Saratoga Spa Crit on a roll

OK, I know I'm supposed to be making my big return from blogcation tonight, but I'm still up to my eyeballs in boxes, bags, bicycles, and futon cushions, so forgive my brevity.

Plus, Spa:Crit was yesterday, and in addition to unpacking, I'm neck-deep in fallout from the race (mostly positive, but still time consuming). So, no real post tonight.

Instead, spend some time perusing these excellent shots from the race, then check out the edited versions here. There was also some great coverage of the race in The Saratogian, courtesy of city reporter Patrick Donges and ace photog Erica Miller.

In summation, we had about 240 racers show up for the Marshall & Sterling Spa Crit on Sunday -- a 150-percent increase from 2009. Notably, the women's race had about 25 participants, and the elite men had about 50 (up from 12 registered in 2009). Every race, from 1-lap the kid's crit to the cat 5 race and the elite races were fiercely contested, and everyone from the spectators to the participants and volunteers had a great day.

Of course, there were a few unhappy neighbors, and I hope that I will hear from these individuals so that we can better address their needs for the 2011 event, when we once again hope to be guests on the West Side.

I started promoting bike races because I spend a lot of time traveling to, and participating in, races. At every one of those events, there are tons of volunteers who spend lots of time to produce fun, enjoyable events. I want people from both within and without the cycling community to enjoy Saratoga Springs. Spa:crit is a way to show off our town, while bringing something different to the city residents. It was great to see some residents, many of whom looked like they'd never before seen a bike race, sitting out spectating.

From within the cycling community, it was great to see the number of non-racers (not-yet-racers?) who registered for the cat 5 category, and had a great time in their first race. Hopefully, the first of many! Similarly, it was great to see some serious contenders who can line up and race competitively at almost any race in the country choose to come here and race in Saratoga.

Thanks to all of the racers, athletes, and, especially the volunteers, who make the second year of the Saratoga Spa Crit a success.

There were lots of fun and memorable moments on Sunday, but the best one was when John and I were taking down barriers at the end of the day and a little kid came up to us on his bike and asked if we would hold the race again next year. It seems Mom and Dad had forgot to wake him up from a nap in time for the kid's race and he was really sad to have missed it. "I definitely want to race next year!" he said. Priceless.

P.S. We are finalizing the results, and they will posted in short order.