colorado Riverfront Commission for the reclamation and development the Colorado Riverfront; and to the Bicycle Colorado, a non-profit organization that is dedicated in building a bicycle-friendly Colorado.[3]
Background
The cycling tour is the successor to the Tour of the Moon, one of the premier stages of Coors Classic cycling race from 1980 to 1988.[2] The Coors Classic cycling race was one of the most famous cycling race in the world. After the Coors Classic ended in 1988, the route only became available to cycling amateurs and enthusiasts.[4][5] The location was also known for the American Flyers film.[6]
USA Pro Cycling Challenge initially applied for the professional race in the said location to the National Park Service but was turned down due to safety concerns.[4] The National Park Service has revised its management policies since the Coors Classic race. Its new policies prohibits commercial sporting events due its detrimental issues to the park's natural resources and operations. On the other hand, the organizing committee's application to hold the Tour of the Moon was approved as the said event is not a professional race but a cycling tour for a cause.[2]
Organizer
Tour of the Moon is organized by Icon LASIK of Colorado, a provider of cataract, LASIK, and other eye care services that correct myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism. Icon LASIK was one of the sponsors for a team in the 2012 USA Pro Cycling Challenge. Bode Miller, a world-renowned skier, is one of the athletes Icon LASIK had helped.[7] John Elway is Icon LASIK's spokesperson.[8]
Tour
The first season, dubbed as "Icon Lasik Tour of the Moon, Hell of the West Cycling Classic", was held on October 6, 2012 with 1,830 people participated in the tour.[1][9] It was organized by Icon Lasik, Copper Triangle, and the Annual Optic Nerve 24 Hours of ERock.[1] The pilot season of the tour had raised $20,000 for two nonprofit organizations.[9] The second season, dubbed as "Icon Lasik Tour of the Moon, Grand Cycling Classic", was held on October 5, 2013 with 2,000 people participated.[9] A day before the tour, the organizer announced that they have to re-route the tour due to the United States federal government shutdown of 2013.[10][11][12] The alternate route ran along Little Park Road and through the Bangs Canyon area.[13] A third season will be held on October 4, 2014.
The Icon Lasik Tour of the Moon is divided into 41 and 62-mile treks.[10][14]
References
- 1 2 3 Nancy Lofholm (January 26, 2012). "Tour of the Moon Redux". The Denver Post. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
- 1 2 3 Sharon Sullivan (January 26, 2012). "New bike event: Tour of the Moon". Grand Junction Free Press. Post Independent. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
- ↑ "Benefit of the Tour of the Moon". Icon Lasik Tour of the Moon. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
- 1 2 Kristen Lummis (August 18, 2011). "Classic Rides: The Colorado National Monument’s Tour of the Moon". The Brave Ski Mom. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
- ↑ Kristen Lummis (May 2, 2013). "Western Colorado’s Tour of the Moon: A Landscape Like No Other". MTN Town Magazine. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
- ↑ "Icon Lasic Tour of the Moon". Mountain Top Cycling Club. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
- ↑ "Icon LASIK | USA Pro Challenge". USA Pro Cycling Challenge. Retrieved October 24, 2013.
- ↑ "About Icon Lasik". Icon Lasik. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
- 1 2 3 Sharon Sullivan (October 3, 2013). "No shutdown for Tour of the Moon bike event". Post Independent. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
- 1 2 Zach Berridge (October 5, 2013). "Tour of the Moon goes off without a hitch". 11 News. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
- ↑ "GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN UPDATE". Icon Lasik Tour of the Moon. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
- ↑ "Tour of the Moon cycling classic to go with alternate route". 11 News. October 4, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
- ↑ Gary Harmon (October 4, 2013). "Hikers snub monument barricades". Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
- ↑ "Grand Junction Invites Visitors to Get Their Summer Wheels A-Rollin’". News & Travel with Ore Communications. March 27, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.