2008 TOUR DE GEORGIA
THE FANS
So you wanna know what the race is really about? Its the fans. Without the spectators the race would be lonely and boring. The people you meet at events like this are the spice that makes the effort to attend worthwhile. Follow along as we interview the really important folks and see if you maybe find a photo of yourself.
Since we couldn't meet, shoot and interview everyone feel free to submit your own photo and what you thought about the race. If you find yourself featured in here and want a higher resolution version of your photo(s) just let me know by emailing bicycling@coolbicycling.com.
THE CAROL CHRONICLES
SHE MINGLES WITH THE FANS
Right off the bat, at stage seven, Carol spotted a fit young man seventy-one years of age who rides his bicycle daily. Laurence Haley (upper left) of Atlanta is an active cyclist who told Carol his next venture is to ride the Silver Comet Trail which covers 108 miles from Atlanta to the Alabama state line. He has recently tackled the 18 mile climb up Stone Mountain and the 21 mile ride up Arabia Mountain at Panola State Park. Laurence enthusiastically shared with her his passion for cycling.
Carol's conversation with Laurence drew some additional cycling fans into the mix. Bryan Zieroff flew in from Connecticut to join his friend of seventeen years Duane Fossyl along with wife Alison of Atlanta. These two pals met while attending Ohio State University. This is Bryan's third year to attend the Tour de Georgia and when Carol asked what brought him back to the event each year he stated, "the diversity of the race stages." He also told her he loved the sprint stages and that "Fast" Freddy was his favorite sprinter. Duane on the, other hand, has attended the Tour all six years. When asked why he continues to return Duane said, "my passion is the racing atmosphere itself. You can actually feel the electricity on stages like Brasstown Bald and you know the riders can feel it too. The crowd and the riders seem to feed off each other."
SOME FANCY YOUNG FACES
While strolling the course, Carol couldn't resist the decorative appearance of these little ones. Four year old Addie (in the red coat) along with her sister, seven year old Lillie, enjoy the day with their seven year old cousin Emma (far right). All three are local Atlanta residents. When asked what their favorite thing about the race was they all three exclaimed at once, "getting all the free stuff and seeing all the riders go by." Their father dressed in green dragons garb said that the two older kids have attended the Tour all six years and this was Addie's fourth.
THE BRITISH INVASION WITH FAMILY DOG "BRUNO"
Doing what she does best, Carol moves on down the line to talk with yet another cycling fan. Graham Sharman and wife Sue moved to Ft Lauderdale Florida from England 25 years ago. His t-shirt sporting the South Broward Wheelers logo gave him away as not only a fan but a cyclist himself. He shared his personal history of cycling and stated that it has changed his life by dropping 40 pounds and giving up smoking. This example of altering ones health habits was a recurring theme surrounding this years Tour de Georgia as promoted by Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
Graham's interest in cycling did not begin until the late 80's and he has not stopped spinning since. This was his fourth year attending the Tour and he said that he supports all the cyclists. When asked if he had a favorite rider his response was as follows, "I would have to say that I like George the best simply because he suffered for Lance all those years and I think its time he won a few."
THE FANS THIS YEARS TEAMS THE SHOOTERS
THE OFFICIAL SITE
