Community Voices / Dick Stewart: Kern great site for Masters bike race

Thursday August 08, 2002, 09:45:08 PM

The national United States Cycling Federation 2002 Masters Event was held in Bakersfield July 9-14. Bicyclists from all over the U.S. -- ages 30 through 70-plus years -- competed in time trial, road race and criterium. We had 15 competitors from Kern County. Competitors generated local revenues and took away a very good impression of Bakersfield.

The national recognition and experiences of the competitors enhanced the image of Bakersfield and promoted it as a bicycle-friendly place to be. This will make Bakersfield more attractive to non-air polluting businesses and people seeking to move to such an environment.

It took a lot of people to make this event happen. When you see them, be sure to say thanks. Here is a brief summary of some of these efforts.

In 1998, Kerry Ryan of Action Sports approached the Bakersfield Convention & Visitors Bureau/Sports Marketing Council to co-promote a professional bicycle race to fit geographically between Visalia and Redlands. In late 2000 the CVB/SMC contacted Ryan about finding a large bike event. Kerry proposed the Masters Nationals.

CVB/SMC and Kerry Ryan filled-out the "phone book-thick" bid papers and waited patiently. The USCF toured the proposed sites in May 2001 and met with all agencies that would be involved -- e.g., CHP, sheriff, police, ambulance, roads departments, the mayor, etc. The go-ahead was given from all agencies.

Ryan picked the race sites and recommended Mike and Dawn Camerena to help coordinate the event. Mike and Dawn have put on the Visalia Dole Classic for years. Don Jaeger, head of CVB/SMC, met numerous times with them to minimize mistakes that can happen in running a race this large.

Locally, no one had ever put on such a large cycling event. Volunteers were crucial. Special thanks to Jim Bryant for coordinating volunteers and Ron Jones in setting up the race venues. This involved the physical set-up of the three courses, 10 to15 volunteers watching out for pedestrian and rider safety, and manning the neutral feed zone on the Woody Crossover. We probably went through thousands of water bottles and tons of ice in two days.

Some volunteers at the event also helped house competitors and enjoyed the relationships they made. Many volunteers helped to pay back for the events they have participated in.

Major groups of volunteers were from South High School ROTC, Hall Ambulance and its Explorer Post, FlashCo., Motor City, Bakersfield Yamaha and The Gold Wing Road Riders. These groups provided materials, equipment, services and personnel throughout the event to help manage it, care for competitors and to ensure the safety and enjoyment of the public.

The high-school explorers were one of the most important factors for the success of the event.

The three local network television stations provided daily coverage of the event.

Dick Stewart is past president of the Kern Wheelmen Bicycle Club. He manages the Kern Wheelmen's e-mail list and is active in bicycle community issues via the South Valley Bicycle Coalition. The e-mail address is www.KernWheelmen.org. Community Voices is an expanded commentary that may contain up to 500 words.

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