jwc

I attended a bike race today in Greenville NC. I arrived with the first race underway, but I noticed a postal van parked sideways on the street behind the barriers with a couple of police cars. Curious, I inquired as to what was going on. Turns out, the postal driver was insisting on going through in spite of the race.

He said it was illegal to prevent him from doing his job...and wanted people arrested.

It appeared they called his supervisor in and they finally gave him an escort so he could make his pickups.

What an idiot.

Then, there were the three women in an Explorer that left work and moved barriers out of the way so they could get through....just as the postal van was trying to turn into the same street. The woman that got out and moved the barrier made the postal worker stop his truck so they could go first.

I'm sure that pissed him off too.

fubar5

wow, sounds awesome to have been there.

jwc

The race was great. I'll go back tomorrow for the remainder of the events.

Barabaika

Why do they race in the city?
It would be better to close the nearest highway for it.

jwc

Don't know why.

I remember attending a 'city' race in Walnut Creek or Concord when I lived in Cali. I worked the Tassajara Road race one year between Livermore and Danville. It was more interesting along country roads. Might make the photography more difficult though.

Barabaika

I see a suspicious guy in blue on the second photo.
He apparently buried something or somebody under the tree.
You should check.

jwc

Our version of the grassy knoll.

operator

lmao

CB HI

Yea, a criterium would be much more interesting on the freeway in the middle of nowhere.

dagna

I was recently a corner marshall for a crit series that looped the downtown section of a very small town. During the races, there were two weddings scheduled in the church in the middle of the course. No accidents, but a few seriously unhappy folks amongst the wedding parties and guests. Meanwhile, the restaurants, coffee shops, and bars were doing great business, so I think they were pretty happy about having the races downtown.

Maybe next year they can adjust the loop so the church is outside...then there's a fighting chance everyone will be happy.

Caspar_s

Spectators and sponsors.

Why sponsor a race if it is going to be out in the country where no-one can see it?
Having it downtown means some people who wouldn't normally watch a race, can now see it from their coffee shop. (and maybe not run down a cyclist when they're driving or take up cycling themselves)