Praise from all for the May 23rd Echelon Gran Fondo in Napa Valley as event reaffirms accomplishment of a community focused fundraising event
(Napa, CA – June 3rd, 2010) – The all-star weather conditions set the stage for this first time and first of a kind Gran Fondo produced by Echelon/PlanetZ in Napa Valley. The starting line resembled the beginning line up of a Tour de France stage, featuring the Yellow, Polk-a-dot, Green, and other colored jersey’s, which designated the levels of dollars the participants raised in their efforts to support the event’s beneficiaries. Fundraising Teams such as the world-renowned Silver Oak Winery boasted their custom-logoed Yellow Jersey, while others joined in force in their team kits.
The Napa Valley event, open to all levels and abilities of cyclists, and was focused on raising dollars for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, LIVESTRONG®, Queen of the Valley Cancer Center in Napa, and the Martin-O’Neil Cancer Center located on the campus of St. Helena Hospital. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds will be given to the Napa Valley Vine Trail and their important grassroots efforts to implement a multi-use trail from Calistoga to Vallejo.
The event, intended to offer a cycling experience beyond the expected, or what Executive Director, Hunter Ziesing has claimed, “theater on the roads”, the 700 plus participants were welcomed by a cast of characters and stunts designed to give racers and recreational cyclists a day to remember. The Angel of Echelon, a Borat-inspired character, a photographer’s helicopter hovering over the start, a hot air balloon, and cheerleaders added to the buzz and exhilaration of the cyclists’ day.
Along with the on course entertainment – a Jazz band was stationed at the peak of the four mile hill climb - and gourmet cuisine, such as sandwiches from the famed Culinary Institute of America, the event itself was structured as a partnership model between the donors, volunteers, corporate partners and charitable recipients. “Our goal was to create a uniquely fulfilling experience for our participants and a significant contribution to worthy, local programs. Everyone gives…and everyone receives,” said Ziesing. According to Ziesing, ninety percent of the event’s expenses went to local merchants, with an additional several thousand dollars in donation to the Napa Food Bank.
David Cochran, the event’s Chief Operating Officer commented, “We have been very please by the continual positive feedback from the participants, and how our team, though limited in size, was able to pull off this new breed of event. While we had some minor glitches such as the size of our signage and our delayed start time, all in all we are encouraged by the momentum this will bring to future Echelon events.”
With little funding from corporate sponsorship, early indication is that Echelon will make a significant donation to its beneficiaries. “Based on this level of success, we know that in 2011 along with increased participants and corporate sponsorship, we will be able to offer even a more substantial amount to our beneficiaries,” said Ziesing. The Echelon team now turns their creative efforts towards their next event, September 26th in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge featuring pro-cyclist, Team RadioShack’s® Chris Horner.
