by: Charles McCarthy

Loudon, Nh.- The name is a little misleading.  The pond isn’t shaped much like a turtle.  And the speed at which nearly 600 cyclists whizzed by last Saturday didn’t bring to mind the sluggish reptile.  Nevertheless the 2007 edition of the Turtle Pond Circuit Race is in the books. 

The weather could only be described in one word: glorious.  It being the first racing day with “pleasant” conditions in New England, cyclists flocked to the race armed with pulsing ambition and legs that hadn’t felt the sun since October.  Categories ranged from 10 year-old juniors to Masters 55+ not-so-juniors, the idea to give everyone an early season opportunity to race. 

And race they did.  The first field, the Men’s Cat. 3s, blasted up Oak Hill Road at 9:00am and it wasn’t until the sun sank low in the west did the pros finish up their 69 miles close to 4:00pm.  It was a long, hot, stressful at times yet fun day. 

Congratulations to all who won their respective categories, who maybe got their first top-10, who finished their race, who entered their first race!  The Legal Sea Foods Cycling Team thanks you for your support, for your patience at registration or in the line for the Port-O-Potty.  We hope you had as much fun as we have organizing the race. 

Be sure to support the many businesses that helped make this event a success.  The next time you see a Legal Sea Foods restaurant, perhaps on the way to another race, consider dinner there.  If confronted with the dozens of sport drink choices behind the glass doors at the gas station, go for the Vitaminwater.  And if you’re looking for the place for all things bike in Concord, New Hampshire, stop by S&W Sports.  Thank you to these three great companies for supporting our race and the sport of cycling.

We would also like to thank the towns of Concord and Loudon, New Hampshire, and the residents thereof.  Thank you to the police for helping control traffic.  Thank you also to the Faith Community Bible Church and the Capital Fire Protection for your parking lots and cooperation.  Thanks to Grappone Toyota.  Thanks to the many volunteers and to Danielle Risch and her staff of USCF officials.  And most importantly, thank you to the all of the racers for coming!

See you next year.