April 10/07 9:00 am - Thanks from the HCC

Posted by Editor on 04/10/07
 

Thanks from the HCC
Courtesy Chris Kiriakopoulos

The Hamilton Cycling Club would like to thank everyone who came together for our 55th Good Friday Road Races. Passionate volunteers and racing cyclists alike braved the epic conditions for the sport they love. It is not easy organizing the season opener in Ontario, and every year the stresses associated with the weather inevitably raise thoughts of never doing it again. Then, as the day unfolds, the stories start to pour in. Volunteers who had never seen a bike race before, seasoned volunteers who stepped up and offered their expertise and, of course, the competitors all came in with their personal tales of the big chill. Suddenly, those thoughts of abandoning this Hamilton tradition simply melted away.

Thank you to the Hamilton Special Events Advisory Team (SEAT) for their assistance and guidance. The City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Police responded to our needs and ensured safe racing conditions. Thanks also to Cooper Tires who provided tents and promoted the races and our sport through flyers and advertising in our local paper. To the Ontario Cycling Association, thanks for providing the framework so that small clubs like ours can accomplish great things. And finally, to Chief Commissaire Brad Day and his team of officials, thank you for your diligence in enforcing the rules of our sport. You made the tough decisions, and they will go a long way towards future races organized in the city of Hamilton.

The season has just begun! Good luck to all, racers and organizers, as you roll forward from here. See you at Mosport.