Gateway Cup Riders' Show Your Love Fund
Every Labor Day weekend around 400 amateur and professional cyclists compete in 4 races in South City St. Louis. They pay for their own gear, bikes, airfare, car rental, entry fee, food, jels, sugary stuff in their bottles, dazzling socks, and reflective sunglasses. They put in countless hours of training to pursue the passion of cycling.
Some riders are up and comers, sponsored on a development program. Some riders are making their way to Pro Continental, World Tour, or Olympic teams. Some riders are current and former National Champions. Some riders are Olympians. Some riders have taken their pursuit of a healthy life to an entirely next level. Some riders you might work with or be neighbors with. All of them are chasing a dream and a goal.
The overwhelming majority of these riders do not come from St. Louis. In 2019 the field represented 30 states and 3 countries (USA, New Zealand, Australia). In the past I have met an Olympian from New Zealand, a World Tour rider from Canada, and a National Champion from California.
If you enjoy the night time racing of Lafayette Square, the high speed circuit of Francis Park, the downhill finish in the blistering sun on The Hill, or the tight cornering in Benton Park you can say thanks to the riders for their performance and to the Big Shark Team for putting on this event. That's right: IF YOU LOVE WHAT YOU SEE, THEN SHOW YOUR LOVE.
If $6,000 is raised, it would be $15 per rider. It'd help them with 1 meal over the weekend. The more we raise the more we support chasing their goals and the beautiful sport of cycling. The more we ease the burden of them getting to the next race.
The entire amount raised will be equally divided by every rider that starts at least one Gateway Cup race. The rider who comes in last will get the same as the rider who came in first. The sponsored rider will get the same as the amateur rider. The female rider will get the same as the male rider. The rider in the least aerodynamic position will get the same as the rider with the smoothest legs. The rider in the completely coordinated kit will get the same as the rider with mismatched socks.
