Editor, The Smithfield Times:

I would like to offer a big “thank you!” to all the residents of our county who patiently tolerate the presence of cyclists on the back roads of our county each weekend, especially during events such as the recent Smithfield Triathlon.

I would like to clear up a few misconceptions regarding the bike segment of the triathlon. There are strict rules for the bike segment that are enforced by race volunteers at the intersections and referees on the course.

Cyclists are not allowed to draft. Cyclists must stay three bike lengths apart unless passing. Passing must be completed within 15 seconds. Crossing the yellow line is an automatic disqualification. Three participants were penalized for various rule infractions at this year’s event.

The organization that puts on the Smithfield Triathlon, Kinetic Multisports, has a program of 21 events scheduled this year in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina.  To the best of my knowledge, all of these events feature a bike course that is open to motor vehicle traffic.

By tradition, Kinetic Multisports’ first event each year is the Smithfield Triathlon, which is scheduled in the early spring thanks to the cooperation of the Luter Family YMCA, which graciously makes the pool and the parking lot available for the event. This year, the Smithfield event had over 400 participants. Only 14 of those participants were from Smithfield or Carrollton.

 

Greg Vassilakos

Smithfield