Nature Valley Grand Prix Seeks Host Families, Volunteers

Last summer Heather Hampton, owner and instructor for Baby Boot Camp in Woodbury, opened her home to two pro cyclists from the Nature Valley Grand Prix bike race.

"We were able to enjoy a couple meals with them and relished in all the information they provided on the subject of road bike racing," Hampton wrote in a June 2012 blog post. "Since my husband and I would rather hit a mountain bike trail instead of the road, we found the subject of road bike racing to be a whole new world. They would occassionally need to 'translate' their bike talk so we could understand. A 'sticky bottle' is when a biker receives a water bottle from the team car and holds on a little longer than necessary for a 'free ride.'"

Organizers of the Nature Valley Bicycle Festival are once again seeking host families to share their homes with professional cyclists competing in the event, which runs from June 12-16.

Several families are needed to accommodate this year’s crop of 300 racers.

Now in its 15th year, the race has grown to be the most prestigious race on the USA Cycling calendar and will take place in St. Paul, Cannon Falls, Minneapolis, Menomonie, Wis., and conclude in Stillwater.

Many families find hosting a rewarding experience and look forward to welcoming a team of cyclists each year, said housing coordinator Mike O’Day. Once families decide to give hosting a try, they really get hooked, he said.

“We have many long-time hosts who have been hosting the same teams and riders for years, as they really enjoy the bonds they form,” O’Day said. “Minimizing travel time by keeping all the team’s riders together in the same neighborhood is key to a successful housing experience for everyone. That’s why we encourage hosts to find neighbors and friends nearby that can share in the hosting experience. This also makes it easier to plan group activities such as backyard BBQs if the team has time.”

Families are asked to host two or more team members from Tuesday, June 11, through Sunday morning, June 16.

Host families need only provide a place to sleep, a bathroom with shower, laundry facilities and space in the refrigerator for cyclists’ meals and snacks.

Cyclists are responsible for their own food, cooking, laundry and transportation during the festival.

For more information on serving as a host family, visit Nature Valley Bicycle Festival and follow the host housing link, or contact housing coordinator O’Day at 612-309-7192 or host@naturevalleybicyclefestival.com.

Volunteers are also needed during the Nature Valley Grand Prix to staff areas such as operating the bike corrals for fans, course marshalling—directing traffic to protect racers and fans—and helping to coordinate some of the events included during the Nature Valley Bicycle Festival.

No experience is necessary for event-day volunteers, as brief training sessions will be held before each shift to teach volunteers everything they need to know.

To learn more about hosting cyclists or other volunteer opportunities, visit the Nature Valley Grand Prix website.

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