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Feb
26
City and merchants want ATOC to return
By Rich Kelly, Filed Under Cycling, Industry News, Interbike, Rides
In what can only be seen as a positive comment on the impact that last week’s Amgen Tour of California had on the communities it rolled through, the San Diego Union Tribune newspaper today ran an article that described the City of Escondido’s and its merchants’ desire to have the race return next year. Having worked with promoters in the past on organizing local amateur bike races, I know that appeasing the local businesses that are affected by the road closures and logistics is a big part of being able to hold an event. Typically, businesses argue that despite the larger than normal traffic that a race brings to a shopping district, much of this traffic is not there to buy and the inconveniences to their normal customers brought on by race logistics can have a negative effect on their businesses.
So this is great news for the ATOC that the business community in at least this host city was happy with the course of events and wish to have the race back again. I’m sure that this demand will cause some competition from other regional municipalities and – no knock on Escondido here since they stepped up to the plate – am I wrong in thinking that such a significant race as the ATOC should have a grander finishing locale?
On a casual level, a friend of mine from New England who stays with us for some some warm weather training each Spring, rode up to the top of Palomar on Monday and chatted with some people from the general store and restaurant up there that hosted ATOC festivities about their thoughts. After joking about those “crazy people who race their bikes up the side of a mountain like this,” they sincerely commented that they were very impressed with the race and the fans. While they had some great (stellar?) business as a result of all the fans lining the climb, they also were surprised how little litter was left behind. Nice job leaving no trace besides good memories, fellow fans!
I’ll leave you with a photo of me climbing up Palomar the day before the race on a group ride organized by the team at the San Diego Trek Superstores. I’d guess about 200 people participated including the mayor of Escondido. (I’m in the Interbike jersey with the red shoulders). Have to say, though, that while reaching the top was satisfying, the screaming descent with all 21 switchbacks was awesome – after the first few switchbacks where I kept silently repeating to myself “I have faith in my Campy brakes and my ability to set them up properly… I have faith in my Campy brakes and my…”
Comments
2 Responses to “City and merchants want ATOC to return”
Now if we can only get Orange County involved. An article in the Register recently quoted an ATOC organizer as saying that Orange County officials, to date, have not even expressed interest in the growing event. Let’s hope they are looking north and south to their neighbor’s success stories.
I would love to see the ToC come to Northern California, above the wine country. A stage from Arcata on the coast to Redding along Hwy 299 would be epic and show off a spectacularly beautiful part of the state that gets little attention.