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GREENSBORO — The race to land the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame has entered the final lap.

A representative of the Somerville, N.J., institution Tuesday identified Greensboro and Davis, Calif., as the finalists for the biking shrine’s new home.

“We are very excited about what Greensboro has put together to get them to the top of the list,” said Bill Brunner, the head of the organization’s search committee. “They have really done a great job.”

A contingent from the hall will visit Greensboro on Monday and Tuesday.

“That tells us we are getting down to the end,” said Neil Belenky, chairman of a task force that has pushed Greensboro’s candidacy since November. “I think it speaks extremely well for (the city) regardless of the outcome.”

During the Greensboro visit, Brunner said, his group will tour possible sites, all of which are near the proposed Downtown Greenway, a $26-million recreational loop for walking, running and biking around the center city.

Hall officials have already visited Davis, a university town with a rich bicycling history.

Davis, which bills itself as “the bicycle capital of the United States,” will provide stiff competition.

According to city news releases, there are more bicycles than people in Davis. The city pioneered the creation of bicycle lanes in California more than 40 years ago. And its logo features a high-wheeled bike.

The city is also the home of the California Bicycle Museum, a nonprofit that is working to establish a bicycling history and education center in Davis, a city of 64,000 near Sacramento.

In addition, the hall of fame has a history with the city, holding its most recent induction ceremony there last November.

“I think the feeling is that we are a pretty strong candidate,” said Bob Bowen, public relations manager for Davis. “I wouldn’t presume to say that we are the No. 1 choice. In this economy, everyone is going to be challenged in terms of financial support.”

Brunner said both cities have offered money to finance the hall’s move and outfit the new museum, but he would not provide specifics.

“It’s a significant amount of money,” Brunner said. “Both communities have committed enough money to get the hall of fame up and running properly and fund it for a couple of years.”

Belenky would not discuss the details of Greensboro’s offer but said no government money would be used to attract the hall. He would not identify possible sites.

His task force has been working on behalf of Action Greensboro, Downtown Greensboro Inc. and the Greensboro Sports Commission.
In their bids to land the hall, Greensboro and Davis have beat out nine other cities, including Dayton, Ohio, and Madison, Wis.

Brunner said his group has no timetable for making a decision.

“There is a sense of urgency,” he said. “(But) we want to do it right.”

The hall of fame preserves the history of cycling and recognizes those who have had a positive impact on the sport. The organization also collects historical artifacts for research and public display.

Contact Donald W. Patterson at 373-7027 or don.patterson@news-record.com