The Minnesota Little Bellas had the opportunity to give out awards for the North Star Grand Prix Pro and Amateur bicycle races in MN June 14-18, 2017.

This opportunity was won through a raffle at the Pedal4parity event, an event celebrating women in sport through the lens of cycling, whose aim is to bring together the local and national communities of women who pedal bikes and those who support them. Pedal4parity provides a platform to discuss the current disparities between men's and women's cycling and how we can all act together as a positive force to move towards parity for all genders.

Pedal4parity raised money to provide cash primes for the 3 criterium races in the North Star Grand Prix, and Little Bellas representatives from the Woodbury, MN chapter were on hand to present these awards at each event.

Wednesday night was the first of the criterium races and took place in St Paul on Grand Avenue.  The course was a big rectangle which afforded the riders great speeds and action.  Little Bella Sandy handed out the Amateur lead jerseys for the Time Trail race that happened earlier in the day, then was able to do the same for the Criterium race, plus hand out the Pedal4parity prime award.  She found her groove on stage celebrating these racers.

Friday night was another Criterium race, this time in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis.  Big crowds attended this weekend event with a more challenging course.  Tiana, Little Bella mentor and track cyclist extraordinaire presented the Pedal4parity prime award.

Sunday morning was the last stage of the North Star Grand Prix with yet another criterium in Stillwater.  This course is grueling with the Chilkoot Hill climb, the most difficult hill on the North American road racing circuit with a 24% uphill climb (Scott Takushi/Pioneer Press).  The women climbed this FOURTEEN times!Little Bella Gretchen was in Stillwater with her family on Sunday to present the Pedal4parity prime award.  “Gretchen had a blast giving out the awards and is so proud to be a part of the Little Bellas” said Gretchen’s mom and added “I am so happy you exist for girls who love to mountain bike as much as Gretchen. Thanks for all you do!”

All in all a wonderful few days of bike racing in MN that the Little Bellas girls and mentors greatly enjoyed.  So fun to watch the strength and composure of these pro and amateur riders.