2nwb@comcast.net

I looked at the possibility of holding traffic for a full K or even 400 meters. The road really has to be closed. At 200 meters, we hold traffic until we cannot see anyone. As is, as soon as we open the road to traffic another bunch of riders come in 6 or 7 abreast. It is scary letting a car through and often they are scared with seeing bikes all over the road, and gingerly putt along at 15 MPH down the 200 meter line only to be met head on with more bikes coming at them.

The locals often need to get home, or get to an appointment and don't have all day to wait for a group of 6 or 7 cyclists dribbling in. We would almost need a pilot car like road construction uses. Remember there are several hundred riders out there, and many want to win the bunch sprint no matter where they place.

It would be difficult to justify closing the road. I am sure there is some way to make it happen, but not this year anyway.

Norman

-------------- Original message --------------
From: Jeff Fuchs

> I realize it could be logistically challenging, but would it be possible to open
> the whole road further out than 200 meters, say 400 or 600 meters?
>
> It seems like that would give us more room to maneuver as we are accelerating
> toward the sprint. I think most people realize that they can't sprint for 400
> meters, unfortunately a lot of people think they can sprint for 200 meters. This
> results in a bunch of people sprinting hard and then sitting up somewhere
> between the 200 meter sign and the finish line. Opening the road sooner would at
> least give people room to manuever around people who are sitting up.
>
> Last year at the Banana Belt race that finished up hill, there were more than a
> few masters-riders who started the sprint, realized it was too early, and then
> sat up and went backwards. Unfortunately, there were other people behind them.
> This resulted in a pretty nasty crash in what is supposed to be a safe field.
>
> Just a thought...
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