First annual race for cyclists, entertainment for everyone

McKINNEY, TEXAS (May 28, 2010) – McKinney Main Street is teaming up with local cycling organization McKinney Velo to host the Historic Downtown McKinney Bike the Bricks criterium race on Friday, June 11.  

Bike the Bricks features several interval races, a mayoral cup invitational for the whole community and a purse worth $15,000. Warm-up starts at 4:15 p.m., and the races kick off at 5 p.m.  

“I've competed in many road races, but there is no sensation like flying around corners, elbow to elbow with 100 other riders, battling for a criterium win,” said McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller. “I look forward to sharing that excitement when the race comes to McKinney." 

The event isn’t just for cyclists; it’s free and open to spectators, too. On race day, fans will have the opportunity to enjoy the races plus live entertainment and a beer garden. Entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m. with Jon Christopher Davis followed by the Maylee Thomas Band and Buster Brown. The event serves as a fundraiser for the McKinney Youth Recreation Benefit Fund, which provides free classes and recreation activities for underprivileged youth in McKinney. The Roy and Helen Hall Library will be closing at 3 p.m. on June 11 to accommodate the race. 

“For our first cycling event in historic downtown McKinney, we chose crit races because they are very spectator friendly. Event spectators of all ages will enjoy a free Friday night event at Mitchell Park with cycling, live entertainment and food and drinks. We are estimating up to 500 cyclists participate in the event, and thousands of spectators to enjoy event amenities,” said Ty Lake, Main Street Director.  

McKinney Volkswagen and McKinney Community Development Corporation are title sponsors of this first-time event in Historic Downtown McKinney. Admission to the event is free to the public, and parking is plentiful throughout the eleven parking lots north, south, east and west of the square. For additional information, contact McKinney Main Street at 972.547.2660 or visit www.downtownmckinney.com.  

About Downtown

McKinney enjoys one the oldest authentic and thriving historic downtowns in Texas. What was once the center of all commercial and social activity for Collin County, our city continues to serve as a viable retail, dining, entertainment and business center.   Downtown offers more than 100 unique shops and more than a dozen unique restaurants, including upscale restaurants featuring award-winning chefs, sandwich shops, outdoor patio dining and neighborhood pubs.  Downtown McKinney also offers an assortment of specialty shops, art galleries featuring the works of local artists, furniture stores, exquisite antique collections, gift shops and apparel boutiques.

For more information visit www.downtownmckinney.com

About McKinney

McKinney, Texas, is unique by nature. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., McKinney has a current population of 126,500. Incorporated in 1848, the city is located 30 miles north of Dallas and is the county seat of Collin County. McKinney offers rolling hills, lush trees, a historic downtown square and unique neighborhoods and developments, and it was recently ranked as one of the Top 10 Best Places to Move by Forbes Magazine. Visit the city’s Web site at www.mckinneytexas.org.