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‘Boone Breakaway’ Bicycle Race August 11, Based on the Little 500, Offers All Day Family Fun for Free

July 13, 2012. Boone Breakaway bicycle race and swap meet offers fun for racers and spectators. Pirate Race Productions is excited to announce its newest event: The Boone Breakaway on Saturday, August 11, and the re-opening of the classic Boone Speedway.

The Boone Breakaway is based on the Little 500, an annual event at Indiana University, featuring 33 teams of four riders tag-team racing classic bicycles on the cinder track around the inside of the stadium in front of 80,000 screaming Hoosiers. Portrayed in the classic film, “Breaking Away”, the Little 500 is renowned by cyclists as one of the of the coolest races in the world. Now anyone can grab a bike and three friends, and try to relive the glory of Breaking Away’s heroes, The Cutters. To give the race a real Appalachian twist, The Boone Breakaway will be held on the banked dirt quarter-mile oval of the Boone Speedway – the first race there in 16 years.

The Boone Breakaway will maintain the exciting format of the Little 500, making it a great event for spectators. Adding to the excitement of dozens of cyclists racing shoulder-to-shoulder on the loose dirt for 200 laps – 50 miles – will be the pandemonium of teammates “handing off” their bikes. Racers trying to maintain their position will dive into pit lane, jump off their bike, and have a teammate jump on at high speed, or crash spectacularly in front of the grandstands. Magic Cycles will be on hand to lend racers mechanical support, as well as offer bike demos and great summer deals.

The Boone Breakaway will be an all day event, with practice times in the morning followed by an individual race and a team time trial to determine pole position for the main event, which will kick off at 1 p.m. The Boone Breakaway is also a fundraiser for Boone Bike Initiative, and they will be hosting a bike swap at the race as well. This is a great chance for folks to unclutter their garage or get some great deals on used equipment, while hanging out with their family and watching the racing action. There will be food vendors on site, and the great folks from Boone Brewing Co will be serving their legendary Blowing Rock Ale. Folks traveling to the Boone Area for the event can find great deals on lodging at ExploreBooneArea.com.

Team entry fees for the Boone Breakaway, including the individual race and time trial, is only $100 on Pre-Reg.com until August 1. The event is free for spectators, and the bike swap is free for the public – industry reps, bike shops and frame builders have a small fee.

For more information about the race, go to BikeHighCountry.com, or post on the Boone Breakaway Facebook page with your questions about gear or for help forming a team. Naming rights are still available for the newly resurfaced track; companies interested in connecting with this fun and exciting event should contact Race Director Andrew Stackhouse at info@pirateraceproductions.com or 828-719-8448.

ExploreBooneArea.com is your go-to source of information about visiting the North Carolina High Country. The Boone Area is mecca for cyclists thanks to its unmatched beauty, quiet country roads, and notorious climbs. The area is home to a pair of colleges with national champion cycling teams, and some of the nation’s most popular and challenging cycling events.

Magic Cycles (est. 1993), conveniently located in downtown Boone, is the High Country’s premier bike shop for discriminating riders. Whether you’re a beginner and just getting started or a pro looking to shave grams of weight or seconds off your time, Magic has a professionally trained staff to take care of your needs. Everyone at Magic Cycles is committed to providing you with the best bike shop experience imaginable.

Blowing Rock Ale is a local brand that captures the essence of the High Country as much as you can with a beer. Refreshing, relaxing, recreation—these are part of everyday life in the High Country and these are the things Boone Brewing Company wants people to think about when drinking Blowing Rock Ale.

Pirate Race Productions is dedicated to staging and promoting athletic events that are incredibly fun for our participants, valuable marketing opportunities for our sponsors, a positive contribution to our host communities, and provide great entertainment for our spectators. Visit BikeHighCountry.com to learn about tons of fun events including The Ascent, Three Peaks USA, the Wilkesboro Cyclocross Festival, and Boone-Roubaix.