Juan Pelota Ranch and The Mellow Classic
by Brooke McMillan
The Mellow Classic series began last fall when Lance Armstrong teamed up with Mellow Johnny?s to put on a world-class mountain biking race at his Juan Pelota Ranch. Lance himself took part last year (only to flat out a few miles into the race). He hinted the race might come back as a bigger and better event?
Sure enough, the Spring Classic secured one of five spots on USA Cycling?s Pro XCT calendar and drew a very talented field of racers. The Spring Classic also became a sort ?off-road Ride for the Roses? as riders could choose to ride and raise funds for LIVESTRONG. 78 took the challenge and, braving high temperatures and dusty conditions, raised nearly $30,000 along the way!
A very special thanks to Mellow Johnny?s who rolled out the red carpet for Team LIVESTRONG and our riders. We had a special tent on ?LIVESTRONG Hill? (the best place to watch the sunset!), a team-only dinner Friday night, and a huge presence at the race.
Long-time staff member Renee Nicholas spoke at the dinner, likening the Spring Classic to the original Ride for the Roses, a grassroots biking event that not only helps raise funds for LIVESTRONG and their mission to inspire and empower those affected by cancer, but to engage our participants to become advocates to help make cancer a global priority.
A sincere thanks to all our riders who took on a very special challenge this weekend. Your efforts are helping to move cancer from obscurity to priority.
