Page Valley Cycling Gives Back to the Community

Whenever I have the chance to feature the economic impacts of the active tourism events that take place in the Shenandoah Valley, and specifically in Page County, I’ll do so.  Chris Gould and the Page Valley Cycling team just put together the economic benefit of the four bicycle races that were held last year in a press release – I’ll reprint it in full below.  Not only does the press release highlight the positive impacts on the economy, there is also a listing of charitable giving made possible by the events.  It’s quite a list…

Page Valley Cycling Gives Back to the Community

STANLEY, VIRGINIA – Page Valley Cycling announced today that its 2012 events had a significant positive economic impact for businesses and community organizations in the county, with about 1,490 bike racers and family and friends generating approximately $100 thousand in revenue on food, merchandise, and lodging. This continues a trend of increasing dollars spent each year in the county from Page Valley Cycling events, which in 2012 included the Tour of Page County Stage Race, Shenandoah Time Trail, Page Valley Road Race, and Luray Caverns CX bicycle races.

The positive economic impact is just one way Page Valley Cycling gave back to the community with its events. The club also launched a specific charitable effort and donated $3 thousand to Page One after its December 9th cyclo-cross event. This is in addition to a total of $5.5 thousand in donations to the Shenandoah, Stanley, and Luray Volunteer Rescue Squads; the music departments at both Luray High School and Page County High School; the Town of Luray Parks & Recreation Department; Shenandoah Heritage Society; Valley Star Farm’s “Trees for the Troops” Christmas tree program; and the Mike Fawell Memorial Fund, which was set up to care for the children of a Richmond-area bike race who died in a tragic training accident last year.

Specific findings from Page Valley Cycling’s post-race surveys indicate that:

• A combined total of 1,490 bike racers, family, and friends came to Page County for the various Page Valley Cycling events this past year. This is up from 1,100 last year. 

• Bike racers, family, and friends spent as much as $100 thousand throughout the county on food, merchandise, and lodging – this is up from $80 thousand last year, $56 thousand in 2010, and $40 thousand in 2009.

• About 80% of race participants spent a night or more in the county during the weekend of the Tour of Page County, and 33% of participants for the Page Valley Road Race.

• 89% and 87% of Page Valley Road Race and Tour of Page County participants, respectively, say they’d come back to the county for reasons other than the race. 

Page Valley Cycling promotes bicycling in Page County as a means of transportation, fitness, recreation, and racing. For more information about Page Valley Cycling and its events, visit our website at www.pagevalleycycling.com, or visit our Facebook page.

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