They come on Big Wheels, BMX bikes, brand-new Treks, and steel frames with a sheen of rust. Everybody wears race bib number 1, and everybody takes home a medal. The cardinal rule is œdon’t run into any of the other riders.
It’s a terrific way to introduce the sport to youngsters – where else would they get the chance to compete in front of thousands of spectators lining the race’s start-finish area?