Scholars Inn Bakehouse Cycling Festival / Bloomington Criterium Thanks

Thanks to those of you who helped make the downtown Bloomington event a success! Although we've been doing this for years, the preparation and groundwork to host a downtown venue are mind-numbing, starting months before the event until the last rider is in. Unofficially, I counted over seventy people with specific tasks and responsibilities directly related to the race or preparations. In addition to the over 200 racers in five categories, some estimates were that over 1,000 people lined the course throughout the night! Many thanks too, to the sponsors and benefactors, both long term and those dedicated to our teams all season and those who gave for just this event-as many have done year after year. Their gifts and support and patience are one measure of the strength of cycling in Bloomington. I know you don't race for money but it's nice when a community is engaged enough in our sport that shuts down the streets, re-routes traffic and generally creates a nuisance, to provide gifts and cash for your efforts. It's also fulfilling for me to see how the racers interacted with the crowds and passersby in such a professional and courteous manner- not always so easy when the adrenalin is jacked. I was witness, at my post at the start/finish, to countless interactions between rider/fan/resident and visitor. Our community takes its cues from how we behave and that perception is what allows us back again next year.

If you have a moment, tell us how we did, and as importantly, what we can do better or differently next year.

I've seen a few photo galleries published from local photographers. John Bennett's are some of the most inclusive and are also posted at http://n4xi.smugmug.com/2011BikeRaces/Scholars-Inn-Bakehouse-Cycling.

Thanks for your support, both on and off the bike.

Tom Saccone
Director, Scholars Inn Bakehouse Cycling