Ridgefield News
May 20, 2001

Pro Bike Race In Ridgefield

Ridgefielders Enjoy Town's First Pro Sports Event: The Housatonic Valley Classic

The lead pack flashes by at 40 mph. Town Hall is in the background, draped with the giant American flag.

May 20 -- Ridgefield today saw its first professional bike race of the post-War era, as the Housatonic Valley Classic's debut run brought nearly 2,000 townspeople out to watch the colorful event. First Selectman Rudy Marconi, who officiated at the Ridgefield stage of the 140-mile race, had arranged a number of activities around the event, including bike inspections for youngsters and "Safe Child" fingerprinting and photgraphing courtesy of the Ridgefield Police. Ridgefield Democrats set up a booth and gave out hundreds of balloons to kids - many parents also stopped to talk with volunteers Cindy Bruno, Grant Perry, Susan Cocco, and Karen Howes. The 150 cyclist racers, travelling at sprint speeds of 40+ mph, flashed through Main St. in less than 10 minutes, and Ridgefielders found it a thrilling, if brief, experience.

Ridgefield's Finest led the race into town. The Police force was very much in evidence, from keeping the roads clear for the racers, to managing the crowds on Main Street, to running bike and car seat safety checks for townspeople and their kids in the Grand Union parking lot.

Ridgefield Democrats manned a booth on Main Street, chatting with voters about local issues and politics, and handing out signature blue Democratic balloons to the kids. Here DTC member Grant Perry talks with a local voter.

First Selectman Rudy Marocni officiated at the Ridgefield leg of today's race, which he had helped organize. Here he does a live phone-in interview with Danbury radio station WLAD, briefing Fairfield County fans on the passage of the racers through town.

The lead pack of 50 or so racers came through first, followed by smaller groups, including this pair of teammate racers. Organizers held to a 15-minute rule -racers who fell more than 15 minutes behind the leader were disqualified and asked to drop out.

Democratic Registrar of Voters Cindy Bruno helped out at the Democrats booth. Here she presented a baloon to a young voter-to-be - the young man's dad was pleased too!

Susan Cocco, newly-elected DTC Chair, helped organize today's event in town. Here she and First Selectman Marconi check the status of the lead pack as the race approaches town.

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