GMBC has used this time trial course for many years.  It is a fun course to ride, however, with the increasing traffic on the roads in that area, and especially at the start and finish areas, it has become too dangerous in my opinion.  In the 14 years I have run this series there has not been one injury or fatality, and this is partly due to me being proactive on retiring courses that pose any potential risks to participants and timers.  There was fatality during a GMBC TT in the late 1980s, and the details are sketchy on that, but all I know is that I do not want to have something like this happen on my watch.

At the last visit to this course on 4/23/2008 I personally witnessed several hazardous situations at both the start and finish areas caused by traffic approaching from both direction.  In each case the cars had to slow and squeeze by one another on order to give some room to the riders.  The timing crew got some disgusted looks.  The big issue at the finish is the lack of room.  Simple put, there is no shoulder to speak of on the road leading to the finish.

It is true that our start time was 1/2 hour earlier than our normal time (due to the shorter days), and that may be one of the reasons for the increased traffic, but during the previous years when we started this course at 6pm I do not remember the traffic being as bad.

The other troubling part for me is that this course has two stop signs on it.  This in itself poses a problem because Vermont law requires that all bicyclists stop at stop signs, and getting all participants to abide by this law during an event is difficult.

I am open to suggestions on this course, but be advised that my thought process includes the following: riders and timers safety, finish area location, parking, public opinion, abiding by the law, police intervention, getting shut down, GMBC perception, and disgruntled motorists who may act irrationally.

This course is liked and it is not easy for me knowing that, but if someone gets hurt, the consequences of that could shut the whole series down.  Please Email me your thoughts or suggestions.

Kevin Bessett

posted on Apr 25