Phoenixville High School junior Charles Hanlon knows too well about the dangers of racing bicycles. An avid road and cyclocross racer, Hanlon has witnessed spectacular spills and chills from his perch in the peloton. Now he embarks on what may be the most terrifying aspect of racing--organizing and promoting an event.
For his senior project, a graduation requirement at Phoenixville Area High School, Hanlon elected to organize the inaugural Phoenixville Criterium. The bicycle race, entitled "The Phoenixville Criterium," will take place on June 20 on Phoenixville's north side. Race proceeds will benefit The Phoenixville Airea Children's Learning Center.
Hazards of race promotion include: securing a location; gathering permits from local municipalities; closing neighborhood roads and invoking residents' wrath; gathering enough volunteers to keep racers safe at critical road junctures; getting enough racers to participate; securing medical crews in case of crashes; and weather. This daunting yet incomplete list represents only a few of the challenges promoters face and should remind racers waiting impatiently in the registration line that all they had to remember that day was to pack their shoes, helmets, and licenses and show up on time. Promoters shoulder an enormous responsibility which Hanlon has undertaken to give back to the sport and community he loves.
Hanlon, who has been racing for 5 years, offers the following reasons to get involved in this endeavor. "I wanted to give back to both the racing community that has fostered me as a rider, as well as my local community that has fostered me as a person. My main goal with this event is to make it something that the entire community can enjoy, not just bike racers.”
The project requires at least 15 hours of service, but Hanlon has already exceeded this by 110 hours. Add on race day hours, and he will have completed in terms of time 10 projects by the time he's finished.
The race features categories for everyone from beginning racers to seasoned professionals. Racing begins at 8 in the morning and runs until 4 in the afternoon, with the professional race set to take place promptly at 1. The race will also feature a free race for children between the ages of 2 and 10 at noon. Children must wear helmets.
The race takes place in front of Franklin Commons on Franklin Ave, Fillmore Ave, South St. and Grant St. Please note that on June 20 these roads will be closed from 7 am to 5 pm. A course map can be found here.
Hanlon is financially backed by his current team, Guy’s Bicycles Racing, an amateur, Philadelphia-based team whose primary sponsor, Guy’s Bicycles, is a full service shop located in Feasterville, Pa.
Registration information and start times are available at www.bikereg.com. The race will also have registration available the day of the race. Hanlon is still looking for volunteers to help marshal the course. If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions about the race, please contact Charles Hanlon via e-mail at newidea_76@yahoo.com.
For more info: Interested racers can register at BikeReg. Interested volunteers should contact Charles Hanlon.
Comments