“The race organizers and Allegheny General Hospital Sports Medicine are pleased to present the Steel City Showdown, a one-of-a-kind criterium-style bicycle race through the downtown area of Pittsburgh. 290 Racers will experience The City of Bridges first-hand as they race a closed 0.8 mile loop over the Allegheny River. Located on Federal Street next to PNC Park, the start/finish line will be backed by the waterfront and downtown skyline. The roads are wide and smooth, and bridge sidewalks provide numerous vantage points for spectators to cheer.”

To add to this there will be a Showdown Tailgate area will be on the sidelines with local bike shops and national cycling brands as well as AGH Sports Medicine and other sponsors. Organizers are excited to bring to the race Team H20Hope, a Cleveland-based 4-person team competing this summer in Race Across America. Tailgate visitors can meet the team, talk about their upcoming race across the country, and buy delicious baked goods to support their charity, the Blue Planet Network Water fund.

Come join the excitement Sunday April 17, 2011 8:30am to 2pm! Elite race begins at 11AM.

Don’t miss this! It’s not often that the streets of Pittsburgh are host to bike races and this one is sure to be a great time. Also, there will be a raffle at 2pm of a Cannondale CAAD 9 Frame Set ($850) from Pro Bikes, and Sram S30 Wheels ($1000 value) from Big Bang Bikes.

Oh yeah, and if you ride your bike, there will be plenty of bike parking on E. General Robinson Street thanks to, well, us. We’ll also be on hand selling memberships that go directly toward making the city more bike-friendly. If you become a member on the spot, we’ll throw in a waterproof Pittsburgh Bike Map FREE — a $10 value.

Not a member of BikePGH? Join today! We need you to add your voice! Bike Pittsburgh works to protect cyclist’s rights and promote the vision of making Pittsburgh a safer and more enjoyable place to live and to ride. For more info, check out: www.bike-pgh.org/membership