A very happy Monday morning to you. What an exceptional weekend it was to be outdoors.
I took advantage of last weekend’s weather to head south to Anniston, AL to spend the weekend with a very dear group of friends. We had not had time to catch up in some time so the weekend was planned for all of us to show up and basically have a “slumber party” at our good friend, Jane Glass house. As an added a bonus, for our visit, the city was playing host to the Alabama Cycling Classic on the streets of downtown. On Saturday the participants sprinted around a 0.7-mile course in the heart of downtown as spectators enjoyed a festival style atmosphere with local business establishments opening their doors to the 100’s of visitors.
The Sunny King Criterium road race is part of the USA Cycling Pro Road tour and the official entry into the 2016 USA Cycling National Criterium Calendar. USA Cycling is the official cycling organization recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the International Cycling Union (UCI) and is the pre-determining qualifying organization for the USA national racing team.
Over the weekend multiple races were held on the 0.7-mile downtown course as spectators stood inches away from the speeding cyclists. During the intermissions, the spectators including my friends were able to take in all of the quaint personality that the downtown of Anniston had to offer. Like most cities of this size the old buildings had been refurbished and were hosts to excellent retail shops and restaurants. When we were not watching the races, our time was spent on “catching up” in one of the establishments serving cold libations and hot appetizers. Given the weather, it was the perfect day to take in the sights and sounds of the pageantry of road racing offered up by way of the open-armed hospitality of a small southern city.
I have to give much thanks to Jane for coming up with the weekend for us all to gather in her town of Anniston. By the end of the day you had the feeling that she may just be running for mayor and if not, given everyone we were introduced to, maybe the head of the tourism bureau.
Enjoy!!!!!!!!!
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Best Regards !!!!
~ dennis keim ~
