KC Airport Ready To Accommodate Competitors

Kansas City, Kan. – Competitors for the USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships can expect a smooth trip in and out of Kansas City International Airport (MCI).

Spokesman Joe McBride said the airport’s unique design makes it bike-friendly.

“Once you get off your flight, you can get right to ground transportation within 100 feet,” McBride said. “That means you won’t have to shuttle your bags or your bike a long distance from baggage claim.”

MCI is about a 20-minute drive from the Wyandotte County Park course that will serve as host to the championships, Dec. 13-16, 2007.

More than a dozen carriers serve MCI, including Air Canada, AirTran, American, Continental, Delta, ExpressJet, Frontier, Midwest, Northwest, Skybus, Southwest, US Airways and United. More information is available at www.flykci.com and www.visitkc.com.

Ticket prices for flights from major hubs to MCI are very reasonable at the present time. Here is a look at roundtrip flights (weekday arrival and Monday departure) for the week of the championships:

- Dallas-Fort Worth International ($139)
- Denver International ($139)
- Logan (Boston) International ($144)
- Los Angeles International ($142)
- Minneapolis-St. Paul International ($237)
- O’Hare International ($119)
- Philadelphia International Airport ($225)
- San Francisco International ($152)

Airline policies vary, but there is usually an additional charge for checking oversized items such as bicycles. Competitors should check their airline's policies and have the bicycle packaged according to specifications. At the departure airport, your bicycle is checked at the ticket counter and later picked up at bbaggage claim. In the case of your MCI arrival, your bicycle will be brought up an elevator to the baggage carrousel.

USA Cycling members also receive discounted rates on travel at www.usacycling.org for the following:
- Hampton Inn and Hilton family properties (10 percent).
- Hertz Car Rentals (up to 15 percent).
- United Airlines (up to 10 percent off regular flights, and an additional 5 percent off tickets that are issued 30 days or more prior to the flight).

Once in Kansas City, there is much more to do than just race. More than two dozen hotels in the Wyandotte County area offer inexpensive lodging within walking distance of The Legends at Village West, an extensive shopping, dining and entertainment zone. The Legends features 36 restaurants and specialty food shops, along with the 14-screen Legends Theatre, a 12-lane “Pin-up Bowl” bowling alley and nightclub, a Dave & Buster’s and the Sanford and Sons Comedy Club.

Athlete registration for the championships is open through Saturday, Dec. 8 (midnight CST). Official race apparel is on sale through the event’s official website, www.kccrossnationals.com.