High-speed city tour
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on July 19, 2015 1:50 AM
Spokes spun and tires screeched across downtown Goldsboro's pavement Saturday as bicyclists from all over North Carolina took part in Goldsboro's second annual U.S.A. Cycling Criterium Race.
Bicyclists raced along East Mulberry Street, Ormond Avenue, East Walnut Street, North John Street, North William Street and North Daisy Street, and competed for prizes of local pickles, ham and pork products.
Riders in about half of the categories were competing for cash prizes as well.
"We gave out local prizes last year, too," Parks and Recreation Director Scott Barnard said. "It's funny, you can give them $100 in cash and they'll say, 'Great, thanks,' and then turn around and hold up their ham and scream and smile while they pose for photos. People really seem to love the unique prizes."
The event, organized by local rider Mike Unruh of the Seyboro Cyclists, lasted from 10 a.m. until about 4 p.m. Criterium races consist of timed events for several categories, lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour per race.
Races are won in each category by being the first to cross the finish line when the bell is rung marking the final lap of the timed endurance events.
"They'll go around the track for a certain amount of time depending on the event, and when they ring the bell, the riders take off at a sprint on their bikes and try to be the first one to cross the finish line," Unruh said.
Kristin Allyne, a native of Chapel Hill who competed in the women's Category 4 event, said strategizing to try and be the first across the line after the bell rings is difficult.
"You don't want to be out in front too early," said Julia Howland, who competed with Ms. Allyne and is also from Chapel Hill. "You want to try and conserve your energy and maybe use the riders in front of you to break the wind coming at you so it's easier to ride for longer periods of time. You try and move up in the pack with about two or three laps left."
The number of laps left in the race is marked by an individual flipping numbers on a sign as riders complete their laps, letting them know when the final lap is coming.
Unruh, who competes in the men's Category 4 race, said he trains 10 to 12 hours per week.
Some riders will start off by "attacking the field," he said, pedaling as hard as they can to get out in front at the very beginning of the race to create distance between themselves and the pack.
"What category you compete in is based on how many points you get for your placing in previous races," Unruh said. "Category 5 is where everyone starts, and first through fourth places get points, and, though it varies from race to race, after you get a certain amount of points you move up a category."
Event categories for Saturday's event downtown also included Masters 45 and up, Juniors, a Women's Open and a Men's Pro race with riders in Categories 1-3.
A race for children was also included in Saturday's event, and lasted for one lap.
Strategies for each race vary based on category and a rider's personal preference.
Sherri Nevius and Tanya Harris competed as well, working together to complete the race as efficiently as possible.
"It was nice and fast," Ms. Harris said. "It was a lot of fun to do it in a downtown area and go around the blocks. It's a nice little place here."
Ms. Nevius said she trains up to three hours per day to prepare for competitive events, and has competed in about eight races so far this year.
"(Ms. Nevius) is very inspiring when we're out there racing together," Ms. Harris said. "She's always motivating me and yelling at me, "Come on! You got this! Let's go!" and everything like that."