March 27, 2006
For Release Upon Receipt

Boston Beanpot Collegiate Cycling Classic At The Historic Grafton Common

Grafton, Massachusetts
Saturday, April 8, 2006

Nation's Largest Collegiate Bike Races Ready To Roll Through Blackstone Valley On Saturday, April 8th

GRAFTON—After moving the start finish line to the historic Grafton Common, and hosting a record 400 collegiate bike racers last year, the 2006 edition of the Boston Beanpot Collegiate Cycling Classic is set for a return spin into Grafton, Sutton and the Blackstone River Valley on Saturday, April 8th.

Organized by students from seven Boston area colleges - Harvard, Boston University, Boston College, Tufts University, Wentworth, Northeastern University and MIT, the Beanpot races are the largest collegiate cycling event in the nation. This marks the fourth year that the championship road race will be held in Grafton and Westborough, and the second year for the team time trial event in Grafton and Sutton.

The team time trial features teams of four from each participating college in a race against the clock. The event, with teams starting at one minute intervals from 7:00 AM to approximately 9:00 AM, is hosted by the Boston University Cycling Club. The event is contested over the new 7.69 mile time trial course starting at the Grafton Common. The course then winds its way down Pleasant Street into South Grafton and Sutton, then onto Follette Street and Fitzpatrick Road in Grafton before proceeding onto Millbury Street and climbing back to the finish line at the Grafton Common.

The Beanpot Championship Road Race will be held on the championship 14.02 mile course used for the 1996 Eastern Collegiate Cycling Championships, modified so that the course begins and finishes at the historic Grafton Common. The Championship Road Race will include four mid morning race divisions starting between 9:30 AM and 9:50 AM, and four early afternoon race divisions starting between 1:00 PM and 1:15 PM. The race is hosted by the Harvard University Cycling Association.

The Grafton Lions Club will host a community chili and pasta luncheon at the Grafton Common bandstand starting at 11:00 AM and continuing to 2:30 PM. Cost is $6.00 per person and includes a choice of pasta and sauce, or chili and sauce, bread, drinks, and deserts.

The third race of Beanpot Weekend, held on Sunday, April 9th, is the Beanpot Criterium event on the traditional 6/10th's mile downtown street course at Tuft's University main campus in Medford and Somerville.

The races are sanctioned by the Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference (ECCC) and USA Cycling. The Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference (ECCC) includes colleges in New England, New Jersey, New York, Delaware and Pennsylvania. As they compete from early March through April, ECCC teams vie for the top of the season-long team points standings, Collegiate Nationals qualification team spots, and the Ivy League trophy. The races feature team-oriented bicycle racing for all abilities with team pride, glory, and honor as the only prize list.

For details and Event Information Sheet, download the Beanpot Media Release pdf.

Additional information about the Boston Beanpot Event and the 2006 Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference schedule can be found at the Beanpot Web Site:

http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/huca/beanpot.html

And at the ECCC's official web site:

http://www.eccc-info.com.

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About the Chamber

The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce serves the Blackstone River Valley's eleven member towns in Massachusetts: Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton, and Uxbridge. The mission of the chamber is to promote the economic vitality of the Blackstone Valley, meet the needs of the Chamber's business members, while providing leadership on issues which impact the economy and quality of life in the Valley.