NEWS RELEASE

City of Middletown
One Donham Plaza
Middletown, OH 45042

April 10, 2003

For immediate release

For more information call: Maria Langendorf, 513-425- 7848 or email to marial@ci.middletown.oh.us

GREAT OHIO BICYCLE ADVENTURERS WILL BE SEEKING FOOD IN MIDDLETOWN

When the expected 3,000 bicyclists pedal into Middletown on June 19, Middletown, most will immediately be seeking lunch, followed by day-long snacking, dinner and breakfast, very early the next morning. Already government service providers, residents, businesses, non-profit organizations and entertainers are getting ready for the many needs of 3,000 guests all arriving at once. Area food providers are also encouraged to take note of the needs of 3,000 hungry people arriving in town.

According to information from former GOBA participants, “bicyclists often remember communities by the meals they were served.” On-site food stands are often very popular with the bikers and the nearby or easy-access food sites are often overwhelmed.

Maria Langendorf, representing Middletown Parks and Recreation Department, is coordinating elements of the one-day event. According to Langendorf, there is room for 2 or 3 more non-profit food providers on site. Some of the bicyclists will want to purchase snacks, breakfast and fast meals at Smith Park locations. Others will want to board the shuttle bus system to reach restaurants or retail establishments. Local volunteers will ride the buses to assist out-of-town guests in locating the stops they want.

At least two churches are planning “home cooked” meals as fund-raisers for their churches, expecting that GOBA guests will also attend.

Former participants also note that the restaurants or non-profit fund-raiser food locations do best who post signs along the bike route or advertise in local newspapers or on-site.

The avid sports riders are part of the annual week-long Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure (GOBA), an event that covers about 50 miles each day and visits several Ohio communities. Riders arrive in a new town each day, enjoy the entertainment, restaurants and shopping available, stay overnight and depart the next morning to explore another community and enjoy the countryside as they pedal along at their own pace.

With 3,000 guests in the city, organizers are asking local businesses to prepare for an increase in business for that day. Business owners are asked to post welcoming greetings to the GOBA riders on their outdoor signs or in business windows.

Businesses may wish to offer discounts to GOBA riders wearing a distinctive wristband or send coupons or a small gift to the City Recreation Department to be included in a “goody bag” given to each rider as they arrive.

Once riders have arrived and checked in at headquarters in Smith Park, used the portable showers and rested awhile, they will probably eat a snack purchased from the vendors in the park. Several will probably visit the Middletown Public Library to check for email messages. Late afternoon, most will want to partake of the entertainment scheduled for that day and will ride the shuttles to area restaurants and shopping venues.

To offer items for the riders’ “goody bags” or for more information, call City of Middletown Parks and Recreation Department representative Maria Langendorf at 425-7848.

Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure (GOBA) representatives will be visiting Middletown’s Smith Park, site of camping and GOBA’s Middletown headquarters, this Saturday at 9 am to look over the location and answer planners questions.



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Ann Mort