Children’s Clinic to donate helmets at Velo Classic bike race, wellness fest

The Children’s Clinic of Oak Ridge is donating more than 20 children’s bicycle helmets to be distributed at the seventh annual UCOR Oak Ridge Velo Classic Bicycle Racing Event and Wellness event this weekend.

The Wellness event is scheduled for Sunday, July 27, at the Horizon Center. It will feature a “Kids Bike Rodeo” that will emphasize safe bicycle handling and skills games for children age nine and under, a press release said. Helmets donated by the Children’s Clinic will be distributed to children who need one at no charge.

In addition, Roane State Community College is giving away a limited number of T-shirts to Kids Rodeo participants, and all children who participate and stay to watch the Pro/1/2/3 criterium race beginning at 1:30 p.m. will be entered to win one of two $50 gift cards donated by R&R Properties.

The Kids Rodeo is a “drop in” event. Parents can bring children anytime between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.. A short “Kids Race” will take place on part of the criterium race course at Horizon Center immediately following the Kids Rodeo. Parents are encouraged to bring a camera to take pictures of children posing on the podium with Velo Classic competitors including 2014 Tennessee State Road Race Champions and 1996 Olympic Bicyclist Kent Bostic.

In addition to the Kids Bike Rodeo, local cyclists can ride part of this year’s Y-12 Federal Credit Union State Championship Road Race course in a fully supported non-competitive “Fun Ride” beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 27. There will be 12-mile, 21-mile, and 32-mile ride options. Participants in the Fun Ride who stay to watch the Pro/1/2/3 criterium race beginning at 1:30 p.m. will be entered in a drawing for a new cruiser bike donated by Regions Bank.

There is no charge to participate in the Kids Rodeo and Fun Ride.

Hot Bagel will have food and beverages available for purchase during the races and Wellness Festival.

Each year, the event promoters make a donation of at least $500 to a local service organization. This year, the recipient organization will be the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge.

Information about the UCOR Oak Ridge Velo Classic races, Wellness Festival, and volunteer opportunities can be found at the event website: www.oakridgeveloclassic.weebly.com. Individuals who volunteer for a few hours during the races on Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, will be entered to win one of three $50 gift cards donated by R&R Properties and Akins Public Strategies. Event updates will also be posted the UCOR Oak Ridge Velo Classic Facebook page.