Balise Subaru to Sponsor Providence Cyclo-cross Festival on Oct. 6 and 7

WARWICK, R.I. (10/05/2012)(readMedia)-- Balise Subaru will once again be a proud sponsor of the Providence Cyclo-cross Festival this year, which takes place at Roger Williams Park this Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 6 and 7. The Warwick, Rhode Island Subaru dealership will be on hand at the event with interactive vehicle displays and product specialists to answer any questions. Attendees will also be able to register to win a high-end cyclo-cross bike and Thule rack, which will be on display atop a Subaru vehicle throughout the weekend.

Cyclo-cross is a cycling event where racers lap a short course several times, encountering varying terrain and obstacles that require them to dismount often and carry their bike. The Providence Cyclo-cross Festival offers two days of racing to mark the conclusion to New England's "Holy Week" of cyclo-cross, and Saturday features the Providence International, one of only seven events in the United States ranked as a Category 1 by the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale).

"The Providence Cyclo-cross Festival is a highly competitive event, and it's one that we're thrilled to sponsor again because it reflects the Subaru spirit of outdoorsmanship," said David McAvay, general manager of Balise Subaru. "Many cyclo-cross racers already own a Subaru vehicle, because it can get them and their gear to wherever their next race may be, regardless of the weather."

Festivities surrounding the Providence cyclo-cross event include a gourmet food court, a consumer and industry expo, and other family-friendly activities. Children can be entertained with a bounce house and the Kim Fries Memorial Kids Cross Race, while all participants can enjoy the outdoor concert on Saturday night. With admission free for spectators, more than 5,000 people are expected to attend each day of the festival.

Like cyclo-cross bikes, Subaru's latest offering, the 2013 XV Crosstrek, is built to perform both on and off the pavement. Based on the automaker's Impreza hatchback, the Subaru XV Crosstrek has a raised 8.7-inch ground clearance and rugged body cladding that combine with the standard all-wheel-drive system to give the compact crossover off-roading capability. The vehicle's interior offers plenty of room for cycling gear as well, with 51.9 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded flat.

Even with its off-road prowess, the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek uses its 2.0-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine to return up to 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway with either a continuously variable transmission or a five-speed manual gearbox. At just over 175 inches long, the compact crossover is sized right for navigating tight city spaces as well.

"For adventurers that need capability for the country but convenience and cost savings during their time in the city, the new XV Crosstrek is a great fit," added McAvay. "Rhode Island drivers will find Subaru's newest crossover to be just as well suited for parking in Providence as it is for hauling cycling equipment to the trail."

About Balise Subaru:

A trusted Rhode Island Subaru dealer, Balise Subaru offers motorists a large inventory of new and used Subaru vehicles ranging from the capable Subaru Forester to the high-performance Subaru BRZ sports car. Customer service is a top priority at Balise Subaru, and their friendly team makes sure everyone leaves their dealership satisfied regardless of whether they are shopping for a new car or in need of expert maintenance and repairs. Contact the Balise Subaru sales team at 401-352-5909, browse their inventory online at www.balisesubaru.com or visit their showroom at 1300 Post Rd. in Warwick, R.I. They can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BaliseSubaruWarwick.