mickwalsh1@comcast.net

I would advise only sprinting if you have a good chance of placing....It's a long season and crashing now will only mess it up, so don't try to sprint for 15th place from the middle of the pack.That is what causes a lot of accidents.

My 2c

Ride Hard.......and safely

Mick

-------------- Original message --------------
From: Ted Turner

> The most significant hazards that exist at Cherry Pie, besides the congestion
> around the finish line, are the early-season jitters and rusty bike handling
> skills that have resulted in significant crashes over the last few years.
> Almost all of the crashes have occurred during the last kilometer of racing. I
> remind you to pay attention during the sprint and give your comrades some room.
> You will have both lanes for sprinting in the final 200 meters only.
>
> Promoter Norman Babcock has provided you with a full suite of races that should
> satisfy just about everyone. But even though there will be morning and
> afternoon events, several fields will be on the 21-mile course at any given time
> and it is not uncommon to have faster fields catch and pass others. Race
> neutralization is a necessity. It is difficult for the officials to communicate
> directly to the field or to individual riders (we don?t have motorcycle refs or
> PA systems on our vehicles), so please pay attention to what?s going on well
> ahead and behind your field. If your field is being passed, slow down, ride
> single file, and wait for the passing field to get several hundred meters up the
> road before you resume racing. Or wait for a signal from your official. We
> will not allow any passing where it is not safe to do so or within the last
> couple of kilometers of your race.
>
> Finally, let?s all try to reduce the congestion at the finish area this year.
> Tell your friends and family who want to watch the finish of your race to
> carpool if possible and to park off the pavement and well downstream of the
> finish line. Don?t stand in front of the finish line camera (something I do all
> too often). When you?re done racing, get off the road and away from the OBRA
> truck and watch out for other riders and fields who are approaching.
>
> Good luck. And please have fun and play safe.
>
> Ted Turner
> Chief Referee