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News Bicycle competition in Altamont slated for end of September (Albany County, Guilderland, Altamont) Posted on: 09/09/09 Dan Sabbatino email: sabbatinod@spotlightnews.com It’s all about speed on Sunday, Sept. 27. The fastest cyclist will win the Altamont Circuit Race, and the more race participants there are, the faster the village library can make its move to the former Delaware Hudson Train Station. Judith Wines, library director for the Altamont Free Library, said, when coming up with the idea for the fundraiser, board members wanted to do something athletic and physical, and were hoping to kick off with something creative and doable. “There are lots of opportunities for 5K races, but not lots of opportunities for bike races,” she said. She said the library is coordinating with Anthem Sports, an organization that sponsors the largest bike race in America – the Tour of the Battenkill. Dieter Drake, owner of Anthem Sports, said the idea was conceived over a holiday dinner last year, where he and library board member Pat Spohr were talking about racing. Drake and Spohr’s son are childhood friends, and Drake grew up in Altamont, and eventually attended Guilderland High School. “Literally we were talking over Thanksgiving dinner,” he said. “This is a match made in heaven.” Wines said organizers are hoping for a strong turnout. She said there will be other events at the race, such as a tricycle race, kids race, local music, food, a health expo in Orsini Park and a bike-decorating contest. There will be eight adult races, with the most competitive being the Men’s Elite, going for 58 miles, and the least competitive being the Citizens Race, going for 12. Wines said all participants will need a racing license to participate, and those just getting their license will likely participate in the Citizens Race. The course will loop for 4 miles and pass Thacher Park and the Helderberg Escarpment Drake said the most competitive women’s race is slated to be exciting due to the high level of talent participating. “So many folks love to ride out here. That’s one of the reasons we thought it would be a suitable event,” she said. The proceeds will go toward the library’s effort to rehabilitate to the former train station at 179 Main St., in the middle of the village, an effort the library has been working toward for the past five years. It is planning to relocate there soon. “We would love to be there within the next year,” she said. There will be a $20 fee to join the race. So far more than 50 riders have signed up, with the goal being 150. Drake said usually most of the riders sign up within the last week leading up to the race. The 150 is a first-year goal, Drake said, with ambitions growing each year. “We’re hoping to grow it into something more expansive,” Drake said. The race is sponsored by CM Fox Real Estate, Fit for Life, a program of the Upper Hudson Library System, with support from the MetLife Foundation; Tri-Valley Plumbing and Heating, Altamont Physical Therapy; Capital District Physicians Health Plan; Carver Sand and Gravel, LLC; Stewart’s Shops; Wein, Young, Fenton and Kelsey, PC; John Van Wormer Septic Systems; Altamont Country Kennels; Fass & Edwards, DDS, LLP; and Sunrise Construction Company. You can contact sabbatinod@spotlightnews.com with any questions. Also, feel free to post comments below. Comments powered by Disqus |
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