tour of the valley Notebook

Busy people: Dan and Erin Quinlan of Carbon Racing, the organizer/promoter, were busy dealing with race event matters and making decisions throughout the day. They were hounded by questions about registration and results as well as keeping the customers happy. Dan had to make the choice to hold off the Men Cat 4 race because of heavy rain and the threat of severe weather. The Cat 4 race was delay a half-hour, then started at 1:30 p.m.

Danger RR crossing: Ron Garrett of USA Cycling, the weekend’s chief referee, gave instructions to riders before Saturday’s first event: Pro Men 1-2. Garrett, of Xenia, warned of the railroad crossing in downtown Columbiana. “You could be disqualified if you violate the warnings if the gates are coming down and the red-light signal flashing. Do not go through flashing lights or down gates,” Garrett said. Another potential infraction pertained to right-lane adherence and disqualification if the yellow-line rule was broken.

Celebrity starter: Alex Chavarriaga was the starter for the Pro Men’s 1-2, Women’s 1-4 and Men Cat 3 races. The 66-year-old was a cyclist for 32 years and won the Tour of Colombia two years in a row. However, he is now paralyzed from an accident in Washington D.C. in April, 2000, while training for a race in Italy. Chavarriaga and his wife, Marianne, live in Boardman. His instructions to riders were: “Good luck. Ready. Go.” One of the Pro Men 1-2 riders who sped past Chavarriaga after the 9:10 a.m. start, commented: “Thanks, Alex.”

Sound man: Sherman Ziegler augmented the loudspeaker system with his equipment, a service he provides for parades and various other events, such as today’s Fairfield Twp. Ruritan Classic Car Show. The 53-year-old Ziegler’s system feeds eight 70-volt horns on South Main St. and five more on poles around the city circle.

Nice couple: Sitting on a bench waiting for riders to return were Don and Joanne Vignon. “This is pretty major for this town,” Don said. “Other than criteriums, this is the first big-time race to come here.” The Vignons are members of the Outspoken Wheelmen. Don is one of the local riding organization’s past presidents. They’re easing their way back into the activity following the passing of their son, Donnie, who had a stroke in January, 2002 at the age of 28. Donnie worked his way up to the Cat 3 level and won or finished second in Ohio/W. Va. championships as a 17- and 18-year-old.

On the sidewalks: Several businesses and individual vendors were catering to spectators, including “Shellabella’s on Main,” a restaurant that bills itself as “deliciously different” in cuisine. Owner Michelle Johnson said that 80 percent of her clientele comes from Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

Distinction: A sign at Columbiana’s city limits lets vistors know that the Clippers were 1947 Class A state basketball champions.

Comments continue: John Baumeister of Tenspeeds in Columbus kept the show rolling with banter-by-the-minute. After sampling a plate of food from Shellabella’s, he commented: “Guys, I’ve been at a lot of these races, but none has better food than this one.”

Steady bystander: Phil Moore of the Mahoning County Convention and Visitors Bureau has been on hand both days to get feedback from spectators and to dispense goodwill at the starting/finish lines.

Mister McNally: Mahoning County Commissioner John McNally IV was spotted watching the Canfield race on Friday, but only after he stopped for a Mister Misty treat at the DQ, just feet from the course on the Village Green. The commissioner’s office lent a big hand in the event’s support.