TREXLERTOWN, Pa – Led by Executive Director Marty Nothstein, the Valley Preferred Cycling Center is stepping out of T-town and into SteelStacks. VPCC is set to participate in the 2nd-annual Step Outdoors Lehigh Valley event, presented by Lehigh Valley Zoo, on June 4 and 5 at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.
Step Outdoors is a free two-day event which features a Keystone DockDogs canine competition, “A Taste of the Wild” culinary event, and more. The festival features multiple presentations, hands-on activities, and educational experiences that emphasize youth learning about the benefits of getting outdoors and outside activities.
The Valley Preferred Cycling Center is providing what it knows best, cycling. Nothstein, an Olympic Gold Medalist, is choosing two of this year’s Olympians to join him in leading a family cycling ride on June 4 at 10 a.m. Participants can learn cycling skills, safety, and tips from the sport’s best, while enjoying a bike ride and interacting with world-class athletes. Anyone interested in taking part in the ride should sign up in advance at www.steelstacks.org/stepoutdoors.com
The two Olympians joining Nothstein are still unknown at this time.
“I am looking forward to riding side by side with other outdoor enthusiasts,” Nothstein said. “Step Outdoors is a great event that promotes outside fun and we are lucky enough to have an abundant of great outdoor activities to do right here in our own backyard. Some of my greatest memories come from being in the outdoors hunting and fishing and of course riding my bicycle.”
The bike ride is expected to a highly-anticipated event for the general public.
“Enjoying a bike ride through beautiful Bethlehem is a wonderful way to experience the outdoors, but it’s even more memorable when your riding partners are some of the best cyclists in the world,” says ArtsQuest President and CEO Kassie Hilgert. “This family cycling ride with Gold Medal winner Marty Nothstein and the 2016 Olympians really captures the essence of Step Outdoors – introducing families to the great outdoors through unique experiences designed to promote outdoor recreation and exercise. We’re thrilled to partner with Valley Preferred Cycling Center on this family-focused activity, which is sure to be one of the highlights of the festival.”
The Valley Preferred Cycling Center will have a presence all day on June 4 with a tent set up and staffed by VPCC representatives able to talk about what the VPCC has to offer, such as, free community programs, Friday night professional bicycle racing, and more.
“Step Outdoors is a fantastic event,” Juliann Masenheimer, Valley Preferred Cycling Center Events and Communications Manager, said. “Here at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center we promote exercise, outside activities, and a healthy lifestyle 365 days a year. To see other Lehigh Valley facilities do it as well, and with success, is great. After seeing the excitement it generated last year, we knew we wanted to be a part of it.”
Festival hours are 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday. Fans can access more information or register for any of the workshops that weekend by visiting www.steelstacks.org/stepoutdoors.
Information provided by:
Tyler Trumbauer
PR/Communications Assistant
Valley Preferred Cycling Center
