November 3rd, 2010
Unless otherwise noted, news announcements are presented in their entirety and authored by the issuing company.
Portland, Ore. – Some athletes pump iron to train, and some eat oatmeal. It’s the second group that Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods is focusing on with its new Train with Grain program. Debuting this weekend, Train with Grain is a program designed to help cyclocross riders achieve peak performance through a diet rich in whole grains. It’s those slow-release carbohydrates like the ones found in whole grains that sustain participants in this sport that requires endurance, athleticism, speed, strength and bike handling skills in addition to a tremendous amount of energy and aerobic endurance from its competitors.
To participate in the free Train with Grain program, ‘cross racers can register online at www.TrainWithGrain.com, or through the program’s Facebook page. Registrants will receive a Train with Grain kit that includes the program’s signature Train with Grain armband, and a four pack of grains to jump start their training including Bob’s Red Mill Steel Cut Oats, Flaxseed Meal, Quinoa and 10 Grain Pancake Mix.
In addition to the Train with Grain kit, participants will gain access to training tips from the cyclocross pros sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill, including Maureen Bruno Roy, the overall winner of the 2009 USA Cyclocross Calendar. The site also provides recipes and recommended eating guides for different stages of cyclocross training, racing and recovery, as well as information about upcoming cyclocross races and events.
On race day, Train with Grain participants sporting their official “TWG” armband can check in with Bob’s Red Mill onsite staff who will officially track Train with Grain racers who have completed the race and take a photo for bragging rights. The participants who complete races are entered into a contest to win a Focus cyclocross bike. Photos of the participating racers will be shared on the Bob’s Red Mill Facebook fan page and Train with Grain website.
“We are so excited to officially launch the Train with Grain program,” said Bob’s Red Mill Marketing Director Matthew Cox, who also rides as part of the company’s cyclocross team. “We’ve heard anecdotally that fueling up on whole grains really helps maintain endurance in ’cross. This is a ridiculously fun and crazy sport and we’re eager to keep fueling these amazing athletes and help take their performances to even higher levels.”
Train with Grain is the latest brainchild of Bob’s Red Mill, which has been supporting cyclocross for over two years through athlete and race sponsorships and onsite sampling of its award-winning steel cut oats. Teams of Bob’s Red Mill ambassadors have been onsite at events in cities including Portland, Ore., Louisville, Ky., Madison, Wis., and Santa Cruz, Calif. And earlier in the season, Bob’s Red Mill announced its sponsorship of cyclocross champ Maureen Bruno Roy.
A household name in cyclocross circles, Bruno Roy started riding in 1996 and became active in cyclocross in 2004. In 2009 she rode on the USA Cycling World Championship Team, and she has competed in races in Roubaix, France, Hoogerheide in The Netherlands and Tabor, Czech Republic. Bruno Roy is already enjoying the benefits of training with grain with the additions of steel cut oats and quinoa from Bob’s Red Mill into her vegan and vegetarian-fueled diet.
During the upcoming racing season, Bob’s Red Mill will again sponsor the United States Gran Prix of Cyclocross, the North American Cyclocross Trophy, Cross Crusade and the U.S. Nationals of Cyclocross. As in previous years, a team of employees from Bob’s Red Mill will also compete in races in the company’s home state of Oregon.
