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Enthusiastic crowds lined both sides of Route 301 on Wednesday as the UCI Road World Championships barreled into day five. (Photo by Maureen McNabb)
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Hanover's signature tomato hides out in this welcome banner. (Photo by Maureen McNabb)
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"First Baptist Church of Richmond gave these to us," says Sidney Scheurle. "It makes a loud racket when we all ring them together, but the riders may actually be able to hear them, unlike plain yelling." (Photo by Maureen McNabb)
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A rider shooting out of the starting line at King's Dominion in Doswell. (Photo by Maureen McNabb)
Today, Hanover County welcomed the Worlds in style. Aside from cheerful bike gardens all over Ashland, huge banners hung throughout the county, proclaiming “Welcome to Hanover County, Virginia!” Hordes of people young and old, some with dogs on leashes, lined both sides of U.S. 301 near the Rutland neighborhood, cheering and waving to each cyclist as they passed. The sun assisted in making it a beautiful day, providing just the right amount of light to warm, but not scorch, the riders and spectators. The men’s elite individual time trial course began at Kings Dominion in Doswell, bypassed the historic Hanover courthouse — where, in 1763, Patrick Henry successfully argued the “Parson’s Cause” case — swept through Virginia Union University’s campus and ended in the heart of Richmond, nearly 33 miles from the start line.
Keeping the Peace
Richard Blair says he hopes the UCI races will "have a longer impact than just this week." (Photo by Maureen McNabb)
In his blue Richmond 2015 shirt and shiny trooper’s sunshades, and speaking into the walkie talkie clipped to his side every few minutes, volunteer Richard Blair obviously takes his role seriously. He’s responsible for keeping fans at bay along the route, and making sure there are no distractions or disruptions for the riders. “I [volunteered] at Collegiate nationals last year and I really enjoyed it,” he says, removing his glasses but hardly ever taking his eyes from the course as we wait for the start of the time trials. “And I also enjoy bike racing, so it seemed natural to me [to volunteer].” Blair lives in Hanover and has spent much of his life in the Richmond area. “I hope [the UCI Road World Championships] brings attention to our area,” he says. “Hopefully, people will see it on TV and come to Richmond. Maybe they don’t even like cycling, but they see it and remember Richmond. Maybe it’ll have a longer impact than just this week.”
Teacher’s Day Out
Educator Terri Lent's students were excited about Richmond 2015, but were "even more excited about the day off," she says. (Photo by Maureen McNabb)
Hanover County resident and longtime educator Terri Lent came to see the race because, “it’s really cool,” of course. “It’s so close to home, I felt like I had to come,” she says. Lent is a librarian at Patrick Henry High School (full disclosure: my alma mater) and had been talking with students in the days leading up to the race. Hanover County Public Schools closed for the day, which explains why there were so many children and teens hopping, laughing and cheering on the riders. “They were excited about the race,” she says, “but I think they were even more excited about the day off.”
Winona and Wabash, Come to Watch
The Scheurles and the Schmidts, friends and riding buddies, have been cycling for 20 years. (Photo by Maureen McNabb)
“We’ve been here all week!” Sidney Scheurle gushes, decked out in colorful, form-fitting riding gear. Her husband nods, his riding suit identical to hers. “The last race we followed like this was the Tour of Georgia,” Sigurd Scheurle recalls. When I ask where they’re from, they say slowly, “Winona, Minnesota,” as if they’re sure I would have never heard of it. “Have you ever been there?” I haven’t. The couple they’re with, David and Catherine Schmidt – also friendly, also outfitted in biking duds — say, “We’re from Minnesota, too. Wabash.” The Schmidts have been cycling for about 20 years; they’re happy to be in Richmond, and think we were a great choice for UCI’s host city. “We were out riding on Sunday and a woman leaned out of her car window waving at us, and said, “Hey ya’ll, welcome!” Everyone has been really nice, really warm.”
He Came from Colombia
"I bought my Colombian flag and maybe they'll see it," says American-born Colombian resident Mark Grumbles. (Photo by Maureen McNabb)
Mark Grumbles is American by birth, but he’s spent the last several years as a missionary in Bogota, Colombia. We talked as a chorus of cowbells rang and hushed, rang and hushed with the passing of each cyclist. He’s here to support his adopted country’s team. “Colombians are huge cycling fans, huge!” he says. “I want to support them, so I’m here. I brought my Colombian flag to wave, and maybe they’ll see it.”
For daily updates on Richmond 2015, plus photos and race fan interviews, read the Richmond magazine Bike Blog. Follow our posts on Twitter with the hashtag #RichMagBikeBlog.
