Windham
Hunter & Windham, NY –  Race organizers and the Catskill Mountain Foundation announce that the Catskill Mountains of Upstate New York will be host to a two-day Pro/Am cycling stage race on September 6 & 7, 2008 called the Tour of the Catskills. Centered around the Hunter and Windham Mountain region of Greene County, the event will include two single-loop road races: the Saturday Catskill Epic starting and ending in Hunter, NY and the Sunday Mountaintop Classic beginning and ending in Windham, NY. Both races will include challenging climbs, thrilling descents and will pass through the many charming villages and towns of the Great Northern Catskills. A racer & family expo is planned for Saturday afternoon. Partial proceeds of the event will benefit local charities including the Adaptive Sports Foundation.
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“The Catskill Mountain Foundation is very pleased to host the 1st Annual Tour of the Catskills Cycling Race”, said Peter Barker – Executive Director. “We hope that this becomes an attractive event for regional cyclists and families to participate in for many years to come.”
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“This promises to be a truly epic two days of racing”, said Race Promoter Dieter Drake. Â The Catskill Mountains are a perfect backdrop for an event like this one. The roads, the people, and the scenery will make this race like no other in the Northeast.” Â Drake is also the promoter of the popular Tour of the Battenkill in Washington County, NY, which has quickly become the largest Pro/Am cycling race in the United States in just 4 years.
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The event will offer races for amateur and professional riders each day. 6-7 separate races will be held on the two courses which will be 50-60 miles in length for amateurs and 80-90 miles for elite and professional men. Race & registration details, sponsorship, and expo information can be found at www.tourofthecatskills.com.
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For more information, contact race Promoter Dieter Drake at promoter@tourofthecatskills.com or 518-275-6185
Sign me up.
I train on these loops on the weekends (I grew up in Windham). Day 1 looks harder but they are both killer loops with tons of steep climbs, some nice long flats sections/gradual rollers and some fast descents. The roads are all perfect as well.
Cannot wait! I hope the races get a good showing so this becomes a regular event. NORBA Nationals at Windham were a huge hit. Now we need a road race.
Why do they keep changing the date of registration opening? First it was today. Then it was Friday. Now it says next Tuesday on Bikereg.
This race has to finish on Devil’s Kitchen the ultimate climb in the catskills! It has been since the Tour de Trump since a race went over it.
i race that clove by myself every year about this time and always loose. Also I would argue that there are routes to windham through the durham valley that are as challenging as devils kitchen but smell less like burning car brakes.
Day 1 loop looks harder for sure but day 2 has the climb up rte 23 for about 5 miles of graudual big ring climbing.
Dieter~this looks like a great couple of days of racing in the big hills!
Thanks will try to make this one for sure:)
Best
Will
great area and looks like it will be a great race.
Day 2 maybe the harder of the two days as the route goes down Windham mtn rte 23 (7 miles at 45mph plus) then up Susquehanna TurnPke. That climb is no joke – 6-8 miles of steep step climbing. The pack will be shattered. If you manage to hang on Country route 10 west is easier than going east (day 1).
As for Devils Kitchen, I hear the promoter was afraid of too many people walking the bikes.
Did they just change the registration amount? I thought it was only $65 and now it’s up at $80. $40 per race is pretty steep. Anyone know anything?