San Luis Obispo Downtown Criterium Classic

Crit Coffee Craziness, thanks to Linnaea's Cafe

Since Start/finish, Registration, Awards, Information and T-shirts Sales are all going to be on Garden Street this year, Linnaea's Cafe, located at 1110 Garden Street is going to bring on the caffeine for all participants in a special way. 

Stationed right out of their quaint little window alcove facing the street, for walk-up convenience, Linnaea's baristas will be offering a steal of a deal:  1 buck for a 12 oz coffee starting at 6am going throughout the day.  This is a special deal just for this event.  So be sure in between registering, checking out the fest, or racing/volunteering, to grab your 1-dollar cup o' joe!

Linnaea's Cafe became an official bike haven, (it already was but this put it over the top), when the popular green Rack with a Plaque took over a parking space right in front of the Cafe.  The rack was donated directly from the ingenious maker of the racks, Peak Racks.

Criterium weekend Schedule

A copy of an ad going into New Times Weekly.  Thanks to New Times Media for their consistent and warm support of the SLO Downtown Criterium and the Bicycle Coalition over the years!  Check this schedule out and don't miss any of the fun.

Book Now at Quality Suites, giving up to 30% off

Summer time is a busy time for hotels on the Central Coast, so we're honored to have the support of George Newland and Quality Suites located at 1631 Monterey Street in SLO.  They are giving 25 to 30% off rooms when you ask for the "SLO Criterium" rate.  Call them at  (805) 541-5001 and book your rooms now before they're gone!

Clif Bar's Blok Party brings some Green to SLO-Town

Here's what we've learned about Clif Bar & Co.  When they decide they are coming to your event, they're gonna throw a big party, and at the same time they're serious about implementing sustainable practices while they're hanging out.  Being "green" these days seems so cliche, but there are some concrete things that make it real.  Recycling, reducing, reusing, conserving energy.... So here's what we're offering, in partnership with Clif Bar, with hopes that you will join in and participate!  Clif Bar's Blok Party will be located on Chorro Street in the Fairway close to Higuera Street.

• - Bring your old cell phones and batteries to the Clif Bar booth and Clif Bar will recycle them for you. 
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• - The first 100 people can bring their regular light bulbs and Clif will exchange them for Compact Flourescent light bulbs!
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•  - Clif Bar's teamed up with TerraCycle to reduce the number of energy bar wrappers ending up in the landfill.  You can leave your wrappers  at their booth, which are ultimately broken down and woven into strong material, and made into eco-chic products! 

- Also, Clif Bar will be fighting global warming through the sale of Cool Tags.  With the $2 purchase, Clif Bar invests the money into NativeEnergy’s Windbuilder program.

• - Clif Bar will be rolling into SLO in their Biodiesel Truck and parking it right in festival row, turning their spot into a one-stop tasting shop of their bars, gels, drinks and ohh so much more.
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• - Lastly. we welcome you to tap a toe to the illustrious Bike Rapper, Fossil Fool, whose sweet pedal-driven beats bring the people to the streets!  This funky creator founded Rock the Bike and works beside the BikeBlender inventor and Xtracycle owners, pushing the envelope on innovative urban bike adventures in northern California.

Clif Bar is working with us all to reduce our overall footprint on this planet.  Are you up for the challenge?

Thanks to Dolphin Shirt Company...

Dolphin Shirts supplies this year's T-shirt printing, featuring John Landon's fantastic original artwork.

Jerseys and posters will also include the 2008 artwork. The original piece will be silent auctioned at the Pedal to the People Benefit on Saturday night for proceeds, going to SLO County Bicycle Coalition.

Thanks to Dolphin Shirts for their support, and HUGE gratitude to Mr. Landon for his donation of talent!  Check his work at:  www.landonart.com

The Road is Paved to Cold Hard Cash

Thanks to 'SLO Pedro' for raising the stakes for the Masters 35+ 1-3 race by throwing in an additional $300 dollars, taking the total payout to $1000.  Pedro, (pictured to the left racing for Cal Giant/Specialized Masters team!), we thank you for sweetening the pot and for your work on the SLO Downtown Criterium over the last three years!

Oh yeah, and we're pleased to be giving out $2000 for both Men Pro/1/2 and Women Pro/1/2/3.  Not many races out there going equal- we're proud to be one of them.  Plus, over $6500 in cash and prizes throughout the day means a bunch of dead presidents and sweet schwag could be in your hands after your race.

Smooth as a baby's bottom:  We were mostly cracking up last year when the City of SLO decided to pave the downtown streets right after the SLO Crit... well, we were actually kinda bummed for all the stories we had to endure of sore behinds and such... ;-) 

However, it has been quite fun cruising down the Higuera Strip, smooth pavement underneath the rubber, giggling in anticipation of what will be a much better ride for all, and a FAST one at that!

"The Deux Run Run, the Deux Run Run..."

Latest News!  Registration is now open at: 

www.firstgiving.com/sosc

Meet at 12 noon at Garden Street at the Special Olypmics booth! 

Yes, a play on words and an old catchy tune for this year's highlight activity-- an all-ages, 2-lap Fun run before the Master's 35+ race.

The Deux Run Run - Dash to Raise Cash is a celebration for everyone and a fundraiser for the SLO County Chapter of Special Olympics.  We invite you to get dressed up and join hundreds of costumed participants, families, weekend runners and people just out for a stroll. This is a great opportunity to make your way through the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo and cheered by hundreds of spectators!

The Run will take 2 laps on the course to the cheering of the crowds on the streets.  There will be awards for best individual and group costumes, as well as most money raised for Special Olympics!
Each year through Special Olympics San Luis Obispo County, hundreds of volunteers give their time and talents to create unforgettable memories for athletes. Now with the Deux Run Run, the community has an opportunity to help raise money for our program here in downtown San Luis Obispo!

Special Olympics hosts year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.