Mighty Mighty Tour de Nez 2009: Fan Competitions, Evening Block Parties, Movies and More Mean Big Fun for Reno/Tahoe Fans

The 18th annual Mighty Mighty Tour de Nez presented by Northstar-at-Tahoe stage race and bicycle festival is slotted to run from June 17-21 this year, and race promoter Tim Healion and his staff have been working overtime to ensure that the fans watching all the racing action are fully immersed in the Mighty Mighty Tour de Nez experience. Healion's stage race is known as the "Coolest Cycling Race in the World," and 2009 promises to be as exciting and engaging as past editions.

There are several highlights on the docket for fans this year, with both traditional and new offerings on tap. For the first day of racing in downtown Truckee, there will be the usual evening block party after the day's racing, where fans will be able to gather for live music, home-cooked food and drinks. Prices for the bar-b-que will range from $10-$20, with Moody's Bar & Grill and the Bar of America providing catered gourmet offerings to those on hand for the celebration. The band for the evening will be "Drinking with Clowns," the Latin/Hip Hop/Reggae band out of Reno, Nevada.

The next day in downtown Reno, a new family experience will be presented after the race, as the Reno amphitheater will show the 1980's cycling classic "Breaking Away." Additionally, the Reno Jazz Youth Orchestra will perform ahead of the movie, offering families yet another excellent post-race option to continue the celebration into the evening hours. For those over 21, several local area bars will be hosting after parties, with cold drinks and live music once again on offer.

For the final day's racing at the Village-at-Northstar, live music will play throughout the evening in the main gathering area at the Village. Catered food courtesy of Northstar's world-renowned chefs will be for sale to all fans, as the party concludes at the posh Lake Tahoe resort. As the final day of the event, the Village celebration should last far into the evening, as the crowd on hand closes out yet another successful Tour de Nez event.

In addition to the after parties and celebrations, there will also be all new fan competitions during each day of racing. Race promoters have come up with three competitions for each day of racing, with prizes on offer for each contest. The three categories will include "Best Cycling-Inspired Outfit," "Best Hand-Made Cycling Sign," and "Coolest/Most Original Clunker." One prize will be awarded for each category on each day of racing.

For the "Best Cycling-Inspired Outfit," the winner on each day will take home a brand-new Chrome messenger bag. For those winners in the "Best Hand-Made Cycling Sign" category, more gear will be on offer, including Pearl Izumi and Limar cycling gear. For the "Coolest/Most Original Clunker" winners on each day, official Tour de Nez merchandise will be awarded, including two Tour de Nez watter bottles, a Tour de Nez t-shirt, leader's jersey and baseball cap.

Finally, each day of racing will feature crowd primes for both the men's and women's pro competitions. A prime, or a cash prize awarded to an individual rider first across the line on a given lap, is a great opportunity for fans to "own a piece of the Tour de Nez." In donating money for the crowd prime, the fans will be able to have a direct affect on the outcome of the racing, as the peloton battles for the cash prize ahead of the finish of each race. Additionally, the top donator for each crowd prime will also be offered to come up onto the announcing stage to view the finish of the racing action, a nice perk for their generosity.

As it has every year, the Mighty Mighty Tour de Nez will bring the dynamic and colorful world of cycling the the thousands on hand to take part in the event in both the Reno and Lake Tahoe area. From the professional cyclists competing in the races to the fans cheering them on, all will leave the five day event knowing that they took part in "The Coolest Bike Race in America."